26. Terrible in good truth is the judgment,
and terrible the things announced. The kingdom of heaven is set
before us, and everlasting fire is prepared. How then, some one
will say, are we to escape the fire? And how to enter into the
kingdom? I was an hungered, He says, and ye gave Me
meat. Learn hence the way; there is here no need of allegory,
but to fulfil what is said. I was an hungered, and ye gave Me
meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye
took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I
was in prison, and ye came unto Me Matt. xxv. 35.. These things if thou do, thou shalt
reign together with Him; but if thou do them not, thou shalt be
condemned. At once then begin to do these works, and abide in the
faith; lest, like the foolish virgins, tarrying to buy oil, thou be
shut out. Be not confident because thou merely possessest the
lamp, but constantly keep it burning. Let the light of thy good
works shine before men Matt. v. 16., and let not Christ
be blasphemed on thy account. Wear thou a garment of
incorruption The prayer for
the Catechumens in the Apostolic Constitutions, viii. 6,
contains a petition that God would “vouchsafe to them the laver
of regeneration, and the garment of incorruption, which is the true
life.”, resplendent in
good works; and whatever matter thou receivest from God to administer
as a steward, administer profitably. Hast thou been put in trust
with riches? Dispense them well. Hast thou been entrusted
with the word of teaching? Be a good steward thereof. Canst
thou attach the souls of the hearers προσθεῖναι.
Cf. Acts ii. 41: προσετέθησαν
. According to some mss. the sentence
would run thus: “Hast thou been entrusted with the word of
teaching? Be a good steward of thy hearers’ souls.
Hast thou power to rule (προστῆναι)?
Do this diligently.”? Do this
diligently. There are many doors of good
stewardship. Only let none of us be condemned and cast out; that
we may with boldness meet Christ the Everlasting King, who reigns for
ever. For He doth reign for ever, who shall be judge of quick and
dead, because for quick and dead He died. And as Paul says,
For to this end Christ both died and lived again, that He might be
Lord both of the dead and living Rom. xiv. 9..