End Of Book Iii.
CHAPTER XVIII
The office of judge a difficult one
326. As for the judicial part, it involves innumerable difficulties, much toil, and more perplexities than even those endure who sit in judgment in civil cases. It is both a task to find out what is right, and hard not to go wrong when one has found it.
327. Not only is there toil and perplexity, but no small danger; for already some of our weaker friends who have become involved in such matters, have made shipwreck of faith because they have had none to patronize them.
328. For many who have suffered wrong, no less than those who have done wrong, hate them that do not help them, and will not take into account either the distraction of business, or the difficulty of the occasion, or the mediocrity of priestly power, or any such thing; but they are unforgiving judges who know of only one plea,—deliverance from the evils which oppress them. He who cannot grant them this, even though he urge ten thousand excuses, will never escape from their condemnation.
329. But since I have mentioned patronage, let me discover to you another pretext for blame. For unless he who is a bishop makes daily visits to houses more often than a lounger would, unspeakable offences arise from it. For not only the sick but those in health wish to be looked after, not because their piety prompts them to this, but most of them because they affect honour and dignity. If he ever happens to seem more attentive to the more wealthy and powerful, though necessity compels it for the common good of the Church, he straightway acquires a reputation for flattery and adulation.
330. But why do I speak of patronage and visitings? From his very greetings alone, they derive such a load of accusations, that he is burdened and often falls under his despondency. Nay, they actually subject his very look to investigation. Many strictly test what he does unconsciously, making inquiry into the tone of his voice, the expression of his countenance, and the extent to which he smiles and laughs. ‘Upon such a one,’ say they, ‘he smiled most graciously, and addressed him with a beaming face and a loud voice, but we got less even than usual.’ And if many sit together, and he does not cast his eyes all round when he speaks, others say a slight is put upon them.
331. Who then that is not very strong is able to contend with such accusers? or to avoid being accused? or to escape when he is accused? He ought indeed to have no accusers; but if this be impossible, he ought to be absolved from their accusations. And if this also is impracticable, but some will take pleasure in accusing idly and without cause, he must nobly bear up against the sorrow arising from such rebukes.
332. He that is justly accused, may easily bear with his accuser, because there is no sterner accuser than conscience; therefore, when we are overtaken by the severest of all, we easily endure external accusers as more gentle. But he who is not conscious of having a fault, when he is accused without cause, is quickly borne away by anger, and easily falls into despondency, unless he has prepared himself beforehand to bear the follies of the many. It is by no means possible that one who is maligned and condemned for nothing, should not be disturbed, and somewhat pained by such unreasonableness.
333. Who can tell what grief they endure when it is necessary to cut one off from the community of the Church?
334. Would indeed that the mischief consisted only in grief! but there is no small loss as well. There is the fear lest being chastised beyond what is fitting, he should suffer what is spoken of by the blessed Paul:—”and be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”
335. Therefore there is here also need of extreme exactness, lest the intention to profit, should become to him the occasion of greater loss.
336. For whatever sins he commits after such a remedy is resorted to, the physician who does not rightly treat the wound, will partake in the wrath incurred by each of them.
337. What vengeance then must he expect, who must not only render an account of the transgressions he himself commits, but is exposed to utmost peril for sins committed by others? For if we are afraid to suffer investigation of our proper trespasses, because unable to escape the fire, what should he expect to suffer who shall answer for so many?
338. For that this is true, hear the blessed Paul saying, or rather not him, but Christ speaking in him: “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit, for they watch for your souls, as they that must render an account.”
339. Is the terror of this threatening small? It cannot be told.
340. All these things however, are enough to persuade even those who are very unbelieving and stubborn, that I made my escape, not because I was affected by pride and vain-glory, but only because I feared for myself, and had regard to the weightiness of the obligation.