Another introduction to the same sermon for the third Sunday after Epiphany.
Text.
Filii autem regni ejicientur in tenebras exteriores.—Matt. viii. 12.
“But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness.”
Introduction.
Exterior darkness, in which weeping and gnashing of teeth shall be the eternal refrain! Hell! what a terrible place thou art! And who are to be cast forth? The children of the kingdom; that is, many of those who, in preference to others, were called to the light of the true faith, and were richly equipped with the means of gaining heaven, if they had only wished to use them; these shall be condemned to hell on account of their wicked lives. Ah, my dear brethren, let us serve God zealously during the short and uncertain time of our lives, that we may not be amongst the number of those unhappy ones. I have promised to speak to you of a society, the like of which has never been seen on earth, a society that all men should do their utmost to avoid; that is, the society of those who must live together in the exterior darkness of hell. Have we not the greatest reason for most carefully avoiding all sin, that none of us may have to dwell in that wretched society? Society, I say; for even if there were no other torment in hell, etc. Continues as above.
FORTY-THIRD SERMON.
ON THE PAIN CAUSED TO THE DAMNED BY THE THOUGHT OF HEAVEN.
Subject.
Heaven and its elect shall be to the reprobate an eternal hell.—Preached on the second Sunday in Lent.
Text.
Transfiguratus est ante eos.—Matt. xvii. 2.
“He was transfigured before them.”
