Vol. 2

536 ST. LUKE.Eighth, The Christian must take care to keep hisconscience clear, and always ready to appear before theSon of God. He who would be always ready, oughtalways to be under some penitential exercise, and tocleave to nothing which may hinder him from goingto God, and doing that which is pleasing in his sight.Are not so many sudden and unexpected deaths sufficientto convince us of the folly of depending uponlifcj and assuring ourselves of one single moment,though Christ had not given us any warning againstit?" 41. ^ Then Peter said unto him. Lord, speakestthou this parable unto us, or even to all?"Ninth,Every one ought to persuade himself thatthe truths of the gospel are addressed to him in particular.The ministers of the Lord are often those whoapply those truths least to themselves which theypreach to others, and are likewise soonest surprisedby death. No state, no condition, no age, is excusedfrom watching : because death is the punishmentof all, and it is nature which is condemnedthereto. There is no safer way we can take, thanto count ourselves in the number of those who areto be surprised : the only reason why so many fallinto this misfortune is, because they flatter themselvesthat they shall not." 42. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithfuland wise steward, whom his lord shall make rulerover his household, to give them their portion ofmeat in due season ?"The tenth and lastmeans to secure our salvationis, to be faithful in performing the duties of our statein the time of our life, if we would be found at that