10. Hearken, O daughter, and consider. Ever is
this the great duty of the church. Faith comes by hearing, and confirmation by
consideration. And incline thine ear. Lean forward that no syllable may
be unheard. The whole faculties of the mind should be bent upon receiving holy
teaching. Forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house. To
renounce the world is not easy, but it must be done, for a divided heart our
King cannot endure; it would be misery to the beloved one as well as dishonor
to her Lord. Evil acquaintances, and even those who are but neutral, must be
forsaken; they can confer no benefit; they must inflict injury. We must come
out of the house of fallen nature, for it is built in the City of Destruction.
Not that natural ties are broken by grace, but ties of sinful nature, bonds of
graceless affinity. We have much to forget as well as to learn. We part with
folly for wisdom; with bubbles for eternal joys. But alas, worldliness abounds;
the church is defiled; the glory of the great King is veiled. Only when the
whole church leads the separated life will the full splendor and power of
Christianity shine on the world.
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