Question XVI: Whether it is lawful for religious to transact secular business

The holy Doctor laments most anxiously, in his letters to the Provincials, RELIGIOUS entangled in secular business.

I ASSERT that it is an evil to engage in business of this kind, unless one takes it up out of charity.

It is PROVED from St. Bonavent. opusc. 25. memorialium, and from St. Thom. here following him 2. Timot. 2. No man that fighteth for God entangleth himself with secular business.

The same is had cap. Sunt nonnulli, 26. quaest. 1.

That it is LAWFUL however out of charity the holy Doctors prove, because the state of Religion is ordered to charity. Thus to the Apostles he commends Rom. ult. Phoebe: That you assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you. The same is had in decr. dist. 88. cap. 2. Decreti, and 4. Reg. 4. Eliseus said to the woman: hast thou any business, and wouldst thou have me speak to the King, or to the captain of the army?

The holy Doctor however admonishes lib. 1. and St. Thom. opusc. 19. cap. 15. and Caiet. here ad 3. as also Valent. quaest. 5. puncto 1. that these businesses must be carried on without tumult, disquiet, or clamor, that is, religiously done.