Psalms 55:21

If it does not make you weary, let me point out, as briefly as possible, specific references to prophecy in the Gospels, so that those who are being instructed in the basic elements of the faith may have these testimonies written on their hearts, lest they should be surprised by any doubt they may entertain concerning the things that they believe. We are told in the Gospel that Judas, one of Christ's friends and associates at their last meal together, betrayed him. Let me show you how this is foretold in the Psalms: "He who has eaten my bread has lifted up his heel against me"; and in another place, "My friends and my neighbors drew near and set themselves against me"; and again, "His words were smoother than oil, and yet they are real darts." What then is meant when it says that his words were smooth? "Judas came to Jesus and said to him, Hail, Master, and kissed him." Thus through the soft blandishment of a kiss he implanted the execrable dart of betrayal. In response the Lord said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" You observe that he was appraised by the traitor's covetousness at thirty pieces of silver.

"His discourses have been softened above oil, and themselves are darts" [Psalm 55:21]. For certain things in the Scriptures were seeming hard, while they were obscure; when explained, they have been softened. For even the first heresy in the disciples of Christ, as it were from the hardness of His discourse arose. For when He said, "Except a man shall have eaten My flesh and shall have drunk My blood, he shall not have life in himself:" they, not understanding, said to one another, "Hard is this discourse, who can hear it?" Saying that, "Hard is this discourse," they separated from Him: He remained with the others, the twelve. When they had intimated to Him, that by His discourse they had been scandalized, "Will ye also," He says, "choose to go?" Then Peter: "You have the Word of life eternal: to whom shall we go?" Attend, we beseech you, and you little ones learn godliness. Did Peter by any means at that time understand the secret of that discourse of the Lord? Not yet he understood: but that good were the words which he understood not, godly he believed. Therefore if hard is a discourse, and not yet is understood, be it hard to an ungodly man, but to you be it by godliness softened: for whenever it is solved, it both will become for you oil, and even unto the bones it will penetrate.

Moreover there is this by the great favour of Almighty God; that among those who are divided from the doctrine of Holy Church there is no unity, since every kingdom divided against itself shall not stand. And holy Church is always more thoroughly equipped in her teaching when assaulted by the questionings of heretics; so that what was said by the Psalmist concerning God against heretics is fulfilled, "They are divided from the wrath of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn nigh."

Mortal men, though ever so high and strong, will easily be crushed by an eternal God and are a very unequal match for him. This the saints have comforted themselves with in reference to the threatening power of the church's enemies ( Hab. i.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter. He lauded and larded the man he hoped to devour. He buttered him with flattery and then battered him with malice. Beware of a man who has too much honey on his tongue; a trap is to be suspected where the bait is so tempting. Soft, smooth, oily words are most plentiful where truth and sincerity are most scarce. But war was in his heart. He brought forth butter in a lordly dish, but he had a tent pin ready for the temples of his guest.