A20764:123
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. 3. The true causes of almsdeeds from which they arise. 1. Faith.
Sect. 3. The true causes of almesdeedes from which they arise. 1. Faith.
But this will more plainly appear by that which followeth in the description, which showeth the true fountain out of which almsdeeds flow, as faith, obedience, charity, mercy; all which being proper to the godly Christian, it followeth that these works of mercy be also peculiar unto him. First then our alms are to arise from a lively faith, which formalizeth all the Christians actions, and putteth the main difference between their works and the same works done by worldlings. For first we are assured that God is good unto us, before we can show any goodness towards our brethren; that he hath given us all we have, before we will part with any thing for his sake; that he will give us all things which will make us happy and glorious, before we will part with those things wherein men place their worldly happiness. So that those gifts which are given to the poor by infidels, carnal worldlings, and men professing christianity, but yet continuing grossly ignorant of the main principles of religion, and in the state of infidelity, are not such Christian alms as are ⟨p. 48⟩acceptable unto God, or as will assure us that we are godly and blessed: for to do a work in faith and approved in the sight of God, is not only to be truly persuaded and assured, that the thing we do is warranted by Gods word and allowed by him; but that we also in Christ are accepted of him, which faith being wanting it is impossible that our best actions should please God, because they are but sin, as the Apostle telleth