The Institution of Christian Religion

if we remember that we must not consider the malice of men, but look upon the image of God in them, which defacing & blotting out their faults, doeth with the beauty and dignity of it self allure us to embrace it.

if we remēber that we muste not consider the malice of men, but loke vpon the image of God in thē, whiche defacing & blotting out their faults, doeth with the beautie and dignitie of it self allure vs to embrace it.

Therefore this Mortification shall then only take place in us, when §7we perform the duties of charity. But it is not he that performeth them, that only doeth all the dutiful works of charity, although he leave none of them undone, but he that doth them of a sincere affection of love. For it may happen, that a man may fully perform to all men all that he oweth, so much as concerneth outward duties: and yet he may be far from the true performing of it. For you may see some that would seem very liberal, which yet do give nothing but either with pride of look, or with churlishness of words they upbraid it. And we become to such wretchedness in this unhappy world, that almost no alms are given of any men, or at least of the most part of men, without reproaching. Which perverseness should not have ben tolerable among the very heathen. For of Christians is somewhat more required than to show a cheerfulness in countenance, and make their doings lovely with gentleness of words. First they must take upon them the personage of him whom they see to need their help, and then so pity their case, as if themselves did feel and suffer it: so that they may be carried with feeling of mercy and gentleness even as they would be to help themselves. He that shall come so minded to help his brethren, will not only not defile his doings with any arrogant or upbraiding, but also neither will despise his brother to whom he doeth good as one needing his help, nor tread him under foot as one bound unto him: no more than we use to reproach a sick member, for easing whereof the whole body laboureth, or to think it specially bound to the other members, because it hath drawn more help unto it than it hath recompensed. For it is thought that the common enterpartenyng of duties between members of one body, hath no free kind of gift, but rather