A20764:68
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. 15. The third property is constancy in doing good.
Sect. 15. The third propertie is constancie in doing good.
The third property of beneficence is constancy, and assiduity in doing good; the which is also implied by the metaphor; for the husbandman contenteth not himself to have sowed his seed in former years, but he continueth to sow it still to the end of his life: and though the crop be sometime so small, that the seed it self is scarce returned: yet he will not be discouraged, but will again cast it into the ground, in hope of better success. And thus must we also do in sowing the seeds of our beneficence, casting them daily into the grounds which we find fitted and prepared, and not thinking it enough to adorn our selves with them, as with our best apparel, which ⟨p. 21⟩we only put on on high and festival days, we must make it to be our daily exercise; benefacta benefactis pertegentes (as one saith) making one 1good deed an introduction unto another, and never leaving to do good, so long as there is any power in our hands to do it. And unto this the Apostle exhorteth. 2. Thes. 3. 13. Brethren be not weary of well-doing, and 1. Thes. 5. 15. Ever follow 2that which is good, both among your selves, and to all men: wherein we shall imitate our heavenly father, and approve our selves to be his children, who reneweth his mercies unto us every morning, and multiplieth his blessings upon us every day with a new supply, and so we shall be sure to receive a rich reward, for if we be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in these works of the Lord, we may be assured that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord, as it is promised.