A Designe for plentie, by an universall planting of fruit-trees: tendred by some wel-wishers to the publick.

To the READER.

Courteous and Ingenuous Reader,

IN the publication of this small Treatise; it is just that every one should have his due.

First, Gods goodnesse is to be praised, who having indued man with knowledge above the beasts of the field, and put all things under his feet, he doth in a more speciall manner (as the Pro¦phet saith) instruct the Husbandman to discretion, and doth teach him how to order his affairs for the best advantage of Humane Societies.

Secondly, his Providence is to be acknowledged in bringing things to light, which without his good hand would have been lost and lien in darknesse, as this Dis∣course would have been, if he had not stirred up some favourable Instruments to preserve it, and bring it un∣to my hand to be published for the Common good.

Thirdly, the Instruments whom he hath employed both to bring forth this birth into the World, and to preserve it after it was brought forth, deserve some commendation. He that was made Instrumentall to bring it forth into the World, is not yet known unto

me: for although I have endeavoured by a diligent search to finde out his name, yet I have not been able to compasse the matter: onely this I have been told, that the Author of this Designe was an aged Minister of the Gospel, who for the space of many years had for his own recreation, and that he might be servicea∣ble also to others experimented this part of Husbandry which at last he resolved by this Treatise to make pub∣lick, but was by death prevented; the place of his a∣bode being said to be Loving-land neer Yarmouth. He who did preserve it from being lost, and gave it to a friend of mine, is the Honourable Collonel John Barkstead, the present Lieutenant of the Tower, a Gentleman whom I know not, but such as know him do give him this Character, that he is of a very pub∣lick and ingenuous Spirit; in his Military Relations, exceeding active and circumspect; zealous for Justice and good Order, to represse the licentiousnesse of the times; and one who being capable of publick thoughts and generous cares, is willing freely to communicate and impart the same to all that can reap any benefit thereby. As for my self, I claim nothing but the con∣tentment to be the Publisher thereof, that I may be Instrumentall to advance the comforts of many there∣by, and so help forward the Authors honest Designe; and I am the more willing to divulge this brief Tract upon this Subject, because it will serve as a fore-run∣ner to a larger Volume of Fruit-trees, which an expe∣rienced friend of mine, Mr. Ralph Austin hath in a rea∣dinesse to put forth at Oxford. Such as have perused Mr. Blithe's Improver improved (a Book worth the reading by all that apply themselves to Husbandry) in

the second Part, Chapter 43. towards the latter end, will meet with a promise made concerning this Trea∣tise of Master Austin's, which now he is putting to the Presse, as by his own Letter written in November last 1652 he doth informe me: therefore I intend in this Preface and by this Treatise, as by a small taste of so good a matter, both to raise thine appetite and quicken thy desire to see that larger Work, and to stay thy stomack a little till it come forth, in hope, that when God shall have furnished this Wise and Noble Nation with all these and many other means of Plenty we shall then be all inclined to beat out swords into Plough-shares, and our spears into pruning-hooks, and that by a happy Union of England and Scotland, and the peaceable settlement of the affections of all people under the present Government, we shall live as Bre∣thren, and study by the wayes of Common Industry to strengthen the hands of those that bear Rule over us, and are set for our defence; whose burthen, al∣though it be extraordinary great, yet by the good hand of God upon us, it will be greatly eased and les∣sened, when all hands shall suffer themselves to be set a work, and the earth yield her increase. For certain∣ly the present constitution of the Nation (if we become not so fatally and more then brutishly miserable, as to study continually one anothers ruine) is not in so weak and dangerous a condition, as it was in Queen Eliza∣beth's dayes when she came first to the Crown. For then as Bishop Carleton describes it, the state of affairs was far otherwise then now it is, as appears by his own words in his Book (called a Thankfull Remembrance of Gods Mercy) where he writes as followeth.

She [Queene Elizabeth] did not serve God in vain. For it is a thing to be wondered at, that the land being then without strength, without Forces, without Soul∣diers, yea, without Armour; all things necessary should be so suddenly furnished. She had provided Armour at Ant∣werp, but King Philip caused that to be stayed. Yet was she not discouraged, but laid out much money upon Armour though she found the Treasury but poore. She procured Armour and Weapons out of Germany. She caused many great Guns to be cast of Brasse and Iron. And Gods provi∣dence and favour appeared in her protection. For new mines of Brasse were found at Keswike, that had long bin neglected. From whence there was not onely suffici∣ent matter to supply her wants, but abundance thereof to be transported to other Countreys. The stone called Lapis Calaminaris, whose use is needfull for working in Brasse, was also at the same time first found in England. There was provision made at home also for the making of Gun-powder. Which was done first here by her commandement: For before, it was bought and imported.

Berwick before her time, was weak and had but 500 Souldiers: She fortified the town, made the new inner wall and increased the number of Souldiers and their stipends, that provision might be made for the training up of expe∣rienced Souldiers and martiall men. She provided a Navy, the best furnished that ever England saw. Neither needed she to do as her Father & Ancestours were wont to do, when they wanted Ships, to send for Ships and hire them from Hamburg, Lubeck, Dantisk, Genua and Venice; for she had them readie at home to serve her. Yea all the good Townes upon the Sea-coast, beholding this incredible ala∣crity and forwardness in their Prince, strived also to imi∣tate

the same, and therefore with great cheerefullnesse and readinesse built Ships for warre. So that in a short time, the Queenes Ships and those of the subjects joyned toge∣ther, rose to such a number, that they were able to im∣ploy twenty thousand men in sea-fight at once. The Noble∣men, the Gentlemen and Yeomen, did all strive to answer so noble a resolution of their Prince. And therefore great store of Armour and Weapons were every where provi∣ded. And brave spirits were bred and inabled to service, whereby they became an helpe and Ornament to their Countrey; so that Queene Elizabeth was quickly growne so strong, that all her Adversaries were not able to hurt her. And was not this a great work of God, that so weak a Woman should be able to defend her selfe against so many, so potent enemies? Yea, and not onely to match them, but to master them? This was Gods doing, &c.

This Remembrance of her condition, and of Gods wonderfull preservation of this Nation at that time, should not onely encourage us to hope still in his mer∣cy, whereof we have as great experience hitherto as ever she had, but also direct us to the performance of the duties fitting us for the continuance of such mer∣cies towards us. For as then all the neighbours of this Nation were either open enemies or uncertain friends, so it now may fall out again in this juncture of time, that we shall finde none abroad cordially to appear for us; but if we be found faithfull to one another at home in minding the interest of the Gospel, in seeking Peace and Truth, in setling Judgement, in repressing the enormous scandals which are broken forth, and in advancing all manner of Industrie, we may expect

the same successe which that blessed Queen had, and a greater Harvest of Spirituall and Temporall Bles∣sings then ever yet this Nation hath received. Which that We may live to see, I shall not cease to pray, and in praying with the best and utmost of my endea∣vours to approve my selfe,

Thine and the Publiques most faithfull Servant, SAMUEL HARTLIB.

Notes

• Esa. 28.26, 27, 28.
• See another dis∣course lately pub∣lished by a wor∣thy and speciall friend of mine, called, Bread for the Poor, & Advancement of the English Nation, promi∣sed by Enclo∣sure of the Wast••s and Common Ground of England.
• Chap. 1. pag: 3.
• That is, when she came first to the Crown.