Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A87187
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A Designe for plentie, by an universall planting of fruit-trees: tendred by some wel-wishers to the publick.
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Hartlib, Samuel, d. 1662.
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1652
(1652)
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Wing H984; Thomason E686_5
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16,045
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32
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The Noblemen the Gentlemen and Yeomen did all strive to answer so noble a resolution of their Prince And therefore great store of Armour and Weapons were every where provided And brave spirits were bred and inabled to service whereby they became an helpe and Ornament to their Countrey so that Queene Elizabeth was quickly growne so strong that all her Adversaries were not able to hurt her And was not this a great work of God that so weak a Woman should be able to defend her selfe against so many so potent enemies Yea and not onely to match them but to master them This was Gods doing c. This Remembrance of her condition and of Gods wonderfull preservation of this Nation at that time should not onely encourage us to hope still in his mercy whereof we have as great experience hitherto as ever she had but also direct us to the performance of the duties fitting us for the continuance of such mercies towards us For as then all the neighbours of this Nation were either open enemies or uncertain friends so it now may fall out again in this juncture of time that we shall finde none abroad cordially to appear for us but if we be found faithfull to one another at home in minding the interest of the Gospel in seeking Peace and Truth in setling Judgement in repressing the enormous scandals which are broken forth and in advancing all manner of Industrie we may expect the same successe which that blessed Queen had and a greater Harvest of Spirituall and Temporall Blessings then ever yet this Nation hath received Which that We may live to see I shall not cease to pray and in praying with the best and utmost of my endeavours to approve my selfe Thine and the Publiques most faithfull Servant SAMUEL HARTLIB A DESIGNE FOR PLENTIE AS Plenty oft-times is the producer of Pride Pride the root of Envy Envy the mother of Contention Contention the spring of War so is War the cause of Poverty and Poverty brings forth Famine and where Famine rageth must needs follow inevitable destruction It is greatly to be wished and as a blessing from God to be desired that all men would as wisely and conscionably eschew and shun the Climax and wayes to destruction as they seem warily and carefully to fly destruction it self when it presseth upon them But alass such is the wickedness and blindnes of mans heart that he is desperatly set on to follow that way which will at last winde him into most certain destruction And so be that men may attein their own private interest and end they never consider the ultimate and woful end and conclusion of their wayes and actions But he that 's wise his practicks so intends That he may levell Actions to their ends The consideration of which thing as it too sadly may be appliable unto this Nation and the Inhabitants thereof by reason of this late intestine and unnaturall War hath moved us to prepare what Cataplasme we can against the inevitable Malady which a long continued war threateneth if not already beginneth to bring upon us that is to say A generall Famine and want of all necessary things for the support and sustentation of life the which we may also feare the rather by reason of the unseasonable weather for Seed-time and Harvest with the unspeakable mortality of Cattel in many places which hath declared and evidenced no small displeasure of God against us and threateneth us with most certain famine besides the want of trade traffique and imployment both by land and by sea together with the daily losses by sea and expenses of provisions by land are no meane ingredients in this threatened approaching miserie What more may be observed also from the discouragements of men in their husbandry and making improvement for plenty as not knowing either for whom they labour or who they are that may reap their labours or what themselves shall enjoy may strongly imprint a feare of famine Now as in a time of famine it were too unchristian-like to hide our selves from our own flesh and to deny relief as God lendeth us to such as want it so were it too selfish for any not to labour to prevent famine and to hide themselves and their advice which God hath granted them from a publique Good It being counted no less sin by God Not to strengthen the hands of the needy then not to fill their hands with benefits and supplies For which cause we have thought it our dutie to present an Assay of Plenty which we call A Designe or Project for Plenty yet not a project of any private advantage to us but of publique good and plenty unto this Nation if so be it may be enlivened and nourished by Authority and Law Otherwise we shall but term it The Embrio of Plenty and the untimely Birth of good Desires which had it come to perfection might have yielded both pleasure and profit to many And such a Project also it is as is not without experience both in our own and other Nations nor yet without good Reasons to speak for it whereof we shall desire to make all rationall men partakers For With men of Reason Reasons will take place But nought can get from fools but base disgrace Moreover when we Consider besides the necessitie as aforesaid the Accomodation this Nation affordeth for such a Designe the Possibility and Facility to effect it And yet the Sluggishnesse of most in our Nation who perhaps would be glad to have plenty in their families Yet care not to take pains or to be at any cost to effect it Like to the Cat who fish would gladly eat But yet her foot in water will not weat We are incouraged the rather to make our Demonstration thereof adding therewithall our Reasons and answering such Objections as may possible lie against it First therefore we do conceive that it will make much for the benefit and publike relief of this whole Nation And for the prevention of famine in time to come through the blessing of God if there were a Law made and put in force by Authority for a generall and universall Plantation of such wholesome fruit according to proportion as might be for the relief of the poor the benefit of the rich and the delight of all The fruits we conceive most wholesome beneficiall and suitable for our Climate are the Apple Peare Walnut and Quince The Proportion to be ordeined that every five pounds per annum of plantable land as well field as enclosure being in private occupation except Cities Towns incorporate and such Towns where the rents are raised onely of the houses without lands shall plant and preserve 20 fruit-trees of Apple Peare Walnut or Quince and 10 li. per annum 40 and 15 li. per annum 60 and 20 li. per annum 80 trees and so in proportion That there may be a certain limited time set that the aforesaid proportion according to every mans