A20764:268
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. 18. That works of mercy are commended in the wife as well as in the husband.
The second reason is that alms-deeds and the works of mercy are no less commended in the Scriptures in the wife then in the husband; for as it is here made a sign or property of a blessed man, that he disperseth and giveth to the poor; so elsewhere of a virtuous and good woman. As Pro. 31. 20. She stretcheth out her hand to 1the poor, yea she reacheth out her hand to the needy, by which phrases of stretching and reaching out the ⟨p. 118⟩hand is signified, not only that she giveth somewhat, but liberally, and to the uttermost of her ability. And not without good cause is it made a note of a gracious wife, because alms deeds are ordinarily done out of household store and provision, the administration and disposing whereof doth more properly and immediately belong to the woman then to the man, as we may see by the current of that whole chapter. So the Apostle would have the younger women to marry, bear children, and guide the house, 1. Tim. 5. 14. The which when the Husband alloweth, he giveth honour to his wife; as the Apostle requireth 1. Pet. 3. 7. and contrariwise disgraceth her when he 2turneth her out of this her office & viceregency. For as the man is the principal getter of the estate, and the bringer of it in, so the wise administration of it for the good of the husband and family, belongeth unto the woman; not only by special commission from him for every action and employment, but as she is a Wife by virtue of her calling, place and office; if at least she be not limited and restrained for her misgovernment and want of discretion in abusing and misspending their estate, by the superior authority of her husband. And as in the common-wealth, the King, though he hath supreme authority over all, yet doth not take upon him to administer all the affairs of the kingdom, but hath under him many inferior officers, who by virtue of their place and office manage great and weighty affairs without any special commission for