A20764:484
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. 4. An objection answered, grounded upon the poor's unthankfulness.
Sect. 4. An obiection answered, grounded vpon the poores vnthankfulnesse.
Thirdly, it is objected that the poor are now adays so unthankful, that all is lost which is bestowed upon them; for though we give them never so largely, they will not afford us so much as a good report; if we need their help they are to seek, and they will not take any pains for us, to watch with us when we are sick, or to work for us, when we need their labour. I answer, that if in giving thy alms thou aimest at these ends, thou art rightly served; for they did not spring out of the fountain of charity, but self-love and worldly respects, and were done for thine own praise or profit, and not because God requireth these duties at thy hands; the which is not to do works of mercy, but to put out thy money to usury for thine own advantage. Secondly, I may say of alms, as the heathen man of benefits, that if we be so curious in avoiding the giving of our alms to those who are ungrateful, we shall give none at all, and so these good deeds will perish 1in our own hands for want of doing them, for fear lest they should perish in the hands of others. According to that Eccles. 11. 4. He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. And elsewhere; What great thing were it to do good unto many, if none should deceive us? but it is true virtue to give when we hope not for any recompense, 2