Of the word Ouerseer.

OVr first parent was called Adam, that his name deriued from the earth might signi­fie his dissoluble nature; Caine was called a tiller of the ground that his additiō might bewray his education and facultie; so men are called Ouerseers, that their titles might illustrate and distinguish their offices, which titles being aptly attributed and ex­tracted from the essence of the office are singular arguments of wisdome, as it was in Adam to giue proper names to euery creature to manifest their dispositions.

The word Ouerseer by deuision may be taken

• Simply.
• Compositiuely.

Simply it is called Seer (as a speciall title of inspiration) and as a­mong the heathens the Philosophers were deemed the wisest men in their daies, so among the Israelites a Seer was reputed an ho­nourable person in the olde time, and was called a man of God: because by diuine inspiration he had foresight and pre-science of future things: hereof the prophets were afterward called Seers. 1. Sam. 9. 9.

Compositiuely it is called Ouerseer) as a title of distinction of offices) and such were so expresly called which were imployed a­bout the building of the Materiall and Spirituall Temple.

When the materiall Temple of Salomon was erecting, there [Page 8] was sixe thousand Ouerseers and Iudges, which were officers ap­pointed to see the building of it. 1. Chro. 23. 4.

Those that labour for the building vp of the Spirituall temple, are by the holy Ghost phrased to be Ouerseers. Act. 20. 28.

So that howe soeuer the word be taken, it may appeare that an Ouerseer is not a title of noualtie, but antiquitie, of indignitie, but excellencie: and it is an office that may beseeme the best, and not not the basest men.

What an Ouerseer is.

AN Ouerseer by the very etymologie of the word is one pla­ced or set ouer others to see vnto them, as the sonne of Adiel was set ouer Salomons treasure to see vnto it.

He is rightly called an Ouerseer by the naturall and essentiall signification of the word: which seeth what is to be done, foresee­eth howe it may be done, and ouerseeth that it be well done.

There be di­uers sorts of Ouerseers:

• Pastorall.
  • as Apostles and preachers.
• Mechanicall.
  • as Architects, &c.
• Testamental.
  • as Superuisors of wills.
• Politicall.
  • as Gouernours of the poore.

The title is imposed according to the proprietie of the office, and the persons are dignified according to the singularitie of the subiect.

An Ouerseer of the poore is he which hath the charge of im­ploying by worke, releeuing by money, and ordering by discre­tion, the defects of the poore; and this is not the least office, to be adorned with the title of Ouerseer of the poore: for as God him­selfe hath a speciall respect to the miseries of the poore, so they be like God, which prouide for the necessities of the poore, as the Sa­maritane was like Christ, because he releeued him that was woū ­ded and distressed.

If he which was both God and man did not thinke much to become poore for our sakes, let vs not disdaine to Ouersee the poore for his sake.

What persons be fitte to be made Ouerseers of the poore.

IN the primitiue Church such as had the dealings for the poore, were called Deacons, and those which were called to that office, are set forth in the Acts 2. waies

• 1. by their names
  • to be men of honest report.
• 2. by their vertues
  • to be men full
    • of the holy Ghost.
    • of wisdome.

The office beeing so excellent, the persons cannot be too good to vndergoe it.

The Statute appointeth ouerseers for the poore to be Subsedie [...]en, or for want of such substantiall men, which word as I con­ceiue may be thus taken:

A substantiall person is he which hath

• Competencie
  • of wealth.
  • of wisdome.
• Care of a good conscienc.

Competencie of wealth in an Ouerseer is very requisite by rea­sons drawen from wealth and want.

I. The very ornament of wealth doth adde a kinde of grace & maiestie to a man, although he be destitute of the cheife habit of a man, whereas pouertie makes a man dispiseable, which by his pro­perties is commendable.

II. The sufficiencie of wealth will cause circumspection in the officer: for he that hath no inward remorse to make conscience of his office, the penaltie of the lawe will constraine him to an out­ward carefulnesse; because he hath somewhat to loose.

III. The execution of the office requireth diligence, therefore he th [...]t is wealthie may the better neglect his owne affaires to at­tend of his office, but the poore cannot so conueniently forbeare their businesse, vnlesse they neglect their own familie, and so cō ­sequently incurre the Apostles reprehension.

IV. If he be poore he will not be respected: for commonly the poore despise him that is poore, if he be set in office ouer thē, and will not let to saie in derision as Iosephs brethren said of him, Shal [...] thou raigne ouer vs.

5 If he be poore, it is to be suspected he will abuse his office for benefit sake, though he bereaue it from the poore, like Iudas, who repined for the losse of oyntment, not so much for the good of the poore, as for the gaine of the money: because he kept the bagge and was but poore.

6 If he be poore he hath no countenance to controll: for where a mans wealth is not answerable to his heart, nor his estate sutable to his calling, it doth but discourage him in the execution of his office.

Albeit wealth and riches be pretious of themselues, yet if the possessour wants wit to vse them, he is no better then the Indian earth that breedes the bullion of gold, or the asse that beares the burthen of it, and yet neither take benefit by it: therfore to wealth must be vnited wisdome, which although it be of it selfe singular, yet as pearle set in gold makes it more beautifull to the eye, so wis­dome varnisht with wealth, makes a man more estimable to the world.

Competencie of wisdome is necessarie in an Ouerseer for these three respects,

• of the Lawes.
• of the office.
• of the person.

1 Of the Lawes: for as lawes are enacted by wisdom, so should officers be elected for wisdome, least the benefit of the law be a­bused through the ignorance of the executioners.

2 Of the office: if it be an honourable office to be an Ouerseer, why should the dignitie of the office be impaired by the insuffici­cie of the person.

3 Of the person, as he is reputed

• Foolish.
• Discrete.

If he be foolish he shall be skorned, and who will commit the managing of serious matters to a foole, neither is he fit to be made Gouernour ouer others, which wants discretion to gouerne him­selfe.

If he be discrete he shall be feared and regarded for his wisdom, as Pharao was feared for his crueltie, Dauid for his sanctitie, Sam­son for his strength, so was Salomon feared for his wisdome.

As wealth and wisdome are excellent gifts, yet to make a com­petent Ouerseer must be conioyned the Care of a good conscience. [Page 11] as the best agenr in this office: for there be many wealthie, yet dā ­nable as Diues was: there be many wise, yet wicked as Achitophel was: there be many strict in their liues, yet hypocrites, as the Pha­rises were, and there be many offensiue in their persons, and yet will not be defectiue in their office, as many of the Iewes were, but he which hath the custodie of a good conscience doth neuer miscarrie: for it confirmeth all where it is vsed, and confoundeth all where it is wanting.

Care of good conscience, is necessarie in regard of

• God.
• Men.

Of God: for riches, learning, honour, life, and such like are in­different to Pagans and prophane persons as well as other: but a good Conscience is incident to a few that feare God: therefore a good Conscience seasoned with grace is better accepted of God, then all the wisdome, worship, and wealth in the world possessed with a seared conscience.

Of men: which will appeare by the

• Fruition
• Defection

of a good Conscience.

The fruition of a good Conscience, though it be close will be discouered by a mans dealings, as muske in the bosome will be be­wraied by the sauour: such an one will haue an eye into his office to performe it with all diligence, and what auailes good lawes if officers make no conscience to execute them.

Where there is Defection of conscience, there is confusion of all order: such an Ouerseer will ouersee all, but doe nothing at all: he will looke like a lyon, and dominere like a deuill ouer the poore.

Many seeke for offices of countenance, most sue for offices of profit, but few will take an office that bringeth nothing but trou­ble, as the office of an Ouerseer, &c. which although it be a place of credit for the benefit of a common wealth, yet who for consci­ence sake would vndertake it vnlesse it were imposed vpon him by compulsion of law. And what is the reason there is so much corruption, negligence, and abuse in officers, but onely the defect of a good conscience.

How to discerne such men as be very vnmeete to be made Ouerseers.

AS brasse may be bewtified with gilding, so a bad man may be graced with glorious titles, as Pilate was a Iudge, and a Iewe, Haman a gouernour and a tyrant, Iudas an Apostle & a traitour, so a man may be an Ouerseer and an Atheist.

The Magistrates which haue the election and nomination of Ouerseers should haue a speciall respect therein, that as Paul wil­led Timothy to choose such widowes as were widowes indeede, so they should appoint such to be Ouerseers as bee men indeede, and as Pharao choosed Ioseph to be Gouernour: because he was the fittest in the land, so should they choose such men to be Ouer­seers which be fittest in the towne.

The indiscrete and vnfit choise of many men which be made officers, is one cheife cause to diminish the dignitie of offices, ther­fore as Iethro willed Moses in choosing of offices to cull out mē by their conditions, so should magistrates in making ouerseers find out men by their dispositions, and set a marke vpon their names for a note of distinction, as the shepheard setteth a brande on his sheepe to knowe his from other sheepe.

The Ouerseer is an eie to the Magistrate in these actions, and therefore it were not amisse to take his information: for in that he makes collection of the money, he is best acquainted with the in­clination of the men, and if they be credible, charitable, and consci­onable, it will appeare (as the bell by the sound) by their willing speeches and paiments: as for instance.

I. There be some Contributors (be they neuer so reasonably rated) will complaine of their taxing, giue with such grutching, and pay with such delaying, that most of the time is taken vp with attendance about them.

II. There be others which bewray their mindes by sinister meanes; go to their houses for money, they will absent themselues on purpose, aske them at Church, they will say they haue no mo­ney about them, bidde them bring it to Church, and they will say they forgot it: nay rather then faile they will not come at church.

III. There be others that haue money at commaundement, [Page 13] who will followe the lawe for euery trifle, frequent idle pastimes to abuse the time, consort with ill company to corrupt their man­ners, exceede in apparell and diet beyond their degrees, but will not part with a pennie (vnlesse it be compulsitiuely) to doe the poore good.

There be some haue lesse kindnesse to the poore, then Diues dogges had to Lazarus, they will scandalize and abuse the ouerse­ers with speeches as (Shimei did Dauid) when they demaund mo­ney, and rather then faile outface them with a false oath to de­fraud the poore of their money.

V. Their be others which are backward in all good actions, they will not yeelde a pennie for the preferment of the Word, or for the supplying of any good vses, but will paie no more then the law will constraine them, alleadging like the Iewes, we haue a law and by our lawe we must liue.

These and such as these which are such Arch-enemies to the poore, be not meete to be made ouerseers for the poore: for they which pay with such repining, and practise such shifts of impietie, will but gripe and beguile the poore, if they be made gouernours ouer the poore.

What Ouerseers should consider when they are called to office.

I. AS the hearts of kings are in the handes of God, so he ruleth the hearts of all, be their intents neuer so secret, therefore though ouerseers be chosen by men, yet remember that he which searcheth the raines hath the greatest stroke in it: and so discharge your office in the sight of men, as God himselfe hath the ouersight of you: for he is called Pantoculus because he seeth all things.

II. You must sequester all malice from the office, as you would purge grosse humors from the head: for it is a common fault in these daies that men will reuenge their priuate displeasures vnder colour of their office, when they cannot, or dare not do it in other lawfull courses; as the lawe imposeth nothing, or punisheth any of malice, so should the executioners of the law do, but if they shroud [Page 14] their malice vnder it, it is not onely an abuse to the office, but a sin in ouerseers to be tainted with malice: and therefore if Dauid was punished for making away Vriah vnder coulour of office, & the gouernours deuoured of Lyons for abusing Daniel vnder colour of their office; let such feare to be some way afflicted, that are so ill affected in their office.

III. Such as be ouerseers should remember that they hold not their office by patent, but as tenants at will for a yeare, and as they ouersee others, so they shall be ouerseene themselues. And therefore it is wisdome so to demeane themselues in their office, as they would be dealt with when they are out of office.

The office of Ouerseers.

THe office of an ouerseer extendeth farre, but it consisteth spe­ciallly in taxing Contributions for the releife of the poore, & in the discretiue disposition and ordering thereof.

In taxing of Con­tributors considera­tion must be had

• To equalitie.
• To estates.
• To the time.

I. To Equalitie, for where things are not equall there is much iniurie; if ballances be not equall the waight cannot be iust, if oxen be not equally yoked they cannot draw well, if cockes be not e­qually matched they cannot fight well, and so if men be not equal­ly rated with their neighbours they cannot agree well: if the Co­rinths were admonished to supply the necessitie of the Saints, that there might be some equallitie, why should not Contributors be equalized according to their proportion, seeing it is for the poore.

It is a common ouersight in this age, that in most cases of im­positions, taxations, &c. the square of equalitie is dissolued, and and men are charged as the dice chance, dewce-ace cannot, sise-sinke will not, but cater-tray beare all away: that is to say, the pore cannot, the rich will not, but the middle sort must pay all. Paul told the Corinthians it was not fit that other men be eased and they grieued: so say I, it is not good that some should be remitted, and [Page 15] others racked: for as a burthen if it be equally borne by many ac­cording to their strength and stature, seemeth light though it be heauie: so common charges (which many count a burthen though they be a benefit) if they be supported according to euery mans portion, though they seeme great they will not be grieuous.

2 To Estates: which must be counterpoised

• by their portions.
• by their charge.

By their portions: for many in these daies are abused by suppu­tations, estimations, affectations, or reports. If one be worth an hundred poundes, some will double it, many wil triple it, but most will report more then it is: hereupon men are drawne to greater charges then their abilitie will beare, and that is the next way to make poore to maintaine poore, or (as we say in our common pro­uer be) to robbe Peter to pay Paul.

By their charge: for the occupier can not set downe what he gaines by his ware, vnlesse he defraieth his detriments and charges susteined by it. The husbandman knowes not what commoditie he gets by his croppe, vntill he recounteth his charge of ending the corne: euen so Ouerseers can not with equitie descend into mens estates, vnlesse their reuenewes and retinew, their counte­nance and charge, their liuings and families be conferred toge­ther. As for example: If one valued at fiue hundreth pounds hath but his wife and himselfe, and an other estimated at a thousand poundes hath wife and many children, the first mans estate for wealth is better then the second, respecting his portion by his charge, and by all reason is to be rated as much as the other.

3. To the Time: for when things are plentifull and cheape, those rates must discontinue which were taxed in deare and ex­treame times. Contributions are not giuen to make or multiplie poore, but to mitigate pouertie: and therefore as the law giues li­bertie to taxe men alwaies as occasion requires: so it leaues a dis­cretion, to abate something as the time serueth.

Who be liable to Taxations.

TAxations are to be raised vpon men

• Temporall.
• Spirituall.

That is to say,

By statute

• Euery inhabitant
• Euery occupier of lands

in the parish are to be taxed.

By proclamation

• Parsons and vicars &c. be bound to the releefe of the poore as well as others being inhabiting within the parish as an inhabitant.
• Euery one that hath tithes appropriate, cole­mines, or landes in manuell occupation, &c. is chargeable, and so for such as haue saleable woods proportioning the same to an annuall benefit.

If God had made all rich one would not care for another, if all poore, one could not helpe another: therefore rich and poore haue neede one of another: and as the priests, and Leuites, & Lay­men, conioyned to fortifie the decaied walls of Ierusalem without compulsion, so men of all degrees must combine to further the workes of charitie, of compassion.

The cause of Taxations.

Taxations serue for sin­gular vses, for

• A stocke to set the poore on worke.
• The releefe of the impotent, &c.
• The putting forth of apprentises.

Anno [...]. Elizabeth Regine.

Our forefathers were so forward in good workes that they thought they should neuer die well, if at their deaths they disposed not somewhat ad impios vsus, to remaine as a stocke to the towne where they inhabited, for the redeeming of captiues, succouring of prisoners, releeuing of poore, furthering of young married cou­ples, &c. but sithence, either by reason that such stockes haue bin subuerted contrary to the disposition of the donors, or that men in this iron-age haue no deuotion to doe good; it falleth out, that [Page 17] where one dies as a benefactour to a townstocke, many thousands die, and bequeath all to their owne stocke.

What stocke will serue to set the poore on worke.

The charge must be con­sidered and moderated according to the

• Stockes
  • of citties.
  • of townes.
• Place of habitation.
• Multitude of the poore.
• Abilitie of the parrish.

Citties and townes which haue common stockes for these vses finde the benefit of them by case of charges, such as want thē, feele the continuall burden of them, therefore such places being so wel prouided, require the raising of a small stocke.

The place of habitation is to be respected: for where there inha­bite clothiers, dornix-weauers and such which set many on work, it is pittie they should be permitted to send their worke into the countrie, or take strangers for apprentises, when they may supply themselues euen of their poore neighbours that dwell in towne with them, and if they had that care of the common weale, it were some cause of mitigation of the charge of a towne, and a manifest demonstration of their naturall kindnesse to their towne.

The multitude of the poore must be reduced to number: for in some places they be very fewe, in many places they swarme, and therefore as no martialist can make proportionall prouision for warre without a iust computation of his souldiers, so the taxing of money for a stock must be ordered according to the multitude of the poore, for which cause the statute inioyne [...]h a booke of re­cord to be kept, that the names, numbers, and necessities of the poore may be seene and considered with the charge.

The abilitie of the parish must not be pretermitted: a pitifull man will not ouer-burthen his beast, much lesse his brethren: as God hath not giuen wealth to euery man alike, so he hath not gi­uen poore to euery towne alike: and therefore if the multiplicitie of the poore doth exceed the abilitie of the parish, it must be sup­plied [Page 18] to other townes appropriate, adiacent and better able, accor­ding to the tenour of the Statute.

What poore must be set to worke with the stocke.

I. The children of those parents which shall not be thought able to keepe and maintaine them. Sat. 39. Eliz. Reg.

II. All such persons married or vnmarried, as (hauing no meanes to maintaine them) vse no ordinarie and daily trade of life to get their liuings by. Stat. 39. Eliz. Reg.

Whereof there be foure sorts: the

• Willing.
• Wilfull.
• Negligent.
• Fraudulent.

I. There be some willing to worke, but by reason either of the pennurie of their estate, or deficiancie of credit, or scarsitie of worke, or disabilitie in doing of worke, they are constrained to liue idlie against their wills.

II. There be others that are wilfull, & by reason they are roo­ted in idlenesse, or desperatly addicted, they will not work though they haue it, but had rather practise picking, stealing, begging, shifting, or any vnlawfull course; then till the ground of good hus­bandrie.

III. There be many which be negligent about their worke; when it is done

• Abusiuely
  • In doing of it they care not howe, and so spoile the worke.
• Dilatiuely
  • In delaying the finishing of the worke, which in a man­ner is to refuse to worke.

IV. There be others which will applie their worke, and yet will defraud the owner by imbeaselling or purloyning some a­way, and this doeth both cause distrust in themselues, and hinder others by their dissolute dealing.

Where the poore are to be set on worke.

The place must be appointed according to the dispositions of the poore as they be

• Wilfull and incorrigible.
• Willing and tractible.

The willfull and incorrigible must be constrained to worke, in the house of correction, that by applying labour and punishment to their bodies, their froward natures may be bridled, their euill mindes may be bettered, and others terrified by their example.

The willing and tractible, it is fit to continue them at worke in their own houses: for as the house of correction is a place of cha­stisement for malefactours, so those which be of honest dispositiō holde it a reproach to be put there: and therefore it were indis­cretion to offer them any place of discredit, when they are pliable in their businesse at home.

What workes are to be done by the poore.

The works are to be or­dered according to the

• Educations
• Constitutions

of the poore.

The Education of the poore must haue reference to those workes they haue beene commonly brought vp with, either by vse or art: for if they be not appointed to easie and fit workes, the losse will be greater in learning, then the gaine will be in working: and therefore the statute well prouideth that these stockes for the poore should be raised of sundrie things; as flaxe, hempe, wooll, threed, iron, &c. to the end that some of them may be fitting and agreeable to the educable faculties and workes of the poore.

The Constitutions of the poore must be respected, wherein consideration must be had to these three things.

I. To the Sexe, whether they bee men or women: for some persons be more vnfitte to perfourme many workes, then some other.

II. To the yeres, whether they be yong or old: for some works are more easie to learne then other, and of lesser charge, curious workes are more busie, and the paines will not requite the cost.

III. To their bodies, whether they be feeble or able: for some workes be more laborious then other.

These things beeing expended by Ouerseers, they must tender the poore and lay no more vpon them, then they are able to beare, as we intreat God to lay no more vpon vs then he will make vs able to beare: and those whome God doth punish with pouertie, let no man seeke to oppresse with crueltie, as the Taskmakers did the Israelites in Egypt.

How the workes of the poore may be profitable.

HE that worketh expecteth to reap some profit by his paines, or els Gods blessing is not vpon his labour: therefore if you will haue any commoditie of the workes of the poore

You must

• Hold the poore to worke.
• Haue account of their worke.
• Make sale of their worke.

I. Holde the poore to worke, for most are so by nature giuen to ease, that it is as hard to bring their bodies to labour, as the oxe that hath not beene vsed to the yoke to drawe.

The lawe prouideth a stocke to set them on worke, but if you will haue any profit extracted from the stocke, you must hold the poore to worke, and you shall find it will be a great extenuation of pouertie, otherwise their owne negligence will be the cause of their necessitie.

The Indian heathens would not giue their children or seruants any meate to their dinner, vnlesse they had some way deserued to be fed by their industrie or labour: and certes such as will not worke when they haue it, or neglect their worke when they are at it, are by the Apostles rule not worthy to eate: and if Draco that famous lawe-maker were aliue, he would not suffer him to liue which doth refuse to labour.

II. You must take account of their workes, if you will haue commoditie by their worke: as gentlemen take account of their stewards for their houshold charges, and of their bailifes for their reuenewes; so must ouerseers doe for the workes of the poore, least the stocke be consumed by their slacknesse, as the estates of many gentlemen be, which neglect the taking of their accounts, till their arrerages haue eaten vp their reuenewes.

This account may be done by way of examination in this sort.

Inquire

• 1. howe many can worke.
• 2. what workes they can doe.
• 3. how much euery one can work in a day & follow it
• 4. what they can haue for their workes at the weekes ende.

If you knowe what they may get in a weeke if they apply their worke, you may conceiue in discretion by their charge what their necessities be; and howe they may liue by their worke and if they follow it.

The Egyptians kept the names of all the inhabitants in a regi­ster booke, to knowe how euery one liued, and howe they were able to maintaine them and their familie: and many times in the yere they were examined, what they gained or receiued, to see if their gettings and expences were proportionable: and so the ma­gistrate might easily perceiue who liued by his lawefull calling, or by shifting; this example should be imitated of ouerseers.

III. You must make sale of their works, to the ende you may reserue a sufficient stocke alwaies to imploy the poore, & to haue money to pay the poore for their worke as they doe it.

The statute limiteth a stocke to be raised of such things, as may be easily learned, and readily sold: as spinning of flaxe into threed for linnen, carding and spinning of wooll into yarne for wollen, bunching of hempe, &c. as they are workes soone compassed by any that are capable of wit; so they are things very vendible to put away when they are done. Therefore if there be any occupiers, artificers, or trads-men in the towne, which haue vse for those things; the ouerseers should doe well to perswade them to buy these commodities, seeing it is for the benefit of their towne.

Ouerseers must as much as in them lie increase, or at least con­tinue the stocke it selfe: and as for the benefit that may be made of the vse of it, it must support the necessities of those which worke.

You must conceiue, that at the first there will be some waste of the stocke, by reason of the vnto wardnesse and vnaptnesse of ma­ny to worke, and therefore it must be supplied againe; and yet this kinde of waste is tollerable in two respects. 1. of the inconuenience: for it is better to sustaine some losse in learning them to worke, then to keepe them idle to induce them to euill. 2. of the enterance: for euery one must haue a beginning, and where there are many learners there will bee much losse, as the scholler wasteth much paper before he can well vse his pen.

This may suffice for the ordering of the stocke for the poore, nowe it remaines to intreat of the releeuing of poore by money.

What poore are to be re­leeued with money.

IF the rule of charitie toward the poore were obserued, the esta­blishing of statutes for releeuing the poore might be omitted.

In the daies of king Edward the sixt, the lawe appointed the ministers on holidaies to vse good perswasions to excite the peo­ple to extend their charitie to the poore, and to giue according to their degrees and deuotions; but in this obdurate age of ours, nei­ther godly perswasions of the pastors, or pitifull exclamations of the poore, can mooue any to mercie: vnles there were a lawe made to compell them: whereby it appeareth, that most giue to the poore rather by compulsion then of compassion.

Those generally are to be deemed poore, which cannot liue without releife of the lawe.

It is called releife, because it is (releuamen oneris) an ease or ligh­tening of the burden: nowe who knowes not that the poore in­dure many burthens, and that a little thing will ease where there is want or oppression.

A discription of poore by their Defects.

Such poore as should haue releefe in money are discribed by their defects of

• nature
  • as olde.
• sences
  • as blinde.
• members
  • as lame.
• Bodie
  • as not able to worke.

The last defect, not able to worke is an exposition of the former, as for instance.

There be many aged can worke, and there be some workes re­quire more vse then labour, and may easily be done by the olde: and therefore by old is not meant such as be onely in yeares, but by reason of the imbicillitie of their age they cannot work, or liue of their worke.

There be some that want an eie, and yet can worke with the vse of one eie, and therefore by blind is intended such an one as can­not see at all to worke, or liue of his worke.

There be other that want a legge, and yet he may doe many works hauing the vse of his hands, and therefore by lame is meant such an one, as for want of his limmes he cannot labour, nor liue of his labour.

So long as there is any naturall or necessarie meanes left to liue, none must depend vpon the helpe of the lawe.

If a man hath strength he shall be constrained to worke to re­leeue his want.

If poore parents haue children or grand-children of abilitie, they are by lawe to releeue them.

If poore children haue father or grand-father of abilitie, they are by lawe to releeue them.

Honourable is that lawe that prouides for the preseruation of life, but miserable is that age, that must be compelled by penalty of lawe, to doe that it should extend by instinct of nature.

Ioseph nourished his father Iacob in his olde age when he was distressed, the father receiued his prodigall sonne, when he had consumed all, and therefore why should not parents and children tender one another, when their owne stockes be in distresse.

As the workes of nature should be done of necessitie, so the workes against nature must be forborne of necessitie, though there were no law: for this cause the heathen man thought it need­lesse to make a lawe against parricide, because hee thought there was not any so monstrous to commit an act against nature: and if parents and children were naturall, there should neede no posi­tiue lawe to compell them to doe the workes of nature.

There is another word of defect giuen to the poore, of grea­ter emphasis then the other (as Impotent) and such poore especi­ally are to be releeued with money: therefore it is necessarie to knowe howe far that word extendeth, for the better information of Ouerseers.

The signification of the word Impotent.

THe word Impotent is deriued from the latin and importeth as much as vnable: and such be deemed impotent by the law as be depriued and destitute of all meanes to liue, that they must either haue releife to nourish their liues, as the lampe must haue oyle to cherish the light, or els they must starue for want of releife as Lazarus did; and that is no better then murther, as one of the Fathers saith, Si non pauisti occidisti.

In the statute against vagonbondrie made in the 23 yeare of King Edward the third, Impotent (being opposed against strong and sturdie) is taken for weake or lame; and so it is commonly in vulgar acception: but the word stretcheth to a larger signification: for it includeth and comprehendeth all other defects of nature or necessitie.

Vnder this word Im­potent is implied a dis­abilitie by reason of

• Decrepitie.
• Infancie.
• Natiuitie.
• Casualtie.
• Familie.

I. By Decrepitie, when a man is so olde that he is past labour. It is great reason that such as are yeelding to nature should haue [Page 25] some releefe to preserue nature.

II. By infancie, when poore or phans and others be left father­lesse and motherlesse to the world, and by reason of their tender yeares, cannot worke, or be vnable to liue of their worke, it is fitte they should haue releefe: for if the bird will cherish her yong till they bee able to flie, wee are bound by nature to nourish these till they be able to shift.

III. By natiuitie, when any be tra­duced with natiuall defects, either of

• witte.
• members.

Of wit, as the ideot, or the naturall foole.

Of members, as those which be blind, dumme, lame, &c.

They which want witte to shift in the world, and those which cannot see, speake, or trauaile in the worlde, haue neede of some releefe to liue in the world.

IV. By casualtie whē any be made vnable.

• By aduenture
  • in warre
    • maimed in the Queenes seruice.
• By misaduenture
  • in worke
    • maimed in some lawfull labour.
• By lunacie, being depriued of reason.
• By infir­mitie
  • Temporarie as
    • Visitation of sickenesse.
    • A running issue.
    • Any infectious disease.
  • Perpetuall as
    • the numme palsie.
    • bedrecie, &c.

There is none so voide of mercie, that will not comiserate these men, and releeue them in some reasonable proportion according to their seuerall wants and necessities.

V. By familie, when a man is ouercharged with many young children, that though he toile day and night to keepe his family, (as Iacob did for Laban) yet he cannot maintaine his charge with his labour, therefore such an one is to be considered: for if a man in pittie will ease his beast which is oppressed with burthen, he must in nature releeue his neighbour which is oppressed with charge.

There be diuers others which are made poore, some

• by prodigalitie.
• by casualtie
  • of fire.
  • of water.
• by suertishippe.

But howe these are to be releeued and by whome I referre to the statutes and your considerations; onely I will adde this in the end, that if you hold so many to worke as be able to worke, and ought to worke, you shall need the lesse money to distribute and giue away.

The lawe first prouideth a stocke to imploy such and so many as can worke, and then appointeth money as a secondary meane to ease such as be vnable to worke: for indeede that which is gotte by a mans labour is a naturall releefe as the mothers brest is to the childe; and such as be chargeable to the towne which can liue in some measure either of their labours or otherwise, are no better then theeues: for they take it from others, to whome it iustly be­longeth: and those which giue it, are guiltie as accessaries with thē, if they knowe they may forbeare it.

Who are to be put forth apprentises.

OVr ancestours did passe ouer many yeres before they would take them wiues, Iacob serued long for his wiues because he would not marrie vntill he had maintenance: but in this age, the poorer sort of men are straight inclined to marrie without any respect howe to liue: hereof it is that the world growes so popu­lous and poore: for commonly the poore do most of all multiply children; therefore (because children though they bee blessings, are a burden to many poore men) we may further see into the ex­cellencie of this lawe: for it doeth not onely prouide summes of money to be taxed for a stocke to set the poore on worke, & for competent releefe to be giuen to such as be impotent, but also it appointeth summes of money to bee leuied for the ease of poore men which be ouercharged by putting foorth their children: and if the philosopher would say that children were more bound to their tutors that teach them howe to liue well, then to their pa­rents that gaue them life: howe much are they bound to pray for the Founders of this lawe, which prouides they should be trained vp to some honest trade of life, when their parents for pouertie cannot perfourme it.

Anno 39. Eli­ [...]beth. Regine. The children of those parents which shall not be thought able to keepe and maintaine them, are by the statute to bee put apprentises vntill they determine certaine yeares.

That is to say

• A man childe xxiiii. yeares.
• A woman childe xxi. yeares.

In putting forth Ap­prentises there must be regarde had to

• The inclination
• The placing
• The necessitie

of the poore.

To the inclination: for the poore are by nature much inclined to ease and idlenes: and therefore they are to be put forth very time­ly: for as a twigge will best bend when it is greene, so children are fittest to be bound when they are young, otherwise by reason of their idle and base educations, they will hardly hold seruice: but as they haue wauering and straying mindes, so they will haue wan­dering and vnstaied bodies, which will sooner be disposed to va­grancie then actiuitie, to idlenesse then to worke.

To the placing: for there bee many Ouerseers, that without re­spect of the facultie, honestie, or abilitie of the masters are readie to thrust out poore mens children for apprentises, when either the masters not beeing able to receiue them, will by some deuise or hard intreatie prouoke the apprentises vnlawefully to depart; or els the apprentise shall consume his time without experience of his trade: if they bee thus posted off it will nothing at all benefit, but rather increase the charge of the parish.

To the necessitie: for if parents haue sixe or seauen children, and amongst them all there is one which by his labour is able to keep himselfe, and yeeld some releefe to his parents to take away such an one from them is a point of small pollicie: but rather put forth those which are a burden and charge to their parents.

There be many other things might be inserted, but because the worke is brought to more perfection by practise then the penne, I will leaue the rest to your experience.

OBSERVATIONS for Ouerseers.

WHerein they shall perceiue

• 1. their authoritie as it is
  • Conioyned.
  • Confirmed.
• 2. in their ouersight.
• 3. Some actions incident to their office.

1. Their authoritie as it is

• Conioyned.
• Confirmed.

As it is conioyned: for whatsoeuer is written in this treatise, ap­pertaineth as well to Church-wardens as Ouerseers: for both are equally conioyned in the office.

As it is confirmed: for whatsoeuer is done by the Church-war­dens and Ouerseers in their office, must bee confirmed with the consent of two iustices of peace or moe, whereof one to be of the Quorum.

2. Their ouersight: tender the poore but doe not tyranize ouer them for it is no more glorie to triumph ouer the poore, then to tread of a worme, it is better to deserue commendation by discrete gouernment, then exclamation by rigorous dealing.

There be many in this office which be too milde, and that is a meanes to animate the idle: for where the officer hath not a coun­tenance mixt with some austeritie the poore will presume too much of libertie.

There be others are to busie, which haue no felicitie but in ra­ [...]ing reuiling, and abusing the poore: and therefore they are con­temned, according to that saying or Salomon, a busie bodie is hated.

The poore of all others are most vntractable, but an officer must sometime consider what the wise man saith, It is the glory of a man to passe by an offence: and let it suffice that God doth punish them with pouertie, though man doeth not alwaies crosse them with seueritie.

There are others so high conceited, that they will hardly in­cline to consul [...] with their fellowes but will beare the whole sway; it was one note of insolencie obserued in such an Ouerseer, who [Page 29] beeing to subscribe his name to an ordinarie pasport, he could not be content to write as all wise men vse, his name, and title ouerseer, but in a glorious manner he confirmes it thus: per me R. L. capita­lem pelagium.

Men that are equall in office should not be captious in confer­ring or consulting one with an other, but when euery one hath deliuered his opinion, let his speech be preferred, which accor­deth most with reason, and consisteth best in action for the bene­fit of the common-weale.

3 Some Actions incident to their office which before may be o­mitted, and now not amisse to be remembred.

1 Let your Taxations be made as well with discretion as affe­ction, and indeauour to proportion the rates by the necessitie of the poore, and not the poore by the direction of your rates: for if you taxe tenne shillings a weeke more then neede, and then giue largely because there is enough, you shall increase the number of the poore, and nothing decrease the charge of the parrish.

2 The Law is made to ease and extenuate the penurie of the poore, and therefore as one of the fathers saith of temperate men, Sumi debent alimenta vt medicamenta, they must take meate like medecines to refresh and not oppresse nature: so say I of poore men, they must haue releefe for necessitie, much lesse superfluitie.

3 To releeue such by pretence of the law which may forbeare it by intent of the law, is a direct course to nourish them in idlenes which take it: to robbe others of releefe that want it: to wrong those of their money that pay it, and to condemne them of ouer­sight which dispose it.

4. To inquire after poore is the next way to procure poore: for such is the impudencie of this age, that many will dissemble their estates to haue releefe, if you doe but examine their estates to see if they want releefe: and some will sue to be recorded in the booke for the poore when they are better able to contribute to the poore.

5 Ioseph by foresight did good to an whole countrey in lay­ing vp of corne: the pismere doth hoard vp corne beforehand to serue for a hard season: therefore learne by the example both of reasonable and vnreasonable creatures to be prouident in time of [Page 28] [...] [Page 29] [...] [Page 30] yeare, to buie corne, woode, coles, and other necessaries, at a rea­sonable price for the benefit of the poore, and that wil be a meane to restraine them from straying to woods, breaking of hedges, and many other abuses.

6 It is a renowne to any nation to haue no common, sturdie, or wandering beggers. The Dutch-man cannot indure a begger in his countrey. It is so shamefull a life that Sirach may well say it is better to die then begge. Yet because the impotencie and impedi­ments of some will stirre vp many to mercie, more by the sight of their persons then otherwise, and for that many fragments would be cast away, which many of these are glad to come by; our Law for good considerations hath giuen authoritie to Ouerseers in their discretion to license some beggers within the parrish, there­fore they should be carefull to obserue the tenour of the law, to containe such as they license within their limits, and to punish such which wander out of the parrish according to the Statute.

7 When Obadiah hid many prophets in a caue, he did bring them bread and water: he which keepes his dogge in a string will giue him somewhat: and therefore if the poore be barred of the benefit of begging, and you which be Ouerseers supplie not their necessities at home, you are guiltie of their deaths if they perish for want of prouision: for when they might go abroad and begge of others, it was their sinne to denie releefe, as it was the rich mans sinne, not to giue when Lazarus begged at his doore, but since the Law hath committed the ouersight of the poore to you, it is your sinne if you suffer them to perish for want of succour.

8 As the law hath giuen Ouerseers authoritie to taxe men, so it prouideth a remedie to recouer taxations by way of distresse, &c. therfore if you abridge the poore of their dutie, rather thē you wil distrain the rich for displeasure, you deserue double punishment.

9 If euery one be rated equally accoding to their estates, let euery one pay their rates, though their be sufficient beside for the poore: when the willing and the weaker sort haue paid their due, they are iniuried if the backward and better able be forborne; be­cause they are not equally vsed: therefore the arrerages and re­mainders would be leuied for two reasons: 1. for example sake least others be animated by so bad a president to become backe­ward [Page 31] in paying their due. 2. For the good of the inhabitants: for if there be a surplusage left and collected, it wil somewhat ease and abate the taxation for the yeare following.

10 Distresses would be taken of such things (if it be possible) as may be inseparable, portable, and saleable: and if they can not conueniently be had there is a more speedie course to be taken: for vpon returne of defect of distresses by the Ouerseers, the ma­gistrate may commit the offendours to prison, there to remaine without bayle or maineprize vntill their dutie be paide.

11 As the authoritie of the Ouerseers is great, so the penaltie which the law inflicteth is great, if they be negligent in the works of their office, or refuse to yeelde account of their actions at the discontinuing of their office: therefore, as you will discharge a good conscience before God, and auoide the daunger of law a­mongst men, haue a speciall care to execute your office.