On Faith. 25

find that least desirable to believe, the laity or the priests?

Lod. The priests, for through that opinion their incomes would diminish.

Vred. Or if someone said that usury is not permitted to Christians, could that be easily believed by those who live from usury and become rich?

Lod. Hardly.

Vred. Or if someone taught that one ought not to kill a man for the sake of faith, which would believe that more easily: those who are of high standing with the authorities, who are even theologians themselves, and who persecute others or wish to persecute, or those who are the contrary—that is, the disregarded, the laity, and those who are persecuted?

Lod. The persecuted, for I know some, even theologians themselves, who, when they were not yet of high standing and were persecuted for the sake of faith, taught that one ought not to torment anyone for the sake of faith, but those same people, having subsequently attained high status and riches, have taught and done the contrary.

Vred. So you see that faith is hindered by self-love (or love of one’s self); that is, that people do not believe the things that are contrary to the things they cherish.

Lod. I see this clearly.

Vred. Let us now weigh whether this same thing is not also a cause in us, through which we believe Christ less: in the teaching of Christ, his history, his promises, and his commandments. Mostly everyone believes the histories and promises, in which no human cooperation is required; so they are not