A20764:359
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. 8. They differ in time.
Lastly they differ in time, for the Christian exerciseth himself in the works of mercy in the whole course of his life, and giveth his goods to the poor whilst he might enjoy them himself: But the worldling is only liberal at the approach of death, and then alone he is content to employ them to these uses, whenas he seeth he can keep them no longer. And that not out of any love towards God or his neighbours, but out of fear of approaching judgement, and that dreadful account which he must presently make before a just and terrible judge; or out of self love either that he may gain the vain glory of the world, or that he may satisfy for his sins, and so escape eternal ⟨p. 159⟩condemnation. In which respect he giveth to the poor, and casteth his bread upon the face of 1the waters, as the Merchant casts his goods into the sea in the time of a storm, to preserve the ship from sinking, and himself from drowning. For were he not in danger to make shipwreck of his soul, and of sinking into the gulf of hell, and condemnation, he would be no more liberal at his death, then he hath always been in the whole course of his life.
Lastly they differ in time, for the Christian exerciseth himselfe in the workes of mercy in the whole course of his life, and giueth his goods to the poore whilest he might inioy them himselfe: But the worldling is onely liberall at the approach of death, and then alone he is content to imploy them to these vses, whenas he seeth he can keepe them no longer. And that not out of any loue towards God or his neighbours, but out of feare of approaching iudgement, and that dreadfull account which he must presently make before a iust and terrible iudge; or out of selfe loue either that he may gaine the vaine glory of the world, or that he may satisfie for his sinnes, and so escape eternall