OBEDIENCE AND SUBJECTION
IT IS a very great thing
to obey, to live under a superior and not to be one's own master, for
it is much safer to be subject than it is to command. Many live in
obedience more from necessity than from love. Such become discontented
and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never gain peace of
mind unless they subject themselves wholeheartedly for the love of
God.
Go where you may, you will
find no rest except in humble obedience to the rule of authority.
Dreams of happiness expected from change and different places have
deceived many.
Everyone, it is true,
wishes to do as he pleases and is attracted to those who agree with
him. But if God be among us, we must at times give up our opinions for
the blessings of peace.
Furthermore, who is so
wise that he can have full knowledge of everything? Do not trust too
much in your own opinions, but be willing to listen to those of
others. If, though your own be good, you accept another's opinion for
love of God, you will gain much more merit; for I have often heard
that it is safer to listen to advice and take it than to give it. It
may happen, too, that while one's own opinion may be good, refusal to
agree with others when reason and occasion demand it, is a sign of
pride and obstinacy. |
Of obedience and subjection
It is verily a great thing to
live in obedience, to be under authority, and not to be at our own
disposal. Far safer is it to live in subjection than in a place of
authority. Many are in obedience from necessity rather than from
love; these take it amiss, and repine for small cause. Nor will they
gain freedom of spirit, unless with all their heart they submit
themselves for the love of God. Though thou run hither and thither,
thou wilt not find peace, save in humble subjection to the authority
of him who is set over thee. Fancies about places and change of them
have deceived many.
2. True it is that every man
willingly followeth his own bent, and is the more inclined to those
who agree with him. But if Christ is amongst us, then it is necessary
that we sometimes yield up our own opinion for the sake of peace. Who
is so wise as to have perfect knowledge of all things? Therefore
trust not too much to thine own opinion, but be ready also to hear the
opinions of others. Though thine own opinion be good, yet if for the
love of God thou foregoest it, and followest that of another, thou
shalt the more profit thereby.
3. Ofttimes I have heard that it
is safer to hearken and to receive counsel than to give it. It may
also come to pass that each opinion may be good; but to refuse to
hearken to others when reason or occasion requireth it, is a mark of
pride or wilfulness. |