A20764:407
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. 4. That by these works of mercy we are assured of our interest unto Gods promises.
Sect. 4. That by these workes of mercie we are assured of our interest vnto Gods promises.
The fourth main argument, to persuade us with cheerfulness, to the exercising these works of mercy, is because hereby we may be assured of our right and title unto Gods most gracious ⟨p. 191⟩promises, the which are either general or more special. Generally, God maketh this promise, that if we cast our bread upon the face of the waters, 1we shall after many days find it. Eccles. 11. 1. and in this text, that if we give to the poor, our righteousness, that is, the fruit and benefit of these works of mercy, shall remain for ever. So our Saviour promiseth that our heavenly father seeing our almsdeeds, which we do in secret, will reward us openly, Matth. 6. 4. And lest any should be discouraged from performing these duties, because he is able to give but little: our Saviour assureth us, that, Whosoever giveth but a cup of cold 2water unto a Disciple, in the name of a Disciple, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matth. 10. 42. For 3this reward is not grounded upon the excellency and merit of the work, but upon Gods righteousness and truth in fulfilling his promises, according ding to that