Yea, this is the reason why they have bade one
another rejoice, when they fell into divers temptations, saying,
"Happy is the man that endureth temptations;" and, "Behold, we count
them happy that endure." And again, "If ye be reproached for the
name of Christ, happy are ye."
These, therefore, are vessels of pure gold, though they contain such
bitter draughts, at which we make so many wry faces before we can
get them down.
Do you think that a Christian, having even this cup in his hand to
drink, would change it for a draught of that which is in the hand of
the woman that sits on the back of the scarlet-colored beast? No,
verily; for he knows that her sweet is poison; and that his bitter
is to purge his soul, body, life, and religion, of death.
God sends his love-tokens to his church two ways; sometimes by her
friends, sometimes by her enemies. When they come by the hand of a
friend, as by a minister, a brother, or by the Holy Ghost, then they
come smoothly, sweetly, and are taken, and go down like honey. But
when these love-tokens come to them by the hand of an enemy, then
they are handed to them roughly. Pharaoh handed love-tokens to them
roughly; the king of Babylon handed these love-tokens to them
roughly. They bring them of malice; God sends them of love.
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