The second tome of homilies of such matters as were promised, and entitled in…The second tome of homilees of such matters as were promised, and intituled in…

because he would ¹have continual trial of his people, whether they loved him or no, that in showing them selves obedient unto his will, they might certainly assure them selves of his love and favour towards them, and nothing doubt, but that as his law and ordinances (wherein he commanded them that they should open their hand unto their brethren that were poor and needy in the land) were accepted of them, and willingly performed: So he would on his part lovingly accept them, and truly perform his promises that he had made unto them. The holy Apostles and disciples of Christ, who by reason of his daily conversation, saw by his deeds, and heard in his doctrine, how much he tendered the poor: the godly fathers also, that were both before and ⟨p. 319⟩since Christ, endued without doubt with the holy ghost, and most certainly certified of Gods holy will: they both do most earnestly exhort us, and in all their writings almost, continually admonish us, that we would remember the poor, and bestow our charitable aims upon them. Saint Paul crieth unto us after this sort, Comfort ²the feeble minded, lift up the weak, and be charitable toward all men. And again, To do ³good to the poor, and to distribute aims gladly, see that thou do not forget, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Isaiah the Prophet teacheth ⁴on this wise, Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the poor wandering, home to thy house. When thou seest the naked, see thou cloth him, and hide not thy face from thy poor neighbour, neither despise thou thine own flesh. And the holy father Tobi giveth this counsel, ⁵Give alms (sayeth he) of thine own goods, and turn never thy face from the poor, eat thy bread with the hungry, and cover the naked with thy clothes. And the learned and godly doctor Chrysostom giveth this admonition, Let ⁶merciful alms be always with us, as a garment, that is, as mindful as we will be to put our garments upon us, to cover our nakedness, to defend us from the cold, and to show our selves comely: So mindful let us be at all times and seasons, that we give alms to the poor, & show our selves merciful towards them. But what mean these often admonitions & earnest exhortations of the prophets, apostles, fathers, & holy doctors?