VER. 49 — 53. ST. LUKE. 467 AMBROSE.To stewards,thatis,to Priests,the preceding wordsseem to havebeen addressed,thattheymay thereby knowthathereaftera heavierpunishmentawaitsthem,if, intentupon the world'spleasures,they have neglectedthe chargeof theirLord'shousehold,and the peopleentrusted totheircare. But as itprofitethlittleto be recalledfrom errorby thefearofpunishment,and fargreateristheprivi legeofcharityand love,our Lord thereforekindlesinmen thedesireof acquiringthe divinenature,saying,1 came to sendfireon earth,not indeedthatHe isthe Consumer of goodmen, but the Author of good will,who purifiesthe goldenvesselsof theLord'shouse,but burns up the straw andstubble.CYRIL. Now itistheway of Holy Scripture tousesometimesthe term fire,of holy and divinewords. Foras they who know how to purifygold and silver,de stroythedrossby fire,so theSaviourby theteachingofthe Gospelinthepower oftheSpiritcleansesthemindsofthose whobelievein Him. This then isthatwholesomeand use fulfireby which the inhabitantsof earth,ina manner cold anddeadthrough sin,revivetoa lifeofpiety.CHRYS. For bytheearthHe now means not thatwhichwe treadunder ourfeet,but thatwhichwas fashionedby His hands,namely, man,upon whom theLord poursoutfirefortheconsuming ofsins,and therenewingofsouls.TIT.BOST.And we must hcrebelievethatChristcame down from heaven. For ifHe hadcome from earthto earth,He would not say,/ came to sendfireupon theearth. CYRIL.But ourLord was hasten ingthekindlingofthe fire,and henceitfollows,And whatnisiutac-vnllI,savethatitbe kindled11?For alreadysome of thecendatur Jewsbelieved,ofwhom the firstwerethe holyApostles,but thefireonce lightedin Judaeawas aboutto takepossession ofthewholeworld,yet nottillafterthedispensationof His Passionhad been accomplished.Hence it follows,But I havea baptismto be baptizedwith. For beforethe holy crossand His resurrectionfrom the dead,in Judaeaonly wasthenews toldofHis preachingand miracles; butafter thattheJews intheirragehad slainthePrinceof life,then commanded He His Apostles,saying,Go and teachallMatt28, 19. • Nisiut,isthereadingof theVulg. and Germ. versions,and nisiof several others.SeeSchjlzin loc. 2 H2