A20764:370
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. 1. Of the meaning of the word righteousness.
Sect. 1. Of the meaning of the word righteousnesse.
AND thus having showed what almsdeeds are, and how this duty is to be performed; it now followeth, that I come to speak of the second part of the text, wherein are contained many effectual and strong arguments, to move every Christian to the diligent and frequent doing of them. His righteousness endureth for ever, his horn shall be exalted with honour. In which words there are expressed two main reasons to persuade us to this duty, the first is the lasting benefit of their works of mercy unto themselves; the other the establishment of their estate with honour ⟨p. 163⟩and glory before God, men and the holy Angels, in this life and the life to come. The which principal arguments are like the root and body of a goodly tree, from which spring many boughs and branches, or like the prime ancestors of the stock and kindred, from whom do issue a numerous posterity. Which that we may the more plainly conceive, let us briefly examine the meaning of the words. And first, by righteousness, we are to understand, not generally all righteousness which consisteth in our whole conformity to the Law, nor that whole part of Legal righteousness which consisteth in obedience to the second table; but certain special fruits of this righteousness, in the works of mercy toward the poor, by a Synecdoche of the general for the special: or, if you will, almsdeeds themselves, which (as I have showed) are by the Hebrews called by the name of righteousness, and sometime 1