Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Sir Thomas Browne, in his "Christian Morals," bids himself look contentedly upon the scattered differences of things, and not expect equality in lustre, dignity, or perfection, in regions or persons here below, where large numbers must be content to stand like lacteus or nebulous stars, little taken notice of, or dim in their generations. All which, he goes on to say, may be contentedly allowable in the affairs and ends of this world, and in suspension unto what will be in the order of things hereafter, and She new system of mankind which will be in the world to come; when " the last may be the first, and the first the last; when Lazarus may sit above Caesar, and the just obscure on earth shall shine like the sun in heaven, when personations shall cease, and histrionism of happiness be over; when reality shall rule, and all shall be as they shall be for ever." Divine is the voice, as divine the strain, which Dante hears and records in "Il Paradiso." "But lo! of those Who call, 'Christ, Christ,' there shall be many found, In judgment, farther off from Him by far, Than such to whom His name was never known."Leslie, the painter, tells of his hearing the preference expressed by Rogers for seats in churches without pews, opposed by a gentleman who preferred pews, and said, "If there were seats only, I might find myself sitting by my coachman." Rogers replied, "And perhaps you may be glad to find yourself beside him in the next world." (F. Jacox.) Parallel Verses KJV: So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.WEB: So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen." |
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