The poor mans advocate, or, A treatise of liberality to the needy. Delivered in…The poore mans advocate, or, A treatise of liberality to the needy. Delivered in…

A forwardness, willingness and promptness of the mind is required by the Apostle, as waters come out of the fountain, as light cometh from the Sun, what good things are done out of an habit of virtue, must be and will be done gladly, the soul contents it self in them, and doth them with delight and alacrity, this willingness is a proof ⟨p. 121⟩that we count it no loss so to give but a gain, that we do it as a man that soweth Corn, which rejoiceth to have the opportunity of sowing, because he knoweth the end shall be advantage, the work will recompense it self, then is it the naturalness of love, for what things operate according to their own nature, they do it freely, as a stone goes easily downward, but upward it goes by force and compulsion, what is wrested out by importunity and earnestness, ⟨p. 122⟩as a thing compelled can scarce be called a gift, and this is the first rule for the manner of giving.

A forwardnesse, willingnesse and promptnesse of the minde is required by the Apostle, as waters come out of the fountaine, as light commeth from the Sunne, what good things are done out of an habit of vertue, must be and will be done gladly, the soule contents it selfe in them, and doth them with delight and alacrity, this willingnesse is a proofe ⟨p. 121⟩that we count it no losse so to give but a gaine, that we doe it as a man that soweth Corne, which rejoyceth to have the opportunity of sowing, because he knoweth the end shall be advantage, the worke will recompence it selfe, then is it the naturallnesse of love, for what things operate according to their owne nature, they doe it freely, as a stone goes easily downeward, but upward it goes by force and compulsion, what is wrested out by importunity and earnestnesse, ⟨p. 122⟩as a thing compelled can scarce be called a gift, and this is the first rule for the manner of giving.