teeth.' Now they who made excuses and paid no heed to the call
are they that hasten not to the faith of Christ, but continue in
idolatry or heresy. But he that had no wedding garment is he
that believeth, but hath soiled his spiritual garment with
unclean acts, and was rightly cast forth from the joy of the
bride chamber.

"And he put forth yet another parable, in harmony with this, in
his picture of the Ten Virgins, `five of whom were wise, and five
were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took
no oil with them, but the wise took oil.' By the oil he
signifieth the acquiring of good works. `And at midnight,' he
saith, `there was a cry made, "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go
ye out to meet him."' By midnight he denoteth the uncertainty of
that time. Then all those virgins arose. `They that were ready
went forth to meet the bridegroom and went in with him to the
marriage, and the door was shut.' But they that were un-ready
(whom rightly he calleth foolish), seeing that their lamps were
going out, went forth to buy oil. Afterward they drew nigh, the
door being now shut, and cried, saying, `Lord, Lord, open to us.'
But he answered and said, `Verily I say unto you, I know you
not.' Wherefore from all this it is manifest that there is a
requital not only for overt acts, but also for words and even
secret thoughts; for the Saviour said, `I say unto you, that for
every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account
thereof in the day of judgement.' And again he saith, `But the
very hairs of your head are numbered,' by the hairs meaning the
smallest and slightest phantasy or thought. And in harmony
herewith is the teaching of blessed Paul, `For the word of God,'
saith he, `is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged