WHen our Saviour told his Disciples, That they should alwayes have the poor amongst them, they were like­wise recommended to be provided for; and therefore the admini­string unto them of a timely, and a possible relief, is no lesse then a duty, That such persons who have tongues should not only speak comfortable words un­to them; but also that such as have wealth, should be assisting of them; and finally, that such as have ex­perience should not onely think upon expedients in behalf of the Poor, reflecting on the saying, Foenera­tur Domino qui miseretur pauperis: but also endea­vour to bring such results to a head, as may be effe­ctuall, and beneficiall unto them; when as alas! the poverty of many is so excessive, as that it works the same effects on them, which some diseases do on per­sons, who at last cannot so much as tell what they are sick off? nor, can they call for a Physitian: and as this excesse of want doth at last strike up into their brains, so it works on their senses, making them [Page 2] rave and exclaime; yea, sometimes accuse every thing they see, taste, feel and the like; nay, they even misconsture every word which is spoken unto them by their best friends.

Now when as distractions happen in a Country, and amidst a Nation; the Poor and such like necessitous persons are usually the first who suffer by the same; And therefore all well meaning persons, are so much the more bound to apply themselves, to think upon such favourable expedients, as might be effectuall to­wards the relieving of the poore and needy. To speak for them, to consult with what experience hath laid up in store for them; and finally, to represent unto all those who may be in a capacity to reduce the same, into a result: To the end, that the same being tendred unto Authority as then (according to all probability) it may be crowned with desired effects, when as Authority cannot choose but take it well at the propounders hands, who shall have opened unto them the means whereby they may do good; nor can it be imagined that a good meaning in that kinde is like to be mistaken.

In regard whereof, it seems seasonable at present to call upon experience for to tender its opinion on such things as may be effected on this particular; they being no other save such as are grounded on the unquestionable ordinances of God, and on the ma­ximes of all good men: the former whereof, having been manifested unto all Nations that are acquainted with Gods Word, cannot be gainsaid, so likewise can­not those plausible maximes of godly men (who have had a regard unto the Divinc ordinances) be reject­ed, although they are practised by any Nation what­soever, [Page 3] or of any profession soever in Religion; for that a good thing which is done, cannot be termed other wayes, but what it is, although it be wrought by a bad instrument: And therefore it is the part of ex­perience, freely to tender whatsoever is and hath been practised by others to a good end.

Since every thing doth naturally affect its encrease and preservation; That the most rave­nous Vultures and fiercest Tygers, have a love and charitable sense towards those of their own kinde: How much the more ought men, of what birth, con­dition, or profession soever to have a charitable sense for each other; and therefore no distinction in the Tenents of Religion can be a bar for good examples, which are not prohibited, neither by the laws of God nor man; although they might happily be grounded on the practise of any who should differ in a professi­on of Religion. And therefore, it cannot be imper­tinent to mention such, as are in use even among the Papists our Adversaries. Let us therefore but reflect on those courses which they took, when as by the de­structive fury of war, severall parts of their Territo­ries were laid waste, their Cities burnt to ashes, their Shires, Towns, Market-Towns, Boroughs, and Hamblets, so destroyed and overgrown with Trash; as that all the surface of those parts seemed to be a Wildernesse; and that the poor were enforced to be­take themselves to Caves and hollow Trees for shel­ter, there to become fellow inhabitants with Frogs, Toades, and other loathsome reptilesse: Why, even as then? Yea, although they were deeply en­gaged in war, some zealous men of those times re­solved to raise a stock of monyes, not for to disburse [Page 4] it at a clap on the poor and necessitous; for that they would soon have made an end of their severall alot­ments; but to imploy that stock in such an establish­ment as might serve to supply the poore for ever: and the which might be even as a Source and Spring, which produceth a continuall torrent of water, and the which makes that Mill go, whereby the Publicks corn is grownd, and whereby all such as will bestir themselves may be imployed, according to the Dutch saying, viz Help your self, God will help you.

I, but can it be supposed that this being pra­ctised here in England, in a time of war may have the same effects which you seem to hint at?

Why not I pray you? since the same is ex­tant in divers well governed Common-wealths and States, as in Italy, Loraine, the Land of Liege, Brabant, Flanders, Artois, Heynault, and chiefly and most com­pleatly throughout all the jurisdictions of the States Generals United Provinces.

Those I hope are not Papists?

The latter indeed are not; and yet if any Na­tion under the Sunne be found to practise more cha­rity then the former (although perhaps it be in a way about) then am I as yet far to seek in that quality which is supposed by my Title, viz. Experience.

But if the Papists did rely as much on Faith as the Reformed Professors of the Gospel (according to our English Tenents) doe; or that the Reformed professors did so much practice Charity as the Papists doe? why as then, both of them would doubtlesse run either to Pauls here in London, or to Peters in the Vatican? At Rome were both of those Churches ca­pable to contain them all; but to the point:

Go [Page 5] too then: A Neopolitan Cardinal named Aquaviva, (in English, living water) at such time as those Cardi­nals (according to the Etimologie of the word) made good their profession, which was to be a Deacon; and who in time of persecution had a care to provide for the poore among the children of God: the said A­qua-viva, did therefore issue forth his charitable spring at one gush, no lesse then fifty thousand crowns towards the laying of a fundamentall stock, for the relief of the poor, which according unto the value of our English money may be accounted to be fifteen thousand pounds sterling; wherein the said Cardinal was seconded by many other charitable men; and also by a Pope, who took upon himself the title of Pious.

Truly this Nation cannot be taxed of backwardnes in good examples of charitablenesse; as for instance, the several spatious Hospitals, Almes­houses and such buildings, with the vaste reveneues which were thereunto appropriated.

But by your leave, I shall explain my self in a larger extent, then the providing for the lame, the sick, or the old decrepit persons may amount unto; For that charity cannot be confined within the wals of Hospitals or Alms-houses, nor under the gowns of a small number of old men or women. That which at present is requisite, reflects on a more general good; for as it must extend it self to the relief of the very poorest sort of people, so must it be favourable and beneficial to all necessitous persons whatsoever; as also in the behalf of such as endeavour the encrease of Traffique, as well as those who minde the extirpa­tion of intolerable Usury, and the annihilation of the pernitious custome of forfeitures.

It were to be wisht, that in the first place, we had such a spring amongst us here, as it might gush forth such a charitable proportion towards a like set­tlement, for the relief of the poore, as might prove a Load-stone to attract unto it all the Iron hearts of this obdurated Age; that it might be seconded by pious men in effect, and not in name; that so by our profes­sing of the Tenents, which are the most answerablest to the Word of the true and living God, we might by unquestionable charitable actions (though not meri­toriously forestalled nor boasted off) make good the Scripture phrase, viz. Let your light so shine before men, that they seeing your good works, may glorifie your father which is in Heaven.

As I before told you of the Cardinals and Popes gratis Contribution, to so good and pious a work: In the like manner, the said Princes, States and Magistrates did in their respective Dominions lay the foundations of such like establishments; the which being most apparent and known, we shall not need to exemplifie in: Onely, we cannot omit to mark how that Albert of Austria Arch-duke of Brabant, and of the rest of those Provinces, together with the Arch­dutchesse Isabel his Espouse, did issue forth of their own coffers a stock of ten thousand pounds, towards the relieving of the poor in the abovesaid manner; at whose example also, the Arch-Bishop of Machlen, and the Chancellor of Brabant contributed each of them five thousand pounds thereunto; besides the Legacies of severall pious persons in the said Pro­vinces. The like were also practised and settled (as we have already said) in the Land of Leige, in Loraine; and finally in the United Provinces under the States [Page 7] Generals jurisdictions: unto which stocks of money were thus gratis, bestowed towards the foundation, of a relief for the Poor, and such summes of money were thereunto added, as could be taken up at Use or easie rates. And whereby, in the first place, the poorer sort were relieved. Secondly, other necessi­tous persons were supplied. Thirdly, New-begin­ners were settled in their several Trades and Profes­sions. Fourthly, Merchants were succoured in their distresses. Finally, Husband-men and Sea-men, were also included in the benefits and advantages, which doe acrew by such an establishment. Moreover, let all the world judge how easie a thing it would be here in England to attain unto so considerable a stock of monyes, whereby so good and pious a work may be propagated. For that questionlesse, those who pro­fesse to open the Word of God, unto their brethren, would in the first place, not willingly be out-vied by the Papists Priests, who doe closely attend all such as depart this life; and even then admonish them to leave some part of their substance, towards the found­ing of the said establishment; when as many of them reflecting on their Popes recommendations in their Buls, unto their Bishops, to pronounce Blessings on all such as doe contribute to so great and general a good; do not make any difficulty at all to dispose of a consi­derable proportion of their personall estates towards the same; to the end, that although death bereaves them of their personal doing of good amongst men; yet their good works may follow them, even after their departures.

And do you not think that it would be a shame for us, who take upon our selves to be Chri­stians? Nay, who account our selves to be the true [Page 8] select Chrildren of God; more particularly enlight­ned by his most holy and blessed Spirit, reformed ac­cording to the purity of his word, to be thus excee­ded by the Papists. Nay, is it not a disgrace for us to seem (with a cold and seared up Conscience) to af­fect to have the poor alwayes amongst us, and to suf­fer them to be in a starving condition? But it is not your opinion, that the Supream Authority should be humbly sought unto, to command all such as profess the opening of the Word of God, to make it a part of their Duty, to endeavour to move their auditors, at seasonable times, to resolve on the setting a part of some proportion of their personal estates towards the same?

Why? doubtlesse this would be a good way to compass the same: so likewise might the Supream Authority be pleased to order, that those said godly Ministers might admonish all such persons, as attain unto estates, to bestow voluntary gifts towards the said establishment, and to have a Box prepared for the same. Item, That there might be a Collection twice a year throughout all Churches of the Land, to the encreasing of such a stock▪ Item, That all such as take Degrees in the Universities, and on whom Offices are bestowed in the same, should contribute towards the said establishment; as well as such on whom Benefices are instated. Moreover, the Supream Authority might be sought unto, to the end that the Lord Major of London, and the severall Major of the respective Towns in England, might impose on all such as receive Offices under them; especially, such as receive the said Offices gratis, (when as formerly they were bought) the bestowing of a gift towards the said E­stablishment. Item, That the Sheriffs and Aldermen [Page 9] might do the like with all their subaltern Officers. Item That all the severall Offices of the Customs, Excises, Impositions, as well as the Postmasters, Clarks of the respective Committees, and the like, might doe the same. Item, That the same method might be observed in the four Inns of Court; and that all such as enter themselves in the said Societies, might be obliged to contribute to the Box, for the said establishment. Item, That all Judges, Councellours, Lawyers, Atturneys, Soli­citors, and the like, who are admitted and depend of any Court of Judicature, may doe the like at their respective ad­mittances: As also that all parties, who gain their Causes, may contribute to the said Box. Item, That all Officers of the Army, at the receiving of their Commissions, may doe the like. Item, That every Merchants ship, that comes home safe and richly loaden, should likewise contribute to the said establishment. Item, That all Inn-keepers, Taverns, Victual­ing-houses and Ale-house-keepers doe the like, at the same time when as they receive their Licences from their respective Justices of Peace; or at their change of habitations, or signes. Item, That all those who cause rich gilt Coaches to be made, should not have them from the Coach-makers, unlesse they contribute to the said Box. Item, That all those who keep a Kennell of Hounds (on the which they spend onely for their sports sake, more then would maintain many Christian fa­milies) should doe the like. Item, That such Merchants as keep Country-houses, for their pleasure, and Barks on the River for their recreation, should do the same. Item, That all those who purchace Lands, Houses, (especially Merchants and strangers, under what disguised name soever) should contribute towards the said establishment. Item, That all such Heirs of persons of means deceased, who enter them with pompe and herses, should contribute to the said Box. All which being (as its conceived) very reasonable, and pos­sible to be put in practice, by the Authorities approbation: It cannot choose but produce a very considerable stock of money: besides, the particular contributions of all such persons, as are to be employed in the quality of Officers, in [Page 10] the said Establishment, which may be erected in the severall Cities, Towns, and Market-Towns of this Land, in the same manner as they are in other parts; and whereby the publique may be informed at large, whensoever the Lord shall be plea­sed to move the hearts of men, to desire that this said pub­lique good may take effect; and that they shall petition Au­thority thereon. Moreover, such Officers as are to attend the said Establishment, will finde themselves in a very easie thiving way, and safe condition, drawing on themselves the blessing of the Almighty, and of all good men: When as the poorest and most incapablest of doing any work shall be relieved; So likewise all such as will endeavour any thing, which depends of a Vocation and Calling, may by some means be enabled and improved; Besides, all new-beginners of trades, may be strengthened therein, by the said Establishment: All Mer­chants relieved in their urgent occasions, when as for the want of such a help, many are constrained to break, al­though some of them have their Ware-houses full of Mer­chandises. In the like manner, the Husband-men and Sea­men, (as aforesaid) may by the same be provided for in due time; the former, by being enabled to keep their Ploughs a going, and to put off their Grains, Fruits and Cattell, at due seasons, and at the best rates; So also the Sea-men, may be en­abled to take the opportunity of fair winds, by being assured of full fraughts and quick returns. And as the said Establish­ment proves to be thus beneficial in all places wheresoever it hath been, and is erected; so likewise doth it prove to be the extirpation of all Jewish practises and intollerable Usury, the Cankers of all Common-wealths; in the same manner doth it abrogate the pernitious custom of Forfeitures of Lands, Houses and Goods.

Why as then, let all godly people contribute to so good and neces­sary an intent: Let all poore and necessitous people unanimously Petition the Lord of Mercy and of Compassion, to grant unto the Supream Authority of this Nation, a seasonable convenience to pitch upon the ordering of such an Establishment▪ to the end▪ that the poor, the desolate, the fatherlesse, and the stranger may blesse the Lord, and acknowledge the Parliaments commiseration of them; and that they may not neglect those means which the Almighty hath ordained for their subsistances, nor seem to mistrust Providence by their not applying themselves unto that Authority, which can and will relieve them.