The all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards those that fear Him, and kindly and lovingly bestows His favours upon those who come to Him with a simple mind. Wherefore let us not be double-minded; neither let our soul be lifted [98] up on account of His exceedingly great and glorious gifts. Far from us be that which is written, "Wretched are they who are of a double mind, and of a doubting heart; who say, These things we have heard even in the times of our fathers; but, behold, we have grown old, and none of them has happened unto us." [99] Ye foolish ones! compare yourselves to a tree: take [for instance] the vine. First of all, it sheds its leaves, then it buds, next it puts forth leaves, and then it flowers; after that comes the sour grape, and then follows the ripened fruit. Ye perceive how in a little time the fruit of a tree comes to maturity. Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, saying, "Speedily will He come, and will not tarry;" [100] and, "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One, for whom ye look." [101]

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Footnotes:

[98] Or, as some render, "neither let us have any doubt of."

[99] Some regard these words as taken from an apocryphal book, others as derived from a fusion of James 1:8and 2 Peter 3:3, 4.

[100] Habakkuk 2:3; Hebrews 10:37.

[101] Malachi 3:1.