518 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XIV. sittethnot down first,and counteththecost,whether he have sufficienttofinishit? 29. Lest haply,afterhe hath laidthe foundation, and isnot ableto finishit,allthatbeholditbeginto mock him. 30. Saying,This man began to build,and was not ableto finish. 31. Or what king,going to make war against anotherking,sittethnot down first,and consulteth whether he be ablewith ten thousand to meet him thatcometh againsthim withtwentythousand? 32. Or else,whiletheotherisyeta greatway off, he sendethan ambassage,and desirethconditionsof peace. 33. So likewise,whosoeverhe be of you that for- sakethnot allthathe hath,he cannotbe My disciple. Greg.37. GREG. Because He had been givinghigh and loftypre- iuEv. ccpts,immediatelyfollowsthe comparisonof buildinga tower,when it is said,For which of you intendingto build a tower,doesnotfirstcount,fyc. For every thing that we do shouldbe precededby anxiousconsideration.If then we desireto builda towerof humility,we ought firstto brace Basil.in ourselvesagainsttheillsofthisworld. BASIL.Or thetowerEsa1'L isa loftywatch-towerfittedfortheguardianshipof the city and thediscoveryoftheenemy'sapproach. In likemanner was ourunderstandinggivenustopreservethegood,toguard againsttheevil.For thebuildingup whereoftheLord bids us sitdown and count our means ifwe have sufficientto Greg. fiuish.GREG. NYSS.For we must be everpressingonward \"'dil8 tna*wc may reac^tne en^ of eacn difficultundertakingby successiveincreasesof thecommandments ofGod, and so to thecompletionofthedivinework. For neitherisone stone thewholefabricofthetower,nordoesa singlecommand lead totheperfectionofthesoul.But we must laythefoundation, iCor.8, and accordingto the Apostle,therenponmust be placed storeof gold,silver,and preciousstones.Whence it is added,Lesthaplyafterhe hathlaidthefoundation,fyc.