The Preface.
anity it self; for in the Opinion of Charron, as the Slaves went off, the Beggers came in their Place. So much at least is granted, That the Jems who allow'd of Slaves, had no Beggers. What shall we say, but that if it be true, that the Emancipating or Freeing of Slaves was indeed the making of Beggers; it follows that Christianity which is daily employed in Redeeming Slaves from the Turks, Ransom'd no less than all at once from Pagan Slavery at first, at no dearer a Rate, than the Rent-charge of maintaining the Beggers, as the Price and Purchace of our Freedoms.
As for the Antiquity of the English Beggers, it may be observed, That the first Statute which makes Provision for the Parish-Poor, is no older than Queen Elizabeth; from which it may be fairly Collected, Thatthey
