The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

Answ. They who filch, steal, or rob for this very end, As Parents for Children, or Children for Parents, or one friend for another. It is a sin for one to steal to satisfy his own hunger,¹ Much more it is sin, to steal for another, certainly it is a great wickedness to do injustice that we may do acts of Charity.

Answ. They who filch, steal, or rob for this very end, As Parents for Children, or Children for Parents, or one friend for another. It is a sin for one to steal to satisfie his own hunger,¹ Much more it is sin, to steal for another, certainly it is a great wickedness to do injustice that wee may do acts of Charity.

1. 1Prov. 6.31.

2. Such as having raised up an estate, or got something by indirect and unjust means, as by lying, swearing, false weigh's, deceitful measures, and the like; think to make up all by giving part to the Poor? For as the Civilians say well,¹ the good use doth not justify, the unjust getting of their goods. And can any imagine that God will be pleased with those mens charity, who give relief out of that which they have wrongfully gotten? restitution should rather be made to such as have been wronged. And if neither the parties wronged; nor their heirs can be found, then what hath been wrongfully got, ought to be given to the Poor, as their heirs. An example whereof we have in Zacheus, ²who having wronged many by oppression, after his conversion, offereth fourfold restitution unto all whom he had wronged, and because many could not be found, to whom he should make it, he offereth to bestow half of his goods to the relief of the Poor.