vER- 15— 24. ST. LUKE. 511 ournature,butinthelasttime; and He adds,For allthings areready. For the Fatherpreparedin Christthe good thingsbestowedupon theworldthroughHim, theremovalof sins,theparticipationofthe Holy Spirit,the gloryofadop tion.To theseChristbademen by theteachingoftheGospel. Ace.Or else,the Man isthe Mediatorbetween God and Aug.man,ChristJesus; He sentthattheywho werebiddenmight " 'sup' come,i.e.thosewho were calledby the prophetswhom He hadsent;who in the formertimesinvitedto the supper ofChrist,wereoftensenttothepeopleof Israel,oftenbade themtocome atsuppertime. They receivedtheinviters,re fusedthesupper.They receivedthe^prophetsand killedChrist, andthusignorantlypreparedforus thesupper. The supper beingnow ready,i.e. Christbeing sacrificed,the Apostles weresentto those,towhom prophetshad been sentbefore. GREG.By thisservantthenwho issentby themasterofthe familyto bid to supper,the orderof preachersissignified. Butitisoftenthecasethata powerfulpersonhasa despised servant,and when hisLord ordersany thingthroughhim, theservantspeakingisnot despised,becauserespectforthe masterwho sendshim isstillkept up in the heart. Our LordthenofferswhatHe oughttobe askedfor,notaskothers toreceive.He wishesto givewhat couldscarcelybe hoped for;yetallbegin at once to make excuse,foritfollows, And theyallbegan with one consentto make excuse.Be holdarichman invites,and thepoorhastentocome. We are invitedto the banquetofGod, and we make excuse. AUG. Aug.Now therewerethreeexcuses,ofwhichitisadded,Thefirstu sup' taiduntohim,I have boughta pieceofground,and I must needsgo and seeit. The bought pieceof ground denotes government.Thereforeprideisthefirstvicereproved.For thefirstman wishedto rule,not willingto have a master. GREG.Or by thepieceofgroundismeant worldlysubstance.Greg.Thereforehe goesouttoseeitwho thinksonlyof outward 8up' thingsforthe sakeofhisliving.AMBROSE. Thus itisthat theworn-outsoldierisappointedto servedegradedoffices, ashewho intentupon thingsbelowbuysforhimselfearthly possessions,cannot enterintothekingdom of heaven. Our Lordsays,Sellallthatthouhast,andfollowMe. Itfollows,And anothersaid,I have boughtfiveyoke of