Popular errors, in generall poynts concerning the knowledge of religion having relation to their causes, and reduced into divers observations / by Jean D'Espaigne.

CHAP. IV. Why common people loves not rather to be in∣structed in manners, then in any other point of religion. Everyone hath a naturall o∣pinion to be saved by his workes.

THis part of Religion which we call morall, is more pleasing to the common people, and a better eare given thereto then the other. The reason is, because the generall rules of good man∣ners, and the principalls of vertue, are na∣turally known to the most blockish. From thence it comes to passe, that this kind of doctrine pleaseth them, as being in part na∣turall, and because of its facility; For an Idcot hath no great paine to comprehend that he ought to render to each one what belongs unto him; and that one ought to have compassion of the afflicted, and other precepts which nature makes intelligible.

But the other matters because they are for the most part supernaturall and misteri∣ous, find not so favourable an attention in the Auditors; Behold yet more which we have to marke; which is a naturall pre∣judicate opinion in man, when one speaks of the obtaining of salvation, they thinke incontinently on works, as the true cause which ought produce that effect; The Jews taking it for granted, askes not our Lord, but upon the quality of workes, John 6.28. All the men of the world except Christi∣ans build upon their workes, they not be∣ing able to imagine any other merrit for to be saved.

Now this principall is naturall, as ha∣ving been ingraffed in the heart of man e∣ver since his creation, to wit, that he should have eternall life by his workes; Which was true in the estate of innocencie, for Workes would have produced this effect if man had not lost his forces. Now hee leaves as yet on this principall, the impres∣sion whereof he hath retained, although that his fall having broken all his bones,

shewes him that his pretensions are but vaine. From this fountaine proceeds not only the opinions which attribute the effi∣cacy of salvation to workes, but also the maximes of the common people, who ac∣knowledging the impuissance of workes in this regard; neverthelesse so highly elevates the dignity of them, that hee thinkes that the preaching modesty in cloathes is a more excellent doctrine, then to teach them all the misteries of the Gospell.