AMongst the many Laudable Contrivances for pro­moting Religion and Learning in the World, in which several Persons of a Publick Spirit have labour'd more or less in all Ages, there-seem none to me would be of greater Advantages to either, would tend more to cultivate the Minds of our young Gentry, and can be more adapted to the present Circum­stances of our Parochial Clergy (one third of whom I am afraid are not enabled by their Preferments to pur­chase [Page 2]a fourth part of those Books, which it is absolutely necessary every Pastor should peruse; and yet from whom great measures of Knowledge are expected in this inqui­sitive Age) than if we could have Lending Librarïes dispos'd, one in every Deanary throughout the King­dom, for the Service of those who have occasion to borrow. I shall not here repeat what I have already spoken of the Benefit thereof, both to Clergy and Laity, in the Prefatory Epistle to my Bibliotheca Parochialis: But having,

First, Computed the Charge of each Library;

Secondly, I will shew by what means they may be pur­chas'd:

Thirdly, How they may be preserv'd: And,

First, As to the Charge, I presume, if the Foundation of a Library were once laid in each Deanary, the Stock by one means or other would soon encrease to a compleat Sett of all necessary Books: And that well-chosen Books to the value of 30 l. would lay a good Foundation.

Secondly, I am next to shew by what Methods they may be purchas'd; and the most easie and likely Me­thod I can propose, will be by Subscriptions rais'd amongst both Clergy and Gentry; each Clergy-man subscribing at the Visitation some small matter proportionuble to the Value of his Living, or Circumstances in the World; the Gentry, what in their Generosity they shall think fit. And the Subscriptions of both to be taken, and return'd to London; and the Libraries transmitted into the Coun­try in the Method following.

[Page 3]1. That one Third of the Subscription-Mony, viz. 10 l. be subscrib'd, and paid at the next Easter-Visitation, to the Rural Dean, or whom the Clergy of the Deanary shall agree upon, and return'd up to the Treasurers of the Subscriptions, Mr. Francis Evans, Secretary to the Lord Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, or Mr. Thomas Taylor at the Lord Almoner's Lodgings in White-Hall.

2. That within a Month after, the following Books to the value of Thirty Pound, be sent down into the subscribing Deanaries to such Places as from the Vi­sitation shall be directed. And that they be made up in such Boxes, or Book-Presses, with Shelves in them, and Locks and Doors to 'em, as will serve both to preserve 'em in the Carriage down, and in the Place where they shall be deposited for the Publick Benefit. And being kept in such moveable Repositories, they can at any time be remov'd to any other part of the Deanary, as by the Vote of the Clergy at a Visitation shall be judged most convenient to have 'em lodg'd in; and that without the Charge of building any Room wherein to lay 'em up.

3. That to make up the remaining two Thirds for the Purchase of the Books, each of the Clergy do in their respective Parishes' and amongst the Gentry of their Ac­quaintance, sollicit some small Subscription towards this Publick Design, by which such Subscribers, whether Gentlemen, or Ladies, will be entitled to the Priviledge of borrowing at any time a Book for their own Reading; and that there may be proper and acceptable Books for them, there are some of the most valuable pieces of Hi­story, [Page 4]Geography, and Travels, provided in the follow­ing Sett.

4. That what is Subscribed by the Gentry, be brought in to to the next Michaelmas Visitation, and enter'd down in a Book, together with the Subscriptions of the Clergy, to be kept in every Library: And if there be something wanting to make up the remaining Twenty Pounds, it be made up by the Clergy, if there be any over, it be apply'd towards paying for the Book-Presses and Carriage down, and the Surplusage be laid up in Bank against next Eoster Visitation after this, towards purchasing another like quantity of Books, in order to compleat a useful and sufficient Library in the respective Deanary.

5. That the Books shall be afforded to the Subscribers, something below the Prices at which the Clergy, or Gentry usually buy 'em by Retail in the Booksellers Shops.

6. That what Gratis-Books will be obtain'd of the Bookseller, in consideration of so many bought of 'em towards these Lending Libraries; that these be set apart towards making up Parochial Libraries for for the Fo­reign Plantations. And it is found, that one Library in ten at least, will be obtain'd by this means towards the Publick Design; to which all Christians, methinks, should readily contribute; such as are most able, by immedi­ate Benefactions; and every one that is not unable in such a way as this, in which they have a valuable considera­tion to themselves for what they do towards carrying on that necessary Work; for so I shall be bold to call it, if it [Page 5]were but to ward off the Reproach under which we just­ly lye, even to this day; that whilst our Adversaries the Papists, are at vast Charges every Year, in promoting their false Superstition in the remotest parts of the World, there are but too few amongst us, pudet haec Opprobria dici, & dici potuisse, who have yet shew'd that Value for their Religion, and the Honour of God, as to con­tribute in any considerable way to advance the Glory of their Saviour, by propagating the best Religion in the whole World, either here at home, or amongst their Country-men abroad.

There is but one Objection I can foresee against this Method of procuring these Lending Libraries, and that is the excessive scarcity of Money, especially amongst the Clergy at this time, when they are exhausted more than others by Publick Payments.

But indeed, the very Objection it self seems to me to be the most forcible Reason for putting a Design of this Nature on foot, and that especially at this time. For is it so, that one third of the English Clergy, are not now in a Condition to buy a sufficient quantity of Books? Well, but on the other side, I hope it will be granted, that Books must be had, or else Religion must e'en fall to the ground. And if so, putting both together, I think it will follow, that since very few are capable to furnish their Studies at their own proper Cost, it is therefore ne­cessary that all should join their Forces; and what is im­possible for 'em singly, would be easie for 'em jointly; for Multorum manibus grande Levatur Onus; so that in­deed this is really the most proper Season to set such a Design on foot.

But then if we consider to what a high Perfection, most, if not all parts of useful Learning have advanc'd in this last Age, so that we may rather fear a declension thereof (as is usual with every thing when it comes to its full growth) than hope for much farther Improve­ments therein: But above all, if we consider the impi­ous Principles which have begun to advance against us, and have gain'd so much ground upon us by the Indu­stry of some, who at great Charge and Expence, do la­bour to poison both Town and Country with their Athe­istical and Socinian Notions; These things, I say, if duly consider'd, will convince us, that this seems to be the very time pointed out by the Divine Providence for us to provide ourselves of Magazines, out of which we may be sufficiently furnish'd with that Panoply of excellent Learning and Knowledge, whereby we shall secure our selves and others, against the fiery Darts of the Devil; and may be enabled at leastwise to stand our ground, whilst Atheists, Deists and Socinians, do so earnestly contend against the Faith. So much, upon many great Accounts, it seems to me to be a most proper Season now to begin the Foundation of Lending Libraries throughout the Kingdom.

And whereas many of our Reverend Clergy have No­ble Libraries of their own, so as not to need themselves a Supply of this Nature, I am not to doubt their Sub­scribing notwithstanding, since the Design of these Libra­ries is not to serve a Man's private, but the publick Inter­est of Religion and Learning; which such Reverend and Learned Persons do well know (none better) that every one is bound to provide for, more than his own, especi­ally those whose Condition and Circumstances in the World shall best enable 'em for good Works.

I am not indeed so sanguine as to hope or expect, that notwithstanding the Charge in the foregoing Method is made so easie, that a Clergy-man of Two hundred Pounds per Annum, need not subscribe at a Visitation above Ten or Fifteen Shillings, of One hundred Pound above Five or Ten Shillings, and of Fifty Pounds above half a Crown or Five Shillings; notwithstanding this, I am not, I say, so unacquainted with the Temper of the World, as to expect that an Affair of this Nature should not meet with Exceptions from some. And I also know the Prince of Darkness (the strength of whose Kingdom does lye in the Ignorance of Mankind) has too much Interest at stake, to let a Design, which does so directly tend to the Ruine of his Dominion over the Souls of Men, go on without Obstruction. But however the Manage­ment of this Affair falling into the hands of such as do so well understand the Use and Benefit of Books, and who are withal so sensible of the peculiar need of 'em at this time, I hope there will be a sufficient number found in most Deanaries of well-disposed and publick-spirited Per­sons, both amongst the Clergy and Gentry, who will carry it on in their respective Districts: And even those, who may be backward at first, may come in afterwards, when they shall better consider the Tendency which these Libraries will have to the Glory of God, and to in­crease the Usefulness and Esteem of the Clergy: So that tho' some should happen at first to refuse subscribing, it will not I hope discourage others from promoting the Design, so far as to make up at next Visitation the first Ten Pounds amongst themselves towards laying the Foundation.

Thirdly, And now I am to shew how the Lending Libra­ries particularly, may be preserv'd.

How the Parochial may be secur'd from Loss or Imbezelment, is, I hope satisfactorily shewed in the Prefatory Epistle to the Bibliotheca Parochialis: But it being design'd that these Lending Libraries should travel abroad, it may seem that the Books will be in danger to be soon lost by passing through so many hands: However, in order to their being fully secur'd, it may be provided by these following Methods; 1. That they be marked upon the Covers to what Deanary they belong. 2. That they be lock'd up in Book-Presses made on pur­pose to keep them in. 3. That they be deposited with the Rural Dean, or with the Minister or School-Master in some Market-Town, if near the Centre of the Dean­ary, that so they may with very little trouble be sent for any Market-day, and as easily return'd within a li­mited time: And it may be presum'd, that any Minister or School-Master, for the use of such a Library un­der his Key, will be willing to undertake the trouble to lend out the Books, and receive them in upon occasion. 4. That the Limitation of Time for keeping a borrowed Book be determined by the Reverend Sub­scribers at the Visitation, as a Month for a Folio, a Fort­night for a 4 o. and a Week for an 8 o which will have this good Effect, that a Book will be read over with speed and care; which if one's own, might lye in a Study without being quickly or very carefully perused, upon presumption that being one's own it may at any time be read; and therefore this by the way may be consider'd as one Advantage of Lending Libraries. 5. That the Borrower having sent a Note desiring any Book, his [Page 9]Note be filed up, and his Name enter'd in a Book kept in the Library for that purpose, what Year, Month and Day he borrowed such a Book; and upon the Return of the Book, the Note be also return'd, and the Name of the Borrower cross'd out. 6. That a Register of the Books belonging to every Deanary, be given to the re­spective Bishops, and Arch-Deacons. 7. That each Library may be visited once a Year by the Arch-Deacon in Person, or by three of his Clergy deputed by him to see that the Books be not imbezeled or lost. And by these means I believe they will be very well preserv'd; for why? Their being Letter'd to what Deanary they belong, will prevent their being transferr'd into any Man's private keeping; or if they are, they'll be as rea­dily discover'd and own'd, as any living Creature by its Ear-Mark; and the Arch-Deacon's Visitation will call 'em all in once a-year: And indeed so far am I from fear­ing that these Libraries will suffer any Diminution by loss of Books, that I believe they will daily encrease; for the thing being once put on foot, the Clergy at eve­ry Visitation will be apt to continue some small Sub­scriptions to buy in the new pieces as they shall come forth; especially such as shall tend considerably to the improvement of any part of Christian Knowledge. And moreover, the Foundation being once laid, many Learned Persons amongst the Clergy, and others who have a Zeal for the Churches Good, will be likely to leave at their Death, their own Libraries, as additions to these Lend­ing Libraries proposed, and perhaps Legacies to buy Books: Not to say that the thing being once be­gun, I could easily propose, how the whole Course of History and Humanity may be added; and that far­ther means may be found out in time, to provide all [Page 10]the Smaller Livings throughout the Kingdom, with such Lesser Parochial Libraries as are design'd for the Plan­tations.

But to proceed, if now and then a Book should be lost, this ought no more to discourage our Design, than it should have hindered our Fore-Fathers from building of Parsonage-Houses for us, because sometimes they fall to decay; or from giving Tythes and Glebe for the Main­tenance of the Clergy, because these do suffer daily di­minutions by Modus's growing upon us through the importunity of some, and the more Violent Sacrilegious Invasions of the Churches Rights by others. Not to say, That there may be Provision made by Law to secure these Libraries, and to repair their Loss, as well as the other Dilapidations of the Church.

And indeed, if it could be brought about by any means, that we might have 400 Lending Libraries fixt throuh­out the Kingdom, and the Clergy, by a small Subscrip­tion in every Deanary, should continue to add the valu­able new Books that shall come out hereafter; Here would be a sufficient Incouragement provided for the Learned Men of our Universities, to undertake the giving us some more such Editions of the Fathers, and other Anci­ent Writers, as that of St. Cyprian, Thucydides, &c. A cer­tain Sale of 400 Books, being enough to discharge an Im­pression; which one thing, as it has in this Age so much contributed to the Learning and Honour of a Neigh­bouring Nation, where, upon the Encouragement of the Monasteries taking off each of 'em, one of every New Edi­tition of a Father, or other Book of Value, the Learned of that Kingdom have been thereby encouraged, and [Page 11]enabled to give the World such Editions as they may justy glory in; so it would make exceedingly for the Honour of our Ʋniversities, and not a little for the Int'rest of our Nati­on: For as to the former. it would raise a Noble Spirit of Emulation in those Learned Societies, and would excite more of the Members thereof, to Exert themselves in being serviceable to the World in this kind; who now for want of Encouagement, cannot spend their time so much to their own, and the Publick Good in this way, as other­wise they might. And as to the latter, whereas some Thousand Pounds worth of Valuable Books, Printed in Foreign parts, have been Imported Yearly, we by reason of the better Editions of the Ancient Writers, which our more Learned Men are able to give the World, might be able to employ our own Paper-Makers, Stationers, Printers, Book-Binders, Book-Sellers here at home, to the maintaining many Thousand Persons amongst us, and might export so much of our own, and Foreign Paper Manufactured by our selves, as would turn the Balance of that part of Trade considerably on our own side.

And now I am to entreat the Candour of my Reverend Brethren, that, however I may be mistaken in the Pra­cticableness of this Design, they would believe I sincere­ly intend the Good of Souls, and the Honour of my Function, and of my Nation too, in all that is here pro­pos'd. That I am so pressing for both Parochial Libra­ries in the Plantations, and Lending Libraries in Eng­land, is, because in the former, I know no good a Cler­gy, who are not able to furnish themselves with Books in going over, can do in a Country where none are [Page 12]to be bought when they are there, nor to be had from the Merchants, but at excessive Rates. And in the lat­ter, I am certain that Good cannot be done, which is expected from every Minister here in England, when the Third Part of our Parochial Clergy are not enabled by their Preferments, to buy the fourth part of those Books, which are necessary to enable 'em fully to instruct the People in the meer Necessaries to Salvation. And as for our younger Gentry, I cannot think but it would tend extreamly to furnish their Minds also with that useful Knowledge in History, Travels, Humanity, Agriculture, and all such Noble Arts and Sciences, as will render 'em serviceable to their Families and Countries, and will make 'em considerable both at home and abroad: And that it will very much keep 'em from idle Conversation, and the Debaucheries attending it, to have choice Collections of such Books dispers'd through all the King­dom, and waiting upon 'em in their own Parlors, as will ennoble their Minds with Principles of Vertue and true Honour, and will file off that Roughness, Ferity and Barbarity, which are the never failing Fruits of Ignorance and Illiterature. Standing Libraries will signifie little in the Country, where Persons must ride some miles to look into a Book; such Journeys being too expensive of Time and Money: But Lending Libraries, which come home to 'em without Charge, may tolerably well supply the Vacancies in their own Studies, till such time as these Lending may be improv'd into Parochial Libraries.

And whereas it may be objected, that the Books will be so often Borrow'd, that it will be hard for any one to have the Book he wants. I am so far from being much concern'd to answer it, that I heartily wish the great [Page 13]Use and frequent Borrowing of Books out of these Li­braries, may make it a real Objection. But to reply as far as necessary; the Limitations mention'd above, will fetch home any Book a Person shall want, within a Month at farthest; and indeed there being several Authors spe­cify'd in such a Library, as I design, upon most of the Subjects, if one be not to be had, Satisfaction may be fought in the mean time from another. And, in the whole, I am the more forward to hope for great Advan­tages from these Lending Libraries especially, having had some Experience of the Benefit thereof in a Country, where one such Library left by a Pious and Learned Di­vine at his Death, has done much to improve many of the Parochial Clergy within some Miles, (who constantly borrow out of it,) to that degree, as to make 'em as use­ful Men in their Station, as any I have had the Happi­ness to be acquainted with.

In short, as meer Zeal for Publick Service hath excited me to leave no Stone unturn'd, to procure Parochial Li­braries for the Plantations, in which I thank God I have had hitherto no mean Success; so if with the same Labour I can be serviceable in the like Design to my dearest Mo­ther the Church, and my Reverend Brethren at home, I shall think my self sufficiently happy in such an Employment: And indeed, as I know not that thing in the World, where­in I could take that Satisfaction, as in this piece of Service to our Church at home; so provided this Design of Lending Libraries in England should universally take, whereby, without any Man's Charge, properly speak­ing, so great an Advance will be made towards Parochial Libraries in the Plantations: Instead of Libraries for Maryland, the bounds of my first Design, I shall not on­ly [Page 14]extend my Endeavours for the Supply of all the Eng­lish Colonies in America therewith; but can most wil­ling be a Missionary into every one of those Provinces, to fix and settle them therein when they are obtain'd, being so fully perswaded of the great Benefit of these kind of Libraries, that I should not think 'em too dear a Pur­chase, even at the hazard of my Life, being to both Church and Clergy