A20764:400
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 2. That the works of mercy please God and make us accepted of him.
Sect 2. That the works of mercy please God and make vs accepted of him.
Secondly, nothing maketh us more pleasing and acceptable unto God then this inward goodness outwardly exercised in the works of mercy and compassion. And this must needs follow upon the other; for the more like we are unto God, the more he liketh us; and the nearer we approach unto him in his perfections, the better he loveth and approveth us; it being the nature of ⟨p. 185⟩love to arise from likeness between them that love and those that are beloved. And therefore 1God being infinitely gracious and merciful, best liketh those who shine brightest in his own beauty, and best loveth those children, which most resembling their heavenly Father, do approve themselves to be legitimate. And this appeareth by the Scriptures, where God so highly prizeth and esteemeth mercy, and the works wherein it is exercised towards the poor, that he preferreth them before the outward act of religious duties. Hos. 6. 6. I desired mercy and not sacrifice. This 2is the oblation which he chiefly requireth, wherewithal 3(saith the Hypocrite) shall I come before God, and bow my self before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first borne for my transgressions, and the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? No none of all these saith the Prophet, but if thou wouldest be accepted of God, I will tell thee what he requireth