VER. 24—30. ST. LUKE. 615 inpovertyto despisewealth,than for the rich. Nor again isavaricewont to be satisfiedby having more, for thereby aremen only the more inflamed,just as a firespreads, themore it has to feed upon. Those which seem to be theevilsof poverty,it has in common with riches,but the evilsof richesare peculiarto them. AUG. The name ofAug.de "rich"He here givesto one who covetstemporalthings,and g"fn8'' boastshimselfin them. To such rich men are opposed the lib.ii. poorin spirit,of whom is the kingdom of heaven. Now mysticallyitiseasierforChristto sufferforthe loversof this world,than forthe loversof thisworld to be convertedto Christ.For by the name of a camel He would represent Himself:for He voluntarilyhumbled Himself to bear the burdensof our infirmity.By the needle He signifiessharp piercings,and thereby the pangs receivedin His Passion, but by the form of the needleHe describesthe straitening ofthePassion. CHRYS. These weightywords so farexceededChrys. thecapacityof the disciples,that when they heard them, in°^tt" theyasked, Wlio then can be saved? not that they feared forthemselvesbut for the whole world. AUG. SeeingthatAug.ut thereis an incomparably greater number of poor which 8up" mightbe savedby forsakingtheirriches,theyunderstoodthat allwho love riches,even though they cannot obtain them, wereto be counted among the number of the rich. It fol lows,And He said to them. The thingswhich are impossible withmen arepossiblewith God, which must not be taken as if a richman with covetousnessand pridemight enterintothe kingdomof God, but that it is possiblewith God fora man tobe convertedfrom covetousnessand pride,to charityand humility.THEOPHYL. With men thereforewhose thoughts creepearthward,salvationis impossible,but with God it is possible.For when man shallhave God forhis counsellor, and shallhave receivedthe righteousnessof God and His teachingconcerning poverty,as well as have invoked His aid,thisshallbe possibleto him. CYRIL.The rich man who has despisedmany thingswill naturallyexpecta reward,but he who possessinglittleresigns whathe has,may fairlyask what thereisin storeforhim ; as itfollows,Then Peter said,La, we have leftall. Matthew adds,What shallwe have therefore? BKDE. As if he says,^"u-19,