The Poor Mans Case, Title page – Table of contents
Ʋnum Neceſſarium: OR, The Poore Mans Caſe: BEING An Expedient to make Proviſion for all poore People in the Kingdome.
Humbly preſented to the higher Powers: Begging ſome Angelicall Ordinance, for the ſpeedy abating of the priſes of Corne, without which, the ruine of many thouſands (in humane judgment) is inevitable.
In all humility propounding, that the readieſt way is a ſuppreſſion or regulation of Innes and Ale-houſes, where halfe the Barley is waſted in exceſſe: Proving them by Law to be all in a Praemunire, and the grand concernment, that none which have been notoriouſly diſaffected, and enemies to common honeſty and civility, ſhould ſell any Wine, ſtrong Ale, or Beere, but others to be licenſed by a Committee in every County, upon recommendation of the Miniſter, and ſuch of the Inhabitants in every Pariſh, where need requires, that have been faithfull to the Publike.
Wherein there is a Hue-and-Cry againſt Drunkards, as the moſt dangerous Antinomians: And againſt Ingroſſers, to make a dearth, and cruell Miſers, which are the Caterpillars and Bane of this Kingdome.
By John Cooke, of Graies Inne, Barreſter.
Prov. 11.26. He that withholdeth corne, the people ſhall curſe him, but bleſsing ſhall be upon the head of him that ſelleth it.
LONDON, Printed for Matthew Walbancke at Grayes Inne Gate. 1648.
The Matters briefly touched are,
1 THat God ſuffers ſome to be poore, that rich men may have occaſion to do good.
2 That it is lawfull to hoard up corne to prevent a dearth, but not to make it.
3 Ingroſſers of Corne to make a dearth, ſeldome die unpuniſhed.
4 That it is treaſon againſt the Kingdome; and the Ingroſſer to be puniſhed as a Patricide.
5 The ſcarcity of corne is ſuch, that it is better to reſtraine maulting, then inforce men to ſell at a reaſonable rate.
6 Yet we need not fear a dearth, but for the hardneſſe of ſome mens hearts, and intemperance of others.
7 Ale-houſes the great Nuſance to poore people, like ſtubborn children, are grown almoſt maſterleſſe.
8 What puniſhment a Drunkard deſerves this deer yeare; and that the Statutes ought to be ſtrictly executed againſt Vintners and Victuallers, which permit exceſſive drinking.
9 How Mault would make good Engliſh Sack, if Barley were cheape.
10 That the Magiſtrate ought to provide bread for every honeſt poore man; for ſubjection drawes proviſion with it.
11 How things were ſaid to be in common among the Primitive Chriſtians
12 To hold a community is a proditorious poſition; and to drive at a parity, is a ſenſleſſe opinion.
13 What are the true cauſes of all contracts.
14 That charity conſiſts as much in lending and ſelling to the poor at a moderate price, as in giving.
15 In what ſenſe a famine may be ſaid to follow the ſword.
16 A ſad conſideration, that Proteſtants are greater Drinkers then Papiſts; yet not ſo libidinous; and Germane Drunkards chaſter then others.
17 Why the Hollanders call ſtrong beere great Pharoah, middle beere little Pharoah, and ſmall beere Iſrael.
18 The ſeverall ends of meat and drink, and the commendations of bread above all other things edible.
19 Better Beef ſhould be at ten ſhillings a ſtone, then Barley at ten ſhillings a buſhell.
20 In bargaining the ſmalleſt beer ever beſt for honeſt men.
21 Penurious cuſtomes, unworthy of Gentlemen, unleſſe the poor be thereby relieved.
22 The curſedneſſe of that Proverb, Every man for himſelfe, and God for us all.
23 That Almes this deere yeare are the beſt Sermon-notes, and he that is not now charitable, cannot be a Chriſtian.
24 The mercifull man does good to himſelfe, and loſes no more, then the Sun by ſhining.
25 That this is a ſpeciall time for rich men to honour the Goſpell.
26 That it is not lawfull to get great eſtates in time of calamities; and whether it be lawfull at any time.
27 No wiſe Chriſtian will deſire more then a competency, for many reaſons.
28 A Law, that no man ſhall gaine above ſo much by any Profeſſion, or Trade, is both Angelicall and politike.
29 That Brewers and Bakers, that have gained well when Corn and Mault was cheap, ought not to increaſe their eſtates this deere yeare.
30 A Caveat to ſuch Cormorants, that reſemble the ancient Jewes, by ingroſſing all; the poor will not be famiſhed, if they can by any meanes prevent it.
31 No man to be poyſon'd or famiſht for the greateſt offence being againſt the Law of Nations.
32 The diſmall cries at Newgate, Ludgate, &c. a great diſhonour to the City.
33 More cruelty in Engliſh priſons, then in all the world.
34 Engliſh poore rather languiſh then live, and Farthings made more beggars then ever they relieved.
Twelve Propoſitions and Intreaties for the Poore.
1 That they may have the Forfeitures of all juſt penall Lawes, as the Statutes of 13. Eliz. 8. 39. Eliz. 18. whereby he that takes leſſe then 8. per cent. forfeits the intereſt onelyonly: the Statutes againſt drinking and tipling, ſwearing and curſing: the Statutes for charitable uſes to be ſpeedily executed, and maintenance for the poore out of Impropriations, by 15. Rich. 2. 6. and 4. H. 4. 12.
2 That poore people that bring a pledge, may pay no intereſt.
3 That all earneſt-money is Gods money, and to be given to the poore.
4 That men of eſtates, who make but one ſet meale a day, would beſtow the other upon the poore.
5 No health-drinkings this deer yeare, indifferent things to be diſuſed for a generall abuſer, concerning the holy kiſſe, and kiſſe of curteſie.
6 All money won at play to be given to the poore.
7 Things loſt and caſually found, and Mines, which are Natures preſents, to come into the poore mans Box.
8 What is unneceſſarily ſpent in mourning, might comfortably relieve the poore.
9 That poore men might have their Griſts Toll-free, and the great abuſe of the devouring Engine of corne, called a boulting Mill.
10 That Miniſters would be hoſpitable, and thunder out Gods judgments againſt all oppreſſion, covetouſneſſe, and delayes of juſtice.
11 That Phyſitians, Chyrurgions and Apothecaries might be aſſigned in forma pauperis, aſwell as Lawyers, Atturneyes, &c.
12 That Lawyers would give every Tenth Fee to the poore. Laſtly, concerning good husbandry, and how to make a vertue of neceſſity.