Benefits of Persecution
By Bishop Jewell
PROFIT OF PERSECUTION.—God schooleth and nurtureth his people, that so through many tribulations, they may enter into their rest. Frankincense, when it is put into the fire, smells the sweeter; the earth, when it is torn up with the plough, becomes more fruitful; the seed in the ground, after frost and snow, and winter storms, springs the ranker; the nigher the vine is pruned to the stock, the greater grapes it yields; the grape, when it is most pressed and beaten, makes the sweeter wine; fine gold is better when it is cast into the fire; rough stones with hewing are squared, and made fit for building; cloth is rent and cut that it may be made a garment; linen is bucked and washed, and wrung and beaten, and it is fairer. These are the familiar examples to show the benefit and advantages which the children of God receive by persecution.—Bishop Jewell.