We in no way wish to blame those who serve the king in the hope that His Majesty would reward them for their faithful service. On the contrary, we would say it is neither just nor reasonable to blame such a person. This would benefit the state. Just as the law sets out punishments for those who rebel against the will of the sovereign, it should also sanction his favors being given to those who serve him faithfully. Just as the fear of punishment holds the dissolute to their duty, so the hope of reward is a still greater spur for the good to act in such a way as to win favors from the prince.<\/p>\n
Although it is permitted and even praiseworthy to serve the prince faithfully in the hope of recompense from his generosity, we must admit there is an even more excellent disposition, one nobler and more perfect, that is, to have in view in serving the king only the good of his service. Even more excellent would be the attitude, in fulfilling one’s duties, of seeing in the king God himself, and therefore serving him with the sole view that this service is pleasing to God. This would lead one to have as the sole motive in serving the king that this is pleasing to God and is accomplishing what one knows to be his holy will.<\/p>\n
Would we not have reason to say with the wise man of Scripture, speaking of him who did not seek after gold, nor put his trust in riches: Quis est hic, et laudabimus eum?<\/i> [“Who is he that we may praise him?”]<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Who is this admirable person who has mastered this most uncontrollable of all the passions? Where can we meet him, so we can praise him as he deserves? Happily, he has been found. Despite the corruption of the age, France has had the glory of producing in our day a masterpiece of virtue in the person of Vincent de Paul. It can truly be said that his heart never sought after gold, nor did he put his trust and his affections in riches. Although his duties brought him in close contact with the source of rich treasures and magnificent rewards, he paid no attention to these possibilities. He had in view only the faithful service of his king, which would in turn redound to the glory of God. This was the sole motive which led him to accept the appointment and duties assigned to him. This was the bond that held him attached to the service of Their Majesties, even in most difficult times. This motive of giving glory to God in faithfully serving his prince gave him the strength, constancy, and perseverance in his service, amid all the contradictions, calumnies, and persecutions he had to undergo, and amid the dangers his position entailed.<\/p>\n First, when the queen mother at the beginning of the regency did him the honor of calling him to the Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs, he accepted solely out of the obedience he felt God willed that he should give to the wishes of Her Majesty. His zeal to promote the interests of religion and to procure greater glory for God made him accept this call, despite the extreme reluctance suggested by his humility, and by all that he foresaw would disturb his peace of mind and the desire he had, at his age, to fill out his days in peace.<\/p>\n In his position he had favorable opportunities to advance the temporal interests of his Congregation, if he wished to do so, and as he could have done most legally. It might have seemed, even, that the charity he owed his own confreres may have suggested this. Since many benefices passed through his hands, it would not have been difficult to direct some to the houses of his own Congregation, many of which were just in initial stages of establishment, and badly in need of help. Many of them could hardly support their service to God and to the Church without help, especially since their efforts in favor of the poor were always given without charge.<\/p>\n