The Rule of Saint Benedict

Let the abbot take every possible care of the offending brethren, for They that are well need not the physician, but they that are sick)® Like a wise ‘physician, therefore, he ought to make use of every remedy ; he should send some of the older and wiser brethren as comforters, to console, as it were, in secret

their wayward brother, and win him to make humble

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satisfaction. And let them comfort him that he be not overwhelmed by too great sorrow, but as the apostle saith, Let charity be confirmed in him and let all pray for him

The abbot ought to take the greatest care and to use all prudence and industry to lose none of the sheep entrusted to him. Let him know that he hath undertaken the care of souls that are sick, and not act the tyrant over such as are well. Let him fear the reproach of the prophet in which God speaks thus, What ye saw to be fat that ye took to yourselves, and what was diseased that ye threw away.' Let him copy the loving example of the Good Shepherd, who, leaving ninety-nine sheep in the mountains, went to seek the one that had gone astray, and on whose infirmity He took such compassion that He deigned to lay it on His shoulders and carry it back to the flock.168

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