vKR. 34, 35. ST. LUKE. 521 35.It is neitherfitforthe land,nor yet forthe dunghill; but men castitout. He thathath earsto hear,lethim hear. BEDE. He had saidabovethatthe towerofvirtuewas not onlytobe begun,but alsoto be completed,and to thisbe longsthe following,Saltisgood. It is n good thing to seasonthe secretsof the heartwith the saltof spiritual wisdom,nay withtheApostlestobecomethesaltoftheearth.Matt.&, For saltin substanceconsistsof water and air,having ' aslightmixtureofearth,but itdriesup thefluentnatureof corruptbodiessoastopreservethem from decay. Fitlythen He comparesHis disciplesto salt,inasmuchas theyarere generatedby waterand the Spirit;and as livingaltogether spirituallyand not accordingtotheflesh,theyaftertheman nerofsaltchange the corruptlifeof men who liveon the earth,and by theirown virtuouslivesdelightand season theirfollowers. THEOPHYL. But not only thosewho are giftedwith the graceofteachers,but privateindividualsalsoHe requiresto becomelikesalt,usefultothosearoundthem. But ifhe who istobeusefultoothersbecomesreprobate,he cannotbe pro filed,as itfollows.But ifthesalthas losthissavour,where- withshallitbeseasoned?.BEDE.As ifHe says," Ifa man who has once been enlightenedby the seasoningof truth, fallsback intoapostacy,by what otherteachershallhe be corrected,seeingthat the sweetnessof wisdom which he tastedhe has castaway,alarmedby the troublesor allured bytheattractionsoftheworld; henceitfollows,Itisneither fitfortheland,noryetfor thedunghill,lye. For saltwhen ithasceasedto be fitforseasoningfood and dryingflesh, willbegoodfornothing.Forneitherisitusefultotheland, whichwhen itiscastthereonishinderedfrom bearing,nor forthedunghillto benefitthe dressingofthe land. So he whoafterknowledgeof the truthfallsback,isneitherable tobringforththefruitofgoodworkshimself,nortoinstruct others; but he must be castout ofdoors,thatis,must be separatedfrom the unityof the Church. THEOPHYL. But becauseHisdiscoursewas in parablesand darksayings,our Lord,in orderto rouseHis hearersthat they might not