Sermon XIV. [LXIV. Ben.] On the words of the Gospel, Matt. x. 16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves,” etc. Delivered on a Festival of Martyrs. 1. When the Holy Gospel was read, Brethren, ye heard how our Lord Jesus Christ strengthened His Martyrs by His teaching, saying, “Behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.”2215 Now consider, my Brethren, what he does. If but one wolf come among many sheep, be they ever so many thousands, they will all be put to confusion by one wolf in the midst of them: and though all may not be torn, yet all are frightened. What manner of design is this then, what manner of counsel, what manner of power, not to let in a wolf amongst the sheep, but to send the sheep against the wolves! “I send you,” saith He, “as sheep in the midst of wolves;” not to the neighbourhood of wolves, but “in the midst of wolves.” There was then at that time a herd of wolves, and but few sheep. For when the many wolves killed the few sheep, the wolves were changed and became sheep. 2. Let us hear then what advice He hath given, who hath promised the crown, but hath first appointed the combat; who is a spectator of the combatants, and assisteth them in their toil. What manner of conflict hath He prescribed? “Be ye,” saith He, “wise as serpents, and simple as doves.”2216 Whoso understandeth, and holdeth to this, may die in assurance2217 that he will not really die. For no one ought to die in this assurance, but he who knows that he shall in such sort die, as that death only shall die in him, and life be crowned. 3. Wherefore, Beloved, I must explain to you, though I have often spoken already on this subject, what it is to be “simple as doves, and wise as serpents.” Now if the simplicity of doves be enjoined us, what hath the wisdom of the serpent to do in the simplicity of the dove? This in the dove I love, that she has no gall; this I fear in the serpent, that he has poison. But now do not fear the serpent altogether; something he has for thee to hate, and something for thee to imitate. For when the serpent is weighed down with age, and he feels the burden of his many years, he contracts and forces himself into a hole, and lays aside his old coat2218 of skin, that he may spring forth into new life. Imitate him in this, thou Chris- tian, who dost hear Christ saying, “Enter ye in at the strait gate.”2219 And the Apostle Paul saith to thee, “Put ye off the old man with his deeds, and put ye on the new man.”2220 Thou hast then something to imitate in the serpent. Die not for the “old man,” but for the truth. 2215 Matt. x. 16. 2216 Matt. x. 16. 2217 Securus. 2218 Tunicam. 2219 Matt. vii. 13. 2220 Col. iii. 9; Eph. iv. 22–24. On the words of the Gospel, Matt. x. 16, ‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves,’ etc. Delivered on a Festival of Martyrs. 645 On the words of the Gospel, Matt. x. 16, ‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep…