The properties of this beneficence are divers, and they are all implied in this metaphor of dispersing or scattering seed. As first in respect of the quantity, it must be liberal and bountiful, and we must dare multum multis, do much good unto many. For though a man be never so sparing in other things, yet he will not be niggardly in sowing his seed, but will scatter and cast it from him in full handfuls, as much as is sufficient, and the ground will well bear; because he knoweth that the fruitful harvest will return all again with large increase: and so the godly and blessed man though he be hard in idle expenses and superfluities, as in rioting, gaming, adorning the back and pampering the belly, yet he is bountiful in doing good, and scattereth the seeds of his beneficence with a liberal hand, because he knoweth that after the seedtime the ⟨p. 13⟩harvest will follow, and then all will be returned with great advantage, which argument the Apostle useth to stir up the Corinthians to this liberal beneficence, because he that soweth bountifully, shall reap bountifully, and he that soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly. 2 Cor. 9. 6. And this the wise man observed. Pro. 11. 24. There is (saith 1he) that scattereth, and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more then is meet, and cometh to poverty. 25. The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered again. In which regard one saith well, Non qui habet & seruat, sed qui 2impertit est dives, & impertitio, non autem possessio divites facit. Not he that hath wealth and keepeth it, but he that bestoweth it is rich, neither is it the possession, but the laying out of riches, that makes men rich. For he that soweth and gathereth more, is he who giveth earthly things, and gathereth heavenly and eternal: but he who gathereth on earth, and bestoweth it not, he putteth his treasure into a broken bag. Hag. 1. 6.3
The properties of this beneficence are diuers, and they are all implied in this metaphor of dispersing or scattering seede. As first in respect of the quantitie, it must be liberall and bountifull, and we must dare multum multis, doe much good vnto many. For though a man be neuer so sparing in other things, yet he will not be niggardly in sowing his seede, but will scatter and cast it from him in full handfuls, as much as is sufficient, and the ground will well beare; because he knoweth that the fruitfull haruest will returne all againe with large increase: and so the godly and blessed man though he be hard in idle expences and superfluities, as in rioting, gaming, adorning the backe and pampering the bellie, yet hee is bountifull in doing good, and scattereth the seedes of his beneficence with a liberall hand, because he knoweth that after the seedetime the ⟨p. 13⟩haruest will follow, and then all will be returned with great aduantage, which argument the Apostle vseth to stirre vp the Corinthians to this liberall beneficence, because he that soweth bountifully, shall reape bountifully, and he that soweth sparingly, shall reape sparingly. 2 Cor. 9. 6. And this the wise man obserued. Pro. 11. 24. There is (saith 1he) that scattereth, and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more then is meete, and commeth to pouertie. 25. The liberall soule shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered againe. In which regard one saith well, Non qui habet & seruat, sed qui 2impertit est diues, & impertitio, non autem possessio diuites facit. Not he that hath wealth and keepeth it, but he that bestoweth it is rich, neither is it the possession, but the laying out of riches, that makes men rich. For he that soweth and gathereth more, is he who giueth earthly things, and gathereth heauenly and eternall: but he who gathereth on earth, and bestoweth it not, hee putteth his treasure into a broken bagge. Hag. 1. 6.3
- 12. Cor. 9. 6. Pro. 11. 24. 25.
- 2Clemens Alexand. pe••g. lib. 3.
- 3Hag 1. 6.
