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. 9. Next vnto our childre, charge and familie, we must releiue our spirituall kindred.

So that all these are in their order to be releiued before all others by the expresse commandement of almighty God, euen before those who are ver∣tuous and religious, being not so neere vnto vs in these bondes of nature. But next as (I take it) our spirituall kindred is to take place, and in our works of mercy to be preferred before those who are on∣ly a kinne vnto vs in the flesh. I say only, because if our kindred in the flesh be also vertuous & reli∣gious, they are to be preferred before the other; yea though they haue not attained vnto that measure and degree of grace and godlinesse, so that it be in them in substance and truth, and not onely in a generall, bare, and vnfruitfull professi∣on; as it is in many amongst vs, who though they are content to be called by the name of Christi∣ans, yet are in truth deuoted wordlings, who professing Christ with their mouthes deny him in their liues and workes. For the faithfull are * 1.1 children of the same father, members of the same body whereof Christ is the head, and coheires of the same glorious kingdome, where they shall raigne together in all happines for euermore; and therefore being mutually conioyned in so many bondes of loue, they are to respect one another more then those, who being onely a kinne vnto them in the flesh, are enemies to their profession, yea euen to themselues, for being worldlings they loue onely their owne, and not those whom * 1.2 Christ hath chosen out of the world; yea ene∣mies to Gods grace and strangers to the com∣mon-wealth

of Israel, vassals of Sathan, and in the state of perdition. And for this also we haue our warrant out of the Scriptures; for as wee are bound to do good vnto all, so especially to those who are of the houshold of faith. Gal. 6. 10. As our * 1.3 mercy must extend to all, so principally to our bre∣thren who stand in neede, 1. Ioh. 3. 17. As we must * 1.4 communicate vnto all that want, so it is required chiefly that we distribute vnto the necessity of the Saints. Rom. 12. 13. And these almes aboue o∣thers haue the speciall promises of reward. So * 1.5 Math. 10. 41. Hee that receiueth a Prophet in the * 1.6 name of a Prophet, shall haue a Prophets reward, and he that receiueth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receiue a righteous mans reward. And whosoeuer shall giue to drinke to one of these lit∣tle ones a cuppe of cold water onely in the name of a Disciple, shall in no wise loose their reward. And Math. 25. 40. Hee entreth the faithfull into the * 1.7 possession of his kingdome, because in doing the workes of mercie to his brethren, they had done it to himselfe. And therefore Dauid did extend his goodnesse chiefely to the Saints and excellent. Psal. 16. 3. And our Sauiour himselfe professeth those to be his brethren, sisters and mother, who did the will of his Father which is in heauen. Math * 1.8 12. 50.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tit 1. 16.
• * 1.2

  Ioh. 7. 5. 6. 7. & 15. 19.
• * 1.3

  Gal. 6. 10.
• * 1.4

  1. Ioh. 3. 17.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 12. 13.
• * 1.6

  Math. 10. 41.
• * 1.7

  Math. 25. 40.
• * 1.8

  Math. 12. 50.