Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/685

 But the  ready  Faith  of  Abraham is  everywhere  praised,  because in  thy  promise  he  staggered not  by  mistrust,  but  was strengthened in  Faith,  giving glory to  God. For he  went forth immediately  out  of  his country, and  from  his  kindred, and  came  into  the  land which thou  showedst  him, knowing that  whatsoever God has  promised,  he  is  able also to  perform.

I believe, too,  to  see  the good things  of  the  Lord  in the  land  of  the  living,  after  my departure  out  of  this  world. Call me  hence  whensoever thou wilt; but  grant  that, guided by  Faith,  I may  cheerfully follow  thee  through firm belief  in  thy  power  and goodness. Then thy  good Spirit shall  lead  me  into the right  land; and  for  thy Name’s sake,  O Lord,  thou wilt quicken  me  in  thy  justice.

The Kingdom  that  has  been prepared for  us  from  the  beginning of  the  world; for thou hast  delivered  us from the power of  darkness,  and  hast translated us  into  the  Kingdom of  thy  beloved  Son, that we may  be  co-heirs  with  him according to  the  hope  of  eternal Life. For if  in  this  life only we  have  hope,  we  are  of all  men  the  most  miserable. The Lord  is  the  portion  of my  inheritance  and  of  my chalice; it  is  thou  who  wilt restore my  inheritance  to  me. Oh, when  will  this  be? for here we  are  but  strangers and pilgrims,  having  no  permanent city,  but  we  seek  one to come.

Meantime, we  glory  in  the hope of  the  glory  of  the  sons of God; and  not  only  so,  but we glory  also  in  tribulations; knowing  that  tribulation works  patience,  and patience trial,  and  trial  hope, and hope  confounds  not. For so it  is,  that  through  many tribulations we  must  enter into the  kingdom  of  God; but the  consolation  of  all  labour is  the  hope  of  so  great a reward. For the  sufferings of this  time  are  not  worthy to be  compared  with  the  glory to come,  that  shall  be  revealed in  us.

Therefore will  I set  thee, O Lord, always  in  my  sight, for thou  art  at  my  right  hand, that I be  not  moved. Therefore shall my  heart  be  glad; moreover, my  flesh  also  shall rest in  hope. In peace  in  the self-same I will  sleep  and  I