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 this speediness in relieving the poor is implied by that name διακονία which the Apostle ¹giveth unto almsdeeds, signifying such a ministration, as is performed with speed and diligence, being derived from a word which signifieth to hasten and make speed, and is expressly required by the Wise-man in the doing of these works of mercy. Pro. 3. 27. Say not to thy neighbour ²go and come again, and to morrow I will give thee, when thou hast it by thee. Unto which speedy and present dispatch in giving alms we may be moved by these reasons. First, because in respect of our neighbour, an alms is most seasonable in the time of want, and the gift doubled by his desire that receiveth it. Again, what knowest thou if to morrow he will need thy gift, the Lord otherwise providing for him? and so thou shalt loose a fit opportunity of doing good, because thou diddest refuse it when it was offered; which will turn thee to more damage and hurt, then to neglect the sowing of thy seed in time most seasonable. Furthermore it may be that through these delays thy alms will come too late, like a good gale of wind after shipwreck, when his health is lost for want of relief, or state ruined for want of seasonable help, and so thy late and untimely alms will do him little good. For it fareth with men in their strength and state, as with a leak in a ship, or a breach of waters, which