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Thirdly, It is required not only that we giue, but also that we giue seasonably, and that is when we see our neighbours wants, and haue power and abilitie to helpe and relieue them; for as in sowing our seede, we doe not thinke it enough if at some times wee be ready to cast it into the ground, but we haue also speciall respect to the
season and seede-time; so is it in sowing the seeds our almes deeds, which if wee sow not before death, it is, as if we should deferre the sowing of our seede, till the very time when we should reape our haruest. Now are we sayling towards to the Holy Land, and these works of mercy, like a good gale of winde, driue vs forward vnto the wished hauen; now are we to dispatch our spirituall mar∣ket, wherein God offereth vnto vs for temporarie trifles euerlasting treasures; now is the time of our christian warfare, wherein we are to fight against the deuill, the world, and our owne car∣nall and couetous lusts, and then we ouercome the world and our selues, when we are wholy ta∣ken vp with the workes of mercy; and can part with our earthly goods, in loue towards God, and compassion towards our neighbours. But if we deferre them till after death, and will giue nothing to the poore till all must be taken from vs; it is like a faire gale of winde after ship wracke, as if we should set out our wares when the market is done, & make great braggs of our valour, when the fight is finished and we put to flight. Besides, the workes of mercy are best done when they are fitted to the occasions and wants of those vnto whom they are performed; and not to giue vnto them when their necessitie requireth, but when we can best spare our goods, is as if the steward should giue foode to the familie, not at meale-times, or when they are most hungry, but when as himselfe hath nothing else to doe; or when he can keepe the foode in his store-house no longer,
because theeues haue digged through the wall, and are now ready with violence to take it away from him.