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25. If at the least they once
had in this world wherewithal they might easily without handiwork
sustain this life, which property, when they were converted unto
God, they disparted to the needy, then must we both believe their
infirmity, and bear with it. For usually such persons, having been,
not better brought up, as many think, but what is the truth, more
languidly brought up, are not able to bear the labor of bodily
works. Such peradventure were many in Jerusalem. For it is also
written, that they sold their houses and lands, and laid the prices
of them at the Apostles’ feet, that distribution might be made to
every one as he had need.2557
Because they were found, being
near, and were useful to the Gentiles, who, being afar off,2558
were
thence called from the worship of idols, as it is said, “Out of
Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from
Jerusalem,”2559
therefore
hath the Apostle called the Christians of the Gentiles their
debtors: “their debtors,” saith he, “they are:” and hath
added the reason why, “For if in their spiritual things the
Gentiles have communicated, they ought also in carnal things to
minister unto them.”2560
But now there come into this
profession of the service of God, both persons from the condition
of slaves, or also freed-men, or persons on this account freed by
their masters or about to be freed, likewise from the life of
peasants, and from the exercise and plebeian labor of
handicraftsmen, persons whose bringing up doubtless has been all
the better for them, the harder it has been: whom not to admit, is
a heavy sin. For many of that sort have turned out truly great men
and meet to be imitated. For on this account also “hath God
chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which
are mighty, and the foolish things of the world hath He chosen to
confound them who are wise; and ignoble things of the world, and
things which are not, as though they were, that the things that are
may be brought to nought: that no flesh may glory before God.”2561
This pious
and holy thought, accordingly, causeth that even such be admitted
as bring no proof of a change of life for the better. For it doth
not appear whether they come of purpose for the service of God, or
whether running away empty from a poor and laborious life they want
to be fed and clothed; yea, moreover, to be honored by them of whom
they were wont to be despised and trampled on. Such persons
therefore because they cannot excuse themselves from working by
pleading infirmity of body, seeing they are convicted by the custom
of their past life, do therefore shelter themselves under the
screen of an ill scholarship, that from the Gospel badly understood
they should essay to pervert precepts apostolical: truly “fowls
of the air,” but in lifting themselves on high through pride; and
“grass of the field,” but in being carnally minded.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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