If I remember, the subject of my discourse
to your Excellency was to be Consideration. And certainly
the matter to which I have referred is important and
requires
much consideration...To me it is a very small matter that I
should be judged by
those who call good evil and evil good,
who put light for darkness and darkness for light....So
then, in choosing men,
select not him that willeth, nor him that runneth, but
but such as hesitate or refuse; even put
pressure on these, and compel them to
come in. The Spirit may rest in such,
I think, as are not of a
shameless forehead,
but are modest, and have the fear of God who fear nothing
but God, and hope for
nothing from God....who stand up
manfully for the afflicted and judge in
equity the meek upon earth; men who are of orderly life,
proved holiness, ready to obey, meek in suffering,
submissive
under discipline, stern in censuring, who hold the Catholic
faith, are faithful in their stewardship, lovers of peace
and
concord, consistent in maintaining unity ; men upright in
judgement, prudent in counsel, discreet in commanding,
careful in planning, strenuous in action, modest in speech ;
tranquil in adversity, devout in prosperity ; as regards
zeal,
sober-minded ; prone to pity ; in leisure time not idle ;
given
to hospitality, but not too convivial ; careful in business
affairs,
but not anxious ; not covetous of another man s goods, nor
lavish of their own ; everywhere, and under all
circumstances,
circumspect ; men who when bidden, and necessity requires,
would not decline to serve as ambassadors for Christ, nor
unbidden would aspire to the office, nor make their modest
excuses a plea for obstinate refusal ; who when sent do not
go after gold, but follow Christ; who do not regard their
commission as so much gain, nor look for reward, but seek
fruit ; who in the eyes of kings are as John, to the
Egyptians
are as Moses, to fornicators as Phinees, to idolaters as
Elijah,
to the covetous as Elisha, to liars as Peter, to blasphemers
as
Paul, to traffickers as Christ ; who do not despise the
common
people, but teach them ; do not flatter the rich, but
frighten
them ; do not oppress the poor, but cherish them ; do not
dread the threats of rulers, but despise them ; do not make
a great to-do when they enter on their work, nor show signs
of anger when they leave it; who do not rob the churches,
but
improve them ; do not empty men s pockets, but refresh their
hearts, and correct their offences ; who take care of their
own
reputation, and do not envy another man his ; who zealously
cultivate prayerful habits, and in everything rely more on
prayer
than on their own industry and labour ; whose coming
bringeth
peace, whose departure we regret ; whose speech is edifying,
their life righteous, their presence a pleasure, their
memory
blessed ; who to the individual are amiable not in word, but
in deed, while they command the respect of the world at
large,
not by their arrogance, but by the discharge of their duties;
from On Consideration
