Let your minds then be duely prepar'd, be vigilant, and constantly expect the favour you will meet with at the appearance of Jesus Christ.

which is without any mixture, and will make you thrive. Since you have tasted how good the Lord is,

trusts thereon shall not be confounded. it will prove an honour to you, who believe; but to the incredulous, the same stone, which is the chief of the angle,

and which the architects rejected, will be an occasion to the incredulous of their stumbling, and bruising themselves thereby:

this will conciliate the divine favour. and this is the condition of your vocation, since Christ himself has suffer'd for us,

such was Sarah, who show'd her obeysance to Abraham, by stiling him her Lord: and you will be stiled her children, if you imitate her conduct, and are not to be terrified out of your virtue.

for since it is the will of heaven you should suffer, it is better you should suffer for your virtue, than for any crimes.

but they will be call'd to account by him, who is ready to judge both the living and the dead.

for now is the time when God will begin his judgments with his own church. now if he begins with us, what will the conclusion be to those who do not obey the divine gospel?

if the virtuous escape with difficulty, what will become of impious transgressors?

let those then, whom God calls to sufferings, by virtue recommend their souls to him, as to a creator, who will make good his promise.

that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade.