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In the same respect, almesgiuing is in the Scrip∣ture compared to lending; yea, to such a loane, whereby we haue not onely the principall resto∣red, but with great encrease. For whereas if wee lend our money vnto men, we shall haue but ten in the hundred, if for Gods sake wee lend vnto the poore, we shall haue an hundred for ten, yea, an hundred for one, and eternall life to boote. Nei∣ther * 1.1 neede wee to doubt of the payment, for
though the poore bee neuer so vnable, yet they haue an all-sufficient surety, euen GOD him∣selfe, * 1.2 who hath vndertaken in this bounti∣full manner to repay whatsoeuer is thus laid out. * 1.3 The which should make vs cheerefull in doing workes of mercy, seeing we our selues are sure of the largest gaine, for not the taker, but the putter out to vsurie hath the greatest profit. And not to giue readily vpon this consideration, is to pro∣claime, either that we doe not beleeue Gods pro∣mises, nor giue that credit vnto him on his word, which we would giue to a Turke or Infidell dwel∣ling among vs; or that wee doe not esteeme the payment of his spirituall grace or heauenly glory for currant money, or of equall value to these transitory trifles which we impart vnto the poore. For if a man of any credit should promise for the laying out of an hundred pound, that wee should haue a yeerely annuitie of so much for tearme of life, how eagerly would we catch at such an offer, though the quicke approch of death might make vs losers by the bargaine? But God promiseth, that if wee will lay out our money on these vses, wee shall haue an hundred for one, & for these earth∣ly trifles, heauenly and euerlasting treasures; and who then would not willingly listen to such a motion, if hee beleeueth him that maketh it, or valueth the bargaine that is offered vnto him? when Alchymists promise great summes of gold for the disbursing of a little money, though they neuer faile to deceiue those that beleeue them, yet they finde many, who, to the vtter ruine
of their estates, will giue credit vnto them, being deluded with these golden hopes; and therefore let it be a shame vnto all, which professing Chri∣stianity, will not trust God, who is truth it selfe, and cannot deceiue vs, promising better and more durable riches, euen heauenly and euerlasting treasures, vnto those who for his sake are liberall to the poore, seeing heereby they discouer grosse hypocrisie, in professing faith when as they are wholly possessed of infidelity, and heathenish dif∣fidence, seeing they are ready to trust a cozening impostor, rather then the only true God; and car∣nall worldlinesse, which maketh them to esteeme more a little bread, a few scraps of meat, or cast apparell, then the bread of life, the heauenly Manna and foode of Angels, and those rich robes of glorie and blessednesse which shall neuer bee worne out.
Mark. 10. 30:
Prou. 19 17.
Luk. 6. 35.