A20764:397
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.
CHAP. 16. That in the works of mercy we resemble God, please him, and make our calling and election sure.
CHAP. 16. That in the workes of mercy wee resemble God, please him, and make our calling and election sure.
Sect. 1. That we resemble God in these works of mercy.
And so I come from the reason included in the name of righteousness, here given to alms, to those main arguments whereby the Psalmist enforceth this duty which are plainly expressed in the text. The first whereof is the lasting benefit wherewith these works of mercy shall be rewarded, in these words; his righteousness endureth for ever. Where two things are to be considered; first the benefit or privilege promised to the merciful man, the which is the fruit and profit of his beneficence. And the second is the time how long this benefit and fruit of his good deeds shall last, that is not only in this life, but also in the life to come; for his righteousness, or the fruit of his mercy towards the poor, endureth for ever. The benefits which accompany these works of mercy are inestimable and innumerable; for first the inward habit of goodness and mercy in our hearts, exercised in the outward actions of liberality and bounty by our hands, doth make us to resemble God himself, and that in such an attribute as he delighteth in above others to stile himself withal. For howsoever he is infinite in glory, greatness, justice, power, and all perfections, yet most usually ⟨p. 184⟩in the Scriptures he is called a God of mercy and compassion. And hereby principally he made himself known unto Moses desiring to see him. Exod: 34. 6. The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and