504 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XIV. 11. Forwhosoeverexaltethhimselfshallbe ahased; and he thathumblethhimselfshallbe exalted. AMBROSE. Firstthe dropsicalman iscured,in whom the abundantdischargesofthefleshcrusheddown thepowersof thesoul,quenchedtheardouroftheSpirit.Next,humility istaught,when atthenuptialfeastthe desireofthehighest placeisforbidden.As itissaid,A.ndHe spake,Sitnotdown inthehighestroom. CYRIL. For to rush forwardhastilyto honourswhich arenot fittingforus,indicatesrashness,and castsa slurupon our actions.Hence itfollows,Lesta more Chrys. honourableman thanthoubeinvited,fyc.CHRYS. And sothe seekerof honour obtainednot thatwhich he coveted,but suffereda defeat,and busyinghimselfhow he might be loadedwith honours,is treatedwith dishonour.And be causenothingis of so much worth as modesty,He leads .Hishearerto the oppositeof thisseeking; not only for biddinghim to seek the highestplace,but biddinghim searchfor the lowest.As itfollows;But when thou art bidden,go and sitdown in thelowestroom. CYRIL. For if a man wishesnot to be setbeforeothers,he obtainsthis honour accordingto the divineword. As itfollows; That when he thatbadetheecometh,he may sayuntothee,Friend, go up higher.In thesewords He doesnot harshlychide, but gentlyadmonishes;fora word of adviceisenough for the wise. And thus fortheirhumilitymen are crowned withhonours; asitfollows,Then shallthouhaveworship. Basil.in BASIL.To takethenthelowestplaceat a feast,according adUiter.toourLord'scommand, isbecomingtoeveryman, butagain 12. to rush contentiouslyafterthisis to be condemned as a breachoforderand causeoftumult; and a striferaisedabout it,willplaceyou on a levelwith thosewho disputeconcern ing the highestplace.'Wherefore,as our Lord here says, itbecomes him who makes the feastto arrangethe order of sittingdown. Thus in patienceand love should we mutuallybear ourselves,followingallthingsdecentlyac cordingto order,not forexternalappearanceor publicdis. play;nor shouldwe seem to studyor affecthumilityby violentcontradiction,butrathergainitby condescensionor