A20764:497
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. 8. We show our love towards our children when we are bountiful towards the poor.
Sect. 8. We shew our loue towards our children when we are bountifull towards the poore.
Yea but thy love and care over thy children is so great, that nothing can make thee to neglect ⟨p. 248⟩it. Be it so. Yet love them wisely, and take care to provide so for them, as that their estate may be sure and durable. Now whether is this better effected by thine own provision, or by the leaving them to the good blessing of God in a moderate estate, and to the wise and gracious guidance of his special providence? This question is easily determined, for though thou providest must abundantly for them, their state is subject to such innumerable casualties, that out of the highest flow of plenty, they may easily be brought to as great an ebb of want and penury. They may be oppressed by those who are more mighty, or defrauded by those that are more crafty; the Princes just displeasure, or their own faultiness, may turn them out of all, or in this cunning age, wherein there are none more skilful to build strongly, then others are to undermine and supplant, there may some crack or flaw be found in their title, and so for want of words or letters to carry it, thy children may be deprived of the benefit of thy care and providence. But if God take the care & charge over them, he is such a faithful Tutor and powerful Guardian and Protector, that none shall be able to wrest their portion and patrimony out of his hands. Now what is the means whereby thou mayest make thy children Gods wards and pupils, how mayest thou procure for them his blessings, and assure them of the gracious protection of his all-ruling providence? surely not by greedy covetousness and immoderate care in hoarding up for them excessive ⟨p. 249⟩wealth, nor by neglecting the works of mercy and the relieving of the poor, that thou mayest leave to thy children abundant riches. For how is it likely that he will bless unto them thine estate which is gotten and raked together by unjust keeping that, which he hath enjoined thee to bestow, and by the utter neglect and contempt of his commandment? or that God will regard and feed thy children who hast neglected his and suffered them to pine and perish for want of relief? But the only means to obtain Gods blessing upon thy self and thy posterity, is to obey his commandments, to trust him upon his word, and to give liberally unto the poor.