TO this realme of England in times past belonged a strong nauie of shippes maintained chiefly by fishing, wherewith the Prince and countrie were compassed for their defence, as with a forcible wall, the repaire whereof was very well sup­plied by the certaine vtterance and expence of such fishe as was [Page 10] taken and prouided which grewe by the obseruation of suche daies as was appointed for the abstinence from fleshe and ea­ting of fish, and thus was this wall or nauie kept in a sufficient repaire as a redye defence for the Prince, and this Realme a­gaynst all forraine assaultes, whensoeuer or howsoeuer the same shoulde happen, vntill the superstitious abuse thereby vsed, caused some fewe to omit the obseruation of fishe daies according to the accustomed order, which at the first appeared no harme. Then some moe did the like, and yet little harme appeared. But in continuance of time, in maner the whole multitude by ensample of others, did breake that order: some in part, and some in the whole, whereby the accustomed buy­ing and expence of fish, whereupon the continuall maintenance of the sayde Nauie grewe, became so small, that there ap­peared a great decay in the Nauie: neuerthelesse euerie man proceeded from time to time in breache of the said accustomed order, which before was certainely obserued: and so in fewe yeares the Nauie was abated from fiue shippes to two in di­uers partes of this realme, whereupon the force thereof tou­ching that matter was weakened much, to the great perill of this realme, and incouragement of the enemie.

In auoiding whereof with earnest consideration had by the nobles and commons of the whole realme, considering the dan­ger that thereby might ensue, it was by them thought neces­sarie to deuise some meanes how the nauie might be repaired againe, & being assembled in the parliament holden at West­minster the fift yeare of the Queenes highnesse most gratious raigne, a law was there made and ordained, that the accusto­med order for fish daies should be obserued in abstaining from flesh, that fish might be the more plentifullier spent.

Which law for a time of great numbers was obserued: but from thence grewe not sufficient contribution to repaire and maintaine the Nauie, for that the vniuersall multitude had litle regard thereunto, whose ensample diuers other followed: and so manie of the greater sort ioyning with the lesser sort, became more carelesse (for want of due execution) then anie time before they had bin: And thus the trade of fishing and prouision of fish [Page 11] out of which exceeding great maintenance grew vnto y ^e Nauy, was brought frō great to greater decay, which decay increseth.

For which cause her Maiestie with the nobles and com­mons of the realme considering the disordered behauior concer­ning breach of y ^e said lawe most commonly vsed in many com­mon Iunes, tauerns, tabling-houses, cookes houses, and other cōmon vitlers, in which place a wonderful nūber of fish might be spent if the said law by them were duely obserued. In a par­liament holden at Westminster, the 27. yeere of her most gra­tious raigne a law for the better obseruation of the said dayes and times was further ordayned against them, with a greater penaltie then before had bin set downe for the other, that refor­mation therein might be had, if by anie meanes it were pos­sible. But thereof in like case so little care of obedience is vsed, that the offence in most places rather increaseth then decrea­seth, to the wonderfull great damage of this realme, as by the argumentes following may well be considered.

IF the realme in defence thereof be furnished with fiue hun­dred ships, and that we should suffer the enemie by pollicie or open force to consume or destroy three hundred of them, were it not a great and a reprooueable negligence. But if the naturall subiectes of this realme by their negligent maners, shall con­sume or destroy three hundred of them, is not their so doing worthy grieuous punishment: But if they shall obstinately or wilfully doe the same, what punishment such ought to haue, I leaue to the iudgement of those that haue a wisedome to consi­der thereof.

In asmuch therefore as by our dyet we abate the Nauie by proportion from fiue ships to two, is it not to bee accompted great negligence, and worthie of punishment. But after we haue espied this negligence wee doe wilfully continue the the same, can it bee in trueth any other, then a practise to [Page 12] ouerthrowe our owne countrie by weakening the force thereof, to lay it so much the more open to the enemie.

Further when the Queenes Maiestie hath occasion to send foorth, and maintaine her Nauie at the seas, must shee not be constrained either at the first setting foorth, or in the supplie to furnishe and man the same for lacke of seafaring men, with wherrimen and bargemen from the Thames and other Ri­uers? who although manie of them be tall and lustie men suf­ficient and able, to do good seruice in such affaires, Yet the most part of them in respect of such seruice may be accompted but freshe watered souldiers not able to doe suche seruice at the first as shall be necessarie, for want of skill, nor able to abide the Seas in suche labour for want of vse, and therefore wan­ting sufficient Seafaring men amongest them, their seruice is in daunger to turne rather to the carrying and keeping foorth of shippes to deliuer vnto the enemie to increase hys force, then to resist or diminishe the same. We therefore bring this to passe by our dyet, what other thing then doe we but by our sayd dyet, seeke to strengthen the enemie, and weaken our selues?

Furthermore let vs make another allegation or argument and sa, The Queenes Maiestie is head of y ^e commō-wealth, which the Lord for his mercies sake long continue. The com­mon wealth is the seat that she sitteth on and ruleth the legges that beare vp this seate, are the forces of the same, if anie one of these legges fayle or decay, it weakeneth the rest, and put­teth all in danger, like a disioynted frame which reeleth, and is in no certaine safetie longer then the ioynts hold soundly to­gether. And so when anie of the principall ioyntes decay, the whole rest are in perrill, till that ioynt be repaired and made sure againe.

Therefore forasmuch as the Nauie is one of the princi­pall forces or legges that this common-wealth standeth on, which is the Queenes Maiesties seat, & that the people do with their teeth, hale or draw that leg asunder which w ^t theyr teeth they are wont to draw & knit togither, fast ioyned to the rest of the legs. What other thing doe they but w ^t their own teeth [Page 13] vndermine the seate of the Prince, putting that in perill to fall to their destruction, which standing vpright and fast, would be their tecture and defence.

But many there be that perhaps will iudge this argumēt verie vaine and friuilous to perswade them, remembring the abuse which in times past hath beene vsed in the obseruation of fish dayes. And for that abuse, sacke vtterly contemne the same without remembring the polliticke deuice for the bene­fite of the Realme, whereunto at the first inuention or ordi­nance thereof in this lande, it was in some part (in my iudge­ment) ordained, as now it is in the whole: our countrie being an Iland enuironed with the seas as our walles.

Othersome taking hold on the words of our sauiour Christ in the xv. of Matthew, where he saith, That which entreth into the mouth doth not defile the man, but that which procce­deth out of the mouth. And by that meanes take libertie to offende. But they consider not further, where S. Paul saith, all things indeede are pure, but it is euill for the man that ea­teth with offence. And who thinketh not but that is eaten with offence which is eaten contrarie to the Princes lawes, and to the hurt of a common wealth. Neither doth our Sauiour giue any warrants by these words, that the thing which entereth into the mouth with offence doth not defile y ^e mā: but his mea­ning in that place is to be constred off, according to the words in the text specified, where (in my my iudgement) the argumēt grew about the washing of hands, thorough the scribulite of the Scribes and Pharises.

We haue also another note to consider off, when the wife of Tobias had prouided a Kidde, and brought to her husbande, saying, she would make readie the same for him to eate: he cau­sed her to stay, and would not suffer her so to doo, vntill he had examined whether she came truely by the same or not, fearing it had beene stolne, or in such like case come by, and should so eate of it vnlawfully, which he esteemed to be an offence to God. Many other places of holy scripture may be alleaged in this case, which I will at this time omit, and leaue the inter­pretation thereof to the learned diuines, whose office my sim­plenesse [Page 14] cannot attaine vnto, but returne to the matter which I haue taken in hand to proue by argument in temporall causes as followeth.

Others perhaps do thinke and some in truth will say that concerning a maintenance for the Nauie with marriners, be­sides the trade of fishing, there be diuers waies to encrease and maintaine a sufficient number of Marriners for seruice, whensoeuer occasion shall require by other trades and traf­fickes of marchandize: as for ensample, was the Realme euer heretofore so well furnished with seruiceable ships, as at this time it is maintained onely by trades of marchandize, wherin also are encreased great numbers of marriners, more apter men in such seruice.

Vnto which it may be answered that many such marriners indeed are increased, but yet not such a sufficient number as warres if they haue any continuance will require, wherein verie manie such persons are to be imployed, as well in other shippes of this Realme, as in her maiesties owne ships.

And if it should be graunted that these trafickes shoulde en­crease marriners sufficiently for the supply aforesaid, yet if we should depend thereon, we should expresse our selues more to leane to things that bring and breed damage, then to things that bring and breede profite.

For in truth a great part of our marchandize are rather su­perfluous then needfull, & more damageable then profitable, for example: is not the one halfe of our sugars and other gro­serie wares, rather daintely consumed then necessarily spent? Againe, are not foure parts of fiue of those silkes and veluets that are brought into this realme, rather superfluously vsed by men of meane estate, then conueniently worne by such as are of higher estate?

Further, are not three parts of fiue of the Wines that are brought into this Realme, rather wastfully consumed to the decaie and destruction of mens healthes, then necessarily s [...]ent for the sustentation of mens bodies, to continue or en­crease their healthes? And for the transporting of torne and diuerse kindes of marchandize out of this Realme, by reason [Page 15] of those trades, if they be done at sometimes commoodiously for the benefite of the Realme, they are done at some other [...]imes discommodiously to the damage of the Realme, which hing is well knowne to many.

Now when all these trafickes and trades are compared to­gither, and their commodities with their discommodities, it will appeare that the treasure and strength of this Realme is by the superfluitie of them rather consumed and abated, then encreased or continued: notwithstanding I speake not this that it were necessarie for such trades to be left off or extingui­shed, for thereby groweth great benefites to the Realme sun­drie waies, not onely for sufficient and seruiceable shipping, but other necessarie commodities also. But contrariewise, concerning the trade of fishing, it is all wayes commodious and no wayes discommodious, it encreaseth wealth and pro­uision of sustenance, but abateth none. And the more for that fish is alwayes spent for the necessarie sustentation of mens bodies, and not for superfluitie.

There is yet another thing to be considered off concerning the trade of marchandize, that in all manner of trafickes where marchants must come within the Dominions of other Prin­ces, much daunger and perill may happen, for that it is in the wils of those Princes, within whose dominions they are to stay such shippes as there be, and imploy them at their pleasures in their seruice. And so England w ^t great perill may encrease ma­riners & shipping to serue other Princes, which may happen sometimes to be against our selues. Also in diuers traficke ma­ny mariners trauell far iournies, by meanes wherof it may be that the Realwe shal want them whē it should be needfull that they were at home to be imployed for the defence of y ^e realm.

Therefore it may plainely appeare that the trade of mar­chandize only for breeding & maintenance of mariners, though it be necessary & needfull to the realme, yet y ^e same is not w ^tout great doubts & perils. Wheras contrariwise by the trade of fishing, if such fish might be certainly spent w ^tin this realme as might be takē & proued a sufficient nūber of mariners & other seafaringmē for y ^e supply of those y ^e then may want, might be [Page 22] much more profitabler, and saflier bredde and maintained at home, all times in a readines to be imployed for the necessarie seruice and defence of the Realme, how suddainely so euer the same should require.

THere is yet further to be considered, that the trade of fish­ing is a wonderfull great Nurse for the breeding or bring­ing vp of Marrineas, for whereas a Merchants shippe vsing the traficke with merchandize, being furnished for the voy­age with twentie men, there is amongst them not past two or three boyes which in that trade is brought vp and instructed. And if it be so the daunger of the voyage considered, that these children can, and commonly do endeuour to be brought vp and instructed herein, yet the encrease of them will not be suffici­ent to furnish the Nauie, especially in the time of wars.

But the Fisherman going to the sea, or vpon other waters in great or small vessels, for euerie one man there is of them commonly two boyes, who being trained vp therein, are so ac­customed with the hardnesse and painefull toile which in that exercise they are vsed to, that they are not onely able to su­staine al labour to a seafaring man belonging, but in short time become a sufficient sailor, master, or Pilot, as well for seruice in her maiesties shippes as in the merchants shippes. They are also acquainted and know the rockes, sandes and other daungers vpon the seacostes: where they lye, and how to auoid them by reason of their accustomed haunting the seas in the trade of fishing. And by meanes of their trauell from one port to another for the sale or vtterance of the said fish, and other things wherein at vnseasonable fishing times they are im­ployed.

These and diuers other arguments before rehearsed might be a sufficient occation to cause vs without penaltie or pennall law for the benefite of our countrie, to restraine and bridle our selues from our accustomed and vnlawfull diet, but many [Page 17] there be that will and may truely say, the vtterers of fish sell the same at such excessiue prises, diuers and sundrie times, that it discourageth men to buy thereof. And the more for that they can a great deale better cheape make their prouision with flesh as well for their familie, as themselues.

Many arguments are to be made that will be sufficient to answere this matter. And first we are to consider the times and seasons of the yeare that it serueth not alwaies alike, for suffi­cient prouision of freshfish, at which time little store being taken by reason of contagious and contrarie weather, wherein the fi­sherman aduentureth both life and goods, & not onely himselfe but many other hath their liuings theron depending, great rea­son is that the same be sold the dearer: for besides his saide aduenture, he hath bene at no lesse charge then though he had taken great quantities. And for remedie hereof, that mē might haue in such a scarsitie some other good sorts of fish, not com­monly vsed. To satisfie their diet in times past there hath bene prouided for the markets these sorts of fish, that is to say, Puf­fens, Tunney, Porpus, Seall, Holibut finnes, Holibut heads, & many other things, wherof was made fine & delicate dishes, which now for lacke of vse is not onely left vnprouided, but also vtterly forgotten, how or in what sort it should be vsed, dressed, or serued: and worst of all, how it should be eaten, and disge­sted, for that the proportion and substance of them is by many forgotten, and the vse and tast forgotten of all. There were al­so the sounds & heads of the Cods, which in fishing time were salted and preserued to be a diet, in such scarsitie for the poorer sort: all these things being by Gods creation ordained for our sustenance, ought rather to be thankefully receiued thē contem­tiously cast off and refused.

Besides this, that wind and wether being contrary for fish­ing, is a great cause that fish is many times very scarse & deere yet the chiefest thing that generally causeth the same, is lacke of certaine vtterance, as by these fewe arguments following doth plainly appeare, wherein it may be said.

As vtterance encreaseth, or abateth in any trade, so the trade will encrease or abate.

[Page 18]The trade being abated, the commoditie therein vsed, will waxe scant and lesse prouision thereof made.

The lesse prouision that therof is made, the dearer the com­moditie is.

The cause of smal prouision is the vncertainty of sale or vt­terance: certaine sale or vtterance encourageth many proui­ders to buy of the commoditie.

Which in the beginning though it be chargeable to y ^e buyer or spender, it wil by certaintie of vtterance become cheaper.

For the dearenesse thereof will cause many prouiders of the same to encrease.

The encrease of thē wil make plentie of the commoditie.

The plentifulnes whereof doth make cheapnesse.

Whē there was spent in this realme more fish in one yeare then there is at this day in fiue yeare, they might haue had for one shilling that which now we pay twaine.

God is the onely nurse or heardsman to feed & cherish that kind of victuall, without any helpe of man, he blesseth & multi­plieth thē, according to his good pleasure & wil. The contempt of whose blessings may be cause of the scarsitie that now is in taking of fish, more then in then in times past hath bin, and no doubt but the imbracing therof with thankfulnes for the same, God may and will cause it againe to multiply.

FVrther and greater matters then yet hath bene spoken off are to be considered, that by the vsuall and vnlawfull eating of flesh, the vttrance of fi [...]h being small & vncertain, hath caused a great number to forsake the accustomed haunting of y ^e seas, for taking of fish, whereby three things doth happen.

The Nauie decaied, a multitude of persons are put out of worke, and the prouision of sustenance for the people greatly abated, from which other three euils do spring.

The strength of the realme decaieth, much idlenes & many [Page 19] Rogues and theeues are bred, and famine and distres, the ra­ther happeneth amongst the people.

These are such euils as bring decay and daunger vnto the common welth: and therefore it may be said that the vsual and vnlawfull eating of flesh, bringeth decay and daunger vnto the common welth.

It may further be saide, that by the small vtterance of fish the accustomed haunting of the seas for taking of fish is abated from fiue parts to one,

By the abating whereof we may make account that tenne thousand persons which heretofore haue & might still liue by fishing on the seas, are thereby put out of worke and liuing.

Also there were very many besides fishermē, that by means of fishing liued vpon the land. As shipwrites, cowpars, smithes weauers, sailemakers, netmakers, dressars, vtterars, and ca­riars of fish, with such like, which may be accounted to extende in number to other ten thousand: these are hereby in like case put from their liuing and maintenance, and so in number they are togither twenty thousand persons, their wiues, women-seruants & children, whose liuings did depend on them, & now by their want made destitute of maintenāce are thirty thousand at the least, these in the whole extend to fiftie thousand persons, whose liuings depended on fishing, and is now abated.

Besides the vallew of the fish that was yearely taken and spent, more then there is now towards the sustentation of the people, which by estimation was worth three hundred thousand pounds at the least, for there may be verie probable reasons gi­uen that there hath bene the vallue of so much fish spent yeare­ly in this realme more then now there is.

Hereby we may vnderstand that a great number of able mē for seruice in time of war, as masters, pilates, marriners, & sai­lers are greatly decaied & abated, by means wherof y ^e strēgth of y ^e realm must needs be much weakned & made of lesse force to encoūter or resist y ^e enimy vpon y ^e seas, which, is & hath bene great part of defēce & seruice to y ^e realm, by abating y ^e taking of fish & vttrance thereof, y ^e trade & maintenance of the people on y ^e sea costes, must needs abate also, amōgst al sorts of people [Page 20] especially artificers, whereby porte townes hath and dally doth fal in decaie, waxing depopulated & so daily grow of lesse and lesse habilitie to resist the enemy when necessitie shall require. Also it is to be vnderstood, that by the vsuall and vnlawfull eating of flesh, the same victuall groweth or becom­meth the dearer.

The dearenes of the said flesh victuall causeth great gaines to be raised by the fatting of cattell.

The rasing of such gaines causeth men to conuert their grounds and farmes from tillage to pasture.

By that meanes a multitude of people are put out of worke and from their liuings.

Therby a great number of them are constrained to become idle Roges or to practise other superfluous & vaine things that breede diuers other great vices.

These be things that bring great detriment and decay vn­to the common-welth: and therefore, as afore hath bene saide, the vsuall and vnlawfull eating of flesh bringeth great detri­ment and decay vnto the common-welth.

Hereby it may also be vnderstood, that by the decaie of til­lage, twentie thousand persons which haue and might still liue thereby, are put from their accustomed worke and liuings.

Their wiues, women seruants and children, whose mainte­nance did on them depende, are in number thirtie thousande, at the least, these in the whole extend to fiftie thousande, beside the increase of a great number of sundrie fortes of victuall which in a farme house is encreased towards the sustentation of the people.

For a farme containing sixscore Acres of ground, being im­ployed to pasture onely, for the breeding and feeding of cattell, there doth come no further increase of victuall but Biefes and Muttons onely, and yt may bee prooued that the yearely en­crease thereof will not finde yearely aboue ten persons of those that make their common and onely foode of flesh.

But let this farme be imployed into tillage, & there will be a reasonable encrease of Biefe and Muttons: then is there ac­count to be made of al kind of graine, as wel for bread as drink [Page 21] which is the chiefest victuall for maintenance of the people.

Further there is in the said farme, raysed and increased, Veale, Porke, Bacon, Pigges, Geese, Ducks, Hennes, Chic­kens, Capons, Milke, Butter, Cheese, Egges, and Fruite. Drawe all these togither in accompt or comparison, and they will sustaine and finde yearely twentie persons at the least, I meane not those onely that are kept in the farme, but such as are sustayned with the victuals that be sold out of the farme at the markets: whereby it appeareth, that ten persons that are fed and nourished with those victuals that are increased of the farme in pasture doth eate vp ten of those persons, that should haue bene fed with such victuall as might haue bene in­creased of the same farme if it were in tillage. This is a won­derfull decay in a common-wealth: and ought with christian charitie of all men to be lamented. That for the satisfieng of our lust contrarie to a good and commendable lawe for a com­mon-wealth ordained, we seeke our owne hurt, and the vtter decay of our poore christian brethren, may not this be called the eating vp of Gods people like bread agaynst whome the Psalmist earnestly crieth. Psal. 14.35.

Thus we are to consider, that by the vnlawfull eating of flesh, three speciall dammages fall vpon vs.

The realme is weakened, and made of lesse force to encoun­ter and resist the enemie, both on the sea, and seacoastes.

An hundred thousand persons are put from their worke and maintenance.

And of the victualles which heeretofore hath bene and still might be increased: there is the vallew of three hundred thou­sand poundes yearely abated, by reason whereof, three greater damages and dangers proceedes, that is to say.

By abating the force of the realm on the sea and seacoastes, it is in the greater danger of the enemie.

Also by putting of an hūdred thousand persons out of worke and maintenance, there must needes grow the greater increase of idlenesse, roges, and theeues, with which sorte of people, it greeueth them to be indamaged and indangered that breedes them, for we would haue no ashes and yet still increase the fire. [Page 22] Also we would sayle in safetie, and yet bore holes through the bottome of the shippe.

Further by the yearely abating of three hundred thousand poundes-worth of victualles there must of necessitie growe a great want of sufficient sustenance, especially for the common sort of people. The miserie whereof, although it be not felt by the rich, yet the same greeuously lighteth amongest the poore, for ponderous thinges fall to the bottome, and they that strike others, feele not the smart themselues.

For remedie herein, there hath bene diuers deuises & plots made, and set downe how fishermen might be set a worke, fish might bee taken, brought in, and prouided for seruice of the realme, and straight lawes made for the expence and vtterance thereof, but little is said or done, that the said lawe might be certainely executed and obserued, for as before hath bene sayd that it is vtterance that maintaineth the trade of anie thing, and as vtterance increaseth or abateth, so the trade will in­crease and abate.

For ensample, the great increase and vtterance of flesh that hath growne by the vnlawfull eating of flesh, hath so increased the trade for grasing and fatting of cattell to be spent and vt­tered, that thereby hath growne all such detriments as before hath bin set down to happen by the decay of tillage.

Also therby (as before hath bene said) the vtterance of fish is become so small and vncertaine, and the trade of fishing, and the buying and selling of fish by the same so abated, that all the rest of such dangers and damages as before are set down, haue by that meanes growne and happened.

Therefore as the increase of the vtterance of flesh, and the abating of the vtterance of fishe hath bene cause of the euils a­foresaid.

So the increase of the vtterance of fishe, and the abating of the vtterance of flesh must be cause of the remedie.

[Page 23]ANd for that it may the more plainlier appeare what great numbers of Biefes, Muttons, and other kindes of fleshe victuall may be spared in the realme yearely, by one daies ab­stinence in a weeke, to the woonderfull great increase of the said victuall and comfort of the whole common-wealth, I haue thought good to set downe an estimate of the same supposed to be spent within the citie of London, and the suburbes of the same to be considered of with patience of the gentle Reader,

First it is to be considered, that in the yeare are 52. weekes and in euerie weeke, seuen daies, which are in all for the yeare 364. daies.

The lent with friday and saterday in euerie weeke, and the the other accustomed fish daies, appoynted by the lawes of the realme to be obserued, being collected togither: extend to 153. So in the yeare there is 153. fishe daies and 211. flesh daies, which amounteth vnto 58. flesh daies more then fish dayes.

Now touching the expence of flesh in London, and the Su­burbes thereof, and what may be spared in those places onely by one dayes abstinence in a weeke. First the yeare beeing 52. weekes: let seuen of them be excepted, for the time of lent, wherein no Biefes ought to be killed, and then remaineth but 45. weekes, wherein butchers doe kill cattell.

Then let vs say there be threescore butchers, freemen of the citie of London, that commonly kill Biefes, and euerie butcher to kill weekely one with the other, fiue Biefes, which is for 45. weekes, in the whole 300. Biefes: which amounteth for the said 45. weeks, to 13500. killed by the sayd freemen.

The forrenners dwelling in the suburbes of London, and such as come out of the countrie to serue the markets of the ci­tie, on the market daies, kill and vtter there, as the butchers of London affirme, foure times so much as the freemen of the citie, which amounteth yearly to 54000. Biefes, & so ioyning the biefes, killed & vttered by the freemen of London & the for­renners together, [...]hey extend in al for y ^e yeare to 67500. biefes.

It is herein to be noted y ^t the account by this estimat is but for fiue daies in the weeke, for y ^e friday and saterday are daies of abstinence from fleshe, and therefore out of the sayde fiue [Page 24] dayes we must suppose to take one, and the account aforesayd is so to be made, for that in them fleshe is certainly spent other­wise there can no certaine accompt be made.

Now if we would knowe what number of Biefes might be spared as afore is said, let vs say there be in the weeke fiue fleshe dayes, accustomably serued with the expence of fleshe whereof one being taken away, there resteth but foure.

In like sorte let vs deuide the proportion of Biefes that are killed for London and the suburbes for a yeare into fiue partes. And the fift part supposed to be saued by the fift dayes absti­nence is 13500. the iust number killed for a yeare by the freemen of the Citie.

It is also reported and well knowne, that for euerie Biefe killed, there is killed ten sheep at the least. Then if there might be spared yearely in the places aforesaid by one daies absti­nence, 13500. beastes, there will by that reckning bee spa­red 135000. sheepe, besides lambes, calues, and hogges, whereof like proportion is to be made according to the times of the yeare wherein they be spent or should be spent. But the abuse therein is great by killing them at vnlawfull times con­trarie to good lawes and ordinances carefully made and proui­ded for the increase of cattell, whereby woonderfull great dam­mages groweth vnto the realme, as by sundrie probable ar­gumentes might be expressed.

Moreouer there is like accompt to be made of such fine flesh victuall as is vttered by the poultars, which on the fastingdaies is most commonly spent. By this estimate, concerning the Ci­tie of London and the suburbes, it may be easily decerned of, what might be spared thorow the whole realme, which being well considered may happily perswade some men the more to the obseruation of such good lawes and ordinances as for ob­seruation of fishdaies is prouided.

But concerning this the expence of fishe, many there be, that perhaps will say, we agree that the taking, vttering and spen­ding of fishe is laudable and well to be liked of: but wherefore should wee make choyse of dayes or times, seeing there is no prescribed rule from God, for the choyse of meates at any one [Page 25] day more then another, and that it hath pleased almightie God to giue vs his blessinges with multitudes of the same in the seas, confessing the same also to be giuen vs from God, for our sustenance, which being taken & prouided, may be brought or carried vnto cities, townes, and markets, and there sold and vttered to such as wil buy on euerie day in the weeke, and at all times and seasons when it is taken.

Herein we must consider, that if it should so be obserued the vncertaintie of sale would cause the prouiders of fishe, to for­sake their trades and the fisherman his fishing in a short time: first, for that most men by nature in these daies are affectioned from fish for diuers causes, by them conceiued: secondly, when the same is solde at a deare price, so that their prouision may be made of flesh a great deale better cheape.

But we must consider, that although wind and weather ser­ueth wel at some times, that there is great plentie of fish taken, and by reason thereof solde reasonable good cheape, yet other sometimes either the winde and weather, or the time and sea­son serueth not, so that little store of fish is taken. Neuerthelesse as afore hath bene said, the fishermans liuing depending onely thereupon must haue a sufficient maintenance to liue, for him and his familie, beeing continued therein with great charges diuers waies, and therefore if hee be not certaine to sell that small store of fish which he hath taken in such a time of scarsitie and that also at some good round price to recompence the tra­uell and charge which with the aduenture of his life and goods he hath obtained, he neither would nor could continue his sayd trade, and this hath bene, and is the onely cause that many sea­faring men doe leaue the trade of fishing, and settle them­selues to other exercises, rather hurtfull then beneficiall to the commonwealth.

Further it is to be considered concerning the vncertantie of time in prouiding salted fishe, to be by the fishmonger readie seasoned for the peoples diet. As Samon, Lings, Haberdines, Greenefish, Heringes and such like: if there shoulde not be a certaine time for the spending, the prouiders coulde in no case [Page 26] season or make the same readie to be sufficient for the eater or spender when it should be eaten or spent, which being seasoned for one day, will scarse serue for another: Especially when the weather is warme, and therefore being vncertaine of his sale although he make some prouision of fishe to sell drie, or in the salte, yet he will not season anie with water, fit to be eaten, for the vncertaintie of his sale, by reason he knoweth not when the people are minded to eate fishe except a day or a time bee ap­poynted certaine for the same.

Also it is a victuall, not to be had, as biefes, muttons, veales, and such like in the pastures feeding, at al times in a readinesse to be spent, but is at libertie in the wide and large seas, vppon the taking and prouiding whereof, diligent attendance must be giuen, and also some sortes or kindes of fish must be taken and prouided long time before, it will be sufficient to be spent, so that if there be not certaine daies and times appoynted for the certaine expence of fishe, The fisherman shall be vncertaine to sell as he may be a gainer thereby when the same is taken, the marchant or vtterer of fish, vnwilling and discouraged, to buy and prouide for the markets, and thereby a more scarsitie of fishe, and a greater decay of fishing will dayly increase to the woonderfull decay of the Nauie, and dammage of the whole realme sundrie waies.

It may well be thought therefore, that this thing manie yeares since was carefully considered of, with the commodi­ties and discommodities that would grow by the vncertaintie of the vtterance of fish, that certaine daies and times might be appointed for the fishe to be vttered and eaten, whereby a cer­taine and sufficient prouision might be also made or prouided, and although as before hath bene sayd, abuse in continuance of time did growe, by obseruation of the saide dayes and tymes so appointed, yet the necessarie vse thereof considered, it is not for the same to be refused, especially for that by the assent and consent of her Maiesties learned and wise counsellors, it hath bene not onely thought good for speciall cause that the accusto­med times and seasons shoulde bee obserued, But by her [Page 27] highnesse also straight commaundement and earnest charge giuen from time to time for the due obseruation thereof.

NOw for that I woulde not anie man shoulde mistake me concerning my opinion, and true meaning in the premi­ses, I haue thought good (vnder correction of the better lear­ned) to set downe the same, as followeth. Wherein I doe pro­nounce that the eating of fleshe or forbearing to eate fleshe, is not anie matter or thing concerning saluation of man, or that it is the seruice of God otherwaies then all other polli­ticke lawes are, and be: for it is not the abstinence from flesh, that pleaseth God, nor the eating thereof, that offendeth him: But it is the obedience which God requireth to be yeelded, and borne vnto the Prince, and the care of the benefite of hys people that pleaseth him, and it is disobedience to the Prince and the neglecting of his peoples benefite that displeaseth hym.

I doe also affirme that there is no conscience to bee made in eating of fleshe at anie time, as touching the fleshe that is eaten, but there is conscience to be made in that the Prince is disobeyed, whiche is a contempt of Gods ordinance, and the peoples benefite neglected, which God requireth to bee earnestly sought: and therefore a disobedience of the Princes lawes, cannot bee done without offence to God, for as God hath ordained that Princes should gouerne, so hath hee in sun­drie places of the Scriptures commaunded that subiectes shoulde obey, and the offence in euerie transgression is the more by how much the damage vnto the people thereby grow­eth greater.

For we are taught to obey the necessarie lawes and com­maundementes of Princes and not to neglect and contemne [Page 28] them to labor and seeke for publike wealth, and the vniuersall commoditie of others, with carefulnes & not to be wilfull ouer­throwers and destroyers of the same: wherby we may gather that a man without offence may do all things which by y ^e scrip­tures are not forbidden, vntill they are forbidden by lawfull au­thoritie. Likewise what is commanded by lawfull authoritie, and not by the scriptures forbidden, a man is bound to obey & cannot without offence omit the same.

We must also consider that God hath disposed things so by creation, that the encrease of the earth doth not suffise for the sustentation of the people: but such things as he hath created in the seas and waters must also be prouided, and it may be remembred but few yeares past, that fish did wel nigh as much sustentation to the people of this realme as the flesh, and there­fore to omit this reliefe, must needs encrease a scarsitie of vic­tuall diuers and sundrie waies.

Furthermore some men more rash then true in their iudge­ment, will not onely thinke but say, he that thus earnestly per­swadeth for an abstinence from flesh, is either one of these three that followeth, or all: that is to say, a superstitious person, an hypocrite, or a Papist.

And first he is accounted a superstitious person for that he is a forbidder of meates, perswading the people thereunto, and maketh conscience where no cause of conscience is, esteeming that vnlawfull which is not by God forbidden.

Herein such rash giuers of iudgement are greatly deceiued for in truth he is a forbidder of meates that forbiddeth it at all times, and in all respects like as in the Apostles time some su­perstitious Iewes perswaded the Christians, but forbidding of the vse at certaine times appointed by lawfull authoritie done for a common-welth, is not an vtter forbidding of the thing, the cause and reason being considered, and therefore no conscience to be made in the kinde or nature of the meate, but for the commoditie of those, for whose cause it is forborne or forbidden, and so the meate is not vnlawful but the vse vnlaw­full, being eaten at a time forbidden by such as haue authoritie from God to forbid it, done for the benefite of his people: for [Page 29] although it be lawfull for a man to spend or vse the things that he commeth lawfully by, it is vnlawfull to spende or vse the things that he commeth vnlawfully by, for then the commandement is transgressed so, although it be lawfull to eate flesh at all times, as the creatures of God giuen for the sustenance of man, it is vnlawful to eate the same at times forbidden by law­full authoritie, for therein Gods ordinance is contemned and the benefite of his people neglected.

Secondly, some perhaps may name him to be an hypocrite, because he wil not eate flesh on such dayes that he might seeme holy, and one that more careth for his saluation then other peo­ple, as thinking to obtaine the same by abstaining from eating flesh on a few prescribed daies and times: but of wise men this is to be considered, that hypocrisie is priuie sinne, couched in the minde and intention of man, and although iudgement may be giuē in or by the dealings of some persons, yet in truth the thing cannot be generally discerned in any man but by the wisedome of God onely.

For what vertue soeuer any person vseth, if it be done for the praise of man, and not in consideration of the duetie which God requireth, is none other but flat hypocrisie: For example, who so accustometh to reade or heare the holy scriptures preached and taught with a shew of holines, therby to be praised of men, and not learne to liue or bring forth fruites according to the same, he may be accounted a meere hypocrite, neuerthelesse the reading and hearing of the scriptures is not hypocrisie, but be­ing vnfainedly and rightly done, is the liuely nourishment and foode of mans soule. So abstinence from flesh is not to be ac­counted hypocrisie, when it is done for obedience to the law & in respect of that law and duetie which God requireth of euery man to be borne towards his neighbour.

Thirdly he is called a Papist, for that saith some, also he thinketh it is necessarie to abstaine from eating of flesh, & doth like & allow of those lawes and deuices made and vsed in the time of Papistrie, and by auncient authoritie of the Pope, whō we should not in any thing imitate, but rather in all thinges be contrarie.

[Page 30]Here may be said is zeale without knowledge, vnderstanding blinded, and a great want of true iudgemēt: for ensample, mine enemie teacheth me two things, the one I finde euill by experi­ence, the other good, and because I will not follow the coun­sell of my aduersary, shall I cast away the good for the euils sake.

Or thus, it may be said I am taught by mine aduersarie to run into the fire and escape the water, but because contrarie to the minde or teaching of mine aduersarie I haue escaped the fire, shall I therefore of mine owne will run into the water and drowne my selfe: many good lawes and ordinances in the time of papistrie was by them made and ordained, but the same is not therfore to be contemned or neglected, for that their deuise in many things for the benefite of a common welth can­not be amended.

Much more might be said concerning this matter, but few words are sufficient to satisfie such as are wise and discreete, whose wisedome can sufficiently conceaue by this smal treatise what thing of the author is intended, whose heart and minde is knowne to God, that for the benefite of his countrie he hath taken this smal paines, crauing patience of the gentle Reader for his rudenes, being in respect of many others, but simplie trained vp in learning, requireth herein of the wise to be ac­cepted. And that these his simple perswasions might be an occasion without the paine and penalties of the law, to per­swade an obedience in the premises, amongst his natiue coun­trimen, both for themselues and their families. Then the au­thor shall thinke himselfe recompenced: and such as liue but few yeares both see and feele the great benefits to them ther­by growing, not onely for encrease of victuall and better main­tenance of the people, but great strength to the Nauie for the more seruice and defence of this Realme.