A20764:424
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. That love of our money should move us to part with it to charitable uses.
Sect. 3. That loue of our money should mooue vs to part with it to charitable vses.
There is nothing that hindereth a man more from doing these works of mercy, then excessive love of money and riches, which maketh them so loth to part with them; whereas in truth if they loved them wisely, nothing should make them more ready to bestow them upon these uses. For even worldly men that are wise in their generation, the more that they love their money, the seldomer they let it lie by them where it increaseth not, and is subject to many casualties, but the more ready they are to put it out, either upon usury, if they can find a sufficient debtor, or upon some good bargain which will return it again with great increase. O why then should ⟨p. 204⟩not we who profess our selves spiritually minded imitate this wisdom in our own kind: seeing if we will lay out our coin on these charitable uses, the gain is inestimable, and our pay-master all-sufficient and infallible in his promises? For what greater gain can be imagined then to change earth for heaven, transitory trifles for eternal treasures, the bread of men for the bread of Angels, rotten rags for glorious robes; and a little drink, yea, a cup of cold water, if the well or river be our best cellar for the water of life, which will infinitely delight and satisfy us, without glutting or satiety? why should we think the poor so much beholding unto us for our scraps and superfluous relics, and not rather our selves beholding unto them, seeing they are the occasions of such inestimable gain, for such trifling disbursements? Be mindful (saith one) ô