XLIX.
The third worke is, a relieuing of the poore brethren in Christ,* 1.1 proceeding of a brotherly kindnes towards them. This is a speciall worke not to be done to all men alike, as Saint Paul saith, q 1.2Doe good to all men, but especially to them of the houshold of faith. Directions for this matter are the faithfull of Hierusalem, r 1.3Who were all in one place, and had all things common: s 1.4namely in vse. And they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men: as euery one had neede. Also the brethren at Corinth in their extreame pouertie t 1.5relieued the churches of Macedonia liberally, not onely according to their power, but also straining thē∣selues beyond their power. Yea this reliefe must goe further, euen to the bestow∣ing of a mans life, if neede so require, (as Saint Iohn saith) u 1.6 Hereby we haue per∣ceiued loue, that he laid downe his life for vs: therefore we ought also to lay downe our liues for the brethren.