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Alms delivers from all Sin, and from Death, and will not suffer the Soul to go into Darkness. Tob. 4.11. See also c. 12. v. 9. Ps. 40.2. &c. Dan. 4.24. Prov. 16.6. Ecclus 29.15, &c.
FOR the due Ordering and Re∣gulation of your Charity, you must mark well, 1. In what Mea∣sure. 2. In what Manner. 3. To what Persons your Alms are to be given. And,
I. As to the Measure. Of thy Substance give Alms, and turn not a∣way thy Face from any poor Person; for so it shall come to pass, that neither the Face of our Lord shall be turned from thee. As thou shalt be able, so be merciful: If thou hast much, give abundantly: If thou hast little, study to impart also a little willingly. Tob. 4.7. And,
Thus the just Man is merciful, and will give. Ps. 36.21. because the just Man (as the Gloss) has always something to give; as for Example, a Farthing (a), a Cup of cold Wa∣ter (b), a Comfortable Word (c), or at least a Prayer.
Therefore let no one say, I have not any thing to give, &c.
§ II. As to the Manner of giving, you must bestow your Alms.
1. With all possible Secrecy, and with an Intention to please, not Men, but God, Mat. 6.2. &c.
2. Readily; because it is written, Do not prohibit him to do Good, that is able: If thou be able, thy self also do Good: Say not to thy [Needy] Friend, Go, and return, and to Mor∣row I will give to thee, whereas thou may'st give forthwith. Prov. 3.27, 28. Afflict not the Heart of the Nee∣dy, and defer not thy Gift to him that is in Distress. Ecclus 4.3. Qui cito dat, bis dat: A speedy Alms is a double Charity, when it has for its Motive the speedy Relief of the Necessitous: But when one gives quickly, that he may quit himself of the Importunity of his Petitioner, then he loses both his Gift and its Merit; as S. Augustine has it.
3. Courteously; because it is writ∣ten, Make thy self effable to the Con∣gregation of the Poor.—Bow down thy Ear to the Poor without Sadness, and pay thy Debt, and answer him peacea∣ble Words in Mildness. Ecclus 4.7, 8. And when thou hast given, upbraid not. Ecclus 41.28. In good Deeds give no Blame, and in every Gift give not the Sadness of an evil Word. Shall
not Dew cool Heat? So also a Word better than a Gift. Is not a [good] Word above a good Gift? But both are with a Justified Man. A Fool will upbraid bitterly. Ecclus 18.15. &c. The Gift of the Ʋnwise shall not be Brofitable for thee:—He will give few things, and upbraid many; and the opening of his Mouth is an In∣flammation, that does more Harm to the Soul, than his Gifts do Good to the Body of the distressed Recei∣ver, Ecclus 20.14, 15.
4. Cheerfully; because it is writ∣ten, In every Gift make thy Counte∣tenance cheerful. Ecclus 35.9. And let every one give as he has determin'd in his Heart, not of Sadness, or Ne∣cessity: For God loves a cheerful Giv∣er, 2 Cor. 9.7.
Therefore from the Poor turn not away thy Eyes for Anger; and leave not them that ask of thee, to curse thee behind thy Back. For the Prayer of him, that curses thee in the Bitterness of his Soul, shall be heard; and he that made him, will hear him. Eccles. 4.5, 6.
§ III. As to Persons, on whom you may bestow your Alms. If thou wilt do Good, know to whom thou dost it. — Do Good to the Just, and thou shalt find great Reward; and if not of him, assuredly of our Lord.— Give not to the Wicked, that will abuse thy Kindness, to the Dis∣honour of God, his own, or his Neighbour's Harm: For thou shalt find double Evils in all the Good, whatsoever thou shalt do to him: Because the Highest hates [Obstinate] Sinners, and will repay Vengeance to to the Wicked. Ecclus 12.1. &c.
Nevertheless, if you have reason to hope that your Kindness may be a Means to invite the Wicked to Goodness, then Be ye Merciful, as also your [Heavenly] Father is mer∣ciful: Who makes his Sun to rise upon the Good, and the Bad; and rains upon the Just, and the Ʋnjust. Luk. 6.36. Mat. 5.45. And if thy Enemy Hunger, give him Meat; if he Thirst, give him Drink. Be
not overcome of Evil, but overcome E∣vil with Good. Prov. 25.21, 22. Rom. 12.20, 21. And for that end, To every one, that asks, give. Luke 6.30. And whilst we have time, let us do Good to all, but especially to the Faithful, [Gal. 6.10.] as to Christ our Lord, who esteems what's done to them, as done to himself. Mat. 25.40. See 1 John 3.17, 18.
But what cannot be given to all, must be given to the more Needy; and if one be not more Needy than another, then chuse by Lot to whom it must be given. S. Aug. de Doctr. Christ. l. 1. c. 28.
Mar. 12.42.
Mat. 10.42.
Chap. XIX. § II.