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._ Transcriber’s Note There are some inconsistencies with numbering in this book. There are no pages numbered 24 to 32, and Quære 17 appears before Quære 16. Changes that have been made are: Near end of the introductory address: From (aiming at no other, To (aiming at no other,) Page 21: From and then to mind the pulique good, To and then to mind the publique good, Page 24 (sidenote): From 27. Ed. Ed 3. ca. 3. To 27. Ed. 3. ca. 3. Page 37: From cheifly intending thereby, To (cheifly intending thereby, Page 40: From which by these and such like Practies are stollen, To which by these and such like Practices are stollen, Page 41: From these the honest good men ’&c. To these the honest good men, &c. Page 49: From said Office in such cases, To said Office in such cases,) Page 49: From or complying with them, or negliectng To or complying with them, or neglecting End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of An Essay to the Restoring of our Decayed Trade., by Joseph Trevers