makes himself unworthy to dwell
in any place but hell. In heaven he cannot dwell; for heaven is full
reward to those who here spend their time in works that they hope are
pleasing to Christ. In purgatory the idle may not dwell; for there only
the good are purged in that cleansing fire, till they be as clean of sin
as when they were christened: therefore saith the Psalm-wright:--_In
labore hominum non sunt et cum hominibus non flagellabuntur_: that is
thus for to say; "The idle work not with men; therefore in purgatory
they shall not be pained with those men who are on the way to
heaven."[5]

Great shame it is to be idle in this time of grace, in the which we are
hired to work; and if we work as we ought, great reward awaits us. GOD
gives us an example of work, by Himself, as the Apostle says: "He
emptied Himself, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross:
wherefore GOD hath also highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which
is above every name, that at the name of JESUS, every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
and that every tongue should confess that JESUS Christ is Lord, to the
glory of GOD the Father."

Over-proud then, and over-delicate is the servant, who rests in battle,
and sees His Lord assailed and evil-wounded by His enemies. Also, we
ought to work in this time of grace; for we are GOD'S bought thralls,
with the price of His dear-worthy Blood, to work in His vine-yard: and
yet He doth promise us reward, if we do with good-will that which, as a
debt, we ought to do. To His private friends, before the time of grace,
GOD promised only earthly goods, if they did well; to us the bliss of
Heaven, if we do well. It was long after, before they might come
thereto; for they went to hell and abode there, some a thousand years,
some two, some three, before they came to heaven. But now may men in a
little time win heaven, as, if any die soon after he is christened, or
if he have done full penance for his misdeeds; or be martyred for GOD'S
love. The time of supper that the gospel of S. Luke speaks of, to the
which GOD bade His servants call all that were bidden, is the time of
grace; which is now, in the which all is ready; so that there is naught
else to do but wash and go to meat, that is cleanse them of all their
si