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.

Sect. 8. 2. Doctrine. That it is a propertie of a godly man to be beneficent.

The second generall point to bee obserued is; that it is a propertie of a godly and blessed man, to be beneficent, ready to all good workes, and liberall towards the poore. For so farre forth are we godly, as we are imitators of the godly nature; but in nothing doe wee more resemble God, then when we imitate the goodnesse of his nature, and be bountifull and beneficiall to all that neede our helpe, which who so doe, are bles∣sed, and none but they. So Pro. 14. 21. Hee that * 1.1 hath mercy on the poore, happy is he. And thus they are blessed in the worke it selfe, according to that Act. 20. 35. It is a more blessed thing to giue, then to receiue: and blessed also in their reward, as our * 1.2 sauiour telleth vs. Math. 5. 7. Blessed are the merci∣full, * 1.3 for they shall obtaine mercy, and be also receiued into the place of blessednesse, according to that Mat. 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the * 1.4 world; whereas contrariwise the mercilesse are

accursed; for they shall haue iudgemēt without mercy, that haue shewed no mercie, as it is Iam. 2. 13. As we may also see it in the last sentence, in which the * 1.5 iudge shall say vnto those who haue neglect∣ed these workes of mercie; Depart from me ye cursed into the fire prepared for the diuell and his An∣gels; * 1.6 for I was hungrie, and ye fed me not, I was thir∣stie, and ye gaue me no drinke, &c. Mat. 25. 41.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pro. 14. 21.
• * 1.2

  Act. 20. 35.
• * 1.3

  Mat. 5. 7.
• * 1.4

  Math. 25 34.
• * 1.5

  Iam. 2. 13.
• * 1.6

  Math. 25. 41.