_His charity to the poor._
*1. WITH regard to the poor, M. _de Renty_’s thoughts stayed not on their habit or outward appearance; but passing further, he beheld under these, with the eye of faith, Jesus Christ present and dwelling in them. And as he burned with an ardent affection to our Lord, so he loved them tenderly, succoured them with all his might, and left nothing unattempted for their sakes. And with these eyes, not those of nature, must every one behold the poor, that will love them indeed, and have bowels of compassion for them.
2. From the year 1641, he invited to dinner two poor men twice a week, on _Tuesdays_ and _Fridays_. But increase of business obliged him five or six years after to reduce it to one day, commonly _Thursday_; when he invited three; and willing to join spiritual alms to corporal, he sought out such as seemed most to need instruction. To this end, while at _Paris_, after his morning devotions, he went to St. _Anthony_’s gate, and took such as were newly arrived, whom courteously saluting, he brought home (in winter to the fire) made them sit down, and with a cordial affection, which appeared in his whole behaviour, instructed them in the chief points of Christianity. While they sat at table, he served them himself, setting before them with his own hands the dishes brought in by his servants and children. After dinner, he waited on them himself to the gate, and dismissed them with an alms. This he continued to his death, and when he could not do it in person, his lady did the same to so many poor women.
3. Besides many other charities at his own house, he endeavoured the general relief of all the poor in _Paris_, and the parts adjacent; busied himself to understand their wants, studied ways of redress, and carefully pursued them. What he could not accomplish himself, he commended to others, spake for them, begged for them, bought necessaries for them; laboured to establish settled courses of living for men and children that were destitute, and when he could not at present provide for them abroad, maintained them at his own house till he could.
4. He was the first that motioned some relief for the poor _English_, driven by persecution out their own country. He engaged persons of quality in the purchasing of lands for their subsistence. When it was done, himself undertook the charge of distributing one part of this charity. This he performed, monthly, going to them a foot, and commonly alone entering their chamber, he saluted them with all tenderness and respect, and gave them their allowance wrapt up in a paper.
*5. In all his visits to the poor, after a general survey of their wants, he examined in particular as well their spiritual as bodily necessities; and endeavoured in the first place to mark their inclinations, their passions, their ill habits; what vices were predominant in them, and what were their chief infirmities: that like a prudent physician he might apply fit remedies, and teach them how to make the true use of their poverty.
6. As to their temporal necessities, he considered the capacity, industry, trade or employment of each: for tradesmen, he considered what tools or materials were necessary to set them to work. These he provided, either redeeming their own, or buying new. He then gave them provisions for two or three days, and provided them work not only for themselves, but also for their wives and children. Afterwards he bought some of their work, which he bestowed in alms upon others, and took orders for the quick sale of the rest, coming to them from time ♦to time to see if all went well, and encourage them to take pains.
♦ supplied missing word “to”
7. To these we may add, his charity to poor prisoners, whom he visited, comforted, and relieved, and when he found it expedient for them, (which he always first considered) used all means for their enlargement.
8. There was in _Low-Normandy_, one who had been a prisoner for several years, and tho’ innocent, was in great extremity. Many had endeavoured his release but without success, because of a powerful adversary. The thing being commended to M. _de Renty_, after a just information of the case, he committed the prosecution of it to his own advocate, made a report of it to the council, and went frequently in person to sollicit it.
9. But notwithstanding, perceiving the poor man’s cause to hang long, he changed his purpose, and writ to his adversary, offering, if the business might be referred to him, to take a journey into _Normandy_ immediately. When he came to the town, he went directly to the prison, and after an exhortation to the prisoners, seconded by his alms, he told the poor man his design, and exhorted him to pray to God for a blessing on his endeavours, and to rest in hope that by some means or other he should shortly be delivered.