A20764:473
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 attain to a prosperous estate with honour.
Sect. 3. That the mercifull shall attaine to a prosperous estate with honour.
Lastly it is said, that his horn shall be exalted with honour, or glory; whereby is meant, that merciful men shall have a fair passage to the compassing of their riches and enjoying of their pleasures; and whereas worldlings whilst they advance and confirm their estates, and obtain their pleasures by unlawful means, are commonly branded with the marks of their sin, & exposed to dishonour and reproach both before God and men; they achieving these things by sowing the seeds of their bounty, which God blesseth with this fruitful increase, become honourable and of high esteem, not only amongst ⟨p. 232⟩men, but also in the sight of God himself. Yea in truth the duty of alms-giving it self is exceeding honourable; for if it be a great honour amongst men to be the Kings steward, and to have the power of disposing his goods for the use of all his family, or to be his Almoner to distribute his alms unto the poor, how much more honourable is it, to bear these offices under the most high and mighty Monarch of heaven and earth? And as it is very honourable in it self, so also it bringeth much honour with it. For he that relieveth the poor honoureth God, according to that Pro. 14. 31. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth 1his maker, but he that honoureth him, hath mercy on the poor, and who so honour God, those will he honour, as it is 1. Sam. 1. 30. those that draw out their souls 2