The Institution of Christian Religion

But rather every man shall think thus with himself, that he is altogether debtor to his neighbours, and that he must determine none other end of using his liberality, but when ability faileth, which how large so ever it be, must be measured by the rule of charity.

But rather euery manne shall thinke thus with himselfe, that he is altogether detter to his neyghbours, and that he must determine none other ende of vsyng his liberalitie, but when abilitie fayleth, which how large so euer it be, must be measured by the rule of charitie.

Now let us more fully declare the principal part of forsaking our selves, which we said to have respect to God. We have said much of it already, which it were superfluous to rehearse again: it shall be sufficient to entreat of it so far as it frameth us to quietness of mind and sufferance. First therefore in seeking the commodity or quietness of this present life, the Scripture calleth us hereunto, that resigning us and our things to the Lords will, we should yield unto him the affections of our heart to be tamed and subdued. To cou•t wealth and honours, so compass authority, to heap up riches, to gather together all such follies as serve for royalty & pomp, our lust is outrageous, and our greediness infinite. On the other side of poverty, ignobility, & base estate, we have a marvellous fear and marvellous hatred, that move us to travail by all means to eschew them. Hereby a man may see, how unquiet a mind they have, how many shifts they attempt, with what studies they weary their life, that frame their life after their own devise: to attain those things that their affection of ambition or covetousness requireth, and on the other side to escape poverty & baseness. Therefore the godly must keep this way, that they be not entangled with such snares. First let them not either desire, or hope for, or think upon any other mean of prospering, than by the blessing of the Lord: & therefore let them safely & boldly rest themselves upon it. For how so ever the flesh think it self sufficient of her self, whom she either travaileth by her own diligence, or endeavoureth with her own study, or is holpen by the savour of men to the attaining of honour and wealth: yet it is certain, that all these things are nothing, & that we shall nothing prevail with wit or travail, but in so much as the Lord shall prosper both. But on the other side his only blessing findeth a way through all stops, to make all things proceed with us to a joyful and lucky end. Then how soever we may most of all obtain any glory or wealth without it (as we daily see the wicked to get heaps of great honours and richesse) yet for as much as they upon whom resteth the curse, do feel no parcel of felicity, we can obtain nothing without his blessing that shall not turn us to evil. And it is not at all to be coveted, that maketh men more miserable.