A20764:108
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. 4. What poor are chiefly o be relieved.
Sect. 4. What poore are chiefely o be relieued.
Or if through their inordinate living, and the just hand of God lying upon them, they are brought into extremity and misery, so that something is to be done, if not homini yet humanitati, to the common nature of mankind, and not to the particular person; it must not be in bountiful fullness to encourage him in his unchristian courses, but only to relieve his present necessity. But the poor upon whom the godly and blessed man doth exercise his beneficence, is the honest labourer and the poor householder, who either through the greatness of their charge, or badness of their trade, crosses, losses, sickness, suretyship, or other casualties being brought behind hand, are not able in the sweat of their face to earn their bread; or the blind and maimed, the ⟨p. 36⟩aged and decrepit, the weak widows or young orphans, which are either past their labour, or not come unto it. The which is signified, by that phrase of speech which the holy Ghost useth. Levit. 25. 35. If thy brother be waxen poor, and his 1hand faileth, or trembleth and shaketh, then thou shalt relieve him: by which is meant the weak, sick and impotent, who are unable to get their own living. And amongst these (if our bounty cannot extend to all) we must choose out those who are in greatest necessity; and especially such as are most honest and religious; for as we must do good 2unto all: so principally unto those who are of the household of faith.