GIVE not only unto seven, but also unto eight, that is unto more than many. Though to give unto every one that askethmay seem severe advice, yet give thou also before asking, that is, where want is silently clamorous, and mens Necessities not their Tongues do loudly call for thy Mercies. For though sometimes necessitousness be dumb, or misery speak not out, yet true Charity is sagacious, & will find out hints for beneficence. Acquaint thy self with the Physiognomy of Want, and let the Dead colours and first lines of necessity suffise to tell thee there is an object for thy bounty. Spare not where thou canst not easily be prodigal, and fear not to be undone by mercy. For since he who hath pity on the poor lendeth unto the Almighty Rewarder, who observes no Idesbut every day for his payments; Charity becomes pious Usury, Christian Liberality the most thriving industry, and what we adventure in a Cockboat may return in a Carrack unto us.§ He who thus casts his bread upon the Water shall surely find it again; for though it falleth to the bottom, it sinks but like the Ax of the Prophet, to arise again unto him.§§ Ecclesiastes.
Luke.
[The ides of the month, according to Dr. Johnson (1756 ed.), was the date on which "money lent out at interest was commonly repaid".
Compare Milton's Divorce "our enemies expect to see the expectation of the Church tir'd out with dependencies and independencies how they will compound, and in what Calends." §[Cockboat, a ship's boat, hence a type of the smallest vessel; carrack, a galleon. §§2 Kings 6:5-7.]
