"She rejoiceth not in iniquity"; she
loveth equity and godliness. And again, she is sorry to hear of falsehood, of
stealing, or such like, which wickedness is now at this time commonly used.
There never was such falsehood among Christian men as there is now, at this
time; truly I think, and they that have experience report it so, that among the
very infidels and Turks there is more fidelity and uprightness than among Christian
men. For no man setteth anything by his promise, yea, and writings will not
serve with some; they are so shameless that they dare deny their own
handwriting; but, I pray you, are those false fellows in the livery of Christ?
Have they His cognizance? No, no; they have the badge of the devil, with whom
they shall be damned world without end, except they amend and leave their
wickedness.
"She suffereth all things; she believeth
all things." It is a great matter that should make us to be grieved with
our neighbor; we should be patient when our neighbor doth wrong, we should
admonish him of his folly, earnestly desiring him to leave his wickedness,
showing the danger that follows, everlasting damnation. In such wise we should study
to amend our neighbor, and not to hate him or do him a foul turn again, but
rather charitably study to amend him: whosoever now does so, he has the livery
and cognizance of Christ, he shall be known at the last day for his servant.
"Love believeth all
things"; it appears daily that they who are charitable and friendly are
most deceived; because they think well of every man, they believe every man,
they trust their words, and therefore are most deceived in this world, among
the children of the devil. These and such like things are the tokens of the right
and godly love; therefore they that have this love are soon known, for this
love cannot be hid in corners, she has her operation: therefore all that have
her are well enough, though they have no other gifts besides her. Again, they that
lack her, though they have many other gifts besides, yet is it to no other
purpose, it does then no good: for when we shall come at the great day before
him, not having this livery (that is love) with us, then we are lost; he will
not take us for His servants, because we have not His cognizance. But if we
have this livery, if we wear His cognizance here in this world; that is, if we
love our neighbor, help him in his distress, are charitable, loving, and
friendly unto him, then we shall be known at the last day: but if we be
uncharitable toward our neighbor, hate him, seek our own advantage with His
damage, then we shall be rejected of Christ and so damned world without end.
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