vER.25— 32. ST.LUKE. 545 isitslord,certainlynotallthings.For we shallnot be the lords,but the companionsof angels.Again,ifpossession isthusunderstood,how do we rightlysay thatour souls possesstruth? I seeno reasonwhy we may not trulyand properlysay so. For we do not so speak as to callour soulsthemistressesof truth. Or ifby the term possession wearehinderedfrom thissense,letthatalsobe setaside. Forthe fathersaysnot," Thou possessestallthings,"but AllthatI have is thine,stillnot as ifthou wert itslord. Forthatwhich isour propertymay be eitherfoodforour families,orornament,orsomethingofthekind. And surely whenhe can rightlycallhisfatherhisown, I do not see why he may not alsorightlycallhisown what belongsto bis.father,onlyin differentways. For when we shallhave obtainedthatblessedness,the higherthingswillbe oursto lookupon,equalthingsourstohavefellowshipwith,thelower thingsoursto rule. Let then the elderbrotherjoinmost safelyin therejoicing.AMBROSE. For ifhe ceasestoenvy, hewillfeelallthingstobe his,eitheras the Jew possessing thesacramentsoftheOld Testament,orasa baptizedperson thoseoftheNew also.THEOPHYL. Or totakethewholedif ferently; thecharacterofthesonwho seems tocomplainis putforallthosewho areoffendedatthesuddenadvancesand salvationof the perfect,as David introducesone who took offenceat the peaceof sinners.TIT.BOST. The elderson thenasa husbandman was engagedinhusbandry,diggingnot theland,but thefieldof thesoul,and plantingtreesof sal tation,thatis to say,the virtues.THEOPHYL. Or he was iuthefield,thatis,in the world,pamperinghisown flesh, thathe mightbe filledwithbread,and sowingintearsthathe • mightreapinjoy,butwhen he foundwhatwasbeingdone,he wasunwillingtoenterintothecommon joy. CHRYS. But itChrys. isasked,whetherone who grievesattheprosperityofothers?°jjj isaffectedby thepassionofenvy. We must answer,thatno Saintgrievesatsuchthings;but ratherlooksupon thegood thingsof othersas hisown. Now we must not takeevery thingcontainedintheparableliterally,but bringingoutthe meaningwhich the Author had inview,searchfornothing farther.This parablethen was writtento the end that sinnersshouldnot despairof returning,knowing thatthey vOL.in. 2 N