A20764:310
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. 12. Next unto our kindred we must relieve common friends and neighbours.
Sect. 12. Next vnto our kindred wee must releiue cōmon friends and neighbors.
In the next place unto these we are bound to ⟨p. 136⟩relieve before others, our common friends and nearest neighbours, who dwell in the same place & parish, for besides the bond of neighbourhood, we are in this regard also to prefer them before others, because through Gods providence they are first offered to our view, and have the opportunity of discovering unto us their wants and miseries. To which purpose one saith; whenas thou canst 1not do good unto all, thy care must principally extend to those, who by place, time and other opportunities, are, as it were by a certain lot, more straightly and nearly joined unto thee. And the rather because being near at hand they are as occasion serveth ready, to perform unto us mutually according to their poor power all good offices and Christian duties, according to that Pro. 27. 20. better is a neighbour that is near, 2then a brother far of.
In the next place vnto these wee are bound to ⟨p. 136⟩