[Illustration: Decoration]
Poscript.
That these things are considerable to be looked into, and that a stock
may be raised to employ the poor out of misimployed Charity, I have
given a breif account of the abuses of Charity, in the place where I
now inhabit, with a short Description of the River of _Medway_, alias
_Chatham_, and the fraudes practised there and of some notorious
abuses put upon me for doing my duty, and endeavouring to prevent
those fraudes complained of in this Book, with the foul Practise of
some under-Clerks, and cunning devices of some other Lawyers, which I
shall Present to his most Sacred Majesty, and to the great Councels
of the Kingdome; to the end it may be known what need there is of
better encouragement to honest Officers, and those who put the Laws in
Execution against such Offenders, being also ready to prove what is
alledged in every particular clause before his Majesty in Councel.
_England_ is exceeding happy in a good and gracious King, but extreamly
unhappy in some unfaithful Officers, and divided people, we are also
happy in good Lawes, but unhappy in that they are so much corrupted, it
is nothing with some Councel to make good, bad, and bad good; and in
case they abuse a man never so much, this is sufficient, _They ought to
do what they can for their Client_: by this course, our most gracious
King, and the Honourable Courts are often misinformed, honest men
discouraged, and unjust Stewards preferred, let Attorneys and Clerks
use never so unjust practice, honest and just Lawyers will seldome
complain, or move against those of the same profession. This Nation is
puffed up with Pride, and grown idle with plenty, the meanest vie with
the greatest, and will do any unjust thing to maintain it, Playes are
more regarded then Prayers, Drunkenness than Study, the Clerks pens,
than Trades-mens hands, so that our Trade is lost, our people live
idle, Charity Robbed, our Poor starved, our Lawes not regarded, our
Consciences fast asleep.
The Scene is so much altered in 25 or 30 years, that then a man thought
his Son well provided for, if placed with a Clothier, and now nothing
will do but Law, so that they multiply like Catterpillers in a dry
Summer, insomuch that the increase of the Land cannot feed them, but
they swallow up the earth also, what I write is no Romance, I have
had sad experience of the truth of it, and according to the good old
Proverbs, _The Loser may have leave to speak, And truth may be blamed,
though not shamed_, that doth make a man as bold as a Lion, and I bless
God in all my sad Afflictions, that very thing, and God’s promises hath
kept up my spirits, and without reason I still hoped to be delivered
from those wolves, as _Daniel_ was delivered out of the Lyons Den,
which hath been done, some of my Enemies falling before me, and others
have confessed their faults, and I have as freely forgiven them, as I
hope God will forgive me, others whose actions are so foul, they blush
and hang down their heads when they see me, though they will endeavour
behind my back, & where it’s not known, to excuse themselves, I declare
I desire to be in peace with all men, though I do endeavour to get my
right, vindicate my self, and for publique good punish Offenders.
_Vale._