Words And The Narrow Way

Et quia paucorum esset viam angustam invenire, fraudulentiam eorum qui eam se quaerere mentirentur exponit, dicens: Attendite a pseudoprophetis, qui veniunt ad vos in vestimentis ovium. Blandimenta verborum et mansuetudinis simulationem admonet fructu operationis expendi oportere: ut non qualem quis se verbis referat, sed qualem se rebus efficiat spectemus; quia in multis vestitu ovium rabies lupina contegitur. Ergo, ut spinae uvas, ut tribuli ficus non generant, et ut iniquae arbores utilia poma non afferunt: ita ne in istis quidem consistere docet boni operis effectum; et idcirco omnes cognoscendos esse de fructibus. Regnum enim coelorum sola verborum officia non obtinent: neque qui dixerit: Domine, Domine, haeres illius erit. Quid enim meriti est Domino dicere Domine, Domine? Numquid Dominus non erit, nisi fuerit dictus a nobis? Et quae officii sanctitas est nominis nuncupatio; cum coelestis regni iter obedientia potius voluntatis non Dei nuncupatio repertura sit? Sanctus Hilarius Pictaviensis, In Evangelium Matthaei Commentarius, Cap VI

And because there are few who find the narrow way 1 the deceit of those who give a false impression of seeking it is exposed ''Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing.' 1 He warns against flattering words and the pretense of meekness, that they should be weighed against the fruit of works, so that we are not like one who cares only for a man's words but that we look to the effect of his deeds, because there are many whose wolf like fury is covered in sheep's clothing. Therefore, as thorn bushes do not produce grapes, nor thistles figs, so bad trees do not bring forth edible fruit; 2 thus He teaches that among these the production of good works does not occur, and that because of this all should be known by their fruit. For men do not reach the kingdom of heaven only by the use of words, nor will he who has said, 'Lord, Lord,' inherit it. For what is the merit in saying 'Lord, Lord'? Will He still not be the Lord unless He is called that by us? And what sort of holy duty is given by announcing a name when the way to the kingdom of heaven is discovered rather by the obedience of the will, not by some naming of God? 3 Saint Hilary of Poitiers, from the Commentary On The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapter 6 1 Mt 7.15 2 Mt 7.16 3 Mt 7.21