Spiritual Perfecion: there be a more monlirous perverting the retitude of Truth , to conform it to the crooked Lufts of Men ? St.Aufiin fpeaking of this vain and impious Pre- fumption of force in his time, advifes them, " Do not form fuck an unworthy 46 conception of God, as were very un- " becoming a good Man : He is not vi " be brib'd by offerings of Robbery, as if he were a party in the Robbery : " Such Alms and Legacies are fo far from propitiating him, that they cry " for Vengeance againft thofe that offer " them. Yet how many , who have raifed great Eftates by Unrighteoufnefs, quiet their accufing Thoughts by refol- ving to bequeath time pious Legacies, when they íhall leave the World ? And how often when a Rich Man dyes, his laft Will dyes with him, and is buried in oblivion ? How can an unrighteous Man confide in the Confcience of ano- ther, when his own has been fo unfaith- ful ? Befides, that is only ours that re, mains when all our Debts are paid ; and till there be reftitution of what byDeceit or Force was unjuftl-y got, there is no thing to give. 2. A covetous Man is very defeaive in the manner of giving. There are internal Affeaions to be mix'd with the gts of Charity. They muff be dono D 3 with 37 Noli tslem tibi pingere Deum. Aug. Serro. 5 de Verb. Dora.
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