Of bearing the defects of others
CHAPTER 16
OF BEARING THE DEFECTS OF OTHERS
Whatever a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he ought to bear with patience, until God ordains otherwise.
Consider that perhaps it is better so, for your probation and to exercise you in patience, without which our merits are not greatly to be esteemed.
Nevertheless, when you have such hindrances, you should pray that God would deign to help you, and that you may be able to bear them cheerfully.
If any one, being once or twice admonished, does not comply, do not contend with him, but leave it all to God, that His will may be done, and He be honoured in all His servants; for He knows how to turn evU into good.
Study to be patient in bearing the defects and infirmities of others, of what kind soever; for you also have many things which others must endure.
If you cannot make yourself such as you would be, how can you expect to have another exactly to your mind?
We would fain see others perfect, and yet we do not amend our own faults.
3. We would have others strictly corrected, and we are unwilling to be corrected ourselves.
The large liberty of others displeases us, and yet we ourselves will not be denied anything we ask.
We wish others to be restricted by rules, and we ourselves can no longer bear to be checked in the least.
And so it is clear how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same balance as ourselves.
If we were perfect, what then should we have to bear with from others for the love of God?
4. But now God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another's burdens.^ For no one is without defect, no one without his burden; no one is sufficient for himself, no one is wise enough for himself; but we must bear with one another, comfort one another, help, instruct, and admonish one another.
But the measure of each man's virtue is best seen in occasions of adversity.
For adversities do not make a man frail; they show what sort of man he is. iGalatians vl, 2.