504 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XIV.
11. Forwhosoeverexaltethhimselfshallbe ahased;
and he thathumblethhimselfshallbe exalted.
AMBROSE. Firstthe dropsicalman iscured,in whom the
abundantdischargesofthefleshcrusheddown thepowersof
thesoul,quenchedtheardouroftheSpirit.Next,humility
istaught,when atthenuptialfeastthe desireofthehighest
placeisforbidden.As itissaid,A.ndHe spake,Sitnotdown
inthehighestroom. CYRIL. For to rush forwardhastilyto
honourswhich arenot fittingforus,indicatesrashness,and
castsa slurupon our actions.Hence itfollows,Lesta more
Chrys. honourableman thanthoubeinvited,fyc.CHRYS. And sothe
seekerof honour obtainednot thatwhich he coveted,but
suffereda defeat,and busyinghimselfhow he might be
loadedwith honours,is treatedwith dishonour.And be
causenothingis of so much worth as modesty,He leads
.Hishearerto the oppositeof thisseeking; not only for
biddinghim to seek the highestplace,but biddinghim
searchfor the lowest.As itfollows;But when thou art
bidden,go and sitdown in thelowestroom. CYRIL. For if
a man wishesnot to be setbeforeothers,he obtainsthis
honour accordingto the divineword. As itfollows; That
when he thatbadetheecometh,he may sayuntothee,Friend,
go up higher.In thesewords He doesnot harshlychide,
but gentlyadmonishes;fora word of adviceisenough for
the wise. And thus fortheirhumilitymen are crowned
withhonours; asitfollows,Then shallthouhaveworship.
Basil.in BASIL.To takethenthelowestplaceat a feast,according
adUiter.toourLord'scommand, isbecomingtoeveryman, butagain
12. to rush contentiouslyafterthisis to be condemned as a
breachoforderand causeoftumult; and a striferaisedabout
it,willplaceyou on a levelwith thosewho disputeconcern
ing the highestplace.'Wherefore,as our Lord here says,
itbecomes him who makes the feastto arrangethe order
of sittingdown. Thus in patienceand love should we
mutuallybear ourselves,followingallthingsdecentlyac
cordingto order,not forexternalappearanceor publicdis.
play;nor shouldwe seem to studyor affecthumilityby
violentcontradiction,butrathergainitby condescensionor