For it is a most certain truth, that giving to the poor is the su•est and safest way of getting. For though Husband-men may sometimes lose the benefit of their seed sown, through mill-dews, or unseasonable weather, and such as put their money to use may come short of their principal, yet he who with an honest, and sincere heart giveth to the poor, shall in no wise lose his reward. For as the Wise-man speaketh, There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; Prov. 11.24. intimating unto us, that this scattering is the best way of increasing. And indeed so it is, for hath not our Saviour promised,1 That if we give, it shall be given unto us good measure pressed down, and shaken together? Here God gives us as it were a bill of his hand, and enters into bond, and becomes Surety with the poor, that what we give shall be repaid with advantage. This is a Paradox to worldly men, that giving should be the surest and safest way of getting and increasing, yet nothing more clearly laid down in the Scripture, and found to be true by the experience of all Gods people.
For it is a most certain truth, that giving to the poor is the su•est and safest way of getting. For though Husband-men may sometimes lose the benefit of their seed sowen, through mill-dews, or unseasonable weather, and such as put their mony to use may come short of their principal, yet hee who with an honest, and sincere heart giveth to the poor, shall in no wise lose his reward. For as the Wise-man speaketh, There is that scattereth, and yet encreaseth; Prov. 11.24. intimating unto us, that this scattering is the best way of encreasing. And indeed so it is, for hath not our Saviour promised,1 That if wee give, it shall bee given unto us good measure pressed down, and shaken together? Here God gives us as it were a bill of his hand, and enters into bond, and becomes Surety with the poor, that what wee give shall be repayed with advantage. This is a Paradox to worldly men, that giving should bee the surest and safest way of getting and encreasing, yet nothing more clearly laid down in the Scripture, and found to be true by the experience of all Gods people.
- 1Luk. 6.35.
