A20764:41
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. 3. Beneficence commended unto all.
Sect. 3. Beneficence commended vnto all.
And these duties of beneficence are commanded unto all. Heb. 13. 16. and are numbered by 1the Apostle among the fruits of the spirit. Gal. 5. 12. and there joined with love and faith, to show that there is no true faith or love where beneficence and goodness is wanting: but especially they are charged upon rich men, because they have the privilege of ability above others, and better means to express their inward bounty in the outward act. And howsoever the poorer sort may have as large and liberal hearts ⟨p. 11⟩as they, and consequently may be as acceptable in the sight of God, because he looketh principally, not to the gift, but to the mind of the giver; yet wanting riches they cannot show unto men the visible testimony of their bountiful hearts, nor produce their liberality into act, seeing they want the chief instrument of well doing, which are hence called goods, because by them we are enabled to do good. And indeed this is the right use of these rich talents which God hath lent unto us, that shall be so highly rewarded at the day of our great account; and the neglect hereof the hiding of those talents, which shall be at that day so severely punished.
And these duties of beneficence are commanded vnto all. Heb. 13. 16. and are numbred by