vER. 45—47. ST. LUKE. 671
And lovegreetingsinthemarkets.THEOPHYL. Which isthe
wayofthosewho courtand hunt aftera good reputation,or
theydo itforthesakeofcollectingmoney.
Itfollows,And thechiefseatsin synagogues.BEDE. He
doesnotforbidthosetositfirstin the synagogue,or at the
feast,to whom thisdignitybelongsby right,but He tells
themtobewareof thosewho lovethisunduly; denouncing
notthedistinction,but theloveofit.Though theotheralso
wouldnotbe freefrom blame,when thesame men who wish
totakepartinthedisputesin themarket,desirealsoto be
calledmastersin the synagogue. For two reasonswe are
bidtobewareofthosewho seekaftervain-glory,eitherlest
webeledaway by theirpreteuces,supposingthosethingsto
begoodwhichtheydo,orbe inflamedwithjealousy,desiring
invaintobe praisedforthe good deedswhich theypretend
to.But theyseeknotonlyforpraisefrommen, but money;
foritfollows,Who devourwidows'houses,and for a shew
makelongprayers. For pretendingto be righteousand of
greatmeritbeforeGod,theydo notfailtoreceivelargesums
ofmoney from the sickand thosewhose consciencesare
disturbedwiththeirsins,asthoughtheywould be theirpro
tectorsin thejudgment. CHKYS. Thrustingthemselvesalso
intothepossessionsofwidows,theygrinddown theirpoverty,
iiotcontenttoeatas itmay be affordedthem,but greedily
devouring; usingprayeralsoto an evilend,they thusex
posethemselvesto a heaviercondemnation;as itfollows,
Theseshallreceivethegreaterdamnation.THEOPHYL. Be
causetheynot onlydo what isevil,but make a pretenceof
prayer,so making virtuean excusefortheirsin. They also
impoverishwidows whom theywere bound to pity,by their
presencedrivingthem togreatexpenses.BEDE. Or because
theyseekfrom men praiseand money, they are punished
withthegreaterdamnation.