Hugo Grotius · 45 of 132

SECT. XIV. About the use of temporal goods.

TO come now to the use of those things which are commonly called goods; we find theft allowed by some heathen nations, as the Egyptians and Spartans; and they who did not allow it in private persons, did scarce any thing in the public; as the Romans, of whom the Roman orator said, if every one should have his due restored to him, they must go back again to their cottages. Indeed, there was no such thing amongst the Hebrews; but they were permitted to take usury of strangers, that the law might in some measure be fitted to their disposition; (and therefore, amongst other things, it promised riches to them that obeyed it. But the Christian law not only forbids all kind of injustice towards any persons; but also forbids us setting our affections upon perishing things; because our mind is of such a nature, that it cannot diligently attend to the care of two things, each of which requires the whole man, and which oftentimes draw him contrary ways: and besides, solicitousness in procuring and preserving riches, is attended with a certain slavery and uneasiness, which spoils that very pleasure which is expected from riches: but nature is satisfied with a very few things, and those such as can easily be procured, without any great labour or charge. And, if God has granted us something beyond this, we are not commanded to cast it into the sea, as some philosophers imprudently did; nor to let it lie useless by us, nor yet to lavish it away: but, out of it, to supply the wants of other men, either by giving or lending to those that ask it; as becomes those who believe themselves not to be proprietors of these things, but only stewards and deputies of the most high God their parent; for a kindness well bestowed is a treasure full of good hope, against which neither the wickedness of thieves, nor variety of accidents, can prevail any thing. An admirable example of which sincere and undissembled charity the first Christians afford us; when things were sent from so great a distance as Macedonia and Achaia, in order to supply the want of those in Palestine; as if the whole world had been but one family. And here this caution is added also, in the law of Christ, that no hope of recompence or honour ought to diminish from our liberality; because, if we have regard to any thing else but God, it takes away his acceptance. And, lest any one should pretend, as is commonly done, to cloke his sparingness, as if he were afraid he should want what he has, when he comes to be an old man, or if any misfortune should befall him, the law promises, that a particular care shall be taken of those who keep these precepts: and, that they may the more rely upon it, reminds them of the remarkable providence of God, in providing for wild beasts and cattle, in adorning herbs and flowers; and that it would be an unworthy thing in us, not to believe so good, so powerful a God, nor to trust him any further than we would do a bad debtor, of whom we never think ourselves secure without a pledge.