Chapter 6: OF THE DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN

OF THE DUTIES OF A CHRISTIAN

Now it cannot be doubted what be the duties of a Christian, and to what actions he should be chiefly devoted: namely, to all those whereby every one, for his part, may profit his neighbors - first, with respect to life eternal, that they may begin to know, worship and fear God: and then with respect to the present life, that they may want nothing required by bodily necessity. For as the whole law of God, which is a most absolute commandment of all righteousness, is summed up in this one word; "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Rom. 13:9) so in rendering this love it is necessary that all righteousness be comprised and completed. Hence nothing at all is to be reckoned among the duties of a Christian which has not some force to profit our neighbor, and that every such work pertaineth the more to a Christian as more advantage may accrue to his neighbor. Therefore, after ecclesiastical functions we place among the chief duties of a Christian the administration of the government, obedience to magistrates (for these are of importance for the common profit), the care which is devoted to wife, children and family, and the honor which is rendered parents, because without these the life of men cannot subsist; and, lastly, the professions of good arts and all honorable branches of learning, since without the cultivation of these we would necessarily be destitute of the greatest blessings, and those which are peculiar to mankind. Yet in these and all other duties of human life no man must inconsiderately take anything to himself, but conscientiously consider whither God calls him. To conclude, let every man account that his duty, and that duty the more excellent. Whereby he may confer the greatest advantage upon men.