A20764:460
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. 1. That our almsdeeds shall be rewarded with permanent blessings.
Sect. 1. That our almesdeedes shall be rewarded with permanent blessings.
And thus much have we spoken of the manifold blessings & benefits which are promised to those who exercise themselves in the works of mercy; now we are to speak of the durable continuance of them, expressed in those words; endureth for ever. The first word signifying, that the fruits of our almsdeeds are lasting, for they fly not from us, but endure; the other, that they are everlasting, for they stay with us, not only a long time, but they endure for ever. Concerning the former, the benefit of our almsdeeds is very great, for whereas our riches are in their own nature most flitting, mutable and inconstant, they being every day ready to leave us, or we them; by giving of alms they are preserved for our use: whereas like an Eagle they are still ready to fly away from us, as the wise man speaketh, Prou. 23. 15. by this means their wings are clipped, so as they cannot take their flight nor depart from us. In which respect that conceit should not hinder us from giving alms which hindereth many, ⟨p. 223⟩namely, that their riches so bestowed are merely lost; yea, rather nothing more should persuade us to be bountiful in giving, seeing it is the only means to preserve them from losing; for if we keep them, they will fly away from us, but if we give them, they will continue with us. If we imprison them within stone-walls never so surely under lock and key, bolts and iron bars, they will make an escape; but if we commit them to the custody of the poor, they will become lasting treasures and durable riches which will long continue with us. So that if we would make choice of a treasury for our wealth which cannot be violated, of a lock that cannot be picked, and of an iron barred chest that cannot be broken open; let the poor keep it in their bellies, which of all other places is most safe and secure. For this is Christs treasury, which none can burst into, and what is put into it, is in his custody, and therefore safe enough, because he is the strong man whom none can turn out of possession, nor pluck any thing from him with violence, which he holdeth