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.

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Author:	Downame, John, d. 1652.
Title:	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.
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Print source:	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. Downame, John, d. 1652. London: Printed by Edward Griffin for Ralph Mabbe, and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Grey-hound, 1616.
Subject terms:	Charity -- Early works to 1800.
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Table of Contents

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title page

THE ANALYSIS of the Psalme.

CHAP. 1. The resolution of the whole Psalme, the parts of the text, and the generall doctrines which arise out of it.

Sect. 1. Analysis of the whole Psalme.

Sect 2. The manner of penning this Psalme.

Sect. 3. The summe of the Psalme.

Sect. 4. The parts of the text.

Sect. 5. 1 Generall do∣ctrine That blessed∣nesse consists as much in gra∣ces and virtu∣ous actions, as in priuiledges and rewards.

Sect 6. The reasons which proue the former point

Sect. 7. The vse of the former do∣ctrine.

Sect. 8. 2. Doctrine. That it is a propertie of a godly man to be beneficent.

Sect. 9. Niggards are rightly called misers.

CHAP. 2. Of Benificence, the subiect, obiect and properties of it.

Sect. 1. Exposition of the words.

Sect 2. Beneficence what it is.

Sect. 3. Beneficence commended vnto all.

Sect. 4. The obiect of our benefi∣cence.

Sect 5. That our be∣neficence must chiefely extend to the faithfull.

Sect. 6. The proper∣ties of benefi∣cence. First, that it be li∣berall and bountifull.

Sect. 7. Bountie in our beneficence is required,

Sect 8. No bountie in worldlings to charitable vses.

Sect. 9. The second propertie is a∣lacritie.

Sect 10. Cheerefulnesse in the counte∣nance.

Sect. 11. Cheerefulnesse in words.

Sect 12. Cheerefulnesse in the action. First, when a man giueth speedily.

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

Sect. 14. We must at least willingly entertaine the first motion.

Sect. 15. The third pro∣pertie is con∣stancie in do∣ing good.

Sect. 16 We must in∣crease in doing good.

Sect. 17. The fourth propertie which is e∣qualitie.

Sect. 18. Good husban∣drie required that we may do good deedes.

CHAP. 3. Of Almesdeedes, and first of the action of giuing, and the properties of it.

Sect. 1. Of almesdeeds and first of the action of giu∣ing.

Sect. 2. Moderation in giuing accor∣ding to our a∣bilitie.

Sect. 3. We must giue according to our neigh∣bours neede.

Sect. 4. We must so giue to one as that we do not neglect many.

Sect 5. We must giue almes cheere∣fully.

Sect. 6. Cheerefulnesse in countenāce.

Sect. 7. Cheerefulnesse in our words and speeches.

Sect. 8. Cheerefulnesse appeareth by ready giuing.

Sect. 9. 2. In giuing speedily.

Sect 10. Reasons which may moue vs to giue speedily.

CHAP. 4. That the poore should be the obiect of our bountie.

Sect. 1. That the poore should be the obiect of our liberalitie.

Sect. 2. That the libe∣rality of the worldlings wil not profit thē.

Sect. 3. That common vagrants and idle persons are not those poore who should be relie∣ued.

Sect. 4. What poore are chiefely o be relieued.

Sect. 5. That we must auoide negli∣gence in giuing

Sect. 6. That we must not be ouer scrupulous in making choise.

Sect. 7. That we must giue almes constantly.

CHAP. 5. What almesdeedes are, and of the true causes from which they arise.

Sect. 1. That men are growne cold in these works of mercie.

Sect. 2. What almes∣deeds are.

Sect. 3. The true causes of almesdeedes from which they arise. 1. Faith.

Sect. 4. The second cause is obedi∣ence vnto God.

Sect. 5. The third cause is charitie. Fitst, the loue of God▪

Sect. 6. How our almes arise from the loue of God in respect of the order.

Sect. 7. 2. From our loue to our brethren.

Sect. 8. The fourth cause is mercy & compassion.

Sect 9. The Hebrew name implieth that mercy and almesdeedes must goe toge∣ther. Chesedh.

Sect 10. That they on∣ly are blessed who ioyne with their almesdeedes mercy and compassion.

Sect 11. That almes∣deedes are only rightly done by those who are mercifull.

Sect. 12. Pittie vvithout almesdeedes vnprofitable.

CHAP. 6. That we ought to visit the poore, that we may the bet∣ter performe these workes of mercy.

Sect. 1. That we ought to visit the poore.

Sect. 2. Reasons which may moue vs to visite the poore. 1. Reason

Sect. 3. 2. Reason

Sect 4. 3. Reason.

The sight of the poores miseries is a notable means to moue com∣passion.

Sect. 6. That if we vi∣site the poore we may ioyne spiritual & cor∣porall almes together.

Sect. 7. That by visi∣ting the poore we may learne to be thankful.

Sect. 8. That by visi∣ting the poore we may learne temperance & sobrietie.

Sect 9. That when we visit the poore we visit Christ in them.

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

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

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

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

CHAP. 8. Of the subiect matter of almes: where is shewed that we ought to giue vnto the poore onely that which is our owne; and what it should bee both in respect of quantitie and qualitie.

Sect. 1. That we must giue that onely which is our owne.

Sect. 2. Ill gotten goods must not be giuen, out restored to the owners.

Sect. 3. That it is vn∣lawfull to giue other mens goods proued.

Sect. 4. Almes out of goods gotten by oppression vnlawfull.

Sect. 5. Almes giuen out of the spoiles of the Church vn∣lawfull.

Sect 6. Almes giuen By Non resi∣dents vnlawful▪

Sect. 7. Diuers cases wherein it is vnlawfull to giue.

Sect. 8. That all the former cases are to be vn∣derstood with some exceptiō.

Sect 9. That a certaine quantitie is not determined.

Sect. 10. That we must giue liberally.

Sect. 11. That in giuing we must haue respect to our owne abilitie.

Sect. 12. That in case of extreame ne∣cessity we must straine our selues aboue our abilitie.

Sect. 13. Of the qualitie of our almes.

CHAP. 9. Of the persons who ought to giue almes.

Sect. 1. That the rich are bound chiefely to giue

Sect. 2. That none are exempted from this duetie.

Sect. 4. The former point proued by testimonies.

Sect. 5. Secondly, by examples.

Sect. 6. That our small meanes should moue vs to giue

Sect. 7. That the almes of the poore are as accepta∣ble as of the rich. Deut. 15. 1.

CHAP. 10. Of the persons who may lawfully giue almes.

Sect. 1. That none may giue but such as are ow∣ners of the things giuen.

Sect 2. That it is vn∣lawfull for ser∣uants to giue their maisters goods.

Sect. 3. That it is vn∣lawful for chil∣dren to giue without con∣sent of parents.

Sect 4. That it is vn∣lawful for those that want dis∣cretion to giue almes.

CHAP. 11. Whether it bee lawfull for the wife to giue almes with∣out consent of her husband.

Sect. 1. Certaine cases in which it is lawfull for the wife to giue almes.

Sect. 2. Some thinke it vnlawfull for the wife to giue almes.

Sect. 3. That she must indeauour to perswade her husband to ioyne with her

Sect. 4. The state of the question.

Sect. 5. Secondly, she must giue with meekenesse and reuerence to∣wards her hus∣band.

Sect. 6. Thirdly, she must not giue her husband any cause of offence.

Sect. 7. Fourthly, she must not dis∣grace her hus∣band by pub∣lishing his faults.

Sect. 8. That it is law∣ful for the wife to giue almes these cautions being obseru'd. Maine grounds laid for the de∣termining of the question.

Sect. 9. Of the superio∣rite and autho∣ritie of the hus∣band ouer the wife.

Sect. 10. That the hus∣bands gouern∣ment must be in the Lord.

Sect. 11. Of the com∣munion be∣tweene man and wife.

Sect. 12. How farre the communion in goods exten∣deth.

Sect. 13. Another ob∣iection answe∣red.

Sect 14. That the wife hath commu∣nion in goods to al good vses

Sect. 15. The conclusiō of the former point.

Sect. 16. The first rea∣son. That all good workes are inioyned vnto the wife as well as vnto the husband.

Sect. 17. An obiection answered.

Sect. 18. That works of mercy are com∣mended in the wife as well as in the husband.

Sect. 19. 3. Reason be∣cause the wife is appointed by God to be an helper in all good things.

Sect. 20. 4. Reason. That the wife should be in a worse condition than a seruant if shee might not giue almes.

Sect. 21. 5 Reason. That the last sen∣tence shall be pronounced to wiues as well as husbands.

Sect. 22. The 6. reason grounded on examples, as 1. of Abigail, 1 Sam. 25.

Sect. 23.

Sect. 24. Last reason ta∣ken from the custome of the Cuntrey.

Sect. 25. Their obiectiō answered who say that this li∣bertie granted to wiues is dangerous.

CHAP. 12. Of the persons vnto whom almes are to be giuen: and in what order one is to be preferred before another.

Sect. 1. That almes are to be giuen onely to the poore and needie.

prooued bst mni Scripture.

Sect. 3. The diuers kinds of poore.

Sect. 4. Of the order which wee ought to ob∣serue in our giuing almes, and first we are to respect men according to their neede and miserie.

Sect. 5. The Church and Common∣wealth are to be respected in the first place.

Sect. 6. In the second place we must regard our selues, & then our wiues.

Sect 7. Next vnto our wiues, parents are to be re∣leeued.

Sect. 8. Next vnto our Parents, our children are to be cared for.

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

Sect 10. Next vnto our spirituall kin∣dred wee must respect our be∣nefactors.

Sect. 11. Next vnto our benefactors we must extend our bountie to our kindred in the flesh.

Sect. 12. Next vnto our kindred wee must releiue cōmon friends and neighbors.

Sect. 13. Next vnto our neighbours we must respect our Country∣men, and then strangers.

Sect. 14. We must suffer our bounty to extend to our enemies.

Sect. 15. A caution for the better vn∣derstanding of the former rules.

CHAP. 13. Of the maner how, and time when, almes are best and most seasonably bestowed.

Sect. 1. How we ought to giue our almes both publikely and priuately.

Sect. 2. What is to be thought of gi∣uing our almes at our dores to common beg∣gers.

Sect. 3. Almes giuen by will to be esteemed ac∣cording to the qualitie of the persons who giue them.

Sect. 4. What is to be thought of those that wholy deferre giuing almes till their death.

Sect. 5. Giuing in our life time is much more commendable and acceptable.

Sect. 5. Giuing in our life-time most seasonable and best fitted to occasions.

Sect 6. No certaintie of doing good by legacies.

Sect 7. Giuing almes in our life-time most sutable & comely for a Christian.

Sect. 8. Almesdeeds to bee suspected when they are onely done after death

CHAP. 14. Of the properties of the Christians almes, wherein they differ from those which are done by worldlings; And of the diuers sorts and kindes of them.

Sect. 1. That there are many & great differences be∣tweene the almes of Chri¦stians and of worldlings. And first in the causes mouing them.

Sect. 2. That they dif∣fer in their ends.

Sect. 3. That they dif∣fer in the mat∣ter. And first, in respect of propriety.

Sect. 4. They differ in the obiect and extent.

Sect. 5. They differ in their manner of giuing, 1. in respect of sim∣plicitie

Sect. 6. 2. In respect of humilitie.

Sect. 7. 3. In respect of cheerefull gi∣uing.

Sect. 8. They differ in time.

Sect. . The conclusiō.

Sect. 10. Of forgiuing debts.

Sect. 11. Of freelending

CHAP. 15. That Almesdeedes are an act of righteousnesse, so that they bee not left arbitrary, but we in conscience are bound to doe them.

Sect. 1. Of the mea∣ning of the word righte∣ousnesse.

Sect. 2. That almes deeds are abso∣lutely requi∣red, proued by many testimo∣nies.

Sect. 3. That our ric∣hes are not our own but Gods talents com∣mitted vnto vs as his stewards.

Sect. 4. That they who will not releiue the poore are guilty of theft sacriledge and murther.

Sect. 5. That God hath alotted all wee can spare to the poore as their portion.

Sect 6 Their obiecti∣on answered, who say their goods are their owne; so that they need not to giue except they list.

Sect. 7. That as stew∣ards we shall bee called to an account.

Sect. 8. That the com∣munion be∣tweene vs and the poore, should mooue vs to releeue them.

Sect. 9. That our com∣munion with our head Christ should mooue vs to releeue the poore.

Sect. 10. What we giue to the poore is giuen to God himselfe.

CHAP. 16. That in the workes of mercy wee resemble God, please him, and make our calling and election sure.

Sect. 1. That we re∣semble God in these works of mercy.

Sect 2. That the works of mercy please God and make vs accepted of him.

Sect. 3. That by these works of mer∣cy wee make our calling & election sure.

Sect. 4. That by these workes of mer∣cie we are assu∣red of our inte∣rest vnto Gods promises.

Sect. 5. Their obiecti∣on answered, who thinke their riches lost which are gi∣uen to the poore.

Sect. 6.

CHAP. 17. That what we giue to the poore we shall receiue againe with great increase.

Sect. 1. That God will repay vs with great increase▪

Sect. 2. Almesdeedes compared to lending vpon vsurie.

Sect. 3. That loue of our money should mooue vs to part with it to charitable vses.

Sect. 4. That God is the surest pay∣master.

Sect. 5. That it is the end of riches to be imployed on good vses, and not locked vp.

Sect 6. That by giuing our riches to the poore, wee long enioy them.

Sect. 7. That our in∣estimable gaine counteruaileth our temporary forbearance.

CHAP. 18. Of certaine speciall benefits both corporall and spi∣rituall promised to those who giue liberally to the releife of poore.

Sect. 1. That he who releeueth the poore shall bee blessed in his posteritie.

Sect. 2. That God re∣wardeth our almesdeeds with corporall and earthly blessings.

Sect 3. That God will be mercifull to those that shew mercy.

Sect. 4. That if wee heare the cry of the poore, God will heare vs. Esa. 58. 7. .

Sect. 5. That if we pit∣tie the poore God will pittie vs in our afflic∣tions.

Sect. 6. That almes∣deedes further our saluation.

Sect. 7. That the grea∣test benefit of our almes re∣doundeth to our selues. Acts 20. 3

Sect. 8. That fearefull threatnings are denounced a∣gainst the vn∣mercifull.

CHAP. 19. That they who are liberall in giuing almes, shall bee re∣warded with permanent and eternall blessings.

Sect. 1. That our almesdeedes shall be rewar∣ded with per∣manent bles∣sings.

Sect. 2. That by giuing almes we lay vp treasures in our own coun∣try.

Sect. 5. That the re∣ward of our almes-deedes and the punish∣ment of their neglect shall be euerlasting.

CHAP. 20. That God will make the estate of the mercifull prosperous and flourishing.

Sect. 1. That by giuing almes our estate is confir∣med and in∣creased.

Sect. 3. That the mer∣cifull shall bee filled with ioy.

Sect. 3. That the mer∣cifull shall at∣taine to a pro∣sperous estate with honour.

CHAP. 21. Certaine obiections and excuses answered and ta∣ken away, whereby men are hindred from do∣ing the workes of mercy.

Sect. 1. Their obiectiō answered, who excuse their not giuing almes by their pouertie.

Sect. 2. That we ought to giue some∣thing to the poore, euen out of our meane estates.

Sect. 3. Their obiectiō answered, who put off this du∣ty to those who are richer.

Sect. 4. An obiection answered, grounded vpon the poores vn∣thankfulnesse.

Sect. 3. Their obiectiō answered, who say that the poore are wic∣ked.

Sect. 6. Reasons why we should not be ouer scrupu∣lous.

Sect. 7. Their obiectiō answered, who refuse to giue, because they haue many children.

Sect. 8. We shew our loue towards our children when we are bountifull to∣wards the poore.

Sect 9. No reason why we should neglect the poore to leaue our children rich.