Which Proposals being considered of in several Meetings of the Citizens appointed for that Purpose, were with some Alterations made the Model for an Act of Parliament, which past _Anno Septimo & Octavo Gulielmi Tertii_, being the first Act of that Nature, from which sundry Acts for many other Places have taken their Frame; and though the Promoters thereof, met with more difficulties and discouragements in the Execution, than they did expect, yet to the Honour of those Gentlemen it must be said, that they never looked back, but with the utmost Application, prosecuted what they had undertaken, till they brought it to such a State, as to render it plain and practicable to their Successors; and this good Effect it hath had, that there is not a common Beggar, or disorderly Vagrant, seen in their Streets, but Charity is given in its proper Place and Manner, and the Magistrates are freed from the daily Trouble they had with the Poor, and the Parishes they lived in, and are discharged from the Invidious Fatigues of their Settlements, when a great deal of what should have maintained them, was spent in determining what Parishes were to do it. I wish it could be said so of the two Metropolitan Cities of _England_ and _Ireland_, where such Swarms of lazy Beggars pester the Streets, that they are not only troublesome, but also nauseous to the Beholders; and the Church Doors are so crouded with them, that you can scarce pass to your Devotion; nor do you know when you bestow your Charity rightly, those who do not deserve it, taking such Methods to move Compassion, that you cannot easily distinguish them from those who do. And since I have mentioned this Act, and the well executing thereof by the first Undertakers, I think it cannot be amiss to set it forth _Verbatim_ (being never yet printed, save only some Copies for the Use of the Corporation) together with the Steps whereby the first Guardians proceeded, and as it was laid before the Parliament _Anno_ 1700; which I have done in the Appendix, because it may probably be of use to those, who shall be willing to take Pains in a Work of such Service, both to God and the Public.