he whom one cannot enrage, however much injury may be done
him; he perceives it all, but does as though he saw it not. So that
the _covering_ is spoken of as regards our neighbor, and not as it
respects God. Nothing shall cover up sin before God for you, except
faith. But my love covers the sin of my neighbor; and just as God
with His love covers my sins, if I believe, so too should I cover my
neighbor's sins. Therefore He says, Ye should have charity one to
another, that one may cover the other's sins. And love covers not
only one, two, or three sins, but the multitude of sins; cannot
suffer and do too much; covers up all. So St. Paul also speaks and
teaches in accordance with this passage, I. Cor. xiii. 7. _Charity
beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things._ It has respect to the best good of all, can suffer all,
and take for the best whatever shall be imposed upon it. There
follows, further:

V. 9. _Be hospitable one to another without grudging, and minister
one to another, as every one has received the gift._ He is said to be
hospitable who cheerfully acts the host. When the Apostles went
abroad one with another and preached, and sent their younger brethren
here and there, it was necessary that one should lodge the other. How
well would it be, even now, that men should preach from one place to
another, from city to city, from house to house,--and without
remaining too long in one place, might see to it that where one was
weak he should be helped, and where one had fallen down he should be
lifted up, and things of that sort. St. Peter directs that this
should take place without murmuring; that no one should suffer it to
seem too much for him. This is also a work of love, as it follows
immediately afterward, that we should minister to one another!
Wherewith? With the gifts of God which every one has received. The
gospel directs that every one be the servant of the other, and
beside, see to it that he abide in the gift which he has received,
which God has bestowed upon him; that is, the state, whatever it be,
whereunto he has been called.

God's will is not that a lord should serve his servant, that the maid
be as the mistress, and a prince serve the beggar;--for he will not
break down magistracy. But his meaning is, that men should serve one
another spiritually, with their hearts: although you are a high and
great lord, yet should you employ your power to this end, that you