True Christianity Part 43

12. Now if G.o.d pours his blessings upon us so plentifully in this life, that we taste and enjoy them by all our senses; how much more fully shall we be convinced, in the other world, by most blessed experience, that his mercy endureth forever? If we receive so many mercies from him now in this vale of sin and misery, as that "in him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28), how much more glorious will his mercy appear hereafter, when we shall be cleansed from all sin, and rendered capable of the purest enjoyments?

13. Fourthly, the praises of G.o.d have been the special employment of all holy men. Most of the prophets of the Old Testament composed holy hymns, to the praise and honor of G.o.d. Thus did Moses (Exod. 15; Deut. 32), Hannah (1 Sam. 2), Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20), Hezekiah (Isa. 38), and Jeremiah (Lam. 3). David was, however, the most eminent, who is so fervent in the praise of G.o.d, as to say, that "His praise shall continually be in his mouth." Ps. 34:1. In the New Testament, the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:46-55), and Zacharias (Luke 1:68-79); also St. Paul and St. Peter, in many places of their Epistles. These examples sufficiently show that they believed acts of thanksgiving and praise to be the most n.o.ble services which we can possibly perform in this valley of misery. And, therefore, if we are desirous to be partakers with the saints in glory, it is necessary that we should imitate their examples in praising and magnifying G.o.d.

14. Fifthly, all creatures invite us to praise G.o.d. Thus David speaks to them all, "Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion."

Ps. 103:22. And, indeed, every creature, in its way, gives glory to its Creator; for he has stamped such ill.u.s.trious characters of his glory and goodness on them all, that they cannot conceal them. "The heavens declare the glory of G.o.d; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Ps. 19:1. And Job says, "Where wast thou, when the morning stars sang together?" Chap.

38:4, 7. For even the sun, the moon, and all the host of heaven, when they give their light, bear witness at the same time to the majesty and goodness of Him that made them. The earth praises G.o.d when it is fruitful and flourishing. The herbs and flowers, by their fragrance, beauty, and variety of colors, show forth the might and wisdom of their Maker. The birds with their songs; the trees with their fruits; the sea with its inhabitants (Ps. 104:25); in short, all the creatures in their several places, praise the G.o.d that made them, whilst they fulfil his will, and answer the end for which they were created. Ps. 148:1, etc. And not only so, but they call upon mankind, by the virtues and powers which G.o.d has implanted in them, as witnesses of his wisdom and goodness, to praise and glorify G.o.d. Whatever way we turn our eyes, we see so many marks of divine goodness, that one would think that nature was nothing but one great history of the glory of its Maker. But forasmuch as G.o.d has been more gracious and bountiful unto man than to any other of his creatures, mankind are certainly obliged to furnish larger and more frequent returns of grat.i.tude than they.

15. Sixthly, we must know, that when we have done all that we can to set forth the greatness and majesty of G.o.d, the best and most devout of men must fall short of the dignity of a subject, which no tongue, either of men or angels, can worthily express. For "Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can show forth all his praise?" Ps. 106:2. The most exalted praises of holy men are more properly acts of admiration and wonder, than attempts to express to the full the infinite love and majesty of G.o.d. They have the will, but not the ability, to praise G.o.d in adequate terms. Thus holy David in many Psalms stirs up his soul, and all the powers thereof, to praise his G.o.d with thanksgiving. So Moses, "The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation. He is my G.o.d, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's G.o.d, and I will exalt him." Exod. 15:2.

Observe, he calls G.o.d _his strength_; and were not that strength with us, in us, and above us, we should quickly be turned into dust, and vanish like a shadow. Therefore it is said: "Every man at his best state is altogether vanity." Ps. 39:5. Moses also calls G.o.d _his salvation_; for he is our righteousness against sin; our strength against infirmities; our refuge in persecution; our joy in sadness; and lastly our life in death.

16. And now, what is there in heaven or in earth that may be compared unto our G.o.d, with whom is such abundant salvation; who, by his power, sustains the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein (Isa. 40:12); who is so holy that all the angels adore him (Isa. 6:3), so "fearful in praises"

(Exod. 15:11) that the heaven, the earth, and all that is under the earth, bow and tremble? He is so praiseworthy that all his works ought to be had in honor, and every creature ought to praise his Maker: so wise, so powerful, as to create all things out of nothing; to bring light out of darkness; righteousness out of sin; and life out of death. Should we now pa.s.s to the great work of our redemption, who can express it? He suffers his only Son to become man, that we might become the children of G.o.d. He suffers all pain as man, that we might enjoy everlasting felicity; he took upon him the form of a servant, that we might be partakers of his heavenly kingdom; lastly, he underwent death for us, that we, through him, might have life eternal. Such works, such love, who can worthily celebrate?

Where is he that can explain how the infinite G.o.d, "whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain" (1 Kings 8:27), can yet dwell in us, and we in him? Or how he made our immortal souls, and will receive them to himself after their separation from the body? Or how he shall raise our dead bodies from the dust of the earth unto eternal life? It is, indeed, wonderful and strange, that that which is "mortal should put on immortality." 1 Cor. 15:53. Wherefore, praise the Lord, O my soul.

17. If any man, then, desires to answer the end of his creation, and not to be thought the only ingrate among all the works of G.o.d; if he desires to walk worthy of his Christian calling, and after death to be partaker with the saints of light and everlasting glory, let his soul praise the Lord, and let him beseech G.o.d that He would never suffer his soul to be unmindful or negligent of this duty. And those things which we cannot sufficiently praise in this world shall be worthily celebrated in the next, when "that which is in part shall be done away. For now we see through a gla.s.s darkly, but then face to face." 1 Cor. 13:10, 12. Which may G.o.d grant, for Jesus Christ's sake.

Chapter XLIII.

To Praise G.o.d Is The Highest And Most Honorable Employment Of Men.

_It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord-upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this._ PS. 92:1-6.

There are six Psalms which have been distinguished by the name of Golden Songs, namely, 16, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, to show us that the praise of G.o.d and prayer are the spiritual and heavenly treasure of a believing heart.

And that this is the greatest honor man is capable of, appears hence. (1.) That a cheerful confidence in G.o.d is that which procures the soul the greatest liberty of access to him. Hence it is said, "Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary." Ps. 96:6. And that this freedom of access is the highest honor of man, the very angels themselves confess, who glory in that exalted privilege. "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of G.o.d." Luke 1:19.

2. The giving praise to G.o.d is a great honor and treasure of man, because (2) thereby we become like the angels in heaven. Therefore our blessed Saviour, pointing out the future glory of men, says, "They shall be as the angels of G.o.d." Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:36. This, though it is ultimately to be understood of the purity and other perfections of their glorified bodies in another life; in which respect we shall not only be like the angels, but also be conformed to the glorified body of our Lord Jesus Christ (according to Phil. 3:21, and 1 John 3:2, "It doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is")-yet even as no man can be like him in the other world, that has not been conformed to him in this; that is to say, that has not believed in him, imitated his holy life, followed him in his meekness and humility, and, in a word, perfectly clothed himself with the image of the patient, humble, afflicted and crucified Jesus, that he may be like him in his glorious, exalted, and perfect state in the other world; so also shall no man be like the angels in heaven, that has not endeavored to conform himself to their examples on earth. There is then no instance in which we can better imitate them here, than by offering up devout and incessant prayers and praises to G.o.d; for this is the employment of the holy angels. Isa. 6:3; Ps. 103:20. Whosoever then does this, imitates those blessed spirits, and maintains fellowship with them.

Hence it follows, that to be continually celebrating the praises of G.o.d is the n.o.blest and most honorable employment that man is capable of. And this may be done at any time, and in any place by a devout soul, praising from the ground of the heart. It is thence that the true praises of G.o.d proceed, according to that expression, "singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord." Col. 3:16.

3. That singing praises to G.o.d is the greatest glory and highest honor that a man can receive, appears (3) hence; that by this a man becomes, as it were, the harp or instrument on which the Holy Spirit is perpetually sounding forth the praises of G.o.d. Of this we have a very beautiful representation, where the Evangelist saw a great mult.i.tude clothed in white, and following the Lamb of G.o.d; and "he heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps." Rev. 14:2. This was also indicated under the Old Testament by that admirable variety of musical instruments mentioned by David in Ps. 150. All these instruments express nothing else but the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, by which the name, the praise, the honor, the wisdom, the mercies, and wonderful works of G.o.d were to be published to the world; which instruments are now laid aside to make room for the divine harmony of _spiritual_ music, even that of praise and thanksgiving to G.o.d. For what the musical instrument is to man, that the soul of man is to the Spirit of G.o.d, being attuned and rendered harmonious by the hand that holds it. Thus it is said, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength." Ps. 8:2. But what greater glory can the heart, mouth, or soul of man desire and enjoy, than to be as so many organs or musical instruments of the Spirit of G.o.d? This is what David means, "The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue" (2 Sam. 23:2); and the apostle, "Be ye filled with the Spirit: speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Eph. 5:18, 19.

4. That the praising of G.o.d is a man's greatest privilege, and most valuable treasure, appears (4) hence: because in that exercise is contained the greatest spiritual joy. Hence it is said, "Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands."

Ps. 92:4. And as in this divine joy consists the greatest part of the happiness of eternal life, and the kingdom of G.o.d within us, which we are told, "is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 14:17); so whoever desires a foretaste of the happiness of that blessed state, may obtain it by the daily exercise of praise and thanksgiving. This, when it proceeds from a sincere heart, gives life and divine joy both to the soul and body; as we are told in Ps. 63, and Ps. 84. What is Paradise itself, but pure joy and unmixed pleasures; where "we taste and see that the Lord is good"?

Ps. 34:8. And what is eternal life, but the abundance of this joy, "and pleasures at G.o.d's right hand for evermore"? Ps. 16:11.

5. The greatness and excellency of this duty appears (5) hence: that by it we are led to the contemplation of all the wonderful works of G.o.d, whence such rays of divine light and wisdom dart upon the soul, as scatter and dissipate the clouds of error and darkness in which men are naturally involved. Thus saith the Psalmist, "O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool understand this." Ps. 92:5, 6. And St. Paul, "The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of G.o.d." 1 Cor. 2:10. Therefore, the more a man knows of G.o.d, the more he praises him; and the more he praises him, the more he increases in the knowledge of him. For the higher any one rises in the praises of G.o.d, so much the more deeply he descends into the contemplation of his nature and providence. I do not mean the presumptuous inquiries of some curious searchers into forbidden mysteries, but those riches of the divine wisdom which G.o.d often discovers to the soul that loves and praises him, and which strike her dumb by the excess of glory and sublime manifestations of Himself. If the queen of Sheba was so astonished at the riches and magnificence of Solomon's court, as to break out in these words, "Thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom" (1 Kings 10:7, 8), how much more should the devout soul be swallowed up in rapture and astonishment, at those revelations of divine light and glory which G.o.d frequently vouchsafes to them that love and praise him, causing them to cry out with David, "O, Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep"! Ps. 92:5. And again, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant." Ps. 25:14. And again, "Thou shalt make me to know wisdom in the hidden part." Ps. 51:6.

Therefore, as the queen of Sheba says, "Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom;"

so those that continually praise G.o.d, are the servants of G.o.d, standing continually about his table, believing in spirit the divine wisdom, and hearkening to the word of G.o.d. This is the never-failing fountain of true wisdom, which one of the ancient fathers treats of, calling it "the deep ocean of divine wisdom." But sublime and glorious as it is, "a brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this." In a word, the more closely a man approaches G.o.d by praise and thanksgiving, the clearer manifestations has he of the riches and treasures of the divine wisdom; which at the same time are hidden, and as it were locked up from those that are without understanding in the ways of G.o.d.

6. We may conclude that praising G.o.d is the highest honor, the most exalted privilege, and greatest benefit to man; because (6) by this man gains the victory over all his enemies, both Satan and men. See Psalm 8:2; 18:3, etc.; 118:5-15. We have a plain instance of this in the case of Jehoshaphat, who, with one divine hymn, routed a vast army of his enemies without loss of blood; as we find, 2 Chron. 20:21, 22. Such songs of victory are frequently to be met with in the Psalms: as Psalms, 18; 46; 47; 76, etc.

Chapter XLIV.

Of Patience, Which Triumphantly Endures The Cross, And Waits For The Promised Glory.

_Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of G.o.d, ye might receive the promise._-HEB. 10:36.

True Christian _patience_ is that virtue by which, in all afflictions that cannot, by ordinary means, be avoided, we resign ourselves to the divine will, and submit entirely to it; choosing rather to suffer the greatest evils, than murmur against G.o.d, or let go our dependence on him.

2. The first reason or ground of this virtue is, _the counsel and gracious will of G.o.d_, by which we are appointed to sufferings and afflictions; according to Rom. 8:29: "Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." As, therefore, G.o.d appointed his own beloved Son to the sufferings of the cross, that thereby he might bring him to glory; so also has he appointed all the true members of Christ to bear the cross, without which they cannot be his body. Eph.

5:30. To each of these he has marked, measured, and, as it were, weighed out, his exact portion of affliction, which cannot be escaped, much less shaken off by impatience; but may be alleviated by obedience and humble submission, and overcome by the power of Jesus Christ.

3. The second reason why we ought to be patient is _the approaching consummation of all things_; at which time, as our blessed Lord has told us, "iniquity shall abound, and love shall wax cold." Matt. 24:12. The consequence of this must be that sincere Christians will be exposed to various afflictions, crosses, injuries, and sundry kinds of death; for "all that will live G.o.dly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12. Christ a.s.sures us that the righteous must expect tribulations and persecutions for the testimony of a good conscience. John 15:20; 16:1.

And the whole Revelation of St. John testifies that Antichrist shall persecute the Church of G.o.d till the last coming of the Lord; then the conflict will at last end, and the dragon and false prophets be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Do not, therefore, deceive thyself with golden dreams of felicity, but possess thy soul in patience, and strengthen thyself against the approaching calamities.

4. Thirdly, the hope of the rest.i.tution of all things, and _the expectation of everlasting happiness_, is another argument to support our patience. For as "the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain" (James 5:7), comforting himself under all his toils with the hopes of a plentiful harvest, so should Christians also learn to "possess their souls in patience" (Luke 21:19), and to persuade themselves that the great and universal harvest of the long-expected day of the Lord shall repair all our losses, and give to every one of us the fruit of our labors. For as the husbandman by no means reckons his seed lost, though it is for a while buried in the earth, but only sows it there in hopes of a harvest, so when Providence is pleased to take from us our lives, our friends, our estates, or honor, we must not look upon them as lost, but be a.s.sured that they are sown in hope of the great day of harvest, when we shall reap abundantly, "if we faint not." Gal. 6:9. So also afflictions are compared to seed-time: "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Ps. 126:5, 6.

5. Fourthly, another support of patience is the _coming of Jesus Christ_; when all our sorrows shall be done away, yea, be turned into joy (John 16:20), and the just judgment of G.o.d shall fall upon our enemies; and then "shall every man have praise of G.o.d." 1 Cor. 4:5. And this day is at hand: "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:8. "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." Rom. 12:19. The time of the cross is short, but the glory that follows it will be eternal. And that day of deliverance cannot be far off.

6. The fifth support of patience is _the truth and faithfulness of G.o.d_; by the consideration of which "we ought to stablish our hearts," as St.

James says, so that they may not waver. James 5:8. For as we tie a tender tree to a post, that it may not be broken by the winds; and as we cast anchor in a storm, to hold the ship, that it may not be driven by the tempest; so ought we to apply our faint and weak hearts to the firm pillar of G.o.d's word, and hold the ship of our souls by the anchor of hope, that it sink not. Heb. 6:19. For how many and great promises of divine a.s.sistance have we in the Holy Scriptures! How many instances of strange deliverances have we daily before our eyes! And what variety of methods has G.o.d to deliver us! How many has he preserved in pestilence and famine (2 Kings 6:25; 7:16), and delivered from the peril of the sword! 2 Chron.

20:22; 14:12. For G.o.d can turn the hearts of enemies to unity and peace, or disappoint the designs of the adversary, as appears in the history of the blessed Jesus: "for," says the angel, "they are dead which sought the young child's life." Matt. 2:20. G.o.d can also convert an adversary, as he did St. Paul. Acts 9: 3, etc. How often does he disappoint the b.l.o.o.d.y intentions of wicked men! Saul had a design upon the life of David, and thought he was so penned in that he could not escape; but G.o.d recalls him by the message of a new incursion of the Philistines into his country. 1 Sam. 23:27. And the chief priests having sent their officers to lay hold on the blessed Jesus, the latter were so affected by our Lord's discourses, that they could not find in their hearts to touch him. John 7:44. Sometimes G.o.d smites the enemies of his servants with blindness, as in the cases of Elisha (2 Kings 6:18) and of Lot. Gen. 19:11. Consider, too, the innumerable legions of angels that guarded the Christians of old time, and miraculously preserved them from imminent dangers, as in the case of St. Peter. Acts 5:19; 12:7-11. And how often was St. Paul wonderfully preserved, and the designs laid against his life discovered!

Acts 23:16. At length, by a temporal death, G.o.d puts an end to the miseries of his servants.

7. Sixthly, how _glorious_ shall the _recompense_ of past afflictions be to the faithful in the other world, which they would not exchange for all the pleasures and glories of this! Rom. 8:18. "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted." Matt. 5:4. And in Rev. 21:4 and Isa.

25:8, it is said, that "G.o.d shall wipe away all tears from the eyes of"

his saints. But how shall he wipe away the tears of those that never sincerely wept?

8. Seventhly, we must set before our eyes _the examples of holy men_, as Abel, Noah, Lot, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Job, and especially the man of G.o.d, Moses; who, as the Holy Scripture witnesses, was "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." Num. 12:3.

The people were sometimes murmuring against him, sometimes chiding him, and sometimes threatening to stone him; but he broke their stubborn hearts by his meekness and patience, pacifying them with gentle words, praying to G.o.d for them, and entreating rather to be blotted out of the book of life, than that they should be cut off in His displeasure. Exod. 32:32. So also Elijah, having been most cruelly persecuted, yet obtained rain from G.o.d for his ungrateful country. 1 Kings 18:45. Micaiah, before the kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat, was struck by the false prophets, and cast into prison, only for dealing sincerely with the king, and giving him a salutary warning. 1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chron. 18:23. Why should I mention Isaiah, sawn asunder as a reward for his faithful services, or Jeremiah, bitterly persecuted by his countrymen (Jer. 15:10), or Daniel, cast into the den of lions (Dan. 6:6), or John the Baptist beheaded (Matt. 14:10), or St. Paul, and all the afflictions which he endured (2 Cor. 11:23, etc.), or the sufferings and trials of the rest of the Apostles, and all the holy martyrs? See Heb. 11:35, etc. Should you inquire of all these, by what way they entered into heaven, they will all with one voice answer: By the way of the cross and tribulation. Acts 14:22. Neither did Christ himself enter by any other way. So says St. Peter, "Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." 1 Pet. 2:21, 23. So great was the patience of our blessed Redeemer, that though the sun hid its head at the time of his pa.s.sion, being unwilling to witness indignities so great; though the earth trembled, and the rocks rent (Luke 23:44; Matt. 27:51); yet he, still hanging upon the cross, murmured not against his enemies, nor by either word or gesture discovered the least impatience; but on the other hand, prayed for his enemies, that they might be saved by that blood which they so unjustly shed. Now if this be the lot of the children of G.o.d, that he chasteneth every one whom he loveth and receiveth, it follows that we must either suffer, or quit our t.i.tle to be the sons of G.o.d. Heb.

12:6-8. If our heavenly Father spared not his own Son, though he was without sin, but chastened him with the rod of affliction; canst thou, who art an adopted son, and polluted with innumerable sins, expect to escape it? Moreover, if G.o.d bear so patiently with our provocations, how much more patient ought we to be, when we are punished for our good, with a view to our amendment! "Let us rather rejoice," as St. Peter exhorts us (1 Epistle 4:13), "inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy."

9. Eighthly, we shall bear our afflictions patiently, when we consider that Christ Jesus has _sanctified and blessed our crosses by his own_, and has taken away the sting of affliction, and made it to us the instrument of blessing, life, and glory. For as the sufferings of Christ ended in glory, so will the sufferings of every Christian be turned into everlasting joy.

10. Ninthly, behold _the glorious reward_ of those that bore their cross _with patience_. Though many of the holy martyrs were most barbarously treated, most inhumanly punished, and cruelly put to death, some thrown to wild beasts, some boiled in oil, others in melted lead; yet there is no man so impious or foolish, as to say, that he had not rather be in their condition now, than that of their murderers. Who would not now prefer the condition of the poor Lazarus, to that of the rich man? Luke 16:25. But if thou wouldest obtain the glory of the saints, thou must also bear the same crosses, and bear them with the same patience. To this we must refer those words of our blessed Saviour: "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil of you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven."

Matt. 5:11, 12. As also those in Rom. 8:17, 18, "If we suffer with Christ, we shall also be glorified with him." And again, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

11. Tenthly, let the deep _compa.s.sion_ of G.o.d be a support to our patience, who can no more forget us, than a mother can forget her sucking child. Isa. 49:15. He says, that "his bowels are troubled for Ephraim, and that he will have mercy upon him." Jer. 31:20. Hence also he is said to be "faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able" (1 Cor. 10:13); not chastening us for our hurt, but that we may obtain everlasting life, "and not be condemned with the world." 1 Cor. 11:32.

For, if the cross be nothing but a token of G.o.d's favor, wouldest thou rather choose the pleasures and dainties of the rich man here, and have his punishment hereafter, than enter into eternal life by the way of the cross, and wear a crown of glory?

12. All that has been said on this head, is admirably explained in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Heb. 12:1-11) as follows: "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of G.o.d. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, G.o.d dealeth with you as with sons: for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastis.e.m.e.nt, whereof all are partakers, then are ye b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness, unto them which are exercised thereby."

Chapter XLV.