Complete. “Imitation of Christ,” Chap. xvi.

THOSE things that a man cannot amend in himself or in others he ought to suffer patiently, until God order things otherwise.

  Think that perhaps it is better so for thy trial and patience, without which all our good deeds are not much to be esteemed.

  Thou oughtest to pray, notwithstanding, when thou hast such impediments, that God would vouchsafe to help thee, and that thou mayst bear them kindly.

  If one that is once or twice warned will not give over, contend not with him, but commit all to God, that his will may be fulfilled, and his name honored in all his servants, who well knoweth how to turn evil into good.

  Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort soever they be; for that thou thyself also hast many failings which must be borne with by others.

  If thou canst not make thyself such a one as thou wouldst, how canst thou expect to have another in all things to thy liking?

  We would willingly have others perfect, and yet we amend not our own faults.

  We will have others severely corrected, and will not be corrected ourselves.

  The large liberty of others displeaseth us, and yet we will not have our own desires denied us.

  We will have others kept under by strict laws, but in no sort will ourselves be restrained.

  And thus it appeareth how seldom we weigh our neighbor in the same balance with ourselves.

  If all men were perfect, what should we have to suffer of our neighbor for God?

  But now God hath thus ordered it, that we may learn to bear one another’s burdens; for no man is without fault; no man but hath his burden; no man sufficient of himself; no man wise enough of himself; but we ought to bear with one another, comfort one another, help, instruct, and admonish one another.

  Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath.

  For occasions do not make a man frail, but they show what he is.