A plaine path-vvay to plantations that is, a discourse in generall, concerning the plantation of our English people in other countries. Wherein is declared, that the attempts or actions, in themselues are very good and laudable, necessary also for our country of England. Doubts thereabout are answered: and some meanes are shewed, by which the same may, in better sort then hitherto, be prosecuted and effected. Written for the perswading and stirring vp of the people of this land, chiefly the poorer and common sort to affect and effect these attempts better then yet they doe. With certaine motiues for a present plantation in New-found land aboue the rest. Made in the manner of a conference, and diuided into three parts, for the more plainnesse, ease, and delight to the reader. By Richard Eburne of Hengstridge in the countie of Somerset.

A PLAINE PATH-WAY TO PLANTA∣TIONS. The first Part.

The Speakers be Respire, a Farmer. Enrubie, a Merchant.

Respire.

I Am very glad to see you in health (good Ma∣ster Enrubie) and hearing of your comming home, I am come to see you, and to salute you.

Enrubie.

I thanke you heartily for it, Neigh∣bour Respire, and am glad to see you and the rest of my good Neighbours and friends here, to be also in good health. I pray you sit downe by me in this Harbour.

Resp.

That I would doe willingly, but that I doubt I shall be trou∣blesome to you: for I see you are busie in reading some Booke, what-euer it be.

Enr.

That shall be no trouble to me, nor let to vs. For it is but to recreate my selfe withall, for want of better company and ex∣ercise.

Resp.

If it be for Recreation, then I hope it is some matter of de∣light and speciall obseruation.

Enr.

Yes indeed. It is a new and prettie Discourse of some of our new Plantations; namely, that in N.

Resp.

I maruaile what good or pleasure you should finde in such idle Bookes, fables I thinke, not worth the looking on.

Enr.

They are better then you yet vnderstand, I see: and there∣fore bee not you rash in condemning, lest you be hastic also in re∣penting: for, Ad poenitendum properat, citò qui iudicat. Hastie men (as they say) neuer lacke woe.

Resp.

Why? But doe you indeed find any good in reading such books, which I know of many to be but little regarded?

Enr.

Yea truly: and that I doubt not but you also shall acknow∣ledge, before you depart from hence, if you haue the leisure to stay with me but a while.

Resp.

I haue lost more time then this ere now: and therefore for your good companies sake, I will, God willing, see the euent: and any great businesse to hasten me away at this time, I haue not, I pray you therefore tell me, what good you get by those Bookes?

Enr.

Besides the delight that comes by the noueltie of the con∣tents thereof, and you know that, Est natura hominum Nouitatis a∣uida: we are by much nature like the Athenians spokē of in the 17. the Acts of the Apostles, desirous very much to heare Newes: I doe reape thereby vnto my selfe this threefold benefit. First, I doe thereby after a sort, as blessed Moses from mount Nebo, Deut. 34. view and behold with the eyes of my minde those goodly Coun∣treys, which there God doth (offer to) giue vnto vs and to our seed. Secondly, Thereby I am inabled with Ioshua and Cal•…•…b, Num. 14. to stop the mouthes, and confute the malice of them, that in my hearing, like the ten vnfaithfull spies, shall goe about to bring vp an euill report vpon those good lands, and stay the murmurings of such foolish & ignorant people, as vpon euery idle hearesay, or any lazie vagrants letter, are ready to beleeue the worst: & with∣all, thirdly, I am the better prepared to informe them and others, that are willing to know the truth and certaintie thereof.

Resp.

I see there is good vse to be made of such bookes, if a man will. And therefore I shall from henceforth forbeare to thinke of them as I haue done: and I shall desire you to lend me that booke of yours for a day or two, that I may reade it ouer also.

Enr.

I shall willingly lend you this, and one after another, two or three more that I haue of the like argument. For I wish with all my heart, that both you and all my friends were as well ac∣quainted in them as I am.

Resp.

I thanke you much for this courtesie. But seeing you make such vse & reckoning of those books, it seemes that you make more account of the actions themselues, that is, of Plantations, whereof they doe intreat, which yet I euer held, and so I know do many else, that be men of good wit and vnderstanding, to be but idle proiects and vaine attempts.

Enr.

Without any dislike or disparagement to any other mens wits or vnderstandings be it spoken, for mine own part I do pro∣fesse, I estimate & account the Actions themselues to be very good and godly, honourable, commendable, and necessary: such as it were much to be wished might be, and much to be lamented they be not, in farre better sort, then hitherto any of them are, followed and fur∣thered, as which tend highly, first, to the honour and glory of Almightie God. Secondly, to the Dignitie and Renowne of the Kings most excellent Maiestie. And thirdly, to the infinite good and benefit of this our Commonwealth. Three things, then which none weightier or worthier, can in any Designe or Proiect be le∣uelled or aimed at.

Resp.

You make me euen amazed, to heare of you, that so great good may be effected or expected out of those Courses, which of many are so much contemned and dispraised. Wherefore for my better satisfaction therein, I pray you, let me heare of you in particular somewhat, how these notable effects might be produced, and namely first, the Glory and Honour of God.

Enr.

The Glory of God cannot but be much furthered thereby, were it but onely, that the Gospel of Christ should thereby be pro∣fessed and published in such places and countries, by those alone, that shall remoue from hence to inhabite there, where before, since the beginning of the Gospel, for ought we know, or is like∣ly, it was neuer heard, at least professed, as it is now of late come to passe, (God be praised) and we hope will be shortly in Newfound land.

Resp.

Will be, say you? Me thinkes you should rather haue rec∣koned that among the first, because that for fiftie or threescore yeeres before euer the Summer Ilands or Uirginia were heard of, our peo∣ple did yeerely goe thither a fishing, and so the Name of, Christ was

there long since honoured among them.

Enr.

But for all that, till there be Christians inhabiting there, wee cannot say properly, that the Gospell of Christ is planted there, or that it is any part of Christendome. It must therefore in that respect, giue place to the other before-named, as which in∣deed were Christian before it.

Resp.

I cannot dislike that you say. And indeed any man may see, that this must needs bee a great aduancement to the honour of God, when as the Scepter of his Sonne is extended so much farther then it was, as is from hence to those remote and vnknowne Regions. Christendome will then be so much the larger. And it seemes to me it will be in a goodly order, seeing that as I vnder∣stand, from England to Newfoundland, and so to the Summer Ilands, and thence to Virginia, all is in one tract, no Turkish, no Heathen Countrie lying betweene. But proceed, I pray you.

Enr.

This is, as you see, greatly to the honour of God, but it will be much more, if when and where our people doe plant themselues in such countries where already are an infinite number of other people, all Sauages, Heathens, Infidels, Ido∣laters, &c. this in the Plantation may principally and speedily be laboured and intended, That by learning their languages, and teaching them ours, by training vp of their children, and by continuall and familiar conuerse and commerce with them, they may be drawne and induced, perswaded and brought to re∣linquish and renounce their owne Heathenismes, Idolatries, Blasphemies and Deuill-worships. And if (for that I take it can∣not be denied) the Papists haue done much good that way, by spreading the Name of Christ, though but after their corrupt and superstitious manner, into so many vnknowne Nations that liued before altogether in the seruice and captiuitie of the deuill, (for Better it is, that God bee serued a bad way, then no way at all.) How much more good must it needs be, if the Name of the true God, in a true and sound manner, might there be published and spred abroad?

To which purpose, I would to God, there were among vs, vs Protestants, that professe and haue a better Religion then they the Papists, one halfe of that zeale and desire to further and disperse our good and sound Religion, as seemes to be among them for furthering and dispersing theirs. Which not found,

for our zeale is coldnesse, and our forwardnesse, backwardnesse in that behalfe, in respect of theirs, I need not say, we may feare; but rather, we may assure our selues, that they shall rise against vs in the day of Iudgement, and condemne vs. As they haue de∣serued, so let them haue the Palme and Praise in this point. For what other ends soeuer they proposed in their conquests and courses, questionlesse Religion, the Christian faith, according to their knowledge, was not the least, nor the last, since cer∣taine it is, They neuer set foote in any Country, nor preuai∣led in any Coast, wherein they did not forth-with endeuour to root out Paganisme, and plant Christianisme, or leaue behinde them at least some Monuments and signes thereof.

And who can tell? (I speake this to prouoke ours the more withall) who can tell, I say, whether God hath euen therefore, as to Iehu that rooted out B•…•…l, himselfe continuing to worship Ieroboams Calues, 2. Reg. 10. 30, 31. bestowed on them a great part of that successe in warres, increase in wealth, and honour on earth, which had we stood foorth in their stead, and gone before them, as we should, and might haue done; he would more admi∣rably, happily, and abundantly, haue conferred on vs? For he that is so kinde to his enemies, what would he haue beene to his friends?

Resp.

I easily perceiue that this might redound not a little to the glorie of God, if the Conuersion of such People and Nations might be accomplished. Lord, How many thousands and millions of soules might so be saued, which now run headlong into hell! It were a glorious worke, imitating notably that of the blessed Apostles, which conuerted the world so long agoe, from dead Idols to serue the liuing God. And in so holy and religious a labour; I am sorry to heare that we should not be as forward as Papists, but that to be verified twixt vs and them also in this case, which our Sauior said in another: The children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light. But as I must needes confesse, that the worke were a worthy piece of worke, if it might be wrought, and that happy were our Land, if the children thereof might be made of God, Agents therein. So me thinkes, we had need to haue some assurance of the will of God, that it should be done. For as you know better then I can tell you; If the time of their Con∣uersion be not come; or if God, as he hath wrapped them hitherto in vnbeliefe, so he be not pleased nor determined to release them, to call them to the knowledge of his truth, and to manifest his Son vnto them at

all: our labour then will be but in vaine, and our attempt not pleasing, but displeasing in his sight.

Enr.

That God desireth and willeth his Name, his truth and Gospell by vs to be published in those Heathen and barren lands; the inclination and readinesse alone of those people and Nations may sufficiently assure vs, who as it were prepared of God, to receiue the Gospell from our mouthes, if it might be but sounded vnto them, doe euen of their owne accord offer themselues to be taught, suffer their children to bee baptized and instructed by vs; and, as weary of, and halfe seeing the grossenesse of their own abominations, and the goodnes of our obseruations doe make no great difficultie to peferre our Religion before theirs, and to con∣fesse that it is God that we, and the deuill that they doe worship.

For my owne part, I am perswaded, that God will instantly haue them either by vs or by others, if we will not, called to the knowledge of his Truth, & turned from darknes to light, & from the power of Satan, vnto God; that so the words of our Sauiour may be fully fulfilled, who, Math. 24. 14. hath foretold vs, That the Gospell, before the end shall come, must be preached throughout the whole world: and Mark. 13. 10. be published among all Na∣tions, which, howsoeuer most hold is long since accomplished, in that it either now is, or heretofore hath beene preached to all, or neere all Nations of this vpper Continent: yet I am now resolued, (let it bee my priuate errour, if I doe erre) that they will not bee fulfilled indeed, according to our Sauiours intent, vntill that vn∣to them also that inhabit that other, the vnder Continent, it be made manifest, which it seemeth vnto me, God doth now hasten to ac∣complish, in that within our Age alone, a great part thereof hath had the same, though corruptly, though imperfectly, brought vnto them.

Resp.

You doe well to say, that this is your owne priuate Opinion, for no man else, I thinke, is of that minde.

Enr.

Not many, it may be, but yet I assure you, I am not alone. For there was but few yeeres past, a Preacher in Dorsetshire, of some note and name, that in a Sermon of his intituled, The Ma∣gold and the Sun, now extant in Print, page 40. vpon these words of his Text, Luk. 1. 79. To giue light to them that sit in darkenesse, &c. saith thus: This light rising first from the Iewes, as from his East or Orient, is carried ouer all the world, and hath giuen light to

vs (English) that sate in darkenesse. Of his first rising reade Luke 24 47. beginning (saith our Sauiour there) from Ierusalem. Hence sprung this blessed light first, and thence, besides his dispersion into o∣ther parts of the world, was carried ouer all Greece, Italy, Germany, France, and rose to vs also, and is now making day to the Indians and Antipodes. For the world shall not end, till he haue finished his Course, I meane, till, as the Euangelist Math. 24. 14. saith, The Gospell be preached in all the world, and be a testimony to all nations: and then shal the end come. Thus he. D. Keckerman likewise, that famous pro∣fessor of Arts and Learning, diuine and humane, in his Manudu∣ction to Theologie, of late translated into English by my worthy friend Master T. Uicars Batchelour in Diuinitie, pag. 94. writes of this matter in this manner: And doubtlesse towards the end of the world, the true Religion shall be in America: as God is now pre∣paring way for it by the English and Low-Country Merchants, that, that of Christ may be fulfilled, Math. 24. 14. This Gospell of the Kingdome shall be preached through the whole world, for a witnesse vnto all Nations, and then shall the end come. For God in all his works is wont to effect a thing successiuely, and therefore first he sends to those Nations some light of his Essence and Truth by the Papists, and af∣terward will make these things shine more clearely vnto them by the true and faithfull Ministers of the Gospell. Thus farre he.

So that in their opinion, as well as mine, this is a worke that must be done before the end can be. Wherefore since it is a worke, and a most holy and necessary worke, which must be done, before the day, the great day of the Lord can come, I see not how we can, without sinne (hauing any thing to doe in those parts) withdraw our shoulder from this burthen, or with-hold our hand from this plough. And so much the more will the sinne be, by how much it is farre more easie for vs this to hold and vndergoe, then it was for those that did vndertake the like taske for vs, I meane, the Conuersion of our Ancestors and predecessors in this land, a peo∣ple as rude and vntractable, at the least that way, as these now, in as much as they were to preach and not to subdue: but wee may plant as well as preach, and may subdue as well as teach, whereby the Teachers shall need to feare no losse of goods or life, no prison nor sword, no famine or other persecuting distresse for the Go∣spels sake. Whose steps, if our Nation now, if our Countrimen in their intended Plantations among those Infidels would in any

measure follow, how many soules might they saue aliue? How many sinners might they conuert from going astray? How much might they ampliate the Kingdome of Christ in earth? aduance the name, glory, and worship of our, the onely true and euerla∣sting God? and prepare for themselues an abundant, or rather a superabundant heape of glory in heauen, according to that which is written, Dan. 12. 3. They that be wise, shall shine as the firma∣ment: and they that turne many vnto righteousnesse, shall shine as the starres for euer and euer?

Resp.

That these courses tend to the glory of God, I plainly see and acknowledge: But how may they be to the renowne and benefit of the Kings most excellent Maiestie?

Enr.

These could not but much augment and increase the Ma∣iestie and renowne of our dread Soueraigne, if thereby his Do∣minion be extended, as it were into another world, into those re∣mote parts of the earth, and his kingdomes be increased into ma∣ny moe in number, by the Addition and Accesse of so many, so spacious, so goodly, so rich, and some so populous Countries and Prouinces, as are by these Beginnings offered vnto his hands.

We see the Euidence and certaintie of this Assumption as cleare as the Sun-shine at high Noone, in the person of the King of Spaine, whose Predecessours and Progenitors accepting that which others did refuse, and making better vse of such Opportu∣nities, then any else haue done; he is thereby become Lord, not onely of Territories, almost innumerable, but also of Treasures and riches in them inestimable.

Whose Right thereto, and to the rest of that Continent, be it what it may be, cannot, I suppose, in any equitie or reason, be any sufficient Barre to any Christian Prince, why hee should not yet, by any lawfull and good meanes seize into his hands, and hold as in his owne right, whatsoeuer Countries and Ilands are not be∣fore actually inhabited or possessed by him the Spaniard, or some other Christian Prince or State. Of which sort, since yet there are many, it were much to be wished, That his Maiestie might in time, while Opportunities serue, take notice and Possession of some of them, whereunto these courses of Plantation (being right∣ly prosecuted) are a singular, if not the onely meanes.

Resp.

All this is most apparant: but may the like be said for your third point, The good of this land likewise?

Enr.

Yes verily. Whosoeuer shall but lightly consider the estate thereof, as now it stands, shall plainly see, and will be en∣forced to confesse, That the prosecuting, and that in an ample mea∣sure, of those worthy Attempts, is an enterprise for our Land and common good, most expedient and necessarie. For,

First of all, whereas toward the Supportation of their Regall estate, for many and vrgent Necessities, the Kings of this Land are oft occasioned to demand and take of their Subiects, great summes of money by Subsidies, and other like wayes, which to many of the Subiects, specially the Clergie (who for the most part, to such payments, as things now stand, pay eight or ten times as much proportionably, as other Subiects doe) is somewhat hard and heauy to endure. This Burthen would be more easily borne, and could not but become much the lighter, if by the accession of more kingdoms to their crowne, store of treasures being brought into their Coffers, the same were borne by diuers other lands and Subiects, as well as of this, and the rest, yet vnder their subiection.

Secondly, Whereas our Land, at this present, by meanes of our long continued both Peace and Health, freed from any notable, either warre or Pestilence, the two great deuourers of mankinde, to both which in former Ages it was much subiect, euen swar∣meth with multitude and plentie of people, it is time, and high time, That like Stalls that are ouerfull of Bees, or Orchyards o∣uergrowne with young Sets, no small number of them should be transplanted into some other soile, and remoued hence into new Hiues and Homes.

Truly, it is a thing almost incredible to relate, and intolerable to behold, what a number in euery towne and citie, yea in euery parish and village, doe abound, which for want of commodious and ordinary places to dwell in, doe build vp Cotages by the high way side, and thrust their heads into euery corner, to the grieuous ouercharging of the places of their abode for the pre∣sent, and to the very ruine of the whole Land within a while, if it be not looke vnto; which if they were transported into other regions, might both richly increase their owne estates, and nota∣bly ease and disburden ours.

Resp.

These be motiues of some weight and likelihood: but let me heare more to these, if you haue them.

Enr.

Next. Thirdly, Whereas at this present, the prices of all

things are growne to such an vnreasonable height, that the Com∣mon, that is, the meaner sort of people, are euen vndone, and doe liue, in respect of that they did for thirtie or fortie yeeres past, in great needinesse and extremitie, that there is neither hope, nor possibilitie of amending this euill, but in the diminution of the number of people in the land. Which, if men will not, by depar∣ting hence, elsewhere effect, we must expect that God, (they ha∣uing first eaten out one another) by warre or pestilence doe it for them.

I know, that much helpe in this case might be had, if our Ma∣gistrates and great ones did take some good course (cum effectu) for the encrease of Tillage. But neither thereof is there any (great) hope, nor therein a sufficient helpe, since it is out of all doubt, that vnlesse it be in an extraordinary fruitfull yeere, and of them now a dayes, God for our sinnes, sends but a few, our land is not able to yeeld corne and other fruit enough, for the feeding of so many as now doe lie and liue vpon it. And when it which was wont to helpe feed other countries, must, as of late we haue to our cost both seene and felt, bee faine to haue helpe and food from others; how can our state bee for the commons, but wofull and ill? Likewise, if some good course might bee taken for restraint of excessiue Fines and Rents, whereby Landlords now a daies, grinde the faces of the poore, and draw into their own hands all the sweet and •…•…at of the land, so that their poore Tenants are able, neither to keepe house and maintaine themselues, nor (as anciently such houses did) to relieue others, then could not the prices of all things but much abate and come downe. Yet this were but an imperfect Cure. The true and sure remedie is, The diminution of the people, which reduced to such a competent num∣ber, as the land it selfe can well maintaine, would easily cause, not onely the excessiue height of Fines and Rents, but also the prices of all things else, to fall of themselues, and stay at so reasonable a Rate, that one might (which now they cannot) liue by another, in very good sort.

4. Consider also the great riches, wealth, and good estate which such who here liue, and cannot but liue parcè & duriter, poore and hardly, might by Transplantation, within a while rise vnto: while as they may haue otherwhere, for their bad cottages, good houses; for their little gardens, great grounds; and for their small

backsides, large fields, pastures, meadowes, woods, and other like plentie to liue vpon.

5. The benefit that might that way accrew vnto Merchants, and all kinde of Aduenturers by Sea, is infinit. For Traffique and Merchandize cannot but by meanes thereof wonderfully be bet∣tered and increased. And withall, which is not the least point in Obseruation, most commodious and delightfull must merchan∣dizing and traffique needs bee, while it shall be exercised for the most part, betweene one and the same people, though distant in Region, yet vnited in Religion, in Nation, in Language and Do∣minion. Which surely is a thing likely to proue so materiall and beneficiall, as may turne the greater part of our Merchants voy∣ages that way, and free them from many of those dangerous pas∣sages which now they are faine to make by the Straits and nar∣row Seas; may finde them out their rich and much-desired com∣modities, and greater store, and at a better hand then now they haue them other where, and vent them many a thing, which now doe seldome, or not at all passe their hands.

But of all other, I need speake little of the Merchants good, as who can, and I am perswaded, doe so well know it of them∣selues, and thereupon affect the enterprise so much, that if other mens desires and endeuours were correspondent, it would take both speedy and condigne effect.

6. The last benefit to our Land, but not the least, is the curing of that euill Disease of this Land; which, if it be not lookt vnto, and cured the sooner, will bee the Destruction of the Land, I meane, Idlenesse the Mother of many Mischiefes, which is to be cu∣red, and may be rooted out of the Land, by this meanes, yea by this onely, and by none other, viz. by Plantation.

Resp.

Idlenesse is a naughtie vice indeed, but commonly it doth hurt none but them in whom it is, and yet except that fault, many that be idle be honest men, and haue in them diuers good qualities: and therefore me thinkes you speake too hardly of it; to call it The Mother of Mischiefes. There be worse vices a great many in the Land, as this Drunkennesse and vnthriftie spending of their goods, which are euery where so common.

Enr.

I perceiue by you, it is a very bad cause that cannot get a Proctour. That which I haue spoken against Idlenesse, is but lit∣tle to that I could speake, and which writers both humane and

diuine •…•…aue spoken of it, to whom I will referre you, le•…•…t we pro∣tract this our Conference ouer-long. But for the vices you speake of, if they be, as you say, worse then Idlenesse; yet, as sometime of a bad mother, there may come worse daughters; I assure you, they and many more, as filching and stealing, robbery and couse∣nage, adultery and incest, fornication and all kinde of wanton∣nesse and vncleannesse, beggery and roguery, prophanenesse and idolatry, and a number more, that vpon the sodaine, I cannot call to minde, and with which this Land of ours is defiled and filled, be none other (for the most part) then the fruits and of spring, the brood and increase of Idlenesse; which alone taken away, and wee∣ded out, these all would fall away and vanish with her. For, Sub∣lata causa, tollitur effectus, saith the Philosopher, The cause of any thing taken away, the effect is also taken away with it, and must cease.

Resp.

A happy worke indeed were the doing thereof. But doe you thinke, or is there any probabilitie, that this might be done by so spee∣die and easie a meanes, as Plantation?

Enr.

Questionlesse, The best and the onely Cure thereof by the hand of man, is this way, and none other. The diminution of the people of the Land vnto a due and competent Number will doe it. This is apparant by Experience. For, looke we backe to the state of our Land for 40. 50. or 60. yeeres agoe, before it did thus exceed in multitude, and we shall see, that few or none of these vices did then abound, nothing in Comparison of that they doe now, as which haue since sprung vp out of Idlenesse, that since that time, together with the multitude and increase of the peo∣ple, is risen and increased.

Resp.

Indeed I remember well, when I was a young man, there were no such swaggering Youths, potting Companions, and idle Game∣sters as bee now in the Countrie: little fornication, bastardie, quar∣relling and stabbing, and other like wicked facts, in respect of those that be now, howsoeuer it be that the world is so much altered. But that these euils may be amended by Plantations, yet I see not.

Enr.

I will make you see it, and confesse it too. You haue your selfe a great many of Children, if you should keepe them all at home, and haue not wherewith to set them to worke, nothing to employ them in (for all the worke you haue to doe ordinari∣ly, is not enough for aboue two or three of them) must they not

needs fall to Idlenesse? what will most of them proue but Idlers and Loyterers? Now, to preuent and auoyd this, what other re∣medie haue you, but either to get worke for them into your own house from other men, if you can haue it, or else perforce to place them forth of your owne house into other mens, one to this trade or occupation, another to that, where they may be set aworke, and kept from Idlenesse.

Resp.

This is true. But what is this to our purpose?

Enr.

Very much. For the cases are very like. Thereby you may plainly perceiue, that, as the onely way to rid Idlenesse out of your house, hauing no worke for them at home, is, to place a∣broad your children into other houses, as it were, into Colonies, where they may be set aworke; so the onely way to rid Idlenesse out of a whole parish, towne, countie or countrey (the same be∣ing not able to set th•…•… that are idle therein aworke. And it is a thing so euident, that for the idle people of our Land, what by the great number of them, which is almost infinite; and what by the present dampe and decay of all Trades and employments, the Land is not any way able to set them aworke, that it needs no proofe, is to place abroad the Inhabitants thereof, which therein be not nor can be set aworke, into other parishes, townes, coun∣ties and countries.

Resp.

If this Course should be taken, it would touch very neere a great many of the best liuers in the Countrey, who, both themselues, and their children be as idle as any can be, and yet would be loth, ha∣uing so good meanes here to liue by, to be remoued into Plantations a∣broad.

Enr.

These might be brought from Idlenesse, and yet abide at home too. For, if the superfluous multitude of our Land were remoued, those which you speake of, would for their owne need fall to worke, and leaue Idlenesse, because that multitude remo∣ued, they should haue none to doe their worke for them, as now they haue, while they goe to playing, potting, and other like vaine and idle courses.

The Magistrates of our Land haue of late made many good statutes and prouisions, for the beating downe of drunkennes▪ for setting the poore and idle people to worke, and other like: but how little effect hath followed? Drunkennesse encreaseth daily, and laughes the Lawes to scorne. Pouertie more & more ariseth,

and idle people still doe multiply. Other sinnes and disorders are sometimes punished, but yet they still remaine, and, as it were, in despite of Lawes, they spread more and more abroad. The reason is, (if a man may be bold to giue the reason of it, They strike at the boughes, but not at the Rootes.) If there were the like good Orders taken for the rooting out and beating downe of Idlenesse it selfe in our Land, which can be done no other way, but by Plantations, both Idlenesse it selfe, and all the rest of the Euils beforenamed, and other like that arise out of it, would vanish away as smoake before the winde, and melt as Waxe a∣gainst the Fire.

Then, these blinde and filthy Ale-houses, which are none other than the Deuils Dennes, wherein lurke his beastly slaues day and night, which all the Iustices in the Countrey cannot now keepe downe, would sinke of themselues to th•…•… •…•…ound.

Then, these Tobacco-shops, that now stinke all the Land ouer, would shortly cease to •…•…ume out their infernal smoakes, and come to a lower rate and reckoning by an hundred fold.

Then, the many idle Trades, which of late are risen vp in the Land, vnder colour to keepe people from idlenesse, and to set the poore on worke, such, I say, as the former Ages knew not, and our present Age needes not, as which serue to nothing, but to the increase of pride, and vanitie in the world, would quickly grow out of request.

Then, the Prisons, and Sheriffes Wards, would not be one halfe so full of Malefactors and Bankrupts, as now they are. And last of all, (but not the least; for, who can reckon vp all the bene∣fits that this one Remedy would bring vnto our Land?) then should not one halfe so many people of our Land bee cut off, by shamefull, violent, and vntimely deaths, as now there are.

Resp.

Your speeches are very probable: but by this meanes, so ma∣ny idle people of our Land, as you intimate, being remoued, the Planta∣tions will then be pestered with them there, as much and as bad as we are here; and so, those good workes be discredited, and haply euer∣throwne thereby. It is but the remouing of euill from one place to an∣other.

Enr.

Howsoeuer, such a Remouall made, our Land (which is the poynt in question) shall be cleared and cured. But of that ex∣treme hurt to the Plantations that you fore-cast, there is no

feare. For, whereas there are in our Land at this present many idle persons, some are such as gladly would worke, if they could get it. They are idle, not for any delight they haue in idlenesse, but because they can get no body, nor meanes to set them on worke. Some are idle indeed, as may worke and will not. They haue wherewithall to keepe themselues from idlenesse, that is, worke enough of their owne to doe, but, delighting in idlenesse, and counting it a disgrace to men of their meanes, to worke and labour in their vocation, they will haue and hyre others to doe their worke, to be their seruants, and labourers, which they needed not, and which other men of like quality and ability, that are thrifty, and good Common-wealths men indeed, doe not, nor will doe, and they themselues the while liue idlely, spend their time vainely, lye at the Ale-house, or Tauerne, bibbing and bowzing beastly, sit at Cards or Tables loosely, haunt idle and lewd company shamefully, and giue themselues to no good pra∣ctice or exercise commendably, but runne on from ill to worse, to the shame and discredit of themselues and their friends, and many times to the vtter vndoing and ouerthrow of them and theirs miserably. A third sort there are, as it were a mixt kinde of people, neither altogether idle, nor yet well and sufficiently set aworke. Of these, some worke at a low and small rate, ma∣ny times glad to serue for any thing, rather than to begge, steale, or starue: and some of them set vp idle and pelting Trades, as it were shifts to liue by, for lacke of better imployment, that so they may haue one way or other somewhat to liue vpon.

Of all these, if the first and third sort were remoued into Plan∣tations, where they might haue either good Liuings of their owne to liue vpon, or good imployment by others to labour vp∣on, it is no doubt, but that the most part of them, would be glad of the exchange, and proue laborious and industrious people, to their owne good, and the good, not the hurt, of the Countrey in∣to which they shall be remoued. And then for the second or middle sort, it is not much to be doubted, but that the occasi∣ons of their idlenesse taken away, as I said but now, they also will leaue to be idle, fall to doe their owne worke as they should, learne to thriue and become profitable to themselues, and this our Countrey, wherein they remaine▪ and •…•…e at length as much

ashamed to be idle and vaine henceforth, as heretofore they were to worke and labour.

If any continue their former lewd and disordered courses, be∣ing but a few, so many of their wonted Companions being seue∣red and gone from them, there is hope that a little seuerity of the Laws, which easily reclaimeth a few, when on a multitude some∣times it can doe little good, will and may bring them also to a better course.

And thus I hope you see, That it is not impossible the idlenesse that is in our Land, to be notably cured and expelled: and that this may be done either onely, or at least no way so soundly, rea∣dily, and speedily, as by Plantations. And therefore, the slate of our Land considered, if there were no other benefit that might arise of Plantations, yet this alone, viz. the rooting out and de∣stroying of idlenesse out of the Land, which else Uiper-like, will in time root out, and destroy the Land it selfe, wherein it is bred, were cause all-sufficient, and reason enough, why such attempts should be vndertaken, and by all possible meanes furthered and hastened.

Resp.

I cannot but like well of all that hitherto you haue said, touching the goodnesse and necessity of these Actions. But yet, mee thinkes, there may be a Question, Whether they be lawfull or not? For, mee thinkes, it should neither be lawfull for any people to forsake the Countrey wherein God hath placed them, and in which they and their Progenitors, for many generations haue remained: nor to in∣uade and enter vpon a strange Countrey, of which they haue no war∣rant nor assurance that God is pleased, they should aduenture vpon it.

Enr.

If any will make question of the lawfulnesse of such Acti∣ons, Nature it selfe, which hath taught the Bees, when their Hiue is ouer-full, to part Company, and by swarming, to seeke a new habitation elsewhere, doth euidently informe vs, That it is as lawfull for men to remoue from one Countrey to another, as out of the house wherein they are borne, or the parish wherein they are bred, vnto another. If humane reason satisfie not, (for some will make doubts in cases most cleare) there is diuine warrant for it that may. For it was Gods expresse commande∣ment to Adam, Gen. 1. 28. that hee should fill the earth, and sub∣due it. By vertue of which Charter, hee and his haue euer since

had the Priuiledge to spread themselues from place to place, and to haue, hold, occupie, and enioy any Region or Countrey what∣soeuer, which they should finde either not pre-occupied by some other, or lawfully they could of others get or obtaine.

Vpon which clause, wee Englishmen haue as good ground and warrant to enter vpon New-found-Land, or any other Countrey hitherto not inhabited or possessed by any Nation else, Heathen or Christian, and any other that we can lawfully, (I say lawful∣ly) get of those that doe inhabite them, as to hold our owne na∣tiue the English soyle.

Resp.

But this, though I see it to be lawfull, seemes yet to be a ve∣ry strange course, the like whereof, in former Ages hath not beene vsed.

Enr.

That this course hath beene in former times both vsuall and ancient, and not as you seeme to imagine, new and strange, though I might proue by coniecture onely: For, how else had it beene possible, so many, so diuers, so distant, and so great Coun∣tries to be peopled, but by remouing from one Countrey to ano∣ther? or referre you to humane Histories, which are full of such Narrations, and of them, aboue all to the Romane state, which from their very first yeeres, ab v•…•…be condita, after that Rome it selfe was builded, fell apace to that practice, and had euer in hand, one or other Colonie. One of good Antiquity, and therefore not partiall, and of great Obseruation, and therefore regardable, doth tell vs expresly, That as other things common by nature, so Lands, so Countries, (for they also are a part of his omnia) haue become priuate, from time to time, aut veteri Occupatione, aut victoria, aut lege: either by ancient vsurpation, men finding them void and vacant, or by victory in warre, or by legall condi∣tion or composition in peace. But what need I care what such say, or say not, when as holy Writ it selfe tels vs very plainely, Gen. 10. 5. That whereas after Noahs fioud, there were no more aliue on earth, of all the posterity of Adam, but Noah, and his sons, and their wiues, eight persons in all, Of them only were the Iles of the Gentiles diuidea in their Lands, euery man after his tongue, and after their Families in their Nations? And againe, verse 32. Out of these were the Nations diuided in the earth▪ that is, These, as they increased, dispersed themselues, and inhabited, and replenished, first one Countrey, and then another, as wee see at this day. And

this vpon warrant of that Grant which Adam had, being renew∣ed and confirmed vnto Noah, and his sonnes, Gen. 9. 1. Replete terram, Replenish yee the earth, or fill it vp againe. Lastly, let such but looke backe and thinke, How at first wee, the Inhabi∣tants of this Land, came hither. Were all Indigenae? or rather Terregenae? Did they at first spring vp heere out of the earth? Are we of the Race and off-spring of Noah, or his sonnes? and therefore per conseq. vndeniable, (as all our Histories doe ac∣cord) haue come from other-where? Why then should that seeme so insolent to vs, and in our time, which haue beene so vsu∣all at all times, and in all Ages?

Resp.

You haue, mee thinkes, well iustified this course in generall: Now, if you can as well cleare it in some particulars, I shall haply at length bee of your minde also, for the maine.

Enr.

Obiect your particulars, and I doubt not whatsoeuer they be, but I shall be able reasonably to satisfie you in them.

Resp.

The places, the Countries to be planted and inhabited by vs, are very farre off from hence.

Enr.

To that I say, first, If neerer places cannot bee had, bet∣ter a good place, though farre off, than none at all.

Secondly, others, as the Spaniards, haue and doe remoue and plant further off, by a great deale.

Thirdly, Abraham, Iacob, and other good men, haue beene content in lesse need, •…•…aue that GOD so commanded to depart farre from the places of their birth, as wee may see, Gen. 12. 4. Acts 7. 3. and other-where.

Fourthly, When God calls, and as with vs now, Necessitie doth so require, good men should be indifferent to dwell in one Countrey, as well as in another, accounting, as one said well, Ubibenè, ibi patria: wheresoeuer a man is, or may be best at ease, that is, or should be to him (as) his Countrey. A very Heathen man could say:

Omne solum forti patria est, vt pis•…•…ibus aequor: Ut volucri, vac•…•…o quicquid in orbe patet. that is,

Vnto a valiant-minded man, each Country good is his: As is wide world vnto the Birds, and broad Sea to the Fish.

And, another being asked, Cuius esset Vrbis? answered, Or∣bis: as who would say, The World at large were his Seate or City.

Fifthly, Sister-land, or as it is yet commonly called, New∣found-land, which for the present seemeth to be the fittest of all other intended Plantations, is not very farre off. It is not with a good winde, aboue foureteene or fifteene dayes sayle. As easie a voyage in manner, the Seas and passage considered, as into our next Neighbour-Countrey Iland, whither of late yeeres ma∣ny haue out of England, to their and our good remoued.

Sixthly, Our Merchants, in hope of present but vncertaine gaine, doe yeerely and vsually trauaile into farther Countries a great deale: and why, then should any for his assured, certaine, and perpetuall good, thinke it intolerable or vnreasonable to make one such a iourney in his life?

Resp.

The Countries themselues are wilde and rude: No townes, no houses, no buildings there.

Enr.

Men must not looke still, in such a case, to come to a Land inhabited, and to finde ready to their hands, as in Israel, in Canaan, great and goodly Cities, which they builded not: houses full of all manner of store, which they filled not: wells digged, which they digged not: Uine-yards, and Orchards, which they planted not: as Moses speaketh, Deut. 6. 10. It must content them, that God prepareth them a place, a Land, wherein they may build them Cities, Townes, and Houses to dwell in, where they may sow Land, and plant them Uine-yards and Orchards too, to yeeld them fruits of increase, as the Psalmist writeth, Ps. 107. 39.

2. Thinke they it is no bodies lot but theirs? And doe they imagine, that in any Countrey wheresoeuer, where now there are Castles and Towres, Houses and Habitations of all sorts settled, there was not a time when none of these were stan∣ding? but that the ground was as bare and naked thereof, as wilde and void of Couerture, as any of our Plantations are. For, according to our English Prouerbe, Rome it selfe was not built in one day.

3. They that shall at first come there, may account it a benefit to finde the places vnbuilt, in that they may thereby chose them seates, and diuide the Countrey at their owne will: That they may enter large Territories, and take to themselues ample pos∣sessions at pleasure, for them and theirs for many Generations: That they may be freed from these extreme Fines, and ouer∣rackt Rents, which make their old Neighbours and natiue friends

behind, to groane, and may well make them weary of the Land it selfe: For, who can beare them?

4. And if they can be content here to build vp houses vpon the High-way-side, though there be not the •…•…ourth part of an A∣cre of ground lying vnto it: or thinke themselues bountifully dealt with, if any Gentleman would giue to any of them, three or foure acres of ground, for their owne time, at a reasonable rent, (and yet few be the Land-Lords that be so liberall) so as they would build a House on it; why should they not rather goe where they may haue an hundred, fiue hundred, or a thousand Acres of ground, to them and theirs for euer, at the like rate?

Resp.

But what, and how shall men doe the while, for houses and dwellings, till they can build, &c?

Enr.

They may and must for a time dwell in Tents and Pauil∣lions, as Souldiers doe now in the Field, Tradesmen in a Faire, and as in ancient times men of good and great account, from time to time, from place to place, many yeeres together haue done, as appeareth, Hebr. 11. 9. The particulars whereof you may reade at leasure, Gen. 12. 8. and 15. 5. and 18. 1. and 24. 67. and 31. 33. So dwelled all Israel in the Wildernesse, full for∣tie yeeres, as you may finde, Leuitic. 23. 42. and Numb. 14. 33, 34. Yea, was not GOD himselfe content to dwell in a Tent, in the middest of Israel, till the dayes of Dauid, and reigne of Sa∣lomon, who found that fauour in his eyes, that hee might build him an House? as it is written, 2 Sam. 7. 63. and Act. 7. 45. The like did the Family of the Rechabites, as appeareth at large, Ierem. 35. for the space of three hundred yeeres together, when as all Israel besides dwelt in houses, and in walled Townes and Cities, and sauing for the commandement of Ionadab, the sonne of Rechab their Father, so might they haue done. So that it is neither vnnaturall, vnusuall, nor vnpossible to take paines this way for a time, and that a long time, if need be.

Resp.

Your examples I must needs yeeld, are al good, because they be so authenticall. But yet I see not that the vse of Tents can be any thing seruiceable, for that being made, as commonly they are, but of raw cloth or canuase, besides that they are very cold, they are not able to keepe off any raine or wet an houre to an end.

Enr.

Well and artificially made, they are more seruiceable then you take them to be. Reade but Exod. 7. and 14. and to

conferre it with 2. Sam. 7. 2. and you shall finde, That they may be made very durable: and that to the well making of Tents, there may goe a Couering or two of skins, or other stuffe, so dressed and fitted, as nor w•…•… nor cold can easily pierce them.

Resp.

I see it well: I pray you proceed.

Enr.

Besides these, Men may, hauing once gotten place cer∣taine for their abode, soone erect some Cabbins and small houses, which may for a time, some yeeres if need bee, serue for habita∣tion, and afterward when they can build better, may be conuer∣ted to inferiour vses, as for corne, cattle, &c. Men must bee con∣tented at first with low and plaine buildings. England hath beene inhabited two or 3000. yeeres at least, and yet what poore, what homely houses be there many till this very day, and within your remembrance and mine, many more there were? If the Liuing be good, though the house be but bad, it is no great matter, good Husbands will say.

Resp.

The Countries themselues are scarce habitable and good: and the Soile thereof but barren and bad.

Enr.

Experience it selfe, the surest teacher, sheweth altoge∣ther the contrary. For, if any credit be to be giuen to those that haue set vs forth their owne knowledge, and triall thereof by the constant testimonie of them all, not one of those Countries inten∣ded or attempted to be be planted by vs, but is found to bee ex∣ceeding good and fruitfull. In euery Countrey to bee inhabited, three things are specially to bee respected; The Temperature of the Climate, the goodnesse of the Aire, and the fatnesse of the Soile. All and euery of these in those Regions (a thing seldome found in many of this vpper Continent,) in comparison of ma∣ny of our Northerne parts, are in the superlatiue degree, viz. The Soile most fat and fertile, the Aire most sweet and healthy, and the Temper most milde and daintie. If those that lie neere (or vnder) the Aequinoctiall, seeme at first to be somewhat of the hot∣test, yet since they are inhabited with Naturals of many sorts, and our men by their abiding there some yeeres together, haue found that they can inhabit them, there is no doubt, but that that excesse of heate, whereby as Spaine, England, they exceed these our Northerne Climates, will by vse and time become very to∣lerable and kindly to men of our Constitution, as well as of others.

The Healthinesse of any Countrie, by plantation and inhabita∣tion must needs be much increased. For, the ridding of grounds, casting of ditches, and watercourses, and making of fires, toge∣ther with the destroying of wilde and filthy beasts, all which, and other like, doe necessarily accompany any good Plantation, fur∣ther much to the clensing of the aire, cleering of fogges, and so ridding of much corruption and vnhealthinesse from the place.

Adde to these the two much-desired Commodities in all good Habitations, I meane, Wood and Water, (the former whereof so fast decaies with vs, that very want of it onely, within few yeers is like to proue exceeding hurtfull to our Land, and can bee no way repaired, but by transplanting the people) and it is out of all question, That neither England nor Ireland, nor any countrey else in this part of Christendome, can at this present compare with those, much lesse exceed them▪ All which considered, what need any doubt, but that The Sunne, as the old Prouerbe is, doth shine there, as merrily as here? and that a little good husbandry will make the dwelling there, as commodious as healthfull, as gainfull, and euery way as good, as any other-where.

Resp.

Your words doe sound somewhat pleasing: But yet I haue heard some say somewhat otherwise, as namely, Those countries are very barren and vnfruitfull.

Enr.

I beleeue you; For I haue heard say too, Euill will, will neuer say well. Many idle wretches, when they come into such pla∣ces, because they cannot haue the plenty without paines, not finde those golden mountaines they dreamed of at home, though many things bee notable and very good, yet will cauill at, and blame euery thing.

Suppose it be somewhat as they say, that is, The ground not so fruitfull as some places here in England, yet doth it follow there∣fore, it is not worth the hauing? If I be not deceiued, There bee few Countries in Europe that can compare with England for rich∣nesse of the Soile, and fatnesse of the earth; yet we all know, they are not therefore forsaken. Againe, in England it selfe, all places are not alike good. As there be some of excellent mold, so there be barren, heath, and hungry Soiles a great many: yet we see, people are glad to inhabit them. Be it then, that some of those parts be no better then our worser grounds, our heaths, Mendip hills, Wiltshire downes, Salisbury plaines, and other like; yet I hop•…•…

they are better then none. A great deale of such ground together, I thinke, may be as good, as a little good ground. If any man will thus consider of such complaints and murmurs, he shall see no great cause to regard them. These therefore thus satisfied, if you haue any thing else to say, say on.

Resp.

Some say also, That those Countries are so ouer growne with wood, trees, bushes, and such like, that there is no roome for building, no ground for pasture and tillage, or at least, not without excessiue la∣bour and charge, or intolerable and pit•…•…ifull spoile of the woods and timbor to no vse.

Enr.

It cannot be, but that those countries, hauing either not at all, or but little as yet beene inhabited, must needs be much o∣uergrowne with woods, and no small part thereof to be a very Forrest and Wildernesse, yet certaine it is, that there are (a thing very admirable, and almost beyond expectation:) there are, I say, in them to be found many goodly parts of those Countries, that are very cleare of woods, faire and goodly open champion ground, large Meadowes and Pastures many hundred, sometimes thousands of Acres together. So that besides the wood-lands there is abundantly roome, and ground enough to build and inha∣bit vpon, for more people, I beleeue, then will hastily be gotten ouer to dwell there: and more ground open and cleare already rid for pasture and tillage, then yet there will be people and cattle enough had thither to such vses, the same to conuert and employ.

And therefore there needs not, either that Complaint which they make, of the excessiue store and encomberment of woods, nor, which is worse, of that present and hastie spoile, and bur∣ning vp of woods on the sudden, for making of roome, that some doe talke of, and would haue to be made; and, as it is reported, haue already made by burning vp thousands of Acres together. This, truly in my opinion, is a thing very wicked, and such as cannot but be displeasing to Almightie God, who abhorreth all wilfull waste and spoile of his good creatures. Gather vp that which is left, saith our Sauiour, Ioh. 6. 12. that nothing be lost: and a thing that in common ciuilitie, and humane policie, should not be suffered to be done, or being done, not passe vnpunished.

Wee may know by our owne present want of wood here in England, what a pretious commoditie wood is, and be warned by our owne harmes, to make much of it, if we haue plenty there∣of,

and no further nor faster to cut it downe, then present vse and good occasions from time to time shall require. We should not be so blinde as not to foresee, that if the countries come once to be inhabited, there will be so many, and so great occasions of cut∣ting downe wood and timber trees, as will quickly cause infinite store thereof necessarily to be imployed, and so the grounds from, time to time speedily enough to be made cleare and ridde for o∣ther vses.

For, first, the very building of Houses, to which adde the ne∣cessary making of fences about houses and grounds, will vse an infinit deale of Wood and Timber.

Secondly, The store that will daily and yeerely be spent in ne∣cessary vses for fire, which at the first specially, till houses bee warme and drie, and the ayre corrected, will and must be more than ordinarie, cannot but, if once any number of Inhabitants goe ouer, be exceeding great.

Thirdly, The building and making of Ships and shipping, will require and consume very much there. And such order may bee taken, that by the woods there, great spare (a thing very need∣full) may be made in England, of our Woods here for that vse.

Fourthly, To these places may be transplanted, the making of Glasse and Iron, as well for England, as for the same Countries: two things, that as it is well knowne, doe deuoure (yet vpon necessary vses) wonderfull store of Wood continually.

Fiftly, The Trades of Potters for earthen vessels, and of Cou∣pers for treen Vessels, both very necessary, specially at the first, will and must still from time to time spend vp much Wood and Timber.

Sixtly, And little behinde them in expence of Wood, will be that very necessary Trade of making of Salt, considering how great vse there is and will be thereof there, for the fishing voy∣ages, besides all other vses thereof, both there and else-where.

Seuenthly, No small quantity thereof likewise may be cut vp and transported into England, for our Buildings, for Coupers, Ioyners, and Trunk-makers trades heere, which now at a daerer hand, wee buy and fetch out of other Countries.

Eighthly, Besides, the Woods standing are of themselues, and by industry more may be made, a great fortification for the In∣habitants against man and Beast, till the Countries be, and can be better employed and fortified.

These, and other like necessary and great vses of wood consi∣dered, which either must, or may be made thereof, little reason or cause is there, why, as if it could, like the waters in the riuers, neuer be spent while the world stands, there should any sudden and needlesse spoile by fire or any other wastfull hauocke be made thereof: and seuerely deserue they to be punished that shall make it, and sharply the rest to be restrained, that none like hereafter be made.

Resp.

These Countries are full of wilde Beasts, Beares, &c.

Enr.

1. Some of them, as the Summer Ilands, haue no such at all. No harmfull thing in them.

2. None of them, especially Newfound Land, as farre as I heare, haue any, or at least, any store of noysome creatures, as of Serpents, Crocodiles, &c. as haue many parts of this Continent, which yet long hath beene, and still be inhabited.

3. It is well, there are some beasts there, wilde at least, if not tame. That is an argument vndeniable, that tame beasts may there be bred and liue.

4. Better wilde then none at all. For of some of them, some good vse may be made for the present, viz. for labour, for food, and for apparell, till better prouision can be made. To which purpose such infinite store and varietie of beasts, birds, fishes, fruits, and other like commodities, as in them all are already found, and doe abound, ought rather to prouoke people to goe thither, assured they cannot, if they will be anything industrious, want necessaries ad victum & ami•…•…tum, for backe and belly, where such plentie is, and to praise God that hath, as for Adam in Pa∣radise, before he placed him there, Gen. 1. so for them, before he bring them thither, prouided so well, rather then the want of some better or other, should moue them like the Israelites against God, Exod. 16. to murmur and repine, or which is worse, who∣ly to refuse and forgoe the places.

5. Haue not other Countries, thinke you, or at least, haue had the like? Is England? is Ireland? is France altogether free? was Ca∣naan, euen that blessed land, without thē, yea good store of them? I take itno, and that not at the first only, as one may gather, Deut. 7. 22. but also many ages after, there were Lions. Iudg. 14. 5. and 1. King. 13. 24. Beares, 2. King. 2. 24. Foxes, Iudg. 15. 4. Hornets,

Deut. 7. 20. Serpents, Esay 30. 6. &c.

Resp.

Among other meanes in these Plantations requisit, the ha∣uing thither of tame cattell, as horses, kine, and sheepe, seemeth hard to bee compassed, and yet most needfull, and that with the very first, to be prouided, considering those Countries, howsoeuer they abound in other, are altogether destitute and vnprouided of these. And it will be obiected, That, besides the difficultie of Trans∣portation, our Country is not able of them to make any spare.

Enr.

But if I bee not deceiued, It were easie to take such a course as might at will furnish that want, and yet leaue vs farre better stored then now we are: and that is,

1. For horses, if all Transportation of them into France and other vicine parts beyond Sea, were restrained, that so all such as were wont to passe out of the Land that way, might now goe this.

2. For Kine and Sheepe, our Land is well stored of them, or rather pestered with them, that if of the one sort, some hun∣dreds, and of the other, some thousands yeerely were thither sent, our Land should haue thereby no losse nor lacke, since it is a rule infallible in husbandrie, howsoeuer it seeme to some a Paradox in sense, The more Kine, the dearer White; The more Sheepe, the dearer Cloth. And therefore we must neuer looke to haue those two Commodities (White and Cloth) at any reasona∣ble hand, till the Number of those two kinde of Cattell be, and that in a good measure too, diminished in our Land. It is also a Maxime vndeniable: The more Cowes, the fewer Ploughes, and The more Milkings, the fewer Weanlings. And therefore till those cattell (Kine) be diminished, and that in a good Number, wee must not looke to haue Corne and Flesh plentie, Bread and Biefe cheape in England againe. But (alas) Narratur fabula Sur∣do. For whose hands bee deeper in this sinne, then theirs that should redresse it?

3. If a strict course might bee taken (and for a publike good, why should not our wanton appetites be a little di•…•…ted?) that in England, from the third of February, till the first of May, or happely but from Septuage•…•…ima Sunday, till the first Sunday after Easter, the chiefe time for breed, no Calues whatsoeuer should be killed, but all to bee weaned and kept for store; within a yeere or

two, without all doubt, we should haue Biefe better cheape in our market a great deale, then now it is, or for many yeeres past it hath beene, and yet many hundreds, haply thousands, of faire yeerelings to bee had for those our new Countries which now haue none.

Where, if any good course be taken, and well obserued for pre∣seruation of euery kinde, I doubt not but they would faster there increase and fill the Countries, then the inhabitants should be a∣ble to make roome for them, by destroying and killing vp those wilde and vntamed beasts, which now doe so there abound.

4. It were good too, our Fish dayes all the yeere long, were better kept. For it is certaine, The more fish is spent, the more flesh is spared: and as both flesh and fish will be thereby the better cheape: so Beeues, young Bullocks will be the more saued, for the helpe and vse of those which to store their Plantations, shall want them.

5. Besides, Wales, and here of late, God be thanked, Ireland seeme by the great droues which yeerely they send ouer, so well stored, that thence alone, though England helped not, Prouision enough might be had, for more kine and young cattell of that sort, then easily there can be Transportation had for.

6. Lastly, As they that write of these Discoueries doe relate, There be also some countries neerer to some of our Plantations then either England or Ireland, from which if men will seeke for them, all sorts of tame and profitable cattell that we can or doe want, may at a very reasonable hand be had.

If it seeme hard and strange to any, to make Transportation of •…•…attell, and, that in the Countries themselues are none naturally to be had: Let them be pleased to vnderstand that to be no new thing: and that where now they are most plentifull, time hath beene, None, not one was to be found: but that such cattell, as wel as men; (for all came out of Noahs Arke, Gen. 8. 17.) were brought and conueyed from place to place. And if they will but a little en∣quire of elder men & times, they may learn; It is but as it were the other day since some countries neere vnto vs had no sheepe, other no kine, other few horses, & that at this very instant, France is wil∣ling to haue frō vs our horses, we frō Wales their Burs, & frō Ire∣land their Cowes. All which doe passe from one countrey to ano∣ther

by Transportation. And therefore men must be contented, as themselues, to dwell where before they haue not done, so to get thither cattell, profitable cattell, where before they haue not beene.

Resp.

The people of those Countries are rude and barbarous.

Enr.

They that like to dwell alone, may. There are coun∣tries found, and more to bee found, I doubt not, not yet inhabi∣ted and actually possessed by any people, nation, or state what∣soeuer.

2. They with whom wee haue to doe, are not so rude as some imagine, I beleeue. Most, if not all of them, specially they of Guiana, doe shew themselues, their breeding considered, exceeding tractable, very louing and kinde to our Nation aboue any other: industrious and ingenious to learne of vs, and practise with vs most Arts and Sciences: and which is most to be admi∣red and cherished, very ready to leaue their old and blinde Ido∣latries, and to learne of vs the right seruice and worship of the true God. And what more can bee expected from them in so small time and meanes? or what surer probabilitie or hope would we haue, that we shall or may easily, and within short time, win them to our owne will, and frame them as we list? Verily I suppose, if all things be considered well, and rightly compared, we haue neerer home worse neighbours a great deale.

3. The Spaniard hath reasonably ciuilized, and better might, if he had not so much tyrannized, people farre more sauage and beastiall then any of these.

4. We ought to consider, that time was, the old Brittons the ancient Inhabitants of this Land, were as rude and barbarous as some of these of forraigne parts, with whom wee haue to doe. And therefore considering, Quâ sumus Origine nati, (for wee are also their Off-spring) wee ought not to despise euen such poore and barbarous people, but pitty them, and hope, that as wee are become now, by Gods vnspeakeable mercy to vs-ward, to a farre better condition, so in time may they.

Resp.

The Aduentures are very dangerous, and lyable to los∣ses of life and goods, to troubles manifold, so that they may well bee called Aduenturers, that will hazard themselues in them.

Enr.

Good words, I pray you.

1. Many fore-cast perils where they need not: and so, many times are more afraid than hurt. As Salomon obserued long a∣goe, Prou. 22. 13. The slothfull saith, A Lyon is without, I shall be slaine in the streetes.

2. Our life and state is not without perils at home: and I tell you, if these Aduentures▪ as you call them, be not better fol∣lowed than yet they are, they will, and cannot but more and more increase.

3. No Action of such a weight and worth as these are, can bee without some perils, hurts▪ and losses, which yet must be aduen∣tured and indured in hope of a greater good, and ampler recom∣pence another way.

4. Hee is not worthy to receiue such benefits as these Ad∣uentures may yeeld him, that for feare of euery inconuenience and danger, is ready to fall off, and disclayme them. Neque mel▪ neque apes, saith the olde Prouerbe. No Bees, (for feare of sting∣ing) no Honie.

5. Of perils and misaduentures, some are meerely Casuall, and not to bee auoyded, some are altogether needlesse, and might haue beene preuented. The former of these must be borne with, as a part of that common calamity, whereunto the life of man is subiect, and of those crosses and afflictions wherewith God doth either try his Children, as Gold in the fire, or afflict and punish them and others. For these, no man ought to bee troubled and dismayed in these courses, more than for the like in any other, nor dislike them one iot the worse.

Wee finde, when God would bring his owne people the chil∣dren of Israel into that good Land, the Land of Canaan, which so oft & so solemnely he had promised to them and to their Fa∣thers, he did it not without letting them passe, and feele some pe∣rils by the way; as the stopping at the red Sea, the pursuite of Pharaoh, one while the want of flesh, another while of water in the Wildernesse, the terrour of fiery Serpents, and the assault of many and mighty enemies, with other like. Wee finde also, that he was much displeased with, and sharpely sometimes did pu∣nish those of them that murmured because of those things, and would haue returned backe into Egypt, regarding not to pro∣ceed, and accept that Land, that good Land, which the Lord their

God had giuen to them and their seed. And may not this teach vs, That we must not looke to haue the hand of Gods proui∣dence extended vnto vs without some dangers and incumbran∣ces: And that the Lord is not pleased with those that for feare of euery mis-hap and trouble, will bee discouraged them∣selues, or will dis-hearten and discourage others from such At∣tempts?

Christ likewise the Sonne of God, sending abroad his Apo∣stles to preach the Gospell, is so farre from securing them of all troubles and dangers in their indeuours thereabout, that hee fore-tells them, He doth send them forth as Lambes among wolues. That they should be hated, persecuted, and put to death for his sake, &c. But were the Apostles by this dismayed? Did they therefore refuse to vndertake their charge, and proceed in the worke of the Lord? Wee know the contrary. Notable to this purpose is the protestation of the Apostle Saint Paul, 2. Cor. 6. 4. and 11. 23.

Resp.

I pray you recite the very words, for I desire to heare what so great an Apostle hath said to such a purpose.

Enr.

With a good will. Speaking there both of himselfe, and the rest of his fellow Apostles and Labourers in the Gospell, thus he saith: In all things we approue our selues as the Ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in prisons, in tumults, in labours. By watchings, by fastings, by p•…•…ritie, by knowledge, by long suffering: and a little after, By ho∣nour and dishonour, by euill report and good report, as deceiuers, and yet true: as vnknowne, and yet knowne: as chastened, and yet not killed: as sorrowing, and yet alway reioycing: as poore, and yet making many rich: as hauing nothing, and yet possessing all things. And in the same Epistle, Chap. 11. 23. opposing and contesting against false apostles of those times, that sought to debase and disgrace him, thus he writeth of his owne particulars: In labours more abundant, in stripes aboue measure, in prison more plenteously, in Death oft. Of the Iewes fiue times receiued. I forty stripes saue one, I was thrice beaten with roddes: I was once stoned: I suffe∣red thrice Ship-wracke. Night and day haue I beene in the deepe Sea. In iourneying I was often: in perils of waters, in perils of rob∣bers, in perils of mine owne Nation: in perils among the Gentiles:

in perils in the Citie, in perils in the Wildernesse: in perils in the Sea: in perils among false Brethren. In wearinesse, and painfulnesse, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakednesse. Beside the things which are outward, I am combred daily, and haue the care of all the Churches. Who is weake, and I am not weake? who is offended, and I burne not? You haue heard a∣bundantly of the sufferings, heare also the inuincible constancy and magnanimity of this admirable Champion of the Lord, ex∣pressed with his owne mouth, Act. 20. 22. And now behold, •…•… goe bound in the Spirit vnto Ierusalem, and know not what things shall come vnto mee there, saue that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in euery City, saying, that Bands and afflictions abide mee. But I passe not, (for it) at all, neither is my life deare vnto mee, so that I may fulfill my course with ioy, and the Ministration which I haue receiued of the Lord Iesus, viz. to testifie the Gospell of the grace of God. And Chap. 21. 13. I am ready not to be bound onely, but also to dye at Ierusalem, for the name of the Lord Iesus. Hauing such Lights and Leaders for our example, shall we grudge and vtterly refuse to suffer any thing, to hazard any troubles, and to beare any cros∣ses at all, (And it is not possible we should meet with such a mea∣sure and heape thereof, as they did by many degrees,) for the Gospels sake, and, besides all other good that may come there∣of, that wee may helpe to enlarge the Kingdome of God, and his Christ on earth? And thus much of the first sort of euill acci∣dents and mis-haps.

The other sort, which I called needlesse or wilfull, by which I meane such as men wilfully, through their owne fault doe cast themselues or others into, by their euill mana∣ging of any such businesse, by rashnesse, disorder, ouer-sight, or the like, ought not to be imputed to the Actions them∣selues, as which doe not necessarily draw any such after them, but to the Authors and Actors of the same. As if men meete with dangers at Sea, by setting forth at vnseaso∣nable times, in the Winter, in foule weather, or other like: If they bee surprized by an Enemy at Sea or Land, they go∣ing without sufficient forces, both of men, and munition, for such an enterprize: If they be distressed with want of victuals, and other prouisions, when they set forth slenderly, poorely, and ill prouided, with other like.

6. These Actions, our Plantations, I meane, properly and in their owne nature, are lyable to as few hazards and mishaps, as any such lightly can be.

For, first, Our Passage to any of the places intended, is very easie, open, and cleare, Sea-roome at will, and, if we take time and season conuenient; as nauigable and pleasant as need to be desired. Few Pyrates on those coasts, and fewer it is probable there would be, if some good course were taken for their repulse and dissipation.

2. Our Accesse and Entry is free and facile for the most part. No man once offereth to forbid or hinder our landing there.

3. The people of those Countries, if any bee, ready either for loue and hope of good from vs, kindly to receiue and entertaine vs, or for feare and weakenesse of their owne accord to •…•…lye from vs, and betake themselues to more remote and inland parts of those Regions, or to submit themselues tractably to liue vnder vs.

4. The Countries themselues free, for the most part, of any noysome or very dangerous either beast or Serpent: not infe∣cted nor infested, as some of this Continent, which yet are, and long haue beene well inhabited, with the most dreadfull of these sorts, that the world doth yeeld.

5. Wee need not make way for our selues into any one of them at all with fire and sword, as either our progenitors the Saxons and Normans did into this Land, or our later fore-fathers the English, into both France and Ireland. So that euery thing considered, Wee cannot well wish or expect, in these dayes to finde out, to haue and gaine any Countrey or Place for Plantation with lesse troubles, fewer losses, and smaller dangers, if things be well hand∣led, then these we may. Nor is it likely, if wee neglect and ouer∣slip the so faire and many opportunities now offered vs, that euer we shall haue and finde the like againe.

Resp.

The profit is small, and little the good that is like to arise of so great labours, dangers, and expences. For whatsoeuer you, and some others talke of great riches there, and that way to bee had, wee heare of none that proue rich and wealthy there.

Enr.

It may be so, and there are many reasons for it.

For, first: It is not long that any haue beene in any of these Plantations, and there must be a time for euery thing. They

that will haue co•…•…e from the ground, must tarry the ripening of it. It is not one yeeres worke or two, to get a good state in Lands, and to get some store of wealth about a man in the same likewise. They that goe ouer to such a businesse, haue many things to doe first, before they can haue time to gather wealth a∣bout them; as to build, to rid their grounds, to make fenses to destroy wilde and hurtfull beasts, to get ouer good and profitable cattell, to plant and sow their grounds, and the like: All which be matters of great labour, time and expence. We see in daily practice with vs, a man that is a Purchaser, till he hath recoue∣red his Fine, and stockt his Liuing, cannot be aforehand and get wealth about him: nor can they there, till they haue done those and other like things, which are to them, as it were, their Fine and In-come. It is well if seuen, or ten, or twentie yeeres hence, happely in the next generation, men can attaine vnto riches. It is enough for the fathers to take in the grounds, and settle the lands and liuings for them and theirs against the time to come, though for the present, and for their owne time, they hardly stand vp, and meet with some difficulties.

2. Men there, can, making nothing of their grounds yet, far∣ther then any can themselues employ them to pasture or tillage. It is not there as in England, where, if a man haue little stocke or imployment of his owne for his grounds, yet he may let them out at a reasonable rent; but there, more then a man can stocke and till himselfe, lies still, and will yeeld him nothing at all. Make it your owne case. If you had the best Liuing in this parish in Fee simple, and had little to put vpon it, nor could get any to rent it, at your hands, could you grow rich in haste? This is their case.

Resp.

Your speech is very reasonable, I must confesse: but goe on, I pray you.

Enr.

3. All in manner that haue gone ouer hitherto into any of these parts, are poore men, men of small meanes, and therefore with little or nothing, it is not possible they should in a little time attaine to any store of some thing: And the lesse possible, for that the benefit of their labours redounds for the most part, not to themselues, but, as in regard of their great aduentures and expenses, reason is it should, to the benefit of rich men here, that haue sent them thither.

4. Diuers of them that haue gone ouer, haue beene Banke∣rutps

and Spendthrifts, Idlers and Loyterers, who, as they thri∣ued not in England, (for how should they thriue that run thrift∣lesse and heedlesse courses?) so will they not commonly in any Land. Coelum non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt: as saith the Poet, Weeds will be weeds, where-euer they grow.

When men of fashion and meanes doe go ouer, that are able to set vp themselues and others, and that will be industrious to take the benefit of the time and place, then I doubt not but it will soone appeare what good may be done in those places, and that men may, if they will, easily and quickly proue rich and wealthy there. Then, and not till then, if riches arise not, let men blame the places from whence it was expected they should arise.

6. The manner of proceeding in these attempts, may also be a great cause, why men attaine to riches there more slowly, then they might and should, if they were otherwise managed.

As, First, If the Plantation begin with a small number, farre too little for such a businesse. For then neither can they bee able to extend themselues farre into the Countries in a long time, and so not to finde out the goodnes, sweetnesse, and benefit there∣of: nor to set vp all kinde of necessary trades and faculties among themselues, whereby they may bee able to assist and set one ano∣ther a worke.

2. If they that remoue hence, goe sparely and ill prouided of cattell, corne, and other necessaries for Plantation and Habita∣tion, which those countries afford not: impossible it is for them to make that profit, and get that increase by their Lands and Li∣uings there, which they might, if they were well and throughly prouided of such things at the first.

7. This is the onely way which men in ancient time did finde out and obserue to get riches and wealth withall, to increase and amend their estate by, when as by multitudes of people their country was, as ours now is, so ouerlaid, that they could not thriue and prosper therein. Neither were they euer lightly decei∣ued, but the euent and computation did answer their intent and expectation▪ And no doubt, if the like courses bee now attemp∣ted, they may and will, if they be well carried, produce the like, or rather better and speedier effects to vs then to them. For we haue many helps for peace and warre, for shipping and nauiga∣tion, for defence and fortification, for traffique and negotiation,

for building and habitation, for religious and ciuill conuersation, for skill in many needfull arts and occupations, which they had not, to further vs withall.

8. Of all other meanes to get wealth and riches by, Husbandry (which of all courses of life is that, which in those places must chiefly, and most of all, be followed and employed) hath ancient∣ly and worthily euer beene accounted the chiefest, best, and surest. Wherein, though it be somewhat more chargeable, combersome, and for a time, vncomfortable, to enter into a void and desolate country, ouergrowne with woods, thickets, and other like, yet who knowes not, what great oddes and aduantage to the getting of riches and wealth there is: first, betweene the breaking vp of such grounds as were neuer yet employed, but hauing lien waste, vntoucht, and vntilled from the beginning, haue all their sweet∣nesse and fatnesse in them, and the tillage and vsage of poore and hungry soiles, that from time to time haue beene turned vp and worne out to the vttermost: and then betwixt the hauing of great and goodly Lands, (for there one man may easily haue as much as ten or twentie haue here) and of small and simple Tene∣ments?

9. When Brutus came first into this Land, who would haue imagined it would haue proued so goodly, so plentifull, so fruit∣full, so rich, so excellent and happy a Land, as we (God be praised for it) doe finde, and all the world about vs doth know it is? And who but sailing along the Coasts of any of those new Countries, or but going ashore here and there, not aboue a mile or two, hap∣pely within the Land, can imagine, or conceiue, much lesse, know and vnderstand what wealth and riches, what goodly fields and pastures, hills and valleys, mines and metals, woods and waters, what hidden treasures and sundry commodities are to be found, and had therein?

10. The name of a Kingdome is verie great: and what should not, or heretofore, what would not men doe, to gaine a Kingdome? By these meanes opportunitie is offered vnto our Land, to our English Nation, to g•…•…t and gaine, to possesse and take, to haue and enioy, together with Plantation and Habi∣tation for thousands, and hundred thousands thereof, more then one or two Kingdomes, great and goodly Prouinces, that

by Gods blessing and prouidence towards vs, may in time bee vnited to the Crowne, the Imperiall Crowne of this Land. Which by consequence, (for what infinite store of riches and wealth, how many places of peferment and honour, for hundreds and thousands of particular and inferiour persons is there contai∣ned and comprehended within a Kingdome?) must needs bring with euery of them seuerally, riches and wealth of great, and in manner infinite valew and estimation.

The English lost in France in the time of Henrie the sixth, two seuerall parts of that spacious Countrie, that had beene English neere about three hundred yeeres before, that is Normandie and Aquitaine, in the former whereof (saith an English Historie, as minding to expresse the greatnesse of the losse by the particu∣lars) there were (then) an hundred strong townes and fortresses, one Archbishoppricke, and sixe Bishopprickes, besides some o∣ther townes destroyed in the warres: and in the latter, foure Archbishopprickes, fifteene Earledomes, two hundred sixtie and two Baronies, and aboue a thousand Captainships and Baili∣wicks.

Suppose we now the same had fallen out in our times, (and I hope I may without offence make vse of former and forraine things) would we not, or should we not (thinke you) account it an ines•…•…imable losse and damage to the Crowne and Countrey of England, worthy to be redeemed with hundred thousands of our mony and goods, and to be recouered (if it were possible) with thousands of the liues of our men, and no small effusion of Christian bloud? If now contrariwise, we may in our dayes, not lose, but get; not hazard, but assuredly haue and gaine, and that sine sanguine & sudore, euen without bloud or blowes, and with∣out any waste or spoyle of our treasur•…•… and state, (I will not say the same that we had lost, but in stead 〈◊〉〈◊〉) some other Regions and Countries, Territories and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for Habitation, as great, and (likely in time to proue) as g•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, might not this bee iustly accounted a gaine and good, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…sargement and increase to our Nation and Kingdome inesti•…•…le and exceeding great?

If the name of a Kingdome shall be•…•… thought too high and ex∣cellent, too great and glorious for Cou•…•…s so vaste and wast, so remote, and obscure as those of our Plantations yet are, let

them bee vouchsafed the name but of Dukedomes, as those I last mentioned, or Lordships, as Ireland for a long time was, or by whatsoeuer other titles, parts or members of a kingdome, hee shall be pleased to stile and nominate them, Quem •…•…enes arbi∣trium est, & ius & norm•…•… loquendi, as one saith, for so we haue the thing, it is no great matter for the name: yet, if there may be had, as the probabilities, possibilities, and opportu∣nities already had and made vs, doe plainly declare there may in one place, a Countrey as great, at the least, as that of Norman∣die, in another place, as that of Aquitaine, in a third, twise as much as they both, that is, such a one wherein there may be in time erected, constituted and made (speaking somewhat, thought not altogether according to the former proportions) for∣tie Earledomes or Counties, foure Archbishopprickes, sixe and thirtie Bishopprickes, three or foure hundred Baronies, fiue or sixe hundred townes and fortresses, one or two thousand Cap∣tainships and Bailiwicks, ten or twelue thousand parishes, and foure or fiue hundred thousand families, shall it notwithstanding be thought, that there is no wealth or riches, no place of prefer∣ment, no hope of dignitie or good there to be had?

Resp.

If there be such Possibilities, yet before the Countries themselues can be reduced to such a state, and such diuisions setled therein, as you speake of, great store of treasure and wealth must bee spent, and many yeeres of time be ouerpast.

Enr.

1. For Expense, not so much happely, as one lin∣gring warre, the euent whereof is most vncertaine must and will consume.

2. The Countries themselues will yeeld meanes and money enough, if they be well handled, to defray or repay whatsoeuer shall be needfull for the effecting of all these with aduantage.

3. The hazzard and losse of life and limme is this way won∣derfully saued and auoyded.

4. And for time, sooner happely this may be thus effected, at least, in some tolerable measure, then a Countrey lost can bee recouered and quieted. As we may obserue, by the children of Israel, who setting vpon the Land of Canaan, and that with a mightie armie, not so few as an hundred thousand men of warre, and with more then ordinary, euen admirable successe, The Lord

being euer with them, yet were scarcely setled therein all the daies of Ioshua: and neere home too, in our neighbour Countrie. The Netherlands, which being reuolted from the Spaniard long agoe, he hath not beene able in all our time, to reduce to his obedience againe.

5. And you know, a country being gotten by the sword, may be lost againe by the same. For, Non minor est virtus, quam quae∣rere parta tueri: There is more adoe to keepe, then to get such a thing Of the which there is little or no feare in the attempts that we talke of.

6. In a word, both the expectation and the expence for re∣duction of those Countries to such effects, will, and may be spee∣dily and abundantly recompenced in the facilitie, libertie, and securitie of the getting, setling, and keeping of them.

Wherefore, Rumpantur Ilia Codr•…•…: Let froward Enuie her selfe swell till she burst againe, and detracting Malice, or timorous Ignorance speake the worst they can, yet all that will not be blind, may see, and whosoeuer will vnderstand the truth, may know, that there are Riches and Preferment, much for the present, more for the times to come to be had, if men will but take them; and to be gotten and gained, if they be but laboured and searched for, in the places and precincts of our present intended Plantations.

And now I thinke good neighbour Respire, I haue for the satis∣faction of you, or of any not peruersly minded, sufficiently iusti∣fied these Proiects and Attempts of Plantations for the generall, to be in themselues honourable, needfull, gainfull and lawfull: and for the particular, to be neither so dangerous or difficult, nor so strange or incommodious, as at the first shew they may seeme to be.

Resp.

You haue indeed, in mine opinion, spoken exceeding well to those purposes. Your latter words bring to my minde that worthy say∣ing of Salomon, Eccl. 11. 4. if my memorie faile me not. The words, I am sure, be these: He that obserueth the winds, shall not •…•…ow, and, he that regardeth the clouds, shall not reape: and your whole discourse makes me feare to vrge you with any more Obiections concerning these matters, as which I see by your readie, plaine, and plentifull answer to these already moued, be to little purpose, and will vanish, when they come to be sifted, as smoke before the winde. And if you can yeeld mee

the like satisfaction in some other points, that I conceiue very necessary to be considered about these Actions, I shall like of them a great deale better then euer I had thought I should; and be as readie to praise and commend them, as I haue beene to dispraise and blame them. But there∣with I will not trouble you at this present, but deferre it to another meeting, which God willing, shall be shortly. For I shall not be in quiet, till I haue heard the vttermost that you either can say, or I am desirous to heare touching these matters.

Enr.

I am glad truly, that our little Conference hath so much preuailed with you. And I shall be ready, and because I finde you so tractable and reasonable, the readier, to giue you the best satis∣faction I can in anything else, whensoeuer you shall be pleased to that end to come hither againe.

The end of the first part.

Notes

• What profit may come by reading such books as con∣cerne Planta∣tions.
• Plantations themselues are Actions very commendable necessarie, &c.
• 1. By them the Church of Christ may notably bee enlarged.
• By the Addi∣tion of other Countries to Christen∣dome.
• And by the Conuersion of infinite hea∣thens to Chri∣stianitie.
• The Papists haue much endeuoured this way.
• It is Gods will to call them to the knowledge of his truth.
• And their con∣uersion must be before the end of the world can be.
• D. Keckar. Dantiscan.
• 2. By them the Maiestie and renowne of the Kings of England may be much aug∣mented.
• 3. By them the good of this Land may no∣tably be pro∣cured.
• 1. In the easier supportation of the Regall state.
• 2. In ridding out of the land the great and superfluous multitude thereof.
• 3. In abating the excessiue high prices of all things to liue by.
• 4. In enriching the poorer sort hence re∣moued.
• 5. In amen∣ding the Trade and Traffique of Merchants.
• 6. In rooting out Idlenesse out of this Land.
• The fruits of Idlenesse.
• Ale houses.
• Tobacco∣shops.
• Idle Trades.
• Prisons.
• Violent deaths.
• Plantations be lawfull.
• Plantations no new nor strange course: but both vsuall and ancient.
• Tully.
• Gen. 10. 5.
• Gen. 9. 1.
• Certaine Ob∣iections an∣swered.
• 1. Obiection.
• Answere.
• •…•…id.
• 2. Obiect.
• Answ.
• Tents may serue for a time.
• 3. Obiection.
• Answer.
• The spoyle of woods in those countries not sufferable.
• 4. Obiection. Answere.
• What meanes for profitable cattell to be had and trans∣ported.
• 5. Obiect.
• Answ.
• 6. Obiect.
• Answer.
• •…•…. Obiect.
• Answer.
• Normandie and Aquitaine in France lost, and when.
• Note this▪
• 8. Obiect.
• Answer.
• The Summe of this first part.