And thus much for the object of our alms: the time of performing this duty is daily, continually, and constantly, as our ability will bear, and the necessity of the poor shall require, according 1to that. Eccles. 11. 6. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening hold not thine hand. And this assiduity in the action is implied in the object. For whereas he saith, that the godly man giveth to the poor, he implieth thus much, that he continueth giving, so long as they continue in their poverty; and that there is no end of his bounty, till he seeth an end of their wants. Neither doth he upbraid the poor man with remembrance of former benefits when he reneweth his suites, as though it were too great boldness in him to crave often, and superfluous for himself to give often to the same person: but remembering that his heavenly father reneweth his mercies unto him every morning, and harkneth graciously to his suites so often as he wanteth and craveth; he imitateth his unwearied goodness, & giveth often to the same poor man, according ⟨p. 44⟩to his own ability and the others necessity, if he see that his wants are not caused through his idleness and negligence, but through the hand of God lying heavy upon him. Or if God hath provided otherwise, for those whom we have formerly relieved, this must not put an end to our charity and almsdeeds, seeing the godly man giveth to the poor, that is, so long as there are any poor, so long he giveth, his liberality not being appropriated unto any persons, but extending it self to the same estate and condition of poverty, when as he findeth it in new subjects. And therefore as the fountain sending forth it streams, first filleth one empty hole as it runneth, and then goeth into another, and never ceaseth till it hath filled all: so the fountain of the righteous mans bounty never ceaseth to communicate the streams of his beneficence, but after he hath supplied the wants of one and many, he still seeketh after more, and never thinketh himself so rich in good works and almsdeeds, that now he may give over and spend upon the stock, blessing himself in his former bounty; but still he continueth his spiritual trade and never fainteth, until the great paymaster have given him an everlasting reward.
And thus much for the obiect of our almes: the time of performing this duetie is daily, continually, and constantly, as our abilitie will beare, and the necessitie of the poore shall require, according 1to that. Eccles. 11. 6. In the morning sow thy seede, and in the euening hold not thine hand. And this assiduitie in the action is implyed in the obiect. For whereas he saith, that the godly man giueth to the poore, he implyeth thus much, that he continueth giuing, so long as they continue in their pouertie; and that there is no end of his bountie, till he seeth an end of their wants. Neither doth hee vpbraide the poore man with remembrance of former benefits when he renueth his suites, as though it were too great boldnesse in him to craue often, and superfluous for himselfe to giue often to the same person: but remembring that his heauenly father renueth his mercies vnto him euery morning, and harkneth graciously to his suites so often as he wanteth and craueth; he imitateth his vnwearied goodnes, & giueth often to the same poore man, according ⟨p. 44⟩to his owne abilitie and the others necessitie, if he see that his wants are not caused through his idlenesse and negligence, but through the hand of God lying heauie vpon him. Or if God hath prouided otherwise, for those whom wee haue formerly relieued, this must not put an end to our charitie and almesdeedes, seeing the godly man giueth to the poore, that is, so long as there are any poore, so long he giueth, his liberalitie not being appropriated vnto any persons, but extending it selfe to the same estate and condition of pouerty, when as he findeth it in new subiects. And therefore as the fountaine sending foorth it streames, first filleth one emptie hole as it runneth, and then goeth into another, and neuer ceaseth till it hath filled all: so the fountaine of the righteous mans bounty neuer ceaseth to communicate the streames of his beneficence, but after he hath supplyed the wants of one and many, he still seeketh after more, and neuer thinketh himselfe so rich in good workes and almesdeedes, that now he may giue ouer and spend vpon the stocke, blessing himselfe in his former bounty; but still he continueth his spirituall trade and neuer fainteth, vntill the great paimaister haue giuen him an euerlasting reward.
- 1Eccles 11▪ 6
