before them: our Maister giveth them comfort promising that the Holy Ghost shal ever put into their hartes at time of their appearance, that which shal be sufficient for the purpose: not that every one which is convented before the Adversaries of faith, should alwayes be indowed with extraordinary knowledge to dispute and confute, as the Apostles and others in the primitive Church were: but that God wil ever give to the simple that trusteth in him, sufficient courage and wordes to confesse his beleefe. For such an one called before the Commissioners, saith enough and defendeth himself sufficiently, when he answereth that he is a Catholike man, and that he wil live and die in that faith which the Catholike Church through-out al Christian countries hath and doth teach, and that this Church can give them a reason of al the things which they demand of him. &c.
The dealing of Clergie men in worldly affaires.14. Who hath appointed?) Christ refused to medle in this temporal matter, partly because the demand proceeded of covetousnes and il intention, partly to give an example to Clergie men, that they should not be withdrawen by secular affaires and controversies from their principal function of praying, preaching, and spiritual regiment: but not wholy to forbid them al actions pertaining to worldly busines, specially where and when the honour of God, the increase of religion, the peace of the people, and the spiritual benefit of the parties doe require. In vita c. 19, Li. de op. Monac. c. 29.In which cases S. Augustin (as Passidonius writeth) was occupied often whole daies in ending worldly controversies: and so he writeth of himself also, not doubting but to have reward therfore in Heaven.
Meritorious workes.21. Riche to God-ward.) He is rich towards God, that by his goods bestowed upon the poore, hath store of merits, and many almes-mens prayers procuring mercie for him at the day of his death and judgement, which is here therfore called treasure laid up in Heaven, where the barnes be large enough. The necessitie of which almes is by Christ himself here shewed to be so great, and so acceptable to God, that rather then they should lacke the fruit thereof, they should sel al they have and give to the poore.
Almes.34. Where your treasure is.) If the rich man withdrawen by his worldly treasure, can not set his hart upon Heaven, let him send his money thither before him, by giving it in almes upon such as wil pray for him, and his hart wil follow his purse thither.
Chap. XIII.
AND there were certaine present at that very time telling him of the Galilæans, whose bloud Pilate mingled with their Sacrifices. 2And he answering said to them: Thinke you that ″ these Galilæans were sinners more then al the Galilæans, that they suffred such things? 3No, I say to you: but unles you [1] Nisi pœnitentiam habueritis,have pennance, you shal al likewise perish. 4As those eighteene upon whom the toure fel in Siloe, and slew them: thinke you that they also were debters above al the men that dwel in Hierusalem? 5No, I say to you: but if you have not pennance, you shal al likewise perish.
6 a The Ghospel on the Imber Saturday in Sept.a And he said this similitude: A certaine man had [2] a figtree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking for fruit on it, and found not.
