But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
Ver. 25. But while men slept] Christ, the Lord of the husbandry, neither slumbereth nor sleepeth; but the labourers and landholders, to whom he lets out his vineyard, are frequently found to be safe and secure, Zechariah 4:1. It fared with the good prophet, as with a drowsy person; who, though awake and set to work, is ready to sleep at it. And albeit we watch against greater, yet lesser evils are ready to steal upon us at unawares, as Austin hath it. a
His enemy came] This is the minister's misery. Other men find their work as they left it; but when ministers have done their best on one sabbath day, the enemy comes ere the next, and mars all. They sleep and are fearless; he wakes for a mischief, and is restless. Learn for shame of the devil (said father Latimer to careless ministers) to watch over your flocks. God will shortly send out summons for sleepers; and the devil waketh and walketh, seeking whom to devour. His instruments also are wondrous active in evil. O pray (said a dying man in the beginning of the German Reformation) that God would preserve the gospel; for the pope of Rome and the Council of Trent to bestir themselves wonderfully! May not we say as much and more today? b
And sowed tares among the wheat] Better it were rendered blasted grain, that yields nothing better at harvest than dust and chaff; c though it be in all things like the good grain, and the contrary appeareth not till towards harvest, when the dust is driven away by the wind, the chaff cast into the fire. Hereby are meant hypocrites and heretics, qui nobiscum in horreo esse possunt, in area non possunt, who shall be sifted out one day.
And went his way] As if he had done no such thing. Satan hides his cloven feet as much as he can, and would seem no other than an angel of light. Or abiit, id est, latuit, saith one: he went away, that is, he lurked, as his imps use to do, under the fair penthouse of zeal and seeming devotion, under the broad leaves of formal profession.
a Adversus maiora vigilantibus, quaedam incautis minutiora surrepunt. Aug.
b Ut iugulent homines surgunt de necte latrones.
Ut teipsum serves non expergiscere?
Pontifex enim Rom. et Concilium Tridentinum mira moliuntur.
c Frumentum adustum, ζιζανιον, quasi σιτοσινιον, quod frugibus noceat. Aug.