Vol. 2

CHAPTER XV. 591divine adoption is, and that which Christian hopeencourages a child of God to expect incorae, looks upon every thing else as nothing.the world toThoseare for selling beforehand part of the eternal inheritance,who desire temporal rewards or satisfactions.That person will never envy the happiness of thosewho enjoy them, who thoroughly understands thesetwo sentences—that God is ever with him as hisFather, and that God is his as his patrimony andinheritance. This is what God speaks to his children,as often as faith speaks it to them in meditationand prayer.Whoever, in the like temptations, hasrecourse to these two truths, will certainly receivefrom them abundance of strength and consolation," 32. It was meet that we should make merry,and be glad : for this thy brother was dead, and isalive again ; and was lost, and is found."These words are repeated by the father of thefamily. Of so great importance is it, to make itevident, that a sinner is dead in the eyes of faith,because God whom he forsakes is the life of his soul,as his soul is the life of his body. A Christian'ssin is a brother's death : and in proportion to ourconcern for this, is our joy at his resurrection. Letus have a brotherly heart towards our brethren; sinceGod has that of a father towards his children, andseems to be afflicted at their loss, and to rejoice attheir being found again, as if they were necessary tohis happiness.