1S8 THE TREATISES OF CYPRIAN.
Concerning thisthingin the thirty-sixthPsalm, that mercy
is beneficialalso to one'sposterity: " I have been young,
and I have alsogrown old; and I have not seentherighteous
forsaken,nor his seed begging theirbread. The whole day
he is merciful,and lendeth; and his seed is in blessing."1
Of thissame thing in the fortiethPsalm : " Blessed is he
who considerethover the poor and needy: in the evilday
God willdeliverMm." 2 Also in the 111th Psalm: "He
hath distributed,he hath given tothe poor; hisrighteousness
shallremain from generationto generation."* Of thissame
thing in Hosea : " I desiremercy ratherthan sacrifice,and
the knowledge of God more than whole burnt-offerings."4
Of thissame thingalsoin the Gospel accordingto Matthew
" Blessedare they who hunger and thirstafterrighteousness
for they shall be satisfied."5 Also in the same place
" Blessed are the merciful: for they shallobtainmercy." 6
Also in the same place: " Lay up foryourselvestreasuresin
heaven, where neithermoth nor rustdoth corrupt,and where
thievesdo not dig through and steal: forwhere your treasure
is,therewillyour heartbe also."7 Also in the same place:
" The kingdom of heaven islikeunto a merchant-man seek
ing goodly pearls: and when he hath found a preciouspearl,
he went away and sold allthat he had, and bought it."9
That even a small work is of advantage,alsoin the same
place: " And whoever shallgiveto drink to one of the least
of thesea cup of coldwater in the name of a disciple,verily
I say unto you, His reward shallnot perish."* That alms
areto be denied to none, alsoin the same place: " Give to
every one that asketh thee; and from him who would wish
to borrow,be not turned away."10 Also in the same place:
" If thou wiltenterinto life,keep the commandments. He
saith,Which? Jesus saithunto him, Thou shaltnot kill,
Thou shaltnot commit adultery,Thou shaltnot bear false
witness,Honour thy father and mother : and, Thou shalt
1Ps.xxxvii.25,26. 3 Ps.xli.1. 3Ps.cxii.9.
4 Hos.vi.6. 5 Matt.v.6. 0 Matt.v.7.
-Matt.vi.20,21. 8 Matt.xiii.45,46. 5Matt.x.42.
10Matt.v.42.