408 . GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XIII. where Herod reigned,He shews that not in Galilee,but in Jerusalem it had been fore-ordainedthat He should suffer. Hence itfollows,For it cannot be that a prophetperishout of Jerusalem. When thou hearest,It cannot be (orit is not fitting),that a prophet shouldperish out of Jerusalem, think not that any violentconstraintwas imposed upon the Jews, but He says thisseasonablywith referenceto their eager desireafterblood; just as if any one seeing a most savage robber,should say, the road on which this robber lurks cannot be without bloodshed to travellers.So also no where elsebut in the abode of robbers must the Lord of the prophetsperish. For accustomed to the blood ofHis prophets,they willalsokillthe Lord ; as itfollows,O Jeru salem,Jerusalem,which killesttheprophets. BEDE. In callingupon Jerusalem, He addressesnot the stones and buildingsof the city,but the dwellerstherein, Chrys. and He weeps overitwith the affectionof a father. CHRYS. IT IJ f inMatt" ^or ^e twice repeated word betokens compassion or very great love. For the Lord speaks,if we may say it,as a loverwould to his mistresswho despisedhim, and was Se?erus.thereforeabout to be punished. GREEK Ex. But the repe titionof the name alsoshews the rebuke to be severe. For she who knew God, how does she persecuteGod's ministers? CYRIL. Now that they were unmindful of the Divine bless ings He proves as follows,How oftenwould I have gathered thy childrentogetheras a hen doth gather her brood under Jierwings,and ye would not. He led them by the hand of Moses fullof allwisdom, He warns them by His prophets, He wished to have them under His wings, (i.e.under the shelterof His power,)but they deprivedthemselvesof these Aug.Kn- choiceblessings,through theiringratitude.AUG. As many c ir* as I gatheredtogether,itwas done by my all-prevailingwill, yet thy unwillingness,forthou wert everungrateful. BEDE. Now He who aptlyhad calledHerod a fox,who was plotting His death,compares Himself to a bird,for foxesare ever lyingin waitforbirds. Basil.iu BASIL. He compared alsothe sons ofJerusalem to birdsin Esaum fae net,as ifIie said,Birdswho are used to flyin the airare 5.sol. caught by the treacherousdevicesof the catchers,but thou shaltbe as a chicken in want of another'sprotection; when