Logoi eukairoi, essayes and observations theologicall & morall. Wherein many of the humours and diseases of the age are discovered, and characteriz'd: divers cautions and directions præscribed for the avoidance of their infection, and the promotion of their cure. Together with some meditations & prayers adjoyn'd, serving to the same purpose. / By a student in theologie.

Concerning Parsimony of Gifts.

ONe would think the obligati∣ons christianity layeth on us to edify one another (yea, & that in such expresse terms, as not a word allowed, but what may some way serve for that use, Ephes: 4.) should have exempted Christi∣ans from that accusation among the Ancients, clausis thesauris in∣cubandi, of niggardly tenacity and concealment of their inquisitions and gifts▪ and yet wee find some, that may without injustice be ta∣xed for such parsimony: some that sit a brood on their parts, and that till they are addle too. Diverse men gather hony only for them∣selves. They grudge to give away the sweat of their braine: and they had rather have their wealth be

buried with them, than make o∣thers rich without pains. Others thinke whatever is lent to another is alien'd from themselves: and their barren hopes are so farre from promising them an increase, that the count the principall lost. How vaine and absurd are these humours, how much more sordid this penuriousnes than that of the purse? It is there true, a man cānot retaine what he gives, but must rely on the hopes religion affords him of a remuneration: but here in the very act of liberality the stock increaseth. I know it the humour of vaine men to catch at hints of discourse, and before their opinion be asked, to give you their judgment & dicision of any matter in debate: though perhaps they borrow from another what ever they speak. But yet he is very short sighted that cannot discover

a mean betweene this, and the for∣mer weaknesse: Nor is his judg∣ment better who cannot distin∣guish between an obligation, to profit others, and an affectation of undue praises unto our selfe. And were the matter put to my choice, I wonld rather undergoe this censure undeserved, than neg∣lect the former duty when an op∣portunity ingaged▪ You will say, such men as these reserve their parts for a fit opportunity to ex∣presse them: but doe they suppose none such but the publicke Thea∣ters, and whence they may be re∣warded with a grande & insanum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉? Or are their endowments so scanty, that they have nothing to spare for a private charity or civi∣lity? Or rather is their mind so vain, that they must sel every thing for generall applause? If I should yeeld them what they foolishly

pretend, that publicke places and imploiments are the proper stage where on to act their parts: yet ▪tis certaine that these private offi∣ces are so far from hindering them therein, that they further them. That Glory of Christ-Coll edge in Cambridge, (than in whom I am perswaded that in no man since primitive times rare gifts were tempered with more moderation and humility) was wont to professe himselfe beholding to those, who would minister a handsome occa∣sion to him to utter any of his choise notions; and when others thought themselves great gainers thereby, he accounted himselfe a greater. A well fraught soule is far from the feare of spending it's stock: nay rather he is troubled his wares should lye on his hands: and because publicke opportuni∣ties are not presented often e∣nough,

he gladly maketh use of the private to keepe his notions from gathering rust; and the more liberally he spends this way, the more his store increaseth. Where∣as those illiberall men, who keepe their parts for themselves, and to shew them to the publike, doe but loose their labour, and must be contended with the Title of Vmbratiles Doctores; and like Isocra∣tes, declaime in the shade.

Notes

• Obs: 12.