Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 1 · Chapter 6 · Verse 1
Verse 1. Take heed that ye doe not your almes]
YOur justice, saith the Syriack. For first, We doe the poor but right when we releeve them; for they have an interest in our goods, by vertue of the communion of Saints: whereupon …, Withhold not, saith he, good from the owners thereof: i. e. thy poor brethren. …, the great Authour and owner of all, hath … Prov. 3. 27. A leo … agimus, …: …, alier um. ….the rich (as his stewards, as his Almoners) with the wealth of this world. He hath entrusted them, I say, not lent it them, (to speak properly, for that which is lent, is our own at least for a time) but put it into their hands only, for this end, that their abundance may be a supply for others wants, 2 Cor. 8 9. that their full cups may over-flow into others lesser …, &c. which if it be not done, they can bring in no good bills of account. It is … Rapina est … non …. ….justice then that we doe the poor, and it is rapine or robbery (saith S. Chrysostom) not to relieve them. Secondly, Almes is called Justice, to teach, that almes should be given of things well gotten. In the reign of K. Henry 8. there was one accused (but very unjustly)Act. and … fol. 765. of heresie, for … that … should not be given untill it did sweat in a mans hand. The Jews called their Almes-box, Kupha …. ….shel …, the chest of Justice: and upon it they wrote this abbreviate foreign A gift in secret … wrath. Selymus the…. …. 14. great Turk, as he lay languishing, (his incurable disease still increasing,) leaning his … in the lap of Pyrrhus the … whom of all others he most loved, I see, said he, O Pyrrhus, I must shortly … without remedy. Whereupon the great …, took occasion to discourse with him of many matters; and amongst …, that … would … to give order for the well-bestowing of the great …, taken from the Persian Merchants in divers places of his Empire; perswading him to bestow the same upon some notable Hospitall for relief of the poor. To whom Selymus replied;…. …. Wouldst thou, Pyrrhus, that I should bestow other mens goods, wrongfully taken from them, upon works of charity and devotion, for mine own vain-glory and praise? Assuredly I will never doe it. Nay rather see they be again restored to the right owners; which was forthwith done accordingly; to the great shame of many Christians, who minding nothing lesse then restitution, but making, ex … locaustum, doe out of a world of evil-gotten goods, cull out some … fragments, to build some poor hospitals, or mend some blinde way: A slender … of their hot charity.
Before men to be seen of them.]
As those are, that act their part on a stage, and would please the spectatours, that they may be applauded: He that giveth, … S. Paul, Let him doe it with …, Rom. 12. 8.with ingenuity, accounting it enough that he hath God the witnesse of his heart: Not but that men may see our good works, and their praise be sought, modo tibi non quaeras, sed Christo (saithAretius. one) so that you seek not your selves therein, but set up Christ, Let your end be, that the light may be seen, not your selves seen, Matth. 5. 16. A fool hath no delight in understanding (saith Solomon)Tantùm ut … captet. Mercer. but that his heart may discover it self, i. e. that he may have the credit of it. But he takes a wrong course. For honour (asDuntaxat ad …. …. in …. a shadow) followeth them that seek it not: as the Hittites told Abraham, he was a Prince of God amongst them; when himself had said a little before, I am a stranger and a … with … sua … inscripsit, non hist orias: Et hoc ipso laudem veram meruit, quod salsam contempsit. Lipfius.you &c. Gen 23. 4, 5.
Otherwise ye have no reward of your father, &c.]
Ye take up your wages all afore-hand. Fruit by the way-side seldome resteth … it be ripe. The cackling hen loseth her eggs, so doth the vainglorious hypocrite his reward.