And thus much have we spoken of the manifold blessings & benefits which are promised to those who exercise themselves in the works of mercy; now we are to speak of the durable continuance of them, expressed in those words; endureth for ever. The first word signifying, that the fruits of our almsdeeds are lasting, for they fly not from us, but endure; the other, that they are everlasting, for they stay with us, not only a long time, but they endure for ever. Concerning the former, the benefit of our almsdeeds is very great, for whereas our riches are in their own nature most flitting, mutable and inconstant, they being every day ready to leave us, or we them; by giving of alms they are preserved for our use: whereas like an Eagle they are still ready to fly away from us, as the wise man speaketh, Prou. 23. 15. by this means their wings are clipped, so as they cannot take their flight nor depart from us. In which respect that conceit should not hinder us from giving alms which hindereth many, ⟨p. 223⟩namely, that their riches so bestowed are merely lost; yea, rather nothing more should persuade us to be bountiful in giving, seeing it is the only means to preserve them from losing; for if we keep them, they will fly away from us, but if we give them, they will continue with us. If we imprison them within stone-walls never so surely under lock and key, bolts and iron bars, they will make an escape; but if we commit them to the custody of the poor, they will become lasting treasures and durable riches which will long continue with us. So that if we would make choice of a treasury for our wealth which cannot be violated, of a lock that cannot be picked, and of an iron barred chest that cannot be broken open; let the poor keep it in their bellies, which of all other places is most safe and secure. For this is Christs treasury, which none can burst into, and what is put into it, is in his custody, and therefore safe enough, because he is the strong man whom none can turn out of possession, nor pluck any thing from him with violence, which he holdeth 2in his hand. In which regard it may be truly said, that as the merciful man is of all others most rich, so also most provident in keeping his goods the safest & securest, through his providence from fear of losing them;
ANd thus much haue we spoken of the manifold blessings & benefits which are promised to those who exercise themselues in the works of mercy; now we are to speak of the durable continuance of them, expressed in those words; endureth for euer. The first word signifying, that the fruits of our almesdeedes are lasting, for they flie not from vs, but endure; the other, that they are euerlasting, for they stay with vs, not onely a long time, but they endure for euer. Concerning the former, the benefit of our almesdeedes is very great, for whereas our riches are in their own nature most flitting, mutable and inconstant, they being euery day redie to leaue vs, or we them; by giuing of almes they are preserued for our vse: whereas like an Eagle they are still ready to flie away from vs, as the wise man speaketh, Prou. 23. 15. by this meanes their wings are clipped, so as they cannot take their flight nor depart from vs. In which respect that conceipt should not hinder vs from giuing almes which hindereth many, ⟨p. 223⟩namely, that thejr riches so bestowed are meerely lost; yea, rather nothing more should perswade vs to be bountifull in giuing, seeing it is the only meanes to preserue them from losing; for if wee keepe them, they will flie away from vs, but if wee giue them, they will continue with vs. If wee imprison them within stone-wals neuer so surely vnder locke and key, bolts and iron barres, they will make an escape; but if we commit them to the custody of the poore, they will become lasting treasures and durable riches which will long continue with vs. So that if we wold make choice of a treasurie for our wealth which cannot be violated, of a locke that cannot be picked, and of an iron barred chest that cannot bee broken open; let the poore keepe it in their bellies, which of all other places is most safe and secure. For this is Christs treasurie, which none can burst into, and what is put into it, is in his custody, and therfore safe enough, because he is the strong man whom none can turne out of possession, nor plucke any thing from him with violence, which he holdeth 2in his hand. In which regard it may bee truely sayd, that as the mercifull man is of all others most rich, so also most prouident in keeping his goods the safest & securest, through his prouidence from feare of losing them;
- 1Prou. 23, 5.
- 2Luk. Joh. 10. 28.Luk. Ioh. 10. 28.
