An Ample Declaration of the Christian DoctrineChapter 15. Of the seuen Workes of mercie corporall, and seuen spirituall

Scholar. It remaineth that you declare to me the workes of mercie, aswell corporall as spirituall.

Master. The workes of mercie corporall are seuen. Whereof we haue six in the holie gospel; to wit, to geue meate to such as haue hunger: to geue drinke to such as haue thirste, to cloth the naked: to harbour pilgrims: to visite the sicke: to comforte the imprisoned. The seauenth worke, which is to burie the dead, holie Tobie hath taught vs, and the Angel Raphael. The workes of mercie spiritual are also seuen? to instruct the ignorant: to geue counsaile to the doubtfull: to comfort the afflicted: to correct such as erre: to pardon offences: to beare with other mens defects: and to pray to God for the quick and dead.

Scholar. Is there anie cause that excuseth vs, from the workes of mercie?

Master. Three things may excuse vs. The first is when a man hath not the meanes to do them: and so that good Lazarus, the poore begger, of whom it is read in the Gospel, did no corporall workes of mercie, because himselfe had need, in a manner of all those workes, and so was crouned for his patience. And this is the ordinance of God, that the rich may saue themselues, by shewing mercie, & the poore by the way of patience, and so he that hath not knowledge or prudence for himselfe, is not bound to teach or giue counsaile to others. The second cause is, when a man serueth God in a higher sorte, then the actiue life is, and by reason of that state, hath no occasion to do manie workes of charitie, so the holie Eremits, that remayne inclosed in solitarie places, or in their cels, to contemplate heauenlie thinges, are not bound to leaue that holie exercise, and goe to seeke those, to whom they may do workes of mercie. The third cause is, when a man doth not finde anie that hath notorious need of his mercie: for that we are not bound to succor anie but those, who can not help themselues, or haue not others that will and can help them. True it is, that perfect mercie doth not expect the time of the bond, but is readie to succour in the best manner it can, and all that it can.

Scholar. It seemeth to mee that all men may worke the last worke of mercie, that is, to praye to God for our neighbour?

Master. So it is, and therefore the holie Eremits do also the works of mercie, for that they pray to god that he giue his grace to al those that need it.