Christians and their Knowledge, to be communicative. [ 892]
THe Naturalists do observe, that the Pismires,* 1.1 which are reckoned amongst the most sagacious creatures; and the Bees, which are amongst the most use∣full; and the Elephants,* 1.2 amongst the potent, are for communion, and do gather and keep together: And the excellency of other creatures, lies in the communication of themselves, the Sun raying out his warm and cherishing beams, the Fountain bub∣ling out his purling streams, the Earth yielding forth soveraigne herbs and plants, all for the benefit of others. Such are all true Christians, they are then in their ex∣cellency, when they are communicative and usefull; nay, they encrease by commu∣nicating, and gain by giving away,* 1.3 and imparting their gifts. There is a story, of some mountains of Salt in Cumana, which never diminished, though carried away in much abundance by the Merchants; but when once they were monopolized, to the benefit of a private purse, then the salt decreased, till afterwards all were al∣lowed to take of it, it had a new accesse and encrease. The truth of this story may be uncertain,* 1.4 but the application is true, He that envies unto others the use of his gifts, decaies them; but he thrives most, that is most diffusive.