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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4a
themselves, but tried to subvert the remaining few who had submitted
to the wise and judicious laws of their father’s household.
For the sake of the few who are loyal, whose happiness was ex-
posed to the seditious influence of the rebellious members of his
household, he separates from his family his undutiful children, while
at the same time he labors to bring closer to himself the remaining
faithful and loyal ones. All would honor the wise and just course of
such a parent, in punishing most severely his undutiful, rebellious
children.
God has dealt thus with his children. But man, in his blindness,
will overlook the abominations of the ungodly, and pass by unnoticed
[52]
the continual ingratitude and rebellion, and heaven-daring sins of those
who trample upon God’s law and defy his authority. They do not stop
here, but exult in subverting his people, and influencing them by their
wiles to transgress, and show open contempt for the wise requirements
of Jehovah.
Some can see only the destruction of God’s enemies, which looks
to them unmerciful and severe. They do not look upon the other side.
But let everlasting thanks be given, that impulsive, changeable man,
with all his boasted benevolence, is not the disposer and controller of
events. “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
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