Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 11:2

2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight ; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth .

A part of thy Estate or Provisions. He alludes to the ancient custom, whereby the Master of the Feast did distribute several parts to each Guest, and withal sent portions to the poor: of which custom see 2 Sam. 6. 19. Neh. 8. 10, 12. Est. 9. 22.

To as many as thou art able; a certain number for an uncertain, as Mic. 5. 5. and oft elsewhere.

Great calamities may come, whereby thou maist be brought to poverty, & so both utterly lose that blessed opportunity of doing good, which now thou hast in thine hands, whereby thou maist gain unspeakable Honour, and Comfort, and Advantage to thy self, and moreover need the Charity of others, which thou maist comfortably expect, either from Men, or at least from the powerful Providence of God, disposing the hearts of men to pity and help thee, if thou hast been kind and merciful to others, as on the contrary they can expect no Mercy from God or Men, who have shewed no Mercy to others. Thus he not only answers but retorts the Argument by which the covetous man excuseth his uncharitableness, because he must lay up against a rainy day.

Marginal references: P[illegible: 1+ letters]. 112. 9. [illegible: 1 word]. 6. 30.