A25470:1058
The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved
The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers, September 1661.
London: printed for Joshua Kirton and Nathaniel Webb, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
5. By bestowing of Bibles on poor Children, whereby through the care of their Parents,1 they may be acquainted with the knowledge of the holy Scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation. Memorable is the pious gift of Sir John Fenner, who by his last will gave six pounds per annum to several out-Parishes in London for the buying of Bibles to be distributed amongst poor children. From my own experience I can say, that this gift hath occasioned many poor people to teach their children to read, that so they might be capable of those Bibles, which are to be given only to such as can in some measure read.
6. By erecting of Country-Schools, and endowing them with some competent maintenance, for teaching of poor mens children, who have not wherewithal to pay for their schooling; which will be a special means not only to further their civil, but likewise their spiritual education. For thereby they will be made more capable of Divine Instruction. Experience teacheth us how ineffectual the most powerful Ministry is upon an ignorant and unlearned Congregation.1 Questionless therefore the erecting of Country-schools is a work of charity, more noble in it self, more acceptable to God, and more beneficial to the Kingdom, than the building of Alms-houses, who are too often filled with swarms of idle drones. But though this Spiritual Charity is questionless the more excellent, as tending to a more excellent object, namely, the souls of our neighbours, yet the bodies of our neighbours must be cared for, as well as their souls: Our Charity therefore must also extend to them, and in this kind it may be practised and expressed.
6. By erecting of Country-Schools, and endowing them with some competent maintenance, for teaching of poor mens children, who have not wherewithall to pay for their schooling; which will be a special means not only to further their civil, but likewise their spiritual education. For thereby they will bee made more capable of Divine Instruction. Experience teacheth us how ineffectual the most powerful Ministry is upon an ignorant and unlearned Congregation.