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The Servant.--Three things there are at which I marvel very much;
one is, that Thou shouldst be beyond all measure so amiable
Thyself, and yet so severe a judge of evil deeds. Lord, when I
reflect on Thy severe justice, my heart with passionate voice
exclaims: "Woe to all who persist in sin!" for did they but know
the strict account of every single sin, which Thou wilt infallibly
require, even from Thy very dearest friends, they would sooner
pluck out their teeth and hair than ever provoke Thy anger!
Woe is
me! How very terrible is Thy angry countenance, how very
intolerable Thy ungentle averted looks! So full of fire are Thy
threatening words that they cut through heart and soul. Shield me,
O Lord, from Thy wrathful countenance, and extend not Thy
vengeance against me to the next world. Lo! when I only doubt,
lest, because of my guilty deeds Thou mayest have turned Thy face
angrily away from me, it is a thing so insupportable, that nothing
in all this world is so bitter to me.
Oh, my Lord and Father, how
could my heart endure Thy angry countenance for ever! When I but
seriously reflect on Thy countenance inflamed with anger, my soul
is so horrified, all my strength is so shaken, that I can liken it
to nothing else than to the heavens beginning to darken and grow
black, to fire raging in the clouds, and to a mighty thunder
rending them, so that the earth trembles, and fiery bolts dart
down upon men.
Lord, let no one confide in Thy silence, for verily
Thy silence will soon be turned to dreadful thunder. Lord, the
angry countenance of Thy Fatherly anger to that man who is fearful
of provoking and losing Thee, is a hell above all hells. I will
say nothing of that furious countenance of Thine which the wicked
at the last day will have to behold in bitterness ofheart. Woe,
everlasting woe to those who shall have to expect so great a
calamity!
Lord, all this is a profound mystery to my heart, and yet Thou
sayest
that Thou art so gracious and so good.
Eternal Wisdom.--I am the immutable good, and subsist the same and
am the same. But that I do not appear the same, arises from the
difference of those who view Me differently, according as they are
with or without sin. I am tender and loving in My nature, and yet
a terrible judge of evil deeds. I require from My friends
childlike awe, and confiding love, in order that awe may restrain
them from sin, and love unite them to Me in faith.
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