or of John? Thanks to Paul’s chain; how many prisons has it opened to our discourse? Will
ye have that of John? He also was once bound for Christ’s sake, and for the law of God.
What then? Was he idle when he was in prison? Was it not from thence he sent, by his dis-
ciples, and said, “Art Thou He that cometh, or look we for another?” (Matt. xi. 2, 3.) Even
when there, then, it seems he taught, for surely he did not disregard his duty. But again, did
not Jeremiah prophesy concerning the king of Babylon, and fulfil his work even there in
prison? And what of Joseph? Was he not in prison thirteen years? What then? Not even
there did he forget his virtue. I have yet to mention the bonds of one and therewith will
close my discourse. Our Master Himself was bound, He who loosed the world from sins.
Those hands were bound, those hands that wrought ten thousand good deeds. For, “they
bound Him,” it saith, “and led Him away to Caiaphas;” (Matt. xxvii. 2; John xviii. 24.) yes,
He was bound who had wrought so many marvellous works.
Reflecting on these things, let us never repine; but whether we be in bonds, let us rejoice;
or whether we be not in bonds, let us be as though we were bound together with Him. See
how great a blessing are bonds! Knowing all these things, let us send up our thanksgiving
for all things to God, through Christ Jesus our Lord with whom to the Father, together with
the Holy Ghost, be glory, might, and honor, now and forever and ever. Amen.
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Ephesians 4:1,2