VER. 22 — 26. ST. LTJKE. 447 attentionthen be stayedupon triflingthings,nor our under standingserveto seek forfood and raiment,but ratherthink on whateversavesthe soul,and raisesitto the kingdom of heaven. AMBROSE. Now nothing is more likelyto produce convictionin believersthat God can giveus allthings,than thefact,thatthe etherealspiritperpetuatesthe vitalunion ofthesoul and body in closefellowship,without our exer tion,and the healthgivinguse of food does not failuntilthe lastday of death has arrived. Since then the soulisclothed withthebody as with a garment, and the body is kept alive by the vigour of the soul,it is absurd to suppose that a supplyof food willbe wanting to us,who are in possession oftheeverlastingsubstanceof life. 24. Considerthe ravens: fortheyneithersow nor reap; which neitherhave storehousenor barn; and God feedeththem : how much more are ye better thanthefowls? 25.And which of you with taking thought can addtohisstatureone cubit? 26. Ifye then be not ableto do thatthingwhich isleast,why takeye thoughtfortherest? CYRIL. As beforein raisingour minds to spiritualbold ness,He assuredus by the example of the birds,which are countedof littleworth, saying,Ye are of more value than many sparrows; so now alsofrom the instanceof birds,He conveysto us a firm and undoubting trust,saying,Consider Hieravens,for theyneithersow nor reap,which neitherhave ttorehousenor barn,and God feedeththem ; how much more areye betterthan fowls? BEDE. That is,ye are more pre cious,because a rationalanimal like man is of a higher orderin the nature of things than irrationalthings,as the birdsare. AMBROSE. But itisa greatthingto followup thisexample infaith.For to the birdsof the airwho have no labourof tilling,no produce from the fruitfulnessof crops,DivinePro videncegrantsan unfailingsustenance. It istruethen that thecauseof our povertyseems to be covetousness.For they