Again; by this Gospel all excuse is removed from those who neglect the work of their salvation, for no man can say that he has not been hired, inasmuch as God calls him throughout life; calling him externally and internally,—externally, by the beauty of creation, by the Holy Scriptures, by preaching, by the scourge of afflictions; internally, by shame at sin committed, by fear occasioned by the knowledge of the uncertainty of the hour of death, by dread of judgment, by horror of hell, by promises of absolution, of glory, and by aspirations of love for the mysteries of Redemption.
Doctrine IV. induces to humility. For it shows us that no man should puff himself up with spiritual pride, because he may have laboured long in his Lord’s vineyard, or may have been kept free from falling into heinous crimes; by this Gospel he is taught that many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first. “Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.” “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God.”
Doctrine V. urges to the fear of God, lest by delay in undertaking the work of his conversion, man should neglect the call of God to work, and lest he thereby lose his hire.
“Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” “Watch ye, therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly, He find you sleeping.”
Conclusion. Finally, let all keep in mind the awful sentence of Him who cannot err: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Let each fear for himself, lest he be found among the number of the called who have neglected the vocation; and let him strive by all means in his power to be of the number of the chosen.
This sermon is followed by another on the same Gospel; the subject being, the small number of the elect.
The analysis given will show how wholesome and practical were the discourses of this truly pious and learned man.