A20764:471
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 the merciful shall be filled with joy.
Sect. 3. That the mercifull shall bee filled with ioy.
Secondly, by exalting their horn, is meant that their hearts shall be replenished with joy, and delight; for it is the manner of horned beasts to express their inward joy by lifting up and tossing their heads and horns. And surely it is no small pleasure which a Christian taketh in performing these works of mercy; For first these virtuous actions in themselves do even for the present fill their hearts with joy who rightly perform them, in which regard the heathen man defineth a benefit to be an action proceeding from goodwill, yielding joy to him that receiveth it, and receiving it 1whilst it yieldeth it. But much more do they fill our hearts with joy, as they are evident signs to assure us that we are endued with Gods saving graces, and as they do, being fruits of a lively faith, ascertain us of our future rewards, and the fruition of Gods presence, where there is fullness of joy for evermore.
Secondly, by exalting their horne, is meant that their hearts shal be replenished with ioy, and delight; for it is the manner of horned beasts to expresse their inward ioy by lifting vp and tossing their heads and hornes. And surely it is no small pleasure which a Christian taketh in performing these workes of mercie; For first these vertuous actions in themselues do euen for the present fill their hearts with ioy who rightly performe them, in which regard the heathen man defineth a benefit to bee an action proceeding from goodwill, yeelding ioy to him that receiueth it, and receiuing it 1whilest it yeeldeth it. But much more doe they fill our hearts with ioy, as they are euident signes to assure vs that wee are indued with Gods sauing graces, and as they doe, being fruites of a liuely faith, ascertaine vs of our future rewards, and the fruition of Gods presence, where there is fulnesse of ioy for euermore.