ourselves against That Day. When the flame of the fire is great, this oil (mercy) is that which
quenches the fire, and this brings light to us. Thus by this means shall we be freed from the
fire of hell. For whence will He be compassionate and show mercy? Mercy comes of love!
Nothing incenses God so much as to be pitiless. “A man was brought to him who owed him
ten thousand talents, and he was moved with compassion, and forgave him. And there were
owing to that man from his fellow-servant a hundred pence, and he caught him by the
throat. Therefore the Lord delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay what was
due.” Let us on hearing this be merciful to those who are our debtors in money or in sins.
Let no one remember evils, if at least he does not wish to injure himself; for he does not so
much aggrieve the other (as he injures himself). For he581 either will follow him with ven-
geance, or he has not done so; but dost thou thyself, while not forgiving thy neighbor his
sins, seek for a kingdom? Lest this should happen to us, let us forgive all, (for it is ourselves
that we pardon,) that God may forgive us our sins, and so we may obtain the good things
which are in store, through the grace and lovingkindness, &c.
581 [This probably means God, as suggested by the altered text, which of course tinkered so obscure a pas-
sage.—J.A.B.]
360
Philippians 1:22-26