Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us
“My Son, stand fast and believe in Me. For what are words but words?
They fly through the air, but they bruise no stone. If thou are guilty,
think how thou wouldst gladly amend thyself; if thou knowest nothing
against thyself, consider that thou wilt gladly bear this for God’s
sake. It is little enough that thou sometimes hast to bear hard words,
for thou art not yet able to bear hard blows. And wherefore do such
trivial matters go to thine heart, except that thou art yet carnal, and
regardest men more than thou oughtest? For because thou fearest to be
despised, thou art unwilling to be reproved for thy faults, and seekest
paltry shelters of excuses.
2. “But look better into thyself, and thou shalt know that the world is
still alive in thee, and the vain love of pleasing men. For when thou
fleest away from being abased and confounded for thy faults, it is
plain that thou art neither truly humble nor truly dead to the world,
and that the world is not crucified to thee. But hearken to My word,
and thou shalt not care for ten thousand words of men. Behold, if all
things could be said against thee which the utmost malice could invent,
what should it hurt thee if thou wert altogether to let it go, and make
no more account of it than of a mote? Could it pluck out a single hair
of thy head?
3. “But he that hath no heart within him, and hath not God before his
eyes, is easily moved by a word of reproach; but he who trusteth in Me,
and seeketh not to abide by his own judgment, shall be free from the
fear of men. For I am the Judge and the Discerner of all secrets; I
know how the thing hath been done; I know both the injurer and the
bearer. From Me went forth that word, by My permission this hath
happened, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.(1) I shall
judge the guilty and the innocent; but beforehand I have willed to try
them both by a secret judgment.
4. “The testimony of men often deceiveth. My judgment is true; it will
stand, and it shall not be overturned. It commonly lieth hid, and only
to few in certain cases is it made known; yet it never erreth, nor can
err, although it seem not right to the eyes of foolish men. To Me,
therefore, must men have recourse in all judgment, and must not lean to
their opinion. For there shall no evil happen to the just,(2)
whatsoever may be sent to him by God. Even though some unjust charge be
brought against him, he will care little; nor, again, will he exult
above measure, if through others he be clearly vindicated. For he
considereth that I am He who try the hearts and reins,(3) who judge not
outwardly and according to human appearance; for often in Mine eyes
that is found blameworthy which in the judgment of men is held worthy
of praise.”
5. O Lord God, O Judge, just, strong, and patient, who knowest the
frailty and sinfulness of men, be Thou my strength and my whole
confidence; for my own conscience sufficeth me not. Thou knowest what I
know not; and therefore ought I under all rebuke to humble myself, and
to bear it meekly. Therefore mercifully forgive me as often as I have
not done this, and grant me the next time the grace of greater
endurance. For better unto me is Thine abundant pity for the attainment
of Thy pardon, than the righteousness which I believe myself to have
for defence against my conscience, which lieth wait against me.
Although I know nothing against myself, yet I am not hereby
justified,(4) because if Thy mercy were removed away, in Thy sight
should no man living be justified.(5)
(1) Luke ii. 35. (2) Proverbs xii. 21. (3) Psalm vii. 9. (4) 1
Corinthians iv. 4. (5) Psalm cxliii. 2.