A20764:321
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. 2. What is to be thought of giving our alms at our doors to common beggars.
Sect. 2. What is to be thought of giuing our almes at our dores to common beggers.
As for the giving of our alms at our doors to common beggars, though I do not utterly condemn ⟨p. 140⟩this manner of giving, whilst sufficient order is not taken, and accordingly duly executed by the Magistrate, for the reformation of this disorder; especially when the whole stream of mens charity doth not run this way, but some small rivulet, or as it were some little pipe or quill; and when this is given to those who are in apparent misery, as the aged and decrepit, the lame, sick and blind, for the relief of their present necessity; yet can I in no wise approve it, if after this manner only we exercise our mercy and charity giving without difference to all that come to the door, as unto loose and idle persons, who are strong and able to labour, & common beggars and vagabonds, who live by the sweat of other mens brows. And my reasons are, because they who are truly poor shall by these means be neglected, whilst these lazy drones devour that which of right belongeth unto them. Secondly, those who are bold, impudent, and most importunate, will oftentimes speed better then those who are modest and shamefast. Thirdly, our alms shall by this means be distributed without equality, some having all and some nothing; and without discretion, because being given thus at random, they cannot be fitted to the quantity or quality of their wants. Fourthly, this kind of giving, nourisheth and increaseth the number of vagrants and inordinate persons, encouraging and heartening them to continue in their idle, lewd, and wicked courses, without any fear of God or subjection unto men. Fifthly, the allowance