A brief exposition with practical observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes by that…A briefe exposition with practicall observations upon the whole book of Ecclesiastes by that…

Doctr. 1. When dangerous times hang over the public State, it is a point of holy wisdom to be liberal and bountiful to charitable and pious uses, especially there, where there is least hope of recompense in mans eye: Bread cast upon the face of the waters is utterly lost in mans reason; it will either sink or swim away. Yet cast thy Bread there especially in dangerous times, when thou knowest not what evils are coming upon the Land. There be six or seven properties of Alms Deeds, or other good offices of Christian love, and bounty, which Solomon comprehendeth (even all of them in these words.) First, to be doing good readily and roundly, not so as if a gift, or good work stuck in a mans fingers: implied in the word Cast, not give only, or draw out, but cast. God loveth a cheerful giver, 2 Cor. 9.7. Secondly, To do it usefully and helpfully, cast thy Bread, not stones, not scorpions, not scraps, not refuse: but such things as may do true good, may be a staff and support to others, as Bread. Bread (in Matth. 6.11.) is put for all profitable outward things. Thirdly, to do it justly of a mans own, not others; not to rob one to succour another; ⟨p. 235⟩give the bread; Prov. 5.16, 17. Isai. 61.8. Pay debts first, give after. Fourthly, To do it freely without hope of recompense from them on whom you cast your bread. Bread cast on water will either sink or swim away, Luke 14.13, 14. By waters is not here meant locus irriguus, moist and fruitful ground, as Isaiah 32, 20. for there it is not said besides all waters (where such places are fruitful:) but upon the face of the waters. Nor here meant watery faces, weeping for want, though that be part of the meaning, Fifthly, To do it sincerely, without aim of vainglory. This bread thus cast upon the face of the waters, stayeth not to be seen of men, but either sinketh or swimmeth away. Bread given as the Pharisees did for vainglory, is cast rather upon pillars of Marble, or of Brass, rather then upon fleeting waters. Sixthly, to do it frequently and often, not rarely, and to a few; give a portion to seven, and also to eight, v. 2. Seven put for many,