nd divers vexations.

11 And when he shall have suffered
all things that were appointed for him;
then perhaps HE that made him, and
formed all things besides, will be
moved with compassion towards him,
and afford him some remedy; and
especially if HE shall perceive
his heart who repents, to be free
from every evil work.

12 But at present it is expedient
for thee, and for thy house, to be
grieved; and it is needful that
thou shouldst endure much vexation,
as the angel of the Lord who committed
thee unto me, has commanded.

13 Rather give thanks unto the
Lord, that knowing what was to
come he thought thee worthy, to
whom he should foretell that trouble
was coming upon thee, who art able
to bear it.

14 I said unto him; Sir, but be
thou also with me, and I shall
easily undergo any trouble. I will,
said he, be with thee; and I will
entreat the messenger who is set
over thy punishment, that he
would moderate his afflictions
towards thee.

15 And moreover thou shalt
suffer adversity but for a little
time; and then thou shalt again
be restored to thy former state;
only continue on in the humility
of thy mind.

16 Obey the Lord with a pure
heart; thou, and thy house, and
thy children; and walk in the
commands which I have delivered
unto thee; and then thy repentance
may be firm and pure.

17 And if thou shalt keep
these things with thy house, thy
inconveniencies shall depart from thee.

18 And all vexation shall in like
manner depart from those, whosoever
shall walk according to these commands.

SIMILITUDE VIII.

That there are many kinds of elect, and of
repenting sinners: and how all of these shall
receive a reward proportionable to the measure
of their repentance and good works.

AGAIN he showed me a willow
which covered the fields and
the mountains, under whose shadow
came all such as were called by
the name of the Lord.

2 And by that willow stood an.
angel of the Lord very excellent
and lofty, and did cut down bows
from the willow with a great
hook; and reached out to the people
that were under the shadow of the
willow, little rods, as it were
about a foot long.

3 And when all of them had
taken them, he laid aside his hook,
and the tree continued entire, as I
had before seen it; at which I
wondered, and mused within myself.

4 Then that shepherd said unto
me; Forbear to wonder that the
tree continues whole,
not-with-standing so many bo