"these examples of the fathers are set forth for the churches to be read and learned so that the godly may see that they are disciplined in a wonderful manner through weakness and strength, through triumph and dejection, through good fortune and bad fortune so that by being tossed to and fro in various ways they might at length become martyrs, a very sweet odor and a “column of smoke,” as is stated in the Song of Solomon (3:6), and that their flesh might be completely destroyed in them. Secondly, these examples teach us that our sufferings are trivial and light over against such troubles. Therefore let us seek consolation from here and prepare our hearts for patience. For we have not yet been smitten by such great difficulties and troubles as this one patriarch endured in his life."
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