THE RELIEF OF THE poor: and ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING: Proposed.  
By HUMPHREY BARROW, (during the War) a Member of the army.  Qui citò dat, bis dat. 
LONDON, Reprinted, and are to be sold by William Larner, at the sign of the Blackmore near fleet-bridge, 1656.   

TO HIS EXCELLENCY The Lord HENRY CROMWELL▪ Commander in chief of the Forces of IRELAND.  
And the rest of the honourable Commanders, and inferior Officers now, and late of the Army.  
THAT Glorious Success with which God hath crowned your honourable Actions, in the rescue of this precious Land out of those hands that without cause were imbrued in the blood of our Country; is yet so fresh and warm in every ingenuous heart, that (I hope) a Proposal, tending to a sacrificious gratitude to the Lord of hosts, (by whose mercy and mighty arm, we are what we are) will not be unreasonably presented to any person concerned in this Address. Wherein I have humbly assumed the confidence to mind You of the pious Customs of the Soldiers and Servants of God in former Ages; nay of the laudable (though blind) Devotions of Pagans and Infidels, as Sacred, and other History do (amply) manifest? Who no sooner could sound Victoria after a war, but up go the altars, and on go the Sacrifices, in retribution of thanks to that Deity each held in veneration.  
'Tis true, we have (in the progress of this War) afforded God some Days of thanksgiving; and he (at last) having given us the issue of our hopes; the Blessing and Harvest of our Blood and Sweat: those would all look like days of hellish hypocrisy, if we should not now present him with some Deeds of Thanksgiving; and Sacrifices being ceased, we have an opportunity to exercise what he loves better, which is, mercy.  
Not then to hold You any longer in the Porch of expectation, I here present You in one hand, the Aged, the Infirm, the Orphan, to be provided for by way of Hospital: and in the other hand, that yet-in it's-Morning (but hopeful) light of this Land, the University of Dublin, for Addition of Revenue. To carry on both which, I wish God would persuade each heart herein concerned, to allow one Acre of Land out of each hundred, due to him; which granted, there is little doubt but the Adventurers, to whom God hath given so fair a return of their pious loans; and Purchasers of Debentures, who have least reason to oppose, will do the like: And the same deducted from each man's Proportion, to be cast into a single, or what several Parcels, the wisdom of the Government shall judge convenient.  
Perhaps some may object, That this Motion comes too late, much of the Land being already disposed of, (and I grant, had it been thought of sooner, it had been effected with less trouble, but) Volenti nil difficile, we should not in the least pause at the difficulty, were it to serve our own particulars; and indeed, considered in the best sense, it is so, if we expect a blessing upon the rest of our Estates; or if there be any wisdom in laying up treasure in Heaven: for this shall be surer to your houses, than the brains of all the Lawyers that ever trod Westminster Hallmet in one scull, can make the rest.  
For who knows how soon, prodigal Heirs (ordinarily the Issue of penurious Fathers) shall make havoc of those Estates, the hundredth part whereof, might, though not merit, have brought a blessing upon you to all eternity. A fair warning for the observance of that precious inch of Scripture, whilst you have time do good; lest while you are rotting, your Heirs be revelling; and they damned for spending upon their lusts, what you were damned for denying the Lazar.  
And if there be any (though I hope better things) that shall strain at this Gnat, I wonder how they would have behaved themselves towards that Camel, laid before the Young man in the gospel, All that thou hast. Remember the widow's mite, and the superlative testimony our Saviour gave of it. Poor woman! It was all she had, and this a Fleece out of a flock.  
And I dare affirm Ananias and Sapphira (laying aside their lie) were Saints, compared to such as shall say to this proposal, I'll consider of it.  
If we can pay the fourth part of our Rents to these Common-welaths, we may blush before the Angels to deny the hundredth part to the commonwealth of Christ: For this is not to denude your walls of their hangings, to cover the flesh of the poor; nor your Coaches of their leather, to make them shoes; your super-necessary pampered Steeds of their Horsecloaths, to make them Shirts; nor your Manger of their Provender, to fill their Ovens; though all these might well be abated to relieve the meanest Member of Christ. God hath given to many amongst us vast Estates, large possessions; he hath given us the Land & labour of our Enemies, Beings that we neither built nor planted; nay he hath given us our lives for a prey, when thousands as valiant, as precious, as worthy as we, lie now rotting in contempible ditches. And shall we not help our Brethren to live with us? That Saying is as good as old, Non nobis solùm nati sumus, we are not born only for ourselves; & I hope we did not altogether fight for ourselves; but shal'be tried by this trifle, though what is here urged as an act of charity, and as yet carries no other face, may to after-ages be rendered an act of polity, and that Sustenance and Science being the subject matters here pressed, who knows but that casting his bounty and bread upon the waters now, he may after many days find them in the bellies and brains of his needy posterity.  
Perhaps there may be some who set a low rate upon that Beauty and Glory of humanity, Learning, which sanctified, restores us nearest to the Image of God: but if there be, (as I hope few) they must give me leave to believe they are such as would have the eyes both of Church and commonwealth put out, that they might have the leading of them.  
It was highly in question which was the saddest Persecutione, that under Dioclesian, or that under Julian the Apostate; the first labouring the destruction of all the bodies of the Saints, and the last of all books, that no memory of God or Religion might remain: but the last was concluded infinitely transcendent, as a device that would have thrown the world into a deeper than Egyptian darkness.  
'Tis true, there are many who (I have charity to believe) mean well, and much mind the enlargement of the bounds of the Church, and opening a way for the light of the Gospel in its purity to shine upon the freckled face of the erroneous World: But alas! that's hard to be done by a language that hath no acquaintance abroad; nor could ever travel farther than the verges of our own shores, save amongst our own Colonies; and not communicable to other Natures by any universal Rule. I must needs grant, that Christ in the election of his Apostles, made choice of poor ignorant labouring men; but I hope none will deny, that though he found them such, yet after the sealing of their great Commission to preach the Gospel, by the Holy Ghost, in cloven tongues, they went away the most sublimated Scholars that ever were, or shall be upon the World; That Great schoolmaster in a moment dispelling the mist of despicable ignorance, and filling them with all Languages and requisite Knowledge. And 'tis observable, that when God had a purpose to stay the Building of Babel, and scatter mankind into fractions; he confounds their speech, and divides tongues to the Nations: but when he resolves to build up his Church, he recollects them all into the Mouths of his Apostles. With some measure of which Qualification (immediate gift of tongues being ceased) the most eminent Servants of Christ, and faithful promoters of the purity of his truth, have from time to time, indefatigably laboured by Nurseries of Learning to endow the Ministry.  
'Tis true, Exhortations, Reproofs, Consolations, and Directions in plain and patent matters, are highly commendable in those of meanest parts; for they that feared the Lord▪ spoke often one to another: but Preaching, Exposition, and the unfolding of hidden Mysteries, do modestly call for sanctified Learning and Authority. The management of which Assertion, I humbly leave to those Champions of the Truth, whose Shields I am not worthy to bear.  
And now craving pardon to my prolixity, glance once aagain upon the poor; and wish the most obdurate wretch to lay his hand upon his heart and consider, how his ears will one day tingle to hear that Soul-crushing charge of unkindness from the mouth of the Son of God, I was hungry, and ye fed me not.  
Adding only this, If there be any heart so much Adamant, brow so much brass, or mind so void of mercy, as to set himself in positive Opposition to what is here suggested; or that his evil Example, or Coldness, cause this great Business to fall to the ground; he must give me leave to tell him, He runs the desperate hazard of eternally sinking under the weight of all the Curses, that shall in bitterness of spirit fall from the trembling Aged, Anxieted, Infirm persons, and friendless Orphans, that shall ever languish upon the face of this fruitful Land, from this day to the day of judgement.  
In regard the effecting of this great Work may (to some dull spirits) seem difficult, the ensuing Suggestions are humbly offered to consideration.  

I.  
That Commissioners of active spirits, and unbiased Principles, be appointed to the management and carrying on of this business.   

II.  
That the Muster-masters in the respective Provinces of this Dominion, be ordered to offer it to the Subscription of every Officer relating to that part of the army, the next Muster-day after he receives it from hence.   

III.  
That whereas some are in parcel possession of their Estates, and out of employment: the High Sheriff of every respective county be ordered by himself, or his Substitutes, to tender it to the voluntary Subscription of every such person, as also to all personally possessed Adventurers, and purchasers of Debentures; for the deduction of the proportion out of the part remaining due unto him.   

IV.  
That whereas many are in possession of their full proportion of Lands, and consequently no convenient way left for contributing their proportions in kind; there are numerous precedents of persons so completed, that offer their return in money, rateably as they received each Acre.   

V.  
That whereas it may be objected, that many so in possession of their full proportions, are not provided with ready money: the High Sheriff of every county be ordered by himself, or his Substitutes, to tender it to the voluntary Subscription of every such person, for the sum and time wherein they cheerfully consent to pay it.   

VI.  
That what money shall so be received, be paid into a treasury appointed for that purpose in Dublin; and laid out in purchase of Land for the uses aforesaid.   

VII.  
That the Sheriffs of every respective county, be ordered yearly to give in their Account to their Successors, before a full Bench of Justices.   

VIII.  
That the Sheriffs and Muster-masters aforesaid, be ordered to return hither the names of all the Dissenters, to the end that being here recorded, there may be no mistake in the deductions.   

Ix..  
That the Sheriffs do within twenty days, return all the Subscriptions to the Commissioners beforementioned.   

X.  
That his Highness's Council for the affairs of Ireland, be moved for their countenance to, and assistance in the promotion of it.   

XI.  
That his Highness the Lord Protector be moved to recommend it to the Adventurers in England, who are (ordinarily) cheerful contributors to works of this nature.   

XII.  
That the Chancellor of this university be moved to a speedy Rectification, and rescue of it from Disorder.  
FINIS.    

My first Letter to my LORD, wherein I enclosed the PROPOSAL.  
MY LORD!  
I Had once a purpose to present this Address, and make it my own, but considering that all things of this nature derive their value and vigour from the countenance and power of those persons that are Primarily and Potently Motive; I thought it most expedient to put it into your excellency's hand, as the only person able to promote it to perfection. My LORD! as for Learning you have already owned its Patronage; and for what concerns the Poor, you have great cause of confidence, that if you begin in mercy, you shall end in Peace: And for myself I shall humbly crave you will believe, That if this paper find the effect it seems to aim at, I have my end; only shall beg to be esteemed,  
MY LORD! Your Excellencies faithful and humble servant, HUMP. BARROW. Sept. 12. 1655.   

My second Letter to my LORD upon the delay.  
MY LORD!  
IT is not long since I presented your excellency a Paper of Motion to the Relief of the poor, and add 〈…〉 ning; what value it found in your 〈…〉 yet happy to know, but have hope that no Aversion of Will, but the crowd of public affairs have hurried it aside, though I have unhappily heard of almost impossible difficulties charged upon it; And indeed my LORD, it was not much my wonder, there being nothing wherein the depraved constitution of man is more quick-sighted, then spying Lions in the way to all good Works. My LORD; What I have proposed, will (I hope) be deemed the requisite promotion of mercy and Truth, and if those two be once shut out of our gates, 'tis greatly to be feared it will not be long before their old inseparable companions righteousness and Peace leap over the Walls. My Lord; I perceive, that if this languishing design be not kept alive by your excellency's power, example, and personal industry, it will inevitably die, but as certainly rise again at the day of judgement, to the confusion of faces of all those that have either neglected or opposed it, to save to themselves a Spade-full of uncertain dung: And My Lord, I humbly crave that to this great office of good to posterity, and honour to yourself, you will add a pardon to the presumption of.  
MY LORD! Your Excellencies faithful, and humble servant, Humph. barrow.   

My first Letter to Doctor Harrison, my LORD'S Chaplain.  
SIR!  
FEw days since I snatch an opportunity in your presence to present some papers to my Lord, expecting your auxiliary endeavours to perfect a work which posterity may bless you for, but whether or no they were imparted to you, I am yet much to seek, and more unwilling to doubt there wants its fire, or the Priest a readiness to receive in Sacrificers. Sir, if you are not already acquainted with it, this Gentleman who is laudibly zealous for it will inform you: Sir, the Condition of my Proposal is the same with that of Bethesda Cripple, it hath neither enemies, nor friends, but it is sad that so much preaching, and so much praying should not be seconded by that precious and pertinent ornament of Cristianitie, pity. Sir, we do with a great deal of confidence own ourselves upon God, sit before him as his people, and call to him for all mercies, safeties, and successes, and 'tis fit our eyes should be often up towards him, but sometimes down upon the poor; otherwise (which I much fear) we shall run a course parallel with the Merchant Jew, who craves favour and credit from every man, but will trust no man. Sir, as for the Advancement of Learning, your manifest Education in, and high improvement of it, hath from the Pulpit saved me a labour, from whence one sentence of your chrysostomized exhortations to this glorious work, would be heard in a continued echo from generation to generation, till the last Trumpet received it into the Consort of eternity Sir, I crave your pardon to my importunity, but you know whose business it is, and further begs liberty to tell you, it was not for nothing that Hester was set so near her King, Joseph to Pharaoh, Nehemiah to his potent Master. Nor need I tell you, that the improvement of that great talon of advantage God hath given you, in the ear of that hopeful person (to whom you relate) will be (one day) required. And Sir I further crave, you will believe I write not this to move you, but to mind you; assuming only the office of a silly Sexton, to toll the Bell of_____ to duties of piety, and am,  
SIR, Your servant Humph. Barrow. Novemb. 1. 1655.   

My second Letter to Doctor Harrison.  
LEARNED SIR!  
I Have here enclosed sent you a copy of my late PROPOSALS, and another of my last Letter to his excellency, which it seems is mislaid; wherein I then enclosed a removal of all obstructions, and answer to all objections which I could upon severest scrutiny discern obvious, but shall not trouble you with that till I see in the great ONES a propensity to, and some progress in the great business, which I am confident had been in a good forwardness, had I (wisely) made a more timely application to yourself, upon whom (I may not omit to acquaint you) the eyes of