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…

Sect 2. Beneficence what it is.

Now in speaking of this beneficence, I will first consider the duty it self, and secondly the properties of it, and how it is to be exercised. The duty of beneficence it self is with a bountiful heart and hand, to do good unto all, who in any kind whatsoever need our help, by our riches, labour, care, counsel, providence or howsoever. So that this grace extendeth it self to all good works, as building Schools and Colleges, and maintaining the ministry and means of Gods worship, erecting of Hospitals, and allowing yearly Pensions to Parishes, and corporations for the relief of their poor: or if we want ability for these things, comforting the distressed, counselling those that ¹need counsel, helping the blind and lame, by being eyes and feet unto them.²

Now in speaking of this beneficence, I will first consider the dutie it selfe, and secondly the properties of it, and how it is to be exercised. The dutie of beneficence it selfe is with a bountifull heart and hand, to doe good vnto all, who in any kinde whatsoeuer neede our helpe, by our riches, labour, care, counsaile, prouidence or howsoeuer. So that this grace extendeth it selfe to all good workes, as building Schooles and Colleges, and maintaining the ministerie and meanes of Gods worship, erecting of Hospitals, and allowing yearely Pensions to Parishes, and corporations for the reliefe of their poore: or if wee want abilitie for these things, comforting the distressed, counsailing those that ¹neede counsaile, helping the blinde and lame, by being eyes and feete vnto them.²