For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?
All Commentaries on Luke 14:28 Go To Luke 14
Gregory The Dialogist
AD 604
For when occupied in good works, unless we watch carefully against the evil spirits, we find those our mockers who are persuading us to evil. But another comparison is added proceeding from the less to the greater, in order that from the least things the greatest may be estimated. For it follows, Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand.
Or else, in that awful trial we come not to the judgment a match for our king, for ten thousand are against twenty thousand, two against one. He comes with a double army against a single. For while we are scarcely prepared in deeds only, he sifts us at once both in thought and deed. While then he is yet afar off, who though still present in judgment, is not seen, let us send himan embassy, our tears, our works of mercy, the propitiatory victim. This is our message which appeases the coming king.
