Inclosure thrown open: or, Depopulation depopulated. Not by spades and mattocks; but, by the word of God, the laws of the land, and solid arguments. And the most material pleas that can be brought for it, considered and answered. / By Henry Halhead.
         Halhead, Henry.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A86571 of text R206364 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E619_2). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
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         Thomason E619_2
         ESTC R206364
         99865525
         99865525
         117770
         
           
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             Inclosure thrown open: or, Depopulation depopulated. Not by spades and mattocks; but, by the word of God, the laws of the land, and solid arguments. And the most material pleas that can be brought for it, considered and answered. / By Henry Halhead.
             Halhead, Henry.
          
           [4], 19 [1] p.
           
             Printed by Ja. Cottrel, for Giles Calvert, at the Black Spread-Eagle at the West-end of Paul's,
             London :
             1650.
          
           
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "Dec. 4th.".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Inclosures -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Levellers -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A86571  R206364  (Thomason E619_2).  civilwar no Inclosure thrown open: or, Depopulation depopulated.:  Not by spades and mattocks; but, by the word of God, the laws of the land, and solid Halhead, Henry.  1650    9921 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 B  The  rate of 6 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           INCLOSURE
           Thrown
           Open
           :
           OR
           ,
           DEPOPULATION
           Depopulated
           .
           NOT
           By
           SPADES
           and
           MATTOCKS
           ;
           BUT
           ,
           By
           the
           WORD
           of
           GOD
           ,
           the
           LAWS
           of
           the
           LAND
           ,
           and
           Solid
           ARGUMENTS
           .
           And
           the
           most
           material
           PLEAS
           that
           can
           be
           brought
           for
           it
           ,
           considered
           and
           answered
           .
        
         
           By
           HENRY
           HALHEAD
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             Ja.
             Cottrel
             ,
          
           for
           
             Giles
             Calvert
             ,
          
           at
           the
           Black
           Spread-Eagle
           at
           the
           West-end
           of
           
             Paul's
          
           .
           1650.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           
             Christian
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           BEing
           desired
           by
           the
           
             Author
          
           to
           make
           These
           of
           his
           against
           
             Inclosure
          
           common
           ;
           I
           shall
           as
           publikely
           expose
           the
           Reason
           of
           my
           undertaking
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           known
           the
           
             Author
          
           from
           my
           childhood
           ,
           and
           have
           observed
           him
           (
           ever
           since
           I
           observed
           any
           thing
           )
           to
           be
           a
           
             constant
          
           and
           
             zealous
          
           Witness
           against
           
             Depopulation
             ;
          
           and
           no
           Encroachment
           of
           New
           Times
           ,
           Places
           ,
           or
           things
           ,
           could
           ever
           remove
           this
           
             Land-mark
          
           from
           off
           his
           spirit
           .
           Yea
           ,
           now
           ▪
           in
           his
           old-age
           ,
           his
           Courage
           and
           Hope
           against
           this
           is
           as
           
             fresh
          
           and
           
             green
          
           as
           ever
           .
           So
           that
           this
           is
           no
           new
           nor
           sudden
           Conception
           of
           his
           Fancie
           ,
           but
           a
           setled
           and
           well-digested
           
             Principle
          
           in
           his
           Heart
           through
           a
           long
           tract
           of
           time
           &
           
             observation
             .
          
        
         
           Nor
           can
           any
           Particular
           interest
           of
           his
           own
           (
           by
           those
           that
           know
           him
           )
           be
           suspected
           to
           set
           him
           on
           work
           ;
           he
           living
           the
           best
           of
           his
           time
           in
           a
           Burrough-town
           ,
           where
           he
           was
           a
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           exercised
           his
           Calling
           in
           the
           
             house
             ,
          
           as
           a
           Shop-keeper
           ;
           not
           in
           the
           
             field
             ,
          
           as
           a
           Husbandman
           :
           Vntil
           
             Providence
          
           snatching
           him
           thence
           ,
           made
           him
           Governour
           of
           the
           onely
           
             Island
          
           called
           by
           her
           name
           ;
           where
           he
           continued
           ,
           until
           the
           
             Isle
          
           of
           
             Great
             Britain
             ,
          
           being
           about
           to
           be
           born
           again
           into
           a
           new
           and
           
             free
             state
             ,
          
           might
           deservedly
           be
           Christned
           
             The
             Isle
             of
             Providence
             ;
          
           whither
           he
           might
           be
           brought
           back
           ,
           as
           we
           may
           soberly
           judge
           ,
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           partly
           ,
           if
           not
           mainly
           ,
           to
           give
           in
           his
           witness
           and
           testimony
           against
           Depopulation
           .
           And
           no
           sooner
           were
           his
           other
           
             travels
          
           ended
           ,
           but
           the
           pangs
           of
           this
           
             travel
          
           came
           fresh
           upon
           him
           (
           though
           he
           had
           never
           been
           dischared
           of
           them
           ;
           )
           and
           the
           office
           of
           
             delivering
          
           these
           his
           Meditations
           ,
           and
           bringing
           them
           forth
           to
           light
           ,
           he
           laid
           upon
           me
           ,
           for
           the
           long
           acquaintance
           he
           had
           with
           me
           ;
           charging
           me
           ,
           under
           a
           very
           great
           and
           solemn
           adjuration
           ,
           not
           to
           neglect
           the
           same
           .
           Vpon
           this
           
             score
          
           do
           I
           put
           my
           hand
           to
           this
           work
           ;
           otherwise
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           Question
           remote
           from
           my
           
             Cognizance
             ,
          
           which
           I
           should
           not
           therefore
           undertake
           to
           determine
           .
           I
           skill
           onely
           the
           
             Equity
          
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           certainly
           that
           is
           obvious
           to
           
             All
          
           men
           .
           Depopulation
           is
           odious
           and
           abominable
           both
           to
           God
           and
           men
           :
           Therefore
           ,
           
             that
          
           Inclosure
           which
           is
           guilty
           of
           Depopulation
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           unlawful
           :
           Otherwise
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           the
           Author
           himself
           is
           not
           against
           such
           Inclosure
           as
           is
           for
           the
           
             necessary
             accommodation
          
           of
           house-keeping
           .
        
         
         
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           the
           just
           Bounds
           and
           Limits
           cannot
           be
           set
           by
           me
           ,
           nor
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           by
           any
           man
           ;
           yet
           all
           men
           may
           see
           
             there
             is
             a
             fault
             among
             us
             .
          
           And
           when
           God
           comes
           to
           judge
           ,
           (
           which
           how
           near
           that
           may
           be
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           not
           perhaps
           considered
           )
           he
           will
           finde
           means
           in
           every
           mans
           Conscience
           to
           convince
           and
           reprove
           them
           ,
           wherein
           they
           have
           served
           their
           
             Covetousness
          
           in
           pretence
           of
           necessary
           Accommodation
           .
        
         
           Did
           men
           believe
           they
           were
           
             Stewards
             ,
          
           and
           have
           for
           others
           sakes
           whatever
           they
           have
           more
           then
           
             food
             and
             raiment
             ,
          
           I
           am
           perswaded
           the
           heat
           of
           their
           covetous
           Ambition
           would
           soon
           be
           over
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           taught
           by
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           to
           pray
           onely
           for
           our
           
             daily
             bread
             ;
          
           and
           that
           to
           be
           given
           us
           
             this
             day
             ,
          
           (
           or
           from
           day
           ,
           to
           day
           .
           )
           It
           will
           not
           be
           a
           good
           Plea
           to
           say
           ,
           I
           inclosed
           my
           ground
           ,
           because
           ,
           though
           I
           could
           
             maintain
          
           my
           charge
           on
           my
           revenue
           ,
           yet
           I
           could
           not
           
             raise
          
           my
           family
           .
        
         
           But
           were
           the
           Inclosure
           or
           Close-fistedness
           of
           mens
           
             Mindes
          
           thrown
           open
           into
           the
           largeness
           and
           bounty
           of
           a
           
             divine
          
           spirit
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           need
           to
           regulate
           the
           Inclosure
           of
           
             Land
             .
          
           For
           I
           would
           not
           have
           any
           think
           it
           is
           the
           
             Form
          
           we
           strictly
           aim
           at
           but
           the
           
             Equity
             :
          
           whether
           in
           the
           form
           of
           
             Inclosure
             ,
          
           or
           of
           
             Common
             field
             ,
          
           let
           men
           answer
           the
           End
           ,
           which
           is
           Charity
           .
        
         
           The
           Law
           was
           not
           made
           for
           a
           righteous
           man
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           ungodly
           and
           sinners
           .
           Those
           whom
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           hath
           made
           free
           ,
           need
           no
           Law
           to
           prescribe
           them
           :
           but
           to
           such
           as
           are
           not
           under
           that
           Law
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           are
           these
           things
           intended
           ,
           and
           are
           profitable
           ,
           yet
           not
           for
           Righteousness
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           should
           think
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           answered
           this
           Letter
           ,
           they
           may
           rest
           therein
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           for
           a
           witness
           and
           testimony
           unto
           them
           of
           that
           inward
           spirit
           and
           power
           which
           they
           are
           humbly
           to
           wait
           for
           to
           come
           upon
           them
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           this
           outward
           Rule
           ;
           that
           so
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           may
           be
           done
           in
           truth
           .
           And
           those
           that
           are
           above
           the
           coercion
           of
           an
           outward
           Rule
           of
           this
           kinde
           ,
           yet
           will
           stoop
           to
           the
           observation
           of
           it
           for
           others
           sakes
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           the
           practice
           of
           Christs
           free-men
           formerly
           .
           For
           ,
           to
           him
           that
           is
           resolved
           of
           the
           End
           ,
           and
           principled
           to
           it
           ,
           whereto
           there
           are
           various
           Ways
           and
           Methods
           tending
           and
           serving
           equally
           ,
           though
           he
           be
           not
           simply
           in
           bondage
           to
           one
           more
           then
           another
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           (
           and
           must
           needs
           be
           )
           to
           him
           indifferent
           any
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           through
           any
           advantage
           may
           be
           most
           conducing
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           most
           acceptable
           .
        
         
           They
           to
           whom
           this
           Counsel
           is
           the
           
             savour
             of
             death
             unto
             death
             ,
          
           let
           them
           remember
           ,
           the
           time
           is
           coming
           that
           their
           gold
           shall
           
             rust
             ,
          
           and
           their
           silver
           
             canker
             ;
          
           and
           that
           rust
           and
           that
           canker
           shall
           eat
           into
           their
           hearts
           :
           for
           they
           are
           the
           
             last
          
           days
           .
        
         
           
             Thine
             ,
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             JOSHVA
             SPRIGGE
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           INCLOSURE
           thrown
           open
           :
           OR
           ,
           DEPOPULATION
           depopulated
           .
        
         
           
             
               ECCLES.
               4.1
               .
            
             
               So
               I
               returned
               ,
               and
               considered
               all
               the
               Oppressions
               that
               are
               done
               under
               the
               sun
               ;
               and
               behold
               ,
               the
               tears
               of
               such
               as
               were
               oppressed
               ,
               and
               they
               had
               no
               comforter
               .
               And
               on
               the
               side
               of
               their
               oppressors
               there
               was
               power
               ;
               but
               they
               had
               no
               comforter
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
               Chap.
               5.
               vers.
               8.
               
            
             
               If
               thou
               seest
               the
               oppression
               of
               the
               poor
               ,
               and
               violent
               perverting
               of
               Judgement
               and
               Justice
               in
               a
               Province
               ,
               marvel
               not
               at
               the
               matter
               :
               for
               he
               that
               is
               higher
               then
               the
               highest
               ,
               regardeth
               ;
               and
               there
               be
               higher
               then
               they
               .
            
          
        
         
           THe
           consideration
           of
           these
           and
           many
           more
           Scriptures
           ,
           hath
           put
           me
           upon
           consideration
           what
           might
           be
           the
           Causes
           of
           that
           Displeasure
           of
           God
           (
           for
           it
           hath
           been
           a
           mixt
           Dispensation
           )
           that
           hath
           appeared
           against
           this
           Nation
           in
           his
           late
           Administration
           .
           And
           finding
           ▪
           in
           the
           reading
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           by
           the
           Threats
           and
           Woes
           denounced
           by
           all
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           that
           ,
           amongst
           other
           things
           ,
           Violence
           and
           Cruelty
           ,
           of
           any
           sort
           ,
           hath
           been
           a
           most
           provoking
           sin
           ,
           much
           cried
           out
           of
           :
           And
           observing
           ,
           in
           the
           late
           Experience
           ,
           the
           Woes
           denounced
           against
           such
           sin
           to
           have
           been
           fulfilled
           in
           part
           ,
           in
           these
           our
           
           Times
           ;
           I
           thought
           it
           my
           duty
           to
           hold
           forth
           my
           Observation
           ,
           that
           so
           ,
           in
           this
           time
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           some
           lawful
           Remedy
           found
           out
           ,
           for
           the
           amendment
           of
           the
           provoking
           Evils
           ,
           before
           Desolation
           come
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           it
           came
           upon
           the
           old
           world
           .
           
             The
             end
             of
             all
             flesh
             is
             come
             before
             me
             ,
          
           
           saith
           the
           Lord
           :
           
             for
             the
             earth
             is
             filled
             with
             Violence
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           after
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           made
           Man
           ,
           appointing
           him
           Lord
           over
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           giving
           him
           Dominion
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           subdue
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           rule
           over
           the
           Creatures
           .
           Yet
           so
           it
           is
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           through
           the
           Lust
           of
           Man
           ,
           even
           the
           Covetousness
           and
           Self-seeking
           of
           many
           ,
           regarding
           their
           own
           profit
           more
           then
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           the
           course
           of
           things
           is
           altered
           from
           their
           first
           Order
           ;
           where
           through
           ,
           the
           Brute
           creatures
           are
           now
           ,
           in
           some
           sence
           ,
           become
           Subduers
           of
           Mankinde
           ;
           to
           the
           great
           dishonour
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Institution
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           the
           hurt
           and
           prejudice
           of
           Mankinde
           in
           general
           ,
           and
           of
           Societies
           and
           Commonwealths
           in
           particular
           ;
           yea
           ,
           to
           the
           utter
           subversion
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           without
           some
           speedy
           course
           be
           taken
           for
           redress
           thereof
           :
           which
           ,
           how
           it
           should
           be
           done
           ,
           is
           almost
           beyond
           the
           apprehension
           of
           man
           to
           conceive
           ;
           those
           which
           should
           be
           the
           Reformers
           of
           such
           Disorders
           and
           horrible
           Abuses
           in
           a
           State
           ,
           being
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Offenders
           ,
           or
           their
           fathers
           being
           so
           before
           them
           :
           which
           causeth
           much
           sighing
           and
           crying
           out
           by
           the
           poor
           ,
           in
           the
           bitterness
           of
           their
           spirits
           ,
           to
           that
           God
           who
           will
           no
           doubt
           hear
           their
           cries
           .
           
             Now
             for
             the
             oppression
             of
             the
             poor
             ,
             and
             the
             sighing
             of
             the
             needy
             ,
             will
             I
             arise
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             .
          
        
         
           If
           it
           were
           my
           purpose
           to
           reckon
           up
           all
           those
           sins
           ,
           that
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           declaration
           that
           God
           hath
           made
           of
           himself
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           might
           justly
           be
           suspected
           to
           procure
           the
           wrath
           of
           God
           against
           this
           Nation
           ,
           I
           might
           not
           forget
           ,
           nay
           I
           should
           remember
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           that
           Violence
           and
           Cruelty
           that
           was
           practised
           against
           the
           Saints
           and
           Servants
           of
           God
           ;
           not
           onely
           in
           the
           
             Marian
          
           days
           ,
           but
           in
           our
           days
           ,
           by
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           for
           Non-conformity
           ;
           silencing
           and
           ejecting
           many
           faithful
           and
           able
           Ministers
           ,
           to
           the
           utter
           undoing
           of
           them
           ,
           their
           wives
           and
           children
           ,
           for
           things
           that
           the
           Persecutors
           themselves
           then
           called
           
             Indifferent
             ,
          
           and
           are
           now
           cast
           out
           as
           Superstitions
           .
           Yea
           ,
           which
           addes
           to
           the
           Cruelty
           ,
           not
           onely
           were
           they
           cast
           out
           of
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           but
           means
           used
           to
           deprive
           them
           of
           Life
           and
           Livelihood
           ;
           a
           Proclamation
           being
           sent
           forth
           ,
           That
           such
           deprived
           Ministers
           should
           not
           be
           suffered
           
           either
           to
           keep
           Lecture
           or
           School
           ,
           or
           be
           of
           any
           Trade
           ;
           nor
           should
           it
           be
           lawful
           for
           any
           man
           to
           entertaine
           them
           in
           his
           House
           ,
           or
           allow
           them
           any
           Maintenance
           .
           O
           horrible
           and
           bloody
           cruelty
           !
           And
           yet
           exercised
           against
           Persons
           that
           their
           very
           Persecutors
           durst
           not
           but
           at
           other
           times
           say
           ,
           were
           Honest
           Godly
           men
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           they
           were
           painful
           and
           zealous
           Witnesses
           of
           the
           Truth
           in
           their
           time
           ,
           content
           with
           meane
           things
           ,
           not
           seeking
           Augmentations
           ,
           or
           power
           to
           Lord
           it
           over
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           as
           some
           of
           late
           dayes
           have
           done
           ,
           that
           have
           come
           in
           their
           places
           .
           These
           did
           good
           ,
           and
           received
           evil
           ;
           being
           termed
           Factious
           ,
           Troublers
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           Enemies
           of
           the
           State
           :
           when
           as
           ,
           like
           sheepe
           ,
           they
           suffered
           loss
           and
           spoile
           patiently
           ;
           Some
           being
           imprisoned
           ,
           and
           dying
           there
           ,
           others
           constrained
           to
           flee
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           .
           They
           were
           scoffed
           ,
           reproached
           ,
           scorned
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           slighted
           ,
           and
           insulted
           over
           by
           those
           Ministers
           that
           came
           in
           their
           places
           .
           Thus
           they
           did
           of
           old
           ,
           they
           mocked
           the
           Messengers
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           misused
           his
           Prophets
           ,
           until
           the
           wrath
           of
           the
           Lord
           brake
           forth
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           there
           was
           no
           remedy
           .
           And
           for
           this
           hath
           the
           Lord
           taken
           vengeance
           on
           the
           Prelacie
           ;
           and
           let
           those
           Ministers
           look
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           were
           content
           to
           see
           this
           cruelty
           exercised
           against
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           to
           come
           into
           their
           places
           .
        
         
           And
           let
           it
           be
           of
           warning
           to
           us
           all
           ,
           to
           take
           heed
           of
           the
           like
           Spirit
           and
           Practices
           against
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           under
           a
           new
           Name
           and
           Pretence
           .
           If
           the
           
             Edomites
             ,
          
           for
           their
           violence
           against
           
             Jacob
             ,
          
           were
           destroyed
           for
           ever
           ;
           What
           will
           become
           of
           these
           now-a-dayes
           ,
           that
           seek
           to
           root
           out
           and
           destroy
           any
           of
           the
           people
           of
           God
           ,
           under
           the
           Notion
           of
           Sectaries
           ,
           and
           Disturbers
           of
           the
           State
           ;
           though
           they
           have
           many
           of
           them
           adventured
           their
           lives
           to
           do
           them
           good
           !
        
         
           But
           my
           intent
           is
           not
           to
           be
           large
           in
           this
           :
           Onely
           I
           could
           not
           but
           hint
           the
           wrong
           that
           was
           done
           to
           the
           silenced
           Ministers
           .
           The
           maine
           Evill
           which
           I
           am
           to
           decry
           ,
           and
           which
           remaines
           yet
           unremedied
           ,
           after
           all
           that
           hath
           been
           done
           towards
           Reformation
           ,
           is
           ,
           DEPOPULATION
           ;
           which
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           is
           a
           most
           cruel
           and
           bloody
           sin
           .
           O
           that
           men
           would
           consider
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           lay
           it
           to
           heart
           !
           Many
           are
           the
           Woes
           ,
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           are
           denounced
           against
           it
           .
           All
           the
           Prophets
           cry
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           a
           sin
           that
           brings
           Desolation
           .
           Our
           own
           Experience
           seals
           to
           it
           .
           How
           many
           great
           Families
           are
           come
           to
           nought
           !
           Although
           they
           have
           had
           (
           many
           times
           )
           much
           more
           then
           their
           Fathers
           had
           ,
           yet
           some
           secret
           hand
           of
           God
           hath
           followed
           them
           ,
           that
           
           they
           have
           been
           brought
           even
           to
           misery
           and
           want
           :
           whereof
           no
           man
           could
           give
           any
           other
           Reason
           .
           Yet
           notwithstanding
           ,
           men
           will
           not
           be
           warned
           ,
           but
           are
           as
           eager
           upon
           that
           cruel
           bloudy
           sin
           as
           ever
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           I
           am
           induced
           to
           declare
           my
           experience
           :
           Yea
           ,
           I
           am
           enforced
           (
           by
           the
           manifold
           cryes
           I
           hear
           daily
           ,
           and
           the
           distresses
           of
           thousands
           destitute
           of
           Livelihood
           through
           this
           ,
           and
           seeing
           unavoidable
           misery
           coming
           upon
           this
           Nation
           thereby
           )
           to
           put
           Pen
           to
           Paper
           in
           this
           kinde
           ;
           hoping
           in
           God
           ,
           that
           some
           or
           other
           ,
           of
           the
           Godly
           learned
           ,
           that
           are
           better
           seen
           ▪
           not
           onely
           into
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           but
           into
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           against
           
             Depopulation
             ,
          
           (
           for
           we
           are
           not
           without
           such
           Provisions
           )
           and
           that
           are
           of
           more
           large
           and
           copious
           Observation
           and
           Experience
           ,
           may
           be
           stirred
           up
           to
           set
           themselves
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           Evil
           and
           Abominableness
           of
           this
           sin
           ,
           and
           the
           mischeivous
           Consequences
           thereof
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           ,
           as
           in
           a
           Publike
           Danger
           ,
           (
           for
           example
           ,
           if
           a
           Towne
           were
           on
           fire
           )
           no
           man
           will
           blame
           the
           poorest
           and
           meanest
           creature
           ,
           that
           ,
           spying
           the
           fire
           breake
           out
           ,
           shall
           cry
           ,
           
             Fire
             ,
             Fire
             ,
          
           because
           every
           mans
           interest
           is
           concerned
           in
           such
           a
           publike
           danger
           ;
           Upon
           the
           same
           account
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           whosoever
           shall
           peruse
           these
           ,
           blame
           not
           me
           (
           the
           unworthiest
           of
           all
           )
           that
           I
           cry
           out
           of
           
             Depopulation
             ;
          
           having
           seen
           and
           felt
           the
           danger
           of
           it
           .
           And
           truly
           ,
           in
           my
           apprehension
           ,
           and
           by
           all
           that
           I
           am
           able
           to
           discerne
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           desolating
           sin
           .
        
         
           And
           whereas
           it
           is
           said
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             They
             had
             no
             Comforter
             ;
          
           Here
           is
           the
           sad
           Condition
           ,
           and
           Complaint
           of
           the
           People
           of
           this
           Land
           ,
           that
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Pressures
           and
           Burthens
           they
           have
           a
           long
           time
           groaned
           under
           ,
           by
           
             Depopulation
             ,
          
           Wracking
           of
           Rents
           ,
           Cruel
           Usury
           ,
           and
           other
           the
           like
           Courses
           ;
           yet
           hath
           there
           no
           way
           or
           meanes
           appeared
           to
           them
           ,
           from
           whence
           they
           could
           yet
           have
           ,
           or
           indeed
           hope
           for
           redress
           .
           Complaine
           to
           the
           Judges
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           help
           them
           :
           Complaine
           to
           Parliaments
           ;
           O
           that
           it
           might
           not
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           they
           ,
           or
           their
           Fathers
           ,
           have
           been
           deep
           in
           this
           transgression
           !
           and
           that
           they
           ,
           aswell
           as
           others
           ,
           have
           inclosed
           Common-fields
           ,
           or
           do
           keep
           them
           inclosed
           ,
           that
           were
           once
           for
           the
           Common
           use
           ;
           and
           Wrack
           up
           their
           Rents
           ,
           whereby
           poore
           people
           are
           constrained
           to
           work
           in
           the
           very
           fire
           ,
           for
           the
           maintenance
           of
           them
           that
           do
           live
           Deliciously
           ,
           if
           not
           very
           Vitiously
           ,
           as
           too
           many
           of
           the
           Gentry
           have
           done
           .
        
         
           But
           since
           it
           hath
           pleased
           God
           ,
           by
           his
           mighty
           hand
           and
           outstretched
           
           arme
           ,
           to
           create
           for
           us
           an
           opportunity
           for
           Reformation
           ,
           (
           which
           hath
           not
           been
           gained
           without
           much
           bloud
           ,
           and
           very
           many
           difficulties
           )
           and
           to
           turne
           the
           faces
           at
           least
           (
           we
           hope
           ,
           the
           hearts
           )
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           towards
           the
           same
           ;
           I
           beseech
           you
           all
           ,
           our
           Representatives
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           you
           tender
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           flourishing
           of
           this
           Common-wealth
           ,
           that
           you
           deny
           your
           own
           Interest
           ,
           wherein
           it
           tends
           to
           the
           Ruine
           of
           a
           Country
           or
           Nation
           ;
           and
           that
           ye
           all
           joyne
           Heart
           and
           Hand
           together
           ,
           for
           the
           recovering
           of
           this
           almost-ruined
           Land
           out
           of
           this
           weake
           estate
           whereinto
           it
           is
           fallen
           ,
           by
           
             Depopulation
             :
          
           that
           so
           ye
           repairing
           the
           old
           waste
           places
           ,
           and
           raising
           up
           the
           Foundations
           of
           many
           Generations
           ,
           may
           justly
           be
           called
           ,
           
             The
             Repairers
             of
             the
             Breach
             ,
             Restorers
             of
             paths
             to
             dwell
             in
             .
          
           Oh!
           how
           would
           this
           engage
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           people
           unto
           you
           !
        
         
           I
           know
           some
           will
           say
           ,
           they
           did
           not
           Depopulate
           or
           inclose
           but
           they
           bought
           it
           so
           ,
           or
           it
           was
           so
           left
           them
           by
           their
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           the
           Poore
           were
           provided
           for
           when
           it
           was
           first
           inclosed
           and
           turned
           to
           pasture
           .
           I
           ,
           but
           where
           are
           they
           and
           their
           breed
           ?
           Are
           they
           not
           constrained
           to
           flee
           into
           other
           Towns
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           annoyance
           and
           charge
           of
           the
           places
           whither
           they
           were
           driven
           ?
           Where
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           are
           those
           good
           House-keepers
           that
           brought
           store
           of
           Corne
           to
           the
           Market
           ?
           and
           where
           are
           the
           Horse
           ,
           Beasts
           ,
           and
           Sheep
           that
           were
           bred
           there
           ,
           besides
           Men
           ,
           Women
           ,
           and
           Children
           that
           dwelt
           there
           ?
        
         
           These
           things
           would
           be
           enlarged
           ,
           by
           the
           experiences
           of
           ancient
           men
           ,
           that
           know
           more
           of
           this
           then
           I
           can
           utter
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           may
           be
           one
           Reason
           why
           Free-Quarter
           of
           Souldiers
           is
           so
           exceeding
           burthensome
           ,
           because
           many
           houses
           of
           Husbandry
           are
           decayed
           ,
           and
           the
           Lands
           layd
           down
           to
           Sheep-pasture
           ▪
           whereby
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           that
           the
           charge
           lies
           but
           upon
           a
           few
           .
           But
           of
           the
           Reasons
           and
           Arguments
           against
           
             Depopulation
             ,
          
           in
           their
           place
           .
        
         
           And
           to
           reduce
           what
           I
           have
           to
           say
           to
           some
           Method
           ,
           I
           shall
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           Endeavour
           to
           convict
           this
           sin
           ,
           by
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Land
           where
           we
           live
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           forbidden
           ,
           an
           accursed
           thing
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           Mystery
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           I
           shall
           offer
           such
           Arguments
           as
           I
           have
           ready
           against
           it
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           I
           shall
           answer
           what
           Objections
           I
           have
           met
           withall
           in
           the
           behalfe
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Scripture-evidence
           I
           shall
           produce
           against
           it
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             Isa.
          
           5.8
           .
           
           
             Woe
             unto
             them
             that
             joyne
             house
             to
             house
             ,
             and
             that
             lay
             field
             to
             field
             ,
             till
             there
             be
             no
             place
             left
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             dwell
             alone
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
             In
             mine
             eares
             said
             the
             Lord
             of
             hosts
             ,
             Of
             a
             truth
             many
             houses
             shall
             be
             desolate
             ,
             even
             great
             and
             faire
             without
             inhabitant
             .
          
        
         
           The
           place
           is
           plaine
           and
           pregnant
           ;
           I
           shall
           forbear
           to
           gloss
           upon
           it
           :
           Onely
           at
           the
           Event
           ,
           we
           may
           give
           glory
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           be
           his
           Witnesses
           ,
           that
           what
           he
           hath
           spoken
           with
           his
           mouth
           ,
           he
           hath
           fulfilled
           with
           his
           hand
           .
           As
           ,
           might
           I
           call
           all
           the
           Ancient
           men
           to
           witness
           ,
           they
           were
           able
           to
           say
           ,
           Where
           ever
           they
           knew
           any
           that
           did
           throw
           down
           Townships
           and
           houses
           of
           Husbandrie
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           faire
           houses
           for
           themselves
           and
           theirs
           ,
           and
           either
           They
           ,
           or
           their
           Children
           ,
           came
           not
           to
           poverty
           and
           want
           ?
        
         
           See
           ,
           in
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           
             Mich.
          
           2.1
           .
           A
           
             Woe
          
           denounced
           against
           
             them
             that
             devise
             iniquity
             ,
             and
             worke
             evil
             upon
             their
             beds
             ,
             and
             when
             the
             morning
             is
             light
             they
             practise
             it
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             in
             the
             power
             of
             their
             hands
             .
          
           And
           what
           is
           the
           evil
           ?
           Why
           ,
           
             (
             vers.
          
           2.
           )
           
             They
             covet
             fields
             ,
             and
             take
             them
             by
             violence
             ;
             and
             houses
             ,
             and
             take
             them
             away
             :
             so
             they
             oppress
             a
             man
             and
             his
             house
             ,
             even
             a
             man
             and
             his
             heritage
             .
          
           Therefore
           behold
           ,
           
             vers.
          
           3
           ,
           the
           Lord
           comes
           in
           with
           his
           device
           :
           
             Thus
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             Behold
             ,
             against
             this
             Family
             do
             I
             devise
             an
             evil
             ,
             from
             which
             you
             shall
             not
             remove
             your
             neckes
             ,
             neither
             shall
             you
             goe
             haughtily
             ;
             for
             this
             time
             is
             evil
             .
             In
             that
             day
             ,
             they
             shall
             take
             up
             a
             parable
             against
             you
             ,
             and
             lament
             with
             a
             doleful
             lamentation
             ,
          
           (
           and
           truely
           so
           they
           do
           now-a-dayes
           )
           
             and
             say
             ,
             We
             are
             utterly
             spoiled
             :
             for
             they
             have
             taken
             our
             fields
             .
          
           Now
           follows
           their
           judgement
           :
           
             Therefore
             thou
             shalt
             have
             none
             that
             shall
             cast
             a
             cord
             by
             lot
             in
             the
             Congregation
             of
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           For
           the
           meaning
           whereof
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           ,
           that
           for
           their
           Cruelty
           and
           Oppression
           they
           were
           to
           be
           cut
           off
           from
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           the
           godly
           in
           that
           time
           ,
           or
           that
           in
           time
           of
           dividing
           their
           Inheritances
           they
           were
           to
           have
           no
           lot
           among
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           or
           both
           these
           ,
           I
           commend
           you
           to
           the
           godly
           learned
           to
           examine
           .
        
         
           
             Habakkuk
          
           likewise
           denounceth
           against
           this
           wickedness
           ,
           
             Hab.
          
           2.9
           10
           ,
           11.
           
           
             Woe
             to
             him
             that
             coveteth
             an
             evil
             covetousness
             to
             his
             house
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             set
             his
             nest
             on
             high
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             be
             delivered
             from
             the
             power
             of
             evil
             .
             Thou
             hast
             cosulted
             shame
             to
             thy self
             by
             cutting
             off
             many
             people
             ,
             and
             hast
             sinned
             against
             thy
             soule
             .
             For
             
             the
             stone
             shall
             cry
             out
             of
             the
             wall
             ,
             and
             the
             beame
             out
             of
             the
             timber
             shall
             answer
             it
             .
          
        
         
           How
           many
           of
           these
           houses
           have
           there
           been
           of
           late
           years
           ,
           that
           were
           built
           by
           blood
           and
           cruelty
           ,
           by
           Wracking
           of
           Rents
           ,
           and
           overthrowing
           whole
           Townships
           and
           houses
           of
           Husbandry
           !
        
         
           Thus
           we
           may
           see
           ,
           by
           some
           few
           instances
           ,
           the
           Lawes
           of
           God
           are
           against
           this
           sin
           of
           
             Depopulation
             .
          
           Neither
           are
           the
           Lawes
           of
           the
           Land
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           in
           the
           fourth
           yeer
           of
           
             Henry
          
           the
           seventh
           ,
           Chap.
           19.
           
        
         
           Item
           ,
           
             The
             King
             our
             Soveraign
             Lord
             having
             a
             singular
             Pleasure
             ,
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             to
             avoid
             such
             Enormities
             and
             Mischiefs
             as
             be
             hurtful
             and
             prejudicial
             to
             the
             Common-weal
             of
             this
             His
             Land
             ,
             and
             His
             Subjects
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             Remembreth
             ,
             that
             ,
             amongst
             all
             other
             things
             ,
             great
             Inconveniences
             daily
             do
             increase
             ,
             by
             Desolation
             ,
             and
             pulling
             down
             and
             wilful
             waste
             of
             Houses
             and
             Towns
             within
             this
             Realm
             ,
             and
             laying
             to
             Pasture
             Lands
             which
             Customably
             have
             béen
             used
             in
             Tilth
             ;
             whereby
             Idleness
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             ground
             and
             beginning
             of
             all
             Mischiefs
             ,
             daily
             doth
             increase
             .
             For
             ,
             where
             in
             some
             Towns
             two
             hundred
             persons
             were
             occupied
             ,
             and
             lived
             in
             their
             lawful
             Labours
             ,
             now
             bin
             there
             occupied
             two
             or
             thrée
             Herds-men
             ,
             and
             the
             residue
             fall
             into
             Idleness
             .
             Thereby
             ,
             Husbandry
             ,
             which
             is
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             Commodities
             of
             this
             Realm
             ,
             is
             greatly
             decayed
             ,
             Churches
             destroyed
             ,
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             withdrawn
             ,
             the
             Patrons
             and
             Curates
             wronged
             ,
             the
             defence
             of
             this
             Land
             against
             our
             Enemies
             much
             féebled
             and
             impaired
             ;
             to
             the
             great
             displeasure
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             the
             subversion
             of
             the
             Policie
             and
             good
             Rules
             of
             this
             Land
             ,
             if
             Remedy
             be
             not
             provided
             .
          
        
         
           
             Wherefore
             the
             King
             our
             Soveraign
             Lord
             ,
             by
             the
             Advice
             of
             the
             Lords
             Spiritual
             and
             Temporal
             ,
             and
             the
             Commons
             in
             the
             said
             Parliament
             assembled
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             Have
             Ordained
             ,
             Enacted
             ,
             and
             Established
             ,
             that
             no
             person
             ,
             of
             what
             Estate
             ,
             Degrée
             ,
             or
             Condition
             soever
             he
             be
             ,
             that
             hath
             any
             House
             or
             Houses
             ,
             that
             at
             any
             time
             within
             thrée
             yéers
             past
             ,
             hath
             béen
             ,
             or
             now
             is
             ,
             or
             hereafter
             shall
             be
             letten
             to
             Farm
             ,
             with
             twenty
             Acres
             at
             least
             ,
             or
             more
             ,
             lying
             in
             Tillage
             and
             Husbandry
             ,
             That
             the
             Owner
             or
             Owners
             of
             every
             such
             House
             ,
             or
             Houses
             and
             Land
             ,
             to
             kéep
             ,
             sustain
             ,
             and
             maintain
             Houses
             and
             Buildings
             
             upon
             the
             said
             Ground
             or
             Land
             ,
             convenient
             and
             necessary
             ,
             for
             maintaining
             and
             upholding
             of
             the
             said
             Tillage
             and
             Husbandry
             .
          
        
         
           So
           also
           in
           the
           Statute
           made
           
             anno
          
           39
           of
           Queen
           
             Elizabeth
             ,
          
           intituled
           ,
           
             An
             Act
             for
             the
             maintenance
             of
             Husbandry
             and
             Tillage
             ,
          
           is
           the
           like
           provision
           made
           against
           Depopulation
           by
           Inclosure
           ,
           wherein
           also
           is
           to
           be
           found
           a
           Recital
           of
           several
           Laws
           (
           always
           some
           or
           other
           in
           force
           )
           from
           the
           27
           of
           
             Hen.
          
           8
           ,
           until
           the
           35
           of
           Her
           Majesties
           Reign
           ,
           ordaining
           and
           requiring
           the
           Conversion
           and
           Continuance
           of
           a
           certain
           quantity
           and
           proportion
           of
           land
           for
           Tillage
           unalterably
           .
        
         
           Yet
           notwithstanding
           this
           good
           and
           wholesome
           provision
           of
           the
           Laws
           against
           this
           Evil
           ,
           it
           hath
           by
           notable
           sleights
           insinuated
           and
           upheld
           it self
           .
           And
           it
           may
           not
           be
           useless
           ,
           but
           afford
           some
           content
           and
           satisfaction
           ,
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           manner
           how
           These
           kinde
           of
           Oppressors
           do
           work
           this
           their
           unnatural
           work
           ,
           to
           displant
           Men
           ,
           and
           place
           Sheep
           in
           their
           rooms
           ;
           that
           so
           it
           may
           appear
           in
           its
           odiousness
           to
           all
           that
           shall
           consider
           the
           same
           ;
           and
           that
           men
           may
           be
           aware
           of
           the
           beginnings
           of
           their
           Plots
           ,
           and
           wicked
           Devices
           upon
           their
           beds
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           will
           claim
           to
           be
           chief
           Lords
           of
           the
           Town
           which
           they
           mean
           to
           depopulate
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           They
           will
           alter
           the
           customs
           of
           the
           sides
           of
           the
           fields
           ,
           and
           hain
           that
           that
           was
           not
           wont
           to
           be
           hained
           ,
           and
           alter
           ancient
           known
           Ways
           in
           the
           field
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           They
           will
           go
           about
           to
           make
           new
           Field-Orders
           ,
           overthrowing
           the
           old
           Field-Orders
           or
           Customs
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           They
           labour
           by
           fair
           means
           ,
           with
           the
           common
           people
           ,
           to
           obtain
           their
           consent
           for
           Inclosure
           ;
           telling
           them
           ,
           that
           for
           some
           little
           charge
           ,
           their
           Living
           will
           be
           made
           three
           times
           as
           good
           as
           they
           are
           ,
           for
           profit
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           They
           will
           say
           ,
           Inclosure
           is
           a
           goodly
           thing
           ;
           it
           stops
           many
           Strifes
           and
           Contentions
           ,
           when
           men
           may
           have
           things
           by
           themselves
           ;
           it
           nourisheth
           Wood
           in
           hedges
           ,
           whereof
           there
           is
           great
           need
           ;
           and
           keeps
           Sheep
           from
           rotting
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           If
           by
           fair
           means
           and
           perswasions
           they
           cannot
           prevail
           ,
           then
           they
           will
           commence
           a
           Suit
           in
           Law
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           poor
           people
           dance
           attendance
           in
           some
           of
           the
           Courts
           ,
           for
           many
           yeers
           together
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           known
           ,
           of
           my
           own
           knowledge
           .
           And
           then
           they
           will
           offer
           them
           large
           money
           ,
           to
           buy
           them
           out
           :
           and
           if
           that
           take
           not
           ,
           then
           on
           goes
           
           the
           Suit
           ;
           and
           a
           Decree
           is
           got
           out
           of
           Chancery
           ,
           pretending
           stubbornness
           ,
           and
           that
           men
           will
           not
           be
           ruled
           by
           any
           good
           Order
           .
        
         
           Some
           also
           have
           soug●●
           to
           pick
           a
           quarrel
           against
           men
           in
           the
           Law
           of
           their
           God
           ,
           as
           for
           going
           from
           their
           Parish-Church
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           no
           Sermon
           at
           home
           ,
           or
           as
           good
           as
           none
           ;
           and
           so
           vex
           them
           in
           the
           Chancellors-Court
           .
           But
           they
           are
           now
           down
           ,
           and
           gone
           ,
           blessed
           be
           God
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           They
           will
           ditch
           in
           their
           own
           Demeasns
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           the
           poor
           Commoners
           go
           about
           to
           their
           lands
           ,
           to
           their
           great
           toil
           ,
           and
           against
           their
           old
           Customs
           :
           and
           all
           this
           ,
           to
           weary
           and
           tyre
           them
           out
           of
           their
           Possessions
           .
           They
           will
           also
           alleadge
           that
           their
           Demeasns
           is
           too
           little
           for
           their
           Families
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           would
           enlarge
           it
           :
           But
           ,
           in
           truth
           ,
           their
           mindes
           are
           too
           great
           for
           their
           means
           ;
           and
           so
           at
           last
           they
           set
           up
           a
           fair
           House
           ,
           and
           overthrow
           many
           a
           Family
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           Some
           have
           also
           laboured
           to
           entitle
           the
           King
           to
           their
           land
           ,
           without
           any
           cause
           .
        
         
           They
           will
           also
           make
           Coney-grees
           in
           some
           places
           ,
           and
           let
           them
           increase
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           eat
           up
           the
           labours
           of
           poor
           men
           ,
           to
           their
           great
           hinderance
           and
           discouragement
           at
           length
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           ,
           by
           these
           means
           ,
           they
           seek
           to
           obtain
           their
           Ends
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           in
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           I
           shall
           give
           you
           my
           reasons
           against
           this
           course
           of
           depopulating
           Inclosure
           ;
           and
           endeavour
           to
           satisfie
           the
           Objections
           and
           Arguments
           that
           are
           made
           in
           behalf
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           And
           first
           ,
           it
           appears
           to
           be
           highly
           dishonourable
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ;
           altering
           that
           Course
           and
           Order
           he
           appointed
           in
           Nature
           ;
           who
           said
           unto
           man
           ,
           
             Grow
             ,
             increase
             and
             multiply
             ,
             replenish
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             subdue
             it
             :
          
           which
           by
           these
           practices
           is
           prevented
           and
           obstructed
           ;
           Cattel
           being
           increased
           in
           stead
           of
           Men
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Likewise
           ,
           hereby
           are
           overthrown
           many
           Churches
           and
           Congregations
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           ,
           by
           holding
           up
           their
           hands
           to
           God
           ,
           might
           pull
           down
           Blessings
           on
           a
           Nation
           ,
           and
           divert
           Judgements
           therefrom
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           where
           are
           the
           Souldiers
           in
           those
           decayed
           Towns
           ,
           the
           men
           that
           should
           do
           their
           Country
           service
           ,
           and
           stand
           in
           the
           face
           of
           an
           Enemy
           coming
           to
           invade
           ?
           Where
           are
           the
           Horses
           that
           many
           Country-men
           bred
           for
           the
           Service
           ?
        
         
           But
           the
           evils
           that
           come
           to
           the
           Commonwealth
           ,
           are
           more
           then
           can
           soon
           be
           reckoned
           ,
           or
           easily
           expressed
           :
           for
           ,
           in
           such
           Towns
           that
           are
           
           depopulated
           ,
           the
           inhabitants
           are
           constrained
           to
           flee
           to
           other
           Towns
           ,
           to
           their
           impoverishment
           .
           Neither
           do
           the
           Inclosers
           keep
           a
           house
           according
           to
           their
           estates
           ;
           but
           many
           a
           Farmer
           spends
           as
           much
           as
           they
           .
           When
           these
           places
           were
           all
           Champion-Countries
           ,
           many
           a
           shiver
           of
           Bread
           was
           given
           :
           but
           now
           ,
           all
           such
           Liberality
           is
           laid
           by
           ,
           and
           a
           fair
           house
           is
           set
           up
           ,
           with
           goodly
           Demeasns
           ;
           but
           no
           Hospitality
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           And
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           not
           let
           it
           pass
           ,
           another
           Burden
           lieth
           upon
           the
           Commonwealth
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           That
           the
           High-ways
           ,
           about
           such
           places
           ,
           are
           most
           intolerable
           ,
           and
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           unpassable
           ;
           especially
           in
           the
           Winter-time
           :
           for
           which
           ,
           many
           a
           bitter
           oath
           is
           cast
           out
           against
           them
           .
           And
           if
           the
           people
           so
           depopulated
           ,
           should
           be
           strictly
           tied
           to
           mend
           the
           Ways
           ,
           and
           repair
           the
           Church
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           more
           then
           their
           poor
           means
           will
           afford
           ,
           their
           Rents
           are
           so
           exceedingly
           inhansed
           .
           And
           what
           reason
           can
           be
           rendered
           ,
           that
           that
           Soil
           should
           not
           pay
           as
           much
           to
           the
           State
           as
           ever
           before
           ,
           as
           much
           to
           the
           Church
           as
           before
           ,
           as
           much
           to
           the
           Poor
           ,
           and
           keep
           as
           many
           people
           as
           ever
           it
           did
           ?
           yet
           if
           they
           should
           be
           compelled
           thereunto
           ,
           they
           would
           get
           nothing
           by
           their
           Inclosure
           :
           for
           I
           dare
           boldly
           affirm
           ,
           that
           never
           did
           any
           man
           get
           by
           depopulating
           Inclosure
           ,
           but
           he
           saved
           it
           out
           of
           the
           bodies
           of
           men
           ,
           or
           by
           not
           keeping
           of
           Cattel
           according
           to
           the
           old
           proportions
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           a
           great
           increaser
           of
           Idleness
           :
           for
           ,
           when
           the
           Plow
           goes
           forward
           ,
           the
           Old
           Saying
           is
           ,
           
             The
             Plow-man's
             work
             is
             never
             at
             an
             end
             .
          
           But
           ,
           in
           such
           decayed
           Towns
           ,
           they
           have
           very
           little
           to
           do
           :
           then
           they
           fall
           to
           a
           habit
           of
           Idleness
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           turn
           to
           haunt
           Ale-houses
           ,
           to
           Adultery
           ,
           and
           other
           Felonies
           ,
           and
           destroying
           and
           wasting
           their
           Bodies
           ,
           Estates
           ,
           and
           Wits
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           It
           increaseth
           Usurers
           ,
           the
           Vipers
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           to
           eat
           out
           the
           bowels
           of
           it
           ;
           so
           that
           free
           lending
           is
           for
           the
           most
           part
           taken
           away
           .
           And
           it
           hardens
           mens
           hearts
           one
           against
           another
           :
           for
           ,
           they
           make
           their
           little
           Land
           into
           a
           Stock
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           get
           to
           some
           Market-Town
           ,
           and
           either
           turn
           Usurers
           ,
           Ale-house-keepers
           ,
           or
           Maultsters
           ,
           to
           the
           no-small
           hurt
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           fills
           Market-townes
           with
           Husbandmens
           Children
           ;
           who
           ,
           because
           they
           cannot
           take
           any
           Livings
           for
           reasonable
           Fines
           ,
           as
           before-time
           ,
           do
           thrust
           themselves
           into
           such
           Market-towns
           ,
           and
           there
           use
           unprofitable
           Trades
           ,
           such
           as
           this
           Common-wealth
           hath
           no
           need
           of
           ;
           to
           the
           great
           hurt
           of
           those
           that
           be
           borne
           in
           that
           soile
           .
           And
           because
           there
           
           is
           no
           Law
           to
           forbid
           men
           to
           remove
           ,
           to
           dwell
           in
           Market-towns
           ,
           they
           and
           their
           posterity
           ,
           being
           thrust
           out
           from
           such
           decayed
           places
           ,
           and
           constrained
           to
           go
           where
           they
           can
           ,
           resort
           thither
           ;
           to
           the
           great
           burthen
           of
           such
           places
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           And
           unhappy
           Experience
           shews
           ,
           that
           Market-towns
           and
           Cities
           being
           so
           pestered
           with
           people
           which
           are
           driven
           thither
           on
           heaps
           ,
           onely
           that
           they
           might
           live
           ,
           are
           thereby
           mainly
           exposed
           to
           dangerous
           Infection
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           Plague
           ,
           and
           other
           Diseases
           ,
           and
           also
           to
           unavoidable
           Poverty
           .
           And
           if
           any
           Service
           be
           to
           be
           done
           for
           the
           State's
           Wars
           ,
           then
           they
           have
           recourse
           to
           those
           places
           where
           men
           are
           ;
           which
           places
           do
           not
           only
           finde
           Men
           ,
           but
           also
           Furniture
           for
           such
           men
           ,
           to
           their
           great
           burden
           ;
           the
           Soil
           wherein
           those
           men
           were
           bred
           ,
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           finding
           neither
           Men
           nor
           Money
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           It
           is
           also
           the
           utter
           decay
           of
           Trading
           :
           For
           the
           Yeomen
           and
           Husbandmen
           ,
           they
           lack
           all
           the
           Commodities
           the
           Tradesmen
           have
           to
           sell
           ;
           Hats
           ,
           Bands
           ,
           Jurkins
           ,
           Dublets
           ,
           Points
           ,
           Breeches
           ,
           Stockings
           ,
           Garters
           ,
           Shooes
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           necessaries
           :
           Iron-work
           for
           Cart-wheels
           ,
           and
           for
           Harrowes
           ,
           and
           Plowes
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           necessaries
           that
           they
           know
           full
           well
           .
           All
           which
           things
           set
           men
           on
           work
           ,
           and
           maintain
           Tradesmen
           ,
           who
           maintaine
           Londoners
           ,
           and
           so
           Merchants
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           the
           Highest
           and
           Best
           of
           men
           .
           But
           the
           Depopulating-Incloser
           overthrows
           all
           at
           once
           ,
           and
           lives
           either
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           or
           in
           some
           City
           ,
           or
           Town
           Corporate
           ,
           and
           gets
           heapes
           of
           money
           ,
           though
           all
           in
           vaine
           ;
           they
           ,
           or
           the
           most
           part
           of
           them
           having
           it
           with
           a
           witness
           ,
           to
           their
           utter
           overthrow
           and
           ruine
           ;
           for
           ,
           I
           never
           saw
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           some
           remarkable
           hand
           of
           God
           followed
           them
           .
           Oh
           that
           it
           might
           feare
           men
           from
           such
           cruel
           courses
           !
        
         
           7.
           
           Depopulating
           Inclosure
           doth
           not
           onely
           drive
           out
           men
           from
           such
           places
           ,
           but
           it
           makes
           them
           poor
           that
           live
           there
           :
           The
           houses
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           straw
           ,
           do
           drop
           down
           ;
           so
           that
           there
           is
           no
           comfortable
           dweling
           for
           the
           Poore
           :
           the
           richer
           sort
           are
           gone
           away
           ,
           the
           poorer
           sort
           are
           cruelly
           handled
           :
           For
           ,
           there
           is
           some
           Bailiff
           set
           over
           them
           ,
           that
           is
           like
           to
           the
           Fuller
           that
           dresseth
           Northern
           Cloth
           ;
           they
           do
           so
           wrack
           them
           ,
           and
           straine
           them
           ,
           that
           at
           length
           they
           break
           their
           hearts
           .
           These
           Bailiffs
           are
           something
           like
           to
           the
           Task-masters
           of
           
             Egypt
             ,
          
           who
           cruelly
           vexed
           the
           poor
           
             Israelites
             :
          
           And
           the
           Landlord
           (
           being
           absent
           from
           them
           )
           dwelling
           at
           
             London
             ,
          
           or
           elsewhere
           ,
           little
           condoles
           their
           misery
           ;
           so
           that
           these
           poor
           Tennants
           know
           not
           to
           whom
           to
           complain
           .
           
           Besides
           ,
           they
           do
           raise
           things
           to
           so
           great
           a
           rate
           ,
           that
           men
           know
           not
           whither
           to
           go
           in
           this
           Land
           to
           ease
           their
           grief
           unless
           ,
           with
           their
           many
           sighs
           and
           teares
           ,
           to
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           who
           no
           doubt
           will
           heare
           their
           complaints
           .
           
             Now
             for
             the
             oppression
             of
             the
             poore
             ,
             and
             sighing
             of
             the
             needy
             ,
             I
             will
             up
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           8.
           
           It
           doth
           mightily
           impoverish
           and
           oppress
           other
           Towns
           that
           are
           not
           Depopulate
           :
           For
           ,
           they
           that
           are
           driven
           out
           elsewhere
           ,
           do
           press
           into
           such
           towns
           ,
           and
           erect
           Cottages
           .
           This
           ,
           if
           you
           ask
           ,
           you
           shall
           finde
           ,
           that
           every
           Town
           is
           mightily
           increased
           with
           poor
           people
           ,
           so
           as
           there
           are
           not
           houses
           to
           be
           taken
           for
           reasonable
           money
           ,
           that
           have
           any
           Land
           belonging
           unto
           them
           .
           But
           the
           breed
           of
           man-kind
           increasing
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           ones
           thrusting
           them
           thus
           on
           heapes
           ,
           men
           are
           driven
           to
           live
           wonderful
           hardly
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           the
           State
           should
           want
           Souldiers
           ,
           strong
           and
           able
           men
           ,
           there
           are
           very
           few
           to
           be
           had
           in
           such
           decayed
           Townes
           .
        
         
           Now
           it
           followes
           that
           I
           should
           answer
           some
           of
           their
           Objections
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Their
           maine
           Objection
           is
           ,
           That
           the
           benefit
           of
           Inclosure
           is
           great
           ,
           and
           doth
           countervaile
           all
           that
           can
           be
           said
           against
           it
           .
           Where
           before
           it
           is
           said
           it
           nourisheth
           Idleness
           ;
           They
           say
           ,
           that
           many
           sheep
           are
           kept
           on
           such
           grounds
           so
           inclosed
           ,
           the
           wool
           whereof
           doth
           serve
           to
           set
           many
           poor
           on
           work
           ;
           and
           so
           it
           doth
           much
           good
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           are
           set
           on
           work
           ;
           but
           what
           have
           they
           for
           their
           work
           ?
           and
           how
           is
           their
           work
           able
           to
           maintaine
           them
           and
           theirs
           ?
           and
           what
           can
           they
           lay
           up
           for
           their
           Posterity
           ?
           and
           how
           many
           strong
           and
           able
           Souldiers
           doth
           such
           labour
           maintain
           for
           the
           States
           service
           ?
           how
           hardly
           do
           they
           fare
           ?
           how
           bare
           do
           they
           go
           ?
           and
           much
           a-do
           to
           live
           in
           plentiful
           yeares
           .
           But
           if
           a
           dear
           yeer
           come
           ,
           how
           are
           they
           pinched
           and
           starved
           !
           Or
           if
           the
           Clothier
           have
           not
           sale
           for
           his
           Cloth
           ,
           and
           be
           constrained
           to
           sell
           at
           lowe
           Rates
           ,
           then
           come
           they
           upon
           the
           Poor
           with
           Abatement
           ,
           which
           utterly
           overthrows
           them
           :
           so
           that
           ,
           at
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           the
           Labours
           of
           the
           Poor
           will
           not
           neer
           maintain
           them
           .
           And
           herein
           ,
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           the
           gatherers
           of
           the
           Labours
           of
           the
           Poor
           are
           like
           the
           Task-masters
           ,
           that
           exact
           more
           and
           more
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           when
           ▪
           did
           you
           see
           any
           ,
           out
           of
           their
           mean
           and
           meer
           Labour
           ,
           marry
           their
           Children
           ,
           and
           provide
           for
           their
           Posterity
           ,
           in
           a
           comfortable
           manner
           ?
        
         
           2
           
             Object
             .
          
           It
           nourisheth
           Wood
           ,
           which
           the
           Country
           hath
           great
           need
           of
           .
        
         
         
           
             Answ.
          
           To
           the
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           first
           of
           all
           ,
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           they
           destroy
           all
           the
           great
           Elms
           and
           Oaks
           about
           such
           Towns
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           plant
           Hedge-wood
           ,
           which
           ,
           in
           the
           age
           of
           a
           Man
           comes
           to
           have
           some
           bigness
           to
           be
           sold
           ;
           but
           by
           that
           time
           their
           Mounds
           be
           served
           ,
           and
           Hedges
           fenced
           ,
           there
           comes
           little
           to
           a
           Common
           use
           ,
           but
           most
           goes
           for
           Repairs
           :
           and
           before
           they
           come
           to
           defend
           themselves
           ,
           they
           take
           up
           much
           wood
           to
           preserve
           them
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           Commonwealth
           hath
           no
           benefit
           hereby
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           
             Object
             .
          
           It
           keeps
           Sheep
           from
           rotting
           :
           and
           they
           are
           better
           kept
           in
           Pasture-grounds
           ,
           then
           they
           were
           wont
           to
           be
           in
           Common-fields
           ,
           and
           yeeld
           more
           profit
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           To
           the
           first
           ,
           I
           answer
           ,
           They
           may
           as
           well
           ,
           by
           digging
           and
           trenching
           ,
           be
           preserved
           in
           Common-fields
           ,
           as
           in
           Pasture-grounds
           ,
           if
           men
           would
           be
           orderly
           ;
           which
           they
           should
           be
           tied
           unto
           by
           Law
           ,
           rather
           then
           by
           their
           Janglings
           destroy
           Houses
           and
           Towns
           ,
           and
           subvert
           a
           Kingdom
           and
           Nation
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           part
           of
           the
           third
           Objection
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             They
             are
             better
             kept
             ,
             and
             yeeld
             more
             profit
             .
          
        
         
           I
           confess
           that
           is
           true
           ,
           they
           are
           better
           kept
           ;
           for
           they
           keep
           fewer
           then
           in
           Common-fields
           they
           do
           :
           But
           if
           they
           kept
           as
           many
           Cattel
           as
           were
           kept
           before
           such
           Depopulations
           ,
           the
           Grounds
           would
           not
           bear
           it
           .
           It
           is
           observed
           by
           many
           ,
           (
           which
           I
           confess
           I
           cannot
           shew
           the
           reason
           of
           )
           that
           a
           Lordship
           inclosed
           will
           keep
           nothing
           neer
           so
           many
           ,
           no
           ,
           not
           by
           the
           half
           ,
           (
           being
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           inclosed
           and
           depopulated
           )
           either
           Horse
           ,
           Beasts
           ,
           and
           Sheep
           ,
           or
           Men
           ,
           Women
           ,
           and
           Children
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           wont
           to
           do
           ,
           before
           such
           Inclosure
           and
           Depopulation
           ;
           besides
           all
           the
           Corn
           they
           brought
           to
           the
           Markets
           .
           So
           that
           it
           is
           to
           me
           manifest
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           some
           secret
           hand
           of
           God
           in
           it
           ,
           whereby
           he
           shews
           his
           dislike
           of
           such
           Depopulation
           .
           Many
           a
           father
           hath
           lived
           comfortably
           and
           well
           with
           the
           tenth
           part
           of
           what
           the
           son
           hath
           had
           ;
           yet
           the
           son
           could
           not
           live
           of
           it
           .
           If
           you
           mark
           it
           ,
           they
           keep
           no
           Houses
           ,
           many
           of
           them
           ;
           but
           run
           in
           debt
           ,
           and
           ,
           many
           times
           ,
           are
           not
           able
           to
           pay
           .
           Yet
           there
           is
           no
           man
           that
           taketh
           warning
           by
           these
           Examples
           ,
           neither
           will
           they
           see
           the
           high
           hand
           of
           God
           upon
           them
           .
        
         
           4
           
             Object
             .
          
           But
           you
           see
           Corn
           as
           cheap
           ,
           many
           times
           ,
           since
           such
           depopulating
           Inclosure
           ,
           as
           it
           hath
           been
           before-time
           ;
           and
           what
           need
           is
           there
           then
           of
           so
           many
           Open
           fields
           ?
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           :
           God
           hath
           sometimes
           blessed
           the
           
           earth
           with
           abundance
           ,
           to
           shew
           ,
           that
           he
           can
           make
           a
           little
           ,
           by
           his
           blessing
           ,
           to
           be
           an
           abundant
           store
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           be
           cheap
           :
           but
           no
           thank
           to
           such
           Depopulators
           .
        
         
           But
           will
           you
           know
           a
           further
           Reason
           ?
           It
           is
           ,
           because
           much
           Land
           is
           laid
           down
           from
           a
           Common
           use
           ,
           and
           Men
           are
           much
           diminished
           in
           such
           depopulated
           places
           ,
           and
           Cattel
           are
           much
           abated
           ,
           and
           become
           fewer
           then
           have
           been
           in
           former
           times
           .
           For
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           Men
           to
           spend
           it
           ,
           and
           Cattel
           ,
           Swine
           ,
           and
           Pullen
           proportionable
           to
           former
           times
           ,
           much
           Corn
           would
           be
           spent
           that
           way
           ,
           which
           is
           now
           saved
           .
           Much
           Corn
           would
           be
           for
           Seed
           ,
           which
           now
           is
           not
           used
           .
           Horses
           might
           be
           better
           kept
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           for
           Service
           :
           and
           Store
           would
           be
           preserved
           ,
           against
           a
           time
           of
           Dearth
           .
           Mankinde
           ,
           the
           best
           of
           all
           the
           Creatures
           ,
           would
           be
           nourished
           and
           bred
           up
           stronger
           ,
           and
           able
           to
           do
           more
           service
           to
           God
           and
           their
           Country
           ,
           and
           have
           in
           their
           hand
           to
           lay
           up
           for
           their
           Posterity
           .
           But
           ,
           if
           you
           do
           but
           take
           notice
           of
           it
           ,
           you
           shall
           see
           those
           House-keepers
           that
           of
           old
           used
           to
           buy
           a
           Strike
           of
           Corn
           ,
           do
           now
           buy
           a
           Loaf
           or
           two
           of
           Bread
           .
           People
           are
           not
           kept
           in
           heart
           ;
           they
           are
           famished
           in
           many
           places
           ,
           and
           are
           so
           pinched
           with
           Poverty
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           grive
           the
           heart
           of
           man
           to
           see
           :
           neither
           have
           they
           any
           thing
           about
           them
           ,
           but
           live
           poor
           and
           meanly
           .
           And
           as
           for
           works
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           maintenance
           of
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           have
           not
           any
           thing
           to
           contribute
           ;
           no
           ,
           not
           to
           pay
           for
           the
           education
           of
           their
           children
           .
           So
           then
           ,
           the
           laying
           down
           of
           Land
           ,
           is
           the
           diminishing
           of
           Men
           and
           Cattel
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           cheapness
           of
           Corn
           in
           plentiful
           times
           .
        
         
           5
           
             Object
             .
          
           I
           ,
           but
           such
           Inclosers
           will
           plow
           up
           their
           Pasture-grounds
           when
           Corn
           is
           dear
           ,
           and
           so
           bring
           in
           Plenty
           .
           When
           the
           Land
           hath
           gotten
           strength
           ,
           they
           will
           take
           out
           that
           strength
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           Incloser
           doth
           good
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           The
           Answer
           to
           which
           ,
           is
           :
           There
           lieth
           a
           great
           Mystery
           ;
           but
           I
           will
           tell
           you
           mine
           opinion
           ,
           That
           the
           Corn
           so
           increased
           ,
           turneth
           to
           no
           good
           to
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
           First
           ,
           when
           the
           Land
           is
           laid
           down
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           good
           space
           of
           time
           before
           it
           turn
           to
           be
           a
           good
           Sward
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           hurt
           to
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
           Then
           they
           will
           break
           it
           up
           :
           But
           observe
           ,
           they
           will
           keep
           no
           constant
           houses
           of
           Husbandry
           therewith
           ;
           but
           take
           the
           heart
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           lay
           it
           down
           again
           :
           So
           that
           the
           time
           before
           it
           gather
           heart
           ,
           and
           the
           time
           after
           it
           is
           laid
           down
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           way
           so
           profitable
           for
           a
           Common
           good
           .
           But
           the
           Yeoman
           
           or
           Husbandman
           that
           keepeth
           a
           constant
           Family
           upon
           his
           Land
           ,
           doth
           till
           it
           ;
           and
           when
           it
           groweth
           out
           of
           heart
           ,
           doth
           fetch
           it
           in
           again
           :
           and
           it
           never
           lieth
           still
           ,
           but
           one
           yeer
           in
           four
           ,
           for
           the
           better
           husbandry
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           fourth
           yeer
           will
           (
           by
           Gods
           blessing
           )
           bring
           a
           double
           increase
           .
           Then
           again
           ,
           the
           Gentleman
           sells
           his
           Corn
           at
           dear
           rates
           ,
           dearer
           then
           the
           Husbandman
           :
           for
           he
           can
           give
           some
           time
           with
           his
           Corn
           ;
           and
           so
           wrap
           in
           the
           poor
           Husbandman
           ,
           that
           in
           haste
           he
           cannot
           get
           out
           .
           The
           poor
           man
           selleth
           for
           his
           need
           ,
           to
           buy
           necessaries
           ;
           and
           ,
           most
           commonly
           ,
           selleth
           six
           pence
           in
           a
           Strike
           cheaper
           then
           the
           Gentleman
           doth
           .
           So
           that
           when
           the
           Yeoman
           should
           make
           his
           profit
           at
           Seed-time
           ,
           he
           cannot
           sell
           his
           Corn
           ;
           the
           Country
           is
           supplied
           with
           one
           that
           keeps
           no
           constant
           Husbandry
           .
        
         
           6
           
             Object
             .
          
           The
           sixth
           Objection
           is
           ,
           That
           Ditches
           do
           preserve
           Corn
           from
           spoiling
           by
           passengers
           that
           travel
           upon
           the
           way
           :
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           good
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Then
           might
           they
           ditch
           from
           the
           Way
           onely
           ,
           and
           not
           divide
           it
           into
           smaller
           parcels
           ;
           and
           ditch
           also
           in
           such
           places
           where
           there
           are
           stones
           to
           make
           good
           such
           High-ways
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           deep
           Clay-Countries
           ,
           where
           to
           inclose
           ,
           is
           to
           bring
           High-ways
           to
           such
           a
           dangerous
           passage
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           can
           passe
           ,
           without
           danger
           both
           of
           horse
           and
           man
           (
           at
           least
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           annoyance
           of
           both
           )
           many
           having
           perished
           of
           late
           yeers
           thereby
           .
           And
           besides
           all
           this
           ,
           the
           former
           exchanging
           of
           Lands
           before
           shewed
           ,
           shews
           mens
           intent
           .
           Thus
           have
           I
           endeavoured
           to
           answer
           the
           most
           of
           their
           Objections
           ,
           as
           I
           can
           remember
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           I
           ,
           but
           it
           will
           be
           demanded
           ,
           Will
           you
           say
           that
           Inclosures
           in
           all
           places
           are
           unlawful
           ?
           We
           see
           ,
           that
           such
           Countries
           where
           there
           are
           such
           Inclosures
           ,
           are
           the
           richest
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           Let
           me
           not
           be
           mistaken
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           and
           shall
           prove
           ,
           that
           all
           Inclosures
           wherein
           is
           Depopulation
           ,
           and
           thrusting
           out
           of
           poor
           men
           from
           their
           dwellings
           ,
           or
           making
           their
           dwellings
           uncomfortable
           to
           them
           ,
           wherein
           one
           fair
           House
           is
           set
           up
           ,
           by
           the
           throwing
           down
           of
           many
           Housholds
           ,
           is
           utterly
           unlawful
           ,
           both
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           this
           Land
           ;
           and
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Crying
           sins
           of
           our
           Time
           .
           And
           if
           in
           any
           Country
           this
           be
           practised
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           overthrow
           of
           that
           Country
           ,
           as
           hereafter
           will
           more
           appear
           .
        
         
           Now
           therefore
           I
           beseech
           you
           all
           ,
           that
           are
           the
           ancient
           Yeomen
           and
           Husbandmen
           of
           every
           County
           ,
           declare
           your
           experiences
           of
           the
           evil
           
           of
           Depopulation
           ,
           and
           overthrowing
           of
           houses
           of
           Husbandry
           ;
           and
           what
           you
           have
           seen
           ,
           and
           what
           hath
           befallen
           those
           that
           have
           been
           actors
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           evils
           that
           have
           come
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           pressure
           and
           burden
           that
           hath
           come
           upon
           those
           Towns
           that
           have
           not
           been
           inclosed
           ,
           by
           the
           means
           of
           those
           that
           have
           been
           inclosed
           ,
           and
           turned
           from
           the
           Common
           use
           .
           Oh
           that
           in
           all
           the
           Counties
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           there
           might
           be
           a
           View
           of
           all
           the
           Villages
           ,
           and
           Towns
           ,
           and
           Houses
           of
           Husbandry
           ,
           that
           have
           been
           decayed
           within
           these
           fifty
           yeers
           ,
           and
           the
           Desolation
           that
           hath
           come
           by
           that
           means
           ,
           by
           laying
           of
           Lands
           accustomed
           to
           Tillage
           ,
           and
           now
           turned
           into
           Pasture-grounds
           ;
           whereby
           Idleness
           ,
           one
           of
           the
           sins
           of
           
             Sodom
             ,
          
           is
           much
           increased
           ,
           Men
           women
           ,
           and
           children
           ,
           and
           their
           Progenies
           be
           diminished
           ,
           and
           Husbandry
           ,
           the
           greatest
           Commodity
           of
           the
           Land
           (
           for
           the
           sustenance
           of
           Man
           )
           is
           decayed
           ,
           Churches
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           the
           service
           of
           God
           is
           withdrawn
           ,
           Cities
           and
           Market-towns
           be
           brought
           to
           great
           ruine
           and
           decay
           ,
           Necessaries
           for
           mans
           use
           and
           sustenance
           be
           made
           scarce
           and
           dear
           ,
           the
           people
           of
           this
           Common-wealth
           be
           sore
           minished
           ,
           the
           power
           and
           defence
           thereof
           is
           enfeebled
           and
           decayed
           ;
           to
           the
           high
           displeasure
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           against
           his
           Laws
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           subversion
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           and
           desolation
           of
           the
           same
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           redress
           thereof
           ,
           there
           have
           been
           good
           Laws
           made
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           for
           the
           repressing
           of
           these
           Disorders
           ,
           but
           never
           put
           in
           execution
           in
           my
           time
           ;
           whereby
           this
           Oppression
           and
           Desolation
           is
           very
           usual
           and
           common
           .
           Yea
           ,
           so
           bold
           are
           they
           grown
           ,
           that
           now
           in
           Parliament-time
           ,
           which
           we
           thought
           should
           have
           been
           a
           time
           of
           Easing
           of
           Burdens
           ,
           this
           Monster
           none
           dares
           to
           attempt
           .
           Oh
           that
           our
           present
           Parliament
           might
           be
           of
           the
           number
           of
           them
           that
           
             build
             the
             old
             waste
             places
             ,
          
           
           and
           
             raise
             up
             the
             foundations
             of
             many
             generations
             ;
          
           that
           they
           might
           
             be
             called
             ,
             The
             Repairers
             of
             the
             breach
             ,
             and
             the
             Restorers
             of
             places
             to
             dwell
             in
             .
          
        
         
           Wherefore
           ,
           you
           the
           Yeomen
           and
           Husbandmen
           of
           all
           Counties
           ,
           should
           humbly
           petition
           to
           the
           honourable
           House
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           (
           now
           that
           they
           intend
           the
           Reformation
           of
           things
           amiss
           )
           that
           they
           ,
           amongst
           their
           great
           affairs
           of
           this
           distracted
           Nation
           ,
           would
           be
           pleased
           to
           look
           upon
           this
           Horrible
           ,
           Oppressing
           ,
           Desolating
           ,
           Crying
           sin
           ,
           which
           (
           no
           doubt
           )
           amongst
           and
           above
           most
           other
           is
           one
           of
           the
           highest
           nature
           ,
           and
           worst
           consequence
           ,
           which
           God
           himself
           hath
           promised
           to
           
             devise
             an
             evil
             against
             ;
          
           as
           more
           at
           large
           shall
           appear
           ,
           God
           
           willing
           .
           And
           to
           the
           end
           it
           may
           appear
           in
           its
           colours
           ,
           I
           pray
           you
           take
           some
           paines
           to
           let
           the
           State
           know
           ,
           how
           many
           men
           ,
           women
           ,
           and
           children
           ;
           horse
           ,
           beast
           ,
           and
           sheep
           ,
           swine
           ,
           and
           pullen
           ,
           have
           been
           usually
           maintained
           upon
           such
           Villages
           ,
           and
           Towns
           ,
           and
           Houses
           of
           Husbandry
           now
           decayed
           :
           which
           ,
           by
           proportion
           you
           may
           know
           ,
           counting
           how
           many
           Plow-land
           there
           where
           ,
           and
           how
           many
           do
           usually
           go
           with
           a
           Plow
           :
           That
           so
           ,
           the
           number
           being
           guessed
           at
           the
           Parliament
           may
           see
           the
           mighty
           decay
           there
           hath
           been
           and
           is
           in
           this
           Land
           ;
           that
           their
           hearts
           may
           be
           wrought
           upon
           .
           And
           you
           may
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           complain
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           none
           that
           can
           better
           tell
           where
           the
           shooe
           pincheth
           ,
           then
           those
           that
           weare
           it
           .
           And
           they
           are
           your
           mouthes
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           the
           highest
           Court
           of
           Justice
           in
           the
           Land
           ;
           who
           ought
           to
           seek
           your
           good
           ,
           and
           keep
           you
           from
           Tyranny
           ,
           and
           Oppression
           .
           And
           if
           by
           this
           lawful
           meanes
           you
           can
           finde
           no
           redress
           ,
           do
           not
           Murmure
           ,
           nor
           Muteny
           against
           God
           or
           them
           :
           But
           silently
           sit
           down
           ,
           and
           waite
           upon
           God
           ;
           who
           hath
           promised
           ,
           
             For
             the
             oppression
             of
             the
             poor
             ,
             and
             the
             sighing
             of
             the
             needy
             ,
             he
             will
             arise
             ,
             and
             set
             at
             liberty
             those
             whom
             the
             wicked
             have
             snared
             .
          
           For
           ,
           
           be
           you
           well
           assured
           ,
           that
           if
           help
           come
           not
           by
           these
           lawful
           meanes
           and
           wayes
           ,
           God
           will
           send
           help
           and
           deliverance
           another
           way
           .
           And
           then
           ,
           let
           those
           Oppressours
           ,
           with
           their
           houses
           and
           posterity
           ,
           look
           to
           it
           .
        
         
           
             If
             thou
             seest
             the
             oppression
             of
             the
             poor
             ,
             and
             violent
             perverting
             of
             jugdment
             and
             justice
             in
             a
             Province
             ,
          
           
           
             marvel
             not
             at
             the
             matter
             :
             for
             he
             that
             is
             higher
             then
             the
             highest
             ,
             regardeth
             ;
             and
             there
             be
             higher
             then
             they
             .
             Moreover
             ,
          
           
           
             the
             profit
             of
             the
             earth
             is
             for
             all
             :
             the
             King
             himself
             is
             served
             by
             the
             field
          
           that
           is
           tilled
           .
        
         
           Yet
           through
           the
           extream
           wickedness
           of
           man
           ,
           who
           hath
           perverted
           the
           course
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ;
           the
           inferiour
           creature
           comes
           to
           be
           preferred
           above
           man
           ;
           who
           is
           made
           after
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           :
           Which
           is
           a
           sin
           of
           a
           very
           high
           nature
           ;
           all
           the
           Prophets
           crying
           out
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           denouncing
           fearful
           woes
           against
           it
           .
           For
           God
           tenders
           the
           good
           of
           his
           people
           now
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           ever
           he
           did
           before-time
           .
           He
           calls
           
             the
             house
             of
             Israel
             his
             Vineyard
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             the
             men
             of
             Judah
             his
             pleasant
             plant
             :
             he
             looked
             for
             judgment
             ,
             but
             behold
             oppression
             ;
             for
             righteousness
             ,
             but
             behold
             a
             cry
             .
          
           
           And
           is
           it
           not
           so
           in
           our
           dayes
           ?
           And
           as
           then
           the
           Lord
           did
           (
           by
           his
           Prophet
           )
           
           denounce
           woes
           against
           the
           oppression
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           even
           so
           doth
           he
           now
           against
           all
           the
           oppressions
           of
           these
           times
           :
           for
           the
           righteous
           Lord
           hates
           and
           abhorres
           all
           manner
           of
           Violence
           ,
           Cruelty
           ,
           and
           Oppression
           ,
           as
           much
           now
           ,
           as
           ever
           he
           did
           .
        
         
           Furthermore
           ,
           God
           would
           have
           men
           
             grow
             ,
             increase
             and
             multiply
             ,
             replenish
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             subdue
             it
             :
          
           But
           the
           Oppressors
           of
           our
           times
           do
           what
           in
           them
           lieth
           to
           diminish
           men
           ,
           women
           ,
           and
           children
           ,
           by
           whom
           God
           is
           honoured
           ,
           and
           the
           Common-wealth
           sustained
           .
           
           And
           therfore
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             is
             risen
             up
             ,
             and
             standeth
             to
             plead
             for
             his
             people
             ,
             and
             to
             judge
             their
             cause
             .
             He
             will
             enter
             into
             judgment
             with
             the
             ancients
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             and
             the
             Princes
             thereof
             :
             for
             they
             have
             eaten
             up
             the
             Vineyard
             ;
             and
             the
             spoile
             of
             the
             poor
             is
             in
             their
             houses
             .
          
           And
           the
           Lord
           will
           know
           what
           they
           mean
           ,
           in
           dealing
           so
           with
           his
           people
           .
           
             Vers
             .
          
           15
           ,
           
             What
             mean
             ye
             ,
             that
             ye
             beat
             my
             people
             to
             peeces
             ,
             and
             grinde
             the
             faces
             of
             the
             poor
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             of
             hosts
             ?
          
           Much
           like
           to
           the
           times
           wherein
           we
           live
           .
           
           
             Also
             ,
             in
             her
             skirts
             is
             found
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             soules
             of
             the
             poore
             Innocents
             :
          
           Looke
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           Chapter
           .
        
         
           
           
             The
             kings
             of
             the
             earth
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             inhabitants
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             would
             not
             have
             believed
             that
             the
             adversary
             and
             the
             enemy
             should
             have
             entered
             into
             the
             gates
             of
             Jerusalem
             .
          
           Yet
           ,
           
             For
             the
             sinnes
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             the
             iniquities
             of
             the
             Priests
             ,
             that
             have
             shed
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             just
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             her
             ,
          
           it
           was
           done
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           ,
           let
           none
           of
           us
           make
           to
           our selves
           any
           vain
           confidences
           ,
           or
           put
           our
           trust
           in
           any
           arme
           of
           flesh
           ,
           or
           the
           strongest
           Fortifications
           that
           can
           be
           made
           by
           any
           of
           the
           sonnes
           of
           men
           :
           For
           
             Jerusalem
          
           was
           a
           famous
           City
           ,
           and
           very
           strongly
           fortified
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           would
           hardly
           have
           been
           believed
           ,
           that
           that
           should
           have
           befallen
           it
           ,
           that
           did
           .
           But
           we
           see
           (
           as
           aforesaid
           )
           that
           ,
           
             for
             the
             sinnes
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             iniquities
             of
             the
             Priests
             ,
          
           the
           Lord
           laid
           it
           waste
           .
           And
           it
           is
           further
           shewed
           ,
           
           concerning
           those
           
             Rebellious
             children
             ,
          
           (
           spoken
           of
           in
           the
           30
           Chapter
           of
           
             Isaiah
             )
             that
             strengthened
             themselves
             in
             the
             strength
             of
          
           Pharaoh
           ,
           
             and
             trusted
             in
             the
             shadow
             of
          
           Egypt
           ;
           The
           Lord
           saith
           ,
           (
           by
           his
           Prophet
           )
           
             Vers
             .
          
           8
           ,
           
             Now
             go
             ,
             write
             it
             before
             them
             in
             a
             Table
             ,
             and
             note
             it
             in
             a
             book
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             for
             the
             time
             to
             come
             ,
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             ,
             That
             this
             is
             a
             rebellious
             
             people
             ,
             lying
             children
             ,
             children
             that
             will
             not
             hear
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             And
             that
             their
             downfall
             will
             be
             sudden
             ,
             like
             a
             swelling
             wall
             .
          
           Read
           also
           from
           this
           Chapter
           to
           the
           31
           ,
           32
           ,
           and
           33.
           where
           it
           is
           declared
           in
           
             vers
             .
          
           the
           14
           ,
           who
           shall
           be
           surprized
           with
           feare
           ;
           and
           those
           are
           there
           said
           to
           be
           Hypocrites
           :
           
           And
           also
           who
           shall
           stand
           in
           the
           trying-time
           ;
           which
           the
           Scripture
           there
           holds
           forth
           to
           be
           Godly
           men
           ,
           by
           this
           Signe
           :
           
             He
             that
             walketh
             righteously
             ,
             and
             speaketh
             uprightly
             ;
             he
             that
             despiseth
             the
             gain
             of
             oppressions
             ,
             that
             shaketh
             his
             hands
             from
             holding
             of
             Bribes
             ,
             that
             stoppeth
             his
             eares
             from
             hearing
             of
             blood
             ,
             and
             shutteth
             his
             eyes
             from
             seeing
             evil
             ,
          
           It
           is
           said
           of
           him
           ,
           
             verse
          
           the
           16
           ,
           
             He
             shall
             dwell
             on
             high
             ;
             his
             place
             of
             defence
             shall
             be
             the
             munitions
             of
             rocks
             ;
          
           
           
             bread
             shall
             be
             given
             him
             ,
             his
             water
             shall
             be
             sure
             .
          
        
         
           
             Lay
             not
             wait
             ,
             O
             Wicked
             man
             ,
             against
             the
             dwelling
             of
             the
             Righteous
             ;
             spoile
             not
             his
             resting
             place
             .
          
        
         
           
             Remove
             not
             the
             old
             Land-mark
             ,
             and
             enter
             not
             into
             the
             field
             of
             the
             fatherless
             :
             for
             their
             Redeemer
             is
             mighty
             ;
             he
             shall
             plead
             their
             cause
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A86571e-730
           
             Gen.
             6.13
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             58.12
             .
          
           
             Psal.
             12.5
             .
          
           
             Eccle.
             5.8
             .
          
           
             Vers
             .
             9.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             5.7
             .
          
           
             Isa.
             59.14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             3.13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Ier.
             2.34
             .
          
           
             Lament.
             4.12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             30.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             Isa.
             33.14
             .
          
           
             Vers
             .
             16.