A20764:387
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. That as stewards we shall be called to an account.
Sect. 7. That as stewards we shall bee called to an account.
But if this argument of their right and our possession, as stewards, & not as absolute Lords, will not persuade us to communicate to their necessities; yet let this consideration prevail with us, that a day will come, when as like stewards, we shall be called to a reckoning; and be forced whether we will or no to give an account before God, his Saints and blessed Angels, how we have carried our selves in our stewardship, and increased our Lords talents. According to that of our Saviour, Luc. 16. 2. Give an account of thy stewardship, 1for thou mayst be no longer steward. And if we have increased and doubled them, by delivering them to these bankers, the poor members of Jesus Christ; then shall we hear that comfortable sentence pronounced by our Lord, Well done thou 2good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matth. 25. 21. But if contrariwise we neglect those charitable uses which our Lord hath enjoined us, and neglecting the poor, do spend our masters goods in excess and riot; if then in steed of feeding the hungry, and clothing the naked, we bring in account, so much spent in dainty fair and gorgeous apparel, so much in stately buildings and costly furniture, so much in rich jewels and needless vanities, so much laid out on hounds, horses and harlots, so much consumed in gaming and revelling, in plays and interludes, so much spent in