27. The needy are to be received in hospitality and admitted to the table. — Namely, esteeming himself to do prejudice to piety, if he alone were to eat that which the Lord of all had created in common. Which fellowship of converse ought indeed to be with such persons within the domestic walls, from whom the merits of eternal recompense may profit. Whence the holy man declares that he had not just anyone, but the orphan as his companion for eating. But whether he had such great bowels of piety from himself, or attained them by the grace of his Creator, let it be made known. It follows: