19. Yet in the mysterious sense of this passage, Brethren, we recognise what is expressed
most plainly in other places of the sacred books, that there are within the Church both good
and bad, as I often express it, wheat and chaff. Let no one leave the floor before the time, let
him bear with the chaff in the time of threshing, let him bear with it in the floor. For in the
barn he will have none of it to bear with. The Winnower will come, who shall divide the
bad from the good. There will then be a bodily separation too, which a spiritual separation
now precedes. In heart be always separated from the bad, in body be united with them for
a time, only with caution. Yet be not negligent in correcting those who belong to you, who
in any way appertain to your charge, by admonition, or instruction, by exhortation, or by
threats. Do it, in whatsoever way ye can. And because ye find in Scripture and in the examples
of Saints, whether of those who lived before or after the coming of the Lord in this life, that
the bad do not defile the good in unity with them, do not on this account become slow in
the correction of the bad. In two ways the bad will not defile thee; if thou consent not to
him, and if thou reprove him; this is, not to communicate with him, not to consent to him.
For there is a communication, when an agreement either of the will or of the approbation
is joined to his deed. This the Apostle teaches us, when he says, “Have no communication
with the unfruitful works of darkness.”2920 And because it was a small matter not to consent,
if negligence in correction accompanied it, he says, “But rather reprove them.” See how he
comprehended both at once, “Have no communication, but rather reprove them.” What is,
“Have no communication”? Do not consent to them, do not praise them, do not approve
them. What is, “But rather reprove them”? Find fault with, rebuke, repress them.
20. But then in the correction and repressing of other men’s sins, one must take heed,
that in rebuking another he do not lift up himself; and that sentence of the Apostle must be
thought of, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”2921 Let the
voice of chiding sound outwardly in tones of terror, let the spirit of love and gentleness be
maintained within. “If a man be overtaken in a fault,” as the same Apostle says, “ye which
are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also
be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so shall ye fulfil the law of Christ.”2922 And
again in another place, “The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men,
apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God perad-
venture will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may re-
cover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are held captive by him at his will.”2923
2920 Eph. v. 11.
2921 1 Cor. x. 12.
2922 Gal. vi. 1, 2.
2923 2 Tim. ii. 24, etc.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, about the two blind men sitting…