A treatise, how

The commandment off the Holy Ghost ought in this point to be considered, that there be so much given to every one, as is necessary to lead a good, and godly life. And it is manifest, that as all men be not off like strength off body, nor have not ben brought up after one kind off living so some ought to have more, some less: some finer, some courser, meat, apparel, and other necessaries. Which thing Saint Gregory considering, when the noble men, and women were spoiled by the Lombards, he gave unto them very liberal Pensions for their relief, of the goods of the church. And therefore Christian Magistrates ought to make this law, First, that no man be suffered to beg: but that every man do maintain, and keep his own household, kindred, and allies, if he be able to do it: the judgement whereof, ought to pertain to the ordinary Magistrate. And that ⟨p. 22⟩such as be destitute off such help, be m•yt•••• by the City, town, village, or Congregation where they dwell. If any city, town village, or congregation, be not able to, maintain the poverty thereof, that then, by the discretion of the chief Governor of the country, such poor people be sent to son richer Congregation, where they may be relieved.

The commaundement off the Holy Gost ought in this poynt to be considered, that ther be somoche geuen to euerie one, as is necessarie to leade a good, and godlie life. And it is manyfest, that as all men be not off like strength off bodie, nor haue not ben brought up after one kynde off liuing so some ought to haue more, some lesse: some fyner, some courser, meate, apparel, and other necessaries. Which thyng Seynt Gregorie consideryng, when the noble men, and women were spoiled by the Lombardes, he gaue unto them uery liberal Pēsions for their relief, of the goodes of the church. And therfore Christian Magistrates ought to make this lawe, First, that no man be suffred to beg: but that euerie man do maynteyne, and kepe his owne householde, kynred, and allies, if he be able to do it: the iudgement wherof, ought to perteigne to the ordynarie Magistrat. And that ⟨p. 22⟩such as be destitute off such helpe, be m•yt•••• by the Citie, towne, uilge, or Congregation where they dwell. If any citie, towne uilage, or cōgregation, be not able to, maintaine the pouertie therof, that then, by the discretion of the chief Gouernour of the cōtreye, such poore people be sent to sō richer Cōgregatiō, where thei may be relieued.