25. Lastly, that we may know that He is
speaking of those who destroy the unity of the Church, we find it
written: “He that is not with Me is against Me, and he that
gathered not with Me, scattereth.” S. Matt. xii. 30. And that we might know that He is
speaking of these, He at once added: “Therefore I say unto
you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, but
blasphemies against the Spirit shall not be forgiven unto
men.” When He says, “Therefore say I unto you,”
is it not evident that He intended the words following to be laid to
heart by us beyond the others? And He rightly added:
“A good tree bringeth forth good fruits, but a bad tree bringeth
forth bad fruits,” S. Matt. vii. 17. for an evil
association cannot produce good fruits. The tree, then, is the
association; the fruits of the good tree are the children of the
Church.