Chapter XV.
How kindness should be shown even to the idle and
careless.
Nevertheless
, like a
far-sighted and careful physician, he is not only anxious to heal the
wounds of the sick, but gives suitable directions as well to the whole,
that their health may be preserved continually, and says: “But be
not ye weary in well doing:” ye who following us, i.e., our ways,
copy the example given to you by imitating us in work, and do not
follow their sloth and laziness: “Do not be weary in well
doing;” i.e., do you likewise show kindness towards them if by
chance they have failed to observe what we said. As then he was severe
with those who were weak, for fear lest being enervated by laziness
they might yield to restlessness and inquisitiveness, so he admonishes
those who are in good health neither to restrain that kindness
which the Lord’s
command bids us show to the good and evil,
979
even if some bad men will not turn to sound doctrine; nor to desist
from doing good and encouraging them both by words of consolation and
by rebuke as well as by ordinary kindness and
civility.
979
S.
Matt. v. 43–45
.