A20764:420
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. Almsdeeds compared to lending upon usury.
Sect. 2. Almesdeedes compared to lending vpon vsurie.
In the same respect, almsgiving is in the Scripture compared to lending; yea, to such a loan, whereby we have not only the principal restored, but with great increase. For whereas if we lend our money unto men, we shall have but ten in the hundred, if for Gods sake we lend unto the poor, we shall have an hundred for ten, yea, an hundred for one, and eternal life to boot. Neither 1need we to doubt of the payment, for ⟨p. 202⟩though the poor be never so unable, yet they have an all-sufficient surety, even GOD himself, 2who hath undertaken in this bountiful manner to repay whatsoever is thus laid out. 3The which should make us cheerful in doing works of mercy, seeing we our selves are sure of the largest gain, for not the taker, but the putter out to usury hath the greatest profit. And not to give readily upon this consideration, is to proclaim, either that we do not believe Gods promises, nor give that credit unto him on his word, which we would give to a Turk or Infidel dwelling among us; or that we do not esteem the payment of his spiritual grace or heavenly glory for currant money, or of equal value to these transitory trifles which we impart unto the poor. For if a man of any credit should promise for the laying out of an hundred pound, that we should have a yearly annuity of so much for term of life, how eagerly would we catch at such an offer, though the quick approach of death might make us losers by the bargain? But God promiseth, that if we will lay out our money on these uses, we shall have an hundred for one, & for these earthly trifles, heavenly and everlasting treasures; and who then would not willingly listen to such a motion, if he believeth him that maketh it, or valueth the bargain that is offered unto him? when Alchemists promise great sums of gold for the disbursing of a little money, though they never fail to deceive those that believe them, yet they find many, who, to the utter ruin