46-1 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XII. it is not numbered among the virtuesof the good that he hoped it would come quickly,but only that he ministered faithfully.There is nothing then better than to submit patientlyto be ignorant of that which cannot be known, but to striveonly that we be found worthy. THEOPHYL. Now from not consideringthe time of our de parture,thereproceed many evils. For surelyifwe thought thatour Lord was coming, and that the end of our lifewas at hand, we should sinthe less. Hence itfollows,And shall begin to strikethe menservantsand maidens,and to eat and drink and be drunken. BEDE. In this servantis declared tliecondemnation of allevilrulers,who, forsakingthe fear of the Lord, not only give themselvesup to pleasures,but also provoke with injuriesthosewho are put under them. Although these words may be also understood figuratively, meaning to corrupt the hearts of the weak by an evil ex ample ; and to eat,drink,and be drunken,to be absorbed in the vicesand allurementsof the world,'which overthrow the mind of man. But concerning his punishment it is added, The lordof thatservantwillcome in a day when he looketh notfor him,thatis,the day of hisjudgment or death,and will liasil.in cut him in suuder. BASIL. The body indeed is not divided,Snn.lcle!so *-natone Par';indeed should be exposed to torments,the otherescape. For thisisa fable,nor isita partofjustjudg ment when the whole has offendedthathalfonlyshouldsuffer punishment ; nor is the soul cut in sunder,seeingthat the whole possessesa guiltyconsciousness,and co-operateswith the body to work evil;but itsdivisionisthe eternalsevering ofthe soulfrom the Spirit.For now althoughthe graceof the Spiritisnotin the unworthy, yet itseems everto be at hand expectingtheirturning to salvation,but at that time itwill be altogethercut offfrom the soul. The Holy Spiritthen is the prizeof the just,and the chiefcondemnation of sinners, sincethey who are unworthy willloseHim. BEDE. Or He willcut him in sunder,by separatinghim from the commu nion of the faithful,and dismissinghim to thosewho have iTim. never attainedunto the faith. Hence it follows,And will 5 & appointhim hisportionwith theunbelievers; forfiewho has no carefor hisown, and thoseof his own house,has deniedthe