care of thy soul? Is not the soul more than the body? And what will it profit thee to gain all things, and lose thy soul? Nothing is more displeasing or offensive to me than to hear these words: I have bought a farm and yokes of oxen; I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Is it not these and the like acts that I once so severely and plainly condemned?[1] See thyself if it be right to prefer such vanities to me.
Man. I confess, O Lord, that it is too unworthy for such perishable trifles to forsake thee and thy table, which thou hast so lovingly, so delightfully, and so abundantly provided, not for thyself, not for the angels, but for us men. But thou knowest thyself how hard it is for a man amid so much business, both public and private, — amid so many cares and necessities of this life, to keep his mind collected and sufficiently disposed duly to partake of such great mysteries.
Christ. Then make all the more haste to come to me, for all things are carried on through my wisdom and providence. The more difficult are thy affairs, and the greater the wisdom they require, so much the more have recourse to the Tabernacle, and consult the Lord: there thou hast the fountain of wisdom, the Angel of great counsel. If, therefore, thou needest wisdom, ask of me, and it shall be given thee. Oh, if thou didst but know how many weave spiders’ webs and toil in vain! In how many things many have ill success, because they consult not the mouth of the Lord![2] It is vain for you to rise before light, to go to your labours and business, unless I, the Sun of justice, shed light upon your efforts.
Man. Truly, O Lord, the thoughts of mortal men are full of fear, and our counsels uncertain.[3] Henceforth, therefore, thou shalt be my light and my guide, and thy justifications shall be my counsel; and therefore will I the oftener resort with Moses to thy tabernacle, to consult the Lord.
§ 6. Whether we should abstain from Holy Communion because of what men think and say.
Christ. But there are very many also who for fear of men’s judgments come but seldom to my table. But thou, who knowest that the supreme Judge alone is to be feared, as one who has power to cast into hell, why dost thou, who wouldst please me, place more dependence on men’s words than upon mine? Is not every man a liar? and am not I the truth itself? Endeavour,
