CHAPTER XIII.

_Of bearing with the defects of others._

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

*Think, that perhaps it is better so for thy trial and patience.

*2. 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 done, and his name honoured in all his servants, who well knoweth how to turn evil into good.

Study 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, which must be suffered 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 would have others exactly corrected, and will not be corrected ourselves.

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

Thus it appears, how seldom we weigh our neighbour in the same balance with ourselves.

3. If all men were perfect, what should we have to suffer of our neighbour 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 is self-sufficient; no man has wisdom enough for himself: but we ought to bear with one another, comfort, help, instruct, and admonish one another.

*Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue each one hath:

*For occasions make not a man frail, but shew what he is.