Verse 12. — And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, they knew him not. They do not recognize the Church. Why. — Whatever heretics there are, when they consider the deeds of holy Church, they lift up their eyes, because plainly they themselves are placed in the depths, and when they look upon her works, the things they behold are set on high; but nevertheless they do not recognize her placed in grief. For she herself desires here to receive evils, that, purged, she may be able to attain to the reward of eternal recompense. Very often she fears prosperity, and gladdens at the discipline of instruction. The heretics therefore, because they desire present things as something great, do not recognize her placed in wounds. For this which they behold in her, they do not read again in the knowledge of their own hearts.