A20764:492
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. 7. Their objection answered, who refuse to give, because they have many children.
Sect. 7. Their obiectiō answered, who refuse to giue, because they haue many children.
The last objection which worldlings make against the exercise of the works of mercy is, that they have a great charge and many children, and therefore they must not give away their goods to ⟨p. 246⟩strangers, for the Apostle teacheth us, that Parents must lay up for their children, and that he who neglecteth this duty, hath denied the faith, and is worse than an Infidel. Unto whom I might 1answer with Basil, Ne transferant culpam in insontes, let them not lay the blame upon those who are innocent; for they who are miserable having wife and children, would not be liberal if they were without them. Again, was not the Gospel written as well to the married as unmarried, to Parents, as well as those who have no children? and are not therefore both alike to yield obedience, and equally bound to perform these works of mercy? Did they desire of God children to this end, that they might plead by them a privilege to neglect his commandments? or may they not justly fear if they thus abuse the blessing of posterity, that God will lessen their number, lighten them of this charge, and so take away their excuse, by depriving them of their chiefest comfort? the which should be just with God thus to punish them, seeing they make idols of them, loving them better than they do God that gave them. But thy children are dear unto thee and must be provided for. And good reason; yet let thy God be dearer, and let them not make thee to neglect him, who gave thee to thy self, and them unto thee, and hath provided all that thou enjoyest, both for thee and them. Provide for them competency and sufficiency, but deny not unto God of thy abundance and superfluity.