A20764:491
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. 6. Reasons why we should not be over scrupulous.
Sect. 6. Reasons why we should not be ouer scrupulous.
Let not therefore the poor's unworthiness hinder our bounty, but taking reasonable care to bestow our alms as well as we can, let us continually exercise our selves in these works of mercy. And to this purpose let us consider, that if we be over-curious in choosing, we shall neglect our duty and not give at all; according to that, 1Eccles: 11. 4. He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. Be not (saith one) over careful and curious, in examining 2those to whom thou shouldest give; as whether he be a believer or an infidel, just or unjust; for if thou hangest thus in suspense, thou wilt let the seasonable seed-time pass, and so find nothing to reap in the time of harvest. Secondly, let us set before us the example of our heavenly father, who maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, that so 3we may approve our selves to be his children. And let us not (as the Apostle exhorteth) be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with goodness: for it 4is a notable means to make them like and embrace ⟨p. 244⟩our profession, and follow our holy conversation, 5when as tasting of our bounty, they love our persons for the good they receive of us. Thirdly, let us remember, that it is much better to give unto many that are unworthy our alms, than that one who is worthy should be neglected in his necessity; for it is their fault if they be unworthy, but ours if being worthy we do not relieve them. To which purpose one saith; Be not