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 10. Reasons which may moue vs to giue speedily.

And this speedinesse in relieuing the poore is implyed by that name διακονία which the Apostle * 1.1 giueth vnto almesdeedes, signifying such a mini∣stration, as is performed with speede and dili∣gence, being deriued from a word which signi∣fieth to hasten and make speede, and is expresly required by the Wise-man in the doing of these workes of mercie. Pro. 3. 27. Say not to thy neigh∣bour * 1.2 goe and come againe, and to morrow I will giue thee, when thou hast it by thee. Vnto which speedy and present dispatch in giuing almes we may be moued by these reasons. First, because in respect of our neighbour, an almes is most seasonable in the time of want, and the gift doubled by his de∣sire that receiueth it. Againe, what knowest thou if to morrow he will neede thy gift, the Lord o∣therwise prouiding for him? and so thou shalt loose a fit opportunitie of doing good, because thou diddest refuse it when it was offered; which will turne thee to more damage and hurt, then to neglect the sowing of thy seede in time most seasonable. Furthermore it may be that through these delaies thy almes will come too late, like a good gale of winde after shipwracke, when his health is lost for want of reliefe, or state ruined for want of seasonable helpe, and so thy late and vntimely almes will doe him little good. For it fa∣reth with men in their strength and state, as with a leake in a shippe, or a breach of waters, which

may be easily stopped and stayed at the first ap∣pearing, but if be let alone, will within a while grow remedilesse. Finally, how canst thou tell whether the next time he commeth, thou shalt be able to relieue his wants, seeing for thine vn∣thankfulnesse and mis-imployment of Gods ta∣lents he may take thy goods and meanes of doing good from thee, and make thee to neede the helpe of others, or thee from thy goods, and so thou shalt haue no power to dispose them? And this reason the wise man giueth to moue vs vnto speedy and present giuing. Pro. 3. 27. Withhold * 1.3 not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to doe it: and the Apostle in∣ioyneth vs, when we haue opportunitie, to doe good vnto all men, especially to them who are of the hous∣hould of faith. Gal. 6. 10. * 1.4

Notes

• * 1.1

  2. Cor. 8. 4. & 9. 1
• * 1.2

  Pro. 3. 27.
• * 1.3

  Pro. 3. 27.
• * 1.4

  Gal. 6. 10.