[♦] “shuned” replaced with “shunned”
4. In every family he took an opportunity to enquire whether God was served there? And whether any quarrels or differences were among them, which he took care to make up without delay. And he never left any without providing for all their necessities, which he took notice of with incredible diligence, sweetness, and respect; dispensing with other business, that he might have time to hear all their complaints.
5. Neither did he only visit the sick, but they also sought him, and would find him out wheresoever he came, if they were able to go abroad. The sick, the weak, the lame, or otherwise infirm, flocked to him from all quarters: he might often be seen encompassed with them; some requesting his medicines, some his alms, some his counsel. He treated all, as a true disciple of his great master, with the like diffusive charity; and stood in the midst of them with the like goodness and patience, endeavouring to do good, and to minister comfort to all.
6. Nor did his charity decline the care of those diseases which nature cannot behold without horror and aversion. During his stay at Dijon, he was informed of one, who having been among a company of soldiers, was left by them in so noisome a condition, that none would come near her, and the person where she lodged was going to turn her out of doors. He went instantly to the house, perswaded them to keep her there, and hired a woman to attend her. Then he provided her proper physic and nourishment, which he brought her with his own hands: in the mean time, reading to her every day, instructing and comforting her. By this means he at length not only retrieved her from the jaws of death, but induced her to spend the rest of her life in a virtuous and Christian manner.
SECTION IV.
His zeal for the salvation of his neighbour.
1.M. de Renty being continually inflamed with the love of God, incessantly sought always, and used all means to make him more known and loved by all men, both here and eternally. And this his zeal had no bounds; it extended not only to all France, but to all the world; insomuch that he said to an intimate friend, “I am ready to serve all men, not excepting one, and to lay down my life for any one.” He earnestly desired to enlighten with the knowledge of God, and inflame with his love, the whole world; of which Paris being as it were an epitome, he went through all the quarters and streets of that vast city, searching out what he could remove or bring in, for the glory of God, and salvation of souls. And the same spirit which moved him hereto, blest his endeavours to rectify what was amiss, and to strengthen what was right. *This he did in so many several ways, as a man would think it impossible: but what cannot a man do that is zealous, disinterested, and full of God?
2. He performed what possibly he could in his own person, not sparing any pains, nor losing one moment: and where his power fell short, he engaged others: and in all places he laboured, as much as in him lay, to induce such as desired to follow Christ, to join together, and assist one another in working out both their own and their neighbour’s salvation. Many such societies he established at Caen, at [♦]Amiens, at Dijon, and in several parts of Burgundy; whose endeavours being animated by a true zeal for God, were blessed with unexpected success.
[♦] “Amines” replaced with “Amiens”