A20764:121
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. What almsdeeds are.
Sect. 2. What almesdeeds are.
In which regard I will the more largely insist upon it. And first I will speak of the duty it self, and then of the reasons which may enforce it. The duty it self is almsdeeds, or giving to the poor; which is a good work, or work of mercy, whereby a Christian out of faith, obedience, charity and compassion, communicateth and giveth something necessary for the sustentation of life unto the poor for their relief, and the supplying of their wants, to Gods glory and their mutual good. By which description it appeareth, that howsoever any man may give gifts, yet only the Christian and godly man can ⟨p. 47⟩rightly perform this duty of almsdeeds. For it is a good work, and there is none do good, but those that are good, neither is it possible, that 1there should be good fruit, unless it spring from a good tree. It is a sacrifice unto God, which none can offer but those that serve him, yea a Christian sacrifice, which not any can offer in an acceptable manner, unless they themselves in Christ be first accepted.
In which regard I will the more largely insist vpon it. And first I will speake of the dutie it selfe, and then of the reasons which may inforce it. The dutie it selfe is almesdeedes, or giuing to the poore; which is a good worke, or worke of mercie, whereby a Christian out of faith, obedience, charitie and compassion, communicateth and giueth something necessary for the sustentation of life vnto the poore for their reliefe, and the supplying of their wants, to Gods glory and their mutuall good. By which description it appeareth, that howsoeuer any man may giue gifts, yet onely the Christian and godly man can