A20764:283
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. 25. Their objection answered who say that this liberty granted to wives is dangerous.
Sect. 25. Their obiectiō answered who say that this libertie granted to wiues is dangerous.
Yea but though this doctrine be true, yet it is dangerous to be published, seeing many undiscreete women will abuse it, to the undoing of ⟨p. 125⟩their husbands and the ruining of their estates. To which I answer that it is but a carnal conceit to dream, that any evil can come by the discovery of a religious truth, or though there should, yet fiat justitia & ruat coelum, let truth and right be maintained though the inconveniences which follow it be never so great. What if some abuse their swords, must therefore all men be disarmed of their weapons? What though some abuse their power and authority, must therefore all be disabled deposed from their government? what if the Gospel it self which in it own nature is the savour of life unto life, becometh to some through their corruption the savour of death unto death, must therefore the mouths of Gods Ministers be stopped, and the preaching of the Gospel be interdicted? and what though Christian liberty and right being known unto wives, some abuse it through their impiety and indiscretion, let the sin be upon their heads who abuse the truth of God, but let not for this those which are discreet and virtuous be kept ignorant of their duty, and have their consciences ensnared and burdened with that which is not sinful, but in bare conceit, yea in truth with that which is honest, charitable and commendable; seeing when they know their Christian liberty, they will so much the more conscionably and carefully, circumspectly and discreetly use it, and not rashly rush beyond their bounds. And as for others what great danger is there, lest by undiscreet giving they should hurt and ruin their