A second admonition to the parliament

The Apostle Paul not only maketh mention of that¹ office to the Romans / showing thereby that it was there / but he and Timothy saluteth them / writing to the Philippians / showing thereby² that they were of great account. And writing to Timothy / he prescribeth their election what §30it should be / to direct not only the choice of them / but to commend the use of them to the church. And therefore such there must be procured in this English church / as at this day there is in reformed churches. Now to let pass the order of deacons at this day / having no ground out of y• scriptures / but foolish / and according to the popish canons / whereby they may as well make them the bishops guard / to defend him when he ⟨p. 51⟩preacheth / as in those canons they are / & the eye of y• bishop to look about many things touching his person / as thus employ them. To let pass to speak thereof / seeing it is noted in the former treatises / this I say further / that this is God his order for the pore / and none that will fit it so well. Surely God be thanked for that care³ which you have had this Parliament of the poor / and of the suppressing of idle and wicked §10vagabonds / being in so good a way / it may be easy to practise this way / to fortify by law th•s course of the scriptures for the pores provision / and to continue that other branch still / for the suppressing of idle and wicked vagabonds. For as touching the pore / which are pore in deed / they must have further provision / & further comfort / then in deed can be procured by this statute. For besides the naming and knowing of them / they are not enjoined to visit and comfort them / §20whereby they might be provoked to godliness / they may seek and wait for their provision / and peradventure have many a hard word to grieve them with / and no christian consolation / & they may lack many things which they ought to have. And these collectors shall not be subject to the consistory / & congregation / to give account not only of the sums collected / but also whether they have visited the poor / and comforted them.