ChrisCs servants sacrifice the body to their work. 419
77. We must also notice that which is tliere written; that Book
they held the trumpets in their right hand, but the pitchers '-
in their left. For we are said to have on the right hand,
whatever we consider a great thing ; but on the left, that
which we regard as nothing. It is therefore well written in
that place, that they held the trumpets in their right hand,
but the pitchers in their left ; because the Martyrs of Christ
consider the grace of preaching as a great thing, but the
benefit of their bodies as of the least moment. But whoever
thinks more of the benefit of the body, than of the grace of
preaching, holds the trumpet in his left hand, but the pitcher
in his right. For if the grace of preaching is attended to in
the first place, and in the next place the benefit of the body,
it is certain that the trumpets are held in the right hand,
and the pitchers in the left. Hence the Lord says in the
Gospel, Neither do they liyht a candle, and put it under Matt, 5,
a bushel, but on a caudlesiick. For by a bushel is under-
stood temporal advantage, but by a candle the light of
preaching. To place therefore a light under a bushel, is,
for the sake of temporal advantage, to conceal the grace of
preaching, which none of the Elect surely does. And it is
well there added, But upon a candlestick. For by a can-
dlestick is designated the position of the body, on which a
candle is placed above, when the duty ofpreaching is prefeiTed
to the body. It is therefore well said by the Prophet, Tliou Is. 9, 4.
hast overcome the sceptre of his oppressor, as in the day of
Madian. But since we have made a long digression for the
sake of expounding the testimony of the Prophet, let us
return to the regular order of our work. After, therefore, it
was said. He heareth not the cry of the exactor ; because,
namely, our Lord when manifested in the flesh despised the
snares of the great enemy. He rightly subjoins what He
did further in behalf of His Elect, saying
;
Ver. 8. He looketh around on the mountains of His
pasture.
78. Mountains we understand to be all the lofty ones of xxvi.
this world, who were swollen in their hearts with earthly
loftiness. But since the Lord engrains' even such, when > invis-
converted, into the body of His Church, and, turning them^^*^*'*
from their former pride, transforms them into His own mem-
I