vER. 1— 5. GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 477 Emperorand the Roman people. Pilatethen,being enraged againstthe Galilaeans,ordered them to be slainin the midst ofthe very victimswhich they thought they might offerac cordingto the custom of theirlaw ; so thatthe blood of the offererswas mingled with thatof the victimsoffered. Now itbeing generallybelievedthat these Galilaeariswere most justlypunished, as sowing offencesamong the people,the rulers,eager to exciteagainstHim the hatred of the people, relatethese things to the Saviour,wishing to discoverwhat He thought about them. But He, admitting them to be sinners,does not however judge them to have sufferedsuch things,as though they were worse than those who suf ferednot. Whence it follows,And He answered and said unto(hem,Suppose ye thattheseGalilceanswere sinnersabove alltheGalileans,$c.? CHRYS. For God punishes some sinners by cutting offChrys. theiriniquities,and appointingto them hereaftera lighter^onc.3. punishment,or perhaps even entirelyreleasingthem, and correctingthose who are livingin wickedness by theirpu nishment. Again, He does not punish others,that if they take heed to themselves by repentance they may escape boththe presentpenaltyand futurepunishment, but ifthey continuein their sins,sufferstillgreater torment. TIT. Bosr.And He here plainlyshews,that whatever judgments arepassedforthe punishment of the guilty,happen not only by theauthorityof the judges,but the willof God. Whether thereforethe judge punishesupon the strictgrounds of con science,or has some other objectin his condemnation, we must ascribethe work to the Divine appointment. CyaiL.To save thereforethe multitudes,from the intes tineseditions,which were excitedforthe sake of religion,He adds,but unlessye repent,and unlessye cease to conspire againstyour rulers,for which ye have no divineguidance, yeshallalllikewiseperish,and your blood shallbe unitedto thatof your sacrifices.CHRYS. And herein He shews thatChrys. He permittedthem to suffersuch things,that the heirsofublsup" thekingdom yet livingmight be dismayed by the dangers of others." What then,"you willsay," isthisman punished, thatI might become better?" Nay, but he is punished for hisown crimes,and hence arisesan opportunityof salvation