If, however, any shall disobey the words spoken by Him through us, let them know that they will involve themselves in transgression and serious danger; but we shall be innocent of this sin, and, instant in prayer and supplication, shall desire that the Creator of all preserve unbroken the computed number of His elect in the whole world through His beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom He called us from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge of the glory of His name, our hope resting on Thy name which is primal cause of every creature, -- having opened the eyes of our heart to the knowledge of Thee, who alone "dost rest highest among the highest, holy among the holy," [4315] who "layest low the insolence of the haughty," [4316] who "destroyest the calculations of the heathen," [4317] who "settest the low on high and bringest low the exalted;" [4318] who "makest rich and makest poor," [4319] who "killest and makest to live," [4320] only Benefactor of spirits and God of all flesh, [4321] who beholdest the depths, the eye-witness of human works, the help of those in danger, the Saviour of those in despair, the Creator and Guardian of every spirit, who multipliest nations upon earth, and from all madest choice of those who love Thee through Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, through whom Thou didst instruct, sanctify, honour us. We would have Thee, Lord, to prove our help and succour. Those of us in affliction save, on the lowly take pity; the fallen raise; upon those in need arise; the sick [4322] heal; the wandering ones of Thy people turn; fill the hungry; redeem those of us in bonds; raise up those that are weak; comfort the faint-hearted; let all the nations know that Thou art God alone and Jesus Christ Thy Son, and we are Thy people and the sheep of Thy pasture. Footnotes: [4315] Isaiah 57:15. [4316] Isaiah 13:11. [4317] Psalm 33:10. [4318] Job 5:11; Ezekiel 17:24. [4319] 1 Samuel 2:7. [4320] Deuteronomy 32:39. [4321] Numbers 16:22, xxvii. 16; Jeremiah 32:27. [4322] I. gives asebeis (ungodly) where astheneis (sick) is substituted. |
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