My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord Either by making light of it, or not being duly affected with it, or by accounting it an unnecessary thing; but rather esteem it a privilege and favour from God. Neither be weary of his correction Neither think it tedious or hard, but endure it with patience and cheerfulness. For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth Afflictions are not calamities, but benefits and comforts, because they are testimonies of God's love, which is infinitely more desirable than any evil can be terrible. They show God's design, desire, and care to purge us from our sins, and make us fit for his presence and kingdom. These two verses seem to be here inserted in the midst of his commendations of wisdom, to remove an objection against the excellence and happiness of wise or pious men, taken from those many afflictions to which such persons are frequently exposed, the reason of which he here gives.

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