636 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XIX. known theCreatorthroughthecreature; and thenitfollows, For I fearedthee,becausethouartan austereman, fyc.For thisis,asitwere,toreapwhen he didnotsow,thatis,tohold thoseguiltyof ungodlinesstowhom thisword of thelawor theGospelwas not preached,and avoidingas itwere this perilof judgment,with slothfultoilthey restfrom the ministrationof the word. And thisitis to tieup in a napkinwhat theyhad received.THEOPHYT. For witha nap kinthefaceof the dead iscovered; wellthen isthisidler saidto have wrapped up hispound in a napkin,because leavingitdead and unprofitablehe neithertouchednor increasedit. BEDE. Or totieup money ina napkinistohidethegifts we have receivedunder the indolenceof a sluggishbody. But thatwhich he thoughtto have used as an excuseis turnedto hisown blame,as itfollows,He saysuntohim, Out ofthyown mouth willIjudgethee,thouwickedservant. He iscalleda wickedservant,as beingslothfulinbusiness, and proudinquestioninghisLord'sjudgment'.Thou Imew- estthatI was an austereman, takingup thatI laidnot down,and reapingthatI didnotsow: whereforethengave»t thounotmy money intothebank? As though he said,If thou knewestme to be a hard man, and a seekerofwhatis not mine own,why did not the thoughtof thisstrikethee withteiTor,thatthoumightestbe surethatI would require mine own withstrictness? But money or silveristhe preachingof theGospeland theword ofGod, forthe wordsoftheLord are purewords P«.12,6.assilvertriedinthefire.And thisword of theLord ought to be givento the bank,thatis,put intoheartsmeet and Aug.de readytoreceiveit.AUG. Or thebank intowhichthemoney Ev^ubi was to ^e givenwe take to be the very professionofre- sup. ligionwhich ispubliclyput forthas a means necessaryto salvation. CHRYS. In the payment of earthlyrichesthe debtorsare obligedonlyto strictness.Whatever theyreceiveso much must theyreturn,nothingmore isrequiredofthem. Bat withregardtothewordsofGod,we arenotonlybounddili gentlytokeep,butwe arecommanded toincrease; andhence itfollows,thatatmy comingI mighthaverequiredthesame