For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Ver. 29. Shall grievous wolves enter] Or fat wolves; for Βαρυς in Greek comes of בריא in Hebrew, which signifies fat, as some etymologists have observed; a fit epithet for seducers, which fat themselves with the blood of souls. Now it is well observed that heretical seducers are fitly compared to wolves in various respects. First, wolves are dull sighted by day, but quick sighted in the night; a so are pernicious seducers sharp witted for error, but dull to apprehend the truth of sound divinity. Secondly, as the wolf deals gently with the sheep at first, carrying it away unhurt upon his back till he have brought it to the place where he means to strangle it: even so deal seducers; they first draw their proselytes into lighter errors, and then into blasphemous and damnable heresies. And thus homo homini lupus est, one man becomes a wolf to another. Thirdly, as a wolf begets a wolf, so doth a deceiver a deceived. b Fourthly, as the wolf is said to strike a man dumb, if he spy the man before the man spy him; c so when seducers prevail, they strike men dumb in respect of savoury communication or Christian profession. Fifthly, as the wool of a wolf, if it be made into a garment, will prove but an odious garment, breeding vermin upon him that shall wear it, as Plutarch speaks; so the good which poor seduced souls think they receive by impostors, it will prove corruption in the end. Lastly, as wolves are of a ravenous disposition and insatiable, so seducers hunger after gain, Romans 16:18, and thirst after blood of souls, as thoseMatthew 23:6 .
a Lupus interdiu obtusius, nocte clarius videt. Gesner.
b Omne simile generat sibi simile. Plin. viii. 22.
c Lupi me videre priores. Virg.