vER. 25 — 27. ST. LUKE. GS7 persecutors.AMBROSE. While many alsofallaway from re ligion,clearfaithwillbe obscuredby the cloudof unbelief, fortome thatSun of righteousnessiseitherdiminishedor increasedaccordingto my faith; and as the moon in its monthlywanings,or when it is oppositethe sun by the interpositionof the earth,sufferseclipse,so alsothe holy Churchwhen thesinsof thefleshopposetheheavenlylight, cannotborrow the brightnessof Divinelightfrom Christ's rays.For in persecutions,the loveof thisworldgenerally shutsoutthelightofthedivineSun ; thestarsalsofall,that is,men who shinein gloryfallwhen the bitternessofperse cutionwaxessharpand prevails.And thismust be untilthe multitudeoftheChurch be gatheredin,forthusarethegood triedand theweak made manifest.AUG. But inthewords.Aug.And upontheearthdistressofnations,He would understandu ""''' by nations,not thosewhich shallbe blessedin the seedof Abraham,but thosewhichshallstandon thelefthand. AMBROSE.So severethenwillbe the manifoldfiresof our souls,thatwithconsciencesdepravedthroughthe multitude ofcrimes,by reasonofourfearofthe comingjudgment,the dew ofthe sacredfountainwillbe driedupon us. But as theLord'scoming islookedfor,in orderthatHis presence may dwellinthewholecircleofmankind ortheworld,which now dwellsineachindividualwho has embracedChristwith hiswholeheart,sothe powersofheaven shallatour Lord's comingobtainan increaseof grace,and shallbe moved by thefulnessoftheDivinenaturemore closelyinfusingitself. Thereare alsoheavenlypowerswhich proclaimthe gloryof God, which shallbe stirredby a fullerinfusionof Christ, thattheymay see Christ.AUG. Or the powersof heavenAug.shallbe stirred,becausewhen the ungodlypersecute,someutsup' of themost stout-heartedbelieversshallbe troubled. THEOPHYL. It follows,And thenshalltheyseetheSon q/"Theopii.Man comingin theclouds.Both the believersand unbe-utBup' lieyersshallsee Him, forHe Himselfas wellas His cross shallglistenbrighterthanthe sun,and so shallbe observed' of all. AUG. But the words,comingin theclouds,may be Aug.taken intwo ways. EithercominginHis Church asitwereutsjp' in a cloud,asHe now ceasesnottocome. But thenitshall be with greatpower and majesty,forfargreaterwillHis