A20764:358
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. 7. 3. In respect of cheerful giving.
Sect. 7. 3. In respect of cheerefull giuing.
Thirdly, The Christian is willing and cheerful in doing these works of mercy, because he knoweth that his heavenly Father doth love a 1cheerful giver, and looketh more to the heart of him that giveth, then to the quantity of his gift, and that it is not enough for us to do good, and to be rich in good works, unless we be also ready to distribute and willing to communicate, as it is 1. Tim. 6. •8. Besides his outward works of mercy proceed from an inward habit, and therefore it is no more painful or grievous unto him to do them, then for the eye to see or the ear to hear; yea rather they are the delight of his soul, and his meat and drink to do the will of his Father. And this cheerfulness of his heart he showeth (as hath been said) in the pleasantness of his countenance, in his sweet and comfortable words, and in the action it self, by his ready and speedy giving. For his works of mercy are not drawn out of him through the importunity of suitors, but are kindly sent out of his hart, and (like waters out of the spring) do readily flow from the inward fountain of his bounty & benignity. Neither is he apt to make delays, because they so afflict oftentimes the heart of the poor suitor, that he preferreth a quick denial before a slow grant; but he gladly layeth hold upon the occasion when it is first offered; and doubleth the gift by his speedy giving. But the worldling doth his works of mercy grudgingly and churlishly, & dumb manu dat, vultu negat, whilst his hand giveth, his look denieth: and proudly ⟨p. 158⟩insulteth over the poor in their miseries, by his rough speeches, bitter taunts, and harsh expostulations, turning his bread that he giveth into stones and gravel; so that he doth not so much comfort the poor man by his gifts, as he doth vex and afflict his soul with his manner of giving; causing him in his heart to prefer a courteous refusal, before a grant that is so sour and churlish. And as he giveth harshly, so hardly and slowly, putting of and even tiring the poor Suitor with many delays and denials. And when he giveth, it is rather because he is impatient of importunity, like the unrighteous judge spoken of in the Gospel, then pitiful and compassionate