PROLEGOMENA. XXXiX. 



wealth, as recommended by Jesus Christ. Now 

 riches, therefore, according to the meaning of 

 the words of our Lord, can only be sanctified 

 by thei;- destruction, or the giving- of them all, 

 above what are immediately necessary, away to 

 the poor ; in which case they are no longer riches, 

 but alms. It is difficult so to despise what we 

 really possess, as to live even with munificence 

 in a state of spiritual poverty. Riches tend to 

 monopoly, the cold selfish antithesis to the 

 Christian perfection of community. The woful 

 experience of all ages has shown, not only that 

 they attach men to this world, and therefore defeat 

 the object of the theological virtues already ex- 

 plained, but that they foster selfish vices : so that in 

 modern commercial states, cupidity and pre- 

 sumption have become a proverb ; whence we hear, 

 '' Every man for himself and God for us all," 

 instead of the good old Catholic maxim of 

 " Every one for his neighbour and all for God." 

 It is thus that I have become convinced, with the 

 great model of charity, — Etiamsi nullo superad- 

 dito, laus Deo par for et, ad majorem tamen 

 imitationem Christi, eUgendum j)otius esse, cum 

 eo paupere spreto et ilhiso, pauperiem con- 

 temptum et insipientiae titulum, quam opes 

 honores et sajjientiae aestimationem sectari.* 

 I will not debate it with any man, rich or 



• Apothegf. lib. i. 3. 



