A20764:331
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. 5. Giving in our life-time most seasonable and best fitted to occasions.
Sect. 5. Giuing in our life-time most seasonable and best fitted to occasions.
Thirdly, It is required not only that we give, but also that we give seasonably, and that is when we see our neighbours wants, and have power and ability to help and relieve them; for as in sowing our seed, we do not think it enough if at some times we be ready to cast it into the ground, but we have also special respect to the ⟨p. 146⟩season and seed-time; so is it in sowing the seeds our alms deeds, which if we sow not before death, it is, as if we should defer the sowing of our seed, till the very time when we should reap our harvest. Now are we sailing towards to the Holy Land, and these works of mercy, like a good gale of wind, drive us forward unto the wished haven; now are we to dispatch our spiritual market, wherein God offereth unto us for temporary trifles everlasting treasures; now is the time of our christian warfare, wherein we are to fight against the devil, the world, and our own carnal and covetous lusts, and then we overcome the world and our selves, when we are wholly taken up with the works of mercy; and can part with our earthly goods, in love towards God, and compassion towards our neighbours. But if we defer them till after death, and will give nothing to the poor till all must be taken from us; it is like a fair gale of wind after ship wrack, as if we should set out our wares when the market is done, & make great brags of our valour, when the fight is finished and we put to flight. Besides, the works of mercy are best done when they are fitted to the occasions and wants of those unto whom they are performed; and not to give unto them when their necessity requireth, but when we can best spare our goods, is as if the steward should give food to the family, not at meal-times, or when they are most hungry, but when as himself hath nothing else to do; or when he can keep the food in his store-house no longer,