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23.
1
WHEREFORE let us also pray for such as are fallen into [*138:2] sin. That being endued with humility and moderation, they may submit not unto us, but to the will of God.
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23.
2
For by this means [*138:3] they shall obtain a fruitful and perfect remembrance, with mercy, both in our prayers to God, and in our mention of them before his [*138:4] saints.
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23.
3
Let us receive correction, at which no man ought to repine.
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23.
4
Beloved, the reproof and the correction which we exercise towards one another, is good, and exceeding profitable: for it unites us the more closely to the will of God.
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23.
5
For so says the Holy Scripture, [*138:5] The Lord corrected me, but he did not deliver me over unto death. [*138:6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
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23.
6
[*138:7] The righteous, saith he, shall instruct me in mercy and reprove me; but let not oil of sinners make fat my head.
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23.
7
And again he saith, [*138:8] Happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
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23.
8
For he maketh sore and bindeth up; he woundeth and his hands make whole.
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23.
9
He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death; and in war from the power of the sword.
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23.
10
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
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23.
11
Thou shalt laugh at the wicked and sinners; neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. The wild beast shall be at peace with thee.
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23.
12
Then shalt thou know that thy house shall be in peace; and the habitation of thy tabernacle shall not err. Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great and thy offspring as the grass of the earth.
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23.
13
Thou shalt come to thy grave as the ripe corn, that is taken in due time; like as a shock of corn cometh in, in its season.
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23.
14
Ye see, beloved, how there shall be a defence to those that are corrected of the Lord. For being a good instructor, he is willing to admonish us by his holy discipline.
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23.
15
Do ye therefore who laid the first foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves unto your [*138:9] priests; and be instructed unto repentance, bending the knees of your hearts.
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23.
16
Learn to be subject, laying aside all proud and arrogant boasting of your tongues.
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23.
17
For it is better for you to be found little, and approved, in the [*138:10] sheepfold of Christ, than to seem to yourselves better than others, and be cast out of his [*138:11] fold.
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23.
18
For thus speaks the excellent and all virtuous wisdom, [*139:1] Behold I will pour out the word of my spirit upon you, I will make known my speech unto you.
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23.
19
Because I called and ye would not hear, I stretched out my words and ye regarded not.
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23.
20
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof. I will also laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh.
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23.
21
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
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23.
22
Then shall ye call upon me, but I will not hear you: the wicked shall seek me, but they shall not find me. For that they hated knowledge, and did not seek the fear of the Lord.
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23.
23
They would not hearken unto my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own ways; and be filled with their own wickedness.
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23.
Footnotes ^138:2 Viz. that of schism.
^138:3 There shall he to them.
^138:4 i.e. our Fellow-Christians.
^138:5 Psalm xcviii.
^138:6 Prov. iii. 11.
^138:7 Psalm cxli. 5.
^138:8 Job v. 17, &c.
^138:9 Elders.
^138:10 See Junius in loc.
^138:11 See Coteler in loc.
^139:1 Prov. i. 23, &c.
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