A Golden Chain

Euseb. Had not these men so? yea, I warrant you had they. And the want of love which you deem of, the Gospel of Christ knoweth not, that a man should begin at himself, and then descend I wot not by what steps. Love seeketh not her own profit, but maketh a man to forget himself, and turn his profit to another man, as Christ sought not himself or his own profit but ours. This term (my self) is not in the gospel, neither yet father, mother, sister, brother, kinsman, that one should in love be preferred before another. The love that springeth out of Christ excludeth no man, neither putteth difference between one another. In Christ we are all of one degree without respect ⟨p. 639⟩of persons. Notwithstanding though a Christian mans heart be open to all men• and receiveth all men, yet because his ability of goods extendeth not so far, this provision is made that every man should care for his own houshold• as father, mother, thine elders that have holpen thee, wife, children, and servants. When a man hath done his duty to his household, and yet hath further abundance of the blessing of God, that he oweth to the poor that cannot labour, and cannot get work, & yet are destitute of friends; to the poor I mean which he knoweth, and to them of his own parish. For that provision ought to be had in the Church, that every parish provide for the poor. If his neighbours which he knoweth be served, then is he a debtor to the brethren a thousand miles off, if he hear of their necessity and have himself any plenty: yea, to the very Infidels he is a debtor if they need, •s far forth as he doeth not maintain them against Christ. Thus is every man that needeth my help my father, mother, sister, and brother in Christ: even as every man that doth the will of the father, is father, mother, sister, and brother unto Christ.

Euseb. Had not these men so? yea, I warrant you had they. And the want of loue which you deeme of, the Gospell of Christ knoweth not, that a man should begin at himselfe, and then descend I wot not by what steps. Loue seeketh not her owne profit, but maketh a man to forget himselfe, and turne his profit to another man, as Christ sought not himselfe or his owne profite but ours. This tearme (my selfe) is not in the gospell, neither yet father, mother, sister, brother, kinsman, that one should in loue bee preferred before another. The loue that springeth out of Christ excludeth no man, neither putteth difference betweene one another. In Christ we are all of one degree without respect