Church of Scotland; Knox, John, approximately 1514-1572; Reformation -- Scotland; Theology -- Early works to 1800
The other sorte of Readaris, quho have long continewed in godliness,
and have some gift of Exhortatioun, quho are in hope to atteane to the
degree of a minister, and teche the childrene; we think ane hundreth
markis, or mair[420] at the discretioun of the Kirk, may be appointed;
so that difference, as said is, be betwix thame and the ministeris
that openlie preche the Word, and minister the Sacramentis.
[420] In edit. 1621, "or mair or less."
Restis yit other two sortis of peple to be provided for, of that
quhilk is called the patrimonye of the Kirk; to wit, the Poore, and
Teachearis of the youtheid. Every severall Kirk must provide for the
poore within the self; for fearful and horrible it is, that the poore,
quhom nott onlie God the Father in his law, but Christ Jesus in his
evangell, and the Holie Spreit speaking by Sanct Paule, hath so
earnestlie commended to oure cayre, ar universallie so contempned and
dispysed. We ar nott patronis for stubburne and idill beggaris, quho,
rynning from place to place, mak a craft of thair beggyng, quhom the
Civile Magistrat aucht to punyshe;[421] but for the wedow and
fatherless, the aiged, impotent, or laymed, quho neather can nor may
travell for thair sustentatioun, we say, that God commandeth his
pepill to be cairfull; and thairfor, for suche, as also for personis
of honestie fallin in[to] decay and penuritie,[422] audit suche
provisioun[423] be maid, that [of] oure aboundance should thair
indigence be releaved. How this most convenientlie and most easilie
may be done in everie citie, and uthir partis of this Realme, God
shall schaw you wisdome and the meanis, so that youre myndis be godlie
thairto inclyned. All must not be suffered to beg that gladlie so wald
do; neather yit most beggeris remane whare thei chuse;[424] but the
stout and strong beggar must be compelled to wirk, and everie persoun
that may nocht wirk, must be compelled to repair to the place whare he
or scho was born, (unles of long continuance thai have remaned in one
place,) and thair reassonable provisioun must be maid for thair
sustentatioun, as the Churche shall appoint. The ordour nor soumes, in
oure judgementis, can nott be particularlie appointed, unto suche tyme
as the poore of everie citie, toun, or parrishe, be compelled to
repair to the places whaire thei war borne, or of thair residences,
whaire thair names and nomber must be tackin and put in roll; and then
may the wisdome of the Kirk appoint stipendis accordinglye.
[421] The edit. 1722, supplies the words, "ought to [compell to work,
or then] punish."
[422] In edit. 1621, "fallen into decay and poverty."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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