ABSTRACT
But the 6rft direCl mode of railing a fund for their relief after the fuppreffion of rnonafteries, was by coUeCling alms in the church. This may be attributed to the former liberality of the clergy, and their influence upon the charitable feelings of their parifuioners ; and the conjecture is ftrengthened by obferving that the original means of enforcing contributions as ordained by ftatute were by ecclefiafiical exhortation. The manner of coUelling money. neceirariIy pointed out the limits within which it fhould be diftributed. The 43d of E1iz. c. 2. made no alteration in this refpea, but applied a more etreaual method of raifing the fund in pariihes, by which the poor were fupported when the ftatute paired.
