¶ Thus farre forth , & in these very words , hauing sometimes vndertaken a priuate Defence in a Cause of importance both publique and Generall , and finding our groanes & heauy Complaints are vanished like sounds , and valued but as Ecchoes in the * Deserts and Playnes , neere the FORREST OF SHIFTS , and WILDERNES OF SIN . Which whilst some went by , they heard not , some heard , but vnderstood not , some few vnderstanding , regarded not , and none did pitty : I held it then best ( like a barne so dingd that I durst no longer griet ) to sup vp my griefes with silence .

But when I perceiued , that though I sate still , the cause it selfe daily did grow worse & worse : & remembred withall my * * Customers are sworne at theyr first admission , to doe their endeuours to deale iustly between the Prince and the People . vow to my Patron and Founder of our Schooles , at my first admission : in discharge of my dutie , which in this respect I owe to my God , to my Prince and my Country , I once more resolued to speake with my penne , and examine all my former writings , not as by way of Genesis to prescribe a new Arte to our Graue & Wise Maisters , for that were presumption in the highest degree : nor as by Analisis to contest with the Doctrine and Method of our seuerest Huishers , for that were but humour & indescretion : but whilst others of higher Formes , ¶ ¶ Learned Sir Henry Billingsley , sometimes Customer of London . and farre better learning distrusting theyr Schooles , remooued theyr seates to a surer standing , ¶ ¶ Worthy Sir Thomas Ridgeway , Customer of Exeter and Dartmouth . Nowe Treasurer of Ireland . as a poore Scholler desirous to learne and thriue at my Booke , to spell out my Primer by the very letters and poynts of my lesson . That so redeeming the time , I might best giue way to the streame of disgraces in hope of better dayes now coming : remembring withall , that Errors haue no beeing but in absence of Truth . And howsoeuer Errors past haue multiplyed themselues , the Ages succeeding must reforme as they may , & as there is a reason , so God hath appointed a time for all things , for Dies dat consilium .

Considering therefore the reuolutions nowe past , and present disposition of these our happy dayes , the * * The KING . Day-star beeing risen , and the * * The PRINCE . Dawning in our eyes , reuiues our dull spirits , ads life to our hopes , and makes Vs breathe out yet this much & say , that the time may come , when this hartie zeale of ours to our Soueraignes honour , and his Peoples happines , may be better regarded , and deserue not onely thanks and good words , but make all men confesse and acknowledge themselues , as much indebted to these weake indeuours of ours , euen from an * * Sandwich . Out-Port in the Desart , & humble * * Norton-Court . Cottage of this Laud , as all their wealths are or can be made worth : And the Ages to come , find somthing at least to muse and to maruaile at ignorances past , when it shall plainely appeare by demonstratiue reasons , and no wandering Discourse , that in poore Customers Truth was neuer Error , nor Vertue Vice , as the World hath beene told , and so long borne in hand . For can they but see , they shall learne to spell , & by ioyning their Letters , both reade and discerne ( besides other mattets , ) that 1 1 CVSTVMERS . Publicans and 2 2 SEARCHERS and WAITERS . Sinners , are seuerall words , & imply a distinction both of manners and men , and were it , or might it be that Docible Persons were but suffered to learne , Publicans could & would teach Sinners to be like themselues : not Saints nor Hypocrites , but first humble Christians , and then plaine honest men .

In my beginning therefore God be my speede . A Iove principium Musae Iouis omnia plena .

¶ GOD Alsufficient , Alpha and Omega , onely Wise , and eternally Iust , Great A without precedent or patterne , out of Confusion first drew Perfection , and at the end of his Worke , delighted to behold that all he had made was so like himselfe , Valde Bona , exceeding good .

The last of all was MAN , the Image of himselfe , his Microcosmus , Chiefe D'oeuure , Little A. Maister-peece , & modell of Perfection . In whom , and by whom , he might contemplate , direct , & make vse of all the rest . But pride by presumption perswading disobedience , Man became seduced , and by the least part of his trust , bewraying his whole Corruption , in steed of blessing was worthily accurst , both in him & his , had not Wisedome herselfe , out of loue and affection so belayed his fall , that the Word which made all of nothing , was the meanes to restore all from nothing , and GOD became a MAN . A miracle of miracles , and mysterie to muse on , but not to expresse : whereby the greatest loser , hath made the greatest gaine .

As the motiue of the Worke was the Creators onely Will , the meanes his Word , the way his Wisedom , the measure Aequum et Bonum , bounds of his owne Iustice : So the absolute perfection , & end of all , was his preseruing and boundlesse mercy , ( the Prerogatiue of Deitie , ) for the Creature to admire on , as his Creators infinite honour , and owne eternall happines .

Now , whatsoeuer Nature could afford , or Man thus restored was able to possesse , is Gods free gyft from all beginning . That as a Lord peramount , his honour & seuice might iustly be known to all his Tennants by speciall duties , and thankfull acknowledgements of their casie Rents , and so rich a Fee-farme .

The titles of his Tenures are RELIGION and IVSTICE , the one maintaines his peculiar honour and personall Rights , the other , effects of Loue & Loyalty , for his Tennants mutuall good : the Lawes , Customes and Doctrine whereof , pend by his Spirit , and drawne from the essence of heauenly Deitie , are so concurrent ; that to perfect our happines , where both of these are not , there can be neither : and therefore Comparatiuely vsed in this our Lesson , shal both sanctifie our wits , blesse our endeuours , & illustrate each other .

Qui per alium facit , per semetipsum facit . Gods immediat 1 1 Prayers & Thanksgiuin Rents , God himselfe expects and receiues at our hands , such is our Tenure : the 2 2 Tythes and Tributes . rest he accepts , being faithfully payd to his Stewards and Vicegerents . In which respect we stand also bound to reuerence and admire the transcendent respects of Soueraigne sublumitie in earthly States , by theyr Attributes & Tributes , as GODS among men .

Preheminence . PReRoGaTiue . The Attributes of power in earthly Princes , are their PREHEMINENCE and their PREROGATIVE , ( Iustice and Mercie ) the two sacred Titles of Diuine Soueraigntie : the one sets forth the Dignities of their Persons and Places , the other transcends to the motions of their mindes .

The first is that Storge , and naturall inclination to Equitie and Iustice , that distributing bread to the meanest of their Subiects , entendeth at least that all should enioy their Birthrights , to the generall Treaties of Entercouse abroade , and Common Lawes at home , to grow vp thereby to liue to theyr seruice & the Common-wealth .

By the other , out of meere Loue and Affection it may well beseeme them , to stande gracious to some more then all the rest , euen beyond the boundes of Iustice , and yet doe no wrong .

The first shewes them but from their Seates of Iustice & height of Diguities aboue other men .

The latter beyond the Thrones of Kings , extolls their Persons higher then themselues , as more then the sonnes of mortall men .

These then are no Synonimas ( in our dymme sights and weake Conceits ) but words of distinct respects , & of Chiefest reuerence , Cat' exochen . the blending whereof , hath breadde in the World such dangerous Contempts and Capitall Errors , as no Power but the Highest , no Wisedome but the Grauest , may or can reforme . To whom therefore in all obedience wee prostrately referre them . Onelie in the first wee spy the same forme of Caracters , Preheminence . PREROGATIUE . Whereof reade more in the Description of ( Trafficke ) hereafter . as in the Alphabet of our Letters . But in the other , ( beeing a Hyeroglificke aboue our reach or Learning ) wee heare the full sound of all those vowels , that giue life to our Mutes , & must direct our spelling in the Title of our Tributes : the scope of Loyaltie , and nowe our speciall Lesson .

¶ ¶ Customers Creede & Beleefe , and Articles of Religion . Leauing therfore the Rights of Religion to those learned Divines , that both by life and doctrine , directing the way by Fayth and Good-workes how to winne Heauen , teach vs that Faith alone in the Action of sauing , is the Cause of Saluation ; but in the Partie saued , both must concur together . And not to those destructiue Doctors , Not Popish . that to build vp theyr Church , blow vp Common-weales : and by Loosenes of lyfe , and Traditions of Men , to aduaunce themselues , rob GOD of his honour . Nor these distractiue Teachers , Nor Precise . that to Reforme our Church , disturbe our Kingdome ; and preposterously propounding such fancies of Perfection as no reason can reach to , nor themselues expresse , preferring Sacrifice before Obedience , dispence with Charitie to please selues , But the Catholick , Apostolick , & Christian Fayth , now truely taught , freely professed , and constantly defended , in the Churches of England , Scotland & Ireland . & obtrude vpon GOD more then he requires . Assuring our selues , that to all whom his Spirit doth make Repentant , GOD by CHRIST , is and will be a most gracious GOD , and a louing Father . But GOD without CHRIST is a consuming fire .

This ( I say ) we leaue to those sacred Diuines that worke obedience in Subiects by the rules of Conscience ; and admiring the blessednes of these our dayes , pray for our Princes and Prelates , & all that vphold or haue but a will to further this our truly Catholicke and Christian Religion .

The Decalogue of our Courts of Iustice , whereto Customers frame the Rules of their Ciuill lyfe and conuersation in England . ¶ Leauing also the Duties of all our distributiue Iustice , to those most Woorthy and most Honourable Persons , that possessing our Courts , by MEVM and TVVM , discerne and decyde the Cases and Questions of speciall Right , and of generall Reason , as well betweene Subiect and b b 1 Common-PLEAS . Subiect , as the Soueraigne and his c c 2 Kings-BENCH , and Court of Wardes . Vassalls , by the Lawes and Statutes , or peculiar Customes , cast in the d d 3 PARLIAMENT . Mould of Wisedome in our owne Land ; or moderate Extreames by f f 4 CHAVNCERY , & Court of Requests . Conscience among Men. And to the Grauest & Wisest in g g 5 STAR-CHAMBER , & Counsell-Table . highest Authoritie , that to maintaine the Good by censuring the Euill , Sic irascuntur , vt vitia tantum perimant seruatis hominibus , atque ita tractatis vt veri boni necessariò fiant : quantumque damni antea dederiut , in reliqua vita resarcire queant . And to those Heroicall h h 6 The high Conestable and Censors of merit and valour , that beeing most Noble themselues , to decyde the Doubts , and determine the Questions of reputation & worth in all the Degrees of our Natiue Right , and Datiue Honour , so maintaine our Credits , Vt quum Praedia , Feuda et Possessiones , pactis et transactionibus obnoxia : Iuris-Communis , et forensibus procellis agitentur : NOBILITAS interea , Earle-Marshalls Court of CHIVALRY . solis Regibus beneficiaria , Institutis heroicis , et familiaribus ita acquiescit . That

Per proauos numerantur aui , semperque renata Nobilitate virent , et prolem Fata sequntur . Continuum propria seruantia lege tenorem .

And to those learned Ciuilians , that per Aequum et Bonum , so belay the publique peace of our k k 7 ADMIRALTIE . Seas , and our l l 8 ARCHES . Land , that by dooing vs Iustice , our Neighbours take no wrong .

These parts ( I say ) of distributiue Iustice , we gladly referre to those worthy Iudges that sit in our Courts , and by Law & Conscience protecting our a a Matter . Liuings , our c c Place . Liberties , our i i Persons . Liues , our o o Order . Honour , & our u u End . Peace ; doe iustly deserue all Grace from our Soueraigne , and all loue at his handes . These are the GRAVEMAISTERS & Moderators of our Schooles , Our Maisters . that by the Rules of our Bookes , examine our Lessons .

The Prince hath his Courts apart , for m m 9 EXCHECKER . Publique Reuenewes and n n 10 GREENECLOTH . Priuate Expences : where Accountants are taught for the most part , by Court-Rowles & Court-Rules , grounded on Presidents , Examples , or else Discretion . Those first are our Huishers . Our Hushiers .

The Comfort is great where Men dwell in houses , whose foundation is layd on assured grounds . In which regard wee poore p p Customers . Schollers , want words to expresse our Ioyes and Conceites , of the blessings of GOD in these our dayes , for the stayes of Religion and distributiue Iustice . Were those Patrons of Honour whom Mercury should serue , by APOLLO but found out : & the roofes of our Schooles made wind-tight and water-tight in the breaches & wants of q q Trafficke . Commutatiue Right : We ( I say ) with all those that serue in the r r Staples . Temples of Concord , and s s Mynts . Altars of Truth , would make verses in prayse of our PRINCES and PEERES , and sing Alleluiah to the great GOD of Heauen .

The Commutatiue part then that seemes most out of frame , now falling out , and fitted for our Lesson , we are by our Letters to spel out the words that belong to the Titles of our PATRONS t t Customes . . w w Subsidies . x x Tonnage and z z Pondage . . Tributes . Wherin our mild Moderators vouchsafe to stand by vs , helpe our dym eye-sights , support our weake wits , & direct our shaking hands . And Christes ✚ be my speede , and the holy Ghost .

¶ The Nature of all Things that consist in Action , is best seen and valued by the eminencie of the Obiect whereon it workes , and End whereto it tends .

The highest Obiect ( next GOD and Religion , ) is the Maiestie of our SOVERAIGNE , and Good of our Country , there beeing no Action more dutifull then to amplifie the honour of the One , and procure the prosperitie of the Other : nor any more odious , then wittingly or willingly to empayre the Meanes , mutually meant for the maintenaunce of Either .

It followes then by consequence , at all hands agreed on , that to maintaine the Princes Reuenewes , and to further the prosperitie and peace of his People , is ( or ought to be ) the speciall care of euery Mans best Endeuour .

The Duties which GOD hath layd out , and for his honor reserued , by the words of his Law were double onely , and of two seuerall kindes , daily Sacrifices and Oblations of Free-will . The one proceeding , from the ordinary Obseruaunce that giues the formall distinction betweene the Creature and the CREATOR . The other demonstrates that francknes of Loue and cheerefull Deuotion , that ought to proceede from the harts of his owne and peculiar People .

Nowe that which Deitie demaunds by the Lawes of Religion , within his Church to be honored by , doth hold as a consequence for earthly Princes within their Kingdoms to raise their Tributes by . Like Obiects , like Ends , Maiestie , and Loue , by two sorts of Duties , Necessitie and Free-will . The One must subsist , the Other cannot be bound . Giue therefore as vnto GOD himselfe that which is GODS ; so vnto Caesar , that is due to Caesar .

Thus Customes that grow by Trafficke , are due to our KING , and are no small nor idle Portions in the Body of his Reuenews . But as in Religion and the seruice of GOD , there is nothing hath more disturbed the Conscience , nor distracted Mens minds , then a misvnderstanding , and diuersity in conceits , of the true sence and vse of the word ( Church , Church and Customes , wordes that are too generally taken : and so misvnderstoode . ) so fares it with Traffick about the Tearmes and vse of Customes .

For though Customes ( in this kinde ) doe currantly runne , and be vsually taken for all kinde of Duties that acrue to the King on things Barterable or Vendible , by way of Marchandise crossing the Seas , either Outward or Inward , ( for from Port to Port both Land & Seas are naturally free ) yet it hath a peculiar sence , a speciall vse and proper signification , implying eyther those ancient Staple-Rights , on Wooll , Wooll-fells , Tinne , Lead & Lether , &c. called Great and Grand Customes , Grand CVSTOMS . outward ; or the three pence on the pound , payd onely by Strangers , by the name of Petty-Customes . Petite CVSTOMS .

All Titles besides ( of this kind ) howsoeuer they be called , or generally comprised and stiled Customes , are notwithstanding , distinguished from them by speciall Names , Subsidies Tonnage and and different vses , as Subsidies , Subsidies Pondage . or Aydes . And those also subdiuided into Tonnage & Pondage .

The vse and end of CVSTOMS . The first ( properly , indeede onely to be called Customes ) by wisedome layd out from all beginning , is Ius Coronae , an Inheritance of the Crowne , the preemption in Trafficke , and protection of Traffick , beeing two Essentiall partes of that personall Preeminence , and locall Dignitie , which fundamentally our Kings haue claimed , and for defence of the Kingdome , and safe passage at Seas , iustly may challenge . As consisting ( to our Weake vnderstandings ) of the chiefest Materialls our State affoords , to to draw in Bullion by . Bullion . Staples . Mynts . Exchange . Weights & Measure . And in that respect holden for their Artificiall Mynes of Gold & Siluer , to maintaine the Pulses of our Soueraignes Mynts , whose Exchange of Money , as a Fountaine for abundance , ought to fixe and guide the true valuations of all Things besides . For as the Standarts of all Weights & Measures for generall Iustice , are the Soueraignes Treasure and peculiar charge , & the coyning of Monies theyr onely ( Hoc age , ) so their Generall Iustice . Coynage , a worke for Matter & Forme of principall Worth , & theyr Exchange a Mysterie of heauenly skill , by equalitie and proportions certaine and indifferent , are the Sterne and Compasse to steere all courses right .

The Vse and End of the Subsidies of Tonnage and Pondage . The later called Subsidies , are offred vp at Parliaments , on things subiect to Restraints by Proclamations for speciall Causes and different vse , and in that regard giuen sometimes but on this Thing , sometimes but at that Port , and some-times Ad Tempus onelie . Though now for all Things , at all Ports , and for terme of our Soueraignes lyfe , as vrgent Necessity , or publique Vtilitie , for the Freedome of Trafficke , and behoofe of the Ports haue seemed to require ; Due likewise in their kinds and turnes for reciprock Ends. The Body beeing by GOD and Nature , so bound to serue and maintaine the Head , as the Head is ordained to gouerne and defend all the Members .

Thus Customes are those artificiall duties that our Kings must haue , and Necessity hath layd on Trafficke by our Staple Commerce , to supply theyr naturall defects , and wants of Bullion .

And Subsidies are those naturall respects which Loue is desirous and Loyaltie doth offer , by Trafficke to honour our Soueraignes by ( besides theyr auncient Customes , ) that by all Meanes , and at all hands Maiestie may be seene , and Soueraigntie subsist .

These are all the Titles of our Commutatiue Tributes , by the Lawes of our Schooles , the bounds of our Lessons , and Alphabet of our Letters . Yet is there a third , called Impostes , Impostes or Impositions . or Impositions , whose Heteroclite vse , and conuertible sound , wee know not how to spell : for beeing but the Genus to the former two , & held for a Species of some other Duty in our weake conceits , hath deceiued many .

For whereas Maiestie must , may & can but subsist ; what Adoration and Tythes are to GOD , the same are Customes & Subsidies to his Lieuetenants . And beyond the bounds which Wisedome prescribes for the practise of Truth , Discretion may hunt , but shall find nought saue Error . For what exccedes , is but Poperie in the Church , and in Policie , deuices to disturbe Common-weales .

What rests then but this , that Omne minimum inimica Naturae , & Omne nimium vertitur in vitium . Enough makes a feast , but abuses marre all , whereof we must also spell some-thinges hereafter .

Impostes then by the Rules of our Bookes , and Letters of our Lessons , are eyther the Customs wee spoke of , and those Customs Impositions , that to maintaine the Essence of Maiestie , Necessitie found out : Or those Subsidies afore-said , that Marchants by Trafficke doe franckly and willingly impose vppon themselues : or els in our Natura Breuium , no where to be found .

But as Aliquid Boni propter Vicinum Bonum , so Multum mali propter vicinum Malum . Our Neighbours sower Grapes haue set our teeth on edge . Italian Gouernments , and the Discords of the Netherlands . For by their examples , drawne ( as they call it ) from their Princes Prerogatiues , but would say Preheminonce , if they vnderstoode themselues . Impositions are made Taxes vppon Marchandise , besides the duties aboue-sayde : not so much by Statutes or Treaties of Entercourse , as by a kinde of discretion , which wanting place and vse in the studie of our Customes , haue likewise no part in the honourable ends thereby propounded and intended . For beeing as they are , Effects of vnknowne Causes , of Matter vncertaine , and of forme no wayes fitting the Mould of our free Commerce , all men refuse to argue thereof , to define , to deuide , or to bring them into Question . The rather for that , beeing in theyr nature irregular and litigious , The Popes ambitious Taxes on our Clergy , impouerishing the Realme by exhausting our Treasure , made our Kings draw on the Barrons warres , to supply theyr pouerty & wants , vpon the People . Impositions doe but ayme at Order , and the preseruation of our Shypping by guesse . they haue beene occasions of much vnrest and disorders in former times , especially in the first and second ages of our Kings , till Magna Charta compounded such griefes . And albeit the vse of them since might happily ayme at the beating backe of some Forraine idle Commodities , brought in and obtruded vpon vs by Strangers , to the hinderance of our Trafficke in Trades , & decay of our Ports in Mariners and Shipping , which the wisedome of our State must alwayes maintaine : yet gathering withall vppon the naturall and free-borne Subiects , they repyne thereat , as men willing to obey , but not able to discerne betweene the dispositions of States , and changes of Tymes , The Ends of Impositions , are Disorder of Trafficke . & so is a speciall ground of all our Disorders . The Subiect still appealing to the positiue Lawes of our owne free Trafficke , as their generall Inheritance , and Strangers vrging theyr Treaties and mutuall Contracts .

These Imposts of discretion or strayned Preheminance , ( if wee terme them right ) haue likewise begotten some other Impositions , of baser Nature , and more dangerous Effects , whereby that sacred Word of Wisedome , and highest power , ( our Soueraignes Prerogatiue , ) is vnreuerently prostituted , and many wayes prophaned . For , beeing sometimes pleased , ( as well may beseeme them ) out of meere loue and affection , in publique restraints , by speciall fauours to make some of their Seruants more happy then their fellowes ; the same by sales and transactions , transmuted or transferred , is a meanes to make Subiects from hand to hand , Wine , Beere , Coales , &c. And whatsoeuer in this kinde is eyther solde or put ouer to a second or third hand for Money . to racke and impose , euen vpon & among themselues . When indeed and in truth , the ( Grace ) looseth Beeing , both in Matter , Forme , and Vse , vppon the first Exchange . For when Fauourites get suits vnfitting theyr Callings , or vse them not themselues : it is but Witcheraft and Sorcery that all such intend , Simones-Magi . as by Leases or Purchase for priuate gaine , thinke PRINCES Prerogatiues , eyther vendible for Money , or subiect to Exchange . Such Impost-Maisters Religion hath accurst , theyr Money therefore and themselues , ( without Repentance ) must perish both together .

These Imposts we take it , ( vnder our Graue-Maisters correction ) are but Romish Peter-pence , and Italian-Inuentions , where theyr PRINCES Prehemirence , and forst kinde of Dignities , Trafficke ill beholden to all such English Gentlemen as trauailing for experience , make the Impositions of Italy a fit precedent for the gouernment of England , when they come home . haue little other Subsistence : Beeing therfore but borrowed , they may well be sent home . England was neuer any vassall to Rome , and hath or may haue ( beeing but rightly vsed ) enough of her owne .

But ô fortunatos Anglos bona si sua norint ! For the Maiestie of our Customes somtimes so admired , seeme now like Anticke Medalls , that reteyning but their sound , haue lost themselues in theyr Value and Vse , both of Matter and Forme .

Our Golden-Flees , the Trophee of the House of Bu gundy . Thus our Woolls , ( some-times the wonder of the Worlde , ) are now the Trophees of strange Lands , and signes of our shame , and turned into Cloth , our Cloth into nothing ; at least nothing lesse then Bullion . And the Rates vppon Wooll , Our Cloth become confiscable beyond Seas , or by speciall fauour returnable vpon vs . first grounded by Statutes , layd on Cloth by Discretion , not iustly discerning the reason of our Customes in the Vse of the One , and End of the Other .

Our basest Fell-wooll of Shorlings , the refuse of the rest , and sweepings of our Staples , ( neuer vsed in Cloth , ) is by our kindest * * The Duch-Church at Sandwich , who flying the tyranny of Body and Conscience at home , admitted to refresh themselues but with our English ayre , layd the first foundation of true making of Bayes , Sayes , & Sarges there . ( Trades neuer vnderstoode of vs before , ) till abuses elswhere ouer-whelmed them with others , with an Imposition that well-neere breakes theyr harts : yet hold they still theyr first innocencie , and maintaine the credite of that Townes-Seale , both for Number , Weight , and Measure , in all parts of the World . Neighbours , in a new kinde of Drapery , made the glorie of our Wolls , and credite of our Kingdome , and might be made a Patterne to reforme all our Clothing , and recouer our Bullion .

Our Pells & our Leather forsake vs by Licenses . GOD knowes why , where , how or whether , but without returne of Bullion .

Our Tyn and our Leade , so lately well recouered , seemes now againe layd vp in Huxters handling , and might haue beene a sure and speciall helpe to haue drawne in Bullion .

Our Pettit-Customs , onely seeme still to holde their owne , Lex Mercatoria . but with vncertaine Bya● , since Lex Mercatoria became obsolete , and to vs vnknowne .

In steede of all which , our Returnes ( for the most part ) beeing but Silks and Tabacco , Bells or Bables , of things needlesse or bootelesse , doe shew how Strangers for better wares , can fat vs vp with pryde , or fodder vs with folly .

Our Subsidies that sometimes were so fewe , so easie , so louingly offred , so graciously accepted , and so willingly payde , as the Customes haue fayled , are become the Subiects of Extremitie , euen to the tything of our smallest Mynt and Comin . And our sweet Nurse and Mistresse , TRAFFICK , distempered and distrest with dangerous fits of a hot burning Feauer . Not farre from Frensie ; which wee poore Schollers cannot but see , and ( what ere betyde vs ) bewayle and lament ; and before our Grauest and Wisest Phisitians , prostrate our selues for remedy . And I among the rest , as the Apothecaries Boy , that for bringing but one * * The Caution written against the Farming out of Subsidies vnder the name of Customes . Pill to preuent the last accesse , was so shent for my labour . The Symptome and Crysis of whose disease will best appeare in our Lesson nowe following .

¶ The fashion and face of our Customes beeing thus layd open , theyr Vse by practise but once made knowne ; would enflame the world with admiration and loue of the speciall Blessings & Prudence of our Land ; the Zeale whereof onely hath preuented all our Studies , almost consumde our selues , and yet is the motiue of all our best Endeuours .

Customes therefore and Subsidies , both depending on Trafficke , as Effects that rise and fall with theyr efficient Cause : the raysing of Trafficke like Hony in Hyues , must needes increase eyther .

TRAFFICKE ! O the compasse and profunditie of this one & onely word ( Trafficke , ) more fit for Wisedome to study , and Eloquence to vtter , then our weake braynes to spell . In which regard we cannot but bewayle the losse and want of those worthy Wits of older tymes , that to tune the whole World , wrote Volumes on this Theme .

SIBILLA CVMANA , she wrot 9. Bookes , whereof 6. she burnt , and sold the other 3. to Tarquine for the price she offred them all at first . The three Bookes of SIBILLA , so well preserued , so deerely bought , and carfully kept by Tarquine the Elder , are long since by Stillico that Traytor , blowne vp , burnt and gone .

Ne tantùm Patrijs saun et Proditor Armis , Sancta SYBILLIN ae fata cremauit Opis .

ARISTOTLS abstruse Phylosophy , to ALEXANDER the great , Horis matutinis in Gymnasio Lyceo . But , ô , those Acroamata , and pryuate Instructions of kingly Doctrine ! so grauely discussed , so attentiuely heard , and richlie rewarded with Talents of Gold , are eyther forgotten , beyond our hearing , or out of our reach .

Card Poole spent abooue 2000. crownes in sending to the Lybrarie of Cracou●a in Poland about it . A●●● Sturm : Epist: lib : 1. And Tully De Republica . A Booke able to make a Wise-man in one dayes reading , ( as some beleeue and write ) so carefullie sought for , both farre and neere by our late Cardinall Poole , hath not yet been seene , except the Amalihean Vatican of our newe o o Sir Tho: Bodleyes Library at Oxforde . TARQVINIVS PRISCVS haue happily found it out , whose care , cost , and loue to Learning , in the Kingdom of the Muses , deserues a Golden Crowne : yet this is our confort , that the light they saw by , was but beames of this Sunne , their Enthousiasme , but motions of this Good Spirit , and their cleerest water fet from the streames of this flowing Fountaine , that runnes so franckly , and may serue our Turne .

For TRAFFICKE is but a free Bartering , or buying & selling of 1 Vendible Wares . At 2 Markets conuenient . By 3 Marchants , Subiects , or Strangers . According to the 4 Rules of Reciprocke Commerce . Generally intending 5 Honour to Princes , and Prosperitie to Common-wealthes .

And here at the first view appeare all our fiue Vowells , in fiue Wordes , that teach vs all to spell , and make vs all to speake ; to wit , a MATTER , as Vendible Wares . e PLACE , Markets conuenient . i PERSONS , Marchants , Subiects or Strangers . o ORDER , Rules of Reciprocke Commerce . And u END , Honour to Princes , and Prosperitie to v Common-v - wealthes .

The first wee call a. a. ¶ MATTER , must be vendible . The second stands for e. e. ¶ PLACE conuenient for Marts and Markets . The third i. i. ¶ PERSONS , fit to Traffick . The fourth is o. o. ¶ ORDER in Commerce . The fift stands for u. u. The KING And ( u. u. PRINCE . SIRS . ) And u. u. The COVNSAILE . My Lords . w. w. The Common-wealth . And all .

Heere were fit staying to admire on the Maiestie of those two wordes of Power , PReHeMiNeNS and PReRoGaTiue . e. i. Whereof the first hath two of our Vowels for PERSONS and PLACE , but the last contaynes them all . a. e. i. o. u : But wee must not play too much with the beauty of those Letters : Let vs fall to our Bookes , and spell out our Lesson .

a. a. ¶ MATTER , must be vendible . ¶ In the condition of the Matter layde out for Trafficke , what euer it be , Goodnes more or lesse makes it first Vendible , as respected for the goodnes onely , and so fit for Trades .

e. e. ¶ PLACE conuenient for Marts and Markers . ¶ In the Places , conueniencie at home or abroade ; easinesse of accesse by Sea or by Land , & freedome with safetie : for Matter and Persons is onely regarded in all Marts and Markets .

i. i. ¶ PERSONS , fit to Traffick . ¶ In the qualitie of Marchants Persons whosoeuer they be , Subiect or Stranger , Loyaltie and Alliance onely makes their Traffick avowed . For with knowne Traytors , or open Enemies , the Law admits no Commerce .

o. o. ¶ ORDER in Commerce . ¶ The best Rules for Order to direct Trafficke by , are those that beeing precisely squared out , to the Generalitie , Certaintie , and Indifferencie of the Lawes of our Land , and forraine Contracts , admit no particular , partiall , nor doubtfull deceit , iniury , nor disturbance to Matter , Persons , nor Place .

u. u. ¶ END of Trafficke . ¶ The End of all Trafficke , is Honour to Princes , and Prosperity to their Kingdoms ; whose policie and gouernment , religious and Iust , must needes be formed to their Patterne DEITIE , by the Obiect of Goodnes , and end in Peace .

But all Goodnes is needfull : Trafficke therfore in regard of the Vse of Goodnes , must needes be generall . For looke what the Soule is to the outward Actions of the Body , in ordering each Member , so as Nature finds fit for the good of the whole Man : such is Trafficke , in disposing Mysteries & Trades , to the behoofe of the whole Common-wealth . A consideration in no part of Ciuill Gouernment to be neglected , much lesse in this great Cause of Customes .

GOODNES therefore , as the life of the Soule , to perfect our Trafficke , both in Matter , Place , Persons , Order & End , is the scope of our Studie , and length of our Lessons . That in Trafficke , as in all things , it may at last appeare , that Finis coronat Opus .

Thus Customes from Trafficke haue their first Essens & beeing , and by it increase , to the Honour of Princes , and Prosperitie of Common-weales . For Trafficke then it is that we Customers contend , & stand bound to contest what euer betyde vs , vntill shee be relieued for our Lesson , let vs play the good Schollers , and ply our Bookes well , to spell out Goodnes , that some Good-Man at last , may get vs leaue to play .