CHAPTER XVI Of bearing with the faults of others

Summer Flowers

Those things which a man cannot amend in himself or in others, he

ought patiently to bear, until God shall otherwise ordain.

Bethink thee that perhaps it is better for thy trial and

patience, without which our merits are but little worth.

Nevertheless thou oughtest, when thou findeth such impediments,

to beseech God that He would vouchsafe to sustain thee, that thou

be able to bear them with a good will.

2. If one who is once or twice admonished refuse to hearken,

strive not with him, but commit all to God, that His will may be

done and His honour be shown in His servants, for He knoweth well

how to convert the evil unto good.  Endeavour to be patient in

bearing with other men's faults and infirmities whatsoever they

be, for thou thyself also hast many things which have need to be

borne with by others.  If thou canst not make thine own self what

thou desireth, how shalt thou be able to fashion another to thine

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 straitly corrected, but we will not be

corrected ourselves.  The freedom of others displeaseth 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 doth it

plainly appear how seldom we weigh our neighbour 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 hath 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 behoveth us to bear with one another, to comfort one

another, to help, instruct, admonish one another.  How much

strength each man hath is best proved by occasions of adversity:

for such occasions do not make a man frail, but show of what

temper he is.

CHAPTER XV Of works of charity

Baby swallows dependant on the dedicated charity of the parents

For no worldly good whatsoever, and for the love of no man, must

anything be done which is evil, but for the help of the suffering

a good work must sometimes be postponed, or be changed for a

better; for herein a good work is not destroyed, but improved.

Without charity no work profiteth, but whatsoever is done in

charity, however small and of no reputation it be, bringeth forth

good fruit; for God verily considereth what a man is able to do,

more than the greatness of what he doth.

2. He doth much who loveth much.  He doth much who doth well.  He

doth well who ministereth to the public good rather than to his

own.  Oftentimes that seemeth to be charity which is rather

carnality, because it springeth from natural inclination,

self-will, hope of repayment, desire of gain.

3. He who hath true and perfect charity, in no wise seeketh his

own good, but desireth that God alone be altogether glorified.

He envieth none, because he longeth for no selfish joy; nor doth

he desire to rejoice in himself, but longeth to be blessed in God

as the highest good.  He ascribeth good to none save to God only,

the Fountain whence all good proceedeth, and the End, the Peace,

the joy of all Saints.  Oh, he who hath but a spark of true

charity, hath verily learned that all worldly things are full of

vanity.

CHAPTER XIV On avoiding rash judgment

This picture of rare noctilucent clouds which are about 50 miles above the earth was taken in Brabant Lake on June 18 at 11:23 at night. Some have seen holy images in this picture such as Jesus showing his Sacred Heart. These clouds certainly inspired a sense of awe.


Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings
of others. In judging others a man laboureth in vain; he often
erreth, and easily falleth into sin; but in judging and examining
himself he always laboureth to good purpose. According as a
matter toucheth our fancy, so oftentimes do we judge of it; for
easily do we fail of true judgment because of our own personal
feeling. If God were always the sole object of our desire, we
should the less easily be troubled by the erring judgment of our
fancy.

2. But often some secret thought lurking within us, or even some
outward circumstance, turneth us aside. Many are secretly
seeking their own ends in what they do, yet know it not. They
seem to live in good peace of mind so long as things go well with
them, and according to their desires, but if their desires be
frustrated and broken, immediately they are shaken and
displeased. Diversity of feelings and opinions very often brings
about dissensions between friends, between countrymen, between
religious and godly men.

3. Established custom is not easily relinquished, and no man is
very easily led to see with the eyes of another. If thou rest
more upon thy own reason or experience than upon the power of
Jesus Christ, thy light shall come slowly and hardly; for God
willeth us to be perfectly subject unto Himself, and all our
reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him.

CHAPTER XIII Of resisting temptation

So long as we live in the world, we cannot be without trouble and
trial. Wherefore it is written in Job, The life of man upon the
earth is a trial.(1) And therefore ought each of us to give heed
concerning trials and temptations, and watch unto prayer, lest
the devil find occasion to deceive; for he never sleepeth, but
goeth about seeking whom he may devour. No man is so perfect in
holiness that he hath never temptations, nor can we ever be
wholly free from them.

2. Yet, notwithstanding, temptations turn greatly unto our
profit, even though they be great and hard to bear; for through
them we are humbled, purified, instructed. All Saints have
passed through much tribulation and temptation, and have profited
thereby. And they who endured not temptation became reprobate
and fell away. There is no position so sacred, no place so
secret, that it is without temptations and adversities.

3. There is no man wholly free from temptations so long as he
liveth, because we have the root of temptation within ourselves,
in that we are born in concupiscence. One temptation or sorrow
passeth, and another cometh; and always we shall have somewhat
to suffer, for we have fallen from perfect happiness. Many who
seek to fly from temptations fall yet more deeply into them.
By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by endurance and
true humility we are made stronger than all our enemies.

4. He who only resisteth outwardly and pulleth not up by the
root, shall profit little; nay, rather temptations will return to
him the more quickly, and will be the more terrible. Little by
little, through patience and longsuffering, thou shalt conquer by
the help of God, rather than by violence and thine own strength
of will. In the midst of temptation often seek counsel; and deal
not hardly with one who is tempted, but comfort and strengthen
him as thou wouldest have done unto thyself.

5. The beginning of all temptations to evil is instability of
temper and want of trust in God; for even as a ship without a
helm is tossed about by the waves, so is a man who is careless
and infirm of purpose tempted, now on this side, now on that.
As fire testeth iron, so doth temptation the upright man.
Oftentimes we know not what strength we have; but temptation
revealeth to us what we are. Nevertheless, we must watch,
especially in the beginnings of temptation; for then is the foe
the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to enter within
the mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he hath knocked.
Wherefore one saith,

Check the beginnings; once thou might'st have cured,
But now 'tis past thy skill, too long hath it endured.

For first cometh to the mind the simple suggestion, then the
strong imagination, afterwards pleasure, evil affection, assent.
And so little by little the enemy entereth in altogether, because
he was not resisted at the beginning. And the longer a man
delayeth his resistance, the weaker he groweth, and the stronger
groweth the enemy against him.

6. Some men suffer their most grievous temptations in the
beginning of their conversion, some at the end. Some are sorely
tried their whole life long. Some there are who are tempted but
lightly, according to the wisdom and justice of the ordering of
God, who knoweth the character and circumstances of men, and
ordereth all things for the welfare of His elect.

7. Therefore we ought not to despair when we are tempted, but the
more fervently should cry unto God, that He will vouchsafe to
help us in all our tribulation; and that He will, as St. Paul
saith, with the temptation make a way to escape that we may be
able to bear it.(2) Let us therefore humble ourselves under the
mighty hand of God in all temptation and trouble, for He will
save and exalt such as are of an humble spirit.

8. In temptations and troubles a man is proved, what progress he
hath made, and therein is his reward the greater, and his virtue
doth the more appear. Nor is it a great thing if a man be devout
and zealous so long as he suffereth no affliction; but if he
behave himself patiently in the time of adversity, then is there
hope of great progress. Some are kept safe from great
temptations, but are overtaken in those which are little and
common, that the humiliation may teach them not to trust to
themselves in great things, being weak in small things.

(1) Job vii. 1 (Vulg.). (2) 1 Corinthians x. 13.

CHAPTER XII Of the uses of adversity

The sun being partly obscured by smoke last year.We pray for those hit by disaster this year in Slave Lake and in tornado and tsunami zones.

It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities,
for they often make a man lay to heart that he is only a stranger
and sojourner, and may not put his trust in any worldly thing.
It is good that we sometimes endure contradictions, and are
hardly and unfairly judged, when we do and mean what is good.
For these things help us to be humble, and shield us from
vain-glory. For then we seek the more earnestly the witness of
God, when men speak evil of us falsely, and give us no credit for
good.

2. Therefore ought a man to rest wholly upon God, so that he
needeth not seek much comfort at the hand of men. When a man who
feareth God is afflicted or tried or oppressed with evil
thoughts, then he seeth that God is the more necessary unto him,
since without God he can do no good thing. Then he is heavy of
heart, he groaneth, he crieth out for the very disquietness of
his heart. Then he groweth weary of life, and would fain depart
and be with Christ. By all this he is taught that in the world
there can be no perfect security or fulness of peace.

CHAPTER XI Of seeking peace of mind and of spiritual progress

Brabant Lake May 18:the day before the ice disappeared.

We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying
ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, and things which
concern not ourselves. How can he abide long time in peace who
occupieth himself with other men's matters, and with things
without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the
self within? Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall have
abundance of peace.

2. How came it to pass that many of the Saints were so perfect,
so contemplative of Divine things? Because they steadfastly
sought to mortify themselves from all worldly desires, and so
were enabled to cling with their whole heart to God, and be free
and at leisure for the thought of Him. We are too much occupied
with our own affections, and too anxious about transitory things.
Seldom, too, do we entirely conquer even a single fault, nor are
we zealous for daily growth in grace. And so we remain lukewarm
and unspiritual.

3. Were we fully watchful of ourselves, and not bound in spirit
to outward things, then might we be wise unto salvation, and make
progress in Divine contemplation. Our great and grievous
stumbling-block is that, not being freed from our affections and
desires, we strive not to enter into the perfect way of the
Saints. And when even a little trouble befalleth us, too quickly
are we cast down, and fly to the world to give us comfort.

4. If we would quit ourselves like men, and strive to stand firm
in the battle, then should we see the Lord helping us from Heaven.
For He Himself is alway ready to help those who strive and who
trust in Him; yea, He provideth for us occasions of striving, to
the end that we may win the victory. If we look upon our
progress in religion as a progress only in outward observances
and forms, our devoutness will soon come to an end. But let us
lay the axe to the very root of our life, that, being cleansed
from affections, we may possess our souls in peace.

5. If each year should see one fault rooted out from us, we
should go quickly on to perfection. But on the contrary, we
often feel that we were better and holier in the beginning of our
conversion than after many years of profession. Zeal and
progress ought to increase day by day; yet now it seemeth a great
thing if one is able to retain some portion of his first ardour.
If we would put some slight stress on ourselves at the beginning,
then afterwards we should be able to do all things with ease and
joy.

6. It is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder
thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet if thou overcome not
slight and easy obstacles, how shalt thou overcome greater ones?
Withstand thy will at the beginning, and unlearn an evil habit,
lest it lead thee little by little into worse difficulties. Oh,
if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should bring
to thyself, and what joy to others, methinketh thou wouldst be
more zealous for spiritual profit.