Page:Complete Works of Menno Simons.djvu/328

28 according to the truth; this is incontrovertible.

Is it not a false assertion to say that the giving of alms shows true repentance: since we do not know whether it is done in sincerity of heart or in hypocrisy and vanity, while he can plainly see that those who give alms generally are merely of the world and flesh, yea, without regeneration and repentance?

It would be well if he could take to heart what stands written: The alms (gifts) of the ungodly do not please the Most High; and sins are not remitted by much offering; he who offers of the possessions of the poor, does, even as if he slaughtered the Son, in the sight of the Father. But to keep God's commandments, is a pleasing offer and to do according to the command, this is an offer which avails. "To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation." Again, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams," Eccl. 35: 3; 1 Sam. 15: 22.

I would further say that it is my fixed opinion that the before-mentioned alms, of which he boasts, are not the two mites or pennies of the widow's necessaries; but only a small crumb of their abundance, riches, and wealth. This I frankly assert, and I have not the least doubt that if they would apply, to the support of the poor, their silk, damask, and the superabundance of clothes in which they go splendidly attired, the ornaments of their houses, the golden and silver rosaries, the useless, costly ornaments, gold rings, chains, silvered and gilt swords, besides, the booty of the persecuted which may be found in the houses of some, then the poor would not, in the least, suffer from want.

O, my reader, yet by him, this must be called true repentance and a highly boastful work. If such boasting of outward works was heard from our side, how soon would we hear that we are work-saints, and that we want to be saved by our own merits. O, Lord! O dear Lord! thus the ignorant people are deceived and consoled in their impenitent, reckless life with their own works and merits. I think that such preachers may justly be called peace-preachers, bolsterers, and false daubers of the Spirit of the Lord, since they praise such a carnal people as penitent and happy according to the prophetic word, while they are still quite earthly and carnally-minded; as their daily walk openly testifies before the whole world.

My faithful reader, observe the word of the Lord, and take heed; for it is not always a true Christian faith nor sincere repentance which the children of the world, who are prone to walk upon the broad way, sometimes teach and represent as true faith and sincere repentance. But this is true faith; which cordially accepts all the words of God, the threatening commands as well as the consoling gospel, and trusts in them as the sure and true word of God, &c. From such faith, which Paul calls a gift of God, springs the fear of God which drives out sin, and the true love which gladdens, enlivens, and cheers the heart and leads it into the obedience of the word.

Where there is such a faith which brings forth a new, converted, and changed mind; which makes us dead unto sin and leads us into a new life; changes us from Adam to Christ; puts off the old man with all his works and puts on the new man with his works and thus conforms all his thoughts, words, and works to the Spirit, word, and ways of the Lord, behold, there is true repentance to which the holy prophets, John the baptist, Christ Jesus, together with all the apostles and pious servants have so earnestly pointed us and so faithfully admonished us.

All those who would rightly preach this faith and this genuine repentance, and would thereby bring forth fruits, must themselves first, truly believe and sincerely repent; this is too obvious to be denied; and that Gellius and his like preachers do not yet, in power and truth, believe and sincerely repent, I will leave to be judged by their own writings and fruits, both here on earth and before the throne of God and Christ. Gellius further writes, and says, If it were true that many of our audience turn the preaching of the holy gospel to lasciviousuess, as in Jude 4, and that our preaching avails but little, although many pious, penitent hearts incontrovertibly prove the contrary, then the old lamentation of the prophet Isaiah were but verified, that says, Who hath believed our report, &c.? He also points to the saying of Christ, namely. If they have kept