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| Chapter XXVII.
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Chapter
XXVII.
We ought to detest these heathen meetings and
assemblies, if on no other account than that there God’s name is
blasphemed—that there the cry “To the lions!” is
daily raised against us373
—that from
thence persecuting decrees are wont to emanate, and temptations are
sent forth. What will you do if you are caught in that heaving tide of
impious judgments? Not that there any harm is likely to come to you
from men: nobody knows that you are a Christian; but think how it fares
with you in heaven. For at the very time the devil is working havoc in
the church, do you doubt that the angels are looking down from above,
and marking every man, who speaks and who listens to the blaspheming
word, who lends his tongue and who lends his ears to the service of
Satan against God? Shall you not then shun those tiers where the
enemies of Christ assemble, that seat of all that is pestilential, and
the very super incumbent atmosphere all impure with wicked cries? Grant
that you have there things that are pleasant, things both agreeable and
innocent in themselves; even some things that are excellent. Nobody
dilutes poison with gall and hellebore: the accursed thing is put into
condiments well seasoned and of sweetest taste. So, too, the devil puts
into the deadly draught which he prepares, things of God most pleasant
and most acceptable. Everything there, then, that is either brave,
noble, loud-sounding, melodious, or exquisite in taste, hold it but as
the honey drop of a poisoned cake; nor make so much of your taste for
its pleasures, as of the danger you run from its
attractions.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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