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| Chapter XVII. Of those who hold that patience should be shown to worldly people rather than to the brethren.
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Chapter XVII.
Of those who hold that patience should be shown to
worldly people rather than to the brethren.
This too should be
bitterly lamented; namely, that some of the brethren, when angered by
some reproachful words, if they are besieged by the prayers of some one
else who wants to smooth them down, when they hear that vexation ought
not to be admitted or retained against a brother, according to what is
written: “Whoever is angry with his brother is in danger of the
judgment;” and: “Let not the sun go down upon your
wrath,”1990
instantly assert
that if a heathen or one living in the world had said or done this, it
rightly ought to be endured. But who could stand a brother who was
accessory to so great a fault, or gave utterance to so insolent a
reproach with his lips! As if patience were to be shown only to
unbelievers and blasphemers, and not to all in general, or as if anger
should be reckoned as bad when it is against
a heathen, but good when it is against a
brother; whereas certainly the obstinate rage of an angry soul brings
about the same injury to one’s self whoever may be the subject
against whom it is aroused. But how terribly obstinate, aye and
senseless is it for them, owing to the stupidity of their dull mind,
not to be able to discern the meaning of these words, for it is not
said: “Every one who is angry with a stranger shall be in danger
of the judgment,” which might perhaps according to their
interpretation except those who are partners of our faith and life, but
the word of the Gospel most significantly expresses it by saying:
“Every one who is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of
the judgment.” And so though we ought according to the rule of
truth to regard every man as a brother, yet in this passage one of the
faithful and a partaker of our mode of life is denoted by the title of
brother rather than a heathen.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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