heart: My lord is long coming, and shall begin to strike his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with drunkards, the lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not, and at an hour that he knoweth not, and shall separate him, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."[1] In this parable our Saviour, Who reads the secret designs of the wicked, tells them what they are to expect and what will be the result of their vain confidence. You are this bad servant, since you cherish the same designs in your heart, and seize the present time to eat and drink and gratify every passion. Why do you not fear the wrath of Him Who is all-powerful to execute what He threatens? It is to you that His menaces are addressed. Awake, unhappy soul! and hasten to profit by the time that remains to you.
We are devoting much time to this subject, which ought to be clear to all, but we must do so, since there are so many unhappy Christians who endeavor to satisfy their consciences with this false excuse. Hear, then, another lesson of our Saviour: "Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven," He says, "be like to ten virgins who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride." What time does our Saviour indicate by then? The hour of general judgment and of each particular judgment, St. Augustine replies, for the sentence uttered in secret immediately after death will be ratified before all men on the last day. Five of
- ↑ Matt. xxiv. 46 to end.
