The practical divinity of the papists discovered to be destructive of Christianity and mens…

Sect. 3. Proceed we to the last sort of their good works, to wit, acts of Mercy, or Charity, comprised in Alms-deeds for the relief of the Indigent; and we can scarce discover, that these will ever be necessary by their doctrine. Cardinal Cajetan (one represented as more favourable to these acts of Charity than divers others) tells us, ^(a)that to omit them is no mortal sin, (and therefore to do them,, will not be necessary by any command) but only in two cases: First, when one hath superfluities, both in respect of nature and state; that is, more than either nature, or the quality of the person requires. Secondly, When the Poor are in extreme necessity (not in common want only, but such as is extraordinary). And these two are so described to us, that themselves confess they very seldom fall out, and we may think, hardly ever; so that rarely, or never will this good work be necessary. For the former, that a person ^(b)may be judged to have any thing superfluous, (without which he is not bound to relieve others) it must be considered what is requisite for the honourable expenses of himself, his Children and Family, and what for the munificence of his state and magnificence too; what for common events and casualties, to provide against them, and other things of this nature. Upon which he concludes, it will rarely fall out that a man living splendidly, according to his quality, will have any thing superfluous. And so very rarely, (if he had said never, the premises would have borne it) will it be the duty of such as have enough to live gloriously, to spare any thing for the poor. Less pride and vain-glory, or prodigality, than they allow them to have without ⟨p. 402⟩any mortal guilt, will leave nothing superfluous, and so quite excuse them from these good works. Navarre is of the same mind, and tells us, ^(c)there are few rich men who have any thing superfluous, since neither Kings, nor great Princes can be thought to have superfluities; having said a little before, that it cannot easily be judged that any secular person hath more than is needful for his condition. For he may heap up moneys to purchase more, or to advance his condition higher; and so still have no more than is requisite for his state, and nothing at all will be due for charitable acts.