What man hath any
thing, I pray you, but he hath received it of his plentifulness? To be
short, it is he that "openeth his hand, and filleth all beasts with his
blessing," and giveth unto us in most ample wise his benediction. Neither
his treasure can be spent, how much soever he lash out; how much soever
we take of him, his treasure tarrieth still, ever taken, never spent.
He is also the good man of the house: the church is his household which
ought with all diligence to be fed with his word and his sacraments.
These be his goods most precious, the dispensation and administration
whereof he would bishops and curates should have. Which thing St. Paul
affirmeth, saying, "Let men esteem us as the ministers of Christ, and
dispensers of God's mysteries." But, I pray you, what is to be looked
for in a dispenser? This surely, "That he be found faithful," and that
he truly dispense, and lay out the goods of the Lord; that he give meat
in time; give it, I say, and not sell it; meat, I say, and not poison.
For the one doth intoxicate and slay the eater, the other feedeth and
nourisheth him. Finally, let him not slack and defer the doing of his
office, but let him do his duty when time is, and need requireth it.
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