PROPOSALS in behalf of the Poor of this NATION. With some brief Considerations propounded to the Honourable Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, now sitting at Westminster.  
BLessed is he that considereth the poor and needy Psal. 41.1. The merciful shall find mercy, Mat. 5. He shall have judgement without mercy that showeth none, Jam. 2.13. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his maker; but he that honoureth him, hath mercy on the poor, Prov. 14.31. The poor you shall have always with you. Hid not thyself from thine own flesh, Isa. 58.7.  
To give flattering Titles is contrary to that of Elihu, Job 32.21. Yet give honour to whom honour is due Rom. 13.7. They that rule well are worthy of double honour, To be subject to powers, and pray for them in Authority, is the duty of the people protected by them, 1 Tim. 2.2. Seeing it hath pleased him who is higher than the highest; to change the Governors of this Nation four times in less than sixty years, 1 Queen Elizabeth, 2. King James, 3. late King Charles. 4. The late Parliament. The 5. now entered. Which by the blessing of him that ruleth the Nations, may proceed to the establishing of righteousness, and judgement (having the eyes of the former to see withal, and their shoulders to stand upon, may see further) it would be a reproach if they should not: It appears by their late Declaration, their fight is more like the Eagle, and soareth higher towards the new Jerusalem (in expressions.) To whom much is given, much is required. There are two baskets of Figs spoken of by Jeremiah, Jer. 24.3. one very good, the other very ill (so it is expected from this Commonwealth) the Harvest is nigh ripe, the Lord of the Vineyard will come, and will not tarry, to take an account of the talents he hath given forth. Let it not be offensive, he that hath but one talon, do with the widow, who had but one mite, cast it into the treasury (that it may be improved) these are times of Proposals; let one take place for the poor, the rather because Wealth maketh many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbour, Prov. 19.4 Oppression of the poor, is a crying sin in holy Writ all along, the Lord will arise for it, Psal. 12.5. So is neglect of the poor, it was one of the sins of Sodom, Ezek. 16.49. to multiply places, were not suitable to those who are wise to understand these things already; a word is enough to the wise, howsoever it may be useful to mind them as Peter did, 2 Pet. 1.13.  
It was the honour of Israel there was no beggar in it, it seems not many Harlots, the hire thereof was abominable; the number of Thiefs, and Cheaters did not so abound as in this Nation (with grief it may be said) to the shame of it; the ground of these would be inquired into. A little view into salomon's Proverbs will unmask the fruits of idleness and evil company, Prov. 1.10. Prov. 2.10. It is suspected these times hath a generation of people make much gain of them (as Harlots in salomon's time did) it is to be feared the Cities of London and Westminster, with the adjacent parts have justified jerusalem, as it did Sodom, the iniquity of it was pride, fullness of bread, idleness, neglect of the poor; two of the four have relation to the poor. These Cities are lifted up to heaven with Corazin and Bethsaida in the means of the light of the Gospel (pray it be not brought down to hell.) The poor of this Nation are of several sorts. The first such as are Beggars borne, and so live and die, never labouring in any calling else. A godly Minister once said (Dr. Siba by name) of them, married under hedges, children born in Barns and under hedges, there baptised, so continue to the shame of the Nation, and of the Gospel. The second sort are Vagabonds, and counterfeit Rogues; some dissembling lame, some one disease, or soar, some another: Will not be cured if they might; if any Officer come, they can run, or by a Coach side to beg, what their conversation is when they meet together, by drunkenness and swearing, hath vexed many a godly soul passing by them (as Lot was) the patience of God is to be admired that they are not swallowed up with Korah and his company. These are such Job speaks of, viler than the earth in his account, Job. 30.8. These should be provided for by employment, it is not sufficient to pass them from place to place, and correct them as the law requireth (this were cruelty) unless employment be provided for them, if they will not work, then let a rod be for the fools back. There are a third sort, that labour and get a little money, then will be drunk, rail, and quarrel one with another, pawn their  to vex one another by law, and when all is gone, burden the place where they live; Their manner of revenging one upon another, was formerly by resting with Marshal's men, and setting Parators on their backs, for words; these Courts being down, they rest one another with Bailiffs (a Bill of Middlesex, which is one of the grievances of the Commonwealth) with writs of the like kind, it is expected the Regulators of the Law will mend such abuses (if it hinder not their Mill from grinding.) Another way these unquiet poor punish one another, they (trouble Constables, disquiet their neighbours that would live quietly) run to a Justice for a Warrant, there is one shilling gone, bind one another over to the Sessions, there 2 s. 4 d. a piece, when they have drunk themselves friends, withdraw their Recognizance, then as much more to be paid, sometimes committed to prison, and a Session's business is made of it; and their Neighbours must hinder their business, to attend to give evidence (than more Fees to be paid) and all for railing and fight when drunk. (Never look for amendment, so long as so many Officers gain by it, dangerous to name them;) how can these people be but poor, where they are permitted such plead, fitter to be rebuked and sent home to their labour. (But how shall so many Officers live then?) Is there never a wise man in a Parish to order such people? time was, when Certificates from honest Neighbours would have ducked them, without traversing (that is costly) time hath been, a whole street of filthy suspicious houses, hath been removed by a Certificate of honest Neighbours; now they swarm, none dare meddle with them, if they have but money, or a companion that is crafty, and well acquainted with some unworthy Solicitor of the Law, a whole Parish shall be vexed from Court to Court by the worst of people, such as are not worthy to sit with the dogs of the flock, as Job saith, Job 30.1. (as before; these make work, and bring gain to many, little hope of amendment so long.) If any Neighbour reprove them he is reviled, or rested if he can take hold of any word, scold and provoke them on purpose sometimes. These are but the glean of the abuses of the skirts of these Cities (which are like the common-shoare) it is hoped to be better in the Country) one poor man to oppress another is like a sweeping rain. Jer. 5.4. The sin of the poor and foolish is a crying sin, as well as the rich. These have grieved many a righteous soul, whose eyes have seen it, and ears have heard it.  
But to come to the oppression of those that bear the burden of the Nation by their industry, and labour, the blessing of the Almighty being with them, the laborious Husbandman, the Handicraftsman, and all kind of honest Tradesmen, who would be glad to live quietly, but many times disturbed by unquiet Neighbours, and proling Officers, The corrupt Courtier, with his Purveyor, and Harbinger, the Prelates with their Courts and Parators, their perjured Articlers, the Star-Chamber, with the like, Court of Request, Marshal Court with their Crew; York and Ludlow, with their perjured informers and all the rabble; all these are (by the mercy of God) spewed out of the Land; it were well some of the old Brood were not remaining still to bring sacks to Mill, to the Chequer and Sessions, and other Courts, dangerous to be named, these are the tail of the Beast, and sting the poor labouring man (the name of K. is down but the Game remains still.)  
An Excise-man is added to a Customer (but their honesty is not to be questioned, their fat and well-liking, clears them all) if well considered by that time every Officer hath his share, it is doubted little comes to the Treasury.  
There is another secret worm, like the Ivy winds about the body of the Oak, and feeds with the Viper upon the Bowels of the body politic, secretly many times consumes a man, his name not known to the party consumed, (if he be) the Statute bears him out, no remedy to be had (though unjustly undone;) the upper part of the body he dares not meddle with, they are too great; the lower part have nothing to feed upon. Will you know their names, they are called amongst some of their friends, such as bring work to many Officers; but by the common people Promoters (nay Knaves, what not.) Some will say a Commonwealth cannot be without them. Must evil men be tolerated, nay, rewarded, by a Statute to take oaths? right or wrong, his oath must stand. By the mouth of two or three witnesses all things ought to be confirmed, but reward them, and give them half the Fine imposed upon any man by a corrupt Statute made in the times of Tyranny, and Popery. Compare the time they were made in, and the present; then consider the equity of them (with the Mass Book, much at one) and so intermingled one with another, it requires a Council at Law to find which are repealed, which not.  
It is hoped they that sit at the Stern will blush for time to come to get any Treasure by such ways, either to the Chequer, or any other Office: but these Informers have a way to cousin them, and the people both (so long as the Statute stands unrepealed) compound with people, borrow money of them quarterly; no man almost deals in any thing, but comes under some Statute, a Husbandman if he breed not so many Calves, many ways more; Handicrafts men, Market people, Shopkeepers, one old wormeaten Statute will take hold of them, revived by Jack and his Mate, they go by twoes, the Informer and his Pettifogger, all are kind to them, as to the Parators, formerly (as they) so these awe a whole Country, the worst people comply with them: Now and then an Ignoramus or a man out of honesty, will not feed them, then subpenae him into some Office; if fined then half is the Informers (this is to hire men to go to hell) to do evil that good may come of it. Wherefore are the Clerks of Markets, Officers in every Corporation, to look to disorders? Must there needs be an unclean spirit to vex all the rest, and to bring treasure to the coffers.  
It were happy if those that have power would consider the customary taking of Oaths in this Nation, that they may not be so frequently urged upon persons, uncapable by their ignorance or prophannes; can it be supposed he makes scruple of kissing a book, who takes the name of God in vain ordinarily, and swears to get money? Do these men ever punish Swearers, Drunkards or any others, where there is to them no reward? these are to ungodly men snares, experience tells; Ahab and Jezabell hire sons of belial to take Naboths Vineyard, the Jews did the like out of malice to Christ. An oath is a serious thing, to call God to witness, and to call a curse upon himself, it ought to be in truth, in righteousness and judgement, Jer. 4.2. A gift blindeth the wise, much more the foolish and ungodly, when given by a Law, Consider what they are, for the most part, idle fellows that go up and down, eat and drink of other men's cost, who feed them for fear, not for love (would be glad they were rid of them;) It were well the givers of oaths, and takers would consider the flying Role in Zechariah against Swearers and Stealers, Zech. 5.3.  
There is another oppression of poor Handicrafts men, English and strangers, since the late Parliaments dissolving, hotly followed by Informers, set on by some Monopolising Companies, who to keep all Trade in their own hand, cannot be contented with their Privilege of the City, but in former time got Patents by friends and money, extending some miles from the City to bring all men of the same Craft under their jurisdiction, and pay to their Hals, though they dwell out of their Liberties: some Companies suffer no man to be a Master, though a better Workman than themselves, but whom they please; under pretence of seeing no bad Ware made; but never look after any thing but for their Quarterage to feast themselves withal. It were considerable to cause their several Patents to be brought to the view, that they might not tyrannize over their Brethren by their unknown laws.  
They are very hot in persecuting of many Alien friends, who have lived many years, married Englishwomen, Children borne here, paid all taxes all the time of the late War here. Protestants in times of trouble in Germany necessitated to travel: Now most unnaturally they must be gone, or be their Servants; what shall their wives and children do? Ingenious men, no exception, but an old Statute, it is considerable what is said in the 7th. part of Cooks Reports, in Calvin's case of Aliens, leaf 4. and 7. and what is said in holy Writ touching oppressing Strangers, Exod. 23.9. Levit. 19.23. Deut. 24 17. and 28. Matth. 7. Do as ye would be done unto: It is supposed the Laws of this Nation, are not like the Decrees of the Medes and Persians unalterable. Neither so perfect as that perfect law of liberty James speaks of: But oppressing of strangers is a crying sin, ranked with Fatherless Children, and Widows, shedding of innocent blood and Idolatry, Jer. 7.6. would they that are so envious would consider what they do, charity saith they do it ignorantly, not knowing what they do.  
The result of all here is propounded, a double object of pity, to the bodies and to the souls of the (ungodly) poor, a company of poor creatures hastening to destruction, none say why dost thou so? Corrupt men, and Officers encouraged in their wicked ways by corrupt laws (if compared with present time) all these together, Idle and ungodly poor, with sons of Belial by Trade perishing, except the Lord Christ by his grace, take pity upon them. When he was upon earth he wept to see a company of poor creatures without a guide; jeremiah wished his head a fountain of tears to weep for the sins of the people. Isaiah bewailed himself, David wept because the laws of God were broke, his example of governing is a good pattern for Rulers now. Psal. 101.8 I will early destroy the wicked of the Land. He resolved to sing a song of mercy and judgement, and to behave himself wisely at his entrance. If any bowels of compassion with Christ to poor souls, endeavour that of jude to pluck some poor souls out of the fire, if by any means. Imitate God, Gen. 18.21. go down, see whether these things be so; it is meant, condescend to men of low estate, be not high minded. Rom. 12.16. These petty businesses, accounted by some, may bring judgement as formerly they have. Better is hoped.  
Secondly, an object of protection, to rescue the honest laborious man, from the tyranny of unreasonable men, and unseasonable laws. Pardon the plainness of language to those in high places. Amos a man of low breeding, was plain with the Rulers of Damascus and Edom; with the Rulers of Moab and Israel, no doubt his message was acceptable to the godly as the former Prophets, who were more elegant, and no doubt as testimonial, against the wicked Rulers. It is true, the poor Author is no Clerk, but reading so much of the language of Canaan in a Declaration of late, hath presumed to bring a little Goat's hair to the building of this tottering Commonwealth. And shall pray that this great work in hand may prosper: too great for men, except the great reconciler of all things in heaven and earth, come in and make peace betwixt brethren by his spirit. The Lord give to those it concerns the courage of joshua, the Justice of Samuel, the uprightness of David, the wisdom of Solomon, the zeal and tenderheartednes of josias, and some measure of the love of the Lord Jesus, who laid down his life for his flock; the work is great, the people full of muttering, as in Moses time; the Lord Christ supply by his spirit to heap coals of fire on their head, by overcoming them with good.  
J. R. From my Chamber in London this first of August, 1653.  
FINIS.