482 CHAP. XIII.GOSrEL ACCORDING TO De Poauit. Grey. Oral.32. Gre*.31. in K.v. Aug. ubi sup. Greg. ubisup. Aug. ubisup. forwhereverbe ishimselfplaced,he theredeniesto another theopportunityofworking. PSEUDO-BASIL.ForitisthepartofGod'smercynotsilently to inflictpunishment,but tosendforththreateningstorecall the sinnertorepentance,as He didtothemen ofNineveh, and now to the dresserofthevineyard,saying,Out itdown, excitinghim indeedto the care of it,and stirringup the barrensoilto bring forththe properfruits.GREG. NAz. Let us notthenstrikesuddenly,but overcomeby gentleness, lestwe cut down thefigtreestillableto bearfruit,which the careperhapsof a skilfuldresserwillrestore.Henceit isalsohere added,And he answeringsaiduntoHim, Lord, letitalone,fyc. GREG. By the dresserof the vineyardisrepresentedthe orderofBishops,who, by rulingoverthe Church,takecare of our Lord'svineyard.THEOPHYL. Or the masterof the householdisGod theFather,the dresserisChrist,who will not havethefigtreecut down as barren,asifsayingtothe Father,Although throughthe Law and the Prophetsthey gave no fruitof repentance,I willwaterthem withMy suf feringsand teaching,and perhapsthey willyieldus fruits ofobedience. AUG. Or, the husbandman who intercedesiseveryholy man who withintheChurchpraysforthem thatarewithout the Church,saying,O Lord,0 Lord,letitalonethisyear, thatis,for that time vouchsafedunt'ergrace,untilI dig aboutit. To digaboutit,istoteachhumilityand patience, forthegroundwhichhasbeen dug islowly. The dung sig nifiesthe soiledgarments,but theybringforthfruit.The soiledgarment of thedressor,isthe griefand mourningof sinners;forthey who do penance aud do ittrulyarein soiledgarments. GREG. Or,thesinsoftheflesharecalledthedung. From thisthen the treerevivesto bearfruitagain,forfromthe remembrance of sinthe soulquickensitselftogood works. But thereareverymany who hear reproof,and yetdespise the returnto repentance; whereforeitisadded,And ifit bearfruit,well. AUG. That is,itwillbe well,but ifnot,thenafterthat t/toushallcutitdown; namely,when Thou shaltcome to