The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

because they have not nor will not have any sense of other mens misery, but put away all consideration and regard of these things, and give themselves holy to pleasure. And therefore in these matters they will cost them many tears, and bring them no good hereafter but much sorrow; they care not how far they run, and what charges and expenses they be at, but for work of mercy and duty of compassion that will further their reckoning, and comfort their souls, and do good to the Church and Saints of God, it comes so slowly & so heavily, as though it were all lost, that is that way bestowed. And ⟨image 145⟩the cause is, because they have a heart merciless and void of compassion. Now the outward duties follow. And these are three in number especially to be regarded.

because they haue not nor will not haue any sence of other mens miserie, but putte away all consideration and regard of these thinges, and giue themselues holy to pleasure. And therefore in these matters they will cost them many teares, and bring thē noe good hereafter but much sorrow; they care not how farre they runne, and what charges and expences they bee at, but for worke of mercie and dutie of compassion that will further their reckoning, and comfort their soules, and doe good to the Church and Saints of God, it comes so slowlie & so heauily, as though it were all lost, that is that way bestowed. And ⟨image 145⟩the cause is, because they haue a heart mercilesse and voide of compassion. Now the outward duties follow. And these are three in number especially to be regarded.

The first is an amiable and loving behaviour of ones self towards others, for as a sour look, & an austere contemptuous gesture breaks this commandment, in that it alienates mens hearts from us, and is a preparative to hatred; so it is a fruit of love and a part of keeping this commandment, that one should by all good and gentle carriage of himself show his love and willingness to do good so near as he can to all. And this is a thing noted in Abraham as a matter of commendations and a testimony of his humble and loving heart, that where he came he was very courteous to all men, even infidels, men of a false religion, and did carry himself, in all good sort unto them who ever. As when he had to do with the Hittites. First, he bows himself in all courteous sort, and then his words were gentle and nothing savouring of a proud commanding, but with all mild and kind persuasions and entreaty, and then when they wild him to bury the dead in any of their sepulchres, gives them hearty thanks and with the like courtesy and good speeches as a fore, propounds his request. And this gentle dealing did so win the hearts of these heathen people, and made him so well account and esteemed amongst them, as they say to him thou art a prince of God amongst us, and would deny him nothing. And so when he met the Angels, which he took for no other but for common travellers, he saluted them, bowing his body in all dutiful sort and gave them good terms and called them Lords and entreated them to eat a morsel with him. And by this affability and kind usage of himself he did not only get favour and good account among those with whom he lived; but hath gotten credit till this day and shall to the worlds end, that being a man of such worth and good desert so well graced, and of such place and wealth, all this did not make him sour, careless or disdainful, but he showed him kind and amiable even to the meanest. For indeed proud looks haughty looks and a scornful and a disdainful