almes

[…] the which being of too ancient breede among vs, were of late yeeres ſo mightily increaſed, that by their licencious and vniuſt, yea verie ſturdy and ſhameleſſe vagring and begging, all mercie of almes-giuing was ſo violently catched vp and deuoured at euery rich mans gate, and alſo at euery meane mans doore, that mercie was degenerated, to the cruell and waſtfull feeding and foſtering of ſuch an idle and wicked rout, as by the rule of the holy Apoſtle, were altogether vnworthy of any almes, in ſo much as they were ſuch, as vtterly refuſed to work.

1600, Robert Allen, A Treatise of Christian Beneficence, […], Iohn Hariſon […], unnumbered page