A20764:105
The plea of the poor. Or A treatise of beneficence and alms-deeds teaching how…The plea of the poore. Or A treatise of benificence and almes-deeds teaching how…
The plea of the poor. Or A treatise of beneficence and alms-deeds teaching how these Christian duties are rightly to be performed, and persuading to the frequent doing of them. Necessary for these times, wherein the works of mercy are so much neglected, or so undiscreetly practiced. Published by John Downame Bachelor in Divinity.The plea of the poore. Or A treatise of benificence and almes-deeds teaching how these Christian duties are rightly to be performed, and perswading to the frequent doing of them. Necessary for these times, wherein the workes of mercy are so much neglected, or so vndiscreetly practized. Published by Iohn Downame Bachelour in Diuinitie.
London: printed by Edward Griffin for Ralph Mabbe, 1616
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Sect. 2. That the liberality of the worldlings will not profit them.
Sect. 2. That the liberality of the worldlings wil not profit thē.
And therefore they, the streams of whose bounty do run another way, may well impair by their expenses their present means, but they cannot thereby increase their future hopes, they may perhaps among men have the praise of their munificence & liberality, but they shall not by God be approved for their cost, nor when they give up their account be blessed in their bounty. For example, many are profusely liberal in feasting and banqueting, who because the poor are not their guests, but their kindred and rich friends, they have their reward in this world, when they feast them again, and their reckoning to make in the life to come, for defrauding their ⟨p. 33⟩poor fellow servants, and wasting their masters wealth in excess and riot. Many are liberal in sending to their betters and equals rich presents; but how far off shall they find themselves from being blessed in their liberality, when in the day of their account it shall be laid to their charge, that they have given more in one new-years-gift, to get the favour of some flattering courtier or false friend, then in their whole lives they have given to the poor, that thereby they might be assured of the favour of God? Many are bountiful in giving large bribes, either to pervert justice and judgement, or to advance their unworthy selves to some worldly preferments; but as the end of their giving is to corrupt, so their gift shall be corruption in the end, even a canker in their flesh, and rottenness in their bones; and as these give not, but rather put out their monies unto usury, making it serve as a small bait to catch a greater pray, so the end of their preferment shall be their ruin, and their false glory in this world, shall bring them true shame and a fearful downfall in the world to come. Finally, there are many who spend largely on stately buildings, sumptuous furniture, and gorgeous garments, giving more for one suite of apparel, for a jewel made precious only by such wantons estimate, for one piece of rich hangings, or a picture to adorn their walls, then ever they have bestowed in their whole lives in relieving the poor members of Jesus Christ. But there is no blessedness in this