Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IV/Commodianus/The Instructions of Commodianus/Chapter 71

LXXI.&#8212;To Visit the Sick.

If thy brother should be weak&#8212;I speak of the poor man&#8212;do not empty-handed visit such an one as he lies ill.&#160; Do good under God; pay your obedience by your money.&#160; Thence he shall be restored; or if he should perish, let a poor man be refreshed, who has nothing wherewith to pay you, but the Founder and Author of the world on his behalf.&#160; Or if it should displease thee to go to the poor man, always hateful, send money, and something whence he may recover himself.&#160; And, similarly, if thy poor sister lies upon a sick-bed, let your matrons begin to bear her victuals.&#160; God Himself cries out, Break thy bread to the needy.&#160; There is no need to visit with words, but with benefits.&#160; It is wicked that thy brother should be sick through want of food.&#160; Satisfy him not with words.&#160; He needs meat and drink.&#160; Look upon such assuredly weakened, who are not able to act for themselves.&#160; Give to them at once.&#160; I pledge my word that fourfold shall be given you by God.