The  above  words,  it  is  plain,  are  to  be  taken  as  parables  not  in  the


THE   REWARD   OF   THE   FAITHFUL.  31!

letter.  For  in  heaven  there  are  no  girdles,  nor  persons  girded,  nor
tables,  nor  sittings  at  meat,  nor  any  who  come  or  minister :  Christ
only  intends  to  say,  Firstly,  that  he  who  is  pre-eminent  before  all
other  good  masters,  and  immeasurably  greater,  will  show  honour  to
His  faithful  servants  in  heaven,  so  as  to  make  them,  from  slaves,
become  as  lords  with  whom  He  may  share  His  marriage  feast,  that
is,  the  happiness  and  glory  of  heaven.  Secondly,  That  He  will  do
it  with  an  endless  number  of  dishes,  that  is,  pleasure  and  delights
both  of  soul  and  body.  Thirdly,  He  will  see  that  no  one  wants
anything:  not  necessaries  merely,  but  even  luxuries,  and  whatever
he  wants  and  wishes  for.  Everything  wished  for,  nay,  that  can
possibly  be  wished  for,  shall  be  supplied  in  superabundance  accord-
ing to  the  words  "  I  shall  be  satisfied  when  I  wake  up  with  Thy
likeness,"  Ps.  xvii.  15  ;  and  "They  shall  be  abundantly  satisfied  with
the  fatness  of  Thy  house,"  Ps.  xxxvl  8.  Fourthly,  That  He  will
give  to  each  according  to  his  merits  this  delicacy  and  that,  for  the
words  "  He  shall  come  "  signify  that  there  shall  be  a  supper  varied
and  most  abundant  according  to  the  merits  of  each ;  and  (those)
"  shall  serve  "  (show)  that  it  shall  be  most  honourable,  and  the  words
"  shall  make  them  sit  down,"  says  Toletus,  "  shows  that  it  shall  be
eternal."

He  shall  gird  Himself.  "  God  is  girded,"  says  Theophylact,  "  not
as  giving  us  the  outpouring  of  all  good  things,  for  He  moderates
them.  For  who  is  able  to  contain  all  that  God  is  ?  "  This  is  seen
from  the  seraphim  who  cover  their  eyes  because  of  the  brightness
of  the  Divine  light.
