426. It is well known that some people who have performed those kind acts which the world counts as pictures of charity hold the belief and think that they have carried out the deeds of charity, regarding them, as many Roman Catholics do indulgences, as reasons why they have been cleansed of their sins, and why they should be granted admission to heaven as regenerate. Yet they still do not regard as sins acts of adultery, hatred, revenge, fraud and in general the longings of the flesh, which they indulge in as they like. But in this case what are those good deeds of theirs but paintings showing angels associating with devils, or boxes of lapis lazuli containing poisonous snakes? But it is quite different if those acts of kindness are done by people who shun the wicked deeds listed above as hateful to charity.
[2] For in fact those kindnesses are in many ways beneficial, particularly giving to the poor and to beggars. They are a means by which boys and girls, servants and maids, and generally speaking all simple folk are introduced to charity; these are the external acts which lead people to absorb the functions of charity. They are its beginnings, and then like unripe fruit; and in the case of those who are later perfected by acquiring a proper knowledge of charity and faith, they become like ripe fruit. When this happens they look on their previous deeds as performed out of simplicity of heart, and nothing more than duties.
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