A20764:82
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. 3. We must give according to our neighbours need.
Sect. 3. We must giue according to our neighbours neede.
Secondly, we are to order with wisdom the act of giving, in respect of the parties estate who is to receive our alms, bestowing more or less, as his wants require. For he that giveth more then sufficient, non dat sed di•at, he doth not properly out of charity give an alms, but out of bounty enricheth with benefits. And he that giveth less then their necessitie requireth. Non pauperem sustentat, sed paupertatem, hee cureth not the ⟨p. 26⟩disease of poverty, but only giveth some present ease; and if he apply not fresh remedies, he hath but prolonged their pains, by making it more tolerable, which extremity would soon have ended and quite taken away.
Secondly, we are to order with wisedome the act of giuing, in respect of the parties estate who is to receiue our almes, bestowing more or lesse, as his wants require. For hee that giueth more then sufficient, non dat sed di•at, he doth not properly out of charitie giue an almes, but out of bountie inricheth with benefits. And he that giueth lesse then their necessitie requireth. Non pauperem sustentat, sed paupertatem, hee cureth not the ⟨p. 26⟩disease of pouertie, but onely giueth some present ease; and if he apply not fresh remedies, he hath but prolonged their paines, by making it more tolerable, which extremitie would soone haue ended and quite taken away.