A20764:63
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 13. That we should prevent mens suites with our readiness.
Sect 13. That wee should preuent mens suites with our readinesse.
It must then be the benefactors care to prevent with his readiness their suites who need his 1help; and like the Astrologer, he must divine at the wants of the poor before they lay them open, imitating the sun which giveth light, heat and vital influence without entreaty. He must be like the inhabitants of the land of Tema, who brought water to him who was thirsty, and prevented with their bread him that fled; yea he must labour to be like our heavenly father, who as the Psalmist speaketh, not only giveth us our hearts desire, and withholdeth not the request of our lips, but also preventeth us with his blessings of goodness, and often giveth before we ask. Psal. 21. 2. 3. And 2this also is of singular use in the bestowing of benefits, and maketh the gift much more acceptable. Nam illud beneficium jucundum, victurumque in 3animo scias, quod obuiam venit: that benefit is most delightful, and will longest live in the mind of the receiver, which stayeth not till he come to ⟨p. 19⟩seek it, but cometh out to meet him in the mid way. For it is a torment and heavy burden to an ingenuous mind to crave, the which so presseth the heart, that oftentimes it maketh the blood to come into the face, which who so with his readiness preventeth doubleth the benefit. And if this be omitted, the gift looseth some part of his grace, because it is purchased with pain, and cometh not freely and without cost, Nam non tulit gratis qui cum rogasset accepit, there is nothing dearer then that which is bought with the price of many prayers: and the benefactor also looseth some part of his thanks; for a benefit pierceth the heart like a dart; diversly in respect of the divers manner of casting it, slighty if it be cast faintly, and deeply when as it cometh forcibly, and with a good will.