Or, why should we think it too much out of 100 l. per Ann. to cast 5 l. a year into the Treasury of this House, to be scatter’d amongst the Poor; since it is but a fourth part of what we gain by them:  By this means, I am confident the Poor of each Parish would be so few, that there would be scarce enow to eat the spare Meat that comes from other mens Tables:  Howbeit, it were good, that a Law were made, that every person that gives any Almes to any idle Beggars, or wandring People, (the Poor of their own Parish only excepted) should forfeit 5 l. to the Treasurer of the Hospital of that County in which they dwell, which would be no violation of the Precepts of Charity, but an effectual expedient to restrain all Beggars and idle people for the future.

If we believe (as I hope we all do) that the happiness of a Nation hath its dependance on the good Will and Pleasure of God Almighty, and that the more we please him, the greater Blessings we may receive from him.  Let it be considered, How acceptable an Offering it would be to the most High, when by so pious an Act of Our Gracious King and Parliament, together with the free Will Offrings of all able godly disposed people, so many Thousands, yea Thousands of Thousands, in process of time, may be restrained, and prevented from living in that broad way of Idleness and Lewdness, in which is all manner of Debauchery.  And now by this Reformation, from Generation to Generation, may become attentive hearers of his Holy Word, which is the most Infallible Directory to bring them to Heaven.

Obj:  You talk of great Profits made of Flax in other Countries:  But some are of the Opinion, That to raise the Linnen Manufactory here to that degree, is utterly Impracticable; as well, because our Domestick Flax is not so good as that which comes from beyond the Seas; as also, because our people cannot work it so well.

Answ. This Objection, (which some are pleas’d to think very considerable) consists of two Branches:  The first is an Exception to the goodness of our Flax; The second, to the Skill and Dexterity of our People.

As for the first; Whether ours be as good as Outlandish Flax? It must be considered, and cannot be denied, but, that the far greatest part of the Flax which we Import from beyond the Seas, is East-Country Flax, I say, the far greatest part, ten to one in proportion; Now I am credibly informed by several well experienced Flax-Men (who have dealt in both Sorts) That English Flax is full as good, to all intents, as this East-Country Flax, and do not doubt, but it will appear so upon Examination; So that the Objection, as in Comparison with such East-Country Flax, vanishes; of which yet, (although we have but little Cloth made in England) there is, (as I am inform’d) several Hundred Thousand Pounds worth yearly Imported.