68. 4. THEY WHO ARE IN FAITH SEPARATED FROM CHARITY, ARE MEANT BY THE GOATS. THIS APPEARS FROM THE NEGLECT OF CHARITY ON THE PART OF THOSE MENTIONED IN MATTHEW. That no others are meant by the goats and the sheep in Matthew chapter xxv 31-46, but those who are meant by the he-goat and the ram in Daniel, is plain from this circumstance, that unto the sheep are enumerated the works of charity, and it is said that they did them; and that unto the goats are enumerated the same works of charity, and it is said that they did them not and were therefore condemned. For with those who are in faith separated from charity, there is neglect of works, in consequence of their denying that there is anything of salvation and of the Church in them: and when charity, which consists in works, is thus removed, faith also falls, because faith has its origin in charity; and when there is no charity and faith, damnation ensues.
If all the wicked had been meant there by the goats, there would not have been enumerated the works of charity which they did not perform, but the evils which they did. Such persons are also meant by the goats in Zechariah:
Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish the goats. Zech. x 3;
And in Ezekiel:
Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he-goats. Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? Ye have pushed all the feeble sheep with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;
Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey. Ezek. xxxiv 17, 18, 21, 22.
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