A20764:319
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. 1. How we ought to give our alms both publicly and privately.
Sect. 1. How we ought to giue our almes both publikely and priuately.
And so I come from the persons, who are both to give and receive alms, to speak of the manner how they may most conveniently be distributed. And this is either more public and common; or more private and particular. In regard of the former the best course which we can take in giving our alms, is to follow the laws and custom of our country; as among us to put what we can spare into the poor's box, or to deliver it to the Collectors for the poor, to be distributed, as out of the common purse, according to their discretion who are chosen to this office. And for our private alms which we give with our own hands, we are to deliver them to such poor, as by our own enquiry we have found out to be honest and needy; or else to such others as God by a more immediate providence doth unexpectedly and extraordinarily offer and present unto us for the exercise of our charity.
ANd so I come from the persons, who are both to giue and receiue almes, to speake of the maner how they may most conueniently be distributed. And this is either more publike and common; or more priuate and particular. In regard of the former the best course which we can take in giuing our almes, is to follow the lawes and custome of our country; as among vs to put what we can spare into the poores box, or to deliuer it to the Collectors for the poore, to be distributed, as out of the common purse, according to their discretion who are chosen to this office. And for our priuate almes which wee giue with our owne hands, we are to deliuer them to such poore, as by our owne enquirie we haue found out to be honest and needy; or else to such others as God by a more immediate prouidence doth vnexpectedly and extraordinarily offer and present vnto vs for the exercise of our charitie.