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…

And with this readiness must be joined speediness in giving; and taking our intelligence of our neighbours wants from the report of others, or else reading them in their pale visage, heavy countenance or poor habit, we must let our alms prevent their suite, and give them relief before they crave it. For (as one saith) Haec est ¹perfecta misericordia, &c. this is the perfection of mercy, that we prevent the suites of the needy, and relieve the hungry before they ask; and that mercy is imperfect (and it self needeth mercy) which is extorted with importunate prayers. And as it is maimed in it self, so not so acceptable to the poor, for ingratum est beneficium quod diu inter manus dantis ²haesit. That benefit is unwelcome and scarce worthy thanks which hath long stuck to the hands of the giver. And therefore herein let us labour to be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect, ⟨p. 34⟩who oftentimes supplieth our wants before we crave, and conferreth upon us many benefits, which in particular we never desired.

And with this readinesse must be ioyned speedinesse in giuing; and taking our intelligence of our neighbours wants from the report of others, or else reading them in their pale visage, heauie countenance or poore habit, we must let our almes preuent their suite, and giue them reliefe before they craue it. For (as one saith) Haec est