572 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XVI. the Prophets,he here means the Mosaic and prophetic writings. AMBROSE. In thisplace our Lord most plainly declaresthe Old Testament to be the ground of faith, thwarting the treacheryof the Jews, and precludingthe iniquityof Heretics. Greg.in GREG. But he who had despisedthe words of God, sup posed that his followerscould not hear them. Hence itis added,And he said,Nay, fatherAbraham, but ifone went to them from the dead theywould repent. For when he heard the Scriptureshe despisedthem, and thought them fables, and thereforeaccordingto what he felthimself,he judged Greg.lib.the likeofhisbrethren. GRKG. NYSS. But we arealsotaught 'somethingbesides,thatthesoulof Lazarus isneitheranxious about presentthings,nor looksback to aught thatithas left behind,but the rich man, (asit were caught by birdlime,) even afterdeath isheld down by hiscarnallife. For a man who becomes altogethercarnalin hisheart,not even afterhe Greg. has put offhisbody isout of thereachofhispassions.GREG.u isup. j^ soon the richman is answered in the words of truth; for itfollows,And he said unto him,If theyhear notMoses and the prophets,neitherwill they believethough one rose from the dead. For they who despisethe words of the Law, willfind the commands of theirRedeemer who rose from the dead,as they are more sublime,so much the more difficultto fulfil. Chrys. C/HRYS.But that it is true that he who hears not theutsup. Scriptures,takes no heed to the dead who riseagain,the Jews have testified,who at one time indeed wished to kill Lazarus,but at another laidhands upon the Apostles,not withstandingthatsome had risenfrom the dead at the hour of the Cross. Observe thisalso,that every dead man is a servant,but whatever the Scripturessay,the Lord says. Thereforelet it be that dead men should riseagain,and an angeldescend from heaven,the Scripturesare more wor thy of creditthan all. For the Lord of Angels,the Lord as wellofthe livingand the dead,istheirauthor. But ifGod knew this,that the dead risingagainprofitedthe living,He would not have omittedit,seeingthat He disposesallthings for our advantage. Again, if the dead were oftento rise again,thistoo wofuldin time be disregarded. And thedevil