89. Let us likewise
deal kindly, let us persuade our adversaries of that which is to their
profit, “let us worship and lament before the Lord our
Maker.” Ps. xcv. 6. St. Ambrose follows the LXX. For we
would not overthrow, but rather heal; we lay no ambush for them, but
warn them as in duty bound. Kindliness often bends those whom
neither force nor argument will avail to overcome. Again, our
Lord cured with oil and wine the man who, going down from Jerusalem to
Jericho, fell among thieves; having forborne to treat him with the
harsh remedies of the Law or the sternness of Prophecy.