Kaina kai palaia Things new and old, or, A store-house of similies, sentences, allegories, apophthegms, adagies, apologues, divine, morall, politicall, &c. : with their severall applications / collected and observed from the writings and sayings of the learned in all ages to this present by John Spencer ...

[ 786] The Charity of former times, abused in these times.

THe first Christians, after the rage of persecution was over, how open-handed were they, in erecting and providing for places and persons, dedicated unto Christ his service? And as in other Countries, so the good Christians of this Island, have left honourable memorialls, in their magnificent foundations, and munificent endowments thereof, many Millions have been that way expended; at the foot of which account, as a Schedule thereunto annexed, is a bank of a million of mony,* 1.1 (not perfectly audited, but flenderly cast up by an unskilfull hand in matter of account) bestowed in the City of London, and the two Universities, in the last Century of years, setting the

rest of the Kingdom aside; All these followed the rule of Gods law, whatsoever they offered ••••to him was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ But by the way it may be observed, That the floud of our Ancestors liberalities rose not to so high a pitch, but their posteritic's sacriledge hath taken it down to as low an ebbe; And a saying of William Ru••us, a great, though no good King of this Island, pleaseth too▪ many that live on the spoils of the Church, Christ's bread is sweet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  And. Willet Synopsis Papis∣mi.