710 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XXII. bad,ifby chancetheyhave discoveredany thingblameable in the elect,most gladlyseizeupon it,to sheltertheirown iniquitiesthereby. Many thereforemost eagerlyread,that a strifearoseamong the disciplesof Christ.AMBROSE.If thedisciplesdidcontend,itisnotallegedasany excuse,but heldoutasa warning. Let us thenbewarelestany conten tionsamong us forprecedencebe ourruin. BEDE. Rather letus look not what carnaldisciplesdid,but what their spiritualMaster commanded ; forit follows,And He said Chrys. untothem,The kingsof the Gentiles,fyc.CHRYS. He men- in°Matt.5^ons the Gentiles,to shew therebyhow faultyitwas. For itisof theGentilesto seekafterprecedence.CYRIL.Soft words are alsogiventhem by theirsubjects,as itfollows, And theythatexerciseauthorityupon them are calledbene factors.Now they trulyas alienfrom the sacredlaware subjecttotheseevils,butyourpre-eminenceisin humility, Basil.in as itfollows,But ye shallnot be so. BASIL.Let nothim disfint.8tnatischiefbe puffedup by hisdignity,lesthe fallaway 30- fromtheblessednessofhumility,butlethim know thattrue humilityisthe ministeringunto many. As then he who attendsmany wounded and wipesaway thebloodfromtheir wounds,leastof allmen entersupon the serviceforhisown exaltation,much more ought he towhom iscommittedthe careof hissickbrethrenastheministerofall,abouttoren deran accountofall,tobe thoughtfuland anxious.And so adint.si.lethim thatisgreatestbe astheyounger.Again,itismeet thatthosewho arein the chiefplacesshouldbe readyto offeralsobodilyservice,afterour Lord's example,who washedHis disciples'feet.Hence itfollows,And hethatis chief,as he thatdothserve.But we need notfearthatthe spiritof humilitywillbe weakened in the inferior,whilehe isbeingservedby hissuperior,forby imitationhumilityis extended. AMBROSE. But itmust be observed,thatnoteverykindof respectand deferenceto othersbetokenshumility,foryou may deferto a personforthe world'ssake,forfearofhis power,or regardto your own interest.In thatcaseyou seekto advanceyourself,notto honouranother.Therefore thereisone form of the preceptgivento allmen,namely, thattheyboastnot about precedence,but striveearnestly