Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament

^7. With good reason is this world severely scourged; for the world has known now its Master's words. “And the servant,” He says, “that knew not his Master's will, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.” Why? That he may seek after his Master's will. The servant then who knew not His will, this was the world, before “He magnified His Holy One;” it was “the servant who knew not his Master's will,” and therefore “shall be beaten with few stripes.” But the servant who now knows his Master's will, that is now, since the Godhead “sanctified His Holy One,” and “does not His will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” What marvel then, if the world be now much beaten? “It is the servant which knew his Master's will, and did commit things worthy of stripes.” Let him then not refuse to be beaten with many stripes; since if in unrighteousness he will not hear his teacher, in righteousness must he feel his avenger. At least, let him not murmur against Him that chastens him, when he sees that he is worthy of stripes, that so he may attain mercy; through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns, with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.