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…

Now that we may thus constantly hold out in well doing unto the end, there is required in the last place, that equality and proportion be observed in discreet fitting of our works of mercy and beneficence unto our state and ability, that they may match, but not exceed it. For we have not a sea of sufficiency which cannot be drawn dry, no nor yet is our estate in it self a springing fountain, which is no sooner empty, but presently it filleth again: but it is like a pool or standing water, or (as it were) a small stream which is fed and supplied by the spring of Gods bounty; and therefore we must not let it flow out faster then it cometh in, but still preserve the main stock (unless it be in cases of great necessity) and keep the pond in a convenient fullness, letting the overplus continually run over to good uses, ⟨p. 23⟩for otherwise there will be an intermission in the stream of our bounty, till the emptiness be replenished, and too much at one time will cause necessarily too little at another.

Now that we may thus constantly hold out in well doing vnto the end, there is required in the last place, that equalitie and proportion bee obserued in discreete fitting of our workes of mercy and beneficence vnto our state and abilitie, that they may match, but not exceede it. For we haue not a sea of sufficiencie which cannot be drawne drie, no nor yet is our estate in it selfe a springing fountaine, which is no sooner emptie, but presently it filleth againe: but it is like a poole or standing water, or (as it were) a small streame which is fed and supplied by the spring of Gods bounty; and therefore wee must not let it flow out faster then it commeth in, but still preserue the maine stocke (vnlesse it be in cases of great necessity) and keepe the pond in a conuenient fulnesse, letting the ouerplus continually runne ouer to good vses,