606 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO CHAP. XVlll. greatweighteasilydepressesrighteousness.Althoughthere forethouartearnestand constantinwelldoing,yetthink- estthou mayestboastthyself,thou artaltogetherdevoidof thefruitsofprayer.But thouthathearesta thousandloads of guilton thyconscience,and onlythinkestthisthingof thyself,thatthouartthelowestofallmen, shaltgainmuch confidencebeforeGod. And He thengoeson toassignthe reasonofHis sentence.For everyonewho exaltethhimself shallbeabased,and he thathumblethhimselfshallbeexalted. Chrys.in The word humilityhasvariousmeanings. There isthehu- "'. j. milityofvirtue,as,A humbleand contriteheart,O God,Thou wiltnotdespise.There isalsoa humilityarisingfrom sor- Ps.H2,3.rows,as,He has humbledmy lifeupon theearth. Thereis a humilityderivedfrom sin,and the prideand insatiability ofriches.For can any thingbe more low and debasedthan thosewho grovelinrichesand power,and countthem great Basil.in things? BASIL.In likemanner itispossibletobe honour- ' 'ablyelatedwhen your thoughtsindeedare not lowly,hut your mind by greatnessof soulisliftedup towardsvirtue. Thisloftinessof mind isseenin a cheerfulnessamidstsor row; ora kindofnobledauntlessnessintrouble; a contempt of earthlythings,and a conversationin heaven. And this loftinessofmind seemstodifferfromthatelevationwhichis engenderedofpride,justasthestoutnessofa well-regulated body differsfrom the swellingof the fleshwhich proceeds fromdropsy. Chrys. CHRYS.This inflationof pridecan castdown even from Prof.Ev. heaventhe man thattakethnotwarning,but humilitycan raisea man up fromthelowestdepthofguilt.The one saved thePublicanbeforethePharisee,and broughtthethiefinto Paradisebeforethe Apostles; the otherenteredeveninto the spiritualpowers. But ifhumilitythough added to sin hasmade such rapidadvances,astopassby prideunitedto righteousness,how much swifterwillbe itscoursewhen you add toitrighteousness?Itwillstandby thejudgment-seat ofGod inthemidstoftheangelswithgreatboldness.More overifpridejoinedtorighteousnesshad powerto depressit, untowhat a hellwillitthrustmen when addedto sin? This I saynot thatwe shouldneglectrighteousness,but thatwe shouldavoidpride..THEOPHYL.But shouldany one per