A20764:181
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 6. Alms given By Non residents unlawful▪
Sect 6. Almes giuen By Non residents vnlawful▪
But above all, the alms of our unconscionable Non-residents are most odious unto God; who multiply one living upon another, and starve the souls of the people, that they may pamper and feed their own belly. All which impiety is gilded over with this pretence, that they must have wherewith to keep good hospitality, and to give unto the poor; and what is this but to come twice or thrice a year to their charge to fleece ⟨p. 68⟩the sheep, and prey upon the flock, and then for a day or two put them into a fat pasture, for the feeding or rather feasting of their bodies? which must be a full recompense for the not feeding of their souls the whole year after.
But aboue all, the almes of our vnconscionable Non-residents are most odious vnto God; who multiplie one liuing vpon another, and starue the soules of the people, that they may pamper and feede their own bellie. All which impietie is gilded ouer with this pretence, that they must haue wherewith to keepe good hospitalitie, and to giue vnto the poore; and what is this but to come twice or thrice a yeere to their charge to fleece ⟨p. 68⟩the sheepe, and prey vpon the flocke, and then for a day or two put them into a fat pasture, for the feeding or rather feasting of their bodies? which must bee a full recompence for the not feeding of their soules the whole yeere after.