Church of England -- Sermons; Sermons, English -- 19th century
To others she showed that political science, which—as Solomon tells
you—is but another side of her beauty, and cannot be parted, however men
may try, from moral wisdom—that Wisdom in whose right hand is length of
days, and in her left hand riches and honour; whose ways are ways of
pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
To others again she showed that physical science which—so Solomon tells
us again—cannot be parted safely from the two others. For by the same
wisdom, he says, which gives alike righteousness and equity, riches and
long life—by that same wisdom, and no other, did the Lord found the
heavens and establish the earth; by that same knowledge of his are the
depths broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
And to some she showed herself, as she did to good Boethius in his
dungeon, in the deepest vale of misery, and the hour of death; when all
seemed to have deserted them, save Wisdom, and the God from whom she
comes; and bade them be of good cheer still, and keep innocency, and take
heed to the thing that is right, for that shall bring a man peace at the
last.
And they beheld her, and loved her, and obeyed her, each according to his
powers: and now they have their reward.
And what is their reward?
How can I tell, dear boys? This, at least can I say, for Scripture has
said it already. That God is merciful in this; that he rewardeth every
man according to his work. This, at least, I can say, for God incarnate
himself has said it already—that to the good and faithful servant he will
say,—‘Well done. Thou hast been faithful over a few things: I will make
thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’
‘The joy of thy Lord.’ Think of these words a while. Perhaps they may
teach us something of the meaning of All Saints’ Day.
For, if Jesus Christ be—as he is—the same yesterday, to-day, and for
ever, then his joy now must be the same as his joy was when he was here
on earth,—to do good, and to behold the fruit of his own goodness; to
see—as Isaiah prophesied of him—to see of the travail of his soul, and be
satisfied.
And so it may be; so it surely is—with them; if blessed spirits (as I
believe) have knowledge of what goes on on earth. They enter into the
joy of their Lord. Therefore they enter into the joy of doing good.
They see of the travail of their soul, and are satisfied that they have
not lived in vain. They see that their work is going on still on earth;
that they, being dead, yet speak, and call ever fresh generations into
the Temple of Wisdom.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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