y^e other side, and yet prove nor disprove nothing by them,
so they misse & mistake both y^e very ground of y^e article and nature
of y^e project. For, first, it is said, that if ther had been no
divission of houses & lands, it had been better for y^e poore. True,
and y^t showeth y^e inequalitie of y^e condition; we should more
respecte him y^t ventureth both his money and his person, then him y^t
ventureth but his person only.

2. Consider wheraboute we are, not giveing almes, but furnishing a
store house; no one shall be porer then another for 7. years, and if
any be rich, none can be pore. At y^e least, we must not in such
bussines crie, Pore, pore, mercie, mercie. Charitie hath it life in
wraks, not in venturs; you are by this most in a hopefull pitie of
makeing, therfore complaine not before you have need.

3. This will hinder y^e building of good and faire houses, contrarie
to y^e advise of pollitiks. A. So we would have it; our purpose is to
build for y^e presente such houses as, if need be, we may with litle
greefe set a fire, and rune away by the lighte; our riches shall not
be in pompe, but in strenght; if God send us riches, we will imploye
them to provid more men, ships, munition, &c. You may see it amongst
the best pollitiks, that a co[=m]onwele is readier to ebe then to
flow, when once fine houses and gay cloaths come up.

4. The Gove^t may prevente excess in building. A. But if it be on all
men beforehand resolved on, to build mean houses, y^e Gove^r laboure
is spared.

5. All men are not of one condition. A. If by condition you mean
wealth, you are mistaken; if you mean by condition, qualities, then I
say he that is not contente his neighbour shall have as good a house,
fare, means, &c. as him selfe, is not of a good qualitie. 2^ly. Such
retired persons, as have aneie only to them selves, are fitter to
come wher catching is, then closing; and are fitter to live alone,
then in any societie, either civill or religious.

6. It will be of litle value, scarce worth 5^li. A. True, it may be
not worth halfe 5^li. [33] If then so smale a thing will content them,
why strive we thus aboute it, and give them occasion to suspecte us to
be worldly & covetous? I will not say what I have heard since these
complaints came first over.

7. Our freinds with us y^t adventure mind not their owne profite, as
did y^e old adventurers. A. Then they a