438 Holy menfear danger's for their spiritual offsprituj. Job 39,And again, We command you^ hrethren^ in the name of our , „ ' ^ Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every 3, 6. brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us. This foot John was dreading for Caius ; for when he had mentioned before many wicked- 3 John nesses of Diotrephes, he added, Dearly beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. This the leader of the Synagogue himself was fearing for his feeble flock, Deut. saying, When thou hast entered the land., which the Lord 18 9 . . ' ' thy Qod shall give thee, take heed that thou wish not to imitate the abominations of those nations. She forgets also, that the beast of the field may break them, because the hypocrite doubtless cares not at all, if the devil raging in this world carries off his children who are brought forth in good conversation. But this beast of the field Paul was 2 Cor. fearing for the eggs, which he had laid, saying, I fear, lest, ' * as the serpent beguiled Eve through his sublilty, so your senses should be corrupted from the love that is in Christ Jesus. This beast of the field Peter was fearing for his 1 Pet. 5, disciples, saying. Your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion goeth about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, stedfast in the faith. Faithful teachers therefore have over their disciples the bowels of fear, from the virtue of charity. But hypocrites fear the less for those committed to them, the more they discover not what they ought to fear for themselves. And because they live with hardened hearts, they acknowledge not even the sons whom they beget, with any affection of the love which is due to them. Whence it is added still further under the figure of the ostrich ; Ver. 16. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers. xii. 17. For he whom the grace of charity bedews not, looks upon his neighbour as a stranger, even though he has himself begotten him to God. As doubtless are all hj^po- crites, whose minds in truth, while ever aiming at outward objects, become insensible within : and while they are ever seeking their own, in every thing they do, they are not softened by any compassion of charity, for the feelings of their neighbour. O what bowels of tenderness was Paul bearing, when he was panting for his children, with so great I >» i