Luke — Chapter 12

8. Euery one that confesseth.) Open confession of our faith. A Catholike man is bound to confesse his faith, being called to account or examined by Iew, Heathen, or Heretike, concerning the same. Neither is it enough to keepe Christ in his hart, but he must also acknowledge him in his wordes and deedes. And to deny Christ, or any Article of the Catholike faith, for shame or feare of any worldly creature, hath no lesse punishment, then to be denied, refused, and forsaken by Christ at the houre of his death before al his Angels: Which is an other manner of presence and Consistorie, then any Court or Session that men can be called to for their faith, in this world.

11. Be not careful.) The Holy Ghost teacheth euery vnlearned Catholike to giue sufficient reason of his faith. That the poore vnlearned Catholike should not be discouraged, or make his excuse that he is a simple man, not able to answer cunning Heretikes, nor to giue a reason of his beleefe, and therfore must suffer or say any thing rather then come before them: our Maister giueth them comfort promising that the Holy Ghost shal euer put into their hartes at time of their appearance, that which shal be sufficient for the purpose: not that euery one which is conuented before the Aduersaries of faith, should alwayes be indowed with extraordinary knowledge to dispute and confute, as the Apostles and others in the primitiue Church were: but that God wil euer giue 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 liue and die in that faith which the Catholike Church through-out al Christian countries hath and doth teach, and that this Church can giue them a reason of al the things which they demand of him. &c.

14. Who hath appointed?) The dealing of Clergie men in worldly affaires. Christ refused to medle in this temporal matter, partly because the demand proceeded of couetousnes and il intention, partly to giue an example to Clergie men, that they should not be withdrawen by secular affaires and controuersies 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 which cases S. Augustin *(as Passidonius writeth) was occupied often whole daies in ending worldly controuersies: and so he writeth of himself also, not doubting but to haue reward therfore in Heauen. *In vita c. 19, Li. de op. Monac. c. 29.

21. Rich to God-ward.) Meritorious workes. He is rich towards God, that by his goods bestowed vpon the poore, hath store of merits, and many almes-mens prayers procuring mercie for him at the day of his death and iudgement, which is here therfore called treasure laid vp in Heauen, 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 haue and giue to the poore.

23. Where your treasure is.) Almes. If the rich man withdrawen by his worldly treasure, can not set his hart vpon Heauen, let him send his money thither before him, by giuing it in almes vpon such as wil pray for him, and his hart wil follow his purse thither.