Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

But you will say, if it be a thing wherein the heart is so exceeding deceitful, how shall I find whether I do that ¹I do faithfully with a single sincere heart or no?

1. 1Quest.

Consider what thou doest when thy own case and Christs are severed: if thou find that when thy own credit, ¹and profit and advantage is involved in Christs business, then thou art willing, and forward in the work of Christ, and not otherwise, thou mayest suspect thy self. When one servant follows two Masters that go before, while they go together it is difficult to know to whom he belongs, but when they part, you know who the Master is by the servants following of him. So there is a time wherein Christ, and thy own cause go together, when Religion and thy own credit go together, but when they are parted, and severed one from another; then consider which thou followest, whether thou hast the same diligence, and solicitude in the business of Christ, when there is no interest of thy own joined with it. Moreover consider what thou doest, when thou hast to do with people that are ill deserving: for if thou do what thou doest for Christ, though men do not answer thy pains, but carry themselves in a contrary manner to thee, yet if it be done for Christ thou wilt continue to do ⟨p. 389⟩it. That was the trial of Saint Pauls faithfulness, when the Jews set themselves against him, and would have pulled him in pieces, yet he continued in the same faithfulness in his service of Christ, and the Church.

Consider what thou doest when thy own case and Christs are severed: if thou find that when thy own credit, ¹