A20764:137
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 10. That they only are blessed who join with their almsdeeds mercy and compassion.
Sect 10. That they only are blessed who ioyne with their almesdeedes mercy and compassion.
Which if we do, we shall assuredly be those blessed men which the Psalmist describeth and not otherwise; for the blessed man of whom he speaketh, not only disperseth and giveth to the poor, but is also gracious and full of compassion. verse 5. So not simply he that giveth, but he that giveth out of mercy and compassion, lendeth unto the Lord. Pro. 19. 17. And he alone is blessed according 1to that. Pro. 14. 21. He that hath mercy on the poor happy is he. And therefore if we would attain unto blessedness, we must have in giving our alms, not only a liberal hand, but a merciful and pitiful heart, imitating our Saviour, God blessed for ever, who as he exceeded all in bounty, (for though he were rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we by his poverty might be made rich, as it is. 2. Cor. 8. 9.) So also in pity & compassion. For we have not an high Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was contented in our flesh to suffer many miseries, that by his own experience, he might the rather extend unto us his mercy and pity, when as he seeth us plunged into the like afflictions, as we may see