A20764:432
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. 7. That our inestimable gain counteruaileth our temporary forbearance.
Sect. 7. That our inestimable gaine counteruaileth our temporary forbearance.
A second impediment, which hindereth men from doing these works of mercy is, because they look at this great return of gain, as being many years and ages after to be received; for though they like these heavenly treasures, which the Lord promiseth to those, who by giving to the poor do lend unto him; and cannot but confess that God is the best and surest Paymaster, yet they are discouraged from thus laying ⟨p. 209⟩out their money, because he seemeth to take long days of payment, and hath appointed the place of receipt in another world, whereas they, both for place and time are wholly for the present, and in truth, desire to be paid in their own coin, that is, in transitory and momentary riches which are subject to their senses. But to these I answer, that if they live only by sense and not by faith, they have indeed little cause to exchange their earthly possessions for heavenly treasures, seeing they can have no true hope of coming into that place of happiness, or of enjoying those divine riches which are prepared only for the faithful; and therefore let such keep their money till it perish with them. But let those, who being true Christians, can with the eye of faith pierce the heavens and there behold things invisible, continually exercise themselves, in these works of mercy, notwithstanding this discouragement; seeing they know not how soon the Lord will call them to account, and make all reckonings straight which are between them. For howsoever they may conceive hope of prolonging their lives to an hundred years, yet it may be, it will not last another month or day, and so their payment shall be as speedy and quick, as great and inestimable. But say that the line of their life should outreach the length of their longest hopes, yet have they good cause to lay out their wealth on this spiritual and heavenly bargain. First, because if they will wait and expect with patience, they have such a sure Pay-master who