Of the good peaceable man
Chapter
the good peaceable man
It belongs to God to help us and deliver us from all trouble.
Many a time it is of much advantage towards keeping us in greater humility that others know and rebuke our faults.
2. When a man humbles himself for his faults, then he readily pacifies others, and easily satisfies those who are angry with him.
God protects the humble man and delivers him; the humble He loves and consoles; to the humble He inclines Himself; on the humble He bestows abundant grace; and, after he has been brought low, He raises him up to glory.
To the humble man He reveals His secrets, and sweetly draws and invites him to Himself.
The humble man, though he suffer shame, remains in great peace; for he relies upon God and not upon the world.
Never think that you have made any progress, unless you esteem yourself inferior to all.
CHAPTER
OF THE GOOD PEACEABLE MAN
First keep yourself in peace, and then shall you be able to bring others to peace.
The peaceable man does more good than one that is very learned.
The passionate man turns even good to evil, and readily believes evil. But the good peaceable man turns all things to good.
He that is in perfect peace suspects no man. But he that is discontented and troubled is agitated by various suspicions; he neither has rest himself, nor suffers others to rest.
Many a time he says what he ought not to say, and leaves undone what it were better for him to do.
He considers what others ought to do, and neglects what he is bound to do himself.
Therefore, be zealous first of all regarding yourself, and then may you justly exercise zeal towards your neighbour also.
2. You know well how to excuse and gloss over your own deeds, but you are not willing to accept the excuses of others.
It were more just for you to accuse yourself and excuse your brother.
If you wish to be borne with, bear also with others.
See how far you are as yet from true charity and humility; for he that has these cannot feel anger or indignation against any one but himself.
It is no great thing to associate with the good and the gentle.