Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/81

Rh instructed by the favour of God. I do not usurp [other men's labours but] I have part with those whom He hath called and predestined to preach the Gospel amidst no small persecutions, even to the end of the earth; although the Enemy envies us by the tyranny of Coroticus, who fears not God, nor His priests, whom He hath chosen, and committed to them that greatest, Divine, sublime power: 'Whom they bind upon earth, they are bound also in heaven.'

4. I, therefore, earnestly beseech (you), who are holy and humble in heart, not to flatter such persons, nor to take food or drink with them, nor to deem it right to take their alms—until they rigorously do repentance with tears poured forth, and make satisfaction to God, and liberate the servants of God, and the baptized handmaidens of Christ, for whom He was put to death and crucified.

'The Most High reprobates the gifts of the wicked. He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.' 'The riches,' he says, 'which he will collect unjustly shall be vomited from his belly, the angel of death shall drag him off, the fury of dragons shall assail him, the tongue of the adder shall slay him,' [sic]  ' the inextinguishable fire shall devour him.' And, therefore, 'Woe unto those who fill themselves with things which are not their own.' Or, 'What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?'

It were long to discuss (texts) one by one, or to run through the whole law, to select testimonies concerning such cupidity. Avarice is a deadly sin: