A20764:375
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. 3. That our riches are not our own but Gods talents committed unto us as his stewards.
Sect. 3. That our riches are not our own but Gods talents committed vnto vs as his stewards.
All which testimonies clearly prove that we are bound by Gods commandment to give alms; and therefore it is not left at our own choice, but to be performed, not only as an act of mercy, but also of righteousness, as it may more plainly appear by these reasons. First, because our riches are not absolutely our own but Gods talents, which he hath committed unto us not to mis-spend them in the satisfying of our worldly and carnal lusts, but to employ them to the best advantage, for the honour of our master and the good of our fellow-servants. Now God is honoured when as we bestow the wealth which he hath committed unto us according to his appointment and commandment; and when as by them (as much as in us lieth) we advance the means of his worship and service, whereof one principal part is the relieving of the poor, for these as the Apostle telleth us, are such christian sacrifices, wherewith he is well pleased. And finally, 1when as by our christian carriage in this behalf, we manifest his wisdom, goodness, love and providence in the government of his Church, which is his house and family. For it is the honour of a good Master, when by his care and providence ⟨p. 167⟩the house is so well governed, that every officer performeth his duty in his place, and all in the family have food convenient with all other necessaries belonging to them. To which purpose our great Lord and Master hath preferred some to be his stewards, unto whom he hath committed his goods, not that they should appropriate them to their own use, but that they should wisely, justly, and charitably, dispense and dispose of them for the good of all the household; and howsoever by virtue of their high place and office they may take unto themselves (as it were) a double portion, and that which is sufficient not only for nature, but for the due maintenance of their person; and not for necessity alone, but also for their honest delight (unless it be that this their allowance be necessarily to be shortened to supply the extreme necessity of others who need their help) yet their Lord and Master requireth of them, that they communicate so much of their goods as they can well spare from these uses, to relieve and sustain others of their fellow-servants, who want such things as are needful for their relief and maintenance;