Of 13. aged men , to whom he giues yearely 20. nobles a peece , and at the end of euery three yeare , to each man a gowne .

WHat the Monuments are of his bountie and liberalitie , the tongues and prayers of poore and aged men doe iest●fie , ( whereby there are some of them almost become infants againe , ) & doe declare , and the meate in their mouthes , and cloathes to their backes doe actually testifie vnto the eye , that which their words doe openly giue testimonie of vnto the eare . They that before had taken vp this Lamentation , We are aged , succourles , & fallen into distresse and miserie , may now cease their dolorous complaynings , and for the comfort they receiue by their bountifull Benefactor , they may turne it into this swéeter songe of ioy , Loe : It is not with vs as it hath béene : We that were afflicted , are now comforted , our heauenly father hath cast a louing looke vpon vs , and hath sent vs , a second father better then our first father vnto vs . Oh what greatnes is this ? vera magnitudo , Euen very greatnes indéed : Tueri infirmos : Thus to defend the weakest ; Thus to maintaine the poorest ; This is the very ablen●s , and the most true power a man can haue giuen of God , Eos defendere qui nihil possunt : To defend them from the rigour of distresse & extreamitie , who are least able to resist necessitie . Oh goodnes truely good , & surely great in him , Benefacere sine merito remunerationis ▪ & ab●que spe omni 〈◊〉 ributionis . To doe good , ( yea and so much good , without all desert of theirs that might call for reward at his hands , or without hope of his , to receiue recompence at theirs . But his hearts loue to God ( which being true loue , is the very desire , & delight in doing his commandements ) constrained and vrged him ( oh blessed constraint & happie violence ) to doe all the good he hath done . This vertuous man knowing these poore aged and impotent men , to be least able to helpe themselues , dealt with them , as Iacob did with Ephraim , of whom we read thus : That when Ioseph had set his two sonnes , Manassah , Gen. 48. and Ep●raim , the elder on his right hand , and the younger on his left , for his father to lay his right-hand on the head of the elder , and giue him the principall blessing , Iacob , beyond the expectation of Ioseph , crossed his Armes , laying his right hand on the younger , and his left hand on the elder , being led thereunto by a foresight of things to come , that was cléerer and better , then was his insight into any thing present .

So this most godly father , being presented by the world , both with rich and poore , The rich at the right hand , ( euen his able friends and kindred ) and the poore at the left ( euen aged persons , and impotent widowes ) he beyond the expectation ( because beside the custome of the world ) crossed his armes ( as it were ) of abilitie laying his right hand of bounteous liberalitie on the poore , and giuing them his principall blessing . But his left hand of gratuitie , on his well able kindred , and friends : the foresight of his Soule ( illuminated by diuine inspiration ) being cléerer to behold future things , then were the eyes of his humane reason to behold things present . Beholding euen for the very present , this honorable title , Pater pauperum , miserorum adiutor , The father of the poore , and the helper of men miserable : Engrauen on Gods fatherly helping hands , as well as Dominus Dominantium , & Rex R●gum , The Lord of Lords , and King of Kings , Reu. 19.16 . engrauen on his powerfull thigh . And beholding also for the which is to come , The day of the Lord , called Magnus ille dies , That great day . And the Lord himselfe at that day pronouncing the sentence of his Iudgement on all , according to their works of mercie , or obduracie , towards his poore distressed members , giuing or denying them the ioyes of heauen , as they haue giuen or denyed the comforts of this earth , vnto the indigent and néedie . Taking all good or euill , as done vnto himselfe .

Thus he hauing shewed his bountie and charitable Liberalitie vnto his impotent , and aged creatures , Wormes and no men ; Psal. 22.6 . euen the children of men that are but Wormes . Iob. 25.6 . They to cléere themselues of vnthankfulnes towardes their good God , for him doe acknowledge his wonderfull rich gift and worthy Talent , which he gaue in his life time , into the hands of his Companie , to endure for euer ; Namely , to each of them , ( being 13. in number , ) the yéerly pension of sixe pounds , thirtéene shillings and foure pence , and to euery one of them a seuerall Gowne , at euery thrée yeeres ende . Bringing not onely meanes to maintaine their bodies by the staffe of his Bread , Chap. 31. 20 but their Loynes also ( as Iob speaketh , ) to be warmed with the Fleeces of his Sheepe .

Of his Charitie to threescore poore Widowes , in the Parish of Saint Buttolphes without Algate , and to sixe men , who haue euerie three yeeres seuerall Cloakes , and foure Nobles a ●eere for euer .

AMongst many others whome hee hath relieued , let it not be forgotten what he hath done to p●●re distressed wi●owes : who hauing receiued an Annuall portion from this their godly Benefactor , doe continue their thankfulnes in that remembrance . Their néede suc●oured , cryeth euery houre in their hearts , to put them in minde of their dutie , and their reliefe vrgeth them not to be vnthankfull for so great a ben●fite . They from whome God had taken the helpe of their Husbandes , being left in care and sorrowe for their losse , and in distresse for want of maintenance , were often enforced with teares to lament their miserable estate , forsaken of Friends , and through pouertie despised of kinred . They had no abilitie to helpe themselues & olde age denied them strength of body , to labour for their liuing .

In this extremitie they were comfortles , sauing in the hope they had of Heauen , and Celestiall ioyes , often wishing it would please God by ending their liues , to giue end to their miseries But as the Lorde neuer forsaketh such as trust in him . So in his good time , he prouided meanes for their succour , styrring vppe the heart of this his déere Seruant , to regard them with compassionate affection ; and to stretch out his merciful hands , to succour their bodies beaten with sorrow . God blessed them by his earthly giftes , whome he had blessed by his heauenly Graces ; By his handes hath the Lord wip't away their teares , and breathed newe life into their hearts laden with griefes .

The loue of Ionathan neuer more appeared to his deare friend Dauid then his loue hath bene manifested to CHRISTS poore members ; wherefore it may be saide of him , that the candle of his Faith was not hid vnder a Bushell , but hath burned most bright , to the good example of others . Hée like a true Steward , hath performed his dutie ; Hee hath nourished Children ; Hee hath lodged the Harbourlesse ; Hee hath giuen comfort to the succourlesse ; Hee hath ministred to them that were in aduersitie ; and continually giuen to euery good worke . It resteth now that these released persons doe yéelde continuall praise to GOD , for so gratious a Benefactor ; & daily pray that the number may be increased , that the poore may be respected of those that are honored in the Gates , and the crie of the needie may cease in the stréetes . And to the ende that this charitable déede may not be thought vnworthilie bestowed vpon them who are now relieued , that before were distressed , It is expedient they should so behaue themselues in their actions , as God thereby may be glorified , & others by their example , brought from vice to vertue . Their mindes that before were clogged with care , wanting the which was necessary ; by which they were made vnapt , either in outward action , or inward thought , to serue their God ; is now freed from that heauy burden , by the works of this reuerend citizen . So as they haue now no let , but as the P●almist saith , To set their delight in the Law of the Lord , & to exercise themselues therein all the dayes of their life .

Besides his yéerely Pension allowed to these thréescore Widowes , which is , vi . s. viii . d. per annum , foreuer : besides other allowances ; He hath also left order towards the continuall maintenance ( which was begun in his life time ) of ▪ poore widowes in Merchantailors Almeshouses on Tower hill . And to sixe poore men euery third yeere , cloaks a piece , & to each of them xxvi . s. viii . d. a yeere , to be continued for euer . And as anie of these Almes-men shall die , & their places g●ow voyde , then these Cloake-men by Election to stand , and possesse the former p●ace , and beneuolence in reuertion .

In regarde whereof , they may ( with the Prophet ) crie out and say , Oh what shall wee giue vnto GOD for all his ben●fites , and the Blessings hee hath bestowed on the Sonnes of men ?

If wee would knowe howe to please him , and bee readie to followe his will and Commaundement , though wee be not able to performe what we would , yet doing what we can , our vnperfectnes shal be mad perfect through CHRIST , and estéemed as righteous in the merites of his Passion ; Neither doth the Lord ●●quire more then a thankfull heart , as the Scripture test●fieth . Hee that offereth praise shall glorifie mee , and to him that disposeth his wayes aright , will I shew the Saluation of GOD .

Of his Charitie to Bedlam and Bride-well , The Hospitall of S. Bartholmews , and Saint Thomas Hospitall in Southwarke .

NOw turne your eyes vpon wounded , and vlcerous Laz●rs , that lye vnder the handes of Chyrurgicall Physitians ; ( made miserable , by their owne grieuous , and Eye-wounding sores , and made happie againe , through present hope , and after happe , to be perfectly Cured , by the prouident meanes of this godly Benefactor ) and you shall sée their woundes and Ulcers to stand wide open before you ; Oh looke in at them , & you shal beho●de Miserie her selfe , to haue taken possession of their earthly bodies , ( being Houses of Clay , as Iob calleth them , ) for to dwell therein . And when you are gone , come againe within a while , & beholde their woundes closed and sores skinned , and séeing nothing but bare scarres & Prints in their places ; pronounce , that Mercie hath beene there , and displacing Miserie , ( nothing to be seene , but her foote-steps ) hath set ioy , health , and comfort , as ioynt Tenants in possession , assigning them to pay for their Rent , Laude and praises vnto the HIGHEST ; It being his goodnes that sent his seruants Charitie to doe all the good is done vnto them . And séeing it is God , which hath striken them , ( as Iob felles them ) bringing on them vulnera per alium , wounds by something from without , or making to rise vp in them vulnera perse Sores from something within ; It is for them to know , and acknowledge , that Ipse medetur qui vulnerauit , &c. He which woundeth them by one meanes , healeth them by an other : And he which hath striken them by his instruments of equitie , salueth them by his hands of Mercie . Striking them , that their hearts may see into their sinne , and acknowledge his iustice , heartily crying , Iustus es Domine & iustum iudicium iuum . Righteous art thou ( Oh Lord ) and iust is thy Iudgement . And healing them againe that they may behold his mercifull goodnes , sweetly singing , Gratia dei est , misericordia Domini est : This is the fauour of God , This is the mercy of the Lord : ( that is ) euen that they perish not .

Vpon swéet experience of which great Mercy , Dutie laies vpon them ( that are thus relieued , if shamefully they shake it not off ) this humble confession of Iacob , I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies . And this great mercy which they finde comming vnto them from God , they may conceiue , that through this godly Benefactor , as through a Conduit pipe . It is deriued vnto them from their good God : the fountaine of mercy : yea rather brought vnto them in him as in a vessell of mercy : That so God shewing them mercy by him , and they returning him honour , and praise from him : He may aswell from them to God-ward be vas honoris , A vessell of honour : as he from God to them , vas misericordiae . A vessell of mercy . Who as he was alwaies , a charitable relieuer of diseased or maimed persons : So did he but at Easter last , not thrée wéekes before his happie departure out of this miserable world , sent to each of the places a●oresaid Thirtie and odde pounds a peece , to be imployed to the ease and comfort of such as were there detained .

That Prysoners haue beene relieued and released out of the prisons of Newgate : The Counters and Ludgate by the riches of his gift .

HEre may you behold the further care of this vertuous man , in his continued déedes of charitie in his life time , and a little before his death , extended to the comfort of distressed prisoners : who if euer men had cause to magnifie the Maiestie of God for his gifts bestowed by the hands of his seruants : Then may not they be bashfull to speake , or bury in silence the bountifull fauour of so good a Benefactor , who through his charitie hath not onely relieued them being in prison , but hath also loosed the lockes of the prison doores , and made the bolts flie open by his bountie .

They whose debters made them captiues , and cast them into loathsome prison , where the bordes were their beds , where the prospect was but I congrate , and the swéetest ayre infectious smell , at length by his meanes found ease of their extremities .

Oh that hard hearted people would be but moued ( as this good man was ) to enter into a charitable consideration of the extremitie of Prisons , and the distressed estate of Prisoners .

They heare nothing there but mones , nor haue sight of any other thing but miserie : Their smiles choakt with sighes , and their mixth ouercome with morning : carefull complaints are their communication , Oppression and extreame dealing , is the tale they tell of , and euery one knowes better how to declare his griefe , then which way to redresse it . Fraude , deceit , and faithles friends , bring most men in , and hardnes of heart , crueltie and lacke of mercie kéepe them there , where many moneths together they feede on the bread of affliction , and drinke the water of sorrow .

Let no man speake of extremitie , that hath not knowne Captiuitie , nor brag of friendship & friends , till he haue béene bolted in prison : This is the fire that purgeth the gold from the drosse , and the touchstone to trie a faithfull friend from a fawning flatterer : There dwelles the melancholy Muses of sad petitions , who like Briarius with an hundred eyes write swiftly , but the messengers that carrie them , may be fitly compared to leaden héeld Saturnus , that finishes his course but once in thirtie yeares : Thus the poore mans thoughts which runne as swift as Pegasus , expecting an answere , doe in vaine make a thousand long lookes out of the yron grate to sée the backe returne of this slow worme : At which time it often comes to passe , that his hopes are vtterly frustrate .

Then sends he for his brethren , and they looke big ▪ for his kindred and they will not know him ; for his friends , and they will not come at him ; but with coy lookes , and scornefull termes they all forsake him , and no man pitties his afflictions .

Flintie hearted Creditors haue threatened to make dice of poore mens b●n●s , but they would be paide , and the while their poore wiues , and succourles children , haue béene readie to starue at home . But in the middest of all this miserie , when hope of helpe hath béene past and nothing lookt for , but continuall calamitie ; Then hath the Lord by his seruant sent helpe , as he did to Danie● in the Lyons denne , and to Peter being in prison . This elect seruant did not onely like Abacuck , feede the hungrie Captiue , but like the blessed Angell of God he hath also taken by the hand , and brought forth the poore , and miserable Prisoner , paid his debt , and set him free . Hereby they haue enioyed the sweete blessing of libertie , and béene cleered of that crueltie , which they were lately before afflicted with .

God increase the number of such charitable men , and soften the flintie hearts of cruell oppressors : Before whose eyes this worthie man hath set an euerlasting president : Aswell to be continued in these places for euer : As by his godly gift at Easter last , being but three weekes before his decease , who gaue to each of the prisons afore named 50. pound a peece to be disposed of , either to the poore prisoners reliefe , or enlargement .

Of his Charitie to poore young beginners of the Company of Marchanttaylours .

AS he was generally well disposed towards all , So was he especially vnto the company : Into which he was worthily incorporate : And in his many good déedes towards them ( as in a Christall glasse ) you may behold his godly care to poore young people of that Societie : who not forgetting such as haue béene newly made frée , & haue béene beginning to trade in their professions , to helpe them forward in the world ( making them goe the were scarce able to créepe ) and to further them in so laudable an action , hath also stretched forth his bountifull hand towards their reliefe .

Those who in their beginnings , haue not beene able to ensconce themselues against pouertie , ( resting in the feare of GOD , on his prouidence for their preferment ) his heart hath the Lorde stirred vp to helpe , and to regard their want , and relieue their necessities : Hee like a kinde Father , hath prouided portions for them , and hath not let them passe into the worlde without some gifts from his bountifull hand : that they might thereby , ( either the better profite themselues , or otherwise prouide for their necessarie imployements : Following the example of CHRIST , at the marriage of Canaan : where séeing their néede , hee shewed his first myracle , by turning water into Wine ; That gifte is small that doeth no good , and the good will very slender that deserues no thankes .

As the young Damsells and Maydens of Ierusalem sung the praises of King Dauid for his déedes : So may the Young-men of this companie , sing in the commendations of this good mans Charitie ; For by his meanes haue their Preferments beene furthered , and their weake estates and conditions often raised .

And as it was saide to the Gouernour of the Feast , Thou hast kept the best Wine till nowe ; So may these young beginners say : The best gifte came not till now ;

For which benefite , they are to yéelde vnto GOD due thankes , and continuall glorie .

Of his bountie to the Prisoners of New-gate , and his prouision for the Tolling of the Bell , at S. Sepulchers , for condemn'd persons , which gifte is to continue for euer .

SEeing the Prayers & teares of the needy doe pearce the Heauens , and that Iosephs afflictions are regarded of GOD , why should I not set downe these poore mens miseries , & magnifie Gods mercies , which doe comfort them in the same .

The wretched and Forlorne men , forsaken of the world , and despised of the multitude ; who with hungrie bellies haue bene cast into Prison , without either money or Friendes to helpe them , haue not bene left destitute in their extremities , but prouided for , beyond deserts or expectation .

Among many Faithfull seruants of CHRIST , pittying the Poore , they haue not beene least bounde to this their godlie Benefactor for their reliefe , who hath bountifully fedde CHRIST , ( in his Members . ) His chéerefulnes in giuing , hath from time to time , made well knowne , that hee was beloued of GOD , who loueth a chéerefull giuer .

The Haruest of his happines shall be most plentifull , because hee hath not sowne his séede sparingly , but hath beene made rich vnto all Liberalitie : which hath caused in many poore people a continuall thanksgiuing vnto the ALMIGHTIE .

Oh happie man , Oh Heauenly Doue ; so may we call him and so shall hee finde , taking part in the first Resurrection : For , Blessed are they that consider the poore and needie : the Lorde shall deliuer them in the day of Trouble .

He fedde these men in Prison , and gaue them c●mfort in their deepest distresse ; But the Lord shall deliuer him out of the Iawes of Hell , and his soule shall be filled with gladnes .

Ahasuerus Feasted the Princes of Persia , and had much praise of men for the same ; But Marie and Martha Feasting CHRIST , were blessed of GOD for euer . Manie make Banquets , but the poore haue no part in them .

So did Holofernes for Iudiths sake , but perished in his excesse . The rich Glutton fared daintilie euery day , while the poore man died at his gate , for want of foode . Couetousnesse would suffer him to giue nothing , like churlish Naball , and Vnmercifulnesse , threwe him headlong to Hell .

Pittie , and tender Compassion , doe declare the Children of men to be the Sonnes of God , who doth admonish them thereunto ; saying : Bee you mercifull , as your heauenly Father is mercifull . Herein is God pleased , and his Maiestie honoured , by doing and shewing the true markes of his deere Children .

This stirred vp Maister Doue in the godly remembrance hereof , not only in his life time to relieue these distressed persons , by his manie continued déedes of Charitie , but to leaue a worthy commemoration of his Religious intention● , to remaine for euer after his death , by the gifte of Fiftie pounds , to bee employed in the perpetuall behoofe of such as shall be condemned to die . That is , in hauing the great Bell at Saint Sepulchers Church without New-gate , to be Tolled ( on euery Execution day , ) till the condemned Prisoners haue suffered death ; and also a small Hande Bell , to bee Rung at Midnight , vnder Newe-Gate , the Night after their Condemnation ; And the next morning , at the Church-wall ; To put them in minde of their mortalitie ; with a Prayer to be saide touching their saluation .

Oh admirable Deuotion , and worthie to be recorded in the Monuments of Antiquitie ; who whether he liued or died , gaue maintenance by his bountie , that this should continue for euer : for the comfort of them , and all succéeding them .

Oh what a vertuous man was this ? whose care was not onely to preserue their bodies from fainting , by ministring ordinary supplie of sustenance , but to giue them spirituall foode ; and to awake their sléepie senses from securitie , to saue their soules from perishing .

Of the maintenance giuen by him vnto certaine Schollers , in Saint Iohn Baptist Colledge in Oxford .

BEsides the many memorable déeds of Deuotion which he did to poore aged men , to comfortles widowes , to destitute and néedie yong-men , to distressed Prisoners , and to diuers others , ( yet vnknowne , ) in farre larger measure then my Instructions haue hitherto ledde me vnto ; He was also a charitable and carefull Patron to poore Schollers , where the abilitie of their owne Friendes was not able to reach to yéelde them exhibition . And ( besides what he had formerly done vnto them ) he gaue an hundreth pounds at Easter last , and a Latine Bible , written in parchment , to certaine Schollers , in S. Iohn Baptists Colledge in Oxforde , for their maintenance and vse , and for their further preferment in learning ( the high way to honor : ) Oh happie Schollers , borne in such a time , where bountie and vertue calleth you to promotion . Spend not therefore pretious time idely , nor withdrawe your selues from the happines of your future hopes . Now is a golden treasurie opened vnto you , which farre surmounteth Craesus wealth , make your selfe rich in learning , and honor shall be your reward . This your good Benefactor hath loaden you with better treasure then gold , siluer , or pretious stones , which are subiect to many casualties , gotten with griefe , kept with care , and lost with a thousand sorrowes . These riches are seldome possessed in peace , but are the cause many times of cruell murthers , thefts , and an hundred deadly daungers of body , and often proue the destruction of the Soule : But learning shall whilest you liue euer last , and remaine with you : No théefe shall be able ( leauing your life ) to robbe you of this treasure . Had king Priamus sent his Sonne Polidorus with no other treasure to his supposed friends : The young Prince had neuer felt the force of inhumaine murther and crueltie , nor his Parents had cause to lament so grieuous a mischance , with so many sorrowfull and bitter teares . Therefore be gréedie to gaine learning , and knowledge , be earnest , and carefull to purchase wisedome , the which shall crowne you with honor in the daies of your perfection , and raise you to the high Seate of dignitie . Imbrace this benefit with gladnes , and praise God for him that gaue furtherance vnto it .

Of the bountie and charitie of Maister Doues to the Schoolmaister and Schollers of Christs Hospitall in London .

OUer many Orphanes & poore children , did he become a carefull father standing in stead of their owne naturall Parents , in affording meanes to haue them trained vp in the exercise of good letters , to bring them to preferment , and to kéepe them from the snares of Idlenes ( the path to perdition ) hath in tender regard of their good , and the Commonwealths benefit , giuen furtherance to the Schoolemaister of Christs Hospitall , to nourish them in the knowledge of the latine tongue , and such as are not capable thereof , to be instructed in wryting , and casting account , and to be placed and preferred to seuerall trades and mysteries , wherby they may grow in time to be happie members of this honorable citie . Oh yée children , carrie thankfull mindes , first to God for his goodnes in preferring you hereunto , and next vnto such Benefactors , as haue so charitably prouided to instruct you . Through his bountie shall you be trained vp , either in the latine tonge , that you may proceed vnto further knowledge , or in writing , that you may be able to set downe that which your penne , which your memorie is by no meanes able to preserue . And whether you be in prison restrained from libertie , or separated by the Sea , from the sight of your countrey , by your penne you may helpe your selues in the one , and satisfie your selues in the other . What honors you may attaine vnto by learning , or what good you may come to by hand-writing , you are not able to conceiue , before you haue made experience of it . By the one you may be both beatified , and beautified with all that inward graces of the minde , by the other , you might speake , if you had lost your tongues by tyrannie , as many did in the bloody daies of Dioclesian : Or did your legges faile you , or were you made cripples by the warres , ( as Scipio was ) yet your writing might get your liuings , and procure both rayment for the backe , and foode for the belly : were your mindes troubled and vexed , and that your memories were as weake , as Mesala●s braine was féeble , yet the propertie of your penne might serue to helpe you in that imperfection . Wherefore it is no small benefit bestowed vpon you ( oh yee child●en ) that may be inriched with so excellent a qualitie , onely by vsing diligence without any charge to your Parents .

For this cause suffer not occasion to ouerslip you , but take hold of her fore cop , least neglecting méete opportunitie , you afterward snatch in vaine at her bald hinder part , and so with griefe , and repentance , bewaile the losse of that which can neuer after be recouered , according to that of the Poet , Volat irreuocabile Tempus .

That Time is bald , and being but once past , cannot be call'd againe , for all thou hast .

Of his charitie to the citie of Bristow , and a relation of some other his seuerall bounties .

BEsides many other places that can yéeld a plentifull testimonie for him in his behalfe , and make a condigne Relation of his good workes , we may not here forget the religious care , and prouident order which he tooke in his life time for the reliefe and succour of the poore people of Bristowe : Who hearing that the same citie was fallen into some decay , and pouertie , out of a féeling remorse , and charitable inclination he had to yeeld helpe to their deiections , fréely bestowed vpon the same citie , the summe of one hundreth pounds .

As his bountie was great towards this Citie , so were his hands euery where reached out to the necessities of all sortes . Yea such was his charitie , that if he had seene poore men addicted to labour , he would set them on worke , and cause them to be imployed to their better furtherance , and encouragement . If he heard that any of his poore neighbours , were decrepit , or destitute of meanes to follow their professions , he would supply their needes in one condition or other , and not faile by his money to make way for their good intentions . Wherein he dealt no worse with them , then a Reuerend father dealt with a poore kinsman of his ; who being solicited to aduance him : And he thereuppon inquiring , what course of life he followed , and receiuing answere , that he was an Husbandman : Why then ( quoth he ) if his plough be broken , I will repaire it , or rather then faile , bestow a new one vpon him , whereby he may goe on in his course of life : But so to aduance him , as to make him idle , or to forsake his trade , or condition , in which he was brought vp , that I meane not to doe .

He was milde and gentle to all , and his purse euer open to such as were petitioners vnto him for his reliefe , so as he might iustly be compared to Titus , Qui neminem vnquàm à se tristem dimisit . Such as were sutors vnto him for succour , did not at any time depart from him without contentment , he dismissed no man sorrowfull for lacke of successe , nor sent any man from his presence full of griefe or sadnes , for want of his helping hand , to giue ease and enlargement to their heauines .

As he was deuoutly carefull to relieue both aged , and impotent old men , so was he alwaies religiously mindefull ( as is aforesaid of the wel tuturing and good education of poore , and indigent schollers , following the example of a godly Patron , who estéemed Hospitale adsubleuandam pauper tatem , & Scholam , ad instruendam inuentutem , esse optima opera , quae aliquis potuit efficere . That an Hospitall , to sustaine the poore , and a Schoole , to traine vp youth , were the worthiest works that a man could leaue behinde him .

Insomuch , as ( led by these motiues ) hée left to the benefite of Posteritie , an euerlasting memorie of his Saint-like minde in these behalfes , Allowing sixtéene pounds a yeere for euer , to Christs-Hospitall in London : to be imployed towards the vse and maintenance of a Schoolemaister , to traine vp and instruct tenne young Schollers , in the knowledge and learning of Musicke and Pricksong .

Eightéene pounds a yéere , to be continued for euer ; for the Examination & Approbation of certaine Schollers yeerely , out of the Frée-schoole of the Companie of Marchant taylors in London .

Twenty pounds a yéere for euer , To the Prisons of Ludgate , Newgate , & the two Counters . And certaine Fées and Allowances , to the Officers of Marchant-tailors-Hall , to remaine to perpetuitie : to sée these things duely obserued , according to the purpose of his charitable and religious intention .

All which he performed with such Alacritie , that it may bee saide of him , Merces eius copiosae est in Coelis ; His reward is very great in the Kingdome of Heauen .

In the sight of God , hee enioyeth the fulnes of all Felicitie , which neither eye hath séene , nor eare heard , nor mans heart atchieued ; For Resurrectio immortalitatis pullulat foecundius , cùm in pauperum auxilio seritur : The Resurrection of immortalitie springs more fertillie , when it is sowne in helpe of the distressed and needie . And he liuing and dying ( no doubt ) a chosen and beloued seruant of God , and one , who ( as it may be truely said of him , ) had deuoutly consecrated both his whole life to God , and his carefull endeuours to the reliefe of the poore .

After hee had performed his Oblations of Prayer and Thanks-giuing to God , as Abraham , ( of whome he was a true Sonne ) yéelded vp the Spirit , and died in a good Age , an olde man , and of great yéeres ; Committing his bodie ( which was but lately the mansion of a most excellent Soule , ) vnto his graue , where it rests , in assured expectation of a glorious resurrection .