# Blessed be God (Callan)/Devout Reflections On The Christian Virtues And On The Four Last Things Drawn From Holy Scripture

DEVOUT REFLECTIONS ON THE CHRISTIAN VIRTUES AND ON THE FOUR LAST THINGS DRAWN FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
IMPORTANCE OF PRAYERFUL REFLECTION
WITH desolation is all the land made desolate; because there is none that considereth in the heart. (Jer. xii. 11.)
Let not the book of this law depart from thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate on it day and night, that thou mayest observe and do all things that are written in it: then shalt thou direct thy way, and understand it. (Josue i, 8.)
Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom, and that shall meditate in his justice, and in his mind shall think of the all-seeing eye of God. (Ecclus. xiv. 22.)
Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he shall meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper. (Ps. i. 1-4.)
In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin. (Ecclus. vii. 40.)
THE NECESSITY AND USEFULNESS OF VIRTUE
This is the will of God, your sanctification. (1 Thess. iv. 3.)
Shall not my soul be subject to God? for from Him is my salvation. For He is my God and my Saviour: He is my protector, I shall be moved no more. (Ps. lxi. 2, 3.)
Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation. .. . Men rich in virtue, studying beauty: living at peace in their houses. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days. (Ecclus. xliv. 6, 7.)
The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones. The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring forever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves. More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward. (Ps. xviii. 8-12.)
Much peace have they that love Thy law, and to them there is no stumbling-block. (Ps. cxviii. 165.)
For My yoke is sweet and My burden light. (Matt. xi. 30.)
Bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. A faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. (1 Tim. iv. 8.)
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Matt. v. 6.)
If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matt. xix. 17.)
And now there remain faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Cor. xiii. 13.)
Ye that fear the Lord, believe Him: and your reward shall not be made void. Ye that fear the Lord, hope in Him: and mercy shall come to you for your delight. Ye ​that fear the Lord, love Him, and your hearts shall be enlightened. (Ecclus. ii. 8-10.)
If a man love justice: her labors have great virtues; for she teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life. (Wis. viii. 7.)
Put on the new man, who according to God Is created in justice and holiness of truth. (Ecclus. iv. 24.)
Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before. I press toward the mark, to the prize of the supernal vocation of God in Christ Jesus. (Philipp. ii. 12-14.)
The path of the just, as a shining light, goeth forward and increaseth even to perfect day. (Prov. iv. 18.)
He that is just, let him be justified still: and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still. Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his works. (Apoc. xxii. 11, 12.)
Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth forever. (Ecclus. xviii. 22.)
FAITH
The Authority of Faith
I GIVE you to understand that the Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man; for neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Gal. i. 11, 12.)
We give thanks to God without ceasing because that when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but, as it is indeed, the word of God. (1 Titus ii. 13.)
​If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, because He hath testified of His Son. (1 John v. 9, 10.)
To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. (John vi. 69.)
Faith is Certain
HEAVEN and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. (Matt. xxiv. 35.)
This voice we heard brought from heaven, when we were with Him in the holy mount. We have the more firm prophetical word, whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts. (2 Peter 1.18, 19.)
Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel besides that which you have received, let him be anathema. (Gal. i. 8, 9.)
Faith is Obscure
FAITH is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. (Hebr. xi. 1.)
We see now through a glass in a dark manner, but then face to face. (1 Cor. xiii. 12.)
Blessed are they that have not seen and have believed. (John xx. 29.)
Faith is Reasonable
TO HIM [Christ] all the prophets give testimony, that through His name all receive remission of sins who believe in Him. (Acts x. 43.)
If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though you will not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father. (John x. 38.)
​We have seen and do testify that the Father hath sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John iv. 14.)
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? which having begun to be declared by the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him, God also bearing them witness by signs, and wonders and divers miracles, and distributions of the Holy Ghost according to His own will. (Hebr. ii. 3, 4.)
Faith is Necessary
WITHOUT faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebr. xi. 6.)
This (Jesus) is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head, of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved. (Acts iv. 11, 12.)
He that believeth not shall be condemned. (Mark xvi. 16.)
He that despiseth Me and receiveth not My words hath one that judgeth him. The word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day. — (John xii. 48.)
The Individual Not the Judge in Matters of Faith
IN ALL his [St. Paul’s] epistles are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures to their destruction. (2 Peter iii. 16.)
No prophecy of Scripture is made by private interpretation. (2 Peter i. 20.)
Go ye into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be condemned. (Mark xvi. 15, 16.)
The Catholic Church, the Only Teacher of Faith
I WILL not leave you orphans, I will come to you. (John xiv. 18.)
I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world. (Matt. xxviii. 20.)
The spirit of truth will teach you all truth. (John xvi. 13.)
The Church of the living God [is] the pillar, and ground of the truth. (Tim. iii. 15.)
The gates of hell shall not prevail against it [the Church]. (Matt. xvi. 18.)
Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church. (Matt. xvi. 18.)
Feed My lambs, feed My sheep. (John xxi. 15-17.)
There shall be one fold and one shepherd. (John x. 16.)
One Lord, one faith, one baptism. (Eph. iv. 5, 6.)
What Faith Requires of Us
STAND fast in the faith. (1 Cor. xvi. 13.)
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matt. vii. 15.)
Because of unbelief they were broken off. But thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded but fear. (Rom. xi. 20.)
Every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. (James i. 17.)
Every one that shall confess Me before men, I will confess him before My Father Who is in heaven. But he that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father Who is in heaven. (Matt. x. 32, 33)
He that believeth God taketh heed to the commandments. (Ecclus. xxxii. 28.)
Faith if it have not works, is dead. (James ii. 17.)
Lord, increase our faith. (Luke xvii. 5.)
HOPE
Hope Not to be Placed in Creatures
CHARGE the rich of this world not to be high-minded, nor to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, (Who giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy.) (1 Tim. vi. 17.)
Put not your trust in princes: in the children of men, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish. Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God: who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. Who keepeth truth forever: who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong; who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them that are fettered: the Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down: the Lord loveth the just. The Lord keepeth the strangers, He will support the fatherless and the widow: and the ways of sinners He will destroy. The Lord shall reign forever: thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation. (Ps. cxlv. 3-10.)
All these things have I considered in my heart, that I might carefully understand them: there are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God: and yet man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love, or hatred. (Eccles. ix. 1.)
Hope Relies on God Alone
MY children, behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded. (Ecclus. iv. 11.)
I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me. My help is from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (Ps. cxx. 1, 2.)
It is good for me to adhere to my God, to put my hope in the Lord God. (Ps. lxxii. 28.)
​Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land and thou shalt be fed with its riches. (Ps. xxxvi. 3.)
With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and they blessed God, Who saveth them that trust in Him. (Dan. xiii. 60.)
Wherein God, meaning more abundantly to shew to the heirs of the promise the immutability of His counsel, interposed an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have the strongest comfort, who have fled for refuge to hold fast the hope set before us. Which we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, and which entereth in even within the veil; Where the forerunner Jesus is entered for us, made a high priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech. (Heb. vi. 17-20.)
Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Instant in prayer. (Rom. xi. 12.)
For the grace of God our Saviour hath appeared to all men; Instructing us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world, Looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursuer of good works. (Titus ii. 11-14.)
Advantages of Hope
WE are saved by hope. But hope that is seen, is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, we wait for it with patience. (Rom. viii. 24, 25.)
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to Him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God. (Ps. xli. 12.)
Or doth he say this indeed for our sakes? For these things are written for our sakes: that he that plougheth should plough in hope; and he that thrasheth, in hope to receive fruit. (1 Cor. ix. 10.)
​For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for Thou art with me. (Ps. xxii. 4.)
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him: and in them that hope in His mercy. (Ps. cxlvi. 11.)
The Lord is good to them that hope in Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God. (Lam. iii. 25, 26.)
Necessity of Hope
BE YOU humbled, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in the time of visitation: Casting all your care upon Him, for He hath care of you. (1 Peter v. 6, 7.)
Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord. (Ps. xxvi. 14.)
CHARITY
The Greatness of Charity
THE Pharisees hearing that He had silenced the Sadducees, came together: And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting Him: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets. (Matt. xxii. 34-40.)
Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy as hard as hell, the lamps thereof are fire and flames. Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it: If a man should give all the substance of his house for love, he shall despise it as nothing. (Cant. viii. 6, 7.)
​Hatred stirreth up strifes: and charity covereth all sins. (Prov. x. 12.)
If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up; Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which Is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away’ the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Cor. xiii. 1-13.)
And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding. (Philipp. i. 9.)
The Love of God
HE THAT loveth father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me. (Matt. x. 37.)
He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them; he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me, shall be loved of My Father: and I will love him, and will manifest ​Myself to him. Judas saith to him, not the Iscariot: Lord, how is it, that Thou wilt manifest Thyself to us, and not to the world? Jesus answered, and said to him: If any one love Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and will make Our abode with him. He that loveth Me not, keepeth not My words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father’s who sent Me. (John xiv. 21-24.)
This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to His disciples, after He was risen from the dead. When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me more than these? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith to him: Feed My Iambs. He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest Thou Me? He saith to Him: Yea, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith to ‘him: Feed My lambs. He said to him the third time: ‘Simon, son of John, lovest thou Me? Peter was grieved, because He had said to him the third time: Lovest thou Me? And he said to Him: Lord, Thou knowest all things: Thou knowest that I love Thee. He said to him: Feed My sheep. (John xxi. 14-17.)
And as we tarried there for some days, there came from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. Who, when he was come to us, took Paul’s girdle: and binding his own feet and hands, he said: Thus saith the Holy Ghost: The man whose girdle this is, the Jews shall bind in this manner in Jerusalem, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that place, desired him that he would not go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, and said: What do you mean weeping and afflicting my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but to die also in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts xxi. 10-13.)
Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? or distress? or famine? or nakedness? or danger? or persecution? or the sword? As it Is written: For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. But in all these things we overcome, because of Him that hath loved us. For I ​am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. viii. 35-39.)
If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema. (1 Cor. xvi. 22.)
Zeal
I KNOW thy works, that thou art neither cold, nor hot. I would thou wert cold, or hot. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest: I am rich, and made wealthy, and have need of nothing: and knowest not, that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel thee to buy of Me gold fire-tried, that thou mayest be made rich; and mayest be clothed in white garments, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and anoint thy eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. Such as I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore, and do penance. (Apoc. iii. 15-19.)
Even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord’s money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will ​place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two, His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matt. xxv. 14-23.)
And we desire that every one of you show forth the same carefulness to the accomplishing of hope unto the end: That you become not slothful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises. (Heb. vi. 11, 12.)
I remembered, O Lord, Thy judgments of old: and I was comforted. A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law. Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage. In the night I have remembered Thy name, O Lord: and have kept Thy law. This happened to me: because I sought after Thy justifications. (Ps, cxviii. 52-56.)
And the pasch of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting. And when He had made, as it were, a scourge of little cords, He drove them all out of the temple, the sheep also and the oxen, and the money of the changers He poured out, and the tables He overthrew. And to them that sold doves He said: Take these things hence, and make not the house of My Father a house of traffic. And His disciples remembered, that it was written: The zeal of Thy house hath eaten Me up. (John ii. 13-17.)
And when Elias heard it, he covered his face with his mantle, and coming forth stood in the entering-in of the cave, and behold a voice unto him, saying: What dost thou here, Elias? And he answered: With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant: they have destroyed Thy altars, they have slain Thy prophets with the sword, and I alone am left, and they seek my life to take it away. (3 Kings xix. 13, 14.)
​They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them. But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you. (Gal. iv. 17, 18.)
And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good? (1 Peter iii. 13.)
Brotherly Love
AS the Father hath loved Me, I also have loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love; as I also have kept My Father’s commandments, and do abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled. This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do the things that I command you. (John xv. 9-14.)
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek Me; and as I said to the Jews: Whither I go you cannot come; so I say to you now. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another. (John xiii. 33-35.)
Dearly beloved, let us love one another, for charity is of God. And every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is charity. By this hath the charity of God appeared toward us, because God hath sent His only- begotten Son into the world, that we may live by Him. In this is charity: not as though we had loved God, but because He hath first loved us, and sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins. My dearest, if God hath so loved us; we also ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abideth in us, and His charity is perfected in us. In this we know that we abide in Him. and He in us: because He hath ​given us of His spirit. And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father hath sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in Him, and he in God. And we have known, and have believed the charity, which God hath to us. God is charity: and he that abideth in charity, abideth in God, and God in him. (1 John iv. 7-16.)
In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, we also are in this world. Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain. And he that feareth, is not perfected in charity. Let us therefore love God, because God first hath loved us. If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he seeth, how can he love God, Whom he seeth not? And this commandment we have from God, that he, who loveth God. love also his brother. (1 John iv. 17-21.)
For you, brethren, have been called unto liberty: only make not liberty an occasion to the flesh, but by charity of the spirit serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word: Thou shalt Love thy neighbor as thyself. But if you bite and devour one another; take heed you be not consumed one of another. (Gal. v. 13-15.)
Owe no man anything, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbor, hath fulfilled the law. For thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The love of our neighbor worketh no evil. Love, therefore, is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom. xiii. 8-10.)
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not, abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his. brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself. In this we have known the charity of God, because He hath laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John iii. 14-16.)
​Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered Himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness. (Eph. v. 1, 2.)
Peace
But I say to you that hear: Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that calumniate you. And to him that striketh thee on the one cheek, offer also the other. And him that taketh away from thee thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every one that asketh thee, and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again. And as you would that men should do to you, do you also to them in like manner. And if you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also love those that love them. And if you do good to them who do good to you, what thanks are to you? for sinners also do this. And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks are to you? for sinners also lend to sinners, for to receive as much. But love ye your enemies: do good and lend, hoping for nothing thereby: and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest; for He is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. And he spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one shall be perfect, if he be as his master. And why seest thou the mote in thy brother’s eye: but the beam that is in thy own eye thou considerest not? Or how canst thou say to thy brother: Brother, let me pull the mote out of thy eye, when thou thyself seest not the beam in thy own eye? ​Hypocrite, cast first the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to take out the mote from thy brother’s eye. (Luke vi. 27-42.)
And not for them [the disciples] only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in Me; That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in Me, and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou hast given Me, I have given to them; that they may be one, as We also are one: J in them, and Thou in Me; that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast also loved Me. (John xvii. 20-23.)
For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift. (Matt. v. 20-24.)
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity: Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, which ran down to the skirt of his garment: as the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon Mount Sion. For there the Lord hath commanded blessing, and life forevermore. (Ps. cxxxii. 1-3.)
If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men. Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. But if thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat; if he thirst, give him to drink. For, doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his ​head. Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good. (Rom. xii. 18-21.)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matt. v. 9.)
And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philipp. iv. 7.)
Joy
BUT the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law. (Gal. v. 22, 23.)
The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but justice, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Rom. xiv. 17.)
And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. (Luke i. 46-49.)
In chastity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of justice on the right hand and on the left; by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as needy, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things. (2 Cor. vi. 1-10.)
Great is my confidence for you, great is my glorying for you. I am filled with comfort: I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulation. (2 Cor. vii. 4.)
Let love be without dissimulation, hating that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good. (Rom. xiv. 9.)
Loving one another with the charity of brotherhood, with honor preventing one another. In carefulness not slothful. In spirit fervent. Serving the Lord. Rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation. Instant in prayer. Com​municating to the necessities of the saints. Pursuing hospitality. Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. Being of one mind one toward another. Not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits. To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men. (Rom. xii. 9-17.)
Let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. (Col. iii. 15.)
Delight in the Lord, and He will give thee the requests of thy heart. (Ps. xxxvi. 4.)
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright. (Ps. xxxii. 1.)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. (Philipp. iv. 4.)
Edification
FROM all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. (1 Thess. v. 22.)
Let us not therefore judge one another any more. But judge this rather, that you put not a stumbling-block or a scandal in your brother’s way. (Rom. xiv. 13.)
Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us. For we forecast what may be good not only before God, but also before men. (2 Cor. viii. 20, 21.)
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God. Be without offense to the Jews, and to the Gentiles, and to the church of God: As I also in all things please all men, not seeking that which is profitable to myself, but to many, that they may be saved. (1 Cor. x. 31-33.)
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it ​may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matt. v. 13-16.)
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul, having your conversation good among the the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may, by the good works, which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter ii. 11.)
Therefore let us follow after the things that are of peace; and keep the things that are of edification one toward another. (Rom. xiv. 19.)
THE SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY
Admonishing the Sinner
REPROVE a friend, lest he may not have understood, and say: I did it not: or if he did it, that he may do it no more. Reprove thy neighbor, for it may be he hath not said it: and if he hath said it, that he may not say it again. Admonish thy friend: for there is often a fault committed. And believe not every word. There is one that slippeth with the tongue, but not from his heart. For who is there that hath not offended with his tongue? Admonish thy neighbor before thou threaten him. (Ecclus. xix. 13-17)
If thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. And if he will not hear thee. take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. And if be will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. (Matt. xviii. 15-17.)
If any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Tim. v. 8.)
If any man be overtaken in any fault, you who are ​piritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Gal. vi. 1.)
An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father; young men, as brethren. (1 Tim. v. 1.)
Instructing the Ignorant
THEY that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that instruct many to justice, is stars for all eternity. (Dan. xii. 3.)
The lips of the just teach many: but they that are ignorant, shall die in the want of understanding. (Prov. x. 21.)
If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbor: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded. (Ecclus. v. 14.)
Counseling the Doubtful
THE knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life. (Ecclus. xxi. 16.)
Comforting the Sorrowful
BE NOT wanting in comforting them that weep, and walk with them that mourn. (Ecclus. vii. 38.)
Comfort one another, and edify one another. (1 Thess. v. 11.)
Weep with those that weep. (Rom. xii. 15.)
Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one’s self unspotted from this world. (James i. 27.)
Bearing Wrongs Patiently
AND we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient ​toward all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that which is good toward each other, and toward all men. (1 Thess. v. 14, 15.)
I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, with all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity, careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. iv. 1-3.)
Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. (Col. iii. 12-14.)
Forgiving All Injuries
Remember not any injury done thee by thy neigh bor, and do thou nothing by deeds of injury. (Ecclus x. 6.)
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure and pressed down and shaken together and running over shall they give into your bosom For with the same measure that you shall mete withal, it shall be measured to you again. (Luke vi. 36-38.)
Praying for the Living and the Dead
PRAY one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much. (James v. 16.)
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. (2 Macc xii. 46.)
THE CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
Feeding the Hungry, Clothing the Naked, and Sheltering the Homeless
DEAL thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harborless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall speedily arise, and thy justice shall go before thy face, and the glory of the Lord shall gather thee up. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall hear: thou shalt cry, and He shall say: Here I am. If thou wilt take away the chain out of the midst of thee, and cease to stretch out the finger, and to speak that which profiteth not. When thou shalt pour out thy soul to the hungry, and shalt satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise up in darkness, and thy darkness shall be as the noonday. And the Lord will give thee rest continually, and will fill thy soul with brightness, and deliver thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a fountain of water whose waters shall not fail. (Isa. lviii. 7-11.)
Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you. And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels. (Heb. xiii. 1, 2.)
But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins. Using hospitality one toward another, without murmuring, as every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter iv. 8-10.)
And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. (Matt. x. 42)
Redeeming the Captives
Recover thy neighbor according to thy power. (Ecclus. xxix. 26.) ​Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them; and them that labor, as being yourselves also in the body. (Heb. xiii. 3.)
Visiting the Sick and Burying the Dead
BE NOT slow to visit the sick: for by these things thou shalt be confirmed in love. (Ecclus. vii. 39.)
When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them by night, I offered thy prayer to the Lord. (Tob. xii. 12.)
And Jesus knowing it, said to them: Why do you trouble this woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me. For the poor you have always with you: but Me you have not always. For she in pouring this ointment upon My body, hath done it for My burial. Amen I say to you, wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which she hath done, shall be told for a memory of her. (Matt. xxvi. 10-13.)
Almsdeeds
HE THAT hath the substance of this world, and shall see his brother in need, and shall shut up his bowels from him: how doth the charity of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word, nor in tongue, bu: in deed, and in truth. In this we know that we are of the truth: and in His sight shall persuade our hearts. (1 John. iii. 17-19.)
Give, and it shall be given unto you. (Luke vi. 38.)
Acceptable is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth (Ps. cxi, v.)
Then shall the king say to them that shall be on His right hand: Come, ye blessed of My Father, posses you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me to drink; I was stranger, and you took Me in: naked, and you covered Me: sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and ye ​came to Me. Then shall the just answer Him, saying: Lord, when did we see Thee hungry, and fed Thee; thirsty, and gave Thee drink? And when did we see Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? Or naked, and covered Thee? Or when did we see Thee sick or in prison, and came to Thee? And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me. (Matt. xxv. 34-40.)
He that hath mercy on the poor lendeth to the Lord; and the Lord will repay him. (Prov. xix. 17.)
Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins. (Ecclus. iii. 33.)
Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor: the Lord will deliver him in the evil day. (Ps. xl. 2.)
Alms maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. (Job ii. 42.)
He that giveth to the poor shall not want. (Prov. xxviii. 27.)
God loveth a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. ix. 7.)
And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Gal. vi. 9, 10.)
Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth. (Luke xii. 33.)
Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee. According to thy ability be merciful. If thou have much give abundantly: if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little. For thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity. For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness. Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it. (Tob. iv. 7-12.)
Prudence
THE knowledge of the holy is prudence. (Prov. ix. 10.)
The learning of wickedness is not wisdom, and the device of sinners is not prudence. (Ecclus. xix. 19.)
Woe to you that are wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits. (Isa. v. 21.)
Counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preserve thee. (Prov. ii. 11.)
Give me wisdom that sitteth by Thy throne, . . . that she may be with me and labor with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee. (Wis. ix. 4, 10.)
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord. (Prov. xxi. 30.)
Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom and is rick in prudence: The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and her fruit than the chiefest and purest gold: She is more precious than all riches and all the things that are desired, are not to be com pared with her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory. Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceable. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath established the heavens by prudence. (Prov. iii. 13-19.)
The wisdom of the flesh is death; but the wisdom of the spirit is life and peace. Because the wisdom of the flesh is an enemy to God; for it is not subject to the law of God neither can it be. And they who are in the flesh, cannot please God. (Rom. viii. 6-8.)
But we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the word of God but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience, in the sight of God. (2 Cor iv. 2.)
See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly not as unwise, but as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore become not unwise, by understanding what is the will of God. (Eph. v. 15-17)
​Be ye, therefore, wise as serpents and simple as doves. (Matt. x. 16.)
Attend that you may know prudence. (Prov. iv. 1.)
Let thy eyelids go before thy steps. (Prov. iv. 25.)
My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done. Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones: trust not thyself to a rugged way, lest thou set a stumbling-block to thy soul. And beware of thy own children, and take need of them of thy household. In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments. (Ecclus. xxxii. 24-27.)
Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them. (Ecclus. viii. 20.)
Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers: For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need. (Ecclus. viii. 11, 12.)
Be prudent and watch in prayers. (1 Peter iv. 7.)
Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore solicitous for to-morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. (Matt. vi. 33, 34.)
Justice
DO NOT any unjust thing in judgment, in rule, in weight, or in measure. (Prov. xx. 23.)
All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. (Matt. vii. 12.)
See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another. (Tob. iv. 16.)
For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? (Matt. xvi. 26.)
This is the will of God . . . that no man overreach, nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before, and have testified. (1 Thess. iv. 3, 6.)
​With the measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matt. vii. 2.)
Render to all men their dues . . . owe no man anything. (Rom. xiii. 7, 8.)
Lift not up thine eyes to riches which thou canst not have. (Prov. xxiii. 5.)
The Honor Due to God and the Saints
THE Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and Him only shalt thou serve. (Matt. iv. 10.)
To me Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honorable. (Ps. cxxxviii. 17.)
Behold I will send My angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice, and do not think him one to be contemned: for he will not forgive when thou hast sinned, and My name is in him. (Exod. xxiii. 20, 21.)
Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us. For He is the Lord our God: and we are the people, of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. (Ps. xciv. 6, 7.)
Let not thy mouth be accustomed to swearing. (Ecclus. xxiii. 9.)
Blessed be the Name of the Lord. (Job i. 21.)
Holy and terrible is His Name. (Ps. cx. 9.)
Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day (Exod. xx. 8.)
Rewards of Honoring Parents
Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be long-lived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. (Deut. v. 16.)
He that honoreth his father shall have joy in his own children. (Ecclus. iit. 6.)
The glory of a man is from the honor of his father. (Ecclus. iii. 12.)
​Honor thy father, that a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end. The father’s blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother’s curse rooteth up the foundation. Glory not in the dishonor of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee. For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a father without honor is the disgrace of the son. (Ecclus. iii. 10-13.)
Piety is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (1 Tim. v. 8.)
Respect Due to Superiors
HONOR thy father, in work and word, and all patience. (Ecclus. iii. 9.)
Let the priests that rule well, be esteemed worthy of double honor: especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. (1 Tim. v. 17.)
Rise up before hoary head and honor the person of the aged man. (Lev. xix. 32.)
Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honor, to whom honor. (Rom. xiii. 7.)
Obedience and Assistance Due to Superiors
CHRLDREN obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just. (Eph. vi. 1.)
Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life; and should his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength. (Ecclus. iii. 14.)
Obey your prelates and be subject to them, for they watch to render an account of your soul. (Heb. xiii. 7.)
Be ye subject to every human creature for God’s sake, whether it be to the king as excelling, or to governors as sent by him. (1 Peter ii. 13.)
​Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords, . . . serving with a good will as to the Lord, and not to men. (Eph. vi. 5-7.)
Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation. (Rom. xiii. 1, 2.)
I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men: for kings, and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity. (1 Tim. i. 1, 2.)
Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God, the things that are God’s. (Matt. xxii. 21.)
Duties of Parents and Superiors
HE THAT spareth the rod hateth his son; he that loveth him correcteth him betimes. (Prov. xiii. 24.)
A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong. Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful. Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge. Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices. Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee. (Ecclus. xxx. 8-12.)
Hast thou children? Instruct them and bow down their necks from their childhood. (Ecclus. vii. 25.)
And he that shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals. (Matt. xviii. 5-7.)
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. (Col. iii. 21.)
​Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee. (Ecclus. iv. 35.)
And you, masters, do the same things to them, for- bearing threatenings, knowing that the Lord both of them and you is in heaven; and there is no respect of persons with him. (Eph. vi. 9.)
If any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (1 Tim. v. 8.)
If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and Jet not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all. (Tob. iv. 15.)
Watching and Restraining the Tongue
FOR in many things we all offend. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He is able also with a bridle to lead about the whole body. For if we put bits Into the mouths of horses, that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. Behold also ships, whereas they are great, and are driven by strong winds, yet are they turned about with a small helm, whithersoever the force of the governor willeth. Even so the tongue Is indeed a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how small a fire kindleth a great wood. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell. For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man: But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison. By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth, out of the same hole, sweet and bitter water? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear grapes; or the vine, figs? So neither can the salt water yield sweet. Who is a wise man, and ​endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew, by a good conversation, his work in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth. For this is not wisdom, descending from above: but earthly, sensual, devilish. (James iii. 2-15.)
A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of an evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matt. xii. 35-37.)
Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door round about my lips. (Ps. cxl. 3.)
In the multitude of words there shall not want sin: but he that refraineth his lips is most wise. (Prov. x. 19.)
Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works. (Ecclus. iv. 34.)
Let your speech be always in grace seasoned with salt: that you may know how you ought to answer every man. (Col. iv. 6.)
A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury. (Prov. xv. 1.)
Truthfulness
PUT away lying, and speak ye the truth. (Eph. iv. 25.)
Lord, who shall dwell in Thy tabernacle? or who shall rest in Thy holy hill? He that walketh without blemish and worketh justice: he that speaketh truth in his heart who hath not used deceit in his tongue: nor hath done evil to his neighbor: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbors. In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his neighbor, and deceiveth not; he that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribe against the innocent: He that doth these things shall not be moved for ever. (Ps. xiv. 1-7.)
A lie is a foul blot in the mouth of a man. A thief is ​better than a man that is always lying; but both of them shall inherit destruction. (Ecclus. xx. 26.)
Be not willing to make any manner of lie. (Ecclus. vii. 14.)
He that speaketh sophistically is hateful. (Ecclus. xxxvii. 23.)
Take heed that you do not your justice before men, to be seen by them: otherwise you shall not have a reward of your Father Who is in heaven. Therefore when thou dost an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth. That thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father Who seeth in secret will repay thee. (Matt. vi. 1-4.)
Wherefore putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. (Eph. iv. 25.)
Speaking Justly of Our Neighbor
DETRACT not one another. (James iv. 11.)
A good name is better than great riches. (Prov. xxii. 1.)
Have nothing to do with detractors, for their destruction shall arise suddenly. (Prov. xxiv. 21.)
Hedge in thine ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue. (Ecclus. xxviii. 28.)
The detractor is the abomination of men. (Prov. xxiv. 9.)
Be not witness without cause against thy neighbor: and deceive not any man with thy lips. Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work. (Prov. xxiv. 28, 29.)
FORTITUDE
Courage in Doing Good
EXPECT the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord. (Ps. xxvi. 14.)
And I say to you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. (Luke xii. 8.)
He that taketh not up his cross, and followeth Me, is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for Me, shall find it. (Matt. x. 38-39.)
Take courage, and be strong. Take courage, and be very valiant: that thou mayst observe and do all the law, which Moses My servant hath commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayst understand all things which thou dost. . . Behold I command thee, take courage, and be strong. Fear not and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go to. (Josue i. 6-9.)
Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. (1 Peter v. 8, 9.)
I write unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and you have over- come the wicked one. (John ii. 14.)
Labor as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. il. 3.)
And they indeed went from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer reproach for the name of Jesus. (Acts v. 41.)
Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee. (Ecclus. iv. 33.)
Patience
THE fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience. Gal. v. 22.)
For this is thankworthy, if for conscience toward God, man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if committing sin, and being buffeted for it, you endure? But if doing well you suffer patiently; this is thankworthy before God. For unto this are you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example that you should follow His steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth. Who, when He was reviled, did not revile: when He suffered, He threatened not: but delivered Himself to him that judged Him unjustly. Who His own self bore our sins in His body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should give to justice: by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter i. 19-24.)
Perseverance
HE THAT shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved. (Matt. x. 22.)
Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God, (Luke ix. 62.)
Brethren, be not weary in well-doing. (2 Thess. iii. 13.)
If you continue in My word, you shall be My disciples indeed. (John viii. 31.)
Persevere under chastisement. God dealeth with you as with His sons. (Heb. xii. 7.)
In doing good Jet us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing. (Gal. vi. 9, 10.) Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee the crown of life. (Apoc. i. 10.)
He that shall overcome, shall thus be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. (Apoc. iii. 5.)
​I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love His coming. Make haste to come to me quickly. (2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.)
Mortification
BY SURFEITING many have perished, but he that is temperate shall prolong life. (Ecclus. xxxvii. 34.)
Be sober and watch because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter v. 8.)
And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; And in knowledge. abstinence; and in abstinence, patience; and in patience, godliness. (2 Peter i. 5, 6.)
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in its concupiscences. (Rom xiii. 14.)
And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your heart be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly. For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole earth. Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke xxi. 34-36.)
Prayer is good with fasting and alms, more than to lay up treasures of gold. (Tob. xii. 8.)
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. (Rom. viii. 12, 13)
CHASTITY
BLESSED are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. (Matt. v. 8.)
Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Or know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, Who Is in you, Whom you have from God; and you are not your own? For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body. (1 Cor. vi. 14, 10,, 20.)
And as I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, except God gave it, and this also was a point of wisdom, to know Whose gift it was: I went to the Lord, and be- sought Him. (Wis. viii. 21.)
O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men. When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts. (Wis. iv. 1, 2.)
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, to refrain yourselves from carnal desires which war against the soul. (1 Peter it. 11.)
Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him. (Prov. xv. 26.)
He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend. (Prov. xxii. 11.)
And no price is worthy of a continent soul. (Ecclus. xxvi. 20.)
And I beheld, and lo! a lamb stood upon Mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty-four thousand, having His name, and the name of His Father, written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the noise of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder; and the voice which I heard, was as the voice of harpers, harping on their harps. And they sang as it were a new canticle, before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the ancients; and no man could say the canticle, but ​those hundred forty-four thousand, who were purchased from the earth. These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb: And in their mouth there was found no lie; for they are without spot before the throne of God. (Apoc. xiv. 1-5.)
MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY
BLESSED are the meek, for they shall possess the land. (Matt. v. 4.) |
Take up My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. (Matt. xi. 29.)
Admonish them to speak evil of no man, not to be litigious, but gentle: showing all mildness toward all men. (Titus. iii. 1, 2.)
I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. (Eph. iv. 1, 2.)
Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning. (Tob. iv. 14.)
Boast not for to-morrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come may bring forth. Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth: a stranger, and not thy own lips. (Prov. xxvii. 1, 2.)
Knowing that the Father had given Him all things into His hands, and that He came from God, and goeth to God; He riseth from supper, and layeth aside His garments, and having taken a towel, girded Himself. After that, He putteth water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. Then after He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, being set down again, He said to them: Know you what I have done to you? You call Me Master, and Lord; and you say well, for so I am. If then I being your Lord and Master, have ​washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have gone to you, so you do also. (John xiii. 3-15.)
Why is earth and ashes proud? (Ecclus. x. 9.)
For who distinguisheth thee? Or what hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Cor. v. 7.)
But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (James iv. 6.)
For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of en, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given Him a Name which is above all names: that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. (Philipp. ii. 8 - 11.)
DEATH
The Vanity and Uncertainty of Life
HE KNOWETH our frame. He remembereth that we are dust. Man’s days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish. For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be; and he shall know his place no more. (Ps. cii. 14-16.)
A thousand years in Thy sight are as yesterday which past, and as a watch in the night. As things that are counted nothing shall their years be. In the morning man shall grow up like grass, in the morning he shall flourish and pass away; in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither. (Ps. lxxxix. 4-6.)
​All flesh is as grass: and all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass is withered, and the flower thereof is fallen away. (1 Peter 1, 24.)
Lord, what is man, that Thou art made known to him? or the son of man, that Thou makest account of him? Man is like to vanity; his days pass away like a shadow. (Ps. cxliii. 3-4.)
For what is your life? It is a vapor which appeareth for a little while, and afterwards shall vanish away. For that you should say: If the Lord will, and if we shall live, we will do this or that. But now you rejoice in your arrogancies. All such rejoicing is wicked. (James iv. 15-16.)
Boast not for to-morrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come may bring forth. (Prov. xxvii. 1.)
Behold now, you that say: To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and there we will spend a year, and will traffic, and make our gain; Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. (James iv. 13-14.)
Death Ends Our Work
IT IS appointed for men once to die, and after this the judgment. (Heb. ix. 27.)
The days of man are short, and the number of his months is with Thee; Thou hast appointed his bound; which cannot be passed. (Job xiv. 5.)
O Lord, make me know my end, and what is the number of my days, that I may know what is wanting to me. (Ps. xxxviii. 5.)
The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his day are like the days of a hireling. As a servant longeth for the shade, and as the hireling looketh for the end of his work. (Job vii. 1-2.)
The Nearness of Death
BEHOLD, short years pass away, and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return. (Job xvi. 23.)
​We are sojourners before Thee, and strangers, as were all our fathers. Our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no stay. (1 Par. xxix. 15.)
Man, born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. He cometh forth like a flower and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state. And dost Thou think it meet to open Thy eyes upon such a one, and to bring him into judgment with Thee? (Job xiv. 1-3.)
We have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. (Heb. xiii. 14.)
The Death of the Wicked
THE praise of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment. If his pride mount up even o heaven, and his head touch the clouds, in the end he hall be destroyed like a dunghill, and they that had seen him, shall say: Where ts he? (Job xx. 5-7.)
As a dream that fleeth away he shall not be found, he shall pass as a vision of the night. The eyes that had seen him, shall see him no more, neither shall his place any more behold him. (Job xx. 8-9.)
How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and He shall distribute the sorrows of His wrath? They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth. (Job xxi. 17-18.)
They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take way the violent without hand. (Job xxxiv. 20.)
Poverty like water shall take hold on him, a tempest shall oppress him in the night. A burning wind shall take him up, and carry him away, and as a whirlwind shall snatch him from his place. And He shall cast upon him, and shall not spare. Out of His hand he would willingly see. He shall clasp his hands upon him, and shall hiss at him, beholding his place. (Job xxvii. 20-23.)
They shall shortly wither away as grass, and as the green herbs shall quickly fall. For yet a little while, and ​the wicked shall not be; and thou shalt seek his place, and shalt not find it. (Ps. xxxvi. 2, 10.)
I have seen the wicked highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon: And I passed by, and lo, he was not; and I sought him, and his place was not found. (Ps. xxxvi. 35-36.)
The Folly of a Wicked Life
WHAT is the hope of the hypocrite if through covetousness he take by violence, and God deliver not his soul? The rich man when he shall sleep shall take away nothing with him: he shall open his eyes and find nothing. (Job xxvii. 8, 19.)
He shall not see destruction, when He shall see the wise dying; the senseless and the fools shall perish together. And they shall leave their riches to strangers. They are laid in the grave like sheep; death shall feed upon them. And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning: and their help shall decay in hell from their glory. (Ps. xlviii. 10-11.)
As the tempest that passeth, so the wicked shall be no more. And the years of the wicked shall be shortened. (Prov. x. 25, 27.)
God hath given him place for penance, and he abuseth it unto pride; but His eyes are upon his ways. They are: lifted up for a little while, and shall not stand, and shall be brought down as all things, and shall be taken away, and as the tops of the ears of corn they shall be broken. (Job xxiv. 23-24.)
The Death of the Just
PRECIOUS in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Ps. cxv. 15.)
The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, and their departure was taken for misery, and their going away from us, for utter destruction; but they are in peace. And though ​in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. (Wis. iii. 1-4.)
He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind. (Wis. iv. 11-12.)
Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time; for his soul pleased God: therefore He hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities; but the people see this, and understand not, nor Jay up such things in their hearts. (Wis. iv. 13~14.)
Within him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed. (Esd. i. 13.)
I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow them. (Apoc. xiv. 13.)
Death Has No Terrors for the Just
THOUGH I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they have comforted me. (Ps. xxii. 1)
Fear not; I am the first and the last. (Apoc. i. 17.)
To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philipp. i. 21)
And if to live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labor; and what I shall choose, I know not. But I am straitened between two, having a desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, being by much the better. But to remain in the flesh is necessary for you. (Philipp. i. 22-24.)
We know that if our earthly house of this habitation is dissolved, that we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven. For we also, who are in this tabernacle, do groan being burdened; because we would not be unclothed, but clothed over, that ​what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now He that maketh us for this very thing is God, who hath given us the pledge of the Spirit. Therefore, having always confidence, knowing that, while we are in the body, we are absent from the Lord. We are confident, I say, and have a good will to be absent rather from the body, and to be present with the Lord. And therefore we labor, whether absent or present, to please Him. (2 Cor. v. 4-9.)
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts vii. 58.)
The Happiness of a Good Death
HE THAT believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live; and every one that liveth, and believeth in Me, shall not die forever. (John xi. 25-26.)
There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God. For he who ts entered into his rest, he also hath rested from his own works, as God from His. Let us hasten, therefore, to enter into that rest. (Heb. iv. 9-11.)
Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest? (Ps. liv. 7.)
There the wicked cease from tumult, and there the wearied in strength are at rest. (Job iii. 17.)
The just man if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest. He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated. (Wis. iv. 7, 10.)
We will not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful even as others who have no hope; for if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them who have slept through Jesus, God will bring with Him. (1 Thess. i. 12, 13.)
Preparation for Death
I MUST work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. (John ix. 4.)
​The time is short: it remaineth that they that weep be as though they wept not, and they that rejoice as if they rejoiced not, and they that use this world, as if they use it not; for the fashion of this world passeth away. (1 Cor. vii. 30-31.)
Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not: before the silver cord be loosed, and the golden bowl be broken, and the pitcher be crushed at the fountain, and the wheel be broken upon the cistern, and the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it. (Eccles. xii. 1, 6.)
Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching. (Luke xii. 37.)
JUDGMENT
The Particular and General Judgments
IT IS appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment. (Heb. ix. 27.)
All the hosts of the heavens shall pine away, and the heavens shall be folded together as a book; and all their host shall fall down as the leaf falleth from the vine and from the fig-tree. (Is. xxxiv. 4.)
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. And the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be moved. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn. And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty. And He shall send His angels with a trumpet, and a great voice; and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds of them. Heaven and earth shall pass, but My words shall not pass. (Matt. xxiv. 29-31, 35.)
​Behold He cometh with the clouds, and every eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced Him. (Apoc. i. 7.)
The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then will He render to every man according to his works. (Matt. xvi. 27.)
God shall judge both the just and the wicked, and then shall be the time of everything. (Eccles. iii. 17.)
There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; nor hidden, that shall not be known. (Luke xii. 2.)
Every man’s work shall be manifest, for the day of the Lord shall declare it. (1 Cor. iii. 13.)
If God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them, drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell, unto torments, to be reserved unto judgment: the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation, but to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be tormented. (2 Peter ii. 4, 9.)
Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matt. xii. 36-37.)
The Judge
I BEHELD till thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days sat: His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like clean wool: His throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire. A swift stream of fire issued forth from before Him: thousands of thousands ministered to Him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before Him: the Judgment sat and the books were opened. (Dan. vii. 9, 10.)
Those Who are to be Judged
I SAW a great white throne, and One sitting upon it from Whose face the earth and heaven fled away, and there was no place found for them. And I saw the dead great and small, standing in the presence of the throne ​and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged by those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead, that were in it, and death and hell gave up their dead, that were in them; and they were judged every one according to their works. (Apoc. xx. 11-13.)
The kings of the earth, and the princes, and the tribunes, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman, and every freeman, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains. And they say to the mountains and the rocks: Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand? (Apoc. vi. 15-17.)
When the Son of man shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the seat of His majesty. And all nations shall be gathered together before Him, and He shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on His left. (Matt. xxv. 31-33.)
The Sentence of the Just
THEN shall the King say to them that shall be on His right hand: Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took Me in: naked, and you covered Me: sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then shall the just answer Him, saying: Lord, when did we see Thee hungry, and fed Thee; thirsty, and gave Thee drink? And when did we see Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? Or naked, and covered Thee? Or when did we see Thee sick or in prison, and come to Thee? And the King, answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me. (Matt. xxv. 34-40.)
The Sentence of the Wicked
THEN He shall say to them also that shall be on His left hand: Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty and you gave Me not to drink: I was a stranger, and you took Me not in: naked, and you covered Me not: sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. Then they also shall answer Him, saying: Lord, when did we see Thee hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to Thee? Then He shall answer them, saying: Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to Me. And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just into life everlasting. (Matt. xxv. 41-45.)
The Thought of the Judgment a Consolation to the Just
HE HATH prepared His throne in judgment: and He shall judge the world in equity. He shall judge the people in justice. (Ps. ix. 8, 9.)
He hath appointed a day wherein He will judge the world in equity, by the man whom He hath appointed, giving faith to all, by raising Him up from the dead. (Acts xvii. 31.)
The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then will He render to every man according to his works. (Matt. xvi. 27.)
Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to his works. (Apoc. xxii. 12.)
The Thought of the Judgment is Terrible to the Wicked
IT IS a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb. x. 31.)
​The wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and He shall be brought to the day of wrath. (Job xxi. 30.)
The nations were angry: and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldst render reward to Thy servants the prophets and to the saints, and to them that fear Thy name, little and great, and shouldst destroy them who have corrupted the earth. (Apoc. xi. 18.)
Preparation for the Judgment
Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness? Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord, by which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with the burning heat? (2 Peter iii. 11-12)
Walk in the ways of the heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: and know that for all these God will bring thee to judgment. (Eccles. xi. 9.)
Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke xxi. 36.)
HELL
The Pain of Loss
HE SHALL say to you: I know you not whence you are: depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity. (Luke xiii. 27.)
Because they forsook Me, and I hid My face from them: and I delivered them into the hands of their enemies, and they fell all by the sword. I have dealt with them according to their uncleanness, and wickedness, and hid My face from them. (Ezech. xxxix. 23, 24.)
Then shall they cry to the Lord, and He will not hear them; and He will hide His face from them at that ​time, as they have behaved wickedly in their devices. (Mich. iii. 4.)
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Luke xiii. 28.)
The children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt. viii. 12.)
The Pain of Sense
THEY that work iniquity shall be cast into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matt. xiii. 42.)
Lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; and he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke xvi. 23, 24.)
The smoke of their torments shall ascend up forever and ever: neither: have they rest day nor night, who have adored the beast. (Apoc. xiv. 11.)
Despair of the Damned
THEN shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them. These, seeing it, shall troubled with terrible fear, saying within themselves repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had some time in derision, and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honor. Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints. Therefore we have erred from the way of truth, and the light of justice hath not shined unto us. And the sun of understanding hath not risen upon us. We wearied ourselves in the way of iniquity and destruction, and have walked through hard ways: ​the way of the Lord we have not known. What hath pride profited us? Or what advantage hath the boasting of riches brought us? All those things are passed away like a shadow. (Wis. v. 1-9.)
The Eternity of Hell
MANY of those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall wake: some unto life everlasting, and others unto reproach to see it always. (Dan. xii. 2.)
Then He shall say to them also that shall be on His left hand: Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matt. xxv. 41.)
They shall go into everlasting punishment. (Matt. xxv. 6.)
And the angels who kept not their principality, but forsook their own habitation, He hath reserved under darkness in everlasting chains, unto the judgment of the great day. As Sodom and Gomorrha, and the neighboring cities, in like manner, having given themselves to fornication, and going after other flesh, were made an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 6, 7.)
And to you who are troubled, rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with the angels of His power: in a flame of fire, yielding vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. (2 Thess. i. 7-9.)
And if thy hand scandalize thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life, maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into unquenchable fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished. And if thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter lame into life everlasting, than having two feet, to be cast into the hell of unquenchable fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee with one eye to enter into the kingdom ​of God, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished. (Mark ix. 42-47.)
Impenitence the Cause of Damnation
GOD spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them, drawn down by infernal ropes to the lower hell unto torments to be reserved unto judgment. (2 Peter ii. 4.)
The angels, who kept not their principality, but forsook their own habitation, He hath reserved under darkness i everlasting chains, unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 6.)
The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire. The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end hell, and darkness, and pains. He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof. (Ecclus. xxi. 10-12.)
Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. (Matt. vii. 13.)
[They who obey not the gospel] shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord and from the glory of His power. (2 Thess. 1. 9.)
When sudden calamity shall fall on you, and destruction, as a tempest, shall be at hand: when tribulation and distress shall come upon you, then shall the call upon Me, and I will not hear: they shall rise in the morning, and shall not find Me; because they have hated instruction, and received not the fear of the Lord, nor consented to My counsel, but despised all My reproof. (Prov. i. 27-30.)
How to Avoid Hell
FEAR ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him that can destroy both soul and body into hell. (Matt. x. 28.)
If thy hand or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. (Matt. xviii. 8.)
If thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee with one eye to enter into the kingdom of God, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire, where their worm dieth not. (Mark ix. 46, 47.)
HEAVEN
In Heaven There Shall be No Evils
HE SHALL cast death down headlong forever. (Is. xv. 8.)
Death shall be no more. (Apoc. xxi. 4.)
I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort hem and make them joyful after their sorrow. (Jer. xxi. 13.)
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matt. v. 5.)
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. (Apoc. xxi. 4.)
Night shall be no more: and they shall not need the light of lamp, for the Lord God shall enlighten them, and they shall reign forever and ever. (Apoc. xxii. 5.)
​They shall no more hunger nor thirst, neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Apoc. vii. 16, 17.)
They shall come and shall give praise in Mount Sion: and they shall flow to the good things of the Lord, and their soul shall be as a watered garden, and they shall be hungry no more. (Jer. xxxi. 12.)
Heaven Means the Possession of All Good
THE throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and His servants shall serve Him. And they shall see His face; and His name shall be on their foreheads. (Apoc. xxii. 3, 4.)
With Thee is the fountain of life; and in Thy light we shall see light. (Ps. xxxv. 10.)
We know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like to Him; because we shall see Him as He is. (1 John iii. 2.)
Thou shalt fill me with joy with Thy countenance. (Ps. xv. 11.)
And they fell down before the throne upon their face and adored God, saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen. (Apoc vii. 11, 12.)
Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor, and power: because Thou hast created all things; and for Thy will they were, and have been created. (Apoc. iv. 8-11.)
The Just shall go into life everlasting. (Matt. x 46.)
And I, John, saw the holy city the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Apoc. xxi. 2.)
​I saw no temple therein. For the Lord God almighty the temple thereof, and the Lamb. And the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon to shine in it. For the glory of God hath enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp thereof. And the nations shall walk in the light of it. (Apoc. xxi. 22-24.)
He that shall overcome I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall go out no more. (Apoc. ii. 12)
To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with Me in My throne: as I also have overcome, and am set down with My Father, n His throne. (Apoc. iii. 21.)
In My Father’s house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you, because I go to prepare a place for you. And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you: I will come again, and will take you to Myself, that where I am, you also may be. (John xiv. 2, 3.)
Father, I will that where I am, they also whom Thou hast given Me may be with Me, that they may see My glory which Thou hast given Me, because Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world. (John xvii. 24.)
My people shall sit in the beauty of peace, and in the tabernacles of confidence, and in wealthy rest. (Is. xxxii. 18.)
They that are redeemed by the Lord, shall return, and shall come into Sion singing praises, and joy everlasting shall be upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning shall flee away. (Is. Ii. 11.)
They shall rejoice before Thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils. (Is. ix. 3.)
You shall find rest to your souls. (Matt. xi. 29.)
There the wearied in strength are at rest. (Job. iii. 17.)
There remaineth a day of rest for the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, the same also hath rested from his works, as God did from His. Let us hasten, therefore, to enter into that rest. (Heb. iv. 9-11.)
Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest? (Ps. liv. 7.)
​You shall see and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb, and the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants. (Is. lxvi. 13, 14.)
Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall speedily arise. (Is. lviii. 8.)
I dispose to you, as My Father hath disposed to Me, a kingdom: that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom: and may sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke xxii. 29, 30.)
They shall be inebriated with the plenty of Thy house; and Thou shalt make them drink of the torrent of Thy pleasure. (Ps. xxxv. 9.)
How to Obtain Heaven
LAY not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. (Matt. vi. 19, 20.)
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him that overcometh, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God. (Apoc. ii. 7.)
To him that overcometh, I will give the hidden manna, and will give him a white counter, and in the counter a new name written, which no man knoweth but he that receiveth it. (Apoc. ii. 17.)
Walk worthy of God who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory. (1 Tim. ii. 12.)
When the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. (1 Peter v. 4.)
Not every one that saith to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of My Father, Who is in heaven. he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. vii. 21.)
​Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to Me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away. (Matt. xi. 12.)
He that hateth his life in this world keepeth it unto life eternal. (John xii. 25.)