An apology for the nonconformists ministry containing I. the reasons of their preaching, II.…

2. Some Ministers by their Patrimony, or what God had otherwise blest them with, were able to live when ejected, without extremity of poverty: but a great number had nothing, or next to nothing at all, having lived in places where they had but about 30, or 40, or 50, or 60 l. per annum, and not foreseeing a time of want: And a greater number that had some small matter of their own, had Wives and many Children, to whose maintenance ⟨p. 177⟩their estates were very insufficient; so that most of the Nonconformists (as far as we can compute) were cast upon the Charity of others for their own and families subsistence. In this case some that pitied the distressed, would have set on foot a course among the Londoners and Country Gentlemen that were willing, for orderly help of those in their several Counties: But so many rumours of plots and jealousies were then raised, that men durst not undertake it, lest they should be accounted Plotters against the Government, and encouragers of those that the State discountenanced. One of us therefore moved, that our Rulers consent might plainly be requested, and he was sent to the Lord Chancellor Hide to request it; who said, God forbid that men should be forbidden to exercise their own Charity to Ministers in want: But yet though some talk, and uneffectual attempt was made hereupon, it was not prosecuted, because mens aforesaid fears still continued. But some charitable persons pitied the needy, and kept them from famishing and utter distress. And some few Ministers, of more than ordinary Parts, and Name, and Acquaintance, were better supplied than the rest. But those that were (as conscientious, but) of meaner parts, and more obscure, and small acquaintance, and lived in poor Countries, were in great necessities: some have long lived with many Children, with almost nothing but brown-bread and water; and some have been put to work for their living at very low and sordid employments (as Musculus once did with a Weaver, and in the Town-ditch): some took Farms, and for want of stock and skill, run into greater poverty and debts: some that had studied Physic, turned Physicians, and so escaped want: some left the obscure Villages, through mere necessity, and betook them to London, and other Cities and great Towns, where the Numbers and Ability of the inhabitants might afford them some relief.

2. Some Ministers by their Patrimony, or what God had otherwise blest them with, were able to live when ejected, without extremity of poverty: but a great number had nothing, or next to nothing at all, having lived in places where they had but about 30, or 40, or 50, or 60 l. per annum, and not foreseeing a time of want: And a greater number that had some small matter of their own, had Wives and many Children, to whose maintenance