And what did they do? They did not prevent
his being the forerunner and prophet of the incarnate Son of God. They
did not prevent his being the master and teacher of the blessed Apostle
St John, who was his spiritual son and heir. They did not prevent his
teaching all men and women, to whom God gives grace to understand him,
that the true repentance, the true conversion, the true deliverance from
the wrath to come, the true entrance into the kingdom of heaven, the true
way to Christ and to God, is common morality.
And now let us bless God's holy name for all His servants departed in His
faith and fear, and especially for His servant St John the Baptist,
beseeching Him to give us grace, so to follow his doctrine and holy life,
that we may truly repent after his preaching and after his example. May
the Lord forgive our exceeding cowardice, and help us constantly to speak
the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SERMON XXIX. THE PRESENT RECOMPENSE
Chester Cathedral, Nave Service, Evening.
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