for qualifying Magistrats and persons in publick trust such as these that treats of Kingdoms and Common-wealths c and Laws thereof and Histories Geographie that treat of the manners of Nations our own Acts of Parliaments Regiam Majestatem and generally all other such like Books that may become Civil Rulers to be acquainted with But it may be there are but few acquainted with the Latin-Tongue or French-Language that afford severall such as Bodin that writs copiously of a Common-Wealth in French So Franciscus Patricius Senensis that writs of the Institution of a Common-Wealth and of the Institution of a Kingdom Wendilini Polititia but these are in Latine and are old but there are many Modern that may be found at London Also books fit for a Dean of Gild and his Assessors as Lex Mercatoria Roberts Map of Commerce the knowledge of the Sea-Laws as the Roll of Oleron or Consolato of Barcellona c. which being keept in some Publick Place where the Magistrats and Counsellours by the persons that had the trust of them under inventour might at all occasions have access unto Sure I am it were a very commendable thing to have such a Liberary in your Council-house which would be at hand and continually under your eye and care and might be made use of at any time convenient Sixthly Ye are with the rest of your Neighbours of the Town once every year to ryde your Land-Marches both outward and inward Marches the outward is that ye see that none of your Neighbour-Heritours encroach upon your Freedom-Land nor upon the properties of your Fewers And the inward Marches is that ye may see none of the Heritors of the Burrow-Roods encroach upon the High-Wayes or beyond the bounds of your March-stones and while I mention this it were fit ye should take some effectuall couâ—se with the High-Wayes or Avenues that come into the Town that horses with loads may come into the Town all the Seasons of the Year in Winter as well as in Summer and the rather that ye have the advantage of the publick Acts and Orders for your assistance therein Seventhly Were it not worth your serious consideration to fall upon some suitable way to stirr up all Magistrats and privat persons to perform notable services to the wellfare of the Town and to bethink your selves what may be of greatest efficacie to encourage all sorts of persons thereto I think amongst many other wayes which ryper judgements may fall upon it might be a good one to imitate the LORDS own way set down in Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another and the LORD hearkened and heard it and a Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD and thought upon his Name See vers 17. And they shall be mine saith the LORD of Hosts c. This was a bad time for they that wrought wickedness were set up and they that tempted GOD were delivered and the proud were called happy and because it was rare to hear any speaking aright of the Wayes of GOD yet they that feared the LORD did speak often together and GOD hearkened and heard it and insert it in a Book of Remembrance for time to come For they shall be mine saith the LORD of Hosts in that day when I make up my Jewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him This was the way the LORD took even to record notable Service that in due time he might reward them So when the LORD blesses any man to do any notable Act for the common Good of the Town either for profit or reputation I think such an Act ought to be recorded even in a Register apart that they and theirs may find the more respect if there fall an opportunity to manifest it in tâ—me to come The puting Mordecai's good Service on record was the occasion of his exaltation the Jews preservation and Hamans destruâ—tion Esther 2.23 And 6.1 2 3. The Romans and Graecians had their own wayes for stirring up their Citizens to all Heroick Acts but they were deeply tainted with vain glory as their Triumph and Lawrel-Crowns as their Corona Ovalis of Myrtle for a victory gotten with little hazard Corona Civica made with leaves of Oake for him that saved a Citizen from the Enemie so also Corona Populea for Young men that were found industrious and studious in the exercise of Vertue which was made of Poplar leaves These were but triviall things but much intended to gratifie vain glorious humours But the puting notable Services and Acts upon record is for the encouragement of the Posterity and others that may be observers thereof and therefore may be done with such solemn circumstances as may be thought fit and most consistent with modesty and sobriety so as the posterity may be influenced to the same or such like exercises Rom. 13.3 4. They that do good are to have Praise and Rewards from Rulers as well as evil doers are to be punished by them who are to be a terrour to such If these had been recorded there had been Honourable mention made of many stately Buildings and Monuments in many of our Royall-Burghs which long ere now or shortly will be quyte forgotten Neither these Artists and privat persons that do good Service or find out good inventions for profit or ornament to the Town should be neglected CHAP. XXVI Concerning Iustice of Peace Courts to be holden within Burgh by the Magistrats thereof IN the foregoing Chapters I have presumed to suggest severall particulars which may conduce to advance the Polilcy good Government and prosperity of a City or Common-wealth as men and in his I am to mind the Rulers more particularly â—ow they shall order it as Christians in eviâ—enceing their zeall against sin for the honour â—nd Glory of Him who is the PRINCE of â—he KINGS of the Earth and upon whose â—houlders the government is laid from whom â—lone all blessings of peace prosperity and preâ—ervation can be expected and without whose â—racious favour no skill power wisdom or â—eans that men shall use can profit according â—o Psal. 127.1 Except the LORD build the â—ouse they labour in vain that build it Except the LORD keep the City the watch-men waketh â—â—t in vain Then seeing all our mercies spring from this fountain it concerns all Magistrats very near to be carefull that no gross sin be indulged amongst them such as Whoring Drunkenness and Swearing these are the most common Scandalls unsuitable to the Gospel and such as profess it that are to be found in Cities and Towns These are sufficient to provock GOD to withdraw his mercies and to send sad Plagues and Rods and to confound all your Counsells and blast your best Endeavours for suppressing whereof I know no better outward mean then a conscientious faithfull and diligent Court of Justice keeped by well principled Magistrats assisted by pious honest and zealous Constables weekly Now I
surely will not miss If all our Rulers shall account of this Then these Memorialls shall esteemed be And by our Cities keept in Memorie A Friend to the Author Another to the AUTHOR of these MEMORIALLS HEre doth a Publick Spirit breath Tho by a privat Pen Both to provock and to incit Like minds in powerfull Men More to preferr the Publick Good And seek that to advance Then Property or Interest Or Breeding brought from France And if Ambition laid some men To seek Renown and Praise How much more should Religion then Above this Region raise True Christian Vertue doth aspyre To Eternize their Fame Before the LORD by doing so As He 'll approve the same A lover of the Publick Good Here is this Authors Name Let all who read this Book make choise Of this habituall frame A Lover of the Author The Contents or Index of the Memorialls contained in this Treatise CHAP. I. Anent the Diversitie of Burghs Viz. Burghs of Barrony Regality and Burghs-Royal Pag. 17 CHAP II. Anent Government in generall and in speciall and the advantages of the Burghs-Royall by the Ingredients of the severall sorts of Government Pag. 19. CHAP. III. Of the Councill and their Duties in generall and their two chief Ends they should aim at Pag. 25. CHAP. IV Anent Religion and Holiness wherein it consists not and wherein it doth consist Pag. 27. CHAP. V. Anent Iustice and Righteousness and the Branches and Effects thereof in a City Pag. 32. CHAP. VI. Anent Sobriety and Moderation Pag. 34. CHAP VII Anent bearing down Ambition and joyning in Elections of Magistrats and Councill Pag. 38. CHAP VIII Anent Sloath and Neglect in Rulers and their publick Administrations Pag. 44. CHAP. IX Anent Envy and Vain-Glory being both enemies to Vertue Pag. 55. CHAP X. Anent Love and Concord as the surest foundation of a Kingdom City or Common-wealth Pag. 62. CHAP. XI Anent Observation of Laws both Nationall and Municipall Pag. 70. CHAP. XII Some select Acts of Parliament anent Royal-Burghs the Conservator anent the Staple Pag. 74. CHAP. XIII Concerning some Means in generall by which a Burgh may flowrish Pag 88. CHAP. XIV Concerning Merchandising Pag 94. CHAP. XV. Concerning some general Overturs for improvement of Trade mostly relating to the Chief Rulers of the Kingdom Pag. 98. CHAP. XVI Concerning Mechanick-Trades Pag. 111 CHAP. XVII Concerning Planting both for Profit and Pleasure Pag. 115. CHAP. XVIII Concerning Charity and care of the Poor Pag. 120. CHAP. XIX Concerning Magistrats in Generall and the Qualifications requyred in them Pag. 125. CHAP. XX. Concerning the Duties Office of the Provest Pag. 134. CHAP. XXI Concerning the Office and Duties of the Bailies Pag. 137. CHAP. XXII Concerning the Office and Duty of the Dean of Gild. Pag. 140. CHAP. XXIII Concerning the Office and Duty of the Towns-Thesaurer Pag. 146. CHAP. XXIV Concerning the Office and Duty of the Town-Clerk or Recorder Pag. 148. CHAP. XXV Concerning some Duties incumbent upon the Magistrats joyntlie Pag. 151. CHAP. XXVI Concerning Iustice of Peace Courts to be holden within Burgh by the Magistrats thereof Pag. 159. CHAP. XXVII Concerning some Considerations laid before the Youth in every City or Corporation Pag. 165. CHAP. XXVIII Directed to the Inhabitants and Freeâ—men of Cities Pag. 176. CHAP. XXIX Some Overtures humbly offered to the Nobles and Gentry of the severall Shires in Scotland Pag. 182. MEMORIALS For the Government of ROYALL-BURGHS in SCOTLAND CHAP. I. Anent the Diversitie of Burghs Viz. Burghs of Barrony Regality and BURGHS-ROYALL IN the Kingdom of SCOTLAND there are three sorts of Burghs some are Burghs of Barrony some are Burghs of Regality and some are Royal-Burghs Burghs of Barrony are such as the Barrons hath full power to choise their Bailies Burghs of Regality are such as the Lord of the Regality hath the full power to choise their Bailies unless power be given them in their Infestments be him to their Commonalitie to choise their own Bailies whereof there are diverse instances in the Kingdom Some are Royal-Burghs so called because they hold immediatly of the KING and by their first Erections have power to choise their Provest Bailies and Councill and have the onely Priviledge of Forraign-Trade and Merchandising and have their own Common-Lands holden of the KING their Houses and Burrow-Lands holden in free Burgage of the KING can enter an Heir to Tenements of Land within Burgh brevi manu without Service or Retour and enter them thereto and give them Seasing by Hesp and Staple and have many more Priviledges conferred on them some of them being Sheriffs within themselves as Edinburgh Aberdeen Striviling c. Having briefly set down the differences betwixt the three severall sorts of Burghs My design relating onely to Royal-Burghs I shall set down first the manner of the Government thereof 2 dly Shall set down the nature of the Town-Councill and the Duties incumbent unto them in reference to GOD and the wellfare of the City 3 dly Shall set down the Qualifications of an able and fit Magistrat upon whom a chief part of the prosperitie and happiness of a Town depends And then the particular Duties relating to each of the severall Magistrats in particular and next of their Duties joyntly together CHAP. II. Anent Government in generall and in speciall and the Advantages of the BURGHS-ROYALL by the Ingredients of the severall sorts of Government AS to the Government of our Cities and Towns severall Politick Writers have concluded that a well mixed Government made up of all â—states and Ranks of Persons is to be preferred to any of the three sorts of Governments that hath been or at this day is in use in Kingdoms Common-Wealths or Cities as they are simply considered as Democracie which is when the People or mixed Multitude have the Supream Power in them Magistrats are chosen by them Laws are made by them and that which is carried by the greater part is esteemed to be the Judgement of the whole Their great end is Liberty to live as they please and do what they think fit and this kind of Government degenerats often into confusion and many gross abuses have been committed by it Secondly Aristocracie which is when a few persons have the Soveraign Power in them and this often degenerats into Faction and Division Thirdly Simple Monarchie when one person hath absolutely the whole Power in himself to make what Laws he will and do whatsoever he thinks good and this often degenerats into Tyrannie But as is said a well mixed Government made up wisely of all Estates and Ranks of persons is preferred before any of these Such is the Government of this our Ancient Kingdom and in some respect our Cities are mostly so constitute for since a Common-Wealth or Citie consists of severall Degrees of men of different conditions and imployments some Merchants some considerable Heritors that live upon their Rents some Tradsmen and Handicrafts the want of which would make a great defect in a
Memorialls For the GOVERNMENT OF THE ROYALL-BURGHS IN SCOTLAND With some Overtures laid before the Nobility and Gentry of the several Shyres in this Kingdom AS ALSO A Survey of the City of ABERDEEN with the Epigrams of Arthur Iohnstoun Doctor of Medicin upon some of our chief Burghs translated into English by I. B. By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or A lover of the Publick well-fare ABERDEEN Printed by JOHN FORBES Printer to the CITY and UNIVERSITY 1685. By the Blessing of the Vpright the City is exalted but it is overturned by the mouth of the wicked Prov. 11.11 When the Righteous are in Authority the people rejoice but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn Prov. 29 2. VVhen Themistocles was mocked by his companions that he was ignorant in some of the liberall Sciences He answered that he could not sing to the Harp nor make use of the Psaltrie but he could make a little Village or a small Town a Great and Famous City Plutarch on the life of Themistocles Vnto the Right Honorable Sir GEORGE DRUMMOND of Milnab Lord Provest THOMAS ROBERTSON Bailie THOMAS HAMILTON Bailie ALEXANDER BRAND Bailie DAVID SPENSE Bailie CHARLES MURRAY of Hadden Dean of Gild GEORGE DRUMMOND Thesaurer And to the Rest of the Honorable Councill of the City of EDINBURGH RIGHT HONORABLE I being a person who without vanity may say that Heaven hath blessed with so much of a Publick Spirit that I feel in my heart an inclination that would do good unto all men but since my ability quadrats not with my desires that being GODS peculiar Priviledge whose Omnipotencie can onely equall his Will I must rest satisfied with the extent of my Cordiall Good Wishes for the Wellfare of all from which Principle though I am not in a capacity to act I could not forbear to express somethings in these Memorialls whereby I humbly conceive the Good and Wellfare of the Burrows of this Kingdom may in some measure be advanced if acceptably improven It would be from a defect of Charity if any apprehend I have wrot these out of conceit of my own abilitie for I am not so fond of any Talent I have acquyred that if my earnestness to cast in my Mite into the Treasurie for the Publick Good had not overballanced the mean thoughts I have of any thing I can do of this nature I should never have dared to present you with them But now here they be and such as they are I presume to lay before You who are the Representatives of the Chiefest City of this Nation It is your Discretion your Zeall for the Publick-Good your Christian Wisdom and Behaviour your Righteousness and Piety that influences not only the rest of the Burrows but also most of the Subjects of this Kingdom I am not ignorant how much I expose my self to the Critick Censures of many in permitting the Publishing of this Tractat considering the Politness and Learning of this Age and my own Imperfections in undertaking such a Task Yet if ye shall be pleased favourably to accept hereof Charitably constructing my Zeal and covering my Defects and Over-reachings I need care the less what thoughts others have of me or it And because it is frequent with many to measure their Esteem of Books by the respect or disrespect that is had to the Author I have therefore suppressed my Name that it may neither be undervalued or possibly by some overvalued upon my account but that all may be left to consider what is said then to enquyre who said so And how ever it be it shall be the cry of my heart that ye may acquit Your selves in all Your Places and Administrations like Men and Christians and that with Jehoshaphat Ye may prepare Your Hearts to seek the LORD To whose Wisdom Counsell and Direction I commend You all as becomes Right Honorable The cordiall Well-wisher of the Prosperity of Your CITY and to serve You in the LORD PHILOPOLITEIUS Epistle to the Reader IT hath been a great question amongst the Ancients what kind of Government was most conduceable to the Happiness and Wellfare of the Life of Men some preferring the Government of one Wise Iust and Discreet Man for making Laws and commanding Obedience to all others and this is called Monarchie simply Others preferring the Government of many who may perhaps disscerne better what is needfull for the Publick Good then one according to that saying Pâ—us vident oculi quam oculus But forbearing to trouble any with the Opinions of Plato Xenophon Aristotle or Cicero who have severally written Books concerning Civil Society and wherein they have differed one from another they having treated of these Governments to which soveraignity and supream Authority belonged But the subject of this following Treatise being onely of Roâ—all-Burghs within this Kingdom I think it the duty of all persons concerned therein to be thankfull to GOD that they live under the Power and Protection of a Potent MONARCH who Governs according to the Laws made by Him and his Royall-Ancestors with consent of the three Estates of this Kingdom and preserves all the Priviledges of His Subjects accordingly so that by the foundamentall constitution of Government we are under the best temper and composure of any Nation in the World And if we will be good Christians good Subjects and a vertuous happy People we have the advantage of the best Laws of any Kingdom in Europe As to the particular improvment of that Power which every City in this Nation hath within it self to contribute to its own Happiness and Prosperity I have taken the freedom to set down these few Memorialls for the benefit of all not out of any conceit of my ability for such an undertaking as I can truely say but out of a desire to be usefull according to my mean talent to Young-Men who perhaps are not acquainted with such things though these that have had experience are probably farr beyond me in Knowledge and Parts And seeing there are Books written for every Science Art or Employment from the highest to the lowest I have fallen upon this Essay if it were but to stir up some of more pregnant Parts and acute Engine then ever I laid claim to whereby they might benefit their Native-Countrey seeing the Government of Burghs within this Kingdom is a Subject that might very well beseem the exactest Pen till which appear let these concerned admit of this testimony of my respects who am A Cordiall Well-wisher to all the Burrows of this Kingdom PHILOPOLITEIUS To the Author of these MEMORIALLS WEll may thou own to have a Publick Sp'rit And Philopoliteius nam'd for it And for this Book the Royal-Burrows all May ratifie thy Name and thus thee call Thy wholsome Counsells if practised be Our Nation happy we shall shortly see Our Burrows prosperous by Forraign-Trade Our Countrey to make Famous all made glade To see our Kingdoms-Glory every way Encrease by Vertue and what ever may Its Praise advance which
by which all thâ— Affairs are ordered and according to whicâ— the Magistrats should walk in all their admâ—nistrations next to the publick Laws of thâ— Nation Wherefore though the Magistraâ—â— were never so well disposed or qualified cannot be but a great discouragement and aâ— impediment to them if the Council be not composed of Wise Judicious and Able Men muâ—â— more if they be wicked or vicious alwayâ— opposing good things discouraging the Godlâ—â— and Virtuous and strengthning the hands â—â— the Wicked I shall hold out something of the Councâ—â— Dutie in common It 's their Dutie both aâ—â— and every one to propose to themselves aâ—â— seriously to mind two Great and Honorabâ—â— Ends wherein all their Consultations and Aâ—â— should terminat viz. The Glory of GOâ— 2 dly The Good and Prosperity of the Citâ— â—â—ese two Generals comprehend all the Parâ—â—â—ulars of their Duties and they cannot be seâ—â—rated for in Honouring of GOD much of 〈◊〉 Happyness of the Citie consists and in adâ—â—ncing the Happyness and Prosperity of the Ciâ—â— there will redound Glorie and Honour to â—OD CHAP. IV. Anent RELIGION and HOLINES â—â—erein it consists not and wherein it â—â—th consist THere is no way whereby GOD is more Honoured amongst men then when they live according to the Rules of true Religion as is holden forth in the Scriptures of Truth and these are Plain Spiritual and Universal according to â—â—at place in Titus 2.11 12. For the Grace of â—OD that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to â— men Teaching us that denying all ungodlyâ—â—â—s and worldly lusts we should live soberly righâ—â—â—usly and godly in this present world This comprehends all true Religion To wit a turning from all evil and a doing of all good There are two things specially requisit in alâ— that would serve GOD aright and worshiâ— acceptably One is a serious conversion of the heart from all worldly lusts and ungodly corruptions 2 dly A measur of a humble holy spirituaâ— lively frame upon the heart without the former all Religious Duties are but acts of Hypocrisie according to Micah 6.7 and though they would multiplie their services and duties tâ— the uttermost bounds of human powers it werâ— to no purpose if there be not a washing from filthiness lusts and unrighteousness according to Isa. 1. from the 11. to 18. verse So Isa. 66.1 to 6. verse without which any may see how the LORD hates and despises all the services and acts of worship in his people See this at length in Amos 5.21 c. I hate and despise your feast dayes and I will not smel in your solemn assemblies though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings I will not accept them neither will regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts and so furth But let judgement run down as waters and righteousness as a mighty stream c. I mention this the rather and these clear Scripturs because it is a common fault amongst many Professors to lay the stress of Religion and Holiness upon the bare observation of Ordinances and outward Duties though the â—â—ide greed and vanity of the hearts and in â— word the spirit of conformity to the fashions â—f this world remains and is in the dominion â—ith many of them contrary to Rom. 12.2 See Psal. 51.16 17. There are Sacrifices â—hich GOD cares not for and there are that â—hich he regards A pure heart and a brocken â—â—ontrite spirit are the most acceptable sacrifices to â—OD A pure mind is the best service of GOD â—â—e most religious Worship of GOD is to â—â—llow and imitate him and the way to Honour â—OD is not to be evil sayes Senec. Lauct Merc. Trism Yet I would not in this be so understood as â—â— I were crying down all outward duties seeing â— is their abuse my testimony is onely against â—nd therefore my 2 d. requisit I speak of was â—hat they ought to be performed with a measure â—f a Humble Holy Spiritual and lively â—rame of Heart without which Duties are â—ut dead and will be as abominable in the â—â—ght of the LORD as if they under the Law â—ad brought a dead carcase of a beast to offer â—p in Sacrifice before the LORD But not to insist further in this I shall set â—own a Testimony or two of a Judicious and â—earned Man concerning true Religion Peter â—harron in his second book of Wisdom Cap. 5. â—oncerning Religion sayeth thus That of so many diverse Religions and manners of serving GOD which are in the World or may be they seem to be the most noble and to haâ—â— greatest appearance of Truth which without greâ—â— corporal and external service draw the soul in it self and raise it by pure contemplation to aâ—mire and adore the great and infinite Majestie â— the first cause of all things and the essence of essence without any great declaration or determination theâ—â—of or prescription of his service but acknowledgiâ—â— it indefinitely to be goodness perfection and infiâ—â—ness wholly incomprehensible and not to be knowâ— Again sayeth he Religion consisteth in tâ—â— knowledge of GOD and of our selves for it a relative action betwixt both the office thereoâ— is to extol GOD to the uttermost of our power aâ—â— to beat down man as low as may be as if he wâ— utterly lost and afterwards to furnish himself wiâ—â— means to rise again to make him feel his misery and his nothingness to the end he may put his whâ—â— confidence in GOD alone Again sayeth heâ— The office of Religion is to joyn us to the Author aâ—â— principal cause of all good and to reunite man aâ—â— fasten him to his first cause and to his root whereâ—â— so long as he continueth firm and setled he preferâ—eth himself in his own perfection and contrarywisâ— when he is separated he instantly fainteth aâ—â— languisheth Next as to Religion all in Authority aâ—â— to evidence their zeal for the LORD iâ— bearing down all open scandalous Vices aâ—â— Drunkenness Whoredome Cursing and Swearing â—hest Oppression Blood-shed Cheating and all â—njuries that are not consistent with the good â— Civil Societies And on this account he is the â—inister of GOD and is not to bear the Sword â— vain Rom. 13.1 2 3 c. Next he is to honour true Religion in his â—wn personal walk in all his private or publick â—ctings he is to shew himself exemplary and â— guard and watch against any scandalous failâ—ngs for as one sayes Magistratus ubi enim deâ—nqunt longè majus exemplo quam culpa peccare viâ—ntur Minores namque omnes eorum vestigia seâ—uuntur vixque se errare putant cum ejusdem criâ—inis reum aliquem Senatorem ostendunt That â— When a Magistrat doth transgress they â—em to sin more by their example then fault or all their inferiours follow their footsteps and â—arce imagine they erre when they can hold â—ut a Ruler guilty of the same crime Pat. â—inensis Instit. Reipub. Lib. 3. Tit. 3. And as he would wish to be honoured of
other may suggest unto them for promoving the Prosperity of the Trade of the Nation And for the further assistance of these it were good that the Convention of Burrowes would appoint the Magistrats of every Royall-Burgh to ordain some of the most Understanding of their Inhabitants to meet at such times as they shall judge fit to consider debate and argue anent the Trading with these Commodities which are most in use by the Merchants of the respective Burghs and what Overtures they can fall upon for improving the samen and when they have agreed and condescended there upon to give an account thereof subscribed with their hand or the hand of their Praeses chosen by them to the Provest Bailies and Councill of the place and they to give in the same after a serious revieu and consideration to the Convention of Burrowes or any Committie deligated by them for that effect and that they may consider and approve or disapprove the samen and give in their Reasons accordingly to the Committie of Trade that so after a serious and solid consideration thereof it may be recommended to the Parliament or the KINGS Councill for their Approbation and Authority But if it be said that few will be at the pains to wait upon such meetings to consider things so rypely to the neglect of their own affaires as the proposall seems to require To which it may be answered If the importance of the matter be duely weyed and the weighty results seriously considered it will be found well worth all the pains and expenses that can be wared if the Affair be not altogether turned into a meer formality But particularly let all concerned consult and consider the great Revenue these improvment would raise to the Crown by the Customs and Excyse the Honour Fame and Esteem it would purchase to our Nation abroad the great increase and encouragment it would be to Sea-men and Shipping the plentifull and comfortable livelyhood of severall hundreds and thousands of Familieâ— in our Land and with all the Vertuous and Praise Worthy Improvment of all these Commodities that are the naturall product of our Countrey by which not onely the strength and stock of the Kingdom would be augmented but the Wealth and Riches of many privatâ— men greatly multiplyed providing that in all our deportment and industrie we walk so as we may upon good ground expect a Blessing from the Lord our God See Psa. 127.1 2. CHAP. XVI Concerning Mechanick-Trades IT were a most commendable piece of Government if Rulers would be at pains to set down wayes how every idle person within Cities and Towns might be discovered and strict accounts thereof be exacted accordingly that all Persons of every Rank might be known how and by what means they live by what Trade Industrie and Vertue they mantained themselves and Families Diodorus reports that it was a Law amongst the Egyptians that every one should give up his name to the Magistrat within whose precinct he lived and show by what Trade and by what gain he lived and if any were found to lye or to live by unlawfull means they were put to death which severity was reckoned the more just because idle lazie persons are the poyson of a City it s they that are most pron to Whordom Drunkenness and all Debauchrie it s they that hate the best men are covetous of others Goods are seditious mutinous and unworthy to be permitted to live amongst Civill and Vertuous People Wherefore seeing every one hath not a competency of Money to be a Stock for Merchandising it were good policie to advert to the naturall Genius and Disposition of young Boyes for what Trade or Employment they may be fittest if they are skilled in Writing and Arithmetick and of lively active Spirits fit for Merchandising that they might be employed accordingly If their Talent lye in a disposition for any Mechanick Trade that fit Masters may be pitched upon for their education in the particular employment their minds are most inclyned unto And if there should be found a remarkable Acumen or Mind more then ordinary that such might be sent abroad to other Nations after some time of breeding at home where he may be best perfected in his Art upon the publick expense with speciall provision and surety that he should return and serve the Town in his calling as he should be employed which would be a good mean to furnish our Towns with all excellent Arts and Manufactures If we would lay our selves out to improve such means and wayes there is no doubt but this would in a few years tend much to the good of our Cities and the reputation of our Nation For my own part I ever looked upon an excellent Artist and one who had a good engyne or ability for working excellent things in his calling beyond the ordinary strain and common custom oâ— men of his Trade to be an usefull Oâ—nament to a Town in his own Sphere Therefore vertuous men in every calling ought to be regarded and encouraged with all respect due to their merit and carriage and idle drunken and thriftless persons rebuked punished yea declared incapable of any place or trust within the Corporation If this were there would be more industrie and commendable diligence amongst all sorts and less extraordinary drinking and sinfull spending of time in Taverns and Ale-houses amongst Tradsmen then there is for it is both shame and sin for men to consume their health and time in doing nothing but satisfying their lusts and carnall appetites M. Cato in his book of Manners wrot exceeding well in comparing the Life of Man to Yron which if ye use it wears away but yet with beauty and splendor but if ye use it not it is consumed with rust Vertuous persons by honest exercises spend themselves so as they have inward peace glory and reputation in the World whereas vicious and idle wretches gain nothing but ignominy and contempt The same Cato spoke well to his Souldiers at Numantia Consider with your selves Souldiers said he if ye do any good thing with travel or labour the labour soon passes away but the good remains but if ye do any business for pleasure the pleasure soon evanishes but the shame remains Which expression showes nothing worse than Idlesit and nothing better than Vertuous Industrie What a comely thing is it to see all persons in Towns diligent in their Callings and alâ— Tradesmen in their usefull occupations industriously laborious like Bees all joyning their pains to provide what is usefull to humane Society What can render a Town more illustrious then usefull Arts and Trades inviting Neighbours and Strangers to resort thither to take away our Manufactures and bringing their best things to supplie what we need So much lyes on Rulers to bring from abroad the best of Tradesmen and to encourage our own that they may not onely be able to gain their livelyhood but may live comfortably and be usefull in the Common-wealth as occasion