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…

Sect 9. No reason why we should neglect the poor to leave our children rich.

Sect 9. No reason why we should neglect the poore to leaue our children rich.

Finally though we are assured, that the goods which we spare from the relief of the poor and leave to our children, should prosper with them, and make them great on the earth, yet were there no reason why for this we should neglect these works of mercy? for why shouldest thou love thy children better then thine own person, and in providing for them neglect thy self? yea why shouldest thou prefer their wealth before thine own soul, & their flourishing estate in the world, which is but momentany & mutable, before the fruition of those joys which are infinite and everlasting? what will it profit thee when thou appearest before thy judge to allege, that thou hast plaid the good husband, and provided liberally for thine own children, when he shall lay it to thy charge, that to do thus, thou hast neglected and starved his? what comfort will it be unto thee, if for getting some trifles for thy posterity on earth, thou hast lost heaven, or to ⟨p. 251⟩remember that thy children ruffle it out in worldly wealth and superfluous abundance, when thou shalt be stripped of all, and want a drop of cold water to cool thy scorching heat? And therefore provide for thy children with a good conscience, and so as that thou neglect not the poor members of Christ: that God may bless thy provision unto them in this life; and provide for thee and for them, if they walk in thy ways, eternal mansions and an inheritance immortal, undefiled, and that passeth not away, in the kingdom of heaven. The which he vouchsafe us who hath bought it for us, Jesus Christ the righteous; To whom with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all praise and glory, power & dominion, both now and for evermore.