Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)

Moreover, in the sixth Chapter of Matthew, the very same is repeated that was spoken of before. Let every one also call to his memory the other wholesome sentences of the lord his God, to stir him up to the giving of alms. In Deuteronomy Moses saith: Beware that thou harden not thine heart, nor shut too thine hand from thy needy brother: but open thine hand liberally unto him. Thou shalt give him, and let it not grieve thine heart to give unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall enrich and bless thee in all thy works, and in all thou puttest thine hand unto. The Lord shall never be without poor, and therefore I command thee, saying, Open thine hand liberally unto thy brother, that is poor and needy in the land. In the Psalms we find: A good man is merciful and le•deth, and guideth his words with discretion. He disperseth abroad, and giveth to the poor: his righteousness remaineth ⟨p. 289⟩for ever, his horn shall be exalted with honour. Solomon also saith: Let mercy or welldoing and faithfulness never part from thee, bind them about thy neck, and write them in the tables of thine hart, so shalt thou find favour and good estimation in the sight of God & men. Again, Honour the Lord with thy substance, and of the firstlings of all thine increase give to the poor: So shall thy barns be filled with plenteousness, and thy presses shall flow over with sweet wine. And again, Whosoever stoppeth his ear at the cry of the poor, he shall cry himself and not be heard. With these in all points do the sayings of the Apostles and Evangelists plainly agree. Give to every one that asketh of thee. Again, Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have showed mercy to the least of these my brethren, ye have showed it to me. Which sentence surely is worthy to be noted and deeply printed in the hearts of all Christians. For if the Lord Jesus reputeth that to be bestowed on himself, which thou bestowest on the poor: then undoubtedly he thinketh himself neglected and despised of thee, so often as thou neglectest or despisest the needy.

Moreouer, in the sixt Chapiter of Matthewe, the verie same is repeated that was spoken of before. Let euerie one also call to his memorie the other wholsome sentences of the lord his God, to stirr him vp to the giuing of almes. In Deuteronomie Moses sayth: Beware that thou harden not thine heart, nor shutt too thine hand from thy needie brother: but open thine hād liberallie vnto him. Thou shalt giue him, and let it not greeue thine heart to giue vnto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall inrich and blesse thee in all thy workes, and in all thou puttest thine hand vnto. The Lord shall neuer be without poore, and therefore I commaūde thee, saying, Open thine hand liberallie vnto thy brother, that is poore and needie in the land. In the Psalmes wee finde: A good man is mercifull and ledeth, and guideth his wordes with discretion. Hee dispearseth abroad, and giueth to the poore: his righteousnes remayneth