Ezekiel 3:26

And again, because of the fault of those subject to them, the voice of preachers is forbidden, as the Lord says to Ezekiel: "I will make your tongue cleave to your palate, and you shall be mute, and not as a man who rebukes, because it is a provoking house." As if he were to say openly: Therefore the word of preaching is taken from you, because while the people provoke me in their actions, they are not worthy to receive the exhortation of truth. From whose fault, therefore, the word is withdrawn from the preacher is not easily known. But it is known most certainly that the silence of the Pastor sometimes harms himself, but always harms those subject to him.

"And I will make your tongue cleave to the roof of your mouth, and you shall be mute, not like a man who rebukes, because it is a rebellious house." Therefore, the knowledge of the preachers is then compelled to be silent to the reprobate. Hence it is also added here: "And I will make your tongue cleave to the roof of your mouth, and you shall be mute, and not as a man who rebukes, because it is a provoking house." But because, when Enoch and Elijah preach, many of those who then remain from the Jews in unbelief return to the knowledge of truth, just as it is said of the same Elijah: "Elijah will come, and he will restore all things," who are both called through Zechariah two olive trees, and through John two candlesticks, rightly here also it is added: "But when I shall have spoken to you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God." Hence here also it is fittingly added: "And I will make your tongue cling to your palate, and you shall be mute, and not as a man who rebukes, because it is a provoking house." Sometimes indeed the Lord also kindles the hearts of preachers with zeal for Himself against the tongues of those who resist, so that they may not be silent, but may press down the sayings of the deceitful with words of truth. But the words which are immediately added require great consideration: "And I will make your tongue cleave to your palate, and you will be mute, nor like a man rebuking, because it is a provoking house." For we must discern whether the word of preaching is withdrawn only on account of evil hearers, or sometimes also on account of the fault of the one preaching. For this matter, when considered, is distinguished by four qualities. For sometimes the word is taken away from good teachers on account of bad hearers. Sometimes, however, the word is given even to bad teachers on account of good hearers. Sometimes, moreover, for the justification of both those teaching and those hearing, the word is given to good teachers, so that they themselves may grow through merit, and their hearers may advance in understanding and life. Sometimes, however, because neither are those worthy to receive to whom the word of teaching is brought forth, nor are those worthy to bring forth the word of teaching who hold the position of teaching, the word of preaching is taken away, so that both parties may be strictly judged.…