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 13. That wee should preuent mens suites with our rea∣dinesse.

It must then be the benefactours care to pre∣uent with his readinesse their suites who neede his * 1.1 helpe; and like the Astrologer, hee must diuine at the wants of the poore before they lay them open, imitating the sunne which giueth light, heate and vitall influence without intreatie. He must be like the inhabitants of the land of Tema, who brought water to him who was thirstie, and pre∣uented with their bread him that fled; yea he must la∣bour to be like our heauenly father, who as the Psalmist speaketh, not onely giueth vs our hearts desire, and withhouldeth not the request of our lips, but also preuenteth vs with his blessings of goodnesse, and often giueth before we aske. Psal. 21. 2. 3. And * 1.2 this also is of singular vse in the bestowing of be∣nefits, and maketh the gift much more accepta∣ble. Nam illud beneficium iucundum, victurumque in * 1.3 animo scias, quod obuiam venit: that benefit is most delightfull, and will longest liue in the minde of the receiuer, which stayeth not till hee come to

seeke it, but commeth out to meete him in the midde way. For it is a torment and heauie bur∣then to an ingenuous minde to craue, the which so presseth the heart, that oftentimes it maketh the blood to come into the face, which who so with his readinesse preuenteth doubleth the benefit. And if this bee omitted, the gift looseth some part of his grace, because it is purchased with paine, and commeth not freely and without cost, Nam non tulit gratis qui cum rogasset accepit, there is nothing dearer then that which is bought with the price of many praiers: and the benefactour also looseth some part of his thanks; for a benefit pearceth the heart like a dart; diuers∣ly in respect of the diuers manner of casting it, slighty if it bee cast faintly, and deepely when as it commeth forcibly, and with a good will.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sero beneficium dedit qui roganti dedit. Seneca. Esa. 21. 14.
• * 1.2

  Psal 21. 2. 3.
• * 1.3

  Seneca de Ben. lib. 2. cap. 1.