permanent in the sense above suggested. After all A Lapide's reasonings, this is about what he comes to.

1Go not into the way of the Gentiles.-The Apostles were forbidden to go in universum mundum, until after the Resurrection. The Jews were entitled to the first chance of Salvation, according to promise, and the Apostles were to serve a sort of noviciate amongst their own, before they ventured among strangers.

2The lost sheep.-Those who were negligent among the Jews. Continuing His own and the Baptist's theme.

*Heal the sick, raise the dead.—This latter is omitted in many manuscripts and in the other Gospels. There is strong authority for keeping it here.

Gratis give.-This is the true Gospel and prevents all attempts at Simony.

"Do not possess.-This perfect poverty has been practised by a great many with wonderful success.

Nor scrip, etc.-The two coats might mean without forcing the text, two suits of clothes, or two habits. Shoes were forbidden and sandals permitted. Some contend about the staff as to whether an offensive weapon or a sign of authority be meant.

The workman.-Our Lord meant His Apostles to work and not to be idle or make a merit of laziness.

11. "In quamcumque autem civitatem aut castellum intraveritis, interrogate quis in eâ dignus sit, et ibi manete donec exeatis.

autem in

12. "Intrantes domum, salutate eam dicentes : Pax huic domui.

13. Et si quidem fuerit domus illa digna, veniet pax vestra super eam; si autem non fuerit digna, pax vestra revertetur ad vos.

14. "Et quicumque non receperit vos neque audierit sermones vestros, exeuntes foràs de domo vel civitate, excutite pulverem de pedibus vestris.

15. "Amen dico vobis, tolerabilius erit terræ Sodomorum et Gomorrhæorum in die judicii quàm illi civitati.

II. And into whatsoever city or town you shall enter, 'inquire who in it is worthy: and there abide till you go thence.

12. And when you come into a house, salute it, saying: Peace be to this house.

13. And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it: but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you.

14. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, going forth out of that house, or city, 'shake off the dust from your feet.

15. Amen I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of "Sodom and Gomorrha, in the day of judgment, than for that city.

In continuing His instructions Our Lord points out the manner in which they are to see to their wants with proper religious prudence. Although we rely on Providence for sustenance, when employed in His work, we must be circumspect and prudent in the manner of our life.

'Inquire who in it is worthy.-This would be rather a difficult matter to find out at the first visit; but not so in subsequent ones. Our Lord did not say who is wealthy or who is powerful or influential; but who is worthy. The worthy here would mean of edifying life, of hospitable disposition and so forth.

And there abide.-It would not look well to be going from house to house, or leaving a house of moderate means to go to one where better cheer might be had.

Peace to this house. This was a Jewish mode of salutation, equivalent to the "God save all here" of primitive Catholic populations untainted with Protestant notions. The peace is a blessing sent forth and if it be not deserved it will return to you in the manner of a reward for having prayed it. So S. Augustine.

4 Shake off the dust.-The commentators do not lay as much stress upon this as might be supposed. It is literally a curse and a terrible one; and one that has been known to fall in many cases with awful consequences. The people in Catholic countries are greatly in dread of it. It is seldom done. Priests generally bear their insults, although the truth they carry with them and see rejected, might be well avenged.

Sodom and Gomorrah.-These accursed cities were punished in this world for one unnatural crime which prevailed among them. There are other crimes greater, such as blasphemy and rejecting the known truth.

18. "Et ad præsides et ad reges ducemini, propter me, in testimonium illis et gentibus.

19. "Cùm autem tradent vos, nolite cogitare quomodò aut quid loquamini: dabitur enim vobis, in illà horâ, quid loquamini.

20. "Non enim vos estis qui loquimini, sed Spiritus Patris vestri qui loquitur in vobis.

18. And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake, for a testimony to them, and to the gentiles.

19. But when they shall deliver you up, be not thoughtful how or what to speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak.

20. For it is not you that speak, but the 'Spirit of your Father, that speaketh in you.

Our Lord is supposed here to give some advices, which shall suit more especially in the endeavours to cope with the spirit of the world after His Ascension. Some think that S. Matthew puts together advices delivered at different times. These suit all times, and no one laying them properly to heart will fail to find the utility of them.

1Behold I send you.-He took away from them anything in the way of a weapon, either defensive or offensive. This is one of the great characteristics of His Gospel that it was to be propagated by suffering and peaceful ways, rather than by domineering or warlike efforts.

The serpent and the dove are beautiful representations of the spirit of an Apostle. The first wary and cautious, careful to avoid danger, and never attacking their great enemy-man. The latter so artless, so gentle, so loving, and so forgiving.

In councils.-These were assemblies of Jews as mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount (page 55), before which violators of the Law of Moses were summoned. The scourging inflicted in public was very severe. The person thus punished was tied to a pillar, and often beaten until life became extinct.

It shall be given you.-No prophecy seems to have had such a beautiful and pleasing fulfilment as this. When we read the acts of the Martyrs, we are struck with the answers which children, even, made. Rustics answer proselytisers in a manner to surprise a learned man.

'The Lord inspires them; but He will not inspire a man who has time to prepare a sermon and neglects it.