Whether it becomes a man to worship those spirits from whose guilt he should be pure. CHAP. 17.
WHat fondnesse then, nay what madnesse subiects vs vnto that religion of de∣uills, when as by the truth of religion we should be saued from participati∣on of their vices? for they are mooued with wrath (as Apuleius for all his ado∣ring and sparing them affirmes): but true religion biddeth vs not to yeeld to wrath, but rather (a) resist it. (b) They are wonne with guifts, wee are forbidden to take bribes of any. They loue honors, we are (c) prohibited all honors affecta∣tion. They are haters of some, & louers of some, as their affects transport them: truth teacheth vs to loue all, euen (d) our very enemies. Briefly all the intempe∣rance of minde, (e) passions and perturbations, which the truth affirmes of * 1.1 them, it forbiddeth vs. What cause is then, but thine owne lamentable error for thee to humble thy selfe to them in worship, whom thou seekest to oppose in vprightnesse of conuersation? and to adore those thou hatest to imitate, when as all religion teacheth vs to imitate those we adore?
L. VIVES.
RAther (a) resist] Christ in Mathewes Gospels vtterly forbids anger. Abbot Agatho said that an angry man could neuer please GOD, though hee should raise the dead to life. * 1.2 (b) They] They take willingly, and begge impudently. Apollos oracle did alwayes bid his cli∣ents remember him with a guift to make them-selues more fortunate by: yet the craftie deuill desires not their money (he needed not) but their mindes that was his ayme. (c) Prohibited] Christ forbids his Apostles to assume the name of Maisters, to sit high at table, or loue salutes in the streetes: and commands that the chiefe should bee but as a minister. For honor arose with Heathenisme, and should fall there-with, and not suruiue in the Church: nor is it magna∣nimous to affect but to contemne it. (d) Our very enemies] Mat. 5. 44. Loue your enemyes, blesse them that curse you, &c. It sufficeth not, to beare them no hate, we must loue them: which is not impossible. For first Christ did it, and then Steuen. Hierom. (e) Passions and perturbati∣ons] or passionate perturbations.