forethought for subsistence, they are anxious to obtain lands,
farms, and pastures, which may enable them to perform these acts of
hospitality. However, to repress and remove from this sacred Order
the detestable stigma of ambition, I wish they would sometimes call
to mind what is written in Ecclesiasticus, "Whoso bringeth an
offering of the goods of the poor, doth as one that killeth the son
before his father's eyes;" and also the sentiment of Gregory, "A
good use does not justify things badly acquired;" and also that of
Ambrose, "He who wrongfully receives, that he may well dispense, is
rather burthened than assisted." Such men seem to say with the
Apostle, "Let us do evil that good may come." For it is written,
"Mercy ought to be of such a nature as may be received, not
rejected, which may purge away sins, not make a man guilty before
the Lord, arising from your own just labours, not those of other
men." Hear what Solomon says; "Honour the Lord from your just
labours." What shall they say who have seized upon other men's
possessions, and exercised charity? "O Lord! in thy name we have
done charitable deeds, we have fed the poor, clothed the naked, and
hospitably received the stranger:" to whom the Lord will answer; "Ye
speak of what ye have given away, but speak not of the rapine ye
have committed; ye relate concerning those ye have fed, and remember
not those ye have killed." I have judged it proper to insert in
this place an instance of an answer which Richard, king of the
English, made to Fulke, {63} a good and holy man, by whom God in
these our days has wrought many signs in the kingdom of France.
This man had among other things said to the king; "You have three
daughters, namely, Pride, Luxury, and Avarice; and as long as they
shall remain with you, you can never expect to be in favour with
God." To which the king, after a short pause, replied: "I have
already given away those daughters in marriage: Pride to the