VEK. 7— 11. ST. LUKE. 505 bypatience.For resistanceoroppositionisa farstronger tokenof pridethan takingthe firstseatat meat,when we obtainitby authority. THEOPHYL.Now letno one deem the above preceptsof Christto be trifling,and unworthy of the sublimityand grandenrof theWord ofGod. For you would notcallhim a mercifulphysicianwho professedto healthe gout but re fusedtocurea scaron thefingeror a tooth-ache.Besides, howcanthatpassionofvaingloryappearslight,whichmoved oragitatedthosewho soughtthefirstseats?Itbecame then theMasterofhumilitytocutoffeverybranchofthebad root. Butobservethisalso,thatwhen the supperwas ready,and thewretchedguestswere contendingforprecedencybefore theeyesof theSaviour,therewas a fitoccasionforadvice. CYRIL.Having shewn thereforefrom so slightan example thedegradationof the ambitiousand the exaltationof the humbleminded,He addsa greatthingtoa little,pronouncing a generalsentence,as itfollows,For everyone who exalts himselfshallbe abased,and he thathumblethhimselfshall beexalted.This is spoken accordingto the divinejudg ment,not afterhuman experience,in which they who desireaftergloryobtainit,whileotherswho humble them selvesremaininglorious. THEOPHYL.Moreover,he is not to be respectedin the end,norby allmen, who thrustshimselfintohonours; but whileby some he ishonoured,by othershe isdisparaged, andsometimeseven by theverymen who outwardlyhonour him. BEDE. But as the Evangelistcallsthisadmonition aparable,we must brieflyexaminewhat isitsmysticalmean ing.. Whosoever being bidden has come to the marriage feastofChrist'sChurch,beingunitedtothemembers of the Churchby faith,lethim not exalthimselfas higherthan othersby boastingof hismerits. For he willhave to give placetoone more honourablewho isbiddenafterwards,see ingthathe isovertakenby theactivityofthosewho followed him,andwithshame he occupiesthelowestplace,now that knowingbetterthingsof theothershe bringslow whatever highthoughtshe once had of hisown works. But a man sitsinthelowestplaceaccordingto thatverse,The greaterE ihouart,humblethyselfin allthimjs.But the Lord when 8'18'