Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/269

ICHTHYOPHAGIA; OB, FISH-EATING. 265 and charity, why was the burden of the law taken away from them, as from persons weak, and in danger, under an unequal yoke? Why did Peter by the inspiration of the Spirit call it an intolerable burden?? Fi. It was taken away on one part, lest Judaism, as it had begun, should overwhelm the glory of the gospel; and lest the Gentiles, by the stumbling block of the law, should be alienated from Christ, among whom there were many weak persons, who were in a double dangeron the one hand, lest they should believe there was no salvation to be had without the observation of the law; and on the other hand, lest they should rather choose to remain in paganism, than take upon them the yoke of the Mosaic law. It was necessary to allure these weak minds, as it were, with a bait of liberty. Secondly, That they might heal them who denied there was any hope of salvation by the profession of the gospel without the observation of the law, circumcision, sabbaths, and the choice of meats, and other things of that kind, they either wholly took away, or changed into something else. And besides, whereas Peter denies that he was able to bear the burden of the law, it is not to be understood of him as to the person he then bare, when there was nothing unbearable to him, but of the stupid and weak Jews, who, though they were cloyed with it, fed upon the husk, not having any relish of the Spirit.

Bu. You argue, indeed, very smartly; but for all that, in my opinion, even at this day, there is no less reason why those carnal obligations that are arbitrary, and not obligatory, should be taken away. Fi. Why so ]

Bu. I lately saw the whole world described in a large map; from thence I learned how small a part of the world it was that truly and sincerely professed the Christian religion. One small part of Europe to the east, and another towards the north; the third inclining towards the soiith, but reaching but a little way; and the fourth part, which is Poland, inclining towards the east. All the rest of the world is either possessed by barbarians or such as differ but very little from brute beasts; or schismatics, or heretics, or both. Fi. But did you not mind the southern shore, and the Christian islands that lay scattered about it? Bu. I saw them, and learned that there were great spoils brought out of them, but no Christianity carried into them. When, indeed, when there is so plentiful a harvest, it seems most advisable for the propagation of the Christian religion to do as the apostle did, who took away the burden of the Mosaic law, lest the Gentiles should fall back; so now to allure the weak, the obligations to some ceremonies should be removed, without which the world was saved in the beginning, and may now, if it hath faith and gospel charity.

Again, I both hear and see many who place religion in places, garments, meats, fasts, gestures, and songs, and for the sake of these things judge their neighbours contrary to the precept of the gospel. From whence it comes to pass, that whereas faith and charity constitute the Christian religion, they are both extinguished by those superstitions. For he is far from the faith of the gospel who depends upon these acts; and he is far from Christian charity who for the sake of meat or drink, which a person may lawfully use, exasperates his brother, for whose liberty Christ died. What bitter contentions do we see among Christians? What spiteful calumnies upon account of a gar-