But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Ver. 8. Then are ye bastards] Qui exclpitur a numero flagellatorum, excipitur a numero filiorum, saith one. He that escapes affliction may well suspect his adoption. I have no stronger argument against the pope's kingdom, saith Luther, than this, quod sine cruce regnat, that he reigns without the cross. They have no changes, surely they fear not God.