Mark 13

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIII.**—If external privileges be abused, they but aggravate our guilt and hasten our ruin: and national sins will bring on national judgments. Nothing can happen, but as Jesus foresaw and predetermined. And great is his kindness in warning men, before their contempt of himself and his gospel bring on them those temporal miseries which presage their eternal destruction. Kindly he chastens his own faithful servants and people, that they may not be condemned with the world: and graciously he warns them of their danger, and directs them how to conduct themselves for his honour and their own security. Safely he preserves his elect, that even in the worst of times not one of them can be ruined. And many, who abhor and persecute them, owe their 117 130 temporal preservation to them and their prayers.—If men bear his image, they must expect hatred from the world, even from their nearest carnal relations. The enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent will never cease. But let them do their worst, God will cause his gospel to spread through the world, and will support his faithful servants and followers; guide them by his counsel while here, and afterwards receive them to glory. And nothing is more proper to preserve us steady and faithful in evil times, than constant watchfulness and fervent prayer. In so doing we shall be able, at Jesus’ tribunal, to give our account with joy and not with grief. 11 C