The Parable of the Wicked Mammon

Hereby seest thou, that there is great difference between being righteous, and good in declaring and uttering a mans own righteousness¹ and goodness. The faith only maketh a man safe, good, righteous and the friend of god, yea & heir of all his goodness and possesseth us with the spirit of god. The work declareth the same faith and goodness. Now useth the scripture² the commune manner of speaking, and the very same that is among the people. As when a father sayeth to his child, go and be loving, merciful, and good to such or such a poor man, he biddeth him ⟨image 18⟩not, there with to be made merciful, kind and good: but to testify and declare the goodness that is in him already with the outward deed: that it may break out to the profit of other, & that other may feel it which have need thereof.

HEreby seist thou, yt ther is greate differēce betwene beinge rightuous, and good in declarynge and vtterynge a mans owne ryghtuousnes¹ and goodnesse. The fayth onelye maketh a man safe, good, rightuous and the frēde of god, yea & heir of al his goodnes and possesseth vs wyth the spirite of god. The worke declareth the same faith and goodnes. Nowe vseth the scripture² the commune maner of speakinge, and the very same that is amonge the people. As whan a father sayeth to his chyld, go and be louynge, mercyfull, and good to such or such a poore man, he byddeth him ⟨image 18⟩not, ther with to be made mercyful, kynd and good: but to testifye and declare the goodnes that is in hym already with the outwarde dede: that it maye breake out to the profete of other, & that other maye fele it whiche haue nede therof.

1. 1The office of faith▪