608 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XVIII. harshfeelingtowardsthe children,but they manifesteda holyzealintheirLord'sservice,thatHe mightnotbepressed by thecrowds.Our own interestmust be givenup wherean injuryisthreatenedtoGod. But we may understandthe mysterytobe,thattheydesiredtheJewishpeopletobefirst savedofwhom theywereaccordingtotheflesh. They knew indeedthe mystery,thatto both nationsthe callwas tobe made, (fortheyentreatedfortheCanaanitish woman,)but perhapstheywere stillignorantof theorder. It follows,But Jesuscalledthem untoHim, and said,Suffer littlechildren,fyc.One ageisnotpreferredtoanother,else itwere hurtfulto grow up. But why doesHe saythat childrenarefitterforthekingdom ofheaven? Itisbecause theyare ignorantof guile,are incapableof theft,darenot returna blow,are unconsciousof lust,have no desirefor wealth,honours,or ambition.But to be ignorantof these thingsisnotvirtue,we must alsodespisethem. For virtue consistsnot inourinabilitytosin,butinourunwillingness. Childhoodthen isnotmeant here,but thatgoodnesswhich rivalsthe simplicityof childhood.BEDE. Hence ourLord pointedlysays,ofsuch,not "of these,"to shew thattocha racter,nottoage,isthekingdom given,and tosuchashave a childlikeinnocenceand simplicityisthe promiseofthe reward. AMBROSE. Lastly,ourSaviourexpressedthiswhen He said,VerilyI say untoyou,Whosoeverwillnotreceive thekingdomof God as a littlechild,fyc.What childwere Isai.9,6.Christ'sApostlestoimitatebut Him ofwhom Esaiasspeaks, iPet. Untousa Childisgiven? Who when He was reviled,reviled ' ' notagain. So thatthereisinchildhooda certainvenerable Basil.in antiquity,and in oldagea childlikeinnocence.BASIL.We sha" receivethe kingdom of God as a childifwe aredis posed towardsour Lord'steachingas a childunderin struction,nevercontradictingnordisputingwithhismasters, buttrustfullyand teachablyimbibinglearning.THEOPHYL. The wisemen of theGentilesthereforewho seekforwisdom ina mystery,which isthekingdom ofGod, and willnotre ceivethiswithoutthe evidenceof logicalproof,arerightly shutoutfromthiskingdom.