Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Ver. 26. He it is to whom I shall, &c.] Here our Saviour not only feeds his hungry enemy, but shows him like courtesy as we do to one we drink to at table; yea, though he knew the traitor would make an ill use of it. Thus should a Christian punish his persecutors. No vengeance but this is heroic, and fit for Christ's followers. Thus Bradford saved Bourn, that helped to burn him. Saunders, sent to prison by Stephen Gardiner, gave God thanks that had given him at last a place of rest and quietness where he might pray for the bishop's conversion. It was grown to a proverb concerning Cranmer, Do my Lord of Canterbury a shrewd turn, and then you may be sure to have him your friend while he liveth. Henry VII, emperor of Germany, feeling himself poisoned in the sacramental bread by a monk, called him, and said unto him, Domine, recedatis, &c., Begone, sir, for if my followers find you, you will die for it. a
a Domine, recedatis; nam si percipiunt Teutonici, et nostri devoti, morte moriemini. Func.