A20764:395
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. 10. What we give to the poor is given to God himself.
Sect. 10. What we giue to the poore is giuen to God himselfe.
Lastly, it is a just and righteous action to give unto the poor, seeing in giving unto them, we 1give unto God himself; for as the Wise-man speaketh, He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth unto the Lord, Pro. 19. 17. Now what can be more equal and just than to give a little unto him, who hath given all unto us? especially seeing he hath granted unto us the use only of that we possess, reserving still the chief propriety unto himself? and to spare something unto the poor out of our abundance at his request, who hath not spared to give unto us his only begotten and dearly beloved Son, that by a shameful death he might free us from everlasting death & condemnation, and purchase for us eternal happiness? yea in truth, what madness is it to deny, being requested, to give at his appointment, some small portion of our goods, who by his own right and authority may take all? and what senseless folly were it to turn away our face from him when he asketh in the behalf of the poor some earthly and momentany trifles, from whom we expect as his free gift heavenly happiness and everlasting glory? 2Christ (saith Augustine) thus speaketh unto thee. Give me something of that which I have given unto thee. I ask but mine own, and wilt thou not give it? Give and I will restore; thou hast found me a free giver, and now make me to become thy debtor.
Lastly, it is a iust and righteous action to giue vnto the poore, seeing in giuing vnto them, we