Parents not to be forsaken, though they be Infidels and Wicked. [ 1267]
WHen S. Iohn had baptized Chrysippa, the Governour's Wife of Pathmos, she presently thereupon would forsake her unbelieving husband:* 1.1 By no means that must not be. S. Iohn told her that he had a Commission to joyn her to Christ, but no warrant to keep her from her husband; and therefore he suffered her not to depart, but commanded her to return unto her house again. It is also written of S. Martin, that he lived with his Parents that were Gentiles, and per∣formed all good offices to them as became a good Christian Child,* 1.2 because the Church of God, when she receiveth any one to Christ, doth by no means acquit the obligation of that Law, which bindeth a Sonne unto his Father: Thus we are not with the Prodigal to run out of our Fathers house,* 1.3 not to contemn them that begat us, but to condemn their impiety, if they seek to mislead us; For it is not to be believed, that God which commanded us to honour Father and Mother, would ever bid us to forsake them: And therefore if any Man hath an Infidell to his Father, let him not be perswaded by him to do any disservice unto God, but