CHAPTER XVI.
Of the Brethren who may go among the Saracens and other Infidels.
Our Lord said : ‘Behold I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and simple as doves.’ Therefore, if any of the Brethren, moved by divine inspiration, should wish to go among the Saracens and other infidels, let them go with the permission of their Minister. And let the Minister not refuse, but give them leave, if he sees they are fit to be sent, for in this matter he will have to render an account to God if he acts indiscreetly. The Brethren who go, may conduct themselves in two ways among the infidels. The one is not to contend or dispute with them, but to be ‘subject to every human creature for God’s sake,’ yet confessing themselves to be Christians. The other way is, when they see it is pleasing to God, to preach the Divine Word, and teach men to believe in Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the Creator of all things, in Our Lord the Redeemer and Saviour, and that they should become Christians by being baptized ; because, ‘ unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ These and other truths they may teach them, as it shall please God, for Our Lord says in the Gospel : ‘Every one therefore that shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father Who is in heaven ;’ and ‘ he that shall be ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when He shall come in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.’ Let all the Brethren, wherever they may be, remember that they have renounced themselves, and have given their bodies to Our Lord Jesus Christ ; and, therefore, for the love of Him, they ought to expose themselves to their enemies both visible and invisible, for Our Lord says : ‘He that shall lose his life for My sake shall save it. Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. If they have persecuted Me, they will persecute you. If they shall persecute you in one city, fly to another. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for My sake ; be glad and rejoice in that day, for your reward is very great in heaven. I say to you, my friends, Fear not them that kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. Yea, I say unto you, fear them not. In your patience, you shall possess your souls. He who shall persevere to the end shall be saved.’