A20764:20
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. 5. 1 General doctrine That blessedness consists as much in graces and virtuous actions, as in privileges and rewards.
Sect. 5. 1 Generall doctrine That blessednesse consists as much in graces and virtuous actions, as in priuiledges and rewards.
But before we come to entreat of these parts particularly, we may generally observe that the holy Ghost showing the blessedness of a godly man, doth make it to consist as much in his graces and virtuous actions, as in his privileges and rewards. From whence we learn, that we are as happy in our graces and good works, as in the prerogatives and rewards which do accompany them. The which is manifest both by plain testimonies of Scriptures, and by evident reasons, grounded upon them. For the first, he is pronounced blessed in this Psalm, who feareth the Lord, and delighteth greatly in his commandments, vers. 1. and Psal. 119. 1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. So our Saviour pronounceth 1them blessed, who hear the word of God and keep it. ⟨p. 5⟩Luk. 11. 28. and saith unto his Disciples, if ye know 2these things, happy are ye if you do them. Yea this virtue and obedience unto Gods law make us blessed, not only in the time when they are rewarded with prosperity and worldly benefits,