(Galatians 4:31-5:1): "Therefore, brethren, we are not the children of slaves, but of free women. Stand therefore in the freedom which Christ has given us, and do not again be subjected to the yoke of slavery."

Rule 15.

On the hope of other people's merits

One should not rely on the merits of others, neglect one's own.

(Matthew 3:8-9): "Bring forth the worthy fruit of repentance, and do not think to say within yourselves, 'Our father is Abraham.'

Rule 16.

About those who think that they can take advantage of the fact that they live with virtuous and God-pleasing people, while they do not correct themselves

Those who live with people pleasing to God, but do not correct their own way of thinking, do not receive any benefit for themselves, although they apparently live like these people.

(Matthew 25:1-4): "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like unto the ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Of these, five were wise and five were foolish. The foolish took their lamps, and did not take oil with them. And the wise, together with their lamps, took the oil in their vessels." To this he adds a little later about the foolish virgins (Matt. 25:11-12): "After the other virgins also come, and say: Lord! God! open to us. And he answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

(Luke 17:34-35, 37): "I say to you, In that night there will be two on the same bed: the one will be taken, and the other will be left; And they said to him, Where is it, Lord? And he said to them, 'Where there is a carcass, there the eagles will be gathered.'

Rule 17.

How one should dispose of oneself in the reasoning of the present tense

According to the signs announced to us in the Scriptures, learning about the present time, what it is, and considering this, we should arrange our affairs.

(Matthew 24:32, 33): "Take the likeness of the fig tree: when its branches are already soft and put forth leaves, you know that summer is near; so when you see all this, know that it is near, at the door."

(Luke 12:54-56): "When you see a cloud rising up from the west, immediately say, 'There will be rain, and so it is; And when the south wind blows, say, The heat will be, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of earth and heaven, how can you not recognize this time?"

(1 Corinthians 7:29-31): "The time is short, so that those who have wives must be as those who have not; and weeping as if they were not weeping; and rejoicing as not rejoicing; and those who buy as if they did not acquire; and those who use this world as if they did not use it; for the image of this world is passing away."