His lord answered] By this answer, he signifies, that they have no excuse for their sloth, who suppresse Gods gifts, and spend their time unprofitably. Thou wicked and slothfull servant] By these sharp, and yet welldeserved terms, he shews, that the neglect of the servant came not from the masters austerity, as he pretended; but from his own lazie disposition, and therefore he deserved to be severely punished. thou knwest] Be it that it were as thou sayest, thou shouldest have been the more carefull to please me, and art now the more inexcusable, by thy own confession, chap. 12. 37. Luke 19:22.