The Institution of Christian Religion

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 ⟨image 241⟩that it is a payment of that which being due by the law of nature it were monstrous to deny. And by this reason it shall follow, that he may not think himself discharged that hath performed one kind of duty, as it is commonly used, that when a rich man hath given any thing of his own, he leaveth other charges to other men, as not belonging to him.

Therfore this Mortification shal then only take place in vs, when §7we performe the dueties of charitie. But it is not he that performeth them, that only doeth all the dutifull workes of charitie, although he leaue none of them vndone, but he that doth them of a syncere affection of loue. For it maye happen, that a man maye fully performe to all menne all that he oweth, so muche as concerneth outward duties: and yet he maye be far from the true performyng of it. For you maye see some that would seeme very liberall, whiche yet doe geue nothyng but eyther with pryde of loke, or with chorlishnesse of wordes they vpbrayde it. And we become to suche wretchednesse in this vnhappy worlde, that almoste no almes are geuen of any menne, or at least of the moste parte of men, without reprochyng. Whiche peruersnesse should not haue ben tolerable among the very heathen. For of Christians is somwhat more required than to shew a cherefulnesse in coū tenance, and make their doynges louely with gentlenesse of wordes. First they must take vpon them the personage of him whome they see to neede their helpe, and then so pitie their case, as yf themselues dyd fele and suffer it: so that they maye bee caried with felynge of mercie and gentlenesse euen as they would be to helpe themselues. He that shall come so minded to helpe his brethren, will not only not defile his doynges with any arrogante or vpbraydyng, but also neyther will despise his brother to whome he doeth good as one needyng his helpe, nor treade hym vnder foote as one bounde vnto him: no more than we vse to reproche a sicke member, for easyng whereof the whole body laboreth, or to thynke it specially bounde to the other members, bycause it hath drawen more helpe vnto it than it hath recompensed. For it is thought that the common enterpartenyng of duties betwene members of one body, hath no free kynde of gifte, but rather