The Poor Mans Case, Text (3 of 3)
8. But as the charitable man ſaid in making his will, that had bequeathed bread to every poore man in the Pariſh, ſtay ſayes hee to the writer, put in ſomething for Drink and for Cloaths, truly I feare the poore muſt drink but little B…ere this yeare, God grant they may have bread inough, I confeſſe it is of l…s concernment, for Thirſt is an appetite that will die of it ſelfe; I conceave moſt men drink more then they need, in moyſt weather, and I am of opinion that, that hatred which Chriſt requires, that his Members ſhould beare to their proper life, conſiſts in this, that they take no more of the Creatures then what is ſufficient for their Corporall neceſſities, Not to live to eat, but eat to live for health and ſtrength? and if men would accuſtome themſelves to drink leſſe, they migh… be more charitable, and not leſſe healthfull; one in Spaine by diſuſing himſelfe from drinking could travaile in th… heat of Summer ſome hundred miles between Lisbone and Madrid and never drink; but give me leave to propound one thing to cover the poore mens backs which is thus.
If that which is yeerely beſtowed in mourning in this Kingdome, might be laid out in ſtrong courſe Cloth and Shooes for the poore; I dare ſay i… would be much more pleaſing to God, and farre more Chriſtian like; for there is no ſolid reaſon can be given for it, for thus I argue, either the mour…ers are very ſorrowfull for the death of the party, and ſo mourne naturally, or elſe they are only ſorrowfull in ſhew, and ſo mourne artificially.
If the heart be oppreſſed with griefe, mourning Apparell does but help to aggravate, and continue it, and ſo makes it Immoderate, which ought not to be, moderate lamentation for the Dead, becomes a Chriſtian, but we may not ſorrow as thoſe that have no hope,1 Theſ. 4.13. Navigare non naufragare Lach…mis. in Theſſalonica, and many places which are now under the Turk, they wore black to teſtifie their mourning for the Dead, which the Spirit of God reproved in the Church of the Th…ſſalonians, and the Heathens generally uſe it to this day, but a Chriſtian that grieves inwardly for the loſſe of a friend, ſhould not in reaſon weare that which is an occaſion to keep the loſſe freſh in his memory, who can put on a mourning Weed for a whole yeare, as it is uſed, but it muſt daily renew his grief, and ſorrow; but if they that weare black for mourning do not mourne inwardly and in truth, but only in outward appearance, to make the world beleeve ſo; Then certainly it muſt needs be groſſe diſſimulation, and Hypocryſie, to make men beleeve that to be, which is not, and diſſimulation to diſſemble, that rejoycing, and Joviality; which really is is the heart and ſpirit; for certainly the chief Mourners as we call them, are not alwayes the moſt ſorrowfull for the death of a party; we uſe to ſay that hee mourn… like an heyre which come… to his Inheritance, and if it be to ſave charges, it is Hypocryticall and Ignoble.
The Jews indeed made very ſolemne Mournings, and Lamentations for their friends, but they were a people too frugall to beſtow any unnceſſary Pomp, they had not ſuch cleere apprehentions of the reſurrection, only ſcripture deductions, and conſequences, I am the God of Abraham ſaith the Lord, therefore Abraham muſt be Immortall as God Is, was all they had for it, for one Relative being granted, the other followes, And they were very curious and exact in their Oyntments, Embalments, and Interments, as the Aegyptians are to this day, but the longeſt mourning was but 70. dayes, and 7. dayes for others, and their mournings were not ſo coſtly, as we make ours; but if any man ſhall argue for the lawfulneſſe and conveniency of mourning Apparrell from the Jews, we may aſwell revive other Ceremonye…, and profits our ſelve… to be rather Jews then Chriſtians; I wiſh we were really ſuch as they are, inproviding for the poore, they ſuffer not a Begga… amongſt them; by their Law, every male is to marry at 23. and Females at 18. if they be poore, the rich provide Mariages, which are moſt eq…all, and give them an eſtate to begin the world withall, and if that faile by Shipwrack: Ill Debtors, or ſuch human caſualties, they impute it not to them, but renew their ſtock, and ſet them upon their Legs againe, whereas we in ſuch a caſe count a man …famous fo… that which is no fault of his, for if other… br… with him, how can he hold with his Creditors, and when Corne has been at 12. and 16. s. a buſhell in an extraordinary deere yeare, at Venice, Rome, or Amſſerdam, where Iews are permitted to live quietly, with the freedome of their Conſciences, in the excerciſe of their Religion, the pooreſt Iew ha's not wanted his bellyfull, and though they are but few of them in compariſon, thats not the matter, for where there is ſufficient by the Law of God, the pooreſt Member in a Kingdome ought to be provided for; I confeſſe this mourning Apparell is uſed in France and other Civill Countryes, with this difference, that the Chancellor of France and the chief preſidents in Iuditiall places, muſt never mourne, no not upon the death or demiſe of the King, for Iuſtice is a divine thing, which muſt not reſent any humane Infirmity, he that ſirs in the ſeat of Iuſtice ought not to have his mind troubled with the death of his Father, or deareſt conſort, And that money which is daily expended unneceſſarily, and improperly in Wine and ſweet-meats at Funeralls, would make the poore leap for joy, and think themſelves in Heaven, I ſay unneceſſarily, becauſe it ſerves neither for Dinner nor Supper; and very improperly for the Friends that come to accompany the Corps to the Grave have more reaſon, to bring Wine and Cordialls with them to comfort the Widdow, and Children, who have the greateſt loſſe, and ſtand in moſt need of refreſhing, I am not againſt wearing a Ribben, or ſome ſuch ſignificant Ceremonyes, to give notice to others, that ſuch a friend is dead; As in Paris, when any Cittizen, or man of quality is dead, there are 24. Cryers that go about with a Bell, to give notice to all the City that ſuch a man, or woeman is dead, and as the poore are either joyfull or ſorrowfull at the Newes, ſo you may conclude, that the man was either mercifull or miſerable, for thoſe are the beſt Elections into places of authority, when the poor… generally rejoyce at ſuch a mans preferment.
9. And now I ſhall make an humble requeſt to all ſorts of perſons that deſire the proſperity of this Natinn (About which I have ſpent many ſerious thoughts, and if God ſpare health, I intend with all poſſible ſpeed to caſt in a Students Mite, and to publiſh my Conceptions by the name of Englands happineſſe, therein declaring, what I conceive may by Gods bleſſing make this Kingdome the moſt happy Kingdome in the world, that every mans moderation might be knowne this deere yeare to help to bring down the deareneſſe of Corn, & all other Commodities, that the greateſt gallants would be ſencible of the poore mens Condition this hard time, and a little ſtrike the topſaile, & top-gallant of al improvident waſting, that they may the more freely diſtribute to the poore mans neceſſities, and that all rich men would now more then ever ſtudy the Art of winning hearts, which of all Trades and profeſſions is the moſt Noble, that Land-Lords would ſtrive to excell one another in winning and refreſhing the hearts of their poore Tennants, by the cherefull and continuall drops of true liberality, but my 9th. deſigne is principally a requeſt to Maſters of Mills and Millars, which I conceive to bee a matter of great concernment, for poore people; I have heard many ſad complaints from poore people, of Millers for taking exceſſive tole from them, t'is a lamentable caſe when a poore man hath work't himſelfe almoſt off his legs to get a peck or halfe a ſtrike of Corne to make 2. or 3. Loaves for his poore Children, that cry for bread (the ſaddeſt cry that can be in any Kingdome, that a treacherous Miller ſha… …iminiſh this poore mans griſt, & take out of it what pleaſes him, for he is upon the matter, a Iudge in his owne Caſe, as for feitures make the Vſurer his owne Judge, that he may take what he liſt when the poore Lamb fall's into his clawes, ſo may the Miller take without controle a diſhfull, 2. 3. or 4. as it pleaſes him, who can tell how much he takes, we call it Toll, from taking away; by the Law of the Land, I conceive that the Miller is to take more or leſſ…,Toll a Tollendo. according as the party owes ſuit to the Mill, from a Tennant at will, the Lord in the beginning of Tennus took what he pleaſed, if the Corne grew upon his Jnheritance afterwards a 16th. part from a free Tennant a 20th. and from ſtrangers a 24th. part; and by the Law if the Tennant buy his Corne hee may have liberty to grind where he pleaſes, which is the caſe of moſt poore men, and yet they are tyed up to grind at the Kings Mills, and Lords Mills, and there is a kind of Monopoly of Mills in this K…ngdome, which is a moſt greivous oppreſſion to the poore people; if all were free to erect Mills, a poore man might have his Corne ground for a ſong in Compariſon, but poore men are inforced to grind at the Kings Mills as they call them, and the Lords Mills from an ancient Cuſtome [J profeſſe I marvaile how the tenure in villinage came to be taken away in this Kingdom, and if a third part be taken away, the poore man dare not complaine, for the remedy will be worſe then the diſeaſe.
Dealing herein with poore men, as ſome that keep Victualling houſes in hot Countryes, where they make but few Fiers, 20. Neighbours will come to an Hoſt, and bring a peece of fleſh of 2. or 3. pound to have them all boyled in a great Caldron, one diſhoneſt raſcall, if the poore woemens backs were but turned, uſed to mince, and paire the ſeverall peeces, and pretended that it ſhrunk and grew leſſe in the boyling, till at length it was diſcovered by the little peeces which he cut of, and ſold them in ſtewed meat, for which I heare he was executed, and that but juſtly; I wiſh all ſuch Millers that are too nimble in poore mens Baggs might have ſome ſuch ſevere puniſhment, for though it be hard to hang a man for ſtealing a Ship or a Cow, yet domeſticall theft is puniſhed with death, by all Lawes, becauſe it is both Fellony and Treaſon. The poore man truſts the Miller with his bag, and workes merrily in hope of a Cake, and the Miller it may be takes as much as would make a cupple, but I wi…h ſome of them were Indicted for example to terrifie others, and that poore men might have their Griſts ground Toll free this deare yeare, or elſe that the owners of Mill… might take but very little? I know there are charges and caſualities Incident to Mills, but however they deale with the rich mans baggs, I would have all kindneſſe and tenderneſſe exerciſed towards the poore.
10 My next requeſt is to the Miniſters, and ſpecially to Impropriators in this Kingdome, in two particulars; That they would be examples of Charity and Hoſpitality to others, by the Cannon Lawes, a Miniſter ought to give away to the poore of the Pariſh at the leaſt one tenth part of his Tithes, and impropriations are by Statute for maintenance of the poore, wee know the Levites had a tenth from the Prieſts, and by the equity of that law, thoſe that receive Tithes ſhould allow a Tith of their gaines, as well as others, and who ſuch fit objects of Liberality as the poore, but truly the Avarice and Covetouſneſſe, of many Engliſh Miniſters, would make a man think that Religion was but a policy, to keep men in ſubjection, for how improper is it, for a covetous Earth-worme to tell others of the danger of riches, and the difficulty for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, when this covetous Earth-worme minds nothing but the Fleece and ſatisfies himſelfe with a toothleſſe ſapleſſe preaching in a cuſtomary formality, not falling out with the richeſt Pariſhoners for their handfaſtedneſſe, and hard-heartedneſſe in not releeving the poore, but wrangling and brangling with poore men, about an Egg at Eaſter, I could find in my heart to publiſh it to the world, how one of them vexes his poore Neighbours about ſmall Tithes, for Milch Cowes, and ſowes Piggs and Poultry, putting 13. poore people into one bill, not charging them all to the value of 5. l. which ſuit hath or will in probability coſt above 100. l. Indeed if the grand Tithes had been detained, and he could not otherwiſe have ſubſiſted; It had been another matter, but for a man of peace to bring a conſerve of Weſtminſter-Hall Wormewood for every petty oblation. Is this to feed men with the ſincere Milk of the word; to torment 30. poore men about Tith milk, methinks an Ingenious man ſhould be aſhamed of it.
Thou that ſayeſt a man ſhould not be covetous, (for a mans life conſiſteth not in abundance of riches,) doeſt thou heap up more then is ſufficient for thee, thou that ſitteſt to Judge according to Law diſhonoureſt thou God?Luk 12.15 But ſecondly, let me intreat all thoſe that are able Miniſters of the Goſpell in this Iuncture of time to ſhoot out all the Arrowes of Gods indignation againſt Covetouſneſſe which is Idolatry, filthy Lucre, Mammon of unrighteouſneſſe, deceitfull riches, briars, and thornes, and the covetous whom God abhorreth, and to preach nothing elſe to Covetous men, till they leave their Covetouſneſſe, what ſhould a Covetous man do with a mercifull Saviour; If he had the graces of the ſpirit he would lock them up that none ſhould be the better for him.
If you expect to be called the Engliſh Clergy, every one of you now become an Advocate for the poore of your Pariſh, as by example, ſo by doctrin, Trumpet out that of Saint James, go to now ye rich men, weep, and howle for your miſery that ſhall come upon you, your riches are corrupted, and your Garments Moth-eaten, your Gold and ſilver is cankered, and the ruſt of them ſhall be a witneſſe agaiſt you, and ſhall eat your fleſh as it were fire, charge them that be rich in this world, to be rich in good works; but do not only whiſper it into their Eares, but fall upon the Covetous and the Dunkards when they come into the Congregation (for they come moſt commonly the laſt) when a Covetous wretch comes in, bid the people look as if there was ſome African Monſter; one that can eat 10000. l. of Gold, and 10000. Quarter of Corne, 100. beaſts, and 2000. ſheep, and ſits Rent-free, and no body muſt have a bit with him, and when a notorious Drunkard comes in, tell them here comes one, that he and his Companions devoure as much every week as Bells Prieſts did, you muſt needs know every Covetous wretch in your pariſh, fall upon him, as you would fall upon the Devill, if he ſhould come into the Congregation, tell him that he is like H…ll, that is inſatiable, and that it is impoſſible for him to be ſaved, ſo living and dying; tell the Covetous and the Drunkard, that God abhors them, all honeſt ſober men will kick them out of their Companies, that unleſſe they repent the Devill will provide a place for them in Hell by themſelves in the loweſt Dungeons (next unto the Jeſuits) who yet are better Commonwealths-men) for ſayes hee, theſe men never did good to any men in their lives, the Covetous will hoard up all, and the Drunkard will devour all, let them fight Dog, fight Bear together, they are now aſleep in theſe groſſe enormities, thunder out Gods Iudgements againſt them; dart the very flaſhes of Hell fire from your Pulpits, into their ſoules and conſciences, Oh, that the Lord would teach the Miniſters how to preach to purpoſe to ſuch miſcreants, methinks 2. or 3 powerfull Sermons ſhould either by Gods bleſſing work upon the Covetous miſerable wretch to part with his ſuperfluities, or elſe make him forſake the Congregation, if it were well ſet on, charge him home to give away ſo much to the poore the next week, or to ſell his Corne at a reaſonable rate, and if it be not done tell him hee ſhall heare of it to his ſhame the next day, and I warrant you he will either obſerve it, or come no more there to heare you, and if he go to heare another Miniſter. I intreat every faithfull watch-man to ſtand ready for him with a whole peale of Curſes at the doore when he comes in, and tell him, Oh, thou Covetous wretch, thou run'ſt away from ſuch a man, becauſe thou wilt not releive thy hungry Brother, and ſell thy Come at a reaſonable rate, which God commands thee to doe; thou art curſed in the City, and curſed in the Feild, curſed ſhall be thy basket, and thy ſtoare, the Lord ſhall ſmite thee with the Peſtilence, Conſumption, Fever, Inflamation and extreame burning, with the Botch, the Emrods, the Scabs, and the Itch, thou ſhalt grope at noone-dayes, and thy Carcaſe ſhall be meat to all the Fowles of the Ayre, and no man ſhall fray them away, thou ſhalt become an Aſtoniſhment, a Proverb and a byword to all people, tell him that this and all the Curſes in the Book of God ſhall come upon him, purſue him and overtake him, till he be deſtroyed, put him this caſe, ſuppoſe a Priſoner was to ſtand a whole day together at the barre of Iuſtice, to heare the Iudge pronounce Iudgement, and ſeveral ſorts of puniſhment againſt him, you muſt go from hence to the Priſon, to lye in Irons, eat moldy bread, and drink puddle water, then be branded, next have thy fleſh pluck't of with hot pinſers, then put into a barrell of nailes, drawne in peeces with wild Horſes; or the moſt exquiſite torments that cruell Tyrants could imagine, ask him what he thinks of that Priſoners condition, I know hee will ſay it is very ſad, then reply with Authority, and tell him this is thy Caſe, ſay as Nathan did to David thou art the man, bid him read his condition in the glaſſe of the Scripture, and turne to thoſe Curſes in the 28. of Deut. and marke I pray you how the ſpirit of God, having denounced a Catalogue of Curſes againſt ſuch as will not obey his Commandements, in the 29. Chapter tells in particular, who it is that ſhall be thus curſed; it is the man, that let the Miniſter ſay what hee will, bleſſes himſelfe in his heart, and ſayes I ſhall have peace, though I walk in the Immaginations or ſtubbornneſſe of my owne heart,Deut. 29.19. TO ADD DRVNKENNES TO THIRST, of the Drunken to the Thirſty; which in my opinion comprehends both Drunkards, and covetous perſons, for they are both Hydroptique, the Drunkard heats himſelfe till he be thirſty, and the Covetous man drinks downe all the broth of commodity, as the Fiſh drinks up water, but tell them likewiſe that if they will reforme themſelves, there are bleſſings in ſtore for them, in that former part of the 28. of Deut. But me thinks I heare an objection that Covetouſneſſe is none of thoſe ſcandalous ſins, for which by the Ordinance, any man is to be debarred the Sacrament; We ſay in Statutes that there are many Caſes omitted, which are within the meaning of the Law, and to be taken by equity, certainely to deny the poore bread to eat at reaſonable rates; if it bee not neere kin to murder, ti's a horrible ſin as viſible, as the green graſſe, therefore I pray you profeſſe your ſelves implacable Enemies to all Intemperance, and uncharitableneſſe; for which not only the higher powers, but every honeſt man in this Kingdome will thank you for it, beleeve it, it is an Angelicall thing to get the love of poore people.
11. A word to the Learned Phyſitians in this Kingdome (whereof God Increaſe the number) pray deale kindly with poore people when they are ſick, for a poore man to give 10. s. for a viſit, is as greivous many times as the Diſeaſe it ſelfe; and yet life is ſweet, Phyſick muſt be had at any rate; But ſome may beeter afford to give 100. l. for a cure, then others to give 5. s. Methinks if I had an old Vſurer in cure, I would adviſe him to be very Charitable, certainly the poore in this Kingdome ſuffer very much for want of a Phyſitian or two, in every Market Towne, at the leaſt.
The Doctors of Padova ſay that in Fevers and ſuch violent diſeaſes, the Patient is in danger, if the Phiſitian do not viſit him three times a day, how many people in this Kingdome dye yearely, that can never get any Phyſitian to viſit them in their ſickneſſe; and how many poore people are there about Lendon that had rather die then ſee an Appothicaries Bill; the thing I intreat of you is that you would viſit the poore without Fees, for why ſhould not Phiſitians be as well aſſigne Jn forma Pauperis, as Lawyers, and Appothicaries as well as Atturneys, and Chirurgians as well as Clarks.
But if you cannot be at leiſure to preſcribe to the poore Gratis, pray do not hinder any man that would be the poore mans Doctor; And here give me leave ſoberly and ſeriouſly to intreat you learned Gentlemen of the Corporation, not to moleſt or interrupt Doctor Trigg [who has been ſo called to my knowledge this 20. yeares, and three yeares is ſufficient in Law, in point of Appellation] in his practiſe any longer, I can aſſure you thouſands of poore people, in and about the City ſpeak hardly of you for troubling h…m, and had it not bin for ſomebody, there had bin before this a Petition with at leaſt 30000. hands humbly preſented to the Parliament for his freedome to practiſe, though he is not incorporated into your Colledge; and ſo by a penall Law principally intended againſt ſome Italian Mountebanks, and for the avoyding of Sorceries and Witchcrafts for f…its, 5. l. for every mone…h that he practiſes in this City without your leave, and you have got a judgement, and Execution as [I heare] for 115. l. againſt him, and for what I beſeech you? Why ſhould he pay you ſo much money? is it, becauſe he hath by Gods bleſſing cured ſome, which ſome of you had left for deſperate? as you know it was proved upon Oath at Guild-Hall, where you Indict…d and Impeached him of Ignorance, and …buſing the people, endeavouring to prove that he had given unwholſome Phiſick to a Woman about 17. yeares agoe; who ſaid upon her Oath that the Phiſick made her ſick, and work't ſtrangly with her, but the Woeman hath bin well ever ſince, and a luſty merry old Woeman who poſſibly might, but for that Phiſick, have bin long ſince in her Grave; another Evidencer ſaid, that Doctor Trigg confeſt himſelfe that hee was a foole, which rather proved him to be a knowing man. For Saint Paul ſayes, yee are wiſe, J am a foole, that is, the Doctors thought him to be one,2 Cor. 11.19. and Solomans foole was wiſe in his owne conceit, but there was pregnant proofe for the Doctor, that ſince the Great Sickneſſe (at which time he firſt grew famous; for many of the Doctors being out of Towne, he did abundance of cures upon poore people, which are yet living.) He hath cured every yeare many people of all ſorts of Feavers, Plague, Palſies, Agues, Gout, Conſumptions, Dropcies, Collicks, and all ſorts of Diſeaſes, and his manner of practiſe is, to take little or nothing from the poore, and from the rich, 2. s. or 2. s. 6. d. at the moſt for his advice and Phiſick, for he compounds all his Phiſick himſelfe which no ignorant man can do, and buyes the beſt Drugg… he can get, as the Drugſter a man of credit, teſtified. Now the Caſe ſtands thus; a man lyes deſperatly ſick, and the Colledge Doctors give him over for a dead man, a friend of his tells him, that Doctor Trigg has cured many in his condition, that have been as neare death as himſelfe, the man has a ſtrong conceit that Doctor Trigg may help him, (and truly a good conceit of the Phyſitian is many times half the Cure) if this man ſhould recover by Gods bleſſing upon Doctor Triggs Phiſick, is it not a hard caſe, that Doctor Trigg ſhould pay 5. l. to the Colledge for curing this man without their Lycence, will they neither give Phiſick themſelves nor ſuffer others to do it?
Worthy Gent. You know what offers, we that were Doctor Triggs Counſell have ſeverall times made you; that if we do not prove that our Clyent hath done good to above 30000. Men, Woemen, and Children; in and about this Citty ſince the yeare 1624. Hee will quit his practiſe without more a doe; or if you can prove that ever he did hurt to any man, Woman, of Child by his Phiſicks; He will be content to be your Bondſlave; I know there were above 100. witneſſes more then thoſe that gave evidence, which hearing that Doctor Trigg had a Tryall about his Nonſufficiency flocked in readily, to teſtifie what Cures he had wrought upon them, but the Honorable Iudge thought it needleſſe to heare any more, for when a weight can be carryed by foure men to what purpoſe is it to imploy 10. but why will he not be admitted of the Colledge? It may be he thinks it a Monopoly, for by the Common-Law every man may Adminiſter Phiſick that hath any skill therein, and if we hurt any through Ignorance or negligence, an Action upon the Caſe lyes againſt him, and why are not Country mens healths and lives as precious to them as Cittizens? or why may not the Butchers, Cookes, Bakers, and Brewers being Free-Tradeſmen of the City of London, compell the Citizens to buy all their Victualls of them, and nor to dreſſe it in their Houſes, why will not ſome men have the lyne of Ordination ſtretched over them; becauſe they conceive themſelves more free without i…, He ſayes that thoſe old Receits which agreed with Engliſh bodyes. 500. years agoe are not ſo proper for theſe times, and therefore would make no further uſe of the Pharmatopia then he ſees reaſon of it, but he is of Age and Abilities to anſwer better for himſelfe, for my owne part, I take him to be a rationall man, and of Excellent parts, but in Phiſick I preferre experience before reaſon and Authority, that is if there were but two Phyſitions extant, the one counted an Ignoramus, which yet had cured 1000. men of I…evers, and ſuch dangerous diſeaſes, the other a notable Scholler, and of fluent diſcourſe that never cured 20. of all diſeaſes; I would rather Intruſt my ſelfe with the former; he was a famous Practiſer in Aleppo above 25. yeares ſince, and purchaſed much skill beyond Sea, and of great practiſe and experience, with whom Sir Theodore Mayerne, Doctor Moore have joyned in adviſe, a man Hoſpitable and charitable to the poore, therefore my ſubject leads me to commend him, he gives away as much Phiſick weekly to the poore people, as coſts him 30 or 40. s. and which ſome Appothycaries would ſell it, may be for five times as much; for I know not how it comes to paſſe, there is more gotten by Drugs, Roots, Weeds and Hearbs in this City yrarely, then the Bakers, Brewers, Butchers, and many others get by their ſubſtantiall Commodities, let no man think I write this for my Fee; 'tis the poore mans Caſe that I plead, ſhould he be ſuppreſſed, I profeſſe for any thing I can imagine to the contrary, thouſands of poore people muſt periſh for want of meanes to recover them, for where is there a man that will give his adviſe and Phyſick for nothing as this man conſtantly doth: If any Patient tell him that he is poore and wants money, he takes not a penny from him; nor let any man ſay that it is not uſuall for Councell to print their Clyents Cauſes; for my part I know no hurt in it, but ſo far as it concerns the poore this hard yeare, I would not gladly omit any thing for their advantage; extraordinary diſeaſes muſt have extraordinary cures, for my owne part, If I thought or credibly heard that the man did practiſe upon mens bodies, and abuſe poore people; I would be the firſt that ſhould him, and pluck his fleſh in peeces, but ſo long as that man does good in his practiſe, every honeſt man ſhould take his part; for why ſhould not that be judged a good Tree that brings forth (not yearely but daily) good fruit, his caſe ſtands thus, The Colledge Doctors have obtained a Judgement of 115. l. againſt him, and by the Law a writ of Error lyes before rhe Right Honourable the Lords in Parliament, but the King being concerned in it; the courſe was to procure his Majeſtyes hand for the writ of Error; and it hath pleaſed their Good Lordſhips for a ſupply thereof as Aequavalent thereunto in Judgement of Law to grant an Order for a writ of Error; which is now obtained, beſides he ſtands Indicted by the name of VVilliam Trigg Shoo maker, al…as VVilliam Trigg Heele maker, alias VVilliam Trigg Laſt maker, alias VVilliam Trigg Gent. and one ſayes hee will take a Courſe with him for his ſhort Cures, another ſayes this Trigg workes by the Devill or elſe he could never do ſuch cures, and there are ſo many Actions againſt him, and ſuch deſignes to ruine him, that I feare whether there be not ſome Ingredient of malice or tincture of Emulation in the violent proſecution of it? for though it be well knowne that the worthy Preſident of the Colledge, and many of the Doctors are Godly judicious and Learned men [for which I honour and highly eſteeme them] yet whether the Proſecutors doe really, ſinceerely, and entirely ayme at the health and welfare of poore people,Mr. Dr. Clarke. in putting him downe from practiſe as is pretended; ſeemes to me very queſtionable; for I conceive a greater diſpleaſure and prejudice cannot be done to the poore people of this City then by his ſuppreſſion. But though, by one Statute. He may be greived I hope by another Statute, he will be releeved; [for truly when a Clyent has an honeſt juſt cauſe and delights in doing good we ought to lay his ſufferings to heart as if it were in our owne Caſes) The Statute of 34. H. 8. is to this effect; That it is well knowne that ſome will doe no cure to any perſon, but where they are ſure to be rewarded with a greater ſumme or reward then the Cure extendeth unto,34. H. 88. for in Caſe they would miniſter their cunning to poore people unrewarded, there ſhould not ſo many rot and periſh to death for lack of Surgery as daily doe, for though the moſt part have ſmall Cunning, yet they will take great ſummes of money, and do little therefore, and by reaſon thereof doe often Impaire and hurt their Patients rather then do them good, Therefore for eaſe, comfort, ſuccour, help releife, and health of the Kings poore Subjects, that ſhall be pained or diſeaſed, be it ordained and enacted, that every perſon having knowledge and experience of the nature of Hearbs, Roots, and Waters, or of the opperation of the ſame by ſpeculation or practiſe, may lawfully practiſe Surgerie, or Adminiſter any Drinks for the Stone, Strangerie, or Agues, which by a former Statute they were prohibited to do by certaine perſons whom this Statute brands with a noat of Infamy that they minded only their owne Lucres, and nothing the profit or eaſe of the diſeaſed, or Patient, therefore ſued, troubled, and vexed divers honeſt perſons, whom God had endued with the knowledge of the nature, kind, and opperation of Hearbs, Rootes, and Waters; I ſhall not make any application, but hope that the Learned Doctors will upon mature conſultation, ſurceaſe all further proſecution againſt my Clyent, and either undertake the care, and charge of all ſick poore people in and about this City, or elſe quietly permit and ſuffer others to practiſe, who as leſſer lights may doe much good in their ſtations and places to poore People; though they be not ſuch good Linguiſts and great Schollars as themſelves; for certainely it was never the intent of any Engliſh Parliamentary Worthies to puniſh any man for doing good to the poore.
And here I would make but ſome few quaeries.
1. What ſhall I poore people do in time of great mortality and ſicknes when moſt of the Colledge Doctors having houſes in the Countrey have left the Citty as in the late great ſickneſſe, if none may be permitted to Practiſe but themſelves, for it pleaſes God that the Plague moſt commonly inflicts and viſits the poorer ſort of people ſuch as live in Cloſe Allyes, and out places of the City.
2. The Doctors not making their owne Medicines, but ſending poore people to the Apothycaryes, where no penny, no Pater Noſter, no money, no Medicine, [though I ſpeak not againſt the profeſſion, every man muſt live by his Trade; I beleeve many of them to be very honeſt and a moſt neceſſary Profeſſion] and conſequently have no Medicines by them, for the ſpeedy releife of the poore, whether in probability thoſe that compound their owne Medicines, are not more Charitable and helpfull to poore people then ſuch as keep no Medicines by them, it being ſeldome ſeene that he that buyeth all his meat at the Cookes, ſerves many Beggars at the Dore.
3. Whether it be for the health and welfare of this Kingdome which is the ſupreame Law that the Doctors Recepts and Art of Phyſick ſhould be practiſed in ſuch an unknowne tongue, that no man knowes what he buyes, or what he payes for it being wholly upon the Doctors and Appothycaries Conſciences, what name and price they pleaſe to give the Phyſick, ſo that at the beſt it is but a Pig in a Poak as we ſay proverbially, contrary to the practiſe of all other Callings where every man knowes what he buyes, and if they pleaſed, they might as well ſet down in plaine Engliſh words what they preſcribe, and what they pay for.
Laſtly, what ſhall we think of denying to teach ordinary Medicines to poore people, as good Drinks and Poſſits made of Hearbs, whereby the end for which God made Medicinable H…arbs and Roots is fruſtrated and made void, and the Common knowne uſe of Hearbs growne out of uſe and knowledge of poore people in this Kingdome, ſpecially in this City of London, which if we knew how to make uſe of Gods good Creatures, we might prevent many diſeaſes, and maintaine our ſelves in bodily health and ſtrength, much better then now we doe, ſpecially in ſuch places where there are neither Phyſitians nor Appothicaries.
12. But that I may be juſt and impartiall, let me ſpeak a word to my owne Profeſſion; I would humbly beſeech the Reverend Judges before they condemne any man for ſtealing a Horſe, a Cow, or a Sheep, from him that has 100. or 1000. that they inquire whether the Priſoner was not neceſſitated to do it, to buy bread for his family, or for milk or Clo…ths, for his poore Wife and Children? or whether it were poſſible for him, by his beſt Induſtry and labour to keep himſelfe alive, and familie, without ſtealing; for if ſo, then hee's a preſumptious theefe, that ſteales not for want, but for wantonneſſe, and by the Law of the Land, the Gallowes is his juſt guerdon, but if the man be extreamely neceſſitated, and cannot live without a miracle, then that he may not ſuffer but be put into ſuch away and condition, that if he will take paines he might live, and then if he ſteale any more, he is to be proceeded againſt as Incorrigible, this is a ſweet temper, both of Iuſtice and mercy, thoſe that have acquired Honours, and great Eſtates by the Law, ſhould be an Honour to the Law; which cannot better ſhew it ſelfe then by diſpatching poore mens Cauſes firſt, and ſpeedy executing all Lawes and Statutes, which give any proviſionall releefe to the poore, in point of penalty; and as I do earneſtly intreat every man that has the ſubſtance of this world, and ſee's his brother to be in want; not to ſhoot his bowells of Compaſſion, but to releeve his neceſſities, or elſe the love of God cannot abide in him, ſo in a more eſpeciall manner, I would intreat all that have got any conſiderable Eſtates, by the Law; to adorne their Profeſſions this deere Yeare, by their good works; for my part I ſhall count him the Flower, Ornament, and Garland of his profeſſion, that ſhall moſt advantage the poore mans Cauſe, both by his Pen, by his Tongue, and by his Purſe, and the rather for that, I think the great Practiſers get much monie as eaſilie as any men do in the Kingdome, but my deſigne is, that every 10th. Fee, ſhould be given to the poore; I find in ſome of our Hyſtorians, that in times of Popery, the Prieſts challenged every tenth Fee, as a perſonall Tith, and ſince ſome have continued the payment of it, and when men went to Confeſſion they durſt not deceive the Prieſt, nor give him a light peece of Gold, and not long ſince it was attempted to make us pay perſonall Tithes.
I wiſh all men were more fearefull to diſpleaſe God, then the Papiſts are to offend their ſpirituall Fathers, (which have no Wives but many Children;) In France the Advocates have a Palmary Fee in token of Victorie after the Judgement pronounced for their Client, and that is given to the poore; All Fees which have been taken from the poore men that could not ſpare them, ought in reaſon to be reſtored and no more to be taken, and certainly reaſon is the root of our profeſſion, and whatſoever is againſt the Law of true reaſon, let it be diſclaimed by all Ingenious men.
My learned Maſters, and all yee that live by the Law, whom I may without preſumption call Brothers; I have a word concerns us all, pray marke it well, the Kingdome is drawing up an Impeachment againſt us, for the Errors and corruptions that are in the Law and Lawyers, every man complaines of the horrible delaies in matters of Iuſtice, that we, have an Action to our Clients purſes, and ſpin out Cauſes to an unreaſonable length, as Covetous Surgeons keep the wounds raw for their owne profit, that there is ſo much expence of Coine, and time, that the remidie is worſe then the diſeaſe, that a man had better looſe his right, then go to Law for it, and that deles in Courts of Iuſtice are the greateſt Nuſance, and grievance to this Kingdome: They think it the greateſt miſterie in the world that a man cannot get a Cauſs ended in two or three yeares, and yet Iuſtice not delayed; that a man muſt ſpend above 10. l. to recover 5. l. and yet Juſtice not ſold; they think Magna Carta is extremely violated, you may pleaſe to remember what occaſioned me to write our Vindication ſo far forth as Scripture and reaſon would plead for us, and if we be caſt at either of theſe Barres, I am ſure no Court of Equity can releive us; and now I ſuppoſe you have met with the Lawyers bane, written by … Nicholſon who falls upon us with a Scriptury weapon. VVoe unto you Lawyers, for yee load men with burdens greivious to be borne, and yee your ſelves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers; Truly though the man diſcover a weak Iudgement, yet he manifeſts ſtrong affections to the publick, for all this ſmoak is not without ſome fire; he that knowes any thing in politiques may eaſily foreſee that there is a great ſtorme ariſing in this Kingdome againſt us; now what muſt we do to prevent it, the only way is to keep cloſe to the principles of right reaſon, and we are out of Gun-ſhot to diſpatch poore mens Cauſes, gratis this hard yeare; In doubtfull matters let us diſſwade our Clyents from going to Law, and tell them the danger of it, adviſing them to doe, as they would be done unto; let us contend earneſtly for the truth, more then for victorie; and ſo ſoone as we diſcover the injuſtice of the Cauſe, let us leave it, and adviſe our Clyents to make their peace, never ſpeaking any thing but what we beleeve to be true, if they tell us they have no money, let us do their buſineſſe for thanks; and I warrant you we are Parliament proofe, and Kingdome proofe, the people will quickly find the uſefullneſſe of us; and an honeſt Lawyer will be a neceſſary member in a Kingdome, for the wiſdome of the Common Law is highly to be admired and honored of all underſtending men (without ſome Competent underſtanding wherein no man can poſſibly be a Polititianiſt, being the beſt Iudge, and Arbiter of life and death and all things that are for the maintenance thereof, but if we make the diſquiet and trouble of poore people, the baſis, and fuondation of our Grandor and Renowne, beleeve it, the Kingdome will be as wearie of us, as ever they were of the Biſhops, or any Arbitrary Court, In a word (for I know your Iudgements are ſo mature you love not many, that which can only prevent the ruine of our profeſſion, is, That the Reverend Iudges, Learned Lawyers, and experienced Officers and Clarkes of all Courts ſpeedily conſult and agree together to propound ſome proper expedient to the High Court of Parliament, f…r cheap and ſummary Iuſtice, throughout the Kingdome; for the beſt policie is to prevent an accuſation; better the Fees of ſome Courts ſhould be reduced, and regulated, then the Court it ſelfe to be ſuppreſſed; It were better for the 6. Clarkes that poore men might pay but 4. d. a ſheet, then 8. d. for moderate gainns laſt long, we ſee the moderate eſtates of Widdowes laſt longer and prove better, then ſome vaſt ſuperfluous Eſtates, which make them but a prey for ſome young Gallant; what a ſhame is it that Irregularities and obſtructions in the Adminiſtration of publique Iuſtice ſhould not be diſcovered (and preſented to the higheſt Court for ſpeedy redreſſe) by the Profeſſors of the Law, who ſhould ſtand as Sentinells for the ſecurity of mens perſons and Eſtates, to diſcover the leaſt approaching danger, and all delayes or rubs in Iuſtice, but that the Army ſhould be inforced to make it one of their propoſalls for the Kingdomes good; And you my worthy Maſters that under your good favours are ſo many Ingroſſers of all the Practiſe within the Statutes of pluralities and Ingroſment of Corne, and Cattell (for the reaſon of all ſuch Statutes, is, that one man may live by another, that one ſhould not feaſt, and another faſt:) The Harveſt of great Cauſes, (much good may it do you) Is yours, we are content to gleane after you, with a motion now and then, which comming like Summer fruits, ſhould not be rejected for variety ſake, pray let us be heard when we have any thing to ſay, I profes it is an intollerable injury that you daily offer to young Practiſers, and heavier then the ſhoulders of rationall men can long beare 10. or 20. of you to move every morning before or after the cauſes, and there is no time for us, [though one of your motions ſpends more time then ſix of ours] to be heard; If the Cuſtome of the Court were as auncient as Adams time, yet reaſon muſt be preferred before it; I aſſure you, there is all the policy and ſelfe love in it, as you can imagine to let us be heard when we have any thing to move for, if the practiſe be do not not diſtributed into more hands, that every man may live by his profeſſion; if you fal by your own waite; I dare burn my Books, King James ſaid it was a great cheat put upon the Kingdome, for Gentlemen to maintaine their Sons at the Inns of Court at a great rate: And being called to the Barre, may expect 7.10. or it may be 20. yeares before they be known in a Court of Juſtice, or can be heard to move above twice or thrice in a Tearme, which will not quit the coſt, nor pay for Commons; And by this means the Subject ſpends at leaſt 50. or 100000. l. a yeare in ſuperfluities, for if the Tearmers, and ſuch Counſell as draw Bills and Anſwers, and adviſe in the Countrie, might be heard at the Barre as often as the Cauſe required, then would not many of the great Practiſers be retayned, untill the hearing of the Cauſe, or upon ſome ſpeciall difficulty, but now the Clyent is inforced to have one Counſell in the Countrey, in the Vacation, and another in the Tearm to this double Charge, or elſe may chance to attend all the Tearm before his Counſell can he heard, to his farre greater expences, whereby the Honourable Courts of Iuſtice, come to be diſhonoured and hardly thought of.
And here I meet with my deare freind vertuous Mr. Hugh Peters who for his Active ſerviceableneſſe to the publique deſerves much from all honeſt Men. In his three words, I find much marrow and ſweetneſſe,Mercurius Evangelitus virtus in fictione conſiſtt. and an excellent ſperit tending to Vnity, between all honeſt men, and that which I heare hath given much ſatisfaction to all ſober men in the City, and cured many diſcontents and diſtempers who now ſee their Error, and perceive that they were violently plucking a ruinous houſe upon their owne heads, and peſting into a poſture of ſlavery, whereas now by Gods bleſſing upon our noble Worthies in Parliament and Army, they are likely to be in true eſteeme, the moſt glorious Citizens in all the world; and therefore I thank him for ſaving me that labour, having compiled a Students mite which I intended humbly to preſent by the name of LONDONS HAPPINES, or Counſell given without a Fee to the Right Honorable the Lord Major, the Right Worſhipfull the Sherifes, and Aldermen, the worthy Common Counſell men, the honeſt Common Hall, the hopefull Apprentices, and every Free-man of that famous Incorporation, which ſhall not now be caſt into the Treaſury, nor the Preſſe oppreſſed with it; I muſt needs, unles I will betray my owne Judgement acknowledge it to be a moſt rationall peece, and many of his Cures, welbecoming the great Phyſitians of ſtate,Magnum in parvo. and I hope the reaſons will be weighed in the juſt ballance of their moſt ſublime wiſdome; and what an Angellicall Ordinance would it be that honeſt men ſhould never fall out, or at leaſt that there might be fre ndmakers in every Pariſh for matters of ſmall concernment, that trench not upon mens inheritances and utter undoings, and I would have this Golden ſentence written in Capitall Letters over Weſtminſter Doores, QVICK JVSTICE MAKES A QVIET KINGDOME. But Truth is my neareſt freind, therefore good Sir, I muſt be bold to take exceptions, and that without any violation of the divine injunction, of telling my Brother in private for a printed objection requires a printed Anſwer) to part of your 10th. cure, where your words are I would ſay the &c.
I take your matter to be erroneous, for multitude of Lawyers, is not ſo much an Argument of the ſlavery, as the wealth of a Kingdome; I confeſſe it is a ſad thing, that after 80. yeares preaching the Goſpell of peace; there ſhould be ſo many Suits in Law, but Rich men wil be at variance, & who can help it, I wiſh poor men that are not worth above 2. or 300. l. might not either be permitted to wage Law, or to have Juſtice without paying any thing for it, and I wiſh from my ſoule, that this Kingdome were in ſuch a Goſpell frame, that there were nothing for us to do, but to ſettle mens Eſtates, it being better to get one Fee to prevent differences and juſt quarrells, then 20. Incontentious wranglings; but as matters ſtand, call us what you pleaſe, neceſſary evills, we are as neceſſary in a Kingdome, as Women more neceſſary in a Kingdome, then Miniſters or Phyſitians which are but for the well being of a State, Kingdome, and Common-wealths have and may ſubſiſt without them, but Juſtice is as neceſſary as the Sun in the Firmament; ſuſpend the Lawes but one day, and the Kingdome is undone, no man but has ſome Enemy that will kill him, and ſo long as the Law is neceſſary, there muſt be Lawyers to contend for the Clyents right, untill the cure be perfected, that men can plead their owne Cauſes which I ſhould much rejoyce to ſee, for the end of the profeſſion of the Law which is peace, and of the profeſſors ought to be the ſame, but if I were convinced that my wearing of a Gown at Weſtminſter, were any mark of, or tended to continue, or countenance the ſlavery of this Nation in the leaſt meaſure, I would hang it up in Long-Lane, and burne all my Books but the Bible, which poſſibly ſome out of a ſtrong zeale and weak Iudgement would have us to doe;Acts 19.19. like thoſe curious Artiſts in the 19th. of the Acts; that burnt their Conjuring Books, though I know Mr. Peters is no enemy to learning, I wiſh the Law being peoples guid and rule to walk by, were more plaine and eaſie, and in our Engliſh Toung that the Normans might not underſtand them ſooner then wee.
But I am for a Reformation in Courts of Juſtice, and not an exterpation, it muſt never come to Root and branch in point of Civill Government; this I had not added but for pure neceſſity for I muſt either quit the profeſſion or Anſwer every objection that is made againſt it, though by my deare Father, and at laſt I hope truth will get ground of Errors.
For my owne part if any poore man want any aſſiſtance, I ſhall freely give him my beſt adviſe as cordially without a Fee as with it.
And now I might conclude, having kept my promiſe, but being willing to give the poore all poſſible advantage as I hope the Bakers will in every dozen, one Loafe more then ordinary; I ſhall adviſe all honeſt poore men, without a Fee, and that is to ſtudy Chriſt and good Husbandry, more then ever; truly ti's a deere yeare, poore hearts, you muſt be content to pinch, it wi…l not looſe many words to tell you what inventions the Italians and the good Husbands at Naples had in a deere yeare, to ſave charges, they were called the Company of Leſinants, intruth rich Marchants, but what was vituperable in them, may be commendable in you, their Motto was, be ſober and frugall, and their principalls ſuch as theſe, never to to take any Phyſick in hopes to recover by faſting, becauſe every purge weakens the body, as waſhing does Linnen, to weare but one Glove at a time,Sobrius eſto parſimonia magnum Vectigal. and that being loſt, another may be had for little, to eat roſt meat but once a yeare, not to break bread too ſmall, for it crumbles away, tread nimbly to ſave Shooe-Leather, to put 3. or 4. Soales on their ſhooes for duration, to warme themſelves in the Sun, never to ſend their Servants far in a morning for feare of getting too good a ſtomack, nor to entertaine Cholerick ſervants, for they are alwayes hungery, but flegmatick that eat little, and to take little Prentices, that ſpend leſſe in Cloathes, and Bedding, not to trouble themſelves too much when a freind comes unexpectedly to ſee them; for if he be a freind he will be content with ſuch ae he finds, if an Enemy ti's too good for him, to make a new Garment of two old ones, for variety pleaſes, and from ſeverall grafts comes new fruit,Semel in anno ridit Appollo, vis unita fortier Sol et bomo generant heminem. alwayes keep an empty Paſty covered upon the Table, to offer a ſtranger, which if it be accepted, a freind will conceale it, and he that wiſhes you ill, will not be beleeved, when your ſervant goes to draw th… beſt drink, make him ſing all the while, that ſo he may have no time to drink, ſometimes an Egge muſt dine a whole family, the Maſter and Miſtris to have the Yelk, the Children the white, and the Servants the ſhell in powder with Vinegar, ſpend alwayes pigmey Candells for they leaſt hurt the ſight, and make a little hole in thy Neigbours wall to ſee by his Candell to go to Bed, never be without fingle money, for that's a good groat that ſaves a 6. d. take heed when thou art at a Feaſt, for Phiſick may coſt more then three meales are worth, with two Faggots in a winter to be continually hot, throw them out at thy Chamber Window into the back yeard, and run downe in thy old ſhooes, and bring them up againe, and out with them againe till thou be hot, one had a great Iugge with a narrow mouth, whereinto he put a ſpong, and goes to an Oyle ſhop for ſeven or eight pound of Oyle, which being fill'd, he offers counterfeit money, which the Shopkeeper refuſes, I have no other ſayes hee, then reſtore my Oyle ſayes the other, which he powers out, but leaves a pound or more in the ſponge, one diveliſh principall is, to receive many curteſies, and then ſpeak ill of the party, and ſo he is requited, drink but thrice at a meale, for need, for pleaſure, and for ſleep, that the hand is the Inſtrument of Inſtruments, which ſerves for a Glaſſe, the fingers for a knife, the nailes for a Combe, and the palme for a hankercheife, if a freind come in dinner time, tell him, oh Sir, if you had come a little ſooner, you had been moſt welcome to a Capon, and to make it good there are ſome Feathers in the roome, and one braggadochio having eaten an Egge, ſome of it ſtuck upon his Beard, who uſed the ſame Complement; I belveeve it Sir ſayes hee, for ſome of the Feathers ſtick upon your Muſtachoes, lend a poore man money at firſt, but never take it againe, though he offer it, for that is but a trap to borrow more, Prentices not to count the clock when it ſtrikes a 11 or 12. for it looſes too much time, therefore the Duke of Florences Secretary was commended for an invention that the Clock ſhould never ſtrike more then ſix, his Maſter having Exciſe for every ſuit of Cloathes that was made, the Taylors loſt time in counting the ſtroake…; and ſtriking but to 6. made one ſuit more in a monethmonth then before, and ti's an Irrevocable Inſtitution, to cut their hayre at the decreaſe of …he Moone, for that ſaves charges to the Barber, in that it will not grow ſo faſt, when one is cold and dry, drink Vinegar and water, to quench thirſt, heat the body, and ſo ſave …ire, a Campſtrial wild Salat is beſt, becauſe it conſiſts of pure naturalls, and in a Salat put good ſtore of Salt, and Vinegar, but little Oyle, and if there be any Vineger left, keep it till the next time.
Neceſſitas docuit Pſiticum ſuum foreignNeceſſity was at firſt the mother of all inventions, and hunger taught the Parrat to ſpeak, but we have now too many Cormorants, that are of the Company of the Leſinants, and not all vertuous, becauſe we follow extreames too much, one man is too prodigall, his mouth like a Sepulcher, his throat like a hot Oven, that conſumes all; the Drunkard and intemperat perſon, an other is ſo extreamly penurious, that he will not afford himſelfe food, and rayment, according to his quality, and betweene theſe two M…llſtones, the poore labouring man is ſqueeſed to death, when I perceived that the greater part of the Jtalian and Spaniſh Gentry ſtudied nothing ſo much as Parſimonie, and frugality to make a little, go farr, ſeeing a Neapolitan Cavalier, marching out of his Palace in State, in a morning with his basket on his riſt, pretending that hee was going to buy fleſh, and fiſh, obſerving him firſt to go into the Hearb market, and lay the foundation and ballaſt of his Veſſell in roots, and hearbs, and comming by the butchery, it may be buyes a pound of Fleſh, and ſmells to the Capons, Feaſants, and beco…ſich poſſibly may buy a Leg or a wing, but fills it up with a peniworth of figs, and returnes with as much gracae, and ſtate, as if he had conquered a City. I inquired a little into the reaſon of it, and found it to be for neceſſity, let me expreſſe it thus, men that travile to inrich their minds are not ſo exact and curious to behold the ſtately Architectures, pleaſant Gardens, artificiall paintures, and contrivances, which are but the inanimate parts of travaile, but to ſtudy the conſtitution, and frame of the government, and thereby to gueſſe at the happines or unhappines of that ſtate or Kingdome, in point of duration, and he that hath but halfe an eye in reaſon of ſtate may eaſily foreſee that Rome is now like a Candell, blazing a little before the extinguiſhment, the whore is ſo proud, that ſhe has no more Trinkets to put on and a fatall blow, ſhe will have ſuddainly, therefore it conc…rns all Proreſtants to agree, though of different judgements, and prepare to fight with her, for the Pope will have an Army of 60. or. 70. thouſand luſty Monks, that at laſt Pinch ſhall ſight for him the great battell neare unto Rome, without the City, upon Peters Patrimony, which one way is reconed 1600. furlongs, being 200. miles, and thoſe luſtfull Monſters will ble…d hy a P…oteſtant Army, commanded by ſaints,Rev. 14.20 ſuch as are holy, faithfull, and choſen; And as eaſily foreſee, that the Spaniard did ſo univerſally …ax and oppreſſe the Neopolitans, that they muſt of neceſſity take up Armes to redeem… their juſt liberties, which fire is new kindled, and will not be quenched till the Spaniard be driven out of that Kingdome, a patterne to all Princes to yeeld to the juſt int eaties of their Subjects, before it be too late, for the Neopolitans ſaid long ſince that the voice Roy, and the Church took above halfe their Eſtates from them, but if hee did not give over taxing, they would give over paying, a juſt Guerdon for all cruell Princes, and ſuch as act by Tyrannicall principles, of taxing the people ſo exceſsively, that having work inough to do to live and maintaine a being, they may never think of a well being, and that it is a great favour that they enjoy their lives, and keep out of priſons, as if it were a great Favour for a Theefe that ſteales a Gooſe, to leave ſome Feathers behind him; I find ſubjects in many places beyond Sea, are faine to make a vertue of neceſsity, being like thoſe that ſaile between Scilla and Caribdis in danger to be ſpilt upon one of thoſe Rocks, which are immoderate taxations, and maintenance of many Thouſand Monks an unprofitable Generation of Abby Lubbers that eat up the very fat and Creame of the Kingdome, that the Bees muſt work to maintain ſuch droanes is a moſt abominable thing, to make poore people give their goods to preiſts, Monaſtries, and Nunneries, (for they dare do no otherwiſe for feare of damnation) 4. 5. or 600. of the Divells Miniſters to be maintained in ſome one convent; and have often in my thoughts reſembled them to the Drunkards, Gluttons, and Prodigalls of this Kingdome, that ſpend that in Luxurie, Rioting, Surfeiting, and exceſſe, which would make poore people leap for joy, and the other extremity in this Kingdome, is the cruelty and miſerable baſeneſſe, and nigardlineſſe of many Avaritions, evill minded men, that get the poore into their Dens, and grind their very backs and belly, baſe earth-wormes, that count gaine, godlineſſe, that care not what become of the poore, ſo as they may fill the other Bagge, or buy the other purchaſe, that will hold with the hound, and run with the Hare, and be of any opinion to get money, they laugh who ever cryes, and get money which ſide ſoever prevailes, theſe are the Myſticall Wolves and Monks that deſtroy poore Engliſh Lambs, and theſe men I count to be the Generation of Leſinants, that love none but ſuch miſerable Huckſters, and Ingroſſers as themſelves, they will be ſure to help one another; abuſing Scripture, that to him that hath ſhall be given, and he that hath little ſhall have leſſe, an old Vſurer of the Fraternity, making his will, the Counſell finding him inclined to give all his Eſtate to a rich Nephew, that had no Iſſue, knowing that he had many poore kindred, intreated him to be mindfull of his owne fleſh and blood that were neerer allied unto him, then that rich Coſen, no ſayes hee, I muſt doe as I was do… unto, my Eſtate came unto me by fortune, and good luck, in barganing, and this Coſen is a fortunate man, I muſt favour them whom fortune favours, Concell replyed he ha's no child to leave it unto, and is old, what would you have him to do with it; ſayes hee, let him find out ſome rich man to make his heyre that will improve it; but what ſhall become then of the poore ſayes hee? ſayes the old Vſurer (that was going I will not ſay whither, but I can never advance Gods mercy, nor free grace more then when I think of a Pope, and a byting VSVRER) VVhat doe you tell mee of the poore, I never cared for a poore man in my life, Conſcience ſometimes ſpeakes out, there is not a greater Antipathie betweene a Spaniard and a French-man, or the Hound and the Hare, then between a rich miſerable, greedy Cormorant, and a poor man; ſuch cruell natures are no more moved with the cry of a poore man, who tells them he is ready to be ſtarved, then the Rocks are moved by the waters, you ſhall ſee him flee from a poore man, as if he had the plague, as if poverty were infectious. Like the old Churle that came twice a yeare for his Rent, an Old woman pray'd him for a Penny, away you Old Witch ſayes he, I come to receive money, not to give.
If a poore man petitions him, Oh, times are ſtraite, he has no money,Stulte hac nocte is the miſers caſe. if a rich man deſire 2. 3. 4. or 5000. l. he ſhall have all poſſible aſſiſtance to helpe him to it, ſpeake aloud, thou covetous wretch hadſt not rather lend a rich man (that has no need of money then the ſea has of waters unles it bee for the other purchaſe) 1000. l. then a poor man 10. l. to buy bread for his family, and darſt thou profes thy ſelfe to be a Chriſtian, before thou art a Morrall Man.
The Lord make our Nobles, and Worthies in Parliament, (thoſe that be truly Noble) whoſe Veines are full of Generous bloud, that are mercifull to the poor, and contribute liberally to their Neceſſities, that hate this abominable project of covetouſneſſe and oppreſſion, worſe 10000. times to the poor then that of Ship-money or Braſſe money) wiſe as Angels of light, to diſcover theſe bloody wolves, and crafty Foxes, which are yet many of them in Sheepe-skins, not uncaſed, but hug themſelves, in the contemplation of their riches; and being found out to be diveſted and denuded of all publique Imployment in the Kingdome, it being moſt unfit that they ſhould be honored by the Kingdome who are the greateſt reproach and diſhonor of it, though I rather pity, then envy them, there caſe is, Thou foole this night &c. ſome of them which have compounded, and quietly enjoy their eſtates; ah, what a ſad thing is it to think, that poore men ſhould pay their Compoſitions; now poor Tennants, and others are arreſted, by ſcores for Old Debts, ands Rents upon extremities, when they could keepe no Cattell in the grounds, for feare of plundring, but ſaies the Old miſer, I muſt pay many thouſand pounds to the Parliament, and muſt get it up again; I profes it melt's my very heart to think upon it, how happy a thing had it been, if Old Vſurers and griping Landlords, which have been Delinquents had been Ordered upon their compoſitions, to have releaſed and diſcharged all poor men, which were not able to pay them, at leaſt to have provided that they ſhould not preſently caſt ſuch poore wretches impriſon, ſpecially If a poor man have been well affected to the Parliament, and ſtands any wayes ingaged to a Compounder, oh, ſayes he Il'e be ſure to be revenged on that Round head, juſt like the Devill, that becauſe he cannot hurt the Divine Majeſty, he vents his malice againſt Gods people, becauſe the Parliament is out of his reach. Therefore the poore man that honors, and prayes for them, ſhall be ſure to feele the ſmart of his diſpleaſure how Cordial will poor mens obedience be, to the ſupreame Juſtice of the Kingdome, and every other Court, when they ſee that their miſer…le condition is taken into their ſpeedy and moſt ſerious conſultation tell not me, the Kingdome is not yet ſetled to make proviſion for all poore people that none be famiſhed, is the firſt ſtep to the happines and proſperity of this Kingdome. And the firſt thing to be done in right reaſon.
Neither can the King, Parliament, nor any ſubject be truly happy without this, he that can feaſt when his Neighbours want bread, is rather a De ill then a man, he is no Politician that ſayes there is any thing of ſuch abſolute neceſſity, as to provide bread for the poore, without this we are undone, King, Lords, Commons, Army, Aſſem-City, Country, Miniſters, People, all undone every Mothers Child of us will be undone, for if the poore be famiſhed to Death, God will never bleſſe the rich in this Kingdome, but I am confident God will bleſſe this nation, and therefore the poore ſhall one way or other bee provi…ed for, I hope the worke of reformation will be glorious in this Kingdome, it is now in the hands of the noble reformers, and refiners, and when the reformers are vertuous and religious men; all the Divills and their ſollicitors cannot hinder a bleſſed reformation, the ſword is the moſt uſefull ſervant, that Lady juſtice hath, without which never was the yoake of oppreſsion broken in any Kingdome, and where the noble ſenators, Gowne men and ſword men, are good men, I meane mercifull men, for that expreſsion in Scripture, that for a good man paradventure one may dye, is ment, a charitable man that ſayes what is mine is thine, not the righteous man that ſayes what is mine is mine, and what is thine is thine, much leſſe the covetous miſer that ſayes what is thine is mine, and what is mine is my owne, good Chriſtians & eminent for cheap and ſpeedy juſtice, that Reformation muſt needes be glorious; In confidence whereof I ſhal humble aquieſce, beſeeching God to bleſſe and proſper his owne workes (for hitherto he hath done all) in the hands and indeavours of thoſe Noble truſtees, that every owne in this Kingdome may have his due, and thoſe that have inſtrumentally ſaved the Kingdome, eſteemed as elder brothers, with a double portion; and every poore Man, Woman. and Child, to have bread and cloathes to preſerve them from hunger, and ſterving, in this deare yeare whereof there was never ſo much danger, which God grant; no period — better then prayer, therefore here I caſt Anchor▪ and ſubſcribe my ſelfe my ſelfe:
The honeſt poormans faithfull ſervant IOHN COOKE.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Cook, The Poor Mans Case (1648)