THE DANGER Wherein the Kingdom of England now standeth; AND The Remedy for the present safety thereof.  
WITH The propositions drawn for sure defence of the same, and the annoying of all the wicked Adversaries.  
WORTHY To be read of all them that wish well to the prosperity of all true hearted Englishmen.  
BUT More specially for all Merchants and Seamen whatsoever.  
LONDON. Printed for Richard Palmer, 1643.   

The danger wherein the Kingdom of England standeth: And the Remedy.  
AS soon as the House of Austria had incorporated itself with Spain, and by their new discoveries had gotten themselves the wealth of the Indies, they began to affect and have pursued a fifth Monarchy.  
The Emperor Charles who laid the foundations, aught in Italy by surprising Rome be from this he was thrust by force and respect of Religion, H. 8. being made caput foeder● against him, he then attempted it in High Germany, practising by faction and force to reduce those petty States to his absolute power, this H. 8. again prevented him by tying the Lutheran Princes under his confederacy and assistance: his son the second Philip pursued the same ambition in the Netherlands of Germany, by reduction whereof he intended to make his way further into the other: this the late Queen of England interrupted by siding with the afflicted people on the one part▪ and making herself that head of the Protestant League, the Princes and others drawn in as a secret of State, the countenance of France to give reputation and assistance to them, and security to itself. Spain seeing his hopes thus fruitless by those unions and strength, began first to break if he may the unity of France and England, but finding the common danger to be a fast tye, he raiseth up a party in that kingdom of his Crown, by which the French King was distressed, that had not the English Council and assistance relieved him▪ Spain had then removed that great & next obstacle of his ambition: his Council now tells him from these examples, that the way to this great work is impassable, so long as England lay in let in his way, and that the remove of that matter be the first of his intents: these drew on those secret practices often against the Queen, and his open fury in 88 which they following the advice of her free Council would never after admit of peace, winning thereby the hearts of her loving people, and ever found hands and money at home, and helping secretly her Alliances abroad, securing to her confederates all her time freedom from fear of Spanish slavery, and so ended her old and happy days in glory: Spain then by the wisdom and power of that great Lady despoiled, sole of his means to hurt, though not of his desires, makes up wit'st her peaceful Successor of happy memory, that golden League, that disarming us at home by opinion of security, and giving them a power in our Council, by believing their friendship and pretended marriage, gave them a way to cherish among us a party of their own, and bereft us of power abroad to lead us into jealousy, and sow dissension between us and our Confederates, by which we see they have swallowed up the fortune of our Mrs. brother, the rest of the Imperial States distressed, the King of Denmark by that quarrel diverted, the sweden assistance by the wars with the Poland, and moving them now with the offer of the Danish Crown, and whether from the plot or our fatality, it hath cast such a bone betwixt France and us, as made themselves by our quarrel of Religion, a fast confederate unto us, a dangerous enemy, so that now we have left no assurance against their malice and ambition: but the Netherlands where the tye of mutual safety is weakened by daily discontents, bred and fed between us by some ill affected by both our securities, that from the doubtfulness of friendship as we now stand, we may rather suspect from our domestic actions, if they grow too furious they will rather follow the example of Rome in her growing, that felt it equal, honourable, and more easy, dare Regem quam subjugare provinciam, considering the power they have in their hands, then to give any friendly assistance to serve the private condition of our State, you may therefore see in what terms we stand abroad, and I fear me at home, for resistance in no better state, there must be to withstand a foreign invasion, a proportion both of Sea and Land forces, for to give an enemy an easy passage and a port to relieve him in▪ is no less than to hazard all at one shock. It is to be considered that no march by Land can be of that speed to make head against the landing of an enemy, nor no such provision as to be master of the Sea: to this point of necessity there can be no less than 240000. pounds for the Land force, if it were of an offensive war, the men of less livelihood were the best spared, and were used formerly to make such war purgamento Reipub: if we made no further purchase by it: but for the safety of a Commonwealth, the wisdom of all times did never interest the public cause to any other than such as had a portion in the public adventure, and that we had in 88 when the care of the Queen and of the Council did make the body of that large Army, no other then of trai●ed bands, which with the Auxiliars of this Realm amounteth to no less than 24000 men: neither were any of those drawn forth of their Countries and proper habitations before the end of May, that there may be no long agrievance to the public such discontentments being given to●…, a more fataller enemy than any foreign forces, the careful distribution and direction of the Sea and Land forces being more fitting for a Counsel of War, than a private man to advise of, (I pass over) yet willing when I shall be called humbly to offer up such observations as I formerly gathered by the former like occasion in this Realm, to make up this preparation, there is requisite two things, money and affection for they cannot be severed. It was well and wisely said of that great Chancellor Lord Burleigh, in the like case, to the late Queen, win hearts and you have their hands and purses. And I find that of late diffidence hath been a defect in the one it hath unhappily produced the other, in gathering then of money for this present need there are requisite three things, speed, assurance, and satisfaction, and the way to gather as others in the like cases have done much by the path which hath been formerly called Via Regia, being more sound and speedy, for by unknown and untrodden ways it is both rougher and more tedious, and seldom succeedeth, this last way although it take place as it were by a supply at first and receive no general denial: yet since it hath drawn many to consult with themselves and others in the consequence, and now I conceive pressure on their liberties and against Law, I much fear that if now again it be offered, either in the fame form or by privy Seal, it will be refused wholly, neither find I the restraint of these refusaly have produced any other effect then a stiff resolution in them and others to forbear: besides, although it went at first with your assurance, yet when we consider the commissions and other forms incident to such like services as that though long it hangs in hand, the many delays that were, we may easily see that such a sum by Parliament granted is fare sooner and more easily gathered, if any will mark the succession of times to produce inevitable necessity to enforce, if it be denied either in general by excuse of impositions, or in particular of some select persons, which is the customs of some Countries, and so conclude it for the King, as for the public State, summa Regal. he must look for this to be told him, that seeing necessity must conclude always to gather money, as less speedy or assured then that so practised, which cannot be fit than by Parliament, the success attendeth the humour of the headless multitude, that are full of jealousy and distrust, and so unlike to comply to any unlawful course of levy but by force, which if used, the effect is fearful, and hath been fatal to the States, whereas the Parliament resteth principally, or the Regal person who may with ease and safety mould them to his fit desires, by a gracious yielding to their just petitions: if a Parliament then be the fittest and most speediest assurance and a safe way, it is fit to conceive what is the best way to act and work.  
First, for the time of the usual Summons, reputed to be forty days, be too large for this present necessity, it may be by dating the Writ lessened since it is no politic Law, so that a care might be had that there may be a County day after the Sheriff hath received the Writ before the time of sitting, if then the sum to be levied be one agreed of for the time, there may be in the body of the Grant an Assignment made to the Knights of every County respectively, who under such assurance may safely give security proportionable to the receipts of such as shall advance in present for the public service any sums of money.  
The last and weightlest consideration, if a Parliament be thought fit, is how to remove or comply the differences between the King and Subjects in their mutual demands: and what I have learned among the rest of the multitude, I will freely declare, that your Lordships may be the more enabled to remove and answer those distrusts that either concern Religion, public safety of the K. and State, or the just liberty of the Commonwealth: for Religion is a matter that they say nearest to their consciencs, and they are led by this ground of jealousy to doubt some practice against it: first for that against the Spanish match which was broken by the grateful industry of my Lord of Buckingham, out of his religious care, as he there declared, that the Articles there demanded might lead some such sufferance as might endanger the quiet, if not the state of the Reformed Religion here, yet there have (when he was an actor principally in the conditions of France) as hard, if not worse to the preservation of our Religion passed, than those with Spain, and the suspect is strengthened by the close keeping of the agreements in that point there concluded, it is no less an argument of doubt to them of his affections, in that his mother and many other his ministers of near employments about him, are so much affected, they talk much of advancing men popishly devoted, some placed in the Camp of nearest service and chiefest command, and that the Recusants have got these late years by his power more of courage and assurance then before; if to clear these doubts which perhaps are worse in fancy then in truth he take a course it might much advance the public service against the Spanish humour, that have more of violent passion then settled judgement, and are not the least of the opposite number in the Commonwealth.  
2. The next is the misfortune and losses of men and munition in all our late undertake abroad, which the intemperate spirits impute to want of counsel and the more sublime wills to practice.  
Thirdly, they began with the Palatinate, and lay the fault of the loss there on the imputed credit of G●ndemore, distrusting him for the ●…aying of supply to Sir Horace Vere, when Colonel Sicily was cast on that employment, by which the King of Spain is become the master of the King's children's intelligence; and when Count Mansfield had a royal supply of forces to assist the Princes of our part for the recovery thereof, either plot or error defeated the enterprise for us, for Spain's advantage.  
Fourthly, that Sir Robert mansfield's expedition to Algiers should purchase only security and guard of the Spanish coasts.  
Fifthly, to spend so many thousand pounds in Ca●es voyage against the advice of the Parliament, only to warn the king of Spain to be in a readiness, and so weaken ourselves, is taken for such a sign of ill affection to him amongst the multitude.  
Sixthly, the sending of so much munition and victuals and mon●y in my Lord Willowbies' journey, is conceived an unthrifty error in the director of it to disarm ourselves in fruitless voyages made, to some over curious seems a plot of a danger to turn off our quarrel of Spain, an ancient enemy, that the Parliament petitioned and gave supply to support upon our ally of France, and so after a new and happy tie gave much talk that we were not so doubtful of Spain as many wished, since it was held not long ago a fundamental rule of their and our security by the Lord Burleigh, that nothing can prevent the Spanish Monarchy, but a fastness of the two Princes to make head against his ambition, and we see by this disunion a fearful defeat hath happened to Denmark and that party, to the advantage of the Austrian family.  
And thus far of the wastes of the public treasure in fruitless expeditions, an important cause to hinder any new supply in Parliament.  
Next another fear that may disturb the smooth and speedy passage of the king's designs in Parliament is the late waste of the King's livelihood, whereby is like, as in former times, to raise this jealousy and fear, that when he hath not of his own to support his ordinary expense, for which the lands of the Crown were settled unalterable, and called Sacrae patrimonium Principis, that then he must of necessity rest to those assistances of the people which ever were assigned for the benefit of Commonwealth, from hence it is like there will be no great labour and stiffness to endue his Majesty to an act of resumption, since such desires of the State have found an easy way in the will of all Princes from the third Henry to the last: but that which is like to pass the deeper into their disputes and care, is the late pressure they suppose to have been do●● upon a public liberty and freedom of the subject commanding their goods without assent by Parliament confining their persons without special cause declared, and that made good against them by the Judges lately, and pretending a writ commanding their attendance in foreign war, all which they are like to enforce as repugnant to main positive Laws and customary immunities of this Commonwealth and these dangerous distrusts of the people are not a little improved by this unexampled course, as they conceive, of retaining any Land Army in winter season, when former times of greatest fear produced no such, and makes them in their distracted fear to conjecture idly, it was raised more to subject their fortunes to the will of power, then of Law, and so make good some former breach upon their liberties at home, then defend us from any force abroad, how far such jealousies if they meet with any usual disorders of lawless soldiers, or an apt-distemper of the lose and ●eady multitude which will easily turn away upon any occasion in the State that they consider what's to a glorious pretence of Religion and public safety, when the true end will be only rapine of the rich, and the ruin of all, is worthy a provident and preventing care.  
I have thus far delivered with what freedom you were pleased to admit such difficulties as I have taken up among the multitude, which may arrest if not remove impediments to any speedy supply of Parliament at this time, which how to facilitate may better become the care of your Lordship's judgements, than my ignorance, only I could wish to remove away a personal distrust of my Lord of Buckingham among the people, he might be pleased if there be a necessity of Parliament to appear an advisor thereunto.  
And what satisfaction it shall please his Majesty of grace to give at such time to his people, which I could wish to be grounded by precedent of his best and most fortunate Progenitors, and which I conceive will largely satisfy the desires and hopes of all, if it may appear in some sort to be drawn down from time to the people by the zealous care and industry that my Lord of Buckingham hath to the public unity and content of which there is no doubt but he may remain not only secure, but merit a happy memory amongst them of a Realm's Patriot for to expiate the passions of the people at such times with sacrifice of any of his Majesty's servants, I have ever found, as Ed 2. R. 1. H. 6. no less fatal to them after, then to the minister in the end.   

Propositions drawn for sure defence of the kingdom, and the annoyance of the enemy of the same.  
1 THat every Shire in England should be enjoined to set forth at the charge of the County one ship well manned and victualled for seven months, and to be of the burden of 500 400. or 300. 200. 40. Tons at the least, according to the ability of the Shire, in the opinion of the State.  
2. Th●● every Port or Sea Town according to the ability enjoined to do the like, London may well furnish out 10. Bristol 3. and the rest according to their ability; and such of the Sea Towns as are not of ability to set out Ships of the burden aforesaid, to furnish out Pinnaces of 60. or 80. Tuns for light horsemen or Intelligencers.  
3. Those Ships will arise to about 80. sail, and to be divided into four squadrons, adjoining to every squadron one of the Kings-Ships for their Admiral.  
4. The first squadron to lie off and on the western Lands, and as high as Ca●arde for Brasil men, the Carrack, the Plate Fleet, and all other trading that way.  
5. The second squadron to lye-off the Southern Cape, and so low as the Groin, for here such shipping as shall go out of Spain or Portugal, and ●f occasion be to join with the former squadron.  
6. The third squadron to lie between the Groin and the mouth of the Sleeve, or Silley, to stop such shipping as trade in those costs.  
7. The fourth squadron to keep the narrow Seas, awe the Dunkirker, take all the French trade, and so northward, and this squadron to be still relieved with fresh Ships, as the other shall grow foul, or come unto any mischance, so that the squadron may continually keep the most part of the year.  
8. That no master of any of those Ships be owners, or have any part in her that he goeth out master of, for they will be unwilling to bring their ships into any sight or danger, and use many tricks and devices, especially if there be any ignorant Captain, therefore it is expedient likewise that every Shire shall nominate a Captain for the Ship it furnisheth out, for the avoiding of ignorant and insufficient Captains.  
9 That in London, Portsmouth, or where else the State shall think fit, there be storehouses appointed for the receipt of such prizes as shall be taken by any of the four squadrons.  
10. That every County and Sea town that furnisheth out the said shipping, may nominate and have a Commissioner of their own election that may have power in behalf of the Counties and Sea-townes as the other Officers that shall be appointed for the King and the Lord Admiral for the opening of decks of the prize, receiving the goods into the said store-house, and for the dividing and disposing them accordingly.  
11. That what prizes soever any of the four squadrons shall take, 〈◊〉 brought unto the Fort Towns where those storehouses are appointed, and the benefits of all prizes what squadron soever of the four sendeth them in to be divided, the King's part and the Lord Admiral's being deducted to the several Counties and Sea Towns of the Kingdom of England according to the burden of their shipping: and not particularly to such Counties or Sea Towns unto which the squadron of ships belongeth, that shall send in the said prizes.  
12. That it shall not be lawful for any of the said ships to break bulks or open the decks of any prizes they take, but nail them down fast until they be brought in at one of the port Towns and then the Officers for the King with the Commissioners for the Counties to open them.  
13 That after the King's part and the Lord Admiral is se●… with such allowance over and above as shall be proportionable for the Kings shipping, being Admiral, the rest to be distributed as aforesaid to the use and benefit of all the Counties and Sea Towns in general, and not particular to each Counties unto which any of the four squadrons belongeth that sends in the said prizes, the pillage above deck only excepted, which doth belong to the Officers, Sailors, and Soldiers of the squadron that took the said prize.  
14. That for the present and speedy execution hereof, every County or Sea Town that is not furnished with shipping, shall hire until they can build them, which to be limited to perform within a certain and convenient time.  
15. The charge that will fall on the subjects well 〈…〉 for the first year to 200000. pounds, which God blessing them within the year these will re-imburse, and by the benefit of the prizes afterwards they will have stock sufficient, with increase for new victualling and setting forth the ships the second year, and so from time to time.  
16. The kingdom will hereby increase their shipping, and breed and make good store of good Sea men, and we shall hereby be masters of the sea, so as our Merchants shall travel safely, and we shall much prejudice the French and Spanish Nations, or any other that are enemies, or not in league with us.  
Whereas I have set down the full charge of these four squadrons of ships for 7. months to amount to the sum of 200000 pounds, it is not to be understood that the subjects shall disburse so much more by two parts, for they shall need to lay out no more for setting out of their Ships, then for the well victualling of them, which will come but to a third part of this former sum 66666. pounds for the Sailors, Officers, and Owners of the Ships will expect neither wages nor fraught until the coming in of the Ships, (and God blessing our designs)  
There may be taken in Shipping and Goods in 7. months' space ten times that value, before one penny be distributed.  
FINIS.