vER.17— 24. ST. LUKE. 537 forthevoiceof thy confession.For with the mouth con fessionis made to salvation,sincehe lightensthe load oferror,who himselfthroweththe weightupon himself, andshutsout the hatredof accusation,who anticipates theaccuserby confessing.In vainwould you hide from Him whom nothingescapes; and you may safelydiscover whatyou know to be alreadyknown. Confessthe rather thatChristmay intercedeforthee,the Church pleadfor thee,thepeopleweep overthee: nor fearthatthouwiltnot obtain;thy Advocatepromisespardon,thy Patronfavour, thyDelivererpromisesthee the reconciliationof thy Fa ther'saffection.But he adds,Againstheavenand beforethee. CHRYS.When he says,Beforethee,he shewsthatthisfatherChrys.mastbe understoodas God. For God alonebeholdsallu "sup* things,fromWhom neitherthesimplethoughtsoftheheart canbehidden. AUG. But whetherwas thissinagainstheaven,the same Aug.deasthatwhich isbeforethee; so thathe describedby theEv*iS.Li.a. name of heaven his father'ssupremacy. I have sinnedV1-S3- againstheaven,i.e.beforethe soulsof the saints;but be foretheeintheverysanctuaryofmy conscience. CHRYS.Or by heaven in thisplacemay be understoodChrys.Christ.For he who sinsagainstheaven,which althoughutsup' aboveus is yet a visibleelement,isthe same as he who sinsagainstman, whom the Son ofGod tookintoHimself foroursalvation.AMBROSE. Or by thesewordsaresignified theheavenlygiftsof theSpiritimpairedby the sinof the soul,or becausefrom the bosom of hismother Jerusalem whichisin heaven,he ought neverto depart.But being castdown,he must by no means exalthimself.Hence he adds,I am no more worthytobecalledthyson. And thathe mightbe raisedup'by the meritof hishumility,he adds, Makeme asoneofthyhiredservants. BEDE. To the affectionof a son,who doubtsnot thatall thingswhich are hisfather'sarehis,he by no means lays claim,but desiresthe conditionof a hiredservant,as now aboutto servefora reward. But he admitsthatnot even thiscouldhe deserveexceptby hisfather'sapprobation. GKEO.NYSS. Now thisprodigalson,the Holy SpirithasGreg.engravedupon ourhearts,thatwe may be instructedhow we u" '"'''