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.

CHAP. 7. Of the right ends of giuing almes.

Sect. 1. The principal▪ end is Gods glory.

AND thus haue wee seene the fountaine from which our almes should spring; let vs consider also in a word the maine ends where to they tend, which are the glory of God, our owne and our neighbours good. The principall end at which we must aime is Gods glorie; which as it is to be the chiefe motiue of all Christian duties, according to that, Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so * 1.1 shine before men, that they seeing your good workes, may glorifie your father which is in heauen: so especi∣ally of these workes of mercy. Which motiue the Apostle vseth to stirre the Corinthians vnto a li∣berall contribution, not onely that heereby the * 1.2 wants of the Saints might be supplied, but cheifly that God might bee glorified by this bountifull distribution. For as the Lord and master of the family is much honoured, in his wise and graci∣ous gouernment, when as the steward obeying his commandement, giueth euerie one of his fel∣low-seruants his allowance and portion in due season; so is our great Lord glorified in the Church, when as the richer sort yeelding subie∣ction vnto the Gospell of Christ, doe like faithfull stewards, thus imploy Gods wealth & riches com∣mitted vnto their dispeniation, to the releefe of those in the family that stand in neede.

Sect. 2. The subordi∣nate ends of giuing almes.

The subordinate ends at which we must aime, are the good of our brethren, who are refreshed with our almes, the adorning of our profession with these fruits of piety, the edification of others by our good example, the stopping of the mouths of our aduersaries, when as they see our loue to∣wards God manifested in our loue towards our brethren, and haue nothing to speake against our Christian conuersation: Finally our owne present good, in respect both of temporall and spirituall benefits, and the furthering and assuring of our eternall saluation.

Sect. 3. That if our ends be euill, the action is vnprofitable.

But if contrariwise the fountaine of our almes bee pride and selfe-loue, and our end bee, like the * 1.3 hypocrites, to be seene of men, we haue our reward, as our Sauiour teacheth vs. Matth. 6. 2. Or if with the proud Pharisie wee giue almes, that wee may glory and boast our selues in them, euen vn∣to God himselfe: or with Popish Iusticiaries, doe them with an opinion of merit, or to satisfie Gods iustice for our sinnes (for so they teach, that they satisfie for sinne by those three principall workes, almes-deedes, praier, and fasting) then in our alms∣deedes, we shall sacrifice vnto God swines flesh, and the head of a dogge, or (which is more a∣bominable vnto him) our workes defiled with hellish pride and horrible blasphemie against his free grace, and the all sufficiency of Christs me∣rits and satisfaction, by whose pouertie alone we are * 1.4 made rich. As it is 2. Cor. 8. 9.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Matth. 5. 16.
• * 1.2

  2. Cor. 9. 13.
• * 1.3

  Matth. 6. 2. Luc. 18.
• * 1.4

  2. Cor. 8. 9.