718 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XXII. reasonof thedispensation,accordingtothe diversityoftimes, are commandments, counsels,or permissionschanged. AMBROSE. But He who forbidsto strike,why does He order them to buy a sword? unless perchance that there may be a defence prepared,but no necessaryretaliation; a seeming abilityto be revenged,without the will. Hence it follows,And he who has not, (thatis,a purse,)lethim sellhis garment, and buy a sword. CHRYS. What isthis? Matts, He who said,If any one strikeyou on the rightcheek,turn 39' unto him the otheralso,now arms His disciples,and with a sword only. For ifitwere fittingto be completelyarmed, not only must a man possessa sword,but shieldand helmet. But even though a thousand had arms of this kind,how could the eleven be prepared for allthe attacksand lying in wait of people,tyrants,allies,and nations,and how should they not quake atthe mere sightofarmed men, who had beeii brought up near lakesand rivers? We must not then suppose that He ordered them to possessswords,but by the swords He pointsat the secretattack of the Jews. And henceit follows,For I say unto you,thatthisthat is writtenmustbe Isa.53,12.accomplishedin Me: And He was numbered with the trans gressors. THEOPHYL. While they were contending among themselves above concerning priority,He saith,It isnot a time of dignities,but ratherof danger and slaughter.Be hold I even your Master am led to a disgracefuldeath,tobe reckoned with the transgressors.For thesethingswhichare prophesiedof Me have an end, thatis,a fulfilment.Wishing then to hintat a violentattack,He made mention ofa sword, not altogetherrevealingit,lestthey should be seizedwith dismay,nor did He entirelyprovidethat they should notbe shaken by thesesudden attacks,but that afterwardsrecover ing,they might marvel how He gave Himself up to thePas- B.sil. sion,a ransom forthe salvationof men. BASIL. Or theLord Bret^ does not bid them carrypurseand scripand buy a sword,but int.31. predictsthatitshouldcome to pass,thatin truththeApostles, forgetfulof the time of the Passion,of the giftsand lawof theirLord,would dare to take up the sword. For oftendoes the Scripturemake use of the imperativeform of speechin the placeof prophecy. Stillin many books we do not find, Let him take,or buy,but,he willtake,he willbuy. THEOPHYL.