Of bearing with the faults of others
1. Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he
ought patiently to bear, until God shall otherwise ordain.
Bethink you that perhaps it is better for your trial and
patience, without which our merits are but little worth.
Nevertheless you ought, when you find such impediments,
to beseech God that He would vouchsafe to sustain you, that you
be able to bear them with a good will.
2. If one who is once or twice admonished refuses to hearken,
strive not with him, but commit all to God, that His will may be
done and His honor be shown in His servants, for He knows well
how to convert the evil unto good. Endeavor to be patient in
bearing with other men's faults and infirmities whatsoever they
be, for you yourself also have many things which have need to be
borne with by others. If you cannot make your own self what you desire, how shall you be able to fashion another to your
own liking? We are ready to see others made perfect, and yet we
do not amend our own shortcomings.
3. We will that others be immediately corrected, but we will not be
corrected ourselves. The freedom of others displeases us, but
we are dissatisfied that our own wishes shall be denied us. We
desire rules to be made restraining others, but by no means will
we suffer ourselves to be restrained. Thus therefore does it
plainly appear how seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same
balance with ourselves. If all men were perfect, what then should
we have to suffer from others for God?
4. But now has God thus ordained, that we may learn to bear one
another's burdens, because none is without defect, none without a
burden, none sufficient of himself, none wise enough of himself;
but it behooves us to bear with one another, to comfort one
another, to help, instruct, admonish one another. How much
strength each man has is best proved by occasions of adversity:
for such occasions do not make a man frail, but show of what
temper he is.
No comments:
Post a Comment