A20764:147
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. 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 ⟨p. 56⟩observeth the seed, the soil, the season, and all other circumstances; why should the Christian seeds man carelessly cast his seed he knoweth not where, which if it be well sown and in fit grounds will return unto him a fruitful harvest of eternal happiness; seeing he is not blessed who negligently giveth, but he that guideth his affairs with discretion? Psal. 112. 5. Not he simply 1that giveth alms, but he who bestoweth them with good advice, according to that. Psal. 41. 1. Blessed is he that considereth the poor, the Lord will 2deliver him in the time of trouble.
Secondly, hereby wee shall the better know how to fit our almes to their necessities, both in respect of the proportion, and also the speciall kindes of their wants? and so when we not onely giue good, but fit things vnto them, the benefit hereby is much increased. If therefore the husband man for the well sowing of his seede, which will bring but a corruptible crop, doth not hand ouer head cast it into the ground, but carefully