A20764:78
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. 1. Of almsdeeds and first of the action of giving.
Sect. 1. Of almesdeeds and first of the action of giuing.
And so I come from the general duty of beneficence, to the more special duty of alms deeds, expressed in these words, he hath given to the poor. In which consider two things; the action, and the object. Of which I will entreat, ⟨p. 24⟩first severally, then jointly. The action is giving, which is a free and liberal contract, whereby the property and use of some good thing, is alienated from one and conferred upon another, out of the good will and bounty of the benefactor. And it hath two extremes, the one, in excess, lavish prodigality; and the other in defect, base niggardliness. Between which extremes this virtuous action holdeth the mean, being guided with true wisdom, judgement and discretion (as all other virtues are, according to that, Psal. 112. 5. A good man 1showeth favour and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion.) And in respect of the quantity of the gift, it keepeth a good proportion, both in respect of his ability, who giveth, and his necessity, who receiveth. And hereof it is that these almsdeeds are called righteousness in the Scriptures (as hereafter we shall see) to teach us, that they are to be done justly, according to the rule of equity; due respect being had both to our own state and means, and the necessities and wants of our poor brethren.