Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsMatthew 20

In the morning.

God called some in the morning, that is, in the beginning of the world, as Abel, Enoch, Noe, and other the just and faithful of the first age: at the third hour, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the rest of their age: at the 6. hour of the day, Moyses, Aaron, and the rest: at the 9. hour, the Prophets: at the eleventh, that is, at the later end of the world, the Christian Nations. Aug. de verb. Domini ser. 59. Briefly, this calling at diverse hours signifieth the calling of the Jews from time to time in the first ages of the world, and of the Gentiles in the later age thereof. It signifieth also that God calleth countries to the faith, some sooner, some later: and particular men to be his servants, some younger, some elder, of diverse ages.

Penny.

^[1] The penny promised to all, was life everlasting, which is common to all that shall be saved: but in the same life there be degrees of glory, as ^[2] betwixt star and star in the element. Aug. li. de virginit. c. 26.

• 1 Diversity of glory in Heaven.
• 2 1. Cor. 15.

Few elect.

Those are elect which despised not their caller, but followed and believed him: for men believe not but of their own free will. Aug. li. 1. ad Simplic. q. 2.

To whom it is prepared.

The kingdom of heaven is prepared for them that are worthy of it and deserve it by their well doing, as in holy Scripture it is very often, That ^[1] God will repay every man according to his works, and, ^[2] come ye blessed, possess the kingdom prepared for you. Why? Because I was hungry, and you gave me meat: thirsty, and you gave me drink: &c. ^[3] Therefore doth Christ say here, It is not mine to give. Because he is just and will not give it to every man without respect of their deserts: yea nor alike to every one, but diversly according to greater or lesser merits, as here S. Chryso. ^[4] maketh it plain, when our Saviour telleth them, that although they suffer martyrdom for his sake, yet he hath not to give them the two chief places. See S. Hiero. upon this place, and li. 2. adv. Iovin. c. 15. This also is a lesson for them that have to bestow Ecclesiastical benefices, that they have no carnal respect to kindred &c. but to the worthiness of the persons.

• 1 Mat. 16, 27. Ro. 2, 6.
• 2 Mt. 25, 34.
• 3 Difference of merits and reward.
• 4 Chrys. ho. 66. in Mt.

As the son of man.

Christ himself as he was the Son of man, was their and our Superior, and ^[1] Lord and Master, notwithstanding his humility: ^[2] and therefore it is pride and haughtiness which is forbidden, and not Superiority or Lordship, as some Heretics would have it.

• 1 Io. 13, 13.
• 2 Puritanes.