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FOR as unbounded glory hereafter is promised to those who faithfully
serve God and cleave to Him according to the rule of this system; so the
severest penalties are in store for those who have carried it out
carelessly and coldly, and have failed to show to Him fruits of holiness
corresponding to what they professed or what they were believed by men to
be. For "it is better," as Scripture says, "that a man should not vow
rather than that he should vow and not pay;" and "Cursed is he that doeth
the work of the Lord carelessly." Therefore you were for a long while
declined by us, not as if we did not desire with all our hearts to secure
your salvation and the salvation of all, nor as if we did not care to go to
meet even afar off those who are longing to be converted to Christ; but for
fear lest if we received you rashly we might make ourselves guilty in the
sight of God of levity, and make you incur a yet heavier punishment, if,
when you had been too easily admitted by us without realizing the
responsibility of this profession, you had afterwards turned out a deserter
or lukewarm. Wherefore you ought in the first instance to learn the actual
reason for the renunciation of the world, and when you have seen this, you
can be taught more plainly what you ought to do, from the reason for it.
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