angels.” They too, guilty as they are, old in their sins, late in their fear for them, in what re-
spect, when they turn their sins over in their mind, could they dare to say that they are un-
deservedly condemned, that this sentence is pronounced against them undeservedly by so
righteous a Judge? In considering their consciences, and all the wounds of their souls, in
what respect could they dare to say, We are unjustly condemned. Of whom it was said before
in Wisdom, “Their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.”2125 Without doubt
they will see that they are justly condemned for their sins and wickednesses; yet it will be as
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though He said to them, “It is not in consequence of this that ye think, but ‘because I was
hungry, and ye gave Me no meat.’” For if turning away from all these your deeds, and
turning to Me, ye had redeemed all those crimes and sins by alms, those alms would now
deliver you, and absolve you from the guilt of so great offences; for, “Blessed are the merciful,
for to them shall be shown mercy.”2126 But now go away into everlasting fire. “He shall have
judgment without mercy, who hath showed no mercy.”2127
11. O that I may have induced you, my brethren, to give away your earthly bread, and
to knock for the heavenly! The Lord is that Bread. He saith, “I am the Bread of life.”2128 But
how shall He give to thee, who givest not to him that is in need? One is in need before thee,
and thou art in need before Another, and since thou art in need before Another, and another
is in need before thee, that other is in need before him who is in need himself. For He before
whom thou art in need, needeth nothing. Do then to others as thou wouldest have done to
thee. For it is not in this case as with those friends who are wont to upbraid in a way one
another with their kindnesses; as, “I did this for thee,” and the other answers, “and I this for
thee,” that He wishes us to do Him some good office, because He has first done such an office
for us. He is in want of nothing, and therefore is He the very Lord. I said unto the Lord,
“Thou art my God, for Thou needest not my goods.”2129 Notwithstanding though He be
the Lord, and the Very Lord, and needeth not our goods, yet that we might do something
even for Him, hath He vouchsafed to be hungry in His poor. “I was hungry,” saith He, “and
ye gave Me meat. Lord, when saw we Thee hungry? Forasmuch as ye did it to one of the
least of Mine, ye did it to Me.”2130 To be brief then, let men hear, and consider as they ought,
how great a merit it is to have fed Christ when He hungereth, and how great a crime it is to
have despised Christ when He hungereth.
2125 Wisd. iv. 20.
2126 Matt. v. 7.
2127 Jas. ii. 13.
2128 John vi. 35.
2129 Ps. xv. 2, Sept. (xvi. 2, English version).
2130 Matt. xxv. 35, etc.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. vi. 19, ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures…