A20764:211
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. 7. That the alms of the poor are as acceptable as of the rich. Deut. 15. 1•.
Sect. 7. That the almes of the poore are as acceptable as of the rich. Deut. 15. 1•.
Neither let any man say that this only belongeth unto those who have much to give; but as for their alms they are so small by reason of the meanness of their estate, that they have no hope they will be respected; for the Lord commandeth not give much, but to open the hand wide, whether it be great or little, and he measureth ⟨p. 98⟩the deed by the will; and the outward act 1by the habit & internal virtue; he looketh not so much, Quid datur, as ex quo; not to the greatness 2of the gift, but to the quantity of the store out of which it is given, and the largeness of the heart, which out of a little can spare somewhat. And therefore the affection of the giver maketh the alms precious and estimable, or vile and contemptible in Gods sight, in which respect no mans gift (as one saith) is accounted small, who giveth it out a great and liberal mind, seeing our piety is not to be measured by our outward wealth, but by the inward riches which lieth hid in the heart. It is true indeed that rich men give 3greater gifts, and mean men less in respect of the matter or thing given, but there is no difference in the fruit of the work, where there is no want in the affection of the workers; for as another saith, it is the heart and mind of the giver which maketh him rich or poor, and doth set