Chapter VI. It is not becoming in the Pope to be absorbed in the management of his household to the neglect of weightier matters. He should have a steward

I say this, I am not admonishing you, occupied as you are with matters of the highest importance, to devote yourself to the lowest ; in a way, to grow less, and spend on trifles what you owe to weighty affairs. Why entangle yourself in those things from which God has rescued you ? ' All these things ', He says, ' shall be added unto you. ' * Still, you ought to do these things, and not leave the others undone. But while you personally attend to the great things, you should also personally provide representatives to see to your little things. For if a single servant cannot at the same time look after the cattle, and take charge of the tables, how can you without assistance attend both to your own house and to the house of the Lord ? Of this latter we read, ' O Israel, how great is the house of the Lord ! ' 2 Your mind, intent on matters of so great and so varied importance, ought, in fact, to be relieved of all anxiety for more trifling and baser things. It should be free from all prepossessing and engrossing occu pations. It should be of such nobility that no unworthy affection can drag it down. It should be so straightforward that no evil purpose can turn it aside. It should be cautious without harbouring stealthy suspicion. It should be watchful lest it be distracted by impertinent and inquisitive thoughts. It should be so rooted and grounded that it be not shaken by any sudden blast. It should be invincible, so that it sink not under even lasting tribulation. It should be so large that it can find ample room for any temporal loss.

and in all respects. Do not lend an ear when he is secretly disparaged by whisperers and backbiters ; rather rebuke such slanderers. And I would like you to make a general rule of regarding with suspicion any man who is afraid to say openly what he has told you privately. But if in your judgement it ought to be told face to face, and he refuse, pronounce him an informer, not an accuser.

cannot find a single person in whose hands they may place their small estates. They must be excellent judges of the relative values of things to take such great care of the smallest matters, and so little of the greatest. But, as we are given to clearly understand, we do more patiently suffer Christ's loss than our own. We meet our daily expenditure with a daily scrutiny, and know nothing of the constant damage which the Lord's flock sustains. There is a daily discussion with our servants about the price of food and the number of loaves : a conference with our presbyters to consider the sins of our people is a very rare occurrence. The ass falls, and there is some one to lift him up : the soul perishes, and no one takes account thereof. And no wonder, when we do not perceive our own unceasing defects ! Are we not angry, do we not burn with indignation, are we not tormented with anxiety, whenever we cast up the figures ? How much more patiently should we bear material than mental loss ! ' Wherefore ', says the Apostle, ' do ye not rather suffer to be defrauded ? ' l You who teach others, pray teach yourself, if you have not already done so, to set a higher price upon yourself than upon your belongings. Those transitory things which cannot abide with you, make them pass away from you, not through you. The flowing stream hollows out a channel for itself; similarly temporal things coursing through the mind eat away the conscience. If the torrent can sweep across the fields without injuring the crops, you may confidently exj ect to handle such matters without mental hurt. I counsel you by all means to endeavour to divert the onset of these things. Many of them should be unknown to you, the greater number be unnoticed, some forgotten.

not have you ignorant : I refer to the character and pursuits of your various servants. You ought not to be the last to know the faults of your household, which, as we are aware, is the experience of very many. Wherefore, as I have said, let another manage the rest, but do you yourself see to the discipline. Trust that to nobody. If in your presence there is any tendency to arrogant conversation, or showy dress, stretch out your hand against such offences ; be yourself the avenger of the wrong done to you. Impunity is the mother of audacity, audacity brings forth excess. Holiness becomes the house of a bishop, modesty becomes it, good repute becomes it ; the guardian of all these is discipline. The priests of the house hold are either more highly esteemed than others, or they are the common talk. In the look, dress, gait of the priests about your person you should allow no trace of immodesty or indecency. Let your fellow bishops learn from you not to have about them boys with their hair curled, or effeminate youths. It is surely unbecoming for a bishop to go hither and thither surrounded by fops who wear the turban and use the curling iron. And remember the admonition of the wise man, ' They are thy daughters : make not thy face cheerful toward them.' z