He proceedeth exhorting them to the foresaid contribution, 3 to verifie his commending of
them. 6. and to doe it liberally, that so they may merit the more, and God be the more praised.
1. FOR concerning the ministerie that is done
Toward the Saints.
Proctours for Catholike Prisoners.
By the Apostles earnest and often calling vpon the Corinthians to giue almes for
relieuing the faithful in distresse, the Pastours of Gods Church may learne that it
specially pertaineth to their office to be Proctours for holy men in prison, pouertie,
& al other necessitie, specially when their want commeth for confession of their
faith.
toward the Saints, it is superfluous for
me to write vnto you.
2. For I know your prompt mind: for the which I glorie of you to the Macedonians:
That Achaia also is ready from the yeare past, and your emulation hath prouoked very many.
3. But I haue sent the Brethren, that the thing which we glorie of you, be not made
void in this behalfe, that (as I haue said) you may be ready:
4. lest when the Macedonians shal come with me, and find you vnready, we (that we
say not, ye) may be ashamed
✟
That is, in this matter of almes Chrysos. Theoph.
in this substance.
5. Therfore I thought it necessarie to desire the Brethren that they would come to
you, and prepare this blessing before promised, to be ready so, as a blessing,
Not as auarice.
Cheerful giuing.
The couetous man that parteth with is peny painefully and with sorrow, as though
he lost a limme of his body, is noted; and cheerful, ready, voluntarie, and large
contribution is commended.
not as auarice.
6.
⋮
The Epistle for S. Laurence, Aug. 10.
And this I say, he that
Soweth sparingly.
The greater almes, the greater merit and reward.
Almes is compared to seed. For as the seed throwen into the ground, though it
seeme to be cast away, yet is not lost, but is laid vp in certaine hope of great
encrease: so that which men giue in almes, though it seeme to be cast away & to
perish in respect of the giuer, yet indeed it is most fruitful; the benefit therof
manifoldly returning to him again. Whereupon the Apostles conclusion is cleere, that
according to the measure of the almes or seeding (which is more or lesse in respect
of the wil & abilitie of the giuer) the encrease & aboundance of haruest, that is,
of grace and glorie shal ensue. See S. Augustin in Psal. 49. circa med. & q. 4.
ad Dulcitium.
soweth sparingly, sparingly also shal reap: and he that
soweth in blessings, of blessings also shal reap.
7. Euery one as he hath determined in his hart, not of sadnes or of necessitie.
8. For
*
Eccl'ci 35,11.
God loueth a cheerful giuer.
9. And God is able to make al grace abound in you: that in al things alwaies hauing
al sufficiencie, you may abound vnto al good workes,
10. as it is written:
*
Psa. 11,9.
He distributed, he gaue to the poore:
✟
The fruit of almes is the encrease of grace in al iustice and good workes to
life euerlasting: God giuing these things for reward & recompense of charitable
workes, which therfore be called the seed or meritorious cause of these spiritual
fruits.
his iustice
remaineth for euer.
11. And he that ministreth seed to the sower, wil giue bread also for to eate: and
wil mulitplie your seed and wil augment the increases of the fruits of your iustice:
12. that being enriched in al things, you may abound vnto al simplicitie, which
worketh by vs thankes-giuing to God.
13. Because the ministerie of this office
Doth not only supply.
Almes redound to God's honour.
When almes are giuen, specially to holy men, not only the giuers obtaine great
benefits thereby, and the wants of others be supplied, but God also by the receiuers
continual praiers and thankes-giuing therfore, is exceedingly honoured: so that
charitie bestowed in this sort, is an acte of Gods worship and of religion.
doth not only supplie those things that the
Saints want, but aboundeth also by many thankes-giuings in our Lord,
14. by the proofe of this ministerie, glorifying God in the obedience of your
confession vnto the Ghospel of Christ, and in the simplicitie of communicating vnto them, and vnto
al,
15. and in their praying for you, being desirous of you because of the excellent grace
of God in you.
16. Thankes be to God for his vnspeakeable guift.