Chapter V.
On perseverance in the line that has been chosen.
Wherefore
it is good and
profitable for each one to endeavour with all his might and main to
attain perfection in the work that has been begun, according to the
line which he has chosen as the grace which he has received; and while
he praises and admires the virtues of others, not to swerve from his
own line which he has once for all chosen, as he knows that, as the
Apostle says, the body of the Church indeed is one, but the members
many, and that it has “gifts differing according to the grace
which is given us, whether prophecy, according to the proportion of the
faith, whether ministry, in ministering, or he that teacheth, in
doctrine, or he that exhorteth in exhortation, he that giveth, in
simplicity, he that ruleth, with carefulness, he that showeth mercy,
with cheerfulness.”
1870
For no members
can claim the offices of other members, because the eyes cannot perform
the duties of the hands, nor the nostrils of the ears. And so not all
are Apostles, not all prophets, not all doctors, not all have the gifts
of healing, not all speak with tongues, not all interpret.
1871
1870
Rom. xii. 4–8
.
1871
Cf.
1 Cor. xii. 28
.