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.