THE ORDER OFF THE prouision for the poore.
ALMYGTIE God that setteth up the Humble, and pulleth downe the Proude, that gyueth richesse, ād taketh it away, plainlie commaundeth his people, that thei shulde not suffer any to lacke emonge theim. Whiche commaundement the primatyue Churche of Christe at Hierusalem kept with all reuerence and deuotion: wherbie there was suche aboundaunce of Almese geuen by Good men, as relieued eueryemans necessitie, and so emonge theim there was not one, that was not prouided for. Afterwarde, that this prouision and gatheringe for the poore might be the better loked unto, and contynew, the Apostelles inspired with the hollie goste, by cōsent of the hole cōgregation, appoynted to that Ministerie seuen Men of honest reporte and fame, full of the hollie goste, and wisdom, on whom thei layde their handes, for a signe of their admission. And so this ordenaunce and prouision for the poore was uery deuoutlie obserued, till Antichrist with his fluddes of wyckednes, ouerflowed the Churche of Christ. Those that were called to that hollie ministerie, were named the Deacons of the Churche: who albeit thei ought to be assistaunt to the Elders of the [Page 6] Congregation, in the conseruation and execution of the Discipline of Christe, and the Administration of the Sacramentes: yet their chief Office and duetie was, to kepe the names of the poore in the Congregation of the Christians, to knowe euerye mans lif, and behauiour, And of the commen Almose of the faithfull, to distribute to euerye one, asmuche as was sufficient for his necessarie relieffe. For those that may gette their lyuinge by their labour and trauayl, and wil not, ought to be put out of the Churche: He that do the not labour, let him not eate, saith the Apostell. Sith then it is the cōmaundement of god, to relieue the poore and neadie, and to see that none lacke: all suche as mynde fullie to receaue the Kingdom of Christe, ought to labour earnestlie, that this ordenaunce be restored in to Christes Churche. For those that haue the goodes of the worlde and see their Brethern lacke, and haue not compassion on theim: the loue of good dothe not dwell in theim, and so also neither the Kingdom of Christe is in theim.
And all those that heare Christe, and the hollie goste, wil indeuour and laboure to ordayne and do all good thinges in suche order and maner, as thei knowe the lorde, and the hollie goste hathe appoynted.
And sith it is manifest, that god earnestlie forbadde, [Page 7] that his people shoulde suffer eny to beg emōge theim, and that his goodnes also ordeyned, that the poore shoulde be loked unto by certayn chosen men in the Churche, and that good mens deuotions shoulde be distributed to euerye nedie persone, as his necessitie requireth: it is with out all doubt, that all those pray with out deuotion, Let thy Kyngdom come, which to their power, do not bestowe all their endouour, that this maner of prouidinge for the poore, be restored in to the Churche, whiche the lorde him self commaunded, and the hollie gost in the prymytiue churche ordayned.
By the whiche meanes it shalbe preuented, that these wicked Begginge houses, and subtiltie off Hypocrites, shall not take from thee nedie menbres of Christ, the Almose that is due to theim: nor Ambition of mans praise, and thanckes, nor uayne glorie, shall defile the right office of Almose, whiche euell how muche it ought to be eschued, Christ uery playnlie taught, when he commaunded, so to geue Almose, as the left hande may not knowe, what the right hande dothe. This may best be doone, if euerie man put into the Comen Chest, or Boxe of the Churche, to the use of the poore, asmuche as he may spare of that God geueth him. For when euery man him self will distribute his owne Almose, [Page 8] frist the Institution of the hollie gost, and the lawfull Communion, Compainie, and Felowship of Saintes is broken. Besydes thalmose due to the litle ones of Christ, and so to Christ him self, is gyuen oftener to the unworthie, then to the worthie (for euerye man can not knowe and trie suche poore people as he meeteth sodenlie) and also suche as be not meete to haue Almose, come better instructed to beg, yea, as it were to wringe out the Almose of A mans Purse with paynted wordes, then those to whom it onlie ought to be geuen. Moreouer when A man geueth Almose with his owne hande, he dothe hardlie put out of his mynde the desyre of mens thāckes and uayne prayses, which uaine rewarde when he receaueth of men: he may not [...]eke for the true and perfet rewarde of god. And fynallie, when it is most certein, that suche as gyue theim selfes wilfullie to the trade of Begginge, be geuen and bent to all myschieff: what other thinge do thei that nourishe theim, then maynteyne and encreace the greatest Pestilences and destructions off A commen welthe? Wherfore all suche as haue wiselie writen how commen welthes shoulde be well gouerned, haue thought that suche persones were not to be suffred in A comen welthe. And certaynlie men ought to be ashamed and lament when this right maner of prouision [Page 9] for the pore is restored in manye contrays, whiche yet be under Antichrist: suche as uaunte thei haue receaued the Gospell of Christe, and professe to be off his Kingdom, be slacke to restore it, yea be hynderers off it, seinge it is an ordenaunce of Christes Religion so necessarie, and so holsom.
To conclude, who so euer dothe not carefullie endeuour, asmuche as he may, to restore this hollie ordenaunce off the Prouision for the poore, as the lorde hathe commaunded, and the hollie gost ordayned: He dothe playnlie beare witnes off himself, that he dothe not in deade knowe, nor perfetlie desyre Christe, and his Kingdō, how muche so euer in wordes he boast of Christe, and his Kyngdom.
THE MEANE TO RESTOre in to the Churche the right kynde of geuinge, and distribution of Almose, and Prouision for the poore.
IT is most requysite, that all Magistrates, and Gouernours, that desire the promotion of the Kingdom off Christe, and the welthe of those thei gouerne, do procure [Page 10] that this godlie prouision for the Poore and needie bee restored, euen as the Hollie Goste hath set forth unto us in the Seconde, Fourth, Fyfth, and Sixth off the Actes off the Apostells. For with out it, ther can bee no true felowship or Cōmuniō off Saintes. This may be don after this sorte, First that euerye Churche haue his Deacons, for the prouision, and ouersight of the Poore, (as before is said,) Men off good reporte, and full off the Hollie Goste, and wisdom, and so manie of theim as the multitude off the People, and off the Poore shall requyre.
Their Office is conteyned in these poynies. First thei ought to make diligent serche, how manie poore in deade bee in euery Congregation, that ought to be prouided for by the Congregation. For it belongeth to all Congregations off Christe, not onlie not to mayntayne lewde persones in their wycked Idlenesse: but also to bannysh theim their companie, who, when thei may by their owne honest labour mayntaine them self, will not labour, but lyue inordinatlie consuminge the sustenaunce, that is due to the neadie and Poore off Christe. And agaynst suche persones this Rule is to be kept, He that laboreth not, let hym not eate: That com, maundement also off the Hollie Goste towchinge Wydowes, ought to be expounded also off all [Page 11] neady. Iff ther bee any faithfull man or woman, saith the Hollie Goste, that hathe wydowes, let him prouide, and minister unto theim: and let not the Congregation be burdened, that thei, whiche are right wydowes may haue inough. So lykewise those, that haue anye neadie under theim, whether thei be their kynsfolkes, seruauntes, or otherwise ioyned to theim by any speciall cause, ought to mynyster to suche persones necessaries for their lyuinges, if thei be able to do it, and to spare the Congregation, as it may be the better able to mayntayne and keepe those, that haue no kynsfolkes, masters, or friendes, that will, or can prouide for theim.
All mens myndes ought to be moued with this fearefull Iudgement off the Hollie Goste: Iff ther be any man, that dothe not prouide for his owne, and speciallie for theim off his howsholde: The same hath denied the faithe, and is worse then an Infidell. For unto those, that God hathe by any specyall meanes ioyned togither, this the seconde principall commaundemaunt, wherin all the lawe is conteyned and fulfilled, dothe chieflie belonge: Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selffe. For those, whom God coupleth and ioyneth to gither by the Bande off kyndred, affinitie, howsolde, [Page 12] or any other particuler meanes: he maketh theim therbie, aboue all other, neighbours.
I The first poynt then off the Office of the Deacōs of the poore, is, that thei make diligēt serche, who lacke in deade, and be not able to relieue their owe lacke: Then who counterfaite A nedde, or with Idlenesse and Riot, make themselfes neadie: And finalie, who haue suche neibours, that can, or do take the care to prouyde for theim.
Suche as the Deacons shall fynde, that neither can gette their owne lyuinge, nor haue off their neighbours, that doo relieue theim: their Names, with the maner off their neade and behauiour, thei ought to write in A particular boke, And certayn tymes to uisite theim, and to call theim unto theim, that thei may the more certanlie knowe, how well and uertuouslie they use thalmose of Good People, and what thinges from tyme to tyme, thei neade. For as nothing will suffice the wycked and lewde, neather haue thei any measure or truthe in begginge: so the Good and shamefast do couer and dissemble their neade, and thinke euerie thinge to muche, that is geuen unto theim by the Congregation. But the Hollie Goste hathe appoynted and ordened the maner and ende off Distribution of Almes, that none shoulde lacke, and euerye one shoude haue asmoche as is sufficient for his honest relieff. And who cannot [Page 13] see euen by this one thinge, How necessarie it is for Congregations to haue suche Deacons for the poore: that not rashlie, but most diligentlie searche out, and certaynlie knowe the state off euery one that asketh the helpe off the Congregation: whether, and what thinge he lacketh, and how moche is to be gyuen to euerye one for his necessarie relieff. Besydes, whether thei haue any Freendes, that be able and ought to relieue theim. For suche ought by the Congregation to be forced to relieue their owne: and therūto, as in thexecutiō off the rest off the discipline, the Deacons ought to be assistence to the ministers off the worde, and Elders.
II Thother poynt off thoffice off Decons is, to keepe what so euer commeth to the Churche, for the use off the poore, and therof to distribute to euerie one that neadeth, asmoche as shall suffice to lyue A godlie liff in the lorde: And to keepe A perfecte accoumpt off their doinge, Whiche thei must yelde to the ministers off the woorde, and the Elders: Procuringe, after the example off the Apostell. Honest thinges not onlie before God, but also in the sight off all men. Wherfore the Hollie Gost requyrith that suche Deacons shoulde be off Good reporte emonge the people off Christe. For as Men bee desyrous off Money: so upon the least occasion, [Page 14] thei suspecte euell off suche as haue the distribution off commen money. Besydes, the poore that haue not lerned, by the sprite off Christe, to be contented, whether thei haue plentie, or do suffer neade, be uery suspitious, and full off complayntes. And therfor that suche Deacons shoulde be of the greater authoritie emonge the people of God, and the better credite geuen unto theim: the auncient Churches appoynted unto theim, the next degree after the Elders. And admitted theim to be Aiders in the hollie mynysterie of thadministration, bothe of the worde, and also of the Sacramentes. Antichrist made this office, as he dyd all other Mynysteries, nothinge at all, but to serue for a uaine pompe: as at this present day ther bee uery fewe that thinke the Deacons office to be any other thinge, then to serue the Busshops, and Priestes at Masse, and to reade the gospell whiche thinges were appointed to this office onlie at the first, that whilest thei prouided for the poore, and dyd helpe to execute the discipline, thei shulde be of the greater Authoritie, and haue the more credite emonge the people off God. For the ouersight of the possessions belonginge to Churches, and to gather the fruytes, reuenues, and rentes of those thinges that were gyuen for the relief of the poore: certayn were appointed, who were called Subdeacons and Bailiffes, that the Deacons [Page 15] might first gyue theimselfes to the right distributiō of suche thinges, as were gathered for the relief of the poore, so as euerie one might haue that was cōueniēt in deede to lyue to the lorde: then to see that those that were relieued by the Cōgregatiō, dyd lyue to serue God: And finallie, to furder this Discipline emōge other Christians, whose life ād behauour thei ought the better knowe ād trie, by the reason of gatheringe relief for the poore. This kīde and maner of gatheringe and distributiō by the Deacons, and Subdeacōs, was obserued till and in the tyme of Gregorie the Busshop of Rome, as appereth in manye his Epistells. And albeit the Deacōs of the Churche be neuer so honest, and wise: yet can thei not prouide for the Poore, onles thei haue wherwith to distribute to the poore, and therfor it belongeth to Magistrates to see, that Churches haue sufficiēt to relieue the poore. In tyme longe past, the Fourth parte of all Reuenues, that either belōged to the Spiritualtie, by their Possessions, or cam to hit by good mens gysts, and oblations, was taken for the relief of the poore. Besydes, manie uertuous Princes, and good Men made Hospitals, and howses for the Relief off the poore: Some for suche as were Hole of bodye, and some for suche as were sicke: Sō to keepe Infantes, and some to cōforte Straungers, and Banisshed mē. But all these in cōtynuaunce of tyme, through the [Page 16] wycked Monkes, and Pryestes, were conuerted from those godlie uses, and turned to the mayntenaunce of their owne bellies, Pleasures, and pryde. Thei passed neither of the Fownders good myndes, nor the lawes of Magistrates: but blynded poore men, makinge theim beleue, that more profiet shoulde comme bothe to quycke and dedde, if those godlie Almose were bestowed on Masses, and suche like ungodlie Trisshe trasshe: then iff Christe therwith shulde be fedde, in the Hūgrie: refresshed in the Thyrstie: cōforted with lodginge in Straungers, and the Harbourlesse: clothed in the Naked: and uisited in the Sicke, and Enprisoned. Wherfore, it is the parte off good Magistrates, to prouyde, that suche thinges be brought to their right uses. And besydes, it is conueniēt, that some Taxes be set on riche spirituall Promotions, for the relieff off the Pore: in steede off the Fourthe parte off their Reuenues, whiche by so manye Canons was lymeted to the use of the Poore.
Morouer lest those, that be not worthie to haue the Almose of the Churche, and of good men, shoulde take it from those that be worthie, and in deade neadie: Good Magistrates ought to renue, and put in execution, that lawe off God, and off the Emperour Valentynyan, whiche forbiddeth, that any man be suffred to begge: and commaundeth [Page 17] that those that be able to labour, shoulde be forced to labour: and that suche as be not able to labour, sholde be kept as our Brethern, and menbres, euerye one in the Congregation where he dwelleth. And that this may bee the better doon, commaundement ought to be gyuen, that euerye man maintaine suche as be of his one howsolde, or other wise properlie ioyned to him, if he be able: And that euery Citie, Towne, and uillage, doo mayntain suche poore people, as their friendes be not able to keepe, and not suffer theim to wander abrode. And because it may be, that some Towne, or uilage is so poore, that it is not able to relieue al the Poore therof: that suche also be not left unprouided, it is uery requysite, that in euerie Shire, certayne godlie, and spirituallie wise men, be appoynted: who may sende suche poore people from the places where thei cannot be relieued, to such Congregations, where thei may be sufficientlie relieued. For all we Christians be togither membres, by the which name, the Congregations off the Gentiles in the tyme off Saint Paule, and at his exhortation, dyd confesse, that it was their duetie, to relieue the Congregations in Iurie, that suffered great hunger and famine. Furdermore, because through our corrupte, and always disobedient nature to God, we contynuallie lothe the ordinaunces, and cōmaundementes [Page 18] off God, and after our owne luste, and fond iudgement, we desire to folowe other meanes, and waies, then God hathe appoynted: ther wilbe som, that, not withstandyng this most holy prouysion for the poore, will not put their Almose in to the comen cheste, or boxe off the lorde, but will rather geue their Almose with ther owne hādes, if they be mynded to geue any at all. Such mens pride must be mette with, not onely by a lawe off the Magistrat, but also by the discipline off the Churche. By a lawe, to make theim geue double to the lordes Cheste, if they be founde to geue any thynge pryuatlie to the neadie: And by the discipline of the Churche, that if any geue nothing in to the lordes cheste, he be warned off his duetie by the mynysters off the Churche, accordyng to the worde off God. Whose admonytion if they stubbournlie contēne, that they be taken for Ethnykes, and Publicans. For albeit, it be left to euerie mans will, to offer to Christ his lorde, to thuse off his litle ones, asmoche off his goodes as he will: yet no man maye be suffred, contrarie to the expresse commaundement of God, to come always with an Emtie hande into the presence off the lorde, and utterlie to despise the ordenaunce off the holy Gost, for the prouision for the poore, yea, asmoche as in hym lieth, to subuert it, by his pryuat distribution off Almose.
And here wil mans wisedō (wich alwaies uaunteth it self aboue Goddes) obiecte, that it is unnatural, that mens hādes shulde be shut to the faithful, that they may not geue, at their pleasure, to such, as thei perceaue in deade to lack. For a man shall fynde emong the pouertie, uery good men, who be asshamed to aske the Almose off the Churche, haue they neuer so great neade. Herunto this [...]s to be answered, first, that no mans hande is so shutte by this lawe, but that he maye open it to whatsoeuer pore he wil, and is able: but by this lawe, accordyng to Goddes commaundement, and the ordenaunce off the holy gost, this is preuented, that the children off God maye not geueth the Enemies of Christ, these that either lacke not, or els be wilfullie in neade, those thinges, that thei owe to the litle ones off Christ, which lacke in deade. For it is not possible, as I saied before, that any pryuat man, shulde so certeynlie serche out the disposition off the poore, as those, that be appoynted to that office by the Churche, and dailie be exercised with all diligence therin.
And God doth not keepe his giftes, and encreace off his holy sprite, from such, as he hathe chosen, and called, to so great mynysteries of his churche. Besides, admit, that euery man knowe certeynlie his neadie neighbours: yet is it far better, that euery man sende such poore people, that aske [Page 20] his relief, be they neuer so holy and uertuous, to the Deacons off the Churche, to receaue off theim: For otherwise, others shal take example by him, to distribute also their owne Almose, and so oftentymes to such as they knowe not, and be not worthye off Christes Almose, who can beg more boldelie and craftelie, then the Poore in deade. We ought to take wonderful heade, lest the least hole in the worlde be opened to our natural pride, to be wise agaynst God, and to swarue a heare breadeth from his commaundementes and ordenaunces, either to the right hande or to the lefte. Iff any be asshamed to go gladlye to the hole companye and mynysterie off the Deacons, let him declare his pouertie to one of the Deacons: or if he be lothe to do this, then let such as knowe his neade, and godlynes, shewe it to the Deacons, and get necessarie relief for him.
Not with standyng, no Christen man, be he fallen from neuer so great richesse to pouertie, from neuer so high degree to the lowest, ought to be asshamed of the Crosse off Christ, and the holsom remedie, that God hath prouyded: moche lesse ought Christen men be lothe, to receaue relief off their neade, at the Lordes hande, by the mynysterie off his Churche, by whose most iust, and no lesse holsom Iudgement for theim, they be come to such pouertie, and base degree of life. Howbeit, it perteineth to the Deacons office, not [Page 21] onelie to haue respect to euerie mans pouertie, but also off the weakenes off their myndes, and with such wisedom, and liberalitie, to helpe euerie mans necessite, that they laie on no man troubled with pouertie, the trouble also off shame: nor that they bryng any, that haue in tyme past been wel and liberalie maynteyned, to such scarcitie and skantnes off meate and clothyng, as they bee not able to suffer, albeit such relief were sufficient, to an other that hathe ben so used.
The commaundement off the Holy Gost ought in this poynt to be considered, that ther be somoche geuen to euerie one, as is necessarie to leade a good, and godlie life. And it is manyfest, that as all men be not off like strength off bodie, nor haue not ben brought up after one kynde off liuing so some ought to haue more, some lesse: some fyner, some courser, meate, apparel, and other necessaries. Which thyng Seynt Gregorie consideryng, when the noble men, and women were spoiled by the Lombardes, he gaue unto them uery liberal Pēsions for their relief, of the goodes of the church. And therfore Christian Magistrates ought to make this lawe, First, that no man be suffred to beg: but that euerie man do maynteyne, and kepe his owne householde, kynred, and allies, if he be able to do it: the iudgement wherof, ought to perteigne to the ordynarie Magistrat. And that [Page 22] such as be destitute off such helpe, be m [...]yt [...] by the Citie, towne, uil [...]ge, or Congregation where they dwell. If any citie, towne uilage, or cōgregation, be not able to, maintaine the pouertie therof, that then, by the discretion of the chief Gouernour of the cōtreye, such poore people be sent to sō richer Cōgregatiō, where thei may be relieued.
Another poynt of this lawe ought to be, for the election, and appoyntyng off Deacons, as is afore seid, and that they be, by their othe, enioined, diligentlie to serche out, what thinges euery man neadeth, and that they faithfully, to their power, geue it to theim: and to make an accompte of their receiptes, and paymentes, to the mynysters of the worde, and Elders.
The third poynt, that it be forbodden to geue Almose priuatlie, and that all men be exhorted, that they will rather, according to Goddes commaundement, and the ordenaunce of the holy gohost, cōmyt their Almose to the Churches, and to the mynysters appointed for that purpose: then after their own natural pride, distribute it theim selfs, contrarie to goddes worde, and the institution of the Hollie Goste.
The fourth point, that thei cause to be restored, for the relief of the poore, such giftes as wer offred, by our Elders to Christe, if any yet remayne.
And the fewer off those giftes shal be founde remaynyng: [Page 23] the greater pensions to be set on riche benefices, for the relief of the poore, in recompense off the fourth parte off the Reuenues off all Churches, that is due by so many Canons.
The fyfte point, that great paynes be set on theim, that shall blaspheme this most holy Institution off the Holie Goste, or that shall go about to pul any man from it. And if any man shall thynke any thing to be corrected in the Deacons, and the prouision for the poore, that he first warne the Deacons therof: and if they will not folowe his reasonable warnyng, that he declare the matier to the mynyster of the word, and the Elders: that in all thinges, the Authorite of Goddes worde maye be of force, and the wicked pride of men, who can allowe nothing that is ordeined of God, maye be resisted in euerie place, and in tyme: and so it maye be the easlier obteyned off the people off Christ, wherby the litle ones off Christ maye so liberallie be prouided for, as we maye at length ioifullie heare: Come ye blissed of my father, and receaue the Kingdom, that is prepared for you, from the begining of the worlde. I was hungrie, and ye gaue me to eate &c.
And it is not ynough for the liberalitie of Christians, to geue onely meate, harbour, and clothing to suche as be in extreme necessite: but also they ought liberallie to geue of the giftes, God hathe [Page 24] geuen theim, wherwith godly maydens mariable, who for lack of dowrie remayne long unmaried, maye be in tyme maried, and coupled with honest men, and also that wittie Children, that lack frendes, may be brought up to studie, to serue in Christes Churche. Besydes, good Christians, that lack wherwith to exercise their craftes, may be therwith holpen, partlie by gifte, parlie by loane, as ther may come profet of their Arts, and thei maye be the better able to nourysh, and bring up their children for the lorde, and to make theim profetable membres of the comen welthe. For it is not ynough for the Congregations off Christ to prouyde, that men may onlie lyue, but that thei may lyue to the Lorde, for a certeyn and mutual profet betwene them selfs, and of the Churche, and commen welthe. And therfore all Congregations ought to prouyde, that all those that be baptized in Christe, be uertuouslie brought up from their childehod, and taught good Artes, that euerie one, accordyng to his portion, may bryng forth somwhat, to profet the comen welthe, and to declare hymself to others a true, and profetable membre off Christ.
An addition.
Ther be, that denye not the office off the Deaconrie in the Churche of Christ, to be ordeyned [Page 25] by God: but saye, suche office is not of necessitie. For ther be som Congregations, where al men be welthie, and ther is no Pouertie, and so no neade of the Deaconrie. That it pleaseth theim so genttely to graunt, thoffice of the Deaconrie to be the ordenaunce of God, they deserue no thākes. For if they shulde denye it, they muste other confesse, Seynt Paule erreth, or seynt Paule wolde saye, they erre. For, besydes he teacheth what men ought to be called to be Deacōs in the Churche of Christ, he saieth playnelye, that God ordeyned and constituted in his Churche: first Apostels, secōdarilie Prophetes, thirdlie Teachers, then those that do myracles: after that, those that haue the giftes of healing, helpers, gouernours, and diuersitie of tongues. Vnder wich name of Helpers, as a general word for al men that may do good in the Churche of Christ, thoffice of the Deacons (according as the interpretours on that place agreablye do testifie) as it is in the Actes mencioned, is conteyned. Now where they saie, ther may be a Churche without poore, and so no neade of Deacons: so may it be said, ther may be a Congregation, wherin all may bee lerned in Goddes worde, and therfore no neade of preachers and teachers. But what a fonde kynde of argument is it, to reason of thinges, that maye be, as though they were? to alledge thinges [Page] that be onelie in Vtopia, as if they wer commen in euerie Contrey: to magnifie their owne uncerteyn Sophistrie, and to neglect the certeyn doctrine of God? who forseyng all thinges, aswel to come as present, saied, ye shall haue alweis poore emong you, and therfore ordeyned this mynysterie in his Churche of necessitie, not for a tyme, but for euer to contynue: to haue the ouersight, and care off the poore, because ther shalbe poore for euer. And albeit God, in som particular congregation, dothe so bestowe his benefites, as many be ritche, and fewe poore: yet wil he not, that they shal haue their respecte, onelie to the poore in the same Congregation, but also to such as be in other Congregations, as appeareth by those of Macedonia, Achaia, and Corinthus. Who, accordyng to the doctrine off seynt Paule, and their duetie, sent their charitie to Hierusalem, for the relief of the sayntes, and poore Brethern there. Some ayen saie, why may not euery man appoint his owne Al mener, or Chamberer, to distribute his Almose, so the poore be prouided for, it forceth not, how, or by whom it be don?
Albeit this obiection be before sufficientlie confounded, by Master. D. Bucer: yet it may be added, that such obiections procede off affection and pryuat gaigne (which maye doo moche with worldlie men) and not of a zeale to aduaunce Goddes glorie.
For Christian men, that seeke to serue god their lorde and Master, and not their owne commoditie, and affections, when thei knowe his will, pleasure, and ordenaunce, serche no further: but as good subiectes, and seruauntes, by all meanes labour to do, and fulfil the same.
They dispute not, why God hathe ordeyned, or commaunded this, or that: nor thynke this myght be other wise don, then God hathe deuysed: or that he hathe don, is not off necessitie.
They knowe his wil, and pleasure, declared by his worde, is an unchaungeable lawe, wherunto nothyng maye be added, or dymynysshed, but ought to be obeied off all his seruauntes: that he hathe made nothyng in uayne, but as he is the uery wisedom it self, and forseeth what is best for his: so hathe he most wiselie, and most necessarilie ordeyned this mynysterie off the Deaconrie in his Churche. Yea, they be most certeyn, that as ther be in mans bodie diuers mēbers, not all of one sorte, but som more profetable, then some, and yet al requysite, and necessarie to make a parfet bodie: so in the Churche of Christ, ther be dyuers membres, mynysteries, and uocations, preachours, teachours, elders, deacons &c. Who, albeit they be not off like Authorite, and degree: yet be they all requysite, and necessarie to the edifiyng off a godlie, and parfet Churche off Christe.
Neither will any of Christes seruauntes, thrust hymself, not beyng lefully called, into any mynysterie, or seake to come into it by the wyndowe, as Theues and murderers do, but wil tary til he may enter by the doore, til he be ordinarilie called by the Churche off Christ, as Stephen, and the rest off the Deacons in the prymytiue Churche were. For all good men wil feare, lest when thei either do any thing contrarie to Goddes ordenaunce, or medle with that, wherunto they be not ordynarilie called, the plage off God will fal on them, as it dyd uppō the like, by iuste iudgement, in tyme past. Nadah, and Abiu the children of Aaron, toke thier Censers, put a straunge fier therin, and offred to God: but because thei dyd it cōtrarie to the ordinaunce of god, the fier cam from the lorde and destroid them. Vsa, because he set his hande to staie up tharke of the lorde, that it should not fal, albeit the deede symplie considered was good, yet because he medled with that office, wherunto he was not ordynarilie called, and appoynted, God plaged him with death. Kynge Ozias, because he wolde be busie in other mens uocation, offryng incense to the Lordes which perteined to the ministerie of the Children off Aaron, and not to his, was stroken with the Leprie. The wiseman saith in the prouerbes, Ther is a waie that seameth to a [Page 29] man iust and right, but thende bryngeth to deathe. When men leaue the waies of God, and occupie their busie braynes about thinges besides, or cōtrarie to Goddes worde, they fal at length clene from God, and become Godlesse. Therfore Men ought to take heade, and to leaue their uncerteyn phantasies, and cleaue unto the certeyn worde of God, wherūto whosoeuer leaneth, can not stumble, whosoeuer foloweth it, cannot erre: and he that walketh therin, shal at length come to the eternal Kingdō, which is prepared for all such as loue and folowe God.