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…

And thus we have showed in what order we are to proceed in doing these works of mercy, preferring our wives next unto our selves before all whatsoever, our Parents before our children, and these with the rest of our family before all others; our spiritual kindred and benefactors before them who are only of our kindred in the flesh; our kindred before common friends and neighbours, and these before strangers, and strangers also before enemies; so that if our liberality cannot through the straitness of our estates extend to all sorts, then must we stretch it as far as we can, according to this order. Which is to be understood if they be in other things alike, that is, like in want and poverty, and like in piety and honesty; for otherwise we must (as hath been showed) relieve those who are our enemies being in extreme necessity, even before our own children being but in ordinary want; and those who are religious & virtuous being further of, before those who being vicious and graceless are nearer unto us. And so when we are linked unto any in many of these bonds, we are to prefer them before any of those to whom we are but bound in some one particular, if they be not our Parents or under our own charge & government; as a godly kinsman, before one who is as religious but nothing ⟨p. 139⟩a kin unto us; or a kin unto us, but not so virtuous and religious; a kinsman, neighbour and benefactor, before either a kinsman, or neighbour, or a benefactor singly and alone.