their own choice are familiar. But there are gentle people, who
interpret all for the best, and are not suspicious; do not permit
themselves to be soon irritated; can at least understand something as
well meant; such persons as are called _Candidos_. This virtue St.
Paul names [Greek: chrestotes], as it is often praised by him.

[Footnote 4: "The least difficulties and scruples in a tender
conscience should not be roughly encountered; they are as a knot in a
silken thread, and require a gentle and wary hand to loose
them."--_Leighton_.]

Now consider the Gospel, which portrays the Lord Christ so
distinctly, that we may trace this virtue especially in Him: now the
Pharisees assault Him, and now again, others, that they might take
Him,--yet He does not suffer Himself to become enraged. And although
the Apostles often stumble, and act a foolish part here and there, He
nowhere assails them with angry words, but is ever courteous, and
attracts them toward Himself, so that they remained with Him
cheerfully and heartily, and walked with Him. This likewise we see
among kind friends and societies on earth, wherever there are two or
three good friends, who have a good understanding one with another:
though one acts a foolish part, the other can readily pardon him.
There is represented in some measure that which St. Peter here
intends, although it is not perfectly set forth, for this
courteousness is to be considered obligatory upon every one
individually. Hence you see the true nature of love, and how
excellent a people Christians should be. The angels in heaven live
with one another thus, and so should it also, in justice, be on
earth; but rarely does it take place.

As St. Peter has already said, that the man servant and the maid
servant, the husband and wife, should so conduct themselves that each
should attend to that business of his own which he is to discharge,
so would He have us all do generally, one with another. Therefore, if
you would be certain and assured that you are doing an excellent
deed, that is pleasing to God, set yourself in God's name in
opposition to whatever has been preached in the devil's name, whereby
the world walks and seeks to merit heaven. For how can you be better
assured that you are acceptable with God, than when you observe, as
he here says, the works which a man should do, the conduct which
every one should lead, that he be compassionate, brotherly
affectionate, heartily kind, courteous?