Therefore, my dear sisters, take heed that it come not also thus upon us; for men are punished for sin, as the prophet says: “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” Is. 59:2. Behold, thus men are condemned for their wickedness and unbelief. Mark 16:16.
O my dear sisters, it is true there does some suffering come upon us for the name of the Lord; but as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Jesus Christ, and this little suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 Cor. 1:5; Rom. 8:18. O dear friends, how delightful it will be there where the mountains drop with sweet wine, and are covered with lilies and roses; with all this joy the Lord will fill his children. 2 Esd. 2:19. Hence let us fear and love the Lord without wearying; for he that loves God will do good and hate evil. Ps. 34:14.
O dear lambs, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him and keep his commandments. 1 Cor. 2:9; 1 John 5:3. O consider what great joy there will then be for them that have loved God and confessed him in the world. 2 Esd. 2:47. O that this joy were rightly considered; I think we would use more diligence to fear the Lord, and not be afraid of men, that kill the body. O how many there would be who would follow the Lord’s steps; for he is not willing that any should perish, but that they should repent, and that he might save them. 2 Peter 3:9. But it is, my dear sisters, as the prophet says: With seeing eyes they see not, with hearing ears they hear not, nor do they understand, for their hearts are hardened, their ears they stop, and their eyes they cover; lest they should see, or hear, or understand with their heart. Is. 6:9,10; Matt. 13:14,15; Acts 7:57.
O mark, my dear lambs, whether it is not so also now; they love and prefer much rather fighting, strutting, boasting, banqueting, drinking, and to commit all kinds of abominations, than to repent, and that the Lord might save them. These are cursed children, says the apostle; they forsake the right way, and what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves; they deceive and are deceived. 2 Peter 2:14,15; Jude 10; 2 Tim. 3:13.
O dear lambs, turn from all the lusts of the world, for their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:3. Take heed, now that the Lord has made known his truth to you, that you obey him, and walk as obedient children of light, in love and peace. Eph. 1:13; 5:8. Love one another, and always admonish one another with the word of the Lord. What is there that surpasses love? (1 Cor. 13) what greater joy can men have, than to love one another. Always forbear one another, and accept everything in good part, and the Lord will also love you. Eph. 4:2. Be kind to one another. Give diligence to fear the Lord, and to search his divine word. Importune him with supplication and prayer, and fear not men, who to-day are lords, and to-morrow are eaten by worms. The Lord will not forsake you, as you can well see in my case, and also in the case of all those that have feared him with all their heart. The Lord preserves his own, even as he says: Can a woman forget her child? though she forget it, yet will he not forget us. Is. 49:15. Nay, who can pluck these out of his hand whom his Father has given him. John 10:28,29.