Vol. 2

CHAPTER XII. 539him who lives in continual expectation of it. Butunder what despair must he necessarily fall, whom itsurprises in the midst of pleasures, in a course of sin,and a total forgetfulness of God ! Letus say toourselves every day, and if possible every hour, thatthe Lord is at the door, and that the moment whichwill decide our eternal state is at hand." 47. And that servant, which knew his lord's will,and prepared not himself, neither did according tohis will,shall be beaten with many stripes."How much is knowledge to be dreaded, when ourcharity and works are not answerable thereto ! Tobe ignorant of our Lord's will and our own duty, isa sin which deserves punishment, or is rather itselfa punishm.ent of sin :but not to do according to hiswill when we do know it, is a criminal contempt ofthe law of God.This knowledge comes from theealone, O Lord, and likewise the use which I oughtto make of it.Grant that I may apply myself hereto,not out of a fear of punishment, but from a sincerelove of thee.'*48. But he that knew not, and did commit thingsworthy of stripes, shall be beaten with (ew stripes."The ignorance of our duty towards God as ourCreator and Lord, may sometimes extenuate our sinin transgressing his law; but it can never entirelyexempt us from guilt. Lord, it belongs to thee todisperse the darkness of our ignorance, as it does toheal the corruption of our sinful inclinations anddesires." — For unto whomsoever much is given, of himshall be much required ; and to whom men havecommitted much, of him they will ask the more."