A20764:293
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. 4. Of the order which we ought to observe in our giving alms, and first we are to respect men according to their need and misery.
Sect. 4. Of the order which wee ought to obserue in our giuing almes, and first we are to respect men according to their neede and miserie.
But because mens liberality being stinted within the limits of their estates, cannot extend 1unto all poor, it will not be amiss to consider who, in bestowing our alms are to be preferred before other, and to have the privilege and place above the rest. And first we are to know that principally respect is to be had to the state and condition of the parties, without any difference of persons, strangers or acquaintance, enemies or friends. For those who are in extreme necessity, and thereby likely to perish, are first to be relieved, though they be our enemies, before our kindred and friends, though otherwise in great want; and so likewise those who are in great need; before those whose wants are common and ordinary. But if our state be so small, that we are not able to relieve all that crave our help, being in the same degree of poverty, then we may prefer our kindred and friends, and especially those who are godly and virtuous. Wherein also we are to have no small respect to those who by Gods providence are first cast upon us, seeing thereby, being first offered unto us, they are after a sort by God himself preferred before others. And this our Saviour signifieth in the Parable of the Samaritan, Luc. 10. 33. who finding, as he journeyed, the wounded man, took compassion on him, and relieved him.