A method concerning the relief and employment of the poor humbly offer'd to the consideration of the king and both Houses of Parliament / taken out of Sir Josiah Child's writings ; with somewhat added which the late renowned judge Sir Mathew Hale, writ in his book intituled, A discourse touching provision for the poor.
         Child, Josiah, Sir, 1630-1699.
      
       
         
           1699
        
      
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             A method concerning the relief and employment of the poor humbly offer'd to the consideration of the king and both Houses of Parliament / taken out of Sir Josiah Child's writings ; with somewhat added which the late renowned judge Sir Mathew Hale, writ in his book intituled, A discourse touching provision for the poor.
             Child, Josiah, Sir, 1630-1699.
             Hale, Matthew, Sir, 1609-1676. Discourse touching provision for the poor.
          
           22 p.
           
             Printed by the advice of some in authority,
             London :
             1699.
          
           
             Also found as Wing C3858 on reel 733:22.
             Imperfect: pages stained with print show-through and some loss of print.
             Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Poor laws -- Great Britain.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           METHOD
           Concerning
           the
           Relief
           and
           Employment
           OF
           THE
           POOR
           :
           Humbly
           offer'd
           to
           the
           Consideration
           of
           the
           KING
           and
           both
           Houses
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           Taken
           out
           of
           Sir
           
             Josiah
          
           Child's
           Writings
           .
           With
           somewhat
           added
           ;
           Which
           the
           Late
           Renowned
           Judge
           ,
           Sir
           
             Mathew
             Hale
             ,
          
           Writ
           in
           his
           Book
           Intituled
           ,
           
             A
             Discourse
             touching
             Provision
             for
             the
             Poor
             .
          
        
         
           
             May
             true
             Wisdom
             be
             given
             ,
             for
             the
             carrying
             on
             so
             Great
             and
             so
             Good
             a
             Work.
             
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           the
           Advice
           of
           some
           in
           Authority
           ,
           1699.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           METHOD
           Concerning
           the
           Relief
           and
           Employment
           OF
           THE
           POOR
           .
        
         
           IN
           the
           Discourse
           of
           this
           Subject
           ,
           I
           shall
           first
           assert
           some
           Particulars
           ,
           which
           I
           think
           are
           agreed
           by
           common
           Consent
           ,
           and
           from
           thence
           take
           occasion
           to
           proceed
           to
           what
           is
           more
           doubtful
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           our
           Poor
           in
           
             England
          
           have
           always
           been
           in
           a
           most
           sad
           and
           wretched
           condition
           ,
           some
           Famished
           for
           want
           of
           Bread
           ,
           others
           starved
           with
           Cold
           and
           Nakedness
           ,
           and
           many
           whole
           Families
           in
           all
           the
           out
           Parts
           of
           Cities
           and
           great
           Towns
           ,
           commonly
           remain
           in
           a
           languishing
           ,
           nasty
           and
           useless
           Condition
           ,
           Uncomfortable
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           unprofitable
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           this
           is
           confessed
           and
           lamented
           by
           all
           Men.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           the
           
             Children
          
           of
           our
           
             Poor
          
           bred
           up
           in
           
             Beggary
          
           and
           
             Laziness
             ,
          
           do
           by
           that
           means
           become
           not
           only
           of
           
             unhealthy
             Bodies
             ,
          
           and
           more
           then
           ordinary
           subject
           to
           many
           loathsome
           Diseases
           ,
           whereof
           very
           
           many
           die
           in
           their
           tender
           Age
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           of
           them
           do
           arrive
           to
           years
           and
           strength
           ,
           they
           are
           ,
           by
           their
           idle
           habits
           contracted
           in
           their
           Youth
           ,
           rendred
           for
           ever
           after
           indispos'd
           to
           Labour
           ,
           and
           serve
           only
           to
           stock
           the
           
             Kingdom
          
           with
           
             Thieves
          
           and
           
             Beggars
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           if
           all
           our
           impotent
           
             Poor
          
           were
           provided
           for
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           both
           Sexes
           ,
           and
           all
           Ages
           that
           can
           do
           Work
           of
           any
           kind
           ,
           employed
           ,
           it
           would
           redound
           some
           Hundreds
           of
           Thousands
           of
           Pounds
           
             per
             Annum
          
           to
           the
           Publick
           Advantage
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           it
           is
           our
           Duty
           to
           GOD
           and
           Nature
           so
           to
           Provide
           for
           ,
           and
           Employ
           the
           Poor
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           That
           by
           so
           doing
           one
           of
           the
           great
           Sins
           (
           for
           which
           this
           Land
           ought
           to
           Mourn
           )
           would
           be
           removed
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           our
           fore-Fathers
           had
           pious
           Intentions
           towards
           this
           good
           Work
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           the
           many
           Statutes
           made
           by
           them
           to
           this
           purpose
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           That
           there
           are
           Places
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           wherein
           the
           
             Poor
          
           are
           so
           provided
           for
           ,
           and
           employed
           ;
           as
           in
           
             Holland
             ,
             Hamborough
             ,
             New-England
          
           and
           others
           ,
           and
           as
           I
           am
           informed
           ,
           now
           in
           the
           
             City
          
           of
           
             Paris
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           far
           we
           all
           agree
           :
           The
           first
           Question
           then
           that
           naturally
           occurs
           is
           ,
        
         
           
             How
             comes
             it
             to
             pass
             that
             in
          
           England
           
             we
             do
             not
             ,
             nor
             ever
             did
             comfortably
             Maintain
             and
             Employ
             our
             Poor
             ?
          
        
         
           The
           common
           Answers
           to
           this
           Question
           are
           two
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             That
             our
             Laws
             to
             this
             purpose
             are
             as
             good
             as
             any
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             we
             fail
             in
             the
             execution
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             formerly
             in
             the
             days
             of
             our
             Pious
             Ancestors
             the
             work
             was
             done
             ,
             but
             now
             Charity
             is
             deceased
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             the
             reason
             we
             see
             the
             Poor
             so
             neglected
             as
             now
             they
             are
             .
          
        
         
           In
           both
           which
           Answers
           (
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           )
           the
           Effect
           is
           mistaken
           for
           the
           Cause
           :
           For
           tho'
           it
           cannot
           
           he
           denied
           ,
           but
           there
           hath
           been
           ,
           and
           is
           a
           great
           failure
           in
           the
           Execution
           of
           those
           
             Statutes
          
           which
           relate
           to
           the
           
             Poor
             ;
          
           yet
           I
           say
           ,
           the
           
             Cause
             of
             that
             failure
             ,
             hath
             been
             occasioned
             by
             defe●t
             of
             the
             Laws
             themselves
             .
          
        
         
           For
           otherwise
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           reason
           that
           in
           our
           late
           times
           of
           the
           Confusion
           and
           Alteration
           ,
           wherein
           almost
           every
           Party
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           took
           their
           turn
           at
           the
           Helm
           ,
           and
           all
           had
           that
           Compass
           (
           those
           Laws
           )
           to
           Steer
           by
           ,
           and
           yet
           none
           of
           them
           could
           ,
           or
           ever
           did
           ,
           conduct
           the
           
             Poor
          
           into
           a
           Harbour
           of
           security
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           profit
           to
           the
           Kidgdom
           ,
           i.
           e.
           
             none
             sufficiently
             maintained
             the
             Impotent
             ,
             and
             employed
             the
             Indigent
             amongst
             us
             :
          
           And
           if
           this
           was
           never
           done
           in
           any
           Age
           ,
           nor
           by
           any
           sort
           of
           Men
           whatsoever
           in
           this
           
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           who
           had
           the
           use
           of
           those
           Laws
           now
           in
           force
           ,
           it
           seemes
           to
           me
           a
           very
           strong
           Argument
           that
           it
           never
           could
           ,
           nor
           ever
           will
           be
           done
           by
           those
           Laws
           ,
           and
           that
           consequently
           the
           defect
           lies
           in
           the
           Laws
           themselves
           ,
           not
           in
           the
           Men
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           those
           that
           should
           put
           them
           in
           Execution
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           second
           Answer
           to
           the
           aforesaid
           Question
           ,
           wherein
           
             want
             of
             Charity
          
           is
           assigned
           for
           another
           cause
           why
           the
           
             Poor
          
           are
           now
           so
           much
           neglected
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           is
           a
           
             scandalous
             ungrounded
             accusation
          
           of
           our
           
             Contemporaries
             ;
          
           for
           most
           that
           I
           converse
           with
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           much
           troubled
           to
           part
           with
           their
           Money
           ,
           as
           how
           to
           place
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           do
           good
           ,
           and
           not
           hurt
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           For
           ,
           
             If
             they
             give
             to
             the
             Beggars
             in
             the
             Streets
             ,
             or
             at
             their
             Doors
             ,
             they
             fear
             they
             may
             do
             hurt
             by
          
           encouraging
           that
           Lazy
           unprofitable
           kind
           of
           Life
           ;
           and
           
             if
             they
             give
             more
             than
             their
             Proportions
             in
             their
             respective
             Parishes
             ,
             that
          
           (
           they
           say
           )
           
             is
             but
             giving
             to
             the
             Rich
             ,
          
           for
           the
           
             Poor
          
           are
           not
           set
           on
           Work
           thereby
           ,
           nor
           
           have
           the
           more
           given
           them
           ;
           but
           only
           their
           
             Rich
          
           Neighbours
           pay
           the
           less
           .
           And
           for
           what
           was
           given
           in
           
             Churches
          
           to
           the
           
             Visited
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           to
           such
           as
           were
           
             impoverished
             by
             the
             Fire
             ;
          
           we
           have
           heard
           of
           so
           many
           and
           great
           Abuses
           of
           that
           kind
           of
           
             Charity
             ,
          
           that
           most
           men
           are
           under
           sad
           Discouragements
           in
           Relation
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           I
           write
           not
           this
           to
           divert
           any
           Man
           from
           Works
           of
           Chaity
           of
           any
           kind
           :
           
             He
             that
             gives
             to
             any
             in
             Want
             does
             well
             ,
             but
             be
             that
             gives
             to
             Employ
             and
             Educate
             the
             Poor
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             render
             them
             useful
             to
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
             in
             my
             judgement
             does
             better
             .
          
        
         
           And
           here
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           not
           to
           leave
           men
           at
           a
           loss
           how
           to
           dispose
           of
           what
           GOD
           shall
           incline
           their
           Hearts
           to
           give
           for
           the
           Benefit
           of
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           I
           think
           it
           not
           impertinent
           to
           propose
           the
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           the
           
             City
             ,
          
           and
           
             Poor
             Labouring
             People
             that
             have
             many
             Children
             ,
          
           and
           make
           a
           hard
           shift
           to
           sustain
           them
           by
           their
           industry
           ,
           whereof
           there
           are
           multitudes
           in
           the
           out
           Parts
           of
           this
           
             City
             ,
             as
             the
             best
             Objects
             of
             Charity
             at
             present
             .
          
        
         
           But
           to
           return
           to
           my
           purpose
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           to
           prove
           that
           the
           want
           of
           
             Charity
          
           likewise
           that
           is
           now
           ,
           and
           always
           hath
           been
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
             proceeds
             from
             a
             defect
             in
             our
             Laws
             .
          
           Ask
           any
           Charitable-minded
           Man
           ,
           as
           he
           goes
           along
           the
           Streets
           of
           
             London
             ,
          
           viewing
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           viz
           ,
           
             Boyes
             ,
             Girles
             ,
             Men
             and
             Women
          
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           and
           Many
           in
           good
           Health
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           why
           he
           and
           others
           do
           not
           take
           care
           for
           the
           setting
           those
           poor
           Creatures
           to
           Work
           ?
           Will
           he
           not
           readily
           answer
           ,
           that
           he
           wisheth
           heartily
           it
           could
           be
           done
           ,
           though
           it
           cost
           him
           some
           part
           of
           his
           Estate
           ,
           but
           he
           is
           but
           one
           Man
           ,
           and
           can
           do
           nothing
           towards
           it
           ;
           giving
           them
           Money
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           being
           but
           to
           bring
           them
           into
           a
           liking
           and
           continuance
           in
           that
           way
           .
        
         
           %
           
           Question
           2.
           
           
             Wherein
             lyes
             the
             defect
             of
             our
             ,
             present
             Laws
             relating
             to
             the
             Poor
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           many
           ,
           but
           I
           shall
           here
           take
           notice
           of
           one
           only
           ,
           which
           I
           think
           to
           be
           Fundamental
           ,
           and
           which
           until
           altered
           ,
           the
           
             Poor
          
           in
           
             England
          
           can
           never
           be
           well
           provided
           for
           ,
           or
           Employed
           ;
           and
           that
           when
           the
           said
           Fundamental
           Error
           is
           well
           amended
           ,
           it
           is
           almost
           impossible
           they
           should
           lack
           ei●●er
           Work
           or
           Maintainance
           .
        
         
           
             The
             said
             radical
             Error
             I
             esteem
             to
             be
             the
             leaving
             it
             to
             the
             Care
             of
             every
             Parish
             to
             maintain
             their
             own
             Poor
             only
             ;
          
           upon
           which
           follows
           the
           shifting
           off
           ,
           sending
           or
           whiping
           back
           the
           poor
           Wanderers
           to
           the
           place
           of
           their
           Birth
           ,
           or
           last
           Abode
           ;
           the
           Practice
           whereof
           I
           have
           seen
           many
           Years
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           to
           signify
           as
           much
           as
           ever
           it
           will
           ,
           which
           is
           just
           nothing
           of
           Good
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           in
           general
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Poor
          
           thereof
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           sometimes
           by
           accident
           to
           so●●
           of
           them
           a
           Punishment
           without
           effect
           ;
           I
           say
           without
           effect
           ,
           because
           it
           reforms
           not
           the
           Party
           ,
           nor
           disposeth
           the
           minds
           of
           others
           to
           Obedience
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           true
           ends
           of
           all
           Punishment
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           instance
           ,
           
             a
             poor
             idle
             Person
             ,
          
           that
           will
           not
           Work
           ,
           or
           that
           no
           Body
           will
           employ
           in
           the
           Country
           ,
           comes
           up
           to
           
             London
             ,
             to
             set
             up
             the
             Trade
             of
             Begging
             ,
          
           such
           a
           person
           probably
           may
           
             Begg
          
           up
           and
           down
           the
           Streets
           seven
           Years
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           seven
           and
           twenty
           ,
           before
           any
           body
           asketh
           why
           she
           doth
           so
           ,
           and
           if
           at
           length
           she
           hath
           the
           ill
           hap
           in
           some
           Parish
           ,
           to
           meet
           with
           a
           more
           Vigilant
           
             Beadle
          
           then
           one
           of
           twenty
           of
           them
           are
           ,
           all
           he
           does
           is
           but
           to
           lead
           her
           the
           length
           of
           five
           or
           six
           Houses
           into
           another
           Parish
           ,
           and
           then
           concludes
           ,
           as
           his
           
             Masters
          
           the
           
             Parishoners
          
           do
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           
           done
           the
           part
           of
           a
           most
           diligent
           Officer
           :
           But
           suppose
           he
           should
           yet
           go
           further
           to
           the
           end
           of
           his
           Line
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           and
           the
           perfect
           Execution
           of
           his
           Office
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           suppose
           he
           should
           carry
           this
           poor
           wretch
           to
           a
           
             Justice
          
           of
           the
           Peace
           ,
           and
           he
           should
           order
           the
           
             Delinquent
          
           to
           be
           
             Whipt
          
           and
           sent
           from
           
             Parish
          
           to
           
             Parish
             ,
          
           to
           the
           place
           of
           her
           
             Birth
          
           or
           last
           Abode
           ,
           which
           not
           one
           
             Justice
          
           of
           twenty
           (
           through
           Pity
           or
           other
           cause
           )
           will
           do
           ;
           even
           this
           is
           a
           great
           charge
           upon
           the
           Country
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Nation
           it self
           wholly
           undone
           :
           For
           no
           sooner
           doth
           the
           
             Delinquent
          
           arrive
           at
           the
           place
           assign'd
           ,
           but
           for
           Shame
           or
           Idleness
           she
           presently
           deserts
           it
           ,
           and
           wanders
           directly
           back
           ,
           or
           some
           other
           way
           ,
           hoping
           for
           better
           Fortune
           ,
           whilst
           the
           
             Parish
          
           to
           which
           she
           is
           sent
           ,
           knowing
           her
           a
           Lazy
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           a
           worse
           qualified
           person
           ,
           is
           as
           willing
           to
           be
           rid
           of
           her
           ,
           as
           she
           is
           to
           be
           gone
           from
           thence
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           here
           retorted
           upon
           me
           ,
           that
           by
           my
           own
           confession
           ,
           much
           of
           this
           mischief
           happens
           by
           the
           ●on
           ,
           or
           ill
           Execution
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           Better
           Execution
           then
           you
           have
           seen
           ,
           you
           must
           not
           expect
           ;
           
             and
             there
             was
             never
             a
             good
             Law
             made
             ,
             that
             was
             not
             well
             executed
             ;
             the
             fault
             of
             the
             Law
             causing
             a
             failure
             of
             execution
             ;
          
           it
           being
           natural
           to
           all
           men
           to
           use
           the
           remedy
           next
           at
           hand
           ,
           and
           rest
           satisfied
           with
           shifting
           the
           Evil
           from
           their
           own
           Doors
           ;
           which
           in
           regard
           they
           can
           so
           easily
           do
           ,
           by
           threatning
           or
           thrusting
           a
           
             poor
             Body
          
           out
           of
           the
           verge
           of
           their
           own
           
             Parish
             ,
          
           it
           is
           unreasonable
           and
           vain
           to
           hope
           that
           ever
           it
           will
           be
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           
             For
             the
             Laws
             against
             Inmates
             ,
          
           and
           empowering
           the
           Parishioners
           to
           take
           Security
           before
           they
           suffer
           any
           poor
           Person
           to
           inhabit
           amongst
           them
           ;
           it
           may
           be
           they
           were
           prudent
           constitutions
           at
           the
           times
           they
           were
           
           made
           (
           and
           before
           
             England
          
           was
           a
           place
           of
           Trade
           )
           and
           may
           be
           so
           still
           in
           some
           Countries
           ;
           but
           I
           am
           sure
           in
           
             Cities
          
           &
           great
           
             Towns
          
           of
           
             Trade
             ,
          
           they
           are
           altogether
           improper
           ,
           and
           contrary
           to
           the
           practice
           of
           other
           
             Cities
          
           and
           
             Trading
             Towns
             abroad
             .
          
           The
           Riches
           of
           a
           
             City
             ,
          
           as
           of
           a
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           consisting
           in
           the
           multitude
           of
           
             inhabitants
             ;
          
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           
             you
             must
             allow
             Inmates
             ,
             or
             have
             a
             City
             of
             Cottages
             .
          
           And
           if
           a
           right
           course
           be
           taken
           for
           the
           Sustentation
           of
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           setting
           them
           on
           Work
           ,
           you
           need
           invent
           no
           Stratagems
           to
           keep
           them
           out
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           bring
           them
           in
           .
           For
           ,
           
             There
             sort
             of
             Poor
             to
             a
             City
             or
             Nation
             well
             managed
             ,
             is
             in
             effect
             ,
             the
             conflux
             of
             Riches
             to
             that
             City
             or
             Nation
             ;
          
           and
           therefore
           the
           subtil
           
             Dutch
          
           receive
           ,
           and
           relieve
           ,
           or
           employ
           all
           that
           come
           to
           them
           ,
           not
           enquiring
           what
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           much
           less
           what
           
             Parish
          
           they
           are
           of
           .
        
         
           
             Question
             3.
             
             If
             the
             defect
             be
             in
             our
             Laws
             ,
             how
             shall
             we
             find
             a
             remedy
             that
             may
             be
             rational
             and
             consistent
             ?
          
        
         
           This
           I
           confess
           is
           a
           hard
           and
           difficult
           question
           ,
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           
             Ardua
             Regni
             ,
          
           &
           may
           very
           well
           deserve
           the
           most
           deliberat
           consideration
           of
           our
           wisest
           
             Counsellors
             .
          
           And
           if
           A
           WHOLE
           SESSION
           OF
           PARLIAMENT
           WERE
           EMPLOYED
           ON
           THIS
           SINGULAR
           CONCERN
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           would
           be
           time
           spent
           as
           much
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           GOD
           and
           good
           of
           this
           
             Nation
             ,
          
           as
           in
           any
           thing
           that
           noble
           and
           worthy
           
             Patriots
          
           of
           their
           Country
           can
           be
           engaged
           in
           :
           But
           seeing
           I
           have
           adventured
           thus
           far
           ,
           I
           shall
           humbly
           proceed
           to
           offer
           some
           General
           Proposals
           that
           have
           a
           tendency
           towards
           the
           effecting
           this
           great
           Work
           ,
           which
           being
           seriously
           thought
           of
           and
           debated
           by
           a
           COMMITTEE
           ,
           may
           be
           capable
           of
           such
           melioration
           as
           may
           render
           them
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           effectual
           to
           the
           
             Kingdom
          
           in
           
           general
           ,
           although
           at
           present
           ,
           to
           prevent
           that
           Common
           Objection
           ,
           that
           great
           Mutations
           are
           dangerous
           ;
           I
           shall
           only
           propose
           them
           to
           be
           experimented
           in
           these
           parts
           of
           the
           
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           which
           are
           the
           Vitals
           of
           our
           body
           politick
           ,
           which
           being
           once
           made
           sound
           ,
           the
           care
           of
           the
           rest
           will
           not
           be
           difficult
           .
        
         
           
             Proposition
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             the
             City
             of
          
           London
           
             and
          
           Westminster
           ,
           
             Burrough
             of
          
           Southwark
           ,
           
             and
             all
             other
             places
             within
             the
             usual
             Lines
             of
             Communication
             ,
          
           described
           within
           the
           weekly
           Bills
           of
           Mortality
           ,
           
             may
             by
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             be
             associated
             into
             one
             Province
             or
             line
             of
             Communication
             for
             relief
             of
             the
             Poor
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           there
           be
           one
           Assembly
           of
           men
           (
           and
           such
           as
           they
           shall
           from
           time
           to
           time
           appoint
           and
           deputise
           )
           entrusted
           with
           the
           care
           for
           ,
           and
           treasure
           of
           all
           the
           Poor
           within
           the
           said
           Pale
           or
           Line
           of
           Communication
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Assembly
             be
             incorporated
             by
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
          
           with
           perpetual
           Succession
           by
           the
           name
           of
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           or
           some
           other
           honourable
           and
           significant
           Title
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           
             That
             all
             Constables
             ,
             Church-wardens
             ,
             Overseers
             ,
             or
             other
             Officers
             in
             all
             Parishes
             ,
          
           within
           the
           said
           Line
           ,
           
             be
             subordinate
             &
             accomptable
             to
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             and
             their
             Deputies
             ,
             for
             ,
             &
             in
             all
             things
             relating
             to
             the
             Poor
             .
          
        
         
           5.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             have
             liberty
             to
             Assess
             and
             receive
             into
             their
             common
             Treasury
             ,
          
           for
           relief
           of
           their
           Poor
           ,
           
             so
             much
             Money
             from
             every
             Parish
             as
             they
             yearly
             paid
             to
             that
             purpose
             any
             of
             the
             three
             Years
             preceding
             this
             Constitution
             ,
             and
             to
             compel
             the
             Payment
             thereof
             ,
             but
             not
             of
             more
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           their
           Deputies
           ,
           may
           have
           very
           large
           and
           sufficient
           Power
           in
           all
           things
           relating
           to
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           particularly
           to
           
           have
           and
           receive
           the
           charitable
           benevolence
           of
           all
           Persons
           once
           every
           
             Sunday
          
           in
           every
           Parish-Church
           ,
           and
           in
           any
           other
           place
           ,
           and
           at
           any
           other
           time
           or
           times
           which
           they
           shall
           think
           fit
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           That
           the
           said
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           they
           shall
           authorize
           ,
           may
           have
           Power
           to
           purchase
           Lands
           ,
           erect
           and
           endow
           Work-houses
           ,
           Hospitals
           and
           Houses
           of
           Correction
           ,
           and
           to
           exercise
           all
           other
           Powers
           relating
           to
           the
           Poor
           ,
           that
           any
           number
           of
           
             Justices
          
           of
           the
           
             Peace
          
           now
           may
           do
           ,
           in
           their
           
             Quarter
             Sessions
          
           or
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             have
          
           Power
           
             to
             send
             such
             Poor
             beyond
             the
             Seas
             as
             they
             shall
             think
             fit
             into
             his
             Majesties
             Plantations
             ,
             taking
             Security
             for
             their
             comfortable
             Maintainance
             during
             their
             Service
             ,
             and
             for
             their
             freedom
             afterwards
             .
          
        
         
           9.
           
           
             That
             the
             said
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             may
             have
          
           Power
           
             to
             erect
             petty
          
           Banks
           
             and
          
           Lumbards
           for
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           Poor
           ,
           if
           they
           shall
           find
           it
           convenient
           ,
           and
           also
           to
           receive
           the
           one
           half
           of
           what
           is
           paid
           at
           all
           the
           Doors
           of
           
             Play-Houses
          
           [
           if
           they
           be
           continued
           ]
           and
           have
           the
           
             Patent
          
           for
           
             Farthings
             ,
          
           and
           to
           do
           whatever
           else
           his
           
             Majesty
          
           and
           the
           
             Parliament
          
           shall
           think
           fit
           to
           recommend
           to
           them
           ,
           or
           leave
           to
           their
           Discretion
           .
        
         
           10.
           
           
             That
             the
             Treasure
             that
             shall
             be
             collected
             for
             this
             purpose
             ,
             be
             accounted
             sacred
             ;
             and
             that
             it
             be
          
           Fellony
           to
           misapply
           ,
           conceal
           ,
           lend
           or
           convert
           it
           to
           any
           other
           use
           or
           purpose
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           11.
           
           
             That
             there
             be
             no
          
           Oaths
           ,
           
             or
             other
          
           Tests
           
             imposed
             upon
             the
          
           Fathers
           
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             at
             their
             Admission
             ,
             to
             bar
             out
             Nonconformists
             ,
          
           amongst
           whom
           there
           will
           be
           found
           some
           excellent
           Instruments
           for
           this
           good
           Work
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           will
           constantly
           attend
           it
           ,
           for
           if
           
           they
           be
           kept
           out
           ,
           the
           People
           will
           be
           cold
           in
           their
           Charity
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           hopes
           of
           the
           success
           .
        
         
           12.
           
           That
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
          
           of
           the
           
             Poor
          
           may
           constantly
           wear
           some
           honourable
           Medal
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           
             King
          
           and
           
             Parliament
             shall
             devise
             ,
          
           besides
           the
           
             Green
             Staff
          
           which
           is
           now
           used
           in
           
             London
          
           to
           such
           like
           purpose
           (
           but
           upon
           extraordinary
           days
           only
           )
           
             to
             denote
             their
             Authority
             and
             Office
             ,
          
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           Habits
           in
           
             Spain
             ,
          
           or
           rather
           ,
           as
           have
           all
           the
           
             Familars
          
           of
           the
           
             Inquisition
          
           in
           most
           
             Romish
          
           Countries
           ,
           with
           admirable
           effect
           ,
           tho
           to
           a
           wicked
           purpose
           ;
           the
           consequence
           whereof
           will
           be
           ,
           that
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
          
           of
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           being
           Numerous
           ,
           and
           disperst
           by
           their
           Habitations
           and
           Business
           into
           most
           parts
           of
           their
           
             Province
             ,
          
           will
           readily
           see
           any
           neglects
           of
           Officers
           ,
           and
           as
           easily
           redress
           them
           ;
           the
           
             Medal
          
           which
           they
           wear
           about
           them
           ,
           being
           a
           sufficient
           Warrant
           to
           command
           Obedience
           from
           all
           
             Parish
             Officers
          
           wherever
           they
           come
           ,
           although
           their
           Persons
           be
           not
           known
           there
           .
        
         
           13.
           
           That
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
          
           of
           the
           
             Poor
          
           may
           have
           Liberty
           to
           admit
           into
           their
           Society
           ,
           and
           all
           
             Powers
          
           and
           
             Priviledges
          
           equal
           with
           them
           ,
           any
           Persons
           that
           are
           willing
           to
           serve
           GOD
           ,
           their
           King
           and
           Country
           in
           this
           Pious
           and
           publick
           Work
           ,
           the
           Persons
           desiring
           to
           be
           so
           admitted
           ,
           paying
           at
           their
           admission
           
             100l
             .
          
           or
           more
           ,
           into
           the
           Poors
           Treasury
           ,
           as
           a
           demonstration
           of
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           their
           Intentions
           to
           labour
           in
           and
           cultivate
           this
           most
           Religious
           Vineyard
           .
           This
           I
           only
           offer
           because
           the
           number
           of
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
          
           of
           the
           
             Poor
          
           hereafter
           mentioned
           ,
           may
           be
           thought
           rather
           too
           few
           than
           too
           many
           .
        
         
           14.
           
           That
           the
           said
           Fathers
           of
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           besides
           the
           Authority
           now
           exercised
           by
           
             Justices
          
           of
           the
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           may
           
           have
           some
           less
           limited
           Powers
           given
           them
           ,
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           Punishment
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           and
           Parish
           Officers
           by
           pecuniary
           mulcts
           for
           the
           Poors
           benefit
           ,
           in
           case
           of
           neglect
           ,
           
             and
             otherwise
             ,
             as
             his
          
           Majesty
           
             and
             the
          
           Parliament
           
             shall
             think
             fit
             .
          
        
         
           15.
           
           That
           the
           said
           Fathers
           of
           the
           
             Poor
          
           may
           have
           freedom
           to
           set
           the
           
             Poor
          
           on
           Work
           about
           whatsoever
           Manufacture
           they
           think
           fit
           ,
           with
           a
           
             Non
             obstante
          
           to
           all
           Patents
           that
           have
           been
           or
           shall
           be
           granted
           to
           any
           Private
           Person
           or
           Persons
           for
           the
           sole
           Manufacture
           of
           any
           Commodity
           ;
           the
           want
           of
           which
           priviledge
           ,
           I
           have
           been
           told
           ,
           was
           a
           prejudice
           to
           the
           Work-house
           at
           
             Clerkenwell
             ,
          
           in
           the
           late
           design
           of
           setting
           their
           
             Poor
             Children
          
           about
           making
           of
           
             Hangings
             .
          
        
         
           16.
           
           That
           all
           Vacancies
           by
           reason
           of
           Death
           of
           any
           of
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
          
           of
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           be
           perpetually
           supplyed
           by
           Election
           of
           the
           Survivors
           .
        
         
           
             Quest.
             4.
             
             Who
             shall
             be
             the
             Persons
             entrusted
             with
             so
             great
             a
             Work
             ,
             and
             such
             excess
             of
             Power
             ?
          
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           Question
           likewise
           of
           some
           difficulty
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           ,
           in
           regard
           of
           our
           present
           Differences
           in
           
             Religion
             ;
          
           but
           I
           shall
           answer
           it
           as
           well
           as
           I
           can
           .
        
         
           In
           general
           I
           say
           ,
           
             They
             must
             be
             such
             as
             the
             People
             must
             have
             ample
             satisfaction
             in
             ,
             or
             else
             the
             whole
             Design
             will
             be
             lost
             :
          
           For
           if
           the
           universality
           of
           the
           People
           be
           not
           satisfied
           with
           the
           Persons
           ,
           they
           will
           never
           part
           with
           their
           Money
           ;
           but
           if
           they
           be
           well
           satisfied
           therein
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           miraculously
           charitable
           .
        
         
           
             Qest.
             5.
             
             What
             sort
             of
             men
             the
             People
             will
             be
             most
             satisfied
             in
             ?
          
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           I
           think
           
             in
             none
             so
             well
             as
             such
             only
             as
             a
             common
             Hall
             of
             the
             Livery-men
             of
          
           London
           
             shall
             make
             choice
             of
             ,
          
           it
           being
           evident
           by
           the
           experience
           of
           many
           
           Ages
           ,
           that
           the
           several
           
             Corporations
          
           in
           
             London
          
           are
           the
           best
           
             Administrators
          
           of
           what
           is
           left
           to
           
             ebaritable
             Uses
             ,
          
           that
           have
           ever
           been
           in
           this
           
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           which
           is
           manifest
           in
           the
           regular
           ,
           just
           and
           prudent
           management
           of
           the
           
             Hospitals
             of
             London
             ,
          
           and
           was
           wisely
           observed
           by
           
             Doctor-Collet
             Dean
             of
          
           St.
           
             Pauls
             ,
          
           that
           prudent
           
             Ecclesiastick
             ,
          
           when
           he
           left
           the
           Government
           of
           that
           
             School
             ,
          
           and
           other
           great
           Revenues
           assigned
           by
           him
           for
           charitable
           Uses
           ,
           unto
           the
           disposition
           of
           the
           
             Mercers
             Company
             .
          
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           That
           
             Country-Gentlemen
             ,
          
           who
           have
           Power
           in
           places
           of
           their
           Residences
           ,
           and
           pay
           out
           of
           their
           large
           Estates
           considerable
           sums
           towards
           the
           Maintenance
           of
           their
           
             Poor
          
           within
           the
           aforelimited
           Precincts
           ,
           may
           be
           justly
           Offended
           if
           they
           likewise
           have
           not
           a
           share
           in
           the
           distribution
           of
           what
           shall
           be
           raised
           to
           that
           purpose
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           The
           force
           of
           this
           Objection
           may
           be
           much
           taken
           off
           ,
           if
           the
           
             City
          
           be
           obliged
           to
           choose
           but
           a
           certain
           number
           out
           of
           the
           
             City
             ,
          
           as
           suppose
           seventy
           for
           
             London
             ,
          
           ten
           out
           of
           
             Southwark
          
           for
           that
           
             Burrough
             ,
          
           twenty
           for
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           this
           would
           best
           satisfie
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           do
           the
           Work
           :
           But
           if
           it
           be
           thought
           too
           much
           for
           the
           
             City
          
           to
           have
           the
           choice
           of
           any
           more
           than
           their
           own
           seventy
           ,
           the
           
             Justices
             of
             the
             Peace
          
           in
           their
           
             Quarter-Sessions
          
           may
           nominate
           and
           appoint
           their
           own
           number
           of
           persons
           to
           assist
           for
           their
           respective
           Jurisdictions
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           supply
           the
           vacancy
           in
           case
           of
           Death
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           But
           all
           must
           be
           conjunctive
           ,
           but
           one
           
             Body
             Politick
             ,
          
           or
           the
           work
           will
           never
           be
           done
           .
        
         
           
             Quest.
             6.
             
             What
             will
             be
             the
             advantage
             to
             the
             Kingdom
             in
             general
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Poor
             in
             particular
             ,
             that
             will
             accrue
             by
             such
             a
             Society
             of
             men
             ,
             more
             than
             is
             enjoyed
             by
             the
             Laws
             at
             present
             ?
          
        
         
         
           
             I
             answer
             ,
          
           innumerable
           and
           unspeakable
           are
           the
           Benefits
           to
           this
           Kingdom
           that
           will
           arise
           from
           the
           Consultatons
           and
           Debates
           of
           such
           a
           wife
           and
           honest
           
             Council
             ,
          
           who
           being
           men
           so
           elected
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           will
           certainly
           conscionably
           study
           and
           labour
           to
           discharge
           their
           trust
           in
           this
           Service
           of
           GOD
           ,
           their
           
             King
          
           and
           
             Country
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           of
           what
           quality
           soever
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           are
           met
           with
           ,
           will
           be
           immediatly
           relieved
           or
           set
           on
           Work
           where
           they
           are
           found
           ,
           without
           hurrying
           them
           from
           place
           to
           place
           ,
           and
           torturing
           their
           Bodies
           to
           no
           purpose
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Charitable
           minded
           men
           ,
           will
           know
           certainly
           where
           to
           dispose
           of
           their
           Charity
           ,
           so
           as
           it
           may
           be
           employed
           to
           right
           purposes
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           House-keepers
           will
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           intolerable
           Incumbrance
           of
           Beggars
           at
           their
           Door
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           Plantations
           will
           be
           regularly
           supplyed
           with
           Servants
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           sent
           thither
           well
           provided
           for
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           The
           said
           Assembly
           will
           doubtless
           appoint
           some
           of
           their
           own
           Members
           to
           visit
           and
           relieve
           such
           as
           are
           Sick
           ,
           as
           often
           as
           there
           shall
           be
           occasion
           ,
           together
           with
           poor
           Labouring
           Families
           both
           in
           
             City
          
           and
           
             Suburbs
             .
          
        
         
           6.
           
           
             Poor
             Children
             will
             be
             instructed
             in
             Learning
             and
             Arts
             ,
          
           and
           thereby
           rendred
           serviceable
           to
           their
           Country
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           worthy
           Acts
           done
           for
           publick
           good
           by
           the
           joint
           deliberation
           of
           so
           many
           prudent
           and
           pious
           Men
           ,
           assisted
           with
           such
           a
           Power
           and
           Purse
           ,
           more
           then
           can
           be
           fore-seen
           or
           expressed
           by
           a
           private
           Person
           .
        
         
           
             Quest.
             7.
             
             What
             shall
             all
             the
             Poor
             of
             these
             Cities
             and
             Countries
             ,
             being
             very
             numerous
             ,
             be
             employed
             about
             !
          
        
         
           %
           
           This
           question
           will
           be
           answer'd
           best
           by
           the
           said
           Assembly
           themselves
           when
           they
           have
           met
           &
           consulted
           together
           ,
           who
           cannot
           be
           presumed
           deficient
           of
           Invention
           to
           set
           all
           the
           
             Poor
          
           on
           Work
           ,
           especially
           since
           they
           may
           easily
           have
           Admirable
           Presidents
           from
           the
           Practice
           of
           
             Holland
          
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           &
           have
           already
           very
           good
           ones
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           in
           theOrders
           of
           their
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           
             Christ-Church
          
           and
           
             Bridewell
          
           in
           
             London
             ;
          
           the
           
             Girles
          
           may
           be
           employed
           in
           mending
           the
           Cloathes
           of
           the
           
             Aged
             ,
          
           in
           
             Spinning
             ,
             Carding
             ,
          
           and
           other
           
             Linnen
             Manufactures
             ,
          
           and
           many
           in
           
             Sowing
             Linnen
          
           for
           the
           
             Exchange
             ,
          
           or
           any
           
             House-keeper
          
           that
           will
           put
           out
           Linnen
           to
           the
           
             Matrons
          
           that
           have
           the
           Govenment
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Boys
          
           in
           
             picking
             Okam
             ,
             making
             Pins
             ,
             rasping
             Wood
             ,
             making
             Hangings
             ,
          
           or
           any
           other
           
             Manufacture
          
           of
           any
           kind
           ,
           which
           whether
           it
           turns
           to
           present
           profit
           or
           not
           ,
           is
           not
           much
           material
           ,
           the
           great
           business
           of
           the
           Nation
           being
           first
           but
           to
           keep
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           from
           
             Begging
          
           and
           
             Starving
             ,
          
           and
           en●ring
           such
           as
           are
           able
           to
           Labour
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           hereafter
           useful
           Members
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           :
           But
           to
           conclude
           ,
           I
           say
           the
           wisest
           Man
           living
           solitary
           cannot
           propose
           or
           imagine
           such
           excellent
           ways
           &
           methods
           as
           will
           be
           invented
           be
           the
           united
           Wisdom
           of
           so
           garve
           an
           
             Assembly
             .
          
        
         
           The
           sitting
           of
           the
           said
           
             Assembly
             ,
          
           I
           humbly
           conceive
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           
             de
             Die
             in
             Dlem
             ;
          
           the
           
             Quoram
          
           not
           more
           then
           thirteen
           ;
           whether
           they
           shall
           Yearly
           ,
           Monthlyor
           Weekly
           choose
           a
           
             President
             ,
          
           how
           they
           shall
           distribute
           themselves
           into
           the
           several
           quarters
           of
           the
           
             Communication
             ,
          
           what
           
             Treasurers
          
           and
           other
           
             Officers
          
           to
           Employ
           ,
           and
           where
           ,
           and
           how
           many
           ,
           will
           be
           best
           determined
           by
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           diffculty
           ;
           because
           many
           that
           will
           probably
           be
           Members
           of
           the
           
           said
           
             Assembly
             ,
          
           have
           already
           had
           large
           experience
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           
             Hospitals
          
           of
           
             London
             :
          
           The
           manner
           of
           Election
           of
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
          
           I
           humbly
           suppose
           ,
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           better
           contrived
           then
           after
           the
           same
           way
           which
           the
           
             East-India
             Company
          
           choose
           their
           
             Committee
             ,
          
           which
           will
           prevent
           the
           Confusion
           ,
           Irregularity
           and
           Incertitude
           that
           may
           attend
           the
           Election
           of
           Voices
           ,
           or
           holding
           up
           of
           Hands
           ;
           especially
           because
           the
           Persons
           to
           be
           Elected
           at
           one
           time
           will
           be
           very
           many
           ;
           the
           said
           manner
           Proposed
           is
           ,
           Every
           
             Elector
             ,
             viz.
          
           every
           
             Livery-Man
             ,
          
           to
           bring
           to
           
             Guild-Hall
          
           at
           the
           appointed
           day
           for
           Elections
           ,
           a
           List
           of
           the
           whole
           number
           of
           Persons
           ,
           such
           as
           he
           think
           :
           fit
           that
           are
           to
           be
           Elected
           ,
           and
           deliver
           the
           same
           openly
           unto
           such
           Persons
           as
           the
           
             Lord
             Mayor
             ,
             Aldermen
             ,
          
           and
           
             Common-Council-Men
          
           shall
           appoint
           to
           make
           the
           Scrutiny
           ;
           which
           Persons
           so
           entrusted
           ,
           with
           the
           said
           Scrutiny
           ,
           seven
           ,
           or
           ten
           days
           after
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           thought
           fit
           ,
           at
           another
           
             Common
             Hall
          
           may
           declare
           who
           are
           the
           Persons
           Elected
           by
           the
           Majority
           of
           Votes
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           here
           Objected
           to
           the
           whole
           purpose
           of
           this
           Treatise
           ,
           that
           this
           work
           may
           as
           well
           be
           done
           in
           distinct
           
             Parishes
             ,
          
           if
           all
           
             Parishes
          
           where
           oblidged
           to
           Build
           
             Work-Houses
             ,
          
           and
           Employ
           their
           
             Poor
          
           therein
           ;
           as
           
             Dorchester
             ,
          
           and
           some
           others
           have
           done
           ,
           with
           good
           success
           .
        
         
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           such
           attempts
           have
           been
           made
           in
           many
           places
           to
           my
           knowledge
           ,
           with
           very
           good
           intents
           and
           strenuous
           Endeavours
           ,
           but
           all
           that
           ever
           I
           heard
           of
           ,
           proved
           vain
           &
           ineffectual
           (
           as
           I
           fear
           will
           that
           of
           
             Clarken-well
             )
          
           except
           that
           single
           Instance
           of
           the
           Town
           of
           
             Dorchester
             ,
          
           which
           yet
           signifies
           nothing
           
           in
           relation
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           in
           general
           ,
           besides
           all
           other
           places
           cannot
           do
           the
           like
           ,
           nor
           doth
           the
           Town
           of
           
             Dorchester
          
           entertain
           any
           but
           their
           own
           
             Poor
          
           only
           ,
           and
           
             Whip
          
           away
           all
           others
           ;
           whereas
           that
           which
           I
           design
           is
           to
           propose
           such
           a
           Foundation
           ,
           as
           shall
           be
           large
           ,
           wise
           ,
           honest
           and
           rich
           enough
           to
           maintain
           &
           employ
           all
           
             Poor
          
           that
           come
           within
           the
           Pale
           of
           their
           
             Communication
             ,
          
           without
           enquiring
           where
           they
           were
           Born
           ,
           or
           last
           Inhabited
           :
           Which
           I
           dare
           affirm
           with
           Humility
           ,
           that
           nothing
           but
           a
           
             National
             ,
          
           or
           at
           least
           such
           a
           
             Provincial
             Purse
          
           can
           so
           well
           do
           ,
           nor
           any
           persons
           in
           this
           
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           but
           such
           only
           as
           shall
           be
           prickt
           out
           by
           Popular
           Election
           for
           the
           reason
           before
           alledged
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           That
           in
           my
           Opinion
           
             three
             fourths
          
           at
           least
           of
           the
           
             Stock
          
           must
           issue
           from
           the
           
             Charity
          
           of
           the
           
             People
             ;
          
           as
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           it
           will
           to
           a
           greater
           proportion
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           satisfied
           in
           the
           
             Managers
          
           thereof
           ;
           but
           if
           otherwise
           ,
           not
           the
           fortieth
           ;
           I
           might
           say
           not
           the
           hundreth
           part
           .
        
         
           I
           propose
           the
           Majority
           of
           the
           said
           
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Poor
          
           to
           be
           
             Citizens
             (
             though
             I
             am
             none
             my self
             )
          
           because
           I
           think
           a
           great
           share
           of
           the
           Money
           to
           be
           employed
           ,
           must
           and
           will
           come
           from
           them
           ,
           if
           ever
           the
           Work
           be
           well
           done
           ,
           as
           also
           ,
           because
           their
           Habitations
           are
           nearest
           the
           Center
           of
           their
           Business
           ,
           and
           they
           best
           acquainted
           with
           all
           affairs
           of
           this
           Nature
           ,
           by
           their
           Experience
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           
             Hospitals
             .
          
        
         
           Earnestly
           to
           desire
           and
           endeavour
           that
           the
           
             Poor
          
           of
           
             England
          
           should
           be
           better
           provided
           for
           and
           employed
           ,
           is
           a
           Work
           that
           was
           much
           studied
           by
           my
           deceased
           
             Father
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           though
           I
           be
           as
           ready
           to
           confess
           ,
           as
           any
           shall
           be
           to
           charge
           me
           ,
           with
           Disability
           to
           propose
           a
           
             Model
          
           of
           Laws
           for
           this
           great
           Affair
           ,
           
           yet
           I
           hope
           the
           more
           Ingenuous
           will
           pardon
           me
           for
           endeavouring
           to
           give
           aim
           towards
           it
           ,
           since
           it
           is
           so
           much
           my
           duty
           ,
           which
           in
           this
           particular
           I
           shall
           be
           careful
           to
           Perform
           (
           though
           I
           may
           be
           too
           remiss
           in
           others
           )
           as
           shall
           appear
           by
           MORE
           VISIBLE
           AND
           APPARENT
           DEMONSTRATIONS
           ,
           if
           ever
           this
           design
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           (
           that
           is
           like
           to
           effect
           what
           is
           desired
           )
           succeed
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             C.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           This
           following
           ,
           Judge
           HALE
           writ
           (
           with
           much
           more
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           )
           in
           his
           Book
           ,
           Intituled
           ,
           
             A
             Discourse
             touching
             Provision
             for
             the
             Poor
             .
          
        
         
           WE
           have
           very
           severe
           Laws
           against
           
             Theft
             ,
          
           possibly
           more
           severe
           than
           most
           other
           Nations
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           than
           the
           Offence
           simply
           considered
           deserves
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           so
           little
           to
           be
           said
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           severity
           of
           the
           Law
           herein
           ,
           but
           the
           multitude
           of
           the
           Offenders
           ,
           and
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Law
           rather
           to
           terrifie
           them
           punish
           :
           
             ut
             metus
             in
             omnes
             paena
             in
             paucos
             :
          
           But
           it
           is
           most
           apparent
           that
           the
           Law
           is
           frustrated
           of
           its
           Design
           therein
           ;
           for
           altho
           more
           suffer
           at
           one
           Sessions
           at
           
             Newgate
          
           for
           Stealing
           ,
           and
           Breaking
           up
           Houses
           ,
           and
           Picking
           of
           Pockets
           ,
           and
           such
           other
           Larcenaries
           ,
           than
           suffer
           in
           some
           other
           Countries
           for
           all
           Offences
           in
           three
           Years
           ,
           yet
           the
           Goals
           are
           never
           the
           emptier
           :
           Necessity
           and
           Poverty
           and
           want
           of
           a
           due
           Provision
           for
           the
           Employment
           of
           Indigent
           persons
           ,
           and
           the
           custom
           of
           a
           loose
           and
           Idle
           Life
           ,
           daily
           supply
           with
           advantage
           ,
           the
           number
           of
           those
           who
           are
           taken
           off
           by
           the
           Sentence
           of
           the
           Law
           :
           And
           doubtless
           ,
           as
           the
           multitude
           of
           
             Poor
          
           and
           necessitous
           ,
           and
           uneducated
           Persons
           increase
           ,
           the
           multitude
           of
           
             Malefactors
          
           will
           increase
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Examples
           of
           Severity
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           upon
           the
           whole
           account
           ,
           the
           Prudence
           of
           Prevention
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           more
           Christian
           ,
           so
           it
           will
           be
           more
           
           effectual
           that
           the
           Prudence
           of
           Remedy
           .
           The
           prevention
           of
           
             Poverty
             ,
          
           Idleness
           ,
           and
           a
           loose
           and
           disorderly
           Education
           ,
           even
           of
           
             Poor
             Children
             ,
          
           would
           do
           more
           good
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           than
           all
           the
           
             Gibbets
          
           Cauterisations
           ,
           and
           Whipping-Posts
           and
           Goals
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           would
           render
           these
           kind
           of
           Disciplines
           less
           necessary
           and
           less
           frequent
           
             Pref.
             
          
        
         
           In
           that
           State
           that
           things
           are
           ,
           our
           Populousness
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           a
           blessing
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           becomes
           the
           Burden
           of
           it
           ;
           by
           breading
           up
           whole
           Families
           ,
           and
           Succesful
           Generations
           ,
           in
           a
           meer
           .
           Trade
           of
           Idleness
           ,
           Thieving
           ,
           Begging
           ,
           and
           a
           Barbarous
           kind
           of
           Life
           ,
           which
           must
           in
           time
           prodigiously
           increase
           and
           overgrow
           the
           whole
           face
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           eat
           out
           the
           heart
           of
           it
           ,
           unless
           care
           be
           taken
           to
           prevent
           it
           .
           
             p.
          
           32.
           
        
         
           He
           Concludes
           his
           Book
           thus
           ,
           
             viz.
             
          
        
         
           That
           it
           would
           be
           a
           Work
           of
           great
           Humanity
           (
           to
           relieve
           and
           imploy
           the
           
             Poor
             )
          
           and
           such
           as
           we
           owe
           to
           those
           of
           our
           own
           Nature
           as
           we
           are
           men
           .
           The
           wise
           GOD
           did
           tell
           his
           ancient
           People
           that
           the
           
             Poor
          
           should
           be
           always
           among
           them
           ;
           1.
           to
           exercise
           their
           Liberality
           and
           Charity
           in
           supporting
           the
           wants
           of
           some
           by
           the
           abundance
           of
           others
           And
           2.
           to
           Exercise
           their
           Discretion
           and
           Industry
           to
           think
           of
           and
           set
           on
           foot
           such
           means
           as
           might
           put
           them
           in
           a
           Course
           of
           honest
           Imployment
           ,
           and
           encourage
           them
           in
           it
           .
           They
           that
           are
           Rich
           are
           Stewards
           of
           their
           Wealth
           ,
           and
           they
           that
           are
           wise
           are
           Stewards
           of
           their
           Wisdom
           unto
           the
           Great
           MASTER
           of
           the
           Family
           of
           Haven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           must
           give
           an
           account
           of
           both
           ,
           and
           one
           (
           I
           am
           sure
           )
           of
           the
           best
           accounts
           they
           can
           
           give
           of
           both
           is
           ,
           to
           imploy
           them
           in
           the
           ●●formation
           and
           Relief
           of
           those
           that
           want
           both
           or
           either
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           A
           work
           that
           as
           well
           becomes
           a
           Christian
           as
           any
           :
           Christianity
           commending
           Charity
           as
           one
           of
           the
           Principial
           Vertues
           ,
           and
           indeed
           the
           ill
           Provision
           for
           the
           
             Poor
          
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           is
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           Reproches
           to
           us
           in
           relation
           to
           our
           Christian
           Profession
           .
        
         
           The
           want
           of
           a
           due
           Provision
           for
           
             Education
          
           and
           Relief
           of
           the
           
             Poor
          
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Industry
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           fills
           the
           
             Goals
          
           with
           
             Malefactors
             ,
          
           and
           fills
           the
           
             Kingdom
          
           with
           
             Idle
          
           and
           unprofitable
           persons
           ,
           that
           consumes
           the
           Stock
           of
           the
           
             Kingdom
          
           without
           improving
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           will
           daily
           encrease
           even
           to
           a
           Desolation
           in
           time
           .
           And
           this
           Error
           in
           the
           first
           Concoction
           is
           never
           remediable
           but
           by
           
             Gibbits
          
           and
           
             Whipping
             .
          
           But
           there
           must
           be
           a
           Sound
           Prudent
           and
           Resolved
           Method
           for
           an
           Industrious
           Education
           of
           the
           
             Poor
             ,
          
           and
           that
           will
           give
           better
           remedy
           against
           these
           Corruptions
           than
           any
           Penalties
           can
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .