Gods husbandry

Thou knowest not, that such a man is a dissembler, therefore think well of him. Thou knowest that there is a possibility he may be a dissembler, therefore come not within his danger; give him no such advantage, through laying open thy self unto him, that if he should prove guileful, thou mightest be hurt by him. Credulity is the fault of honest hearts; because they be single themselves, they look to find all like themselves: but Christs words should give us warning, to try before we trust. If any man say, that this retiredness will cut off the practice and exercise of all Christian communion betwixt the members of Christs body: I answer,¹ he saith amiss that so speaketh; a man may do many (and almost any) office of Christian charity, to those with whom he liveth, and yet hold himself in such even terms with them, that though they should prove false brethren, yet he shall not receive any hurt by them. There be many acts of godly society, which may be practised without any peril, especially in the peaceable times of the Church, and these (nothing ⟨p. 102⟩hinders, but that) we may indifferently exercise towards all: but if at any time some storms arise, we must beware before whom, and towards whom, we carry our selves so, that they may hurt us, if they list. Take heed whom thou trustest with thy goods, whom with thy name, whom with thy safety, and to whom thou so far engagest thy self, that he may (if he will) deceive thee, betray thee, molest thee. There be some so true hearted, that the world shall sooner remove out of its place, then that they will prove false. There be others, that will quickly change their hue, and be foes, in stead of their shows of brotherly love. Pray to God to give thee understanding, to walk wisely towards them that are within, as well as towards them that are without.

Thou knowest not, that such a man is a dissembler, therefore thinke well of him. Thou knowest that there is a possibility he may be a dissembler, therfore come not within his danger; giue him no such aduantage, through laying open thy selfe vnto him, that if hee should proue guilefull, thou mightest be hurt by him. Credulitie is the fault of honest hearts; because they bee single themselues, they looke to find all like themselues: but Christs words should giue vs warning, to try before we trust. If any man say, that this retirednesse will cut off the practice and exercise of all Christian communion betwixt the members of Christs body: I answere,