The Parable of the Wicked Mammon

Then consented she to the will of God again, and again, and above all things had delectation to hear that word wherein she had obtained everlasting health, and namely of his mouth which had purchased so grate mercy for her God chooseth us first and loved us first and openeth our eyes to see his exceeding abundant love to us in Christ, and then love we again and accept his will above all things, and serve him that office where unto he hath chosen us.

Then consented she to the will of God agayne, and agayne, and a boue all thinges had delectaciō to heare that worde wherin she had obtayned euerlastinge health, and namly of his mouth whiche hade purchased so grate mercy for hyr God choseth vs first and loued vs fyrst and optneth our eyes to se his exceadinge abundaunt loue to vs in Christ, and thē loue we againe and accepte hys wyll aboue all thynges, and serue him that office where vnto he hath chosen vs.

Sell that ye have and give alms. And make you bags which wax not old, and treasure which faileth not, in heaven Lu. xii. This and such like are not spoken that we should work as hirelings in respect of reward, and as though we should obtain heaven with merit. For he saith a little afore, fear not little flock for it is your fathers pleasure to give you a kingdom. The kingdom cometh then of the good will of Almighty God through Christ. And such things are¹ spoken partly to put us in remembrance of our duty to be kind again. As is that saying let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven. ⟨image 39⟩As who should say, if God have given you so great gifts be not unthankful, but bestow them unto his praise.

Selle that ye haue and giue almes. And make you bagges whyche wax not old, and treasure which faileth not, in heauē Lu. xii. This and souch lyke are not spoken that we shoulde worke as hyrelinges in respecte of reward, and as though we should obtayne heauen with merite. For he saith a litle afore, feare not litel flocke for it is youre fathers pleasure to geue you a kingdome. The kingdome cometh then of the good will of Almyghty God thorowe Christ. And souche thinges are