Study Desk

but if envy and contention imbitter your minds, don't think your false pretences can stand against the truth:

such wisdom is not derived from heaven; but is terrestrial, sensual, demoniacal.

but wisdom deriv'd from heaven is first dispassionate, then pacific, equitable, and obsequious: full of beneficence, and all social virtue, free from partiality, and hypocrisy.

you quarrel and go to war, but without success, because you don't petition for it: and if you did,

on the contrary, he heaps his favours upon you. wherefore 'tis said, "God defeats the proud, but is gracious to the humble."

there is but one legislator, and judge, he that has the power of life and death: who art thou, to pass sentence upon another?

you triumph in your vain projects, but your presumption is vicious.

Above all things, my brethren, don't swear, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor use any other oath; but let your affirmation, or negation, be sincere, lest you fall under condemnation.

and were answer'd, that it was not they, but we, who were concern'd in the events which they predicted, events which have been now represented to you by those, whom the holy spirit from heaven inspired to preach the gospel to you: a secret which the angels desire to penetrate into.

but as he, who has called you, is holy: let your whole conduct be an imitation of his holiness.

but by the precious blood of Christ, who is the lamb without spot, and without blemish:

since your regeneration is not owing to any corruptible principles, but to the unchangeable word of the immortal God.

but the word of the Lord remains for ever: and that is the gospel, which has been preached to you.

trusts thereon shall not be confounded. it will prove an honour to you, who believe; but to the incredulous, the same stone, which is the chief of the angle,

and this they were destin'd to. but you are the chosen race, you are kings and priests, the holy nation, the peculiar people, that you might display his glory, who called you out

of darkness into his marvellous light: you, who formerly were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy,

but at present have obtain'd it. I exhort you, my dear brethren, as strangers and travellers to avoid all sensual passions, as destructive to your

men. You are free, don't let your liberty serve as a pretext for vice: but act as the servants

but even to the morose. for it is a recommendation to the divine favour, to suffer unjust persecution

from a principle of conscience. what glory is there in suffering corporal punishment for real offences? but if you meet with ill usage for doing your duty, and bear it with constancy,