The same. — 'With my own mouth I besought him.' 51. Christ besought the one resisting His commands, and was not heard. — As if He were saying more openly: I, who before my incarnation had commanded him so many things to be done through the mouths of the prophets, coming to him incarnate, besought him with my own mouth. Whence also Matthew, when he described the precepts given by Him on the mountain, says: 'Opening His mouth, He said' (Matt. 5:2). As if he plainly said: Then He opened His own mouth, who before had opened the mouths of the prophets. Hence it is also that concerning Him it is said by the bride desiring His presence: 'Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth' (Song 1:1).
For holy Church, as many precepts as she has come to know from His preaching, has received, as it were, so many kisses of His mouth. And it is well said, 'I besought,' because, shown in the flesh, while He humbly spoke the commands of life, He entreated, as it were, a proud servant to come. Whereupon it is also aptly subjoined: