A20764:258
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 14. That the wife hath communion in goods to all good uses
Sect 14. That the wife hath communion in goods to al good vses
To the other part of the objection which restraineth the use only unto the meat, drink, apparel and such other corporal necessaries. I answer, that it beseemeth not a christian; for have they power by virtue of this communion to dispose of their goods for all uses, saving doing good? may they employ them at their pleasure for the good of their bodies, and may no part be allowed unto them to dispose of for the good of their souls? may they have enough to pamper their bellies and adorn their backs, and to bestow upon all uses, which pride, pleasure and vanity will call necessary, and shall they have no power to lay up treasures in heaven, nor ⟨p. 114⟩to send some small part of their wealth by the hands of the poor to those eternal mansions, if their husbands do not give allowance, who care not to have any store laid up in that country, because they mean never to travail thither? Let divines then be ashamed of making such a limitation and restraint, which so much tendeth to Gods dishonour in the neglect of charitable and christian duties.
To the other part of the obiection which restraineth the vse onely vnto the meate, drinke, apparell and such other corporall necessaries. I answere, that it beseemeth not a christian; for haue they power by vertue of this communion to dispose of their goods for all vses, sauing doing good? may they imploy them at their pleasure for the good of their bodies, and may no part be allowed vnto them to dispose of for the good of their soules? may they haue enough to pamper their bellies and adorne their backes, and to bestow vpon all vses, which pride, pleasure and vanitie will call necessary, and shall they haue no power to lay vp treasures in heauen, nor