vER. 14— 18. ST. LUKE. 557 yourhearts: forthatwhich ishighlyesteemedamong men isabominationinthe sightofGod. 16.The Law and the Prophetswere untilJohn: sincethattime the kingdom ofGod ispreached,and everyman pressethintoit. 17.And itiseasierforheaven and earthto pass, thanone tittleofthelaw to fail. 18.Whosoever puttethaway hiswife,and marrieth another,committeth adultery: and whosoevermar riethher that is put away from her husband com mittethadultery. BEDE. Christhad toldthePhariseesnotto boastoftheir own righteousness,but to receivepenitentsinners,and to redeemtheirsinsby almsgiving.But they deridedthe Preacherof mercy,humility,and frugality; as itis said, And ike Phariseesalso,who were covetous,heard these things;and deridedHim: itmay be fortwo reasons,ei therbecauseHe commanded what was not sufficientlypro fitable,or castblame upon theirpastsuperfluousactions. THEOPHYL.But theLord detectinginthem a hiddenmalice, provesthatthey make a pretenceofrighteousness.There foreitisadded,And He saiduntothem,Ye are theywhich justifyyourselvesbeforemen. BEDE. They justifythem selvesbeforemen who despisesinnersas in a weak and hopelesscondition,but fancythemselvesto be perfectand notto need the remedy ofalmsgiving; but how justlythe depthof deadlyprideis to be condemned, He seeswho willenlightenthe hidden placesof darkness.Hence it follows,But God knoweth your hearts. THEOPHYL. And thereforeye are an abominationto Him becauseof your arrogance,and loveof seekingafterthe praiseof men ; as He adds,For thatwhich ishighlyesteemedamong men is abominationinthesightofGod. BEDE.Now the Phariseesderidedour Saviourdisputing againstcovetousness,as ifHe taughtthingscontrarytothe Law and the Prophets,in which many veryrichmen are saidtohavepleasedGod : but Moses alsohimselfpromised