CHAP. XXI. (Book 21)
Another tentation which Satan hath to hinder true bounty and libera∣lity to the poore, Is
FRom pretence of such expences as are wastfully imployed in keeping great excesse at Christmas, &c. where∣vpon
The art of giuing Describing the true nature, and right vse of liberality: and prouing that these dayes of the gospell haue farre exceeded the former times of superstition in true charitie and magnificence. By Thomas Cooper.
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- Title
- The art of giuing Describing the true nature, and right vse of liberality: and prouing that these dayes of the gospell haue farre exceeded the former times of superstition in true charitie and magnificence. By Thomas Cooper.
- Author
- Cooper, Thomas, fl. 1626.
- Publication
- London :: Printed [by T. Snodham] for T. Pauier, and are to be sold in Iuy Lane,
- 1615.
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- Subject terms
- Charity -- Early works to 1800.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A19280.0001.001
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"The art of giuing Describing the true nature, and right vse of liberality: and prouing that these dayes of the gospell haue farre exceeded the former times of superstition in true charitie and magnificence. By Thomas Cooper." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A19280.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 1, 2024.
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he inferreth that the poore being fufficiently relieued the in, they may be excused all there yeere after: and so hath brought it to passe among great ones generally, that so they keepe iolly rout and riot at that time, they priuiledge themselues from further hospitality.
For the encountring of which Ten∣tation.
1 Know they, that this solemnity of feastings at that time, is one of those works of supererogation which one day will be brought within the compasse of that Quere. VVho required these things at their hands. Esay. 1.
2 Admit it were lawfull to vse such excesse at that time, yet is it farre from true bounty.
1 Because the poore haue least part thereof, they are no fit guests at these times, especially religious poore will marre the sport.
2 What they haue is not wholesome and of the better, but the refuse, that which the Dogs and Swine doe leaue.
3 They haue it also with sauce of
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swearing and cursing, and that is farre from sanctifying the deuotion vnto them.
4 The glut that they haue at such times, makes them more greedy & dain∣ty, yea, more idle, and vnfit for their cal∣ling, and spare diet all the yeere after.
5 That which they then haue, will not maintayne them all the yeere, as they must be relieued. Nay.
6 Vsually to maintayne such Bacchus feasts, the poore are racked, and fined and grinded to powder.
7 And this Charity is also subiect to such vanity and ostentation, as that hap∣py it is, if it hath it reward in this life.
And therefore,
Seeing what is wastfully spent at such times would maintayne many poore, euen a whole yeere, it were much better to abate such vnnecessary expences, and so at conuenient times to distribute to the necessity of the Saints.
Besides these tentations, consider we certain maine pollicies of Satan, whereby he hath in these late daies, euen stockt vp liberality, and vtterly abolished the same.