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IV.
To prevent the Inconveniences which dayly happen by At∣testations given to the Poor, every Church shall use their utmost endeavour to maintain their own Poor; and in case any one for his necessary Affairs was forc'd to Travel, Mi∣nisters shall in their Consistories Examine if the Cause be just, and in that case shall give them recommendatory Letters to the next Church in the direct way from the place whither they go; expressing the Name, Age, Stature, Complexion, the Place whither they go, the cause of their Journey, and the Assistance which has been given them; and the date of the Day and Year shall not be omitted: Which Letters the Churches shall keep to whom they were directed, and shall give them others to the next Church. And all Attestations before granted, shall be Void and Null.
It cannot be denied, but great abuses are committed, and that at all times there has been abuses committed in the Church, upon account of Attestations and Testimo∣nies granted to those of the same Communion which desire to go from one place to another, to the end they might be known to be Members of the same Church, and to be assisted in case of necessity. The Primitive Christians endeavour'd to remedy these inconveniencies two ways; The first, By ordering that each Church should maintain their own Poor. The second, In using a great deal of caution in granting these Attestations, which is exactly the two things prescrib'd by our Disci∣pline.