When the Lord says that
he is sending them out like
sheep in the midst of wolves
(Matthew 10:16), he indicates
that there will be many of those
who will rage against the
apostles in an insane fury. But
the Lord preaches that they ought
to be simple as doves and wise as
serpents. Whereas the simplicity
of a dove is already established,
the wisdom of a serpent has to
be considered. I do not know
how a serpent could be regarded
as wise or thoughtful (Latin
consiliique) . Even if certain
writers have reminded us of
certain point from this (Virgil
in his Georgics II. 473-4),
we understand that whenever
a serpent comes within a man's
reach, he always strikes off its
head, and once the body is
gathered up, he buries it in the
ground (Latin in orbem corporem)
or throws it into a pit to get rid of
the bloody remains. According to
this example, it is necessary that
should any persecution occur, we
would hide in our head (that is,
Christ) [Ephesians 4:15]. Once
we have delivered ourselves to
all our tortures by sacrificing our
body, we may participate in that
faith which we received from him.
COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW
10.11 (page 117, Fathers of the
Church volume 125, Bishop
Hilary of Poitiers, Gaul in
the Ancient Church) St. Hilary
died c. A.D. 367
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