If thou rejoicest in My imprisonment, woe then unto thee for
the grievous torment which will soon overtake thee. Indeed God hath permitted
no one to pass unfair judgement, and if thou wouldst fain do so, then soon
shalt thou learn.
From the first day that I cautioned thee not to wax proud
before God until the present time, four years have elapsed, and during this
space naught have I witnessed, either from thee or from thy soldiers, except
dire oppression and disdainful arrogance. Methinks thou dost imagine that I
wish to gain some paltry substance from this earthly life. Nay, by the
righteousness of My Lord! In the estimation of them that have fixed their eyes
upon the merciful Lord, the riches of the world and its
trappings are worth as much as the eye of a dead body, nay even less. Far from
His glory be what they associate with Him!... I seek patience only in God.
Verily He is the best protector and the best helper. No refuge do I seek save
God. Verily He is the guardian and the best supporter... (The Báb, Extracts
from an Epistle to Muhammad Shah of Persia, ‘Selections from the Writings of
the Báb)
