Wherefore, saith Christ, they have in this world their reward;
and so their oblations be not their own, nor be they acceptable before
God.
Another way God will refuse thy voluntary oblation, as thus: if so be it
that thou hast gotten never so truly thy goods, according both to the
laws of God and man, and hast with the same goods not relieved thy poor
neighbour, when thou hast seen him hungry, thirsty, and naked, he will
not take thy oblation when thou shalt offer the same, because he will say
unto thee, "When I was hungry, thou gavest me no meat; when I was
thirsty, thou gavest me no drink; and when I was naked, thou didst not
clothe me. Wherefore I will not take thy oblation, because it is none of
thine. I left it thee to relieve thy poor neighbours, and thou hast not
therein done according unto this my commandment, _Misericordiam volo, et
non sacrificium_; I had rather have mercy done, than sacrifice or
oblation. Wherefore until thou dost the one more than the other, I will
not accept thine oblation."
Evermore bestow the greatest part of thy goods in works of mercy, and the
less part in voluntary works. Voluntary works be called all manner of
offering in the church, except your four offering-days, and your tithes:
setting up candles, gilding and painting, building of churches, giving of
ornaments, going on pilgrimages, making of highways, and such other, be
called voluntary works; which works be of themselves marvellous good, and
convenient to be done.
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