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…

Lastly, howsoever, we are to judge charitably of such actions, when we see them done, because we discern only the outward work, but cannot search the heart and secret thoughts; yet when as we see all on a sudden cruelty turned into mercy, and miserly hardness into profuse bounty; the hands wide opened towards the approach of death for the relief of the poor, which have been close shut in the whole life; and the works of mercy practised, which always before have been utterly neglected; there is great cause of jealousy and doubting, that these actions proceed not from those right and religious causes which set the true Christian a work to do the like things, but rather from sinister, worldly and carnal respects, which have overswayed and ruled them in the whole course of their lives. Not from the love of God, Christian obedience, charity and mercy towards the poor; for if these graces had residence in their hearts, they would have produced the like effects in their health and strength; but rather from self love, which is always accompanied with carnal fear and vain glory; whereby they are made willing to employ their goods to these pious and charitable uses, when as they see they can keep them no longer, ⟨p. 150⟩either to eternize their names in this world by these long lasting monuments, or to escape the better before Gods judgement seat, where now they must give up the account of their stewardship, and to be freed from that fearful condemnation in the world to come. From which jealousy and suspicion there is no means to be freed, unless these works of mercy thus performed do apparently proceed from serious and sound repentance, and a lively faith in Christ; which are seldom granted to any in their death-bed, who have neglected and contemned them, through the whole course of their lives.