26. But in us unanimity is diminished in proportion as liberality of working is decayed. Then they used to give for sale houses and estates; and that they might lay up for themselves treasures in heaven, presented to the apostles the price of them, to be distributed for the use of the poor. But now we do not even give the tenths from our patrimony; and while our Lord bids us sell, we rather buy and increase our store. Thus has the vigour of faith dwindled away among us; thus has the strength of believers grown weak. And therefore the Lord, looking to our days, says in His Gospel, “When the Son of man cometh, think you that He shall find faith on the earth?”71    Luke xviii. 8. We see that what He foretold has come to pass. There is no faith in the fear of God, in the law of righteousness, in love, in labour; none considers the fear of futurity, and none takes to heart the day of the Lord, and the wrath of God, and the punishments to come upon unbelievers, and the eternal torments decreed for the faithless. That which our conscience would fear if it believed, it fears not because it does not at all believe.  But if it believed, it would also take heed; and if it took heed, it would escape. 27. Let us, beloved brethren, arouse ourselves as much as we can; and breaking the slumber of our ancient listlessness, let us be watchful to observe and to do the Lord’s precepts. Let us be such as He Himself has bidden us to be, saying, “Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning;72    Some read, “in your hands.” and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when He shall come from the wedding, that when He cometh and knocketh, they may open to Him. Blessed are those servants whom their Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching.”73    Luke xii. 35. We ought to be girt about, lest, when the day of setting forth comes, it should find us burdened and entangled. Let our light shine in good works, and glow in such wise as to lead us from the night of this world to the daylight of eternal brightness. Let us always with solicitude and caution wait for the sudden coming of the Lord, that when He shall knock, our faith may be on the watch, and receive from the Lord the reward of our vigilance. If these commands be observed, if these warnings and precepts be kept, we cannot be overtaken in slumber by the deceit of the devil; but we shall reign with Christ in His kingdom as servants that watch.

XXVI. In nobis vero sic unanimitas diminuta est, ut et largitas operationis infracta est . Domos tunc et fundos venumdabant, et thesauros sibi in coelo reponentes, distribuenda in usus indigentium pretia Apostolis offerebant. At nunc de patrimonio nec decimas damus; et cum vendere jubeat Dominus, emimus potius et augemus. Sic in nobis emarcuit vigor 0518C fidei, sic credentium robur elanguit. Et idcirco Dominus, tempora nostra respiciens, in Evangelio suo dicit: Filius hominus cum venerit, putas inveniet fidem in terra (Luc. XVIII)? Videmus fieri quod ille praedixit. In Dei timore, in lege justitiae, in dilectione, in opere fides nulla est: nemo futurorum metum cogitat; diem Domini et iram Dei et incredulis ventura supplicia et statuta perfidis aeterna tormenta nemo considerat: quod metueret conscientia nostra, si crederet; quia non credit omnino, nec metuit. Si 0519A autem crederet, et caveret: si caveret, evaderet. Excitemus nos quantum possumus, dilectissimi fratres, et, somno inertiae veteris abrupto, ad observanda et gerenda Domini praecepta vigilemus. Simus tales quales esse nos ipse praecepit dicens: Sint lumbi vestri accincti et lucernae ardentes in manibus vestris; et vos similes hominibus expectantibus dominum suum quando veniat a nuptiis, ut cum venerit et pulsaverit aperiant ei. Beati servi quos adveniens Dominus invenerit vigilantes (Luc. XII, 35-37). Accinctos nos esse oportet, ne, cum expeditionis dies venerit, impeditos nos et 0520A implicitos apprehendat. Luceat in bonis operibus nostrum lumen et fulgeat, ut ipsum nos ad lucem claritatis aeternae de hac saeculi nocte perducat. Expectemus solliciti semper et cauti adventum Domini repentinum, ut, quando ille pulsaverit, evigilet fides nostra, vigilantiae praemium de Domino receptura. Si haec mandata serventur, si haec monita et praecepta teneantur, opprimi dormientes diabolo fallente non possumus, servi vigiles Christo dominante regnabimus .