For all these, and for grace necessary, ye shall say unto
God God's prayer, _Pater-noster_.
THE SECOND SERMON, IN THE AFTERNOON.
_Filii hujus seculi_, &c.--Luc. xvi. [8].
Christ in this saying touched the sloth and sluggishness of his, and did
not allow the fraud and subtlety of others; neither was glad that it was
indeed as he had said, but complained rather that it should be so: as
many men speak many things, not that they ought to be so, but that they
are wont to be so. Nay, this grieved Christ, that the children of this
world should be of more policy than the children of light; which thing
was true in Christ's time, and now in our time is most true. Who is so
blind but he seeth this clearly; except perchance there be any that
cannot discern the children of the world from the children of light? The
children of the world conceive and bring forth more prudently; and things
conceived and brought forth they nourish and conserve with much more
policy than do the children of light. Which thing is as sorrowful to be
said, as it seemeth absurd to be heard. When ye hear the children of the
world, you understand the world as a father. For the world is father of
many children, not by the first creation and work, but by imitation of
love.
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