" But surely they would be the same, if he meant to bind me
by commandment to give every man without exception something. For
so should I leave myself nothing.
Our Saviour, in that place of the sixth chapter of St. Luke,
speaketh both of the contempt that we should have in heart of
these worldly things, and also of the manner that men should use
toward their enemies. For there he biddeth us love our enemies,
give good words for evil, and not only suffer injuries patiently
(both the taking away of our goods and harm done unto our body),
but also be ready to suffer the double, and over that to do good
in return to those who do us the harm. And among these things he
biddeth us give to every man who asketh, meaning that when we can
conveniently do a man good, we should not refuse it, whatsoever
manner of man he may be, though he were our mortal enemy, if we
see that unless we help him ourselves, the person of that man
should stand in peril of perishing. And therefore saith St. Paul,
"If thine enemy be in hunger, give him meat."
But now, though I be bound to give every manner of man in some
manner of his necessity, were he my friend or my foe, Christian
man or heathen, yet am I not bound alike unto all men, nor unto
any many in every case alike. But, as I began to tell you, the
differences of the circumstances make great change in the matter.
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