Page:Completecatechis00deharich.djvu/113

 fits; 2. Because He reserves to Himself to punish the wicked, and to reward the good, especially in eternity; and 3. Because He will not even leave the little good which the wicked may do entirely unrewarded, and, therefore, as He cannot reward it in the next world on account of their impenitence. He will reward it here below.

58. How ought we to receive the sufferings that come upon us?

We ought to receive them as graces of God; for 'whom the Lord loveth He chastiseth'$1$ (Hebr. xii. 6); and 'before he be glorified, it [his heart] is humbled' (Prov. xviii. 12).

Application. ' Cast all your care upon the Lord, for He hath care of you' (1 Pet. v. 7). 'Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns, and your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Consider the lilies of the field,' etc. (Matt. vi. 26-33). Take willingly everything that is disagreeable to you as coming from the hand of God: 'As it hath pleased the Lord, so is it done; blessed be the name of the Lord ' (Job i. 21); and never be so rash as to complain of the dispensations of God. Whatever may come, ' To them that love God, all things work together unto good ' (Rom. viii. 28.).