Use. 1 Instruction, to strive against infidelity which hindereth mens hearts from the cheerfulness of mercy, and stayeth their hands from many good contributions, and keepeth them wholly from the exercise of liberality. They lose by these means the opportunity of much gain, they debar themselves from that plenty which they might enjoy. They will not receive so much good as God will afford them, because their hearts will not afford them leave to believe, that there is so good a reward provided for them that afford relief to poor Christians. The Holy Ghost in the book of Ecclesiastes assureth us that nothing is lost that is bestowed in goodness. He willeth men to cast their bread upon the waters, and after many days they shall find it again. It is a kind of 1proverbial speech with us, for fruitless charges, to say, I might as well have thrown my money down the river. But in this case though we seem to throw our money, or food, into the river, or sea it self, we shall have it restored with advantage, yea, and when we think all is forgotten. And therefore he proceedeth to encourage men that they should lay about them, and not spare, in the exercise of liberality. Give (saith he) to seven, and also to eight. Bestow upon many, and when thou hast done that, make not an end, but give to more than thou didst before. As if he should have said, bestow as much seed as thou hast land to lay it on: and get as much land as thou hast seed to sow it with. But infidelity can hold no longer in hearing this, but out cometh her worthy question: How shall I live my self hereafter, if I give away all now? who knoweth what hard times be coming? Now he stoppeth her mouth with retortion of her own reason. No man knoweth what evil days may come, and therefore wisdom ⟨p. 88⟩would that we should make provision for our selves before hand. And nothing is surer laid up, then that which is charitably laid out; that will serve for a deer year, and a rainy day, as we are wont to speak in our proverb.
Vse. 1 Instruction, to striue against infidelitie which hindreth mens hearts from the cheerefulnes of mercie, and staieth their hands from many good contributions, and keepeth them wholly from the exercise of liberality. They lose by these meanes the opportunitie of much gaine, they debarre themselues from that plentie which they might enioy. They will not receiue so much good as God will affoord them, because their hearts wil not affoord them leaue to beleeue, that there is so good a reward prouided for them that affoord reliefe to poore Christians. The Holy Ghost in the booke of Ecclesiastes assureth vs that nothing is lost that is bestowed in goodnes. He willeth men to cast their bread vpon the waters, and after many daies they shall finde it againe. It is a kinde of 1prouerbiall speech with vs, for fruitlesse charges, to say, I might as well haue throwne my mony downe the riuer. But in this case though we seeme to throw our mony, or foode, into the riuer, or sea it selfe, wee shall haue it restored with aduantage, yea, and when wee thinke all is forgotten. And therefore he proceedeth to incourage men that they should lay about them, and not spare, in the exercise of liberalitie. Giue (saith he) to seuen, and also to eight. Bestow vpon many, and when thou hast done that, make not an end, but giue to more than thou didst before. As if hee should haue said, bestow as much seede as thou hast land to lay it on: and get as much land as thou hast seede to sow it with. But infidelitie can hold no longer in hearing this, but out commeth her worthie question: How shall I liue my selfe hereafter, if I giue away all now? who knoweth what hard times be comming? Now he stoppeth her mouth with retortion of her owne reason. No man knoweth what euill daies may come, and therefore wisedome ⟨p. 88⟩would that we should make prouision for our selues before hand. And nothing is surer laid vp, then that which is charitablie laide out; that will serue for a deere yeere, and a rainie day, as wee are wont to speake in our prouerbe.
- 1Eccles. 11. 1. 2.
