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. Of the qualitie of our almes.

And so much for the quantitie. The third thing propounded in the matter of our almes is the qualitie of them; in which respect it is re∣quired, that wee giue to the poore things hole∣some, cleanely, conuenient and comfortable for the sustentation of their liues; auoiding therein two extreames, first of those who giue vnto them such base and sluttish foode as they would scarce offer vnto their dogges. And to this end we must remember, that wee doe not relieue contempti∣ble creatures, of another kinde inferiour to our selues, but those that are of the same flesh, chil∣dren of the same father, yea members of the same body and partakers in hope of the same precious promises. And which is more that in them wee lend vnto the Lord, who iustly scorneth our base refuse; yea relieue Iesus Christ himselfe; and will we giue vnto him swill and swines meate, who hath giuen himselfe vnto vs, and vouchsafeth to nourish our soules and bodies with his most pre∣cious body and blood? The other extreame is to giue vnto the poore superfluous, dainties; for it is required that they be fed with necessary foode, & not pāpered wantonly with superfluities; & our Sauiour when he miraculously fed the poore and hungrie people that followed him, by his sole

word, did not prouide for them delicates (though he might as easily haue done it as the other) but multiplyed their barley loaues and fishes. Nei∣ther in truth can men thus feede some in excesse, but in the meane time others must want necessa∣ries, nor doe the poore regard dainties (vnlesse it be in their sicknesse and weakenesse) but onely desire necessaries, seeing hunger doth make all foode sauourie, and euery meale a delightfull banquet. So Austine saith, vtantur diuites superflu∣is, dent pauperibus necessaria, Let the rich inioy their superfluities, and let them relieue the poore with necessaries: let them vse those things which are bought at high rates, and giue the poore such as are good cheape. And another saith, Communicate vnto them thy riches who feede on course fare and browne bread, and not on quailes and phesants, and who take care to kill hunger, and not to increase luxuriousnesse. And a∣gaine, giue to the poore and not the rich, giue to su∣staine necessitie and not to encrease wealth.

Notes

• Aug de verb. dom. Serm.
• Hier••me.