Chapter 23

1The benefit of mutual advice and correction. He entreats them to follow that which is here given to them . WHEREFORE let us also pray for such as are fallen into sin. That being endued with humility and moderation, they may submit not unto us, but to the will of God.
2For by this means they shall obtain a fruitful and perfect remembrance, with mercy, both in our prayers to God, and in our mention of them before his saints.
3Let us receive correction, at which no man ought to repine.
4Beloved, 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.
5For so says the Holy Scripture, The Lord corrected me, but he did not deliver me over unto death. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
6The righteous, saith he, shall instruct me in mercy and reprove me; but let not oil of sinners make fat my head.
7And again he saith, Happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
8For he maketh sore and bindeth up; he woundeth and his hands make whole.
9He 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.
10Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
11Thou 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.
12Then 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.
13Thou 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.
14Ye 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.
15Do ye therefore who laid the first foundation of this sedition, submit yourselves unto your priests; and be instructed unto repentance, bending the knees of your hearts.
16Learn to be subject, laying aside all proud and arrogant boasting of your tongues.
17For it is better for you to be found little, and approved, in the sheepfold of Christ, than to seem to yourselves better than others, and be cast out of his fold.
18For thus speaks the excellent and all virtuous wisdom, Behold I will pour out the word of my spirit upon you, I will make known my speech unto you.
19Because I called and ye would not hear, I stretched out my words and ye regarded not.
20But 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.
21When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
22Then 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.
23They 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. ***