125.
It is this humility of affection, this humility of the heart taught
us by Jesus Christ, which makes us as little children,
and enables us to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. But what shame for you
if, when you examine yourself, you find you have not even the shadow of such
humility! If you happen to hear that others have spoken
uncharitably of you, and maligned you, are you not perturbed,
disquieted, grieved, displeased, distressed? How you resent it when you think
some one has wronged you or not treated you with proper respect! Are you
suspicious, easily offended, and punctilious about all things that concern your
honour and dignity? I am not speaking now of that honour which is founded on
virtue, but of that despicable honour which depends on the opinion of the world.
What value do you set upon this honour? Do you take offence easily,
considering yourself injured by every little adverse word, every slight that
you receive from others, becoming angry and irritated, nourishing aversion and rancour,
demanding
humble apologies and satisfaction, and showing yourself unforgiving,
irreconcilable towards them: fearing to lose your dignity,
if you consented to make peace like a good Christian? If such be the case,
where is your humility, either of knowledge or affection, which is necessary
for your salvation?
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