VEK. 7— 11. ST. LUKE. 505
bypatience.For resistanceoroppositionisa farstronger
tokenof pridethan takingthe firstseatat meat,when we
obtainitby authority.
THEOPHYL.Now letno one deem the above preceptsof
Christto be trifling,and unworthy of the sublimityand
grandenrof theWord ofGod. For you would notcallhim
a mercifulphysicianwho professedto healthe gout but re
fusedtocurea scaron thefingeror a tooth-ache.Besides,
howcanthatpassionofvaingloryappearslight,whichmoved
oragitatedthosewho soughtthefirstseats?Itbecame then
theMasterofhumilitytocutoffeverybranchofthebad root.
Butobservethisalso,thatwhen the supperwas ready,and
thewretchedguestswere contendingforprecedencybefore
theeyesof theSaviour,therewas a fitoccasionforadvice.
CYRIL.Having shewn thereforefrom so slightan example
thedegradationof the ambitiousand the exaltationof the
humbleminded,He addsa greatthingtoa little,pronouncing
a generalsentence,as itfollows,For everyone who exalts
himselfshallbe abased,and he thathumblethhimselfshall
beexalted.This is spoken accordingto the divinejudg
ment,not afterhuman experience,in which they who
desireaftergloryobtainit,whileotherswho humble them
selvesremaininglorious.
THEOPHYL.Moreover,he is not to be respectedin the
end,norby allmen, who thrustshimselfintohonours; but
whileby some he ishonoured,by othershe isdisparaged,
andsometimeseven by theverymen who outwardlyhonour
him. BEDE. But as the Evangelistcallsthisadmonition
aparable,we must brieflyexaminewhat isitsmysticalmean
ing.. Whosoever being bidden has come to the marriage
feastofChrist'sChurch,beingunitedtothemembers of the
Churchby faith,lethim not exalthimselfas higherthan
othersby boastingof hismerits. For he willhave to give
placetoone more honourablewho isbiddenafterwards,see
ingthathe isovertakenby theactivityofthosewho followed
him,andwithshame he occupiesthelowestplace,now that
knowingbetterthingsof theothershe bringslow whatever
highthoughtshe once had of hisown works. But a man
sitsinthelowestplaceaccordingto thatverse,The greaterE
ihouart,humblethyselfin allthimjs.But the Lord when 8'18'