Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/330

326 FAMILIAR COLLOQUIES. is the true gospel-bearer that carries it in his hands, in his movith, and in his heart. Po. But where are these 1 Ca. The deacons in the churches, who bath carry the gospel, read it to the people, and have it in their hearts.

Po. But for all that, they are not all holy who carry the gospel in their hearts. Ca. Do not play the sophist with me. A man does not carry it in his heart that does not love it with all his soul ; and nobody loves it as he ought, that does not conform to it in his life. Po, These subtleties I do not understand. Ca. I will be plainer then, If you were to carry a flagon of wine upon your shoulders, what is it but a burden ? Po. Nothing. Ca. If you hold it in your mouth and spurt it out 1 Po, I should be never the better for it, though I do not often use to do so. Ca. But suppose you take a hearty draught, as your way is 1 Po. There is nothing more divine. Ca. It warms the whole body, brings the blood into the cheeks, and makes a man look with a meriy countenance. Po. Most certainly. Ca. So it is with the gospel ; being received into the veins of the soul, it renews the whole habit of the man. Po. It may be you think, then, that I do not lead my life according to my book. Ca. Nobody can tell that better than yourself. Po. If it indeed were to be resolved after the military manner.

Ca. Suppose a man should give you the lie to your face, or call you blockhead, what would you do ? Po. What would I do ? I would give him a box on the ear. I woxild make him feel the weight of my fingers. Ca. What if he should give you a box on the ear 1 Po. Why, then, I would cut his throat for it. Ca. But your book teaches you another lesson, and bids you return good (words) for evil ; and if any one strikes you on the right cheek, to turn to him the left also. Po. I have read so, but I had forgot it. Ca. You pray often, I sup- pose. Po. That is pharisaical. Ca. Long -prayers are, indeed, pharisaical, if they be accompanied with ostentation. But your book teaches that you should pray always, but with your mind. Po. Well, but for all that, I do pray sometimes. Ca. When ? Po. Sometimes when I think of it. It may be once or twice a week. Ca. And what is your prayer 1 Po. Why, the Lord's prayer. Ca. And how often do you say it over ? Po. But once. For the gospel forbids vain repe- titions. Ca. Can you go through the Lord's prayer without thinking of anything else ? Po. J never tried that. Is it not enough that I pronounce? I cannot tell that God takes notice of anything in prayer but the voice of the heart.

Ca. Do you fast often? Po, No, never. Ca. But your book recommends prayer and fasting both. Po. I should approve of it too, but my stomach will not bear it. Ca. But St. Paul says, " that he is no servant of Christ that serves his belly." Do you eat flesh every day 1 Po. Yes, when I can get it. Ca. And you are of a robust constitution, 'that would live upon hay (like a horse) or the barks of trees. Po. But Christ says " that those things that go into a man do not defile him." Ca. Nor do they, if they be taken moderately, and without giving scandal. But St. Paul, who was a disciple of Christ, would rather starve with hunger than offend a weak brother by his eating; and he exhorts us to follow his example, and that we become all things to all men. Po. But Paul is Paul, and Polyphemus