Study Desk

whom the divine power preserves through faith for that salvation, which is going to be made manifest in the latter time.

since the salvation of your souls is the reward you receive for your faith.

for it is written, "be ye holy, because I am holy."

for human nature is like grass, and all their glory like the flower of the herb, the herb withers, the flower droops,

but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and that is the gospel, which has been preached to you.

and glorify God in the times of distress. be subject therefore, for the Lord's sake to every human establishment: whether it be to the king,

and to encourage those who do well. for such is the divine pleasure, that by your good conduct you obviate the cavils of inconsiderate

men. You are free, don't let your liberty serve as a pretext for vice: but act as the servants

but even to the morose. for it is a recommendation to the divine favour, to suffer unjust persecution

from a principle of conscience. what glory is there in suffering corporal punishment for real offences? but if you meet with ill usage for doing your duty, and bear it with constancy,

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

leaving an example for your exact imitation, he who never offended, and from whose lips no fallacy was ever utter'd,

for you were as sheep going astray, but now you are brought back to the pastor and overseer of your souls.

don't return evil for evil, nor calumny for calumny; on the contrary, bestow your benedictions, considering that your vocation obliges you thereto, as a means to obtain the divine blessing.

for the eyes of the Lord are upon the virtuous, and his ears attend to their prayers, but the wicked he discountenances."

for who can hurt you, if you strive to excel in virtue.

adore the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready to show with modesty and respect to every one that asks it, what ground there is for the expectations you have:

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

for Jesus Christ himself has already suffer'd for our sins, the innocent for the guilty, to bring us to God: who, tho' he died with respect to his body, was rais'd to life by that spirit,

Since then Christ has with respect to his mortal nature died for us, arm yourselves with this reflection, that he, who is dead with respect to sensuality, has renounced sin;