418 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XI.
forHis examplethecup and theplatter,pointingoutthatit
became thesincereservantsofGod tobe washed and clean,
not onlyfrom bodilyimpurity,but alsofrom thatwhich lies
concealedwithinthe power of the soul,justas any of the
vesselswhichareusedforthetableoughttobe freefrom all
inwarddefilement.
AMBROSE. Now mark thatour bodiesarc signifiedby the
mention of earthlyand fragilethings,which when letfall
a shortdistancearebrokentopieces,and thosethingswhich
the mind meditateswithin,iteasilyexpressesthroughthe
sensesand actionsofthe body,justas thosethingswhich
thecup containswithinmake a glitterwithout.Hence also
hereafter,by theword cup doubtlessthepassionotthebody
isspokenof. You perceivethen,thatnot theoutsideofthe
cup and platterdeniesus,but theinnerparts.For He said,
But yourinwardpartisfullofraveningand wickedness.
AUG. But how was itthatHe sparednottheman by whom
He was invited? Yea rather,He sparedhim by reproof,
thatwhen correctedHe might sparehim inthejudgment.
Further,He shewsus thatbaptismalsowhichisonce given
cleansesby faith; but faithis somethingwithin,not with-
out. The Phariseesdespisedfaith,and usedwashingswhich
werewithout; whilewithintheyremainedfullof pollution.
The Lord condemns this,saying,Ye fools,did not He that
made thatwhich iswithoutmake thatwhichiswithinalso?
BEDE. As ifHe says,He who made both naturesof man,
willhave each to be cleansed.This is againstthe Mani-
cheans,who thinkthesoulonlywas createdby God, but the
fleshby thedevil.It isalsoagainstthosewho abominate
thesinsoftheflesh,suchas fornication,theft,and thelike;
whilethoseof the spirit,which areno lesscondemned by
theApostle,theydisregardastrifling.
AMBROSE. Now our Lord asa good Mastertaughtus how
we ought to purifyour bodiesfrom defilement,saying,But
rathergivealmsofsuchthingsas ye haveover: and,behold,
allthingsare cleanuntoyou. You seewhat the remedies
are; almsgivingcleansethus,theword ofGod cleansethus,
John15, accordingto thatwhichiswritten,Now ye arecleanthrough
theword whichI havespokenuntoyou.
Cypr.de CYPRIAN.The Mercifulbidsus to shew mercy ; aud be-
Elecm.