Moreover it is evident, that this turneth greatly to the reproach of the name of God and of his holy gospel, as though forsooth papistry hath ben abandoned, not for the love of the truth, but to rob the church of her goods, and as though new thieves have entered in the room of the old. Now, even as abundance doth overwhelm the Church, so it is to be feared, least she be brought into great straights by want, whilst many now a days are no less sparing and niggardly in upholding the true ministry, then heretofore kings and princes themselves have been overlavishyng: we think it needful to keep a mean in this point, which so we take will be the best, if first a view be taken of the daily expenses which are necessary to be made: then if somewhat be laid up for many things extraordinary, ⟨image 23⟩whereas no just reckoning can be made, and both of these be accounted not sparingly or slenderly, but bountifully and liberally, seeing that the Church by the goodness of God hath plenty. Therefore that number is to be made of parishes and pastors which may very well suffice the people, and every one is to have an honest living allowed. Order also is to be taken for the elders, who are to assist the pastors that they may conveniently discharge their duty. It would be also injurious, that the widows and children of the pastors which are dead, should be brought to beggary, who in a care of their calling, were constrained to lay aside the care of providing for their family. Schools also and universities, seeing they are the Seminary of the church are not the least part of the care thereof. Care also is to be had of alms houses & hospitals, & of churches, that they be kept in reparations, and new builded if need require. Last of all (as I say before) seeing the churches have plenty, order must be taken, what shall be brought into the Church treasury yearly, from ⟨image 23⟩whence may be fetched that which may suffice in time of war or famine, least then it be to seek when it should be in a readiness. When all these things shall faithfully & frankly be brought by supputation into one sum still yearly: Good and sufficient men are to take order for their collecting, such a way as shall be without trouble or strife.
Moreouer it is euident, that this turneth greatly to the reproch of the name of God and of his holy gospel, as thogh forsooth papistry hath ben abandoned, not for the loue of the truth, but to rob the church of her goods, and as though new theeues haue entered in the roume of the olde. Nowe, euen as aboundaunce doth ouerwhelme the Church, so it is to be feared, least she be brought into great straights by want, whilest many now a daies are no lesse sparyng and niggardly in vpholding the true ministerie, then heretofore kinges and princes themselues haue beene ouerlauishyng: we thinke it needefull to keepe a meane in this poynte, which so wee take will be the best, if first a view be taken of the daily expences which are necessary to be made: then if somwhat be laid vp for many thinges extraordinary, ⟨image 23⟩wheras no iust reckoning can be made, and both of these be accounted not sparingly or slenderly, but bountifully and liberally, seeyng that the Church by the goodnes of God hath plenty. Therfore that number is to bee made of parishes and pastors which may very well suffise the people, and euery one is to haue an honest liuing allowed. Order also is to be taken for the elders, who are to assist the pastors that they may conueniently discharge their duety. It would be also iniurious, that the widowes and childrē of the pastors which are dead, should be brought to beggery, who in a care of their calling, were constrained to lay aside the care of prouiding for their familie. Schooles also and vniuersities, seing they are the Seminary of the church are not the least part of the care thereof. Care also is to bee had of almes houses & hospitals, & of churches, that they be kept in reparations, and new builded if need require. Last of all (as I say before) seeyng the churches haue plenty, order must be taken, what shal be brought into the Church treasury yeerely, from ⟨image 23⟩whēce may be fetched that which may suffise in tyme of warre or famine, least then it be to seeke when it should be in a readinesse. When all these things shall faithfully & frankly be brought by supputation into one summe still yeerely: Good and sufficient men are to take order for their collecting, such a way as shall be without trouble or strife.
