A20764:145
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. Reasons which may move us to visit the poor. 1. Reason
Sect. 2. Reasons which may moue vs to visite the poore. 1. Reason
But yet consider further the use and benefit of it, which is so great and manifold, that almsdeeds cannot conveniently be done without it. For first by visiting the poor we shall be the better able to make good choice, and to discover who are truly poor from those who are counterfeit; as also who are religious, honest, and painful in their callings, from those who are profane wicked, and idle drones.
But yet consider further the vse and benefit of it, which is so great and manifold, that almesdeedes cannot conueniently be done without it. For first by visiting the poore we shall be the better able to make good choise, and to discouer who are truely poore from those who are counterfeit; as also who are religious, honest, and painful in their callings, from those who are prophane wicked, and idle droanes.
Sect. 3. 2. Reason
Secondly, hereby we shall the better know how to fit our alms to their necessities, both in respect of the proportion, and also the special kinds of their wants? and so when we not only give good, but fit things unto them, the benefit hereby is much increased. If therefore the husband man for the well sowing of his seed, which will bring but a corruptible crop, doth not hand over head cast it into the ground, but carefully