this reason the commandments of Almighty God and of His Church, and the obligations of our state. Hence spring many sins that are the daughters of avarice; viz., lies, frauds, perjuries, violence, tyrannies, cruelties, suits, discords and innumerable others; upon which the apostle said that " the desire of money is the root of all evils." [1]
iv. Whoever has made a vow of poverty sins against it in usurping to himself (without leave of his superior) what is given him by others, or in alienating what is given him, or in hiding it; or in employing what he has to a prohibited use, or after an appropriating manner, that is, with an affection so inordinate, as if it were his own, being sad or complaining when by just title they deprive him of it.
v. We may sin by doing good works principally for temporal interest, or by omitting obligatory works for the same end, treading under foot the rules of our state and office.
This examination being made, I will consider whether I have anything that may be an idol for my avarice to adore; seeing (as St. Paul says) avarice " is the service " and adoration " of idols." [2] And if I find any such thing in my possession, or in my heart any such affection and desire of it, I will confess these sins before God our Lord, with great shame that I have coveted anything against Him, resolving to root out this affection, and if I can also, to divest myself of that which is its cause. To this end I shall be aided with these considerations ensuing.
POINT II.
Secondly, I am to consider the evils and chastisements of avarice, reducing them to the three kinds that have been spoken of.
1. First, I will ponder that avarice (as St. Paul says)
