VER. 22 — 30. ST. LUKE. 403 inanswerto the idlequestion,but turnsHis discourseto amoreimportantsubject. AUG. Or else,our Lord confirmedthe words He heard,Aug. thatis,by sayingthattherearefew who are saved,forfew enterby the straitgate,but in anotherplaceHe saysthis verything,Narrow istheway which leadethuntolife,and Matt.7, fewthereare who enterintoit. ThereforeHe adds,For '*' many / say unto you shallseek to enter; BEDE ; Urged theretoby theirloveof safety,yet shallnotbe able,fright enedby theroughnessoftheroad. BASIL.For thesoulwaverstoand fro,at one timechoos-Basil. ingvirtuewhen itconsiderseternity,at anotherpreferringp,,°^1" pleasureswhen it looksto the present. Here it beholds1,5. ease,or the delightsof the flesh,thereitssubjectionor captivebondage; here drunkenness,theresobriety;here wantonmirth,thereoverflowingoftears; heredancing,there praying;here the sound of the pipe,thereweeping; here lust,therechastity.AUG. Now our Lord in no wisecon-Aug. tradictsHimselfwhen He says,thattherearefew who enter,J""' inat thestraitgate,and elsewhere,Many shallcomefrom Matt.8,theeastand thewest; fortherearefew in comparisonwithi ' thosewho are lost,many when unitedwith the angels. Scarcelydo they seem a grainwhen the threshingflooris swept,but so greata mass willcome forthfrom thisfloor, thatitwillfillthegranaryofheaven. CYRIL.But thattheywho cannotenterareregardedwith wrath,He has shewn by an obviousexample,as follows, When once the master of the house has risenup, 8fc.as if whenthemasterof the house who has calledmany to the banquethasenteredinwithhisguests,and shuttothedoor, thenshallcome afterwardsmen knocking. BEDE. The masterofthe houseisChrist,who sinceasveryGod He is everywhere,isalreadysaidtobe withinthosewhom though He isin heavenHe gladdenswithHis visiblepresence,but isasitwerewithouttothosewhom whilecontendinginthis pilgrimage,He helpsin secret.But He willenterinwhen He shallbringthe whole Church to the contemplationof Himself.He willshutthe doorwhen He shalltakeaway fromthereprobateallroom forrepentance.Who standing withoutwillknock,thatis,separatedfrom the righteous