6. In that hire then shall we be all equal, and the first as the last, and the last as the first;
because that denarius is life eternal, and in the life eternal all will be equal. For although
through diversity of attainments2850 the saints will shine, some more, some less; yet as to
this respect, the gift of eternal life, it will be equal to all. For that will not be longer to one,
and shorter to another, which is alike everlasting; that which hath no end will have no end
either for thee or me. After one sort in that life will be wedded chastity, after another virgin
purity; in one sort there will be the fruit of good works, in another sort the crown of martyr-
dom.2851 One in one sort, and another in another; yet in respect to the living for ever, this
man will not live more than that, nor that than this. For alike without end will they live,
though each shall live in his own brightness: and the denarius in the parable is that life
eternal. Let not him then who has received after a long time murmur against him who has
received after a short time. To the first, it is a payment; to the other, a free gift; yet the same
thing is given alike to both.
7. There is also something like this in this present life, and besides that solution of the
parable, by which they who were called at the first hour are understood of Abel and the
righteous men of his age, and they at the third, of Abraham and the righteous men of his
age, and they at the sixth, of Moses and Aaron and the righteous men of their age, and they
at the eleventh, as in the end of the world, of all Christians; besides this solution of the parable,
the parable may be seen to have an explanation in respect even of this present life. For they
are as it were called at the first hour, who begin to be Christians fresh from their mother’s
womb; boys are called as it were at the third, young men at the sixth, they who are verging
toward old age, at the ninth hour, and they who are called as if at the eleventh hour, are they
who are altogether decrepit; yet all these are to receive the one and the same denarius of
eternal life.
8. But, Brethren, hearken ye and understand, lest any put off to come into the vineyard,
because he is sure, that, come when he will, he shall receive this denarius. And sure indeed
he is that the denarius is promised him; but this is no injunction to put off. For did they
who were hired into the vineyard, when the householder came out to them to hire whom
he might find, at the third hour for instance, and did hire them, did they say to him, “Wait,
we are not going thither till the sixth hour”? or they whom he found at the sixth hour, did
they say, “We are not going till the ninth hour”? or they whom he found at the ninth hour,
did they say, “We are not going till the eleventh? For he will give to all alike; why should we
fatigue ourselves more than we need?” What He was to give, and what He was to do, was
in the secret of His own counsel: do thou come when thou art called. For an equal reward
is promised to all; but as to this appointed hour of working, there is an important question.
2850 Meritorum.
2851 Passionis.
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Delivered on the Lord’s Day, on that which is written in the Gospel, Matt.…