ry. Wherefore, saith Christ, they have in this world their reward;
and so their oblations be not their own, nor be they acceptable before
God.

Another way God will refuse thy voluntary oblation, as thus: if so be it
that thou hast gotten never so truly thy goods, according both to the
laws of God and man, and hast with the same goods not relieved thy poor
neighbour, when thou hast seen him hungry, thirsty, and naked, he will
not take thy oblation when thou shalt offer the same, because he will say
unto thee, "When I was hungry, thou gavest me no meat; when I was
thirsty, thou gavest me no drink; and when I was naked, thou didst not
clothe me. Wherefore I will not take thy oblation, because it is none of
thine. I left it thee to relieve thy poor neighbours, and thou hast not
therein done according unto this my commandment, _Misericordiam volo, et
non sacrificium_; I had rather have mercy done, than sacrifice or
oblation. Wherefore until thou dost the one more than the other, I will
not accept thine oblation."

Evermore bestow the greatest part of thy goods in works of mercy, and the
less part in voluntary works. Voluntary works be called all manner of
offering in the church, except your four offering-days, and your tithes:
setting up candles, gilding and painting, building of churches, giving of
ornaments, going on pilgrimages, making of highways, and such other, be
called voluntary works; which works be of themselves marvellous good, and
convenient to be done. Necessary works, and works of mercy, are called
the commandments, the four offering-days, your tithes, and such other
that belong to the commandments; and works of mercy consist in relieving
and visiting thy poor neighbours. Now then, if men be so foolish of
themselves, that they will bestow the most part of their goods in
voluntary works, which they be not bound to keep, but willingly and by
their devotion; and leave the necessary works undone, which they are
bound to do; they and all their voluntary works are like to go unto
everlasting damnation. And I promise you, if you build a hundred
churches, give as much as you can make to gilding of saints, and
honouring of the church; and if thou go as many pilgrimages as thy body
can well suffer, and offer as great candles as oaks; if thou leave the
works of mercy and the commandments undone, these works shall nothing
avail thee. No doubt the voluntary works be good and ought to be done;
but yet they must be