A Golden Chain

The reason of this calling, is taken from works as from signs, in these words, For I was hungry and ye gave me meat, &c. When he saith, for I was hungry, he means his poor and distressed members upon earth: and thereby he signifies unto us that the miseries of his servants are his own miseries. Thus the Lord saith in Zechariah,¹ He which toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye. And when Saul was going to persecute them in Damasco and else where that called on the name of Christ, he cried from heaven,² Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And this is a notable comfort to Gods Church and people, that they have an high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities:³ and if he account our miseries his own miseries, then no doubt he will pity our estate and make us able to bear the worst. And ye gave me meat] Here we note, that the principal works of men are those which are done to the poor members of Christ. We are indeed to help all, in as much as they are our very flesh and the creatures of God; but the rule of S. Paul must be remembered,⁴ Do good to all, but especially to those that are of the household of faith, Many are of mind that the best works are to build Churches and Monasteries, but Christ tells us here, that the best work of all is to relieve those that be the living members of his mystical body.

The reason of this calling, is taken from workes as from signes, in these words, For I was hungrie and ye gaue me meate, &c. When he saith, for I was hungrie, he meanes his poore and distressed members vpon earth: and thereby he signifies vnto vs that the miseries of his seruants are his owne miseries. Thus the Lord saith in Zacharie,¹ He which toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye. And when Saul was going to persecute them in Damasco and else where that called on the name of Christ, he cried from heauen,²