hostes sensere Bona at Concordia virtue Qua res usquè viget publica culta domi In English thus The threefold Towres the Castle showes regain'd From Enemies who it by force mantain'd The Leopards which on each hand ye view The cruell temper of these foes do shew The Shield and Lillies by the Kings-Command As pledges of his great good-will do stand The Collour calls the Blood there shed to mind Which these proud Foes unto their cost did find And BON-ACCORD by which doth safely come To Common-Wealths establisht was at home I. B. And upon the reverse of the Seal of the said Burgh is insculped in a field Azure a Temple Argent St. Nicholas standing in the Porch Mytered and Vested propper with his Dexter-hand lifted up to Heaven praying over three Children in a Boylling Caldron of the first and holding in the Sinister a Crosier Ore these were the Old-Arms of the Burgh-Royall of Aberdeen as His Majesties Advocat in his book above-mentioned relates After the Castle was thus taken and ruined the English being deeply affected therewith as also with the loss of their men did gather their Forces together to avenge this Injury against Aberdeen The Citizens then following Joannes Fraser who Commanded these Forces that adhered to the Interest of King David Bruce did most stoutly fight the English in their own Church-Yard and although with much Blood and the loss of many of their men yet at last obtained the Victory Hence four years after Edward the third having sent a great Navie to recover his loss in thir Northern-parts his Forces fell upon Aberdeen after they had spoiled the Religious-Houses and the City they coming by surprize and greatly incensed for the loss of their men which they had sustained both in the Garison and in the forementioned Fight did cut off Men Women and Children none being spared except such as had by flight saved themselves they burnt the City six dayes together as hath been touched above and being thereafter re-built is ever after called the new-NEW-TOWN of ABERDEEN King David Bruce had ever after a great favour and respect for Aberdeen and sometimes dwelt in it and set up a Mint-House here as some peeces of Money not long since extant with the inscription of Aberdeen did testifie and the King did ratifie and approve of all the Donations of Lands Waters Fishings and all other Priviledges which King Robert his Father or any of his Predecessors had formerly given or granted to the said Burgh because of their good Service both to his Father and himself against the common Enemie Also all the King James's 1 st 2 d. 3 d. 4 th 5 th and 6 th did all ratifie and approve all these Priviledges and Donations of what ever any of their Predecessors had done before and some of them witnessed their favourable Respects to the Magistrats thereof upon severall occasions As for instance King JAMES the fourth upon a complaint made against SIR JOHN RUTHERFORD of Tarlane after one of the Elections when he had been chosen Provest having for many years enjoyed that Office The King wrot to the Town Councill desiring an exact account of the ground of the Complaint made against His Loved Familiar SIR JOHN RUTHERFORD as the Kings Letter dated November 5. 1487. recorded in the Towns Books doth bear Again King JAMES the fifth was often in Aberdeen and did singularly shew Favour and Respects to the Familie of the MENZIESES who for many years did wisely and happily Govern our City Also King JAMES the sixth did not onely confirme in Parliament all the Ancient Priviledges and Liberties given to this City by his Royall Predecessors but likewise when â—s by the Laws of this Nation the King might have exacted his Burrow-Mailes in Sterling-Money which would have been nothing else but the utter undoing and extirpation of this Re-publick He out of his Princely Clemency and Favour which he did ever bear to this his Ancient-City did of new again Re-erect and found the samen and did quite abolish and abâ—ogat the payment of Sterling-Money by dissolving the same from the Crown in Parliament so far as concerns this City allennarlly the like benefit being denyed to any other Burgh in the Kingdom as also disponning and giving of new the Burgh Common-Lands Fishings and all other Liberties thereof whatsomever for payment of current money allennarly And at the same time honored our then present Provest THOMAS MENZIES of Durne or Cults with the Title of Knight-hood in his own Privy-Chamber in the presence of the best sort of the Nobility of both the Kingdoms whom he acknowledged before them then present worthy of that honour be reason of his Birth besides the good service lately done by Him and the City of Aberdeen to the King by the gentle entertainment of his Honorable Servants who came at that time to visit Aberdeen by the Kings appointment 1617. This SIR THOMAS MENZIES of Cults having procured that Famous Pearl which was found in the Brook or Burne of Kellie as it runs into the River of Ythan which Pearle for beauty and bigness was the best that hath been at any time found in Scotland our said Provest having found by the Judgement of the best Jewelers in Edinburgh that it was most Precious and of a very high Value went up to London and gifted it to the King this was in the year 1620. Who in retribution gave him twelve or fourtteen Chalders of Victuall about Dumfermling and the Custom of Merchant-Goods in Aberdeen during his life But it pleased GOD he dyed at Wooller on the Border in England in his return home Nevertheless this did signifie the speciall Favour the King did bear to our then Provest though he did not live to enjoy the effects of the Kings Royall and Princely Respects This Pearle was reported to be one of the Jewells of the Crown of England Likewise when the King called the Commissioners of both Kingdoms to treat anent the Union betwixt Scotland and England ALEXANDER RUTHERFORD Provest of Aberdeen being one of the four chosen for the State of the Burrowes the King did put it upon Him to speak in behalf of the Burrowes who did acquite himself so satisfyingly to the King that pulling a rich Diamond Ring from his Finger he gave it him as a token of his Royall-Respects I have heard some relate that when he had delivered his discourse in our Scots-dialect which was not so intelligible at that time to the English Commissioners he spoke to the same purpose in Latine that the Bishops might understand then gave a like account to the Nobility amongst the English Commissioners in the French-Language which did affect the King with very much complacency who carried a singular Respect to the Subjects of this his Native-Country and Ancient Kingdom and made every thing acceptable that had a tendency to the repute thereof The Battell of Harlaw did witness the Zeal of Aberdeen against the Enemies of the King and for the
Plenty and Prospeâ—â—ty upon us according to Isa. 62.4 Thou â—â—alt no more be termed forsaken neither shall thy â—â—nd any more be termed desolate but thou shalt be â—â—lled Hephzibah and thy land Benlah for the â—ORD delyteth in thee and thy land shall be â—arried It is well worth the noticeing what Bodin 〈◊〉 his third book of his Republick Chap. 7. Pag. â—2 writs of the Province of Languedock in France at the Nobility and Gentry of that Countrey in their conventions had ordered 1200 Livers or an hundred pound sterling yearly for training up the Youth of that whole Countrey in the City of Nimes besides what was done by other Societies and that they builded brave Fortresses or Forts in the Kingdom That they caused execute Buzac who was the most noble and notable Volens or Robber in that Age whom neither Judge nor Magistrat no nor the Parliament of Tholouse it self could get any order taken with Also they appointed other great sums for other brave uses and ends of publick concernment And so goeth on to shew the great profit which accrues to a Nation or Countrey by such conventions and societies and showes that these were better governed in the Cantons of the Switzers then in any other part of the World for every Canton yea every rank of men as Merchants and Trades had their common and general Meetings there for the good of the Publick Also that the ten Circuits of the Empire of Germany have their distinct Meetings a part all which are in such order and correspondence one with another that the Empyre sayes he would have long agoe been brought to ruine had not this Policy and Government prevented it It were much to be wished that there were appointed dyers of Meeting from that Love and Friendship which ought to be amongst Neighbours and Relations in the bounds of every Presbitry or Parish and it were expedient that some Justice of Peace might be present where conveniently they may be had to confer what might tend to the good of the bounds within their precincts and accordingly â—o put such things in practice and to prepare Overtures at every such meeting for the good of â—he whole This questionless would greatly â—end to the good of the Land and would â—ypen matters not onely for more publick conventions but also for a Parliament when â—uch occasion offered or for any other meetâ—ngs which the Kings Councill appoints as they â—id lately for repairing Hye-Wayes and Bridges Every Parish might have their Heritors with â—uch others of the discreetest of their Yeomanrie â—o meet once or twise every Moneth in a conâ—enient House unless it be in Winter which â—ere a mean to preserve freedom and friendship â—n the Parish where they might confer at large â—nent the general Concernments thereof as the â—roportioning of the Cess or other Subsidies â—nd laying down a way for a publick Purse â—r defraying publick Charges of the Parish â—roviding for the Poor mending Hye-Wayes Bridges and Calsies within their bounds and â—â—king course with idle persons Numa Pompilius King and Law-giver to the â—omans Solon and Lycurgus these Graecian-Lawâ—â—vers were much for such Meetings and Fraternities and all such means as might tend to beget and confirm Friendship and Love and advance the common interest see Plutarch on Solon and Lycurgus lives These are but a few hints of such Vertuous Employments and Improvments as our Great Men might lay themselves out in which is humbly conceived might tend much to the Honour of GOD Good of the Countrey and profit of Posterity if effectually prosecuted But because many great Wits are ready to reject every motion which flowes not from themselves or from some of a higher station then they are and forâ—this end raise objections against such things I shall answere this with one singular observation of the forementioned French Author Bodinus in his fourth book Pag. 593. There are sayes he two remarkable faults which oftentimes men of sharpest spirits fall into concerning the Government of Societies c. One is that they look narrowly to the inconvenients of a Law or of a good motion without considering the good that may flow from it The other is they run from one extream to another So I shall wish the Benefits which may flow from this may be laid in the ballance against any inconvenients which men can imagin can follow upon this Next I wish such may not run from the diligent and carefull observation of such good Overtures and profitable Motions to a supine and totall neglect of all that may tend to the Glory of GOD good of the Countrey and of their Posterity but rather as I hinted in the beginning may improve their accutest Parts and more noble Enduements to fall upon a way of prosecuting these Honorable Ends â—o the compleatest period In which caice I have attained all I ever aimed at being a true Zelot of the Publick Good and in soberness â—hall close with one that was a good Countrey-man in his time who said Vive vale si quid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti si non his utere mecum Englished thus Live and farewell if better things thou knows Impairt them freely if not make use of those PHILOPOLITEIUS A Succinct SURVEY Of the famous CITY OF ABERDEEN With its Situation Description Antiquity Fidelity and Loyalty to their SOVERAIGNES AS ALSO The gracious Rewards conferred thereon and the signall Evidences of Honour put upon many chief MAGISTRATS thereof With a Catalogue of THEM since the CITY was burn'd for LOYALTY about the Year 1330. TOGETHER WITH The Epigrams of ARTHUR JOHNSTOUN Doctor of Medicin upon the said CITY and severall other of the Principall ROYALL-BURGHS in this Ancient Kingdom of SCOTLAND Translated into English by I B. By a Zealous Lover of BON-ACCORD 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aberdeen Printed by Iohn Forbes 1685. BON ACCORD Insignia Vrbis abredonie Psal. 87 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me behold Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia this man was born there vers 6. The LORD shall count when he writeth up the people that this man was born there Prov. 17.6 The glory of children are their fathers Philip. 4.8 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Unto the Right Honorable SIR GEORGE SKENE of Fintray Lord Provest ALEXR. ALEXANDER Bailie WALTER ROBERTSON Bailie ALEXANDER GORDON Bailie ANDREW MITCHELL Bailie PATRICK GELLIE Dean of Gild JOHN GORDON Thesaurer And to the rest of the Honorable Councill of the City of ABERDEEN RIGHT HONORABLE It hath been the â—avourable Advantage and signall Providence that hath attended Aberdeen for many Ages that it hath had a honorable Character among the Burghs of Scotland which I wish may never declyne the sense whereof made me
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
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
Common-Wealth all the Members are usefull and make but one Body that as 1. Cor. 12.21 22. The Eye cannot say to the Hand I have no need of thee nor again the Head to the Feet I have no need of you nay much more these Members of the Body which seem to be more feeble are necessary It cannot then but agree with reason that every estate and condition of men should have their own share in the manadgement of these things according to their proportions and interests in the whole We have matter to bless GOD for the equal and just constitution of Government not onely of the whole kingdom which of it self is as good as any in the World but also for that well tempered mixture granted to us by our KINGS left unto us of our Worthy Ancestours which is in our Cities and more particular Common-Wealths being thus Our Town-Councills is chosen out of the whole Citizens and Burgesses of the Burgh the Citie-Roll being read at every Election of Councill that if Aristotle were alive he would not censure us as he did the Government and Lawes of the Gretians given by Minos and Radamanthus for their Cosmi or Magistrats were not chosen out of all the People but out of some few of every Tribe though they did pretend that all their Laws were made by Jupiters advyce and for this the most of the Grecian Re-publicks did imitate them particularly Lycurgus the Lacedemonian there being a large List drawn up of all amongst us where is set down every one whom any person of the Present Council desires or nominats then they choose the prefixed number that are appointed to be New Counsellours for the ensuing Year Next they choose out of their own number who have been ruling the Year preceeding so many as are by the Law appointed to continue Ja. 3. P. 7. c. 57. And lastly so many of the Deacons of the Trades as should compleat the number of the Councill all which being presently called and conveened they with the Old Councill and the whole Deacons of the Trades besides these Tradsmen that are on the Old and New Councill do elect of these that are chosen for Counsellours for the Year to come Provest Bailies and all other Office-bearers requisite Thus Bretheren of Gild and Tradsmen of which our Cities consists have all their equall share in the Government of our Royal-Burrows When any matter of more then ordinary Importance comes to be consulted of if the Councill find it meet they call the former years Council and joyns both in the Consultation and Determination and if it be a business of setting on of a Tax or Levying of Money whether for Nationall or Particular Use or such like the consent of the whole is called for in a publick Head-Court conveened by Authority of the Magistrats for the Reasons of the said Tax or Imposition is holden out to them so that by this it may be evident to the judicious that we have the best Ingredients and Advantages of all the severall sorts of Governments Though some are Priviledged to be Sheriffs within their Jurisdiction and so have Power of Life and Death in some cases yet we may look on our selves as more happy in severall respects under the Government of the well constitute Monarchie we live in then if Soveraign Power were in our own hands as many free Cities and Common-Wealths have First Because we are hereby fred from the fear of overthrow oppression or subjection to the lust of any proud or ambitious Neighbour that perchance might have more Strength then we being under the Fatherly Care and Protection of such a Powerfull Monarch When we look back upon the manyfold dangers that Famous and Renowned Cities have frequently been assaulted with in Elder times or at present Beholds the many staggerings and violent agitations that free Towns have been surprised with in this our Age by reason of the Power Ambition and Avarice of their Insidious Neighbours we may bless GOD for our Peace and Security Secondly If any intestine jarrs may unhappily arise amongst Citizens which may draw Parties to Factions and great Animosities and Seditions wherethrough not onely the Names Fames and Estates of the Inhabitants might be in hazard but the Lives Liberties and Interests of the Common-Wealth might utterly be destroyed and subverted thereby We have the Supream Authority of this Kingdom to prevent all these evils and to crush them in the bud whereby our Concord Unity and at least our Peace and Security is through Gods blessing safer then the great Imperiall Citie of Rome when lyklie to have teared out her own bowells by that unnaturall War betwixt Sylla and Marius which destroyed the chiefest and best of her Senators and so many thousands of her own Citizens The like apparent Fate being wisely and seasonably prevented when that unhappy difference arose in Aberdeen about the Year 1590 called the Common-Cause by the Prudence and Authority of King JAMES the sixth and the Interposition of the Convention of Burrows who by the Kings approbation did determine the controversie which before through slaughter and blood had drawn to that hight which if not timely adverted unto might have brought with it destruction and desolation Whereas since the Government is so regulated as is above shewed and established upon surer fundations then formerly that through GODS Blessing thereupon no such thing hath had any appearance since not we hope through Mercy shall ever again Next though it would be pertinent to speak of the Magistrats and their Qualifications yet I shall refer it till I intend to speak of their duties in particular where to hold out immediatly before their Qualifications will be more recent and proper and therefore shall speak of the Council in general CHAP. III. Of the COUNCIL and their Duties in general and their two chief Ends they should aim at A Council is a certain Assembly lawfully chosen to give advyce to him or them that have the Power of Administration of Affairs within the Common-Wealth The Romans called the Counsellors Senators for their â—ravity and Age and sometimes they were â—â—lled Fathers from the care they had of the â—â—mmon-Wealth as Parents are careful to proâ—â—de and see for their Children what they stand 〈◊〉 need of or what their condition may reâ—â—ire Counsellors should do the same for the â—â—-publick They are custodes Legum the keepâ—â—s of the Laws and appeals are made to them â—â—â—m the Magistrats when any person conceives â—â—mself wronged by them The Grecians and the Romans for the most part composed their Councils of old wise and expert Persons It is a great prejudice to a Citie to have persons chosen more out of a design to strengthen a Faction then for their worth and abilities especially when an Oath is taken by every Counsellor at his admission to be a faithful Counsellor in all and every thing that concern the Common-Wealth In all Royal Burrows the Council Acts are thâ— Rules for the most part
milde and sober as well as severe as in Wisdom and Prudence the severall caises may call for 5. Let not 3 dly the Bretheren of Gild incroach upon the just Liberties of the Trades which I think were rather to be enlarged for the encouragement of Vertue then peremptorâ—ly to be hem'd in where there can be but small prejudice thereby to the Bretheren of Gild and yet great benefit to them By this the Trades might be engaged to consent more freely and cordially to all good Overtures that might advance the Publick Interest of the Town therefore any Favour may be allowed them with Publick Consent that may not tend to set them up in a stated Faction and thereby make a rent in the Body but all things which may evidence the good Respects of the Town to them and encourage them in their Trades to be vertuous and diligent ought freely and kindly to be condescended to 4 ly On the other hand the Trades ought not to envy the Priviledges of the Brethren of Gild but each should be subservient in their places to another neither of them seeking to Remove the antient Land-mark which their Fathers have set Prov 22.28 6. In the second place let due care be taken to suppress Factions and all factious Persons which hath a direct tendency to Discords Hatreds Emulations and many such like bad Vices if this Evil were seriously laid to heart all the means that Wisdom and Prudence could help men to fall upon would be imployed and improven to bear down this of which I have spoke somewhat in the seventh Chapter and therefore shall forbear it now 7. In the third place let Justice be duely administred to all without respect of persons with out fead or favour according to 2. Chron. 19.6 7 I but name this for brevities sake forbear having mentioned it at more length in the 5. Chap. 8. Let fourthly all the Inhabitants study a loving discreet and respectfull cariage to one another according to their Rank in the fear of the LORD and discountenance and bear Testimony against all miscariages that may cross Love and Concord and let all live in a courteous and peaceable Disposition and if there be any mistakes which may readily fall in amongst Neighbours let every one according to their Relation and Place study to clear it and reconcile all disagreeing Parties and look upon these that are apt to kindle discords and prejudices amongst Citizens under what ever pretence to be unworthy to live in civil Society If we be bound to offices of Love to Enemies Exodus 23 45 how much more to our Neighbours and fellow Citizens This would be very lovely both in the sight of GOD and Man according to Psalm 133.1 c throughout O how good and pleasant it is to see Bretheren to dwell together in Unity c. 9 For begetting and mantaining this desirable Blessing of Love and Concord in a City and Common-Wealth Fifthly it would be very conducible to have Societies Fellowships and Fraternities set up in a Town and they to have frequent Meetings for conference about such Affaires as are most pertinent to their Societies and for this end it were good there were commodious publick Houses for their respective Meetings with wayes set down and setled for all Accommodations convenient whereby meetings in Taverns might be evited where there is oftentimes too much Money lavished and the Creatures too much abused and much time mispent where with much sobriety and mutuall assistance they might with due moderation argue and debate about improvement of Traffick in Merchandise and advancing of Trades and Arts and propose Overtures and set down wayes for the same as need should require to call for the Aid Assistance and Authority of the Magistrats and Councill and in all these Meetings care should be taken that no motion might be heard much less entertained that did tend to division just irritation or offence to any within the Common-wealth but let all have one eye to the Glory of GOD their own Good and the Prosperity and Advantage of the whole Incorporation Bodinus in his third book of his Reipublick and seventh chapter towards the end shewes severall Advantages of these Meetings and Societies in Countries and Provinces and particularly in the Province of Languedock in France what great and good things they did which I shall refer to the reader to peruse but generally there is much good to be done to the whole Town when they are discreetly and well ordered By them all abuses may come to be rectified and what is defective supplyed and in a word much reformation attained and advantages improven for the good of every Partie and Members of the Body and much Love Harmony and Concord attained and mantained among all the Inhabitants 10. It were good 6 ly and very expedient that the Inhabitants could come to that degree of Freedom and Brotherly Kindness as cheerfully to entertain each other at Table my meaning is not by Feasting or in any extraordinary way which might tend rather to a prejudice then increase of Love and Friendshipe but that neighbours might be so free and friendly together as to both give and take a part of any homely fare as occasion did offer Cicero called the Table Parens Nutrix Amicitiae The Parent and Nurse of Friendship Lycurgus caused the Lacedemonians eat all together at Publick Tables and upon the Common Charges The Christians in the Primitive times when Love was most remarkable had their Love Feasts and all these were but to nourish and entertain so noble and necessary a Grace as Love and sweet Concord is 11. By this Blessing of Love and Concord how joyntlie all should joyn together in every Overture and motion made for the advantage of the Publick and good of the whole Body that as Prov. 24.26 Every man should kiss the lips of him that gave a good advice though it were with some apparent prejudice to our own particular if it were for a far greater good to the Publick 12. By this we should make the Motto of all the Burrowes be most deservedly called BON-ACCORD and that upon all commendable and Praise Worthy accounts that it should be a delight to all to live together a good example and refreshment to strangers that should see our Love and if we did entertain this Peace within our Walls the LORD would add that inseparable Blessing with it Prosperity should be in our Pallaces Psal. 122.7 And for my part it shall be my Prayer as verse 8. For my Brethren and Companions sakes I will now say Peace be within thee and I will seek thy good CHAP. XI Anent Observation of Laws both Nationall and Municipall THere are two sorts of Laws that our Cities are to observe One is Nationall Laws which are made by the Supream Authority for the good of the wholl Kingdom these ought to be carefully observed and if their be a negleâ—t of them we are lyable to the Penaltie contained
others and that so far as they know all the Goods pertain to Free-men As also that before the loadning of the Ship for her return they swear that the Goods pertain to themselves and not to Strangers otherwise the Conservator may arreast the Ship and Goods at least all the Goods of the refuser Ja. 6. P. 15. c. 257. The Conservator should put the Acts against Usurie in execution upon all Scots Merchants Skippers and Factors in the Low-countries and compt thereupon to the Thesaurer Ibid. c. 259. Acts anent the Staple THat an Incorporation be made of Scots in the Low-countries and their Priviledges ordaining the Scots residing there and pretending to the saids Priviledges to give their Oath of obedience to the KING and his Laws as if they were dwelling in Scotland and that they pay for their entries ten Pounds Fleemish and the persons refusers to be deprived of all benefite or commerce with his HIGHNES Liedges Ja. 6. P. 6. c. 96. That no Ships passing to the Low-countries land any mans Goods but at Campvere or the ordinary Staple and that no person go on land or take any thing out of the Ship untill her arrivall there under the pain of ten pound Fleemish and the Conservator should take the Merchants and Skippers Oathes thereanent Ja. 6. P. 15. c. 258. That Merchants coming from the Low-countries give to the Conservator an account of the quantity and quality of the Goods under the pain of confiscation thereof and that a subscribed Cocket thereof be sent home to the Thesaurer Ibid. c. 260. CHAP. XIII Concerning some Means in generall by which a Burgh may flowrish IT ought to be the care of a faithfull Senate and vigilant Rulers over a City and Common-wealth seriously to consider by what means a Town may most flowrish grow in Greatness prosper in Riches and increase in Numerous and Vertuous Inhabitants I shall name some of these 1. Religion was a mean whereby Jerusalem was not onely made head of that Kingdom but also greatest in all Asia because all the Males behooved to appear there thrise a Year There was the Temple of the LORD there the High Priest and all solemn Oblations and Sacrifices hence it was called the Holy City but now there are no places that have any Holiness in them under the Gospel Joh. 4.21 22. For GOD may be Worshiped every where and any where if it be in Spirit and in Truth I know not any Religious Concernment that might more greaten a City nor be a more attractive motive for Strangers that had any Principle ruling in them of the fear of GOD then a Holy People Isa. 4.3 and 60.21 When the Inhabitants of a City generally did walk so Christianly and so Sweetly together according to Gospell Rules that they might give evidence of the fullfilling these blessed Promises Isa. 1.25 26. upon which account a Town might be justly termed a City of Righteousness the Faithfull City this was a sure foundation of all true Prosperity and Greatness therefore let all profane and ungodly persons be esteemed the chiefest enemies to a Cities wellfare and the Pious and truely Godly the chiefest Jewells and Blessing thereof A 2 d. mean of making a Town flowrish is a dilligent care to have Trade and Merchandise thriving by all due encouragement thereunto and to endeavour if possible to have some distinct and particular Commoditie to be exported or imported that no other neighbour Town hath or some usefull Manufacture that is not in any other place of the Natiâ—â— or at least not so good or cheap It weâ—â— a desireable thing in Scotland to see every Town to improve their Situationâ— and soyle their Rivers Lochs Trades Arts and Engines and in a word their particular properties and advantages by industrie that each of them might be found to have some special and distinct commodity to vent for their own great benefit and their Countries service A 3 d. mean is to cherish Industry and Arts and Handy-crafts See Botero on the greatness of Cities Pag. 84. and to procure excellent Wits and Persons of eminent Qualifications for that end 4 ly The erecting and maintaining Schools of Learning and Professors of all usefull and commendable Sciences which may draw the Youth of the Countrey to be bred in Cities and Towns in doing whereof speciall care would be had that strict Laws and Orders might be set down for the good and quiet behaviour of the Students and these duly execute by faithful Masters and carefull Magistrats that Parents and Relations may send their Children thither in a measure of confidence and security and so the Inhabitants be preserved in Peace 5 ly Inviting by immunities from Taxes and Tolls all that have any commodities to sell to frequent Mercats and great Faires within Burgh which would need to be procured from the KING and Parliament for that end by which a Town may have severall advantages though the Taxes were quited at least very low As Monethly Mercats in every great Town for Horse and Oxen by which the Countrey may be served at all seasons and the Burgh be benifited by the change that the Countrey People should make 6 ly That all the Judicatories that may be had be set up within Burgh whereby the Subjects may have occasion to make frequent resort to the Town 7 ly To endeavour to order well all necessaries for Food and Fireing and for keeping and mantaining Families within Burgh that all Persons of Quality may be encouraged to buy and build Houses in Towns which would undoubtedly contribute much for the Prospering of Trades and Arts in a Town by their change and greatly enlarge the City 8 ly If there be any speciall Blessing of Nature in or near to the Town that may be for pleasure or profit to Strangers that the same may be published and set forth with the best advantages for inviting the concurse of Strangers to the place as the Waters of Bath in England the Medicinall Wells and Fountaine at Spa in Germany and Orges in France and that health giving Spring for Gravel Gout Hydropsie and Collick at Aberdeen being drunk according to Dr. William Barclay his printed prescriptions in the Summer-Moneths Or if there be any notable or curious device invented or illustrated by Art which may adorn or ennoble a Town the same will influence and not a little concur to advance it All these former means have been drawn from profit it is to be considered that pleasure hath been a special mean to draw Strangers to a City And for this 9 ly Curious Gardens fruitfull Orchards in or about a City especially when so so placed as may most beautify the Town which may be no less profitable then pleasant according to the saying Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci. I shall in the next place enlarge upon some of these in particular in the fourth-Chapter I did treat of Religion at some length and shall not therefore insist now but regrate
that Superstition hath served to greaten more Towns in many Kingdoms of the World then the true fear of GOD and that love that should be amongst Christians Witness Rome which is so much frequented upon the imagination of her pretended holy places and false relicts of Saints departed and the supream Authority of her Ecclesiastical Affairs and her Judaick Jubilies by which and many more such like Impostures she hath made many Nations drunk with the Wine of her Fornications and Whoredomes and thereby keeps her self in such greatness till the LORD by powring out the vialls Rev. 16. burn and consume that seat of the Beast Many other Cities and Towns are also greatly frequented upon superstitious Accounts by Strangers as Loretto in Italy S Michael in France Compostella in Spain and many other places altho rough and almost inaccessible But now when Light hath discovered these Antichristian-Delusions I think we should study upon more Christian Accounts to invite Strangers as was said in the beginning of this Chapter by being through divine Grace a holy People living in the true fear of GOD and in love to his holy Image where ever it is to be seen by an holy and blameless Conversation Though there be a difference in Judgement in most Cities now in Brittain let it be our care to love all Men and seek thee good of every one if so be the LORD may bring them to the knowledge of Himself and the acknowledgement of the Truth and walk according to that rule Phillip 3.15 16. This as it is very sutable to Christian Charity and that meekness and moderation that becometh the Gospell so it is very conducible to the greatning of a City and Common-wealth CHAP. XIV Concerning Merchandising HAving touched some Generalls necessary for the prosperity of a Town in the last Chapter I come now to speak of some of them more particularly at some more length and the first is Merchandising Rulers ought to have a speciall care to give all due encouragement to Trading that can be thought upon for by it a Burgh is mostly distinguished from a Countrey-Village rather then by strong Walls or Fortifications as some distinguish without Trade a Town were little better so that Traffick is the very essence and by it the Being and Vitalls of a Burgh or City is mantained First It therefore concerneth Magistrats and Councill to assist yea to own as their propper Concernment all the Intetests that may impare or prejudge the Traffick in all Staple-Commodities when the Supream Authority makes any Act or are like to do any thing that may damnify the same as in highting Customs or Bulzeon These things would be adverted to and all opportunities carefully attended when matters of that nature may be best helped especially at Parliaments for this there is a great necessity to make choise of understanding able and active men to be Commissioners at such times otherwayes it may fall out to be done at such a time that possibly cannot be gotten helped in an Age. Secondly It were good to look well upon all these wayes whereby Trade is prejudiced amongst our selves as to take condign order with Foreâ—allers of Mercats and such raisers and highters of the prices of common Commodities and these that studie to enhance one particular Commoditie in their hands that they may sell and oppress others at their pleasure and many more wayes which others can more easily fall upon that are better acquainted nor I am with the like Thirdly It were very commendable for all that have charge in a City not onely to look to these particulars above mentioned but to be carefull that the Dean of Gild and his Councill of Assessors to whom it would be very propper may set themselves to fall upon the best Overtures for removing of impediments and advancing all means that may make every Trade whether of Scottish Commodities outward or such Forraign Commodities as are brought homeward to prosper and flowrish and then the Councill after mature deliberation had that the means be propper and may be practised without the breach of any duty to the setled Laws of the Kingdom may put to their Authority and so effectually prosecute the samen that no covetous or selfish stickler that may possibly find himself hem'd in from his avaricious and greedy way may be able to gainstand what the Councill hath enacted for the Good and Prosperity of the whole Merchants in common Hobbs in his 2 d. part of his Rudiments of Dominion sayes to this purpose That every Society of men that live in a Corporation together intending the Publick Good of the whole would not rest upon a bare consent to prosecute that and unless there be restraints for fear of punishments on those that out of selfish ends c would obstruct the Wee ll of the Publick so that all mens particular Wills must run in the Will of the Councill or such as are the Governours viz. the major part thereof Fourthly I will not take upon me to mention any particular ways how Traffick may be advanced in Towns it being more propper for a Dean of Gild Court which would be needfull to be alwayes of the ablest and most judicious of the Merchants and such as are of most publick Spirits yet it may not be amiss to offer these things to consideration Consider to what good improvement one man as I have seen in my time did bring the Manufacture of Stockings viz. G. P. in Aberdeen whereby there was a Trade in some measure keeped up not onely with Merchants at the South and West but also with severals that carie them both to England and Ireland and if one man by his own private Industrie did bring the Countrey People to such a perfection in good Stockings what may a Corporation do if a serious care were had for such improvements in this and many other things Secondly Seeing we have Commodities of our own Nation sufficient to bring us home all necessaries from France Holland and the Nations on the Baltick-Sea to serve our Towns and Countries about us onely we have little of our own to send to London and our Neighbour-Nation of England wherefore such of our Nation as travel thither are constrained to caâ—ry in Money to their great expense and hazard â—or to draw Money upon Bill at a dear rate To prevent this if it shall please the LORD who hath in his good Providence united both Nations under one KING as well as in one Protestant Religion and Language to take off these Acts which are made to obstruct the mutuall Freedom and Trade betwixt the Kingdoms or to make up a compleat Union which were rather to be wished it were most expedient to consider what Commodities we have in our Countrey that would go best off there as our Linning-Cloath Linning-Yairne Stockings of all sorts and syzes Furrs Feathers c and such like things as active Merchants might easily find out and would need to keep a good Correspondence at
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
requires Also Rulers would guard against all abuses and oppressions committed readily by Tradesmen upon new Intrants whereby they are brought so low in their condition and so plunged in debt before they can be free in their Tradâ— that they are hardly able in many years to recover and get themselves out of burden CHAP. XVII Concerning Planting both for Profit and Pleasure HAving touched severall things that may seem worthy of a Councils consideration for making a Town flowrish in the foregoing Chapters or Partitions I cannot ommit to offer it to their Judgments to deliberat if it be not very expedient both for profit and pleasure to consider how their Cities may be beautified with Planting of usefull Trees in all places in and near the Town where it may be most conveniently had for it is no small reproach upon the generality of our Nation that our People are so negligent and careless in this particular notwithstanding of the great contentment and satisfaction that may be reaped thereby for Planting is not onely delightfull to the eye and in a manner exhilirating the heart of every beholder by its beauty and greeness inviting the cheerfull Birds to chant and express their melodious Notes to the great refreshment of the hearers oft tymes but also in few years due diligence and care being taken to plant them aright and to prune and keep them they are very usefull for publick and private use as need and expediencie shall require We find that the most flowrishing and rich Nations have great abundance of many soâ—ts of Planting and that not onely by Nature but by Art and Industrie of the Inhabitants and Divine Providence hath evidenced her bounty in a liberall measure to us in that matter no less then to others our Neighbours round about us as may be witnessed by the many Woods and Forrests that have been well furnished with Oakes Elmes Firrs Ashes c. and Fruit-Trees which in every generation are much destroyed and cut down and few or none to repair them and how can we but undergo the just reproach of a careless and lazie People in this thing and the rather that no Laws and Acts of Parliament made by our Gracious and Vertuous KINGS and Estates of the Kingdom particularly by K. James the 5 th in his 9. Act of Parl. 4. and our late K. Charles the 2 d. Parliament 1. Act 41. cannot prevail It is obvious to the sence of every beholder what an Ornament Planting is to Great mens houses who are worthie of their due commendation that have taken paines herein I think it worthie the considering that when GOD created Man in his primitive Innocency and Integrity he placed him in a Garden and put that exercise upon him even in a sinless state to dress and keep it Gen. 2.8 15. whence it may be observed that Planting and the care thereof is an exercise not unbecoming the best of Saincts nor the Greatest of men we may see many Proofes oâ— this as First in that Good and Holy Man that found Grace in GODS sight when all the World save a few with him perished Gen. 9.20 And Noah began to be an Husband man and he planted a Vyne-yard Secondly Abraham the Friend of GOD and Father of the Faithfull Planted a Grove in Beersheba and called there on the Name of the LORD Gen 21.33 Next King Solomon a Great and Wise KING Eccles. 2.4 5. I made me great Works I builded me Houses and planted me Vyne-yards I made me Gardens and Orchards and I planted in them all kind of Fruits So Uzziah delighted in this Employment 2. Chron. 26 10. He had Husband-men and dressers of Vynes c. Yea our Blessed LORD JESUS did honour this Industrie by his frequenting the Garden Joh 18.1 When JESUS had spoken these words he went over the brook Cedron where was a Garden into which he entered with his Disciples Ver. 2. And Judas also who betrayed him knew the place for JESUS oftentimes resorted thither with his Disciples I could name many Great men that have taken pleasure in Planting as Cyrus the younger King of Persia who planted Orchards and Gardens with his own hand See Cicero de Senectute p. 210. But I shall forbear to insist onely desiring our Cities and Towns may seriously consider the profit and pleasure and that it will very far counterballance the expense and paines by a constant and yearly recompense I mean a well furnished Garden and Orchard when carefully keept and waited upon Therefore I shall close this purpose with a friendly desire that all Magistrats and Town-Councils may seriously consider how they may in this give best obedience to the laudable Acts and Laws of the Land and with most profit and satisfaction to their respective Incorporations and that it may be remembered when Adam sinned he was sent forth from the Garden of Eden to till the ground which was a more painfull and inferiour employment and not permitted to enjoy that sweet and refreshful mansion of the Garden It was a part of Gods Curse upon a land when Trees were smitten and taken away from it Exod. 9.25 Amos 4.9 Joel 1.12 And it is a promised Blessing To plant Gardens and eat the fruit of them Jer. 29.5 Amos 9.4 Ezek. 34.27 Therefore these Precepts may be pertinently applyed to this purpose Tit. 3.14 Let ours also learn to mantain good Works for necessary uses And that of Philip. 4.8 Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoevâ—r things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Much of our Corne-fields about some Towns have been improven for Herbs and Roots by common Gardners and why not some of the choisest Soyles and Situations be also made use of for pleasant Gardens and fruitfull Orchards which are to be seen frequently in well ordered and flowrishing Towns abroad to their great profit health and delight without their Towns and few of our Nation have little worse Grounds for such things save that Walls and Dykes may be found expensive and sparing many unnecessary superfluities in other things and bringing home Tyle for ballast in Ships from Holland c may help that and the profit accrewing by a fruitfull and well ordered Orchard in a few years will recompense all expensses with GODS blessing abundantly CHAP. XVIII Concerning Charity and care of the Poor THough there may be many Duties incumbent upon Magistrats and Town-Councils who are Governours of Cities and Burghs which the judicious will understand as their occasions and stations will discover unto them that there is one Dutie which is none of the least that all are bound to consider because the Supream Governour of Heaven and Earth takes speciall notice thereof and hath carefully recommended to all his People and that is a tender care over and a cordiall Charity towards the Poor See for this Deut. 15.7
in Wisdom Piety Courage and better Qualifications Prov. 12.26 The Righteous is more excellent than his neighbour It s such that prepares their heart for their Duty and will make conscience of diligence therein and seek the advancement of the interests of CHRIST the Cities prosperity and the good of all and every one under their Charge and for this I would recomend to all Magistrats to study these Scriptures well Psal. 75.2 Psal. 101.8 Psal. 82. throughout But some say we cannot find Magistrats with such Qualifications in every Town and therefore we must take them as we have them I Answere That should not hinder to set down all the best Qualifications which are to be wished in Magistrats and which all good Magistrats ought to study to have and Cities are to choise the best they can have seeing the Holy Scriptures have recomended such Qualifications we ought to pray that GOD would raise up many such and then we must do as we may when we cannot do as we would Wherefore having hinted at the good Qualities Magistrats should have I shall also touch a little what a sad thing it is for a City to have ill men to be their Rulers because Contraria juxta se posita clarius elucescunt Contraries set together make both the more discernable Psal. 82.5 David regrates this as a sad judgement in his time that men in Authority were ignorant and perverse c. They know not neither will they understand they walk on in darkness and therefore he subjoyns All the foundations of the Earth are out of course They know not This implyes not so much a blockish ignorance for it is like they might have naturall Parts like other men but they know not that GOD stands among them that His eye is on them taking speciall notice of their iniquity and injustice and bearing more favour to the wicked nor to the poor and innocent Next though they may read in the Scriptures that GOD stands among them and notices their doings yet They will not understand this holds out their perversness and willfull Atheism as Psal. 10.11 He hath said in his heart GOD hath forgotten he hideth his face he will never see it vers 13. He hath said in his heart Thou wilt not require it and therefore he boldly dares to do any injustice that his lusts will put him to though it be really in the presence of his Great Judge They walk on in Darkness Though their Duty were never so clearly hold out to them they will not yeeld to the Obedience of it but walk on after the perverse dispositions of their own hearts and their obstinate wills and not the pure Word of GOD and His revealed Will. In this caise the Psalmists conclusion will hold That all the Foundations of the Earth are out of course that is all Judges and Judicatories which ought to be refreshfull to the Poor needy and oppressed that ought to strengthen the hands of them that do well and to be a terrour to evil doers are now running in a just contrary course and when the foundations are destroyed what can the Righteous doe Psal. 11.3 Sure they need look for no relief from all their oppressions and injâ—ries from men but commit themselves to GOD who is the helper of the fatherless Psal. 10.14 and 12.5 From all this it may be seen the great blessing it is to a City or Town to have faithfull able and pious Rulers Prov. 29.2 When the righteous are in authority the people rejoyce but when the wicked beareth rule the people murmur It is therefore an incumbent duty on all to pray that the LORD would raise many able men up in their respective Towns and also to seek it of GOD to make all the present Incumbents that are in Authority among them to be such as they ought to be CHAP. XX. Concerning the Duties and Office of the Provest HAving recommended severall Duties which the Magistrats and Councill in generall are to take notice of for the good and prosperity of the Town in thâ— foregoing part of this Treatisâ— I presume next to set down the Duties of the severall Magistrats and Office-Bearers that use to be chosen out of the number of our Councils at every Years Election This is not that I presume to know these Duties better than others but for the satisfaction of new Entrants who have not had occasion to be acquainted with such Employments The first and chiefest Magistrat in all Burghs-Royal is the Provest Who in England is called Mayor the Romans called him Consul quia bene Rei-pub consulat Its his place to have a chief care of all the Effaires and Concernments of the Common-wealth and therefore he is not onely to discharge this duty in ordinary and emergent Affaires but he is to forsee and provide for all things that may conduce to the good thereof and this care will require serious consideration of all that may advance the wellfare of the publick or any part thereof and of any danger or evill that may fall out to the damnage thereof to prevent it and guard against it Secondly It is his place to preceed in Councill and moderat the samen and to take speciall notice of all the referrs thereof that are to be done Thirdly He is to conveen the Councill upon extraordinary dayes in all doubtsome matters or emergent occasions Fourthly He is to oversee the rest of the Magistrats and Office-Bearers that they all doe their Duties and acquit themselves diligently in all things that relate to their charge for it s not enough to give good advice and Counsell if the samen be not put in execution tymeously and seasonably Fifthly He is to be carefull that all the Charters and evidents and every Paper that is of importance to the Towns Concernments be punctualy keeped in the Towns-Charter-Chists or where they ought to be preserved and not left in any other hands else where least they may come to be missed and be in seeking to the great neglect of these that have the charge of keeping them which ordinarly is the Provest chiefly and some of the Bailies Sixthly And above all he is to have a care he be just innocent and of singular integrity in all his behaviour for an ill example in a Magistrat is far greater than a fault in inferiour persons Therefore the chiefest Magistrat should have the chiefest care of his publick Charge and of his own personall behaviour I need the less insist upon this which concerns him as the chiefest Magistrat having so fully holden furth the Qualifications he should aim at in the last Chapter CHAP. XXI Concerning the Office and Duties of the Bailies THe next Office of Magistracy is the Bailies whom the English call Aldermen and the Ancient Romans called Praetores quia praeerant They have the same Authority with the Provest in all our Burghs as to Decreets and execution of Justice hence it is that some have called the Provest Primus Balivorum The
faulty or short in these things he is to accuse them and see them convict and censured by the Magistrats and Councill and therefore he ought to take in the help of his Assessors in consulting what abuses are to be noticed in the Town as being of alse great moment to his place as to give Judgement in matters of controversie betwixt Merchants in his Court. Seventhly He is to be carefull to recommend to the Councill that they elect for his Assessors the Wisest Gravest and most Experimented Persons in the Town who will make Conscience to assist him in the faithful discharge of his Duty and with those he is to keep Court every week once and as occasion requires where he is to preceed for hearing and judging of all causes and differences betwixt Merchants amongst themselves and Merchants and Sea-men according to Jac. 6. Parl. 13. c. 180. Eightly With these his Assessors he is seriously to consider how to increase preserve and distribute the money of the Gild-Box for relief of decayed and poor Bretheren of Gild their Relicts and Children according to discretion and Charity Ninthly He is seriously to propose at the meeting of his Court if any have an Overture to offer that may be made practicable for promoving securing and advancing the Trade of Merchandising in the Town and gravely to debate thereanent and prosecute it after due deliberation according to Reason and Discretion Tenthly He is to press them earnestly to consider if there be any abuses or transgression of Publick Laws or Towns-Statutes by any that keeps the weekly Mercats in any kind of these things that contraveen the Statutes that redress may be made and the guilty punished and for this the Towns-Statutes for regulation of prices would every Year be written in the Gild-Court-Book and often read for memories sake Eleventhly He is to consider what reparation the Towns-House or Tolbooth Pack-House Weigh-House or other publick Works that belong onely to his Charge requires and to cause the same diligently be performed by the respective Artists and Tradesmen and if there be any thing whereby the Town may be better accommodated or adorned without profusness or prodigall expenses he is to think upon such things and propose them to the Councill By these foresaid particulars this charge may be seen to be very weighty for if there should be found gross disorders in the Town in matters relating to his Office as before mentioned it may be justly imputed to the neglect and unfaithfulness of the Dean of Gild more immediatly than to any other of the Magistrats though it still lyes upon them to put him to his Duty if he shall be found wanting But if a man shall worthily acquit himself in all duties belonging to this Charge which is without doubt one of the weightiest in the Common-wealth he may remember how the famous Roman Cato was surnamed the Censor all his life and ever since also not as if there had been none in that Office but he there were many be ore and after him in that Charge at Rome but because he did discharge his Duty most faithfully and diligently he obtained that designation as if in that Office he had obtained a victory or gotten a Triumph Even as Scipio was sirnamed Africanus from these Heroick Victories he obtained there Wherefore I shall onely say as Paul the Apostle said of an Elder that ruled well 1. Tim. 5.17 That he that dischargeth the Office of Dean of Gild well is to be counted worthy of double Honour CHAP. XXIII Concerning the Office and Duty of the Towns-Thesaurer THe next Office-bearer is the Thesaurer of whose Duty he is to receive a particular account Yearly after his Election from the Towns-Clerk It is alwise expedient he be a person who can command ready money for if his predecessor be super-expended he is to pay him at the Term immediatly ensuing to the Election and to advance any money due to the Towns-Stipendiaries at the said Term as also any other ordinary and some times extraordinary advancements which the publick good of the City may require For which he is to gather in the Towns propper revenues whether they be Fwes of Lands within the Freedom of the Town or as some Towns have Fwes of Salmond-fishings and all their ferm duties as of Mills Pack-house and weigh-House Customs and Tolls and all other such like duties as are insert in his charge and if all these will not serve he is to advertise the Magistrats and Council thereof that either moneys belonging to the Town and resing be other persons may be called for or an taxation to be imposed upon all the free Citizens may be tymously granted and collected for his satisfaction before the year of his office expyre I must add for the encouragement of any person that shall be in this Office I never knew any a loser in their debursments for the Town unless it had been through their own neglect in not timely taking up and using diligence against the perâ—ons and estates of those who are indebted to the Town and if it fall out otherwise it is a reflection upon the Magistrats and Councill as defective of discretion in not timely provydâ—ng for his satisfaction if the Thesaurer have given them timely warning There are severall other Office-Bearers next to these formerly mentioned and they are according to the different constitutions of the severall Royall-Burghs in the Kingdom some have the charge of the Kirk-Works and Bridge-Works some have the charge to the Mortified-Moneyes and some have the charge of the Hospitals and some have the charge of the Shoar or Harbours or Works belonging to them c. But seeing the setled Office-bearers that are fixed and constant in every Royal-Burgh are spoke to at some length I need say little to the other seeing every one of them are to have their distinct charge which is sufficient to instruct and direct them in their duty and by consulting the Magistrats and any other that are best skilled in their Effairs they may be counselled what to do and how to behave in all these concernments as become judicious and discreet Persons that are chosen to these Employments CHAP. XXIV Concerning the Office and Duty of the Towns-Clerk or Recorder THough the Clerk have no vote in Councill yet he is a necessary constituent Member in every Judicature and Court and ought to be a wise sober and faithfull man a person well acquainted with the Laws both Nationall and Municipall eloquent in Speech an able Pen-man and one addicted to diligence in all the Duties of his Charge and one that will make Conscience to serve GOD and Man in his station He should be First Wise and Judicious that thereby he may discern what is legall and just and expedient to be done and if he perceive somethings done otherwise he may modestly and reverently express it in Councill or to the Magistrats as the caice requires Secondly He should be sober otherwayes he will as
one puft up with self-conceit incroach upon the Duty of a Magistrat or Counsellour and take upon him to carry more highly than becomes which is most unseemly in him and seldom without a tacit reflection on those who should command him to wit the Magistrats Thirdly He should be faithfull else it is like he may be carried with Faction and byâ—assed with respect of persons in his collecting and marking of Votes and conceiving and recording of Acts which is most detestable and were sufficient to render a man uncapable of all trust Fourthly He should be well acquainted with the Laws of the Kingdom and Municipal-Laws of the Town that thereby he may order processes and keep the Courts for common Pleas where the Bailies sit Judges in due form and happily may be capable according to his abilities to consult the Bailies indifficult Law caices seeing it may fall out and oftentymes de facto doth fall out that some young men are made Magistrats that are little acquainted with many such like things incumbent to his Office which an intelligent and discreet Clerk may be often very instrumentall to help Fifthly Eloquent in speech for it may falâ— out that need require an able man to expresâ— the respects of the City to a PRINCE oâ— some Eminent Noble Person or to represenâ— the caise or cause the Town hath to lay before him and therefore it were very requisitâ— he were Eloquent and confident to dischargâ— this Duty since it is to be supposed his Breeding and Education may prompt him more to it then men that are frequently Magistrats iâ— Cities though otherwayes they may be judâ—cious and suâ—ficiently qualified Sixthly He would needs be an able Peâ— man not onely for conceiving clearly Acts anâ— Decreets but missive Letters to Persons of aâ— qualities he onely and propperly being thâ— Towns Secretarie Seventhly Addicted to be diligent in all thâ— duties of his Charge because he is intrustâ— with recording all Acts of Councils and all Dâ—creets of Bailies and Dean of Gild Courts Boâ— and all such publick Concernments in the Towâ— he is to beware of loytering or leaving hiâ— self behind in filling up of Books and Registers and therefore the Councill may deligat some in particular to see that the minute of their Acts be rightly drawn up and carefully looked to in their Publick Register before their next Meeting Lastly He would needs be one that makes Conscience to serve GOD and Man in his station and if he hath this Quality joyned to his other abilities all the forementioned requisits will be the better performed He will not covetously extortion any he hath to do with in his Employment but rest contented with such rewards as the Magistrats and Councill appoint for him according to his severall Duties which in discretion they ought to do and not leave him to exact what he lists CHAP. XXV Concerning some Duties incumbent upon the Magistrats joyntly HAving briefly touched the duties of the Council in severall Chapters and pointed at the Office and Duties of the Magistrats and every Office-bearer by themselves apart I crave liberty to mention somethings that may concern the Magistrats in common and jointly together As First It s ye that are to visit the Schools at least every quarter with such persons as ye think fit to call to go along with you for examinaâ—ion of Grammer-Rules Themes and interpretation and analizing of Authors and for this it were fit before ye went 1. To cause read sâ—ch Mortifications as concern the Grammer-School if there be any that ye may discharge your Trust according to Conscience 2 ly At every Visitation read over the Laws of the School which in some Towns have been severall times Printed and are recorded in the publick Register of the School 3 ly Be carefull there be no partiality in distributing the Praemia or Rewards that the best Schollars may be most encouraged 4 ly That every Visitation be particularly Registred in the School-Register with the names of the Visitors and the Schollars that gain the Praemiums may set down their own names with the ground upon which they did obtain the Praemium and thus the putting their names upon record will be as considerable an encouragement as the Praemium it self 5 ly The Masters attendance and faithfull discharge of Duty and the observance of the appointed hours would be carefully enquyred into and their exercise of Discipline towards the Schollars and defects when they are found reproved and recorded in the Register that it be amended against the next Visitation and if so the amendment to be recorded and so the last blot taken off This much for the visitation of Schools and if there be any further requisit I leave it to your ryper considerations as the constitution of Schools in the several Burghs may require Secondly Ye would need to meet together shortly after your Election when every Office-bearer hath got his Charge from the Clerk and take every one a day a part because this work would be done to purpose and not posted over and cause read over his Charge whom ye call first and recommend it to his care and diligence what is incumbent with all adding that in respect he will have more time and opportunity to perceive what is amiss under his Charge and what will be fit to be done by him that upon discovery thereof he may acquaint the Magistrats or Councill that course may be taken therewith as shall be found most convenient This would be done exactly with every Office-bearer Thirdly It would be a work very suitable to your place to fall upon the most Prudent Judicious and Discreet Men in the Town few or more as ye think fit with some of your own number and call them and lay it upon them Authoritatively to take notice of all differences plyes mistakes discords or heart-burnings that fall out amongst neighbours to reconcile them and accordingly ye ought to call the Parties and shew them that as Magistrats ye look upon your selves as engaged before GOD amongst other Duties to keep the Citizens in Peace and Love one to another and that timely notice be takâ—n of all pleas in Law that expenses may be prevented and Love and Friendship preserved in the Town Justitia Benignitate Pax inter Concives If there be any incendiarie or bad instrument in a Town let such be noticed and rebuked Fourthly It were a commendable thing if ye that are Magistrats would meet among yourselves once every week and probably it might seem fit at an afternoon before your Councill-day that ye might prepare and rypen matterâ— that are under refer for the Councill or what else ye may think fitest to be done in the Towns Effaires this would not onely shorten your work upon Council-days but would evidence that your Actings were done with good advysement and deliberation Fifthly It will be worth your consideration to fall upon a way to make up a publick Liberary of such books as are most fit
hope no tender Christian will judge me too presumptuous to offer to propose a rule to the Royall-Burrowes how they shall bear down these common Vices seeing I can say it in sincerity it is more from a respect that I owe to GODS Glory and the reall regard I have to the Honour and Wellfare of all the Burrowes of SCOTLAND that I humbly hold out my mind unto them in this matter Therefore I wish that all Magistrats in their respective Towns would choose out of every Quarter of their Town four five or six well qualified sober and discreet men to be Constables it were expedient that some of them were members of the Church-Session that with them they might meet and hold a Court every week upon such a day as shall be judged most convenient and there the Constables may give in their delations upon those persons they have found guilty in Whoredom Drunkenness or Swearing who may be ordered to be summoned against the next Court day that then and there they may be censured and punished according to their merit by Fynes Imprisonment or so as the Magistrats in their discretion shall think fit not exceeding the censures imposed by Acts of Parliament And for the more effectuall bearing down of Swearing it will be found fit that one of the Constables with one of the Towns Officiars or Serjants should go through the Town on every Mercat day per vices when the Countrey people are conveened and greatest confluences of people to be seen and whatever person they find taking GODS Holy Name in vain or swearing any other Oath that they may immediatly exact some small money from every one that are found so doing and after the Mercat give in all that money to the Collector or to the Magistrat to be laid up for publick use and a note thereof to be keept in the Register I know by experience that in few Moneths this way diligently gone about in a Town where thousands of people have frequented the Mercat place there hath not the meanest Oath been heard in that place but it is sadly to be regrated that this Zeal waxes too soon cold But if any shall object that Church-Sessions or Consistories are sufficient to take order with these evils and are fitter than any Magistrat or Civil Court I answere It is true that Ministers and Church-Sessions continue to do some thing of this according to the custome in Countrey Parishes and some Acts of Parliament authorizing them therein but in this Polemick-Age when many things are controverted which were not questioned formerly it is found a matter very extrinsick to Church-Officers or Guids to meddle with any thing that is propper to the Civil-Magistrat such as Fynes Imprisonments or Corporall Punishments seeing Magistrats within Burghs may easily perform that Duty whereas in Countrey Parishes they cannot be so conveniently had Secondly It may be easie to any understanding men to perceive how Heteroclit a thing it is to see Preachers speaking to such delinquents more Magisterially liker a Civil Magistrat than Ministerially menacing their Persons and exacting on their Purses whereas it were more becoming Ministers of the Gospell to endeavour to awaken and convince their Consciences which is their propper work because the Weapons of their Warfare should not be Carnall 2. Cor. 10.4 Thirdly Neither is this design to weaken their hands but to strengthen them in their propper work seeing the end of both Courts is to suppress Sin and it is the more likely to take the desired effect when Civil and Ecclesiastick Rulers do every one their Duty in their propper Sphere It is more sutable to a Christian Magistrat to execute Justice by Civill Punishments upon delinquents with a tender compassionat heart and to speak to the Consciences of sinners then for a Preacher of the Gospell to threaten Corporall Punishments tho they can pretend to no more zeall then James and John Luke 9.54 55. whom CHRIST rebuked saying Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of for the Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them But some may say why may not this Court take order with Blood-wicks and Ryots and the breach of all other Paenall-statutes I answere Not because this were to encroach upon the Priviledge of the Dean of Gild whose duty it is to accuse and see these convicted and punished that are guilty of the breach of these Civill-statutes and to collect their Fynes but he used not to notice persons guilty of Whoreing Swearing and Drunkenness but most ordinarly these were either laid over to Church-Sessions or altogether neglected and little noticed unless it was Whoredom and the unfitness and inexpediency of this is spoke to before which I referr to the Readers serious consideration Happy were every City and Town in this Land if the Zeal which in some places is often times too apparent for self-interest were running in no other channell but that which is pure holy and harmless for the Honour of GOD and the wellfare of Souls which in Christian Meekness and Love might sweetly vent it self to the joy of GODS Spirit edification of all Pious and sober minded People and the conviction of the most stubborn and obstinat offenders But as the best and most Religious Duties of GODS Worship may degenerat and turn to a form of Godliness without the Power as 2. Tim. 3.5 which feed the fancy and in some the itching ear with Rhetoricall flowrishes and specious outsyde dresses 2. Tim. 4.3 4. rather then building up souls in the most holy faith Jude 20. So these means tho never so much strengthned and established by Law may through remissness and want of true Zeal be also turned into a meer form without any fruit or effect according to the temper and disposition of the instruments or the iniquity of the times when Sin lifts up its head and comes to that hight of arrogancy and pride that it will not admit of a check but however a Duty remains a Duty and when we cannot do what we would and impediments become insuperable In magnis voluisse sat est The great and many Advantages that will or may accrue by a diligent prosecuting of this Justice Court weekly may be easily perceived for thereby sin may be duely punished Swearing and all Oaths banished out of the streets and a considerable sum of money collected for the poor and other pious uses the Clerks pains liberally rewarded as a punctuall Register keeped for that end may evidence for as Uno dato absurdo multa sequuntur So one Good cometh never alone CHAP. XXVII Concerning some Considerations laid before the Youth in every City or Corporation HAving written at some length of the Duty of Rulers that have the Government of Burghs I cannot close this Treatise till I lay some considerations before the Young-men of all our Cities and Towns in the Nation that are born and bred therein as also to the Inhabitants and Free-men of our Cities As
is not onely Blessed with many Personall and Domestick Advantages to these that carefully and prudently follow the same so it hath its own advantages for the good of the City As First the Off-spring of Old Families will not be a burden to the Town which oftentimes gives occasion of reproach to Latter-in-comers to upbraid them and burie the Vertues and good Offices their Worthy Ancestors have manifested in their time to the advantage of the Common-wealth in utter oblivion It could not but move the beholders to see M. Hortalus the onely Stock of the Noble Hortensian Family to plead for Charity with his four Children in his hand before the Emperour Tiberius and the Lords of the Senate of Rome laying out his Poverty before them tho he was descended of so many Consuls and Dictators yet through want of honest Industrie or that Frugality requisit had fallen into extream necessity whereas if he or his immediat Parents had not through Ambition wasted or through idleness suffered their Estates to ruine as the Emperors answer to him did insinuat he and they might have prevented this shame Cor. Tacitus lib. 2.8 Secondly In like manner by this the Town is better furnished with able and understanding men for Rule and Government and better management of the Towns effairs seeing it is evident that these who are born and bred in the Town are for most part better educated in Learning and brought up more carefully at Schools then Strangers or Countrey-people are who for most part come from the Countrey to be Merchants and Trades-men in Burghs As also many Towns-Youths have occasion to be bred in Forraign Countries and thereby to attain better accomplishments then others who never had such opportunities so that they may be farr more usefull and skilfull for publick effaires then others Thirdly By this Old Families may be continued to many Generations through the blessing of GOD if not in growing prosperity in Wealth Credit and Esteem at least in a continuance of what hath been already attained thereof as hath been seen in many great and flourishing Cities abroad whereof abundance could be instanced And this would wear out the common reproach put upon Cities by the indiscreeter sort of Gentrie who look on them as Carles and base spirited-men which is mostly occasioned by the frequent access of too many that are such who take up Trafficking and Merchandising and supplie the roomes of many of these who think themselves too good to Trade And seeing there is nothing can make a man more properly a Gentleman then Vertue and descent from vertuous persons by Birth and Antiquity joyned with a competent Estate and Living and good accomplishments of the mind our Cities being furnished with the Off-spring of old Inhabitants well educated and bred and vertuous in their Callings and Behaviours might upon good ground be reputed Gentlemen as well as many others that without question are held so seeing that Merchandiseing in it self may be esteemed as consistent with a Gentleman as Tillage of the Land may be to these Gentlemen who labour their own Lands which doubtless is very commendable in it self and becoming the Greatest Persons seeing the Spirit of GOD gives this Counsell by a Royall and Princely Hand as the Pen-man Prov. 12.11 He that tilleth his Land shall be satisfied with bread but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding The meaning whereof is very plain preferring Industrie in the most common and ordinary Calling to an idle life under what ever pretence of Gentility esteeming such in plain termes fools and void of understanding Fourthly By this our Cities and Towns would be better furnished of publick Spirits that would be more tender of the good of the Common-wealth for it is without all doubt that when the Inhabitants are born and bred in the Town and it may be descended of severall Generations of Ancient Citizens they will not onely be more ready to lay out their pains and labour for the Credit and good of the Town but will more willingly spend and be spent yea lay down their lives if called thereto then probably can be expected from New-incomers who cannot have that naturall love and respect to the place which others cannot but have Hence it is reported of the Generous Romans that after the battell at Cannae when almost all ground of hope was lost of preserving Rome Florus lib. 2. cap. 6. said Aerario deficiente privati opes suas Reip. conferunt That is When the Thesaurie was exhausted all the privat men bestowed their Wealth upon the Publict I would have all Citizens to consider the way and manner of the most flowrishing Cities abroad where Traffick and all kind of Trade is vigorously prosecuted to the great encrease of Wealth and Prosperity and that by the most considerable men in their Towns some one way and some another by Mechanick-Trades as well as by Merchandiseing Let all inform themselves of the Industry of the Inhabitants of the Towns of the United-Provinces who by their pains and industry in their severall Callings are become so great and powerfull yea â—ormidable that there is no KING nor PRINCE â—n Europe but will honour them with the Title â—f High and Mighty Lords whereby they have â—aunted the pride of the Spaniard and more â—hen once coped with the most Powerfull PRINCES in Christendom Let also the Inâ—ustry of the Hans-Towns in Germany and â—he Cities on the Baltick Sea be considered and that it is that makes each of them so considerable as they are It is reported that the Grand-Seigneor aâ—ongst the Turks who is one of the greatest PRINCES of the World that even he must â—lso have some Handy-Trade such is the reâ—pect that even Infidels put upon Vertue when â—any that are called Christians are in this worse â—en Infidels who refuse to provide for their â—amilies by commendable and vertuous Calâ—â—ngs and Employments By these and the â—ke considerations I earnestly intreat that all â—ur Inhabitants of what ever rank or quality â—ey be would seriously ponder the great imâ—ortance of Trading every one according to their Talent and Ability and that the meanest may be encouraged in all fit wayes becoming especially Young Men. The Romans thought this much worth the noticeing for they Crowned publickly all Young Men that were studious of vertuous Exercises and Employments with Corona Populea with Poplar leaves as I touched in the twentyfifth Chapter of this Book CHAP. XXVIII Directed to the Inhabitants and Free-men of Cities IT may be easily beleeved how much of the wellfare of every particular Citizen depends upon the well-being of the publick Estate and Condition of their respective Towns for a City or Common-Wealth is but one Body as was well expressed by one showing it was as absurd for the Members of the Common-wealth to grudge to contribute their uttermost endeavours for the Publick good as it were for the Members of the naturall Body of a Man to repyne against the Stomack because
the Hands work the Feet walk and goe about business c whereby the Stomack might be brought to utter indigencie and want through famine it is easie to conjecture how soon the Hands should hang down the Feet wax feeble the Eyes become dim c. The application of this is clear that it will be no otherwayes with every Member of the Common-wealth where the Publick is neglected It was the sense of this as I hinted before that made the Generous Romans after the Batâ—ell of Cannae every one both Senators Knights and Privat-Citizens to cast in their Privat-Wealth into the Common-Thesaurie when it â—as quite exhausted yea this made the Tradesmen as Measons and Carpenters c to employ their pains and labours without wages in that â—xtremity for the Good and Preservation of their City by which Publick spiritedness they â—on recovered their pristine Glory Renown and Wealth being thereby delivered by the â—rovidence of the ALMIGHTY from that â—minent danger which then did threaten â—eir utter ruine by a powerfull and prevailâ—g Enemie Hanniball and his victorious Army See Walter Raleighs History and Florus Let all therefore consider if a Town or Common-wealth be under a great decay and heavy burdens that are like to ruine the same if surable and seasonable remedies be not provided whither it be not as needfull for Citizens to deny themselves and give up their private interests to be disposed of for relief of the Publick as it is for a diseased person that is threatned with death by a deadly disease to submit to let blood and to purging evacuations though the potion were never so bitter and unpleasant to the taste especially if there be hope of health and life thereby We must not be as Children who are led meerly by sense but as Men who by Reason can deny Sense and force themselves to submit to such Medicines as may effectuat the cure though never so unpleasant to the pallat It is therefore an unbeseeming thing in any to grudge at any Impositions that may relieve the Publick Burdens of the Common-Wealth And surely those Towns whose Inhabitants voluntarly consent to such reliefs without the Imposition of the Supream Authority are highly to be commended as Dundee and Glasgow such cannot but flowrish and prosper as is to be seen by the considerable acquisitions which the City of Glasgow hath made within thir few years yea in building a new Town at the mouth of their River with all accommodations for Trade c. I could be glade that all the Citizens in this Kingdom would but inform themselves of the publick spiritedness of that People thir many years by gone and emulat with them and to give but one instance of this In the time when the Englishes had the Government of this Nation when Gess and Excyse was great they of their own accord did agree to pay six Shillings-sterling upon every Boll of Malt whereby they payed all the publick Dues and the whole Sallaries of their Stipendiaries and had their Publick Revenue of their Thesaurie still free from any out-givings all that time whereby they shortly after acquyred Lands of great Rents An Old-Provest of that Town J. G. told me that though they were divyded among themselves in some things yet if any one should make a motion that might tend to the Publick Good they all agreed as one man So that it may be said in some respect of them as Florus in his second book Chap. 6. said of Rome after the Battell of Cannae O populum dignum omnium faevore admiratione hominum compulsus ad ultimos metus ab incepto non destitit de sua urbe solicitus that is O people worthy of the favour and respect of all men and of their admiration though redacted to the last extremity yet carefull of their Town If such a Spirit did act the Citizens of our Nation our Towns would be in a more prosperous condition by far then they are and in order to this I will lay before you this consideration either ye are Citizens born or not If ye be Natives it is but naturall to all men to love the place of their Nativity Many have not thought their Lives dear to them and to undergo all perills and hazards for the Honour and Well-being thereof according to that old saying Dulce est pro Patria mori It is gratefull to die for their Native-Countrey And they that are not born but now made Free-Citizens may mind that their Children are born there and Parents for most part travell and toyl for their Children and so in freeing the Publick Debts and Burdens ye free your Posterity of Burdens But some possibly may jealous the Administration of their Magistrats as unfaithfull c. To which I can say having severall years born Office in our own Town I never knew any cause for such a thought nor that ever a Magistrat was so base as to be guilty of such a Crime which the Romans called Crimen Peculatus when Magistrats or others took of the Publick Money to make their personall gain which is to be abhored by GOD and Man and is enough to procure a Curse upon them and their Posterity who ever should be guilty of such baseness I have read of severall brave Men amongst those we call Heathens that have been Persons of greatest Trust who have been so faithfull that rather then appropriat of the Publick to their privat use they have preferred to dye poor so that they have been buried on the Publick Expense and their Children educated and provyded by the same means It ought to be far more abhorrent to these that profess Christianity But because it is frequent with many to admit of a dissatisfaction with their Rulers and apprehend their might be had many fitter to Govern then they who are present Incumbents I suppose if they had their choise it would fare with them as it did with the People of Capua when they were about to have murthered their whole Senat had not Clavius Pacuvius who had great respect amongst the People desired them being conveened in a Publick Assembly to fall upon the choise of a New Senat before they destroyed the Old There was not a man that any could name but he was rejected by the multitude for some fault or other or as base and unworthie wherefore he prevailed with them to spare the Senators and to take a new triall of them I apprehend it would be even so in many Cities where the people are most dissatisfied with their present Magistrats are they could agree amongst themselves Therefore seeing the best of men are but men let none discover their fathers nakedness but patiently and charitably bear with human infirmities and all concur in their stations to seek the Wellfare of the Publick CHAP. XXIX Some Overtures humbly offered to the Nobles and Gentrie of the several Shires in Scotland HAving written some Memorialls for the Burghs of this Nation I crave favour that
recollect what I knew or had read concerning it at least since the fatall Overthrow thereof in the dayes of King David Bruce about the year 1330 by the totall burning of it and the universall slaughter of those that did not escape And finding that Sir Robert Sibbald Dr. of Phisick the Kings Geographer by a warrant from Authority had emitted an Advertisement for a true information of the several Shyres Burghs Universities c of this Kingdom I looked on it as a fit Opportunity to communicat what I knew unto â—ou that ye might dispose thereof â—s ye should see meet I have thereâ—ore set down a Survey of Aberdeen at some length that all may see â—nd perceive what a City it is and â—ath been not onely for consideâ—able Buildings but also as to the â—enown of its Inhabitants If there â—e ought judged worthy of Praise â—r Remark ye may look upon that â—s an incitement for imitation and â— quickning motive for your Posâ—erity to endeavour a studious Proâ—ress in the commendable wayes of Vertue for here may be seen the â—minent Evidences of that Loyaltie which was conspicuous in your Ancestors Also the Princely Rewards and Royall Marks our â—overaignes did bestow upon your City and Magistrats Here also may be seen the assiduous care and diligence our Magistrats have at all occasions evidenced for advanceing Vertue and what might tend to the Honour and Reputation of the City If Rome had matter to glory of her Heroes in severall Generations Aberdeen hath not wanted occasion to speak well of many of her Rulers in diverse Ages I love not to be guilty of giving the least appearance of evil or what may savour of flatterie or ostentation One thing I aim at is that ye may out-vye all that have gone before you in Vertue Wisdom Fidelity and care of the Wellfare of your Common-Wealth And in a word that I may say as the Wise-man said of the Vertuous Woman That your own works may praise you in the gates which is the earnest desire of Right Honorable A cordiall Well-wisher to the prosperity true Honour and Wellfare of ABERDEEN and all its Rulers PHILOPOLITEIUS Epistle to the Reader COURTEOUS READER IT may be lookt upon by some that this Survey of Aberdeen may savour of Ostentation seeing there are few or perhaps no other Town in the Kingdom that is descryved or hath any of their Acts published To which I may say that such vanity in so doing far from my mind seeing there is nothing more ordinarie amongst all Nations then to set down what hath been the most remarkable Providences of GOD to their Countries and Places of their Nativity whereby Posterity may observe the Mercies of the LORD to their Ancestors the neglect or ommission of such thankfull remembrances is threatened Psal. 28.5 Because they regard not the Works of the LORD nor the operations of his hands he shall destroy them and not build them up Amongst the many sins for which the LORD is pleading a controversie with this Nation this may have its own weight that we are not thankfull that the LORD did furnish us with well Qualified and Able Men to bear rule in Cities and Shyres which when they are removed without successors sutable to fill their roomes is no small stroak on a Nation according to Isa. 3.1 2 3. For behold the LORD the LORD of Hosts will take away from Jerusalem the Mighty Men and the Man of War the Judge and the Prophet the Prudent and the Ancient the Captain of â—iftie and the Honorable Man the Counsellor and the cunning Artificer and the Eloquent Orator Wherefore I hope none will misconstruct me â—or making a respectful remembrance of these whom the LORD honoured and doth at this time honour â— be worthy Magistrats of our Town in their day and generation for it is said Prov. 17.6 The Glory of Children are their Fathers Another Reason is that it may be these who are in Authority in the Nation over us nay be induced to have a respect to some Great Persons who in their place deserve to be honored with all that respect which is due yet not to the â—rejudice of the interest of Burghs To obviat which judge it not amiss to shew forth what good subâ—â—cts and of what due esteem a Burgh or City â—ight to be had in that in times of greatest need â—ave been so usefull in their Soveraignes-Service â—â— particularly Aberdeen hath been many times â—â— History and Records can witness It were to be wished that all the most considerable Burghs in this Kingdom would set apart some of their ablest Men to collect out of their ancient Records what hath been most remarkable in their Towns in former Ages or at present that the Nation might be convinced of their usefulness and of that respect and honour that ought to be put upon them so as it might be seen they ought not to be born down or discouraged when any weighty Concernment of theirs comes in question Upon these accompts I have made this short Essay hoping at least it may be a motive to induce and stir up a more accurat Pen to be employed in this or the like not onely in reference to our City but also to the rest of the Cities and Towns of the Nation who without vanity shall subscryve my self at present according to truth PHILOPOLITEIUS A succinct SURVEY Of the Famous CITY OF ABERDEEN CHAP. I. Concerning the Situation of ABERDEEN Its Longitude and Latitude ABERDEEN is a City in the North of Scotland near the mouth of the River of Dee within the Province of MARR which is a part of the Shyre thereof It lyeth within the North Temperat Zone though much inclyning to the colder side thereof being much nigher to the Pole then to the Equinoctiall-Line for its Latitude or distance from the Equinoctiall-Line is 57 degrees and 10 minuts and its distance from the Pole is onely 32 degrees and 50 minuts It s Longitude or distance from the Meridian of the Canarie Islands is 22 degrees and 30 minuts It is a Parallell or equall Latitude and climate with the Merchant-Isles in Nova-Britannia in America the Southmost cape in Norway called the Noas of Norway Stockholme in Swedland Lavonia and the middle parts of Russia and territories of Muscovia in Europe the Cosacks and other middle Countries in Tartary in Asia In which Parallell the longest day is of length in Sun-shine 17 hours and 40 minuts being within the tenth Climate reckning the first Climate to begin where the longest day is 13 hours long and every Climat to be that space in Latitude wherein the longest day is half an hour longer and consequently the length of the shortest day at Aberdeen is 6 hours and 20 minuts viz. as much as the longest day wants of 24 hours From the first day of the moneth May to the twentytwo day of July it is constant day light the Sky all that time never fully setting even at midnight for the
Cities-Effairs but now the Bishop hath taken back that Court to the Old-Town as being his Priviledge There is a smaller Fabrick builded by the Citizens for the Inhabitants of the Village of Futtie appointed for Catechiseing that People which since hath had a Minister to preach though not as a distinct Parish All the Citizens and that People being under one Session or Consistoriall for Discipline There is a great Towns-house in the Mercat-place called the TOLL-BOOTH which hath a fair and spacious Rowm for the Courts of Judicature to sit in such as the Head-Courts of the Shyre and City with the Sheriff and Bailie Courts above which there is a MAGAZINE or Store-house for Warlike Ammunition c. It hath also another large stately Rowm where the Magistrats and Town-Councill conveen under which is the low Councill-house where the Dean of Gild and his Assessors meet for effairs peculiar to the Brethren of Gild as also the Commissioners of the Shyre for Cess or such like common concernments together with an other Rowm called the Clerks-Chamber which hath accommodations for Clerks and Writters Upon the East end thereof there is an high-Tower with two Battlements upon which there â—s erected a high and stately Spire or Steeple â—overed with lead under which is a great Clock and Bell and under the samen are severall Rowms for Prisoners both high and low There is also a large and high House called â—he Pack-house and Weigh-house wherein are a â—reat many Rowms for Merchant-Wares of all â—orts near to the Shoar the Shoar being as â— said of late years greatly enlarged so that it â— a pleasant considerable walk from the City to go to the furthest end thereof which leads to the Fields and towards the Harbour-mouth The Mercat-place is larger then in any Town of the Kingdom being an hundreth twenty and four double space in length and about a third part thereof in breadth where it is narrowest so that two Regiments of foot Souldiers may be drawn up in rank and fyle tho in open order There is one of the stateliest Bridges in the Kingdom over the River of Dee of seven Arches of a like and equall largeness within two short myles of the City And there is another be-North the City of an high and great Arch over the River Don both which are mantained by the City upon propper Rents mortified for the same use In the middle of the City there is a Philosophie-Colledge the houses whereof were purchased by the City in consideration that George Earle Marischall Grandfather to this present Earle out of his zeal to the Publick Good and his respect to the City of ABERDEEN did mortifie publick Rents for the Principall and four Regents of the said Colledge whence it is called the Marischall Colledge and makes up an half of the Carolin-University for it hath a Principall and four Regents oâ— Teaching-Masters and now hath a publick Professor of School-Divinity who teacheth a publick Lesson two dayes every Week during the sitting of the Colledge Also a Professor of Mathematicks who upon other two dayes every week teacheth two Lessons There are also Lessons of Arithmetick and Geometrie taught by â—ther Masters thereunto appointed by that Renowned Famous and Learned Physician DR DUNCAN LIDDELL who mortified a conâ—â—derable Rent to the Professor of Mathematicks and six Mathematicall and Philosophicall Bursers or six years There are many summs of moâ—ey mortified to the said Colledge since the eâ—ection thereof whereto the Town-Councill of Aberdeen are mostly Patrons so that it appears â—here hath been more Charity extended within â—hir hundred and twenty years since the Reâ—ormation of Religion from Popish Idolatry and Superstition then hath been in all the Ages beâ—re which our Towns Counts of Mortified Moâ—ies for Schools Colledge Hospitalls Gild-Box Common Poor c. can evidence This Colledge hath a copious Library which was at first plenished by the City of Aberdeen who â—ook all their books they had laid up in the â—pper rowm above their Session-house and transâ—itted them to their own Library in the Colâ—dge for the uses of all concerned and Dr. Reid Secretary in the Latine-Tongue to King Charles the first left a Sallary to the keeper â—f the said Library which Library hath been â—ugmented in its books by severall Mortifiers â— by the said Dr. Reid the forementioned Dr. Liddell who mortified about 2000 Merks worth of Books and 20 Merks yearly to buy Mathematicall Books and Instruments and Dr. William Johnstoun Phisician and Professor of the Mathematicks here and by Dr. Patrick Dun a learned Physician and Principall of this Colledge Also there is a Grammar-School which hath a chief Master and three teaching Masters under him to whom the said Dr. Dun mortified 1200 Merks of yearly Rent by which the City is disburdened of what they payed yearly to the former Masters thereof We have a School for Musick which was taught of old by very eminent Musicians in this City There wants no opportunities in this City for Youth both Male and Female to learn any manner of good and commendable skill or knowledge in such things as may best qualifie them There are four Hospitalls in this City one for decayed Brethren of Gild. A second for indigent Widowes and Virgins of Brethren of Gild lately purchased by a sum of money mortified by Dame Marion Dowglas daughter to the sometâ—me Earle of Buchan and late Lady-Drum for the Honour the Magistrats and Citizens conferred on her deceased Husband at his buriall in Aberdeen 1632. The rents whereof were augmented by a considerable summ mortified to this Hospitall by James Milne Elder Merchant who also mortified 100 Pounds yearly to two Philosophicall Bursers in this Colledge with 500 Merks to this Kirk-session A third Hospitall for Trades-men founded and built by the deceast Dr. William Guild sometime Preacher in Aberdeen and lately Principall of the KINGS Colledge in the Old-Town This Hospitall hath a spacious comely Rowm where the Deacon or Conveener-Courts meet A fourth Hospitall for Litsters the Rent whereof was mortified by Archbald Beans Litster by which they have builded a goodly House with a stately entry The use of this Rent is for the benefit of decayed Litsters their Wives Children and Servants severall of whose Daughters have been provyded with sutable portions out of the said Rent and thereby honestly married There are eight Mills belonging to the City and lands thereunto pertaining whereof a new Wind-Mill is builded of stone and lyme at the South-entrie of the City which may be of excellent use if carefully keeped There are two Water-Mills within the suburbs of the City and five near by in the adjacent territories belonging to the City We have a choise Medicinall Spring called the Well of Spa at the Wool-man-hill built with hewen-ston very specifick for Gout Gravell Collick and Hydropsie as the late Famous Dr. William Barclay Physician did learnedly describe 1615 which is now re-printed when the Well was re-built 1670 the copies
whereof the Dean of Gild hath in his custody to which every person concerned to know its Vertues and how to use the same is referred CHAP. III. Concerning the Antiquity of ABERDEEN AS for the Antiquity of the City of ABERDEEN it is certain that Ptolomie the most Ancient Geographer who lived about 1500 years since in the dayes of Antonius Pius the Emperor in his Geographicall-Tables making a description of the Isles of Brittain to wit Albion and Ireland with the little adjacent Isles he calls this City Devana and the River adjacent thereto Diva whom Camdenus the English Historiographer in his Britannia cites for proving the Antiquity of Aberdeen whose words are these Devana Urbs per-antiqua a Ptolemeo nunc vero Aberdonia id est Devae ostium Britannica dictione ab ipsis Scotis appellatur So that for Antiquity this CITY may be reckned amongst the most ancient of this ISLE This City was Erected into a Burgh-Royall by Gregorius who for his Justice Temperance and Fortitude was surnamed the Great and was the 73. King of Scotland whose Honorable Acts both in Scotland England and Ireland are at length set down in Hector Boyes History and in Buchannans in the year after the birth of CHRIST 893 years So that since Bon-accord was erected in a Burgh-Royall it is seven hundreth fourscore twelve years this year being the year 1685. After the decease of the said King Gregory the Erection and Infeftments given by him to this City by the iniquity of the times and many incursions were lost for Edward the first King of England called Langshanks made it his work to burn and destroy all the old Evidents and Monuments within this Kingdom where ever he came or his Power could reach Moreover in the time of King David Bruce the City being surprysed with an Army of Englishes sent by Edward the third of England most of the Inhabitants Men Wives and Children were all put to the sword and killed the City burnt for six dayes together as Spotswood and Boyes Histories declare all our Registers and Old Evidents were destroyed about the year 1330 because the Citizens a little before had killed the Souldiers that keeped Garison in the Castle who had sorely opprest them and taken it and rased it to the ground It being then re-built upon the Hills where it is now seated having formerly been cituated from the Green and Eastward under the Hills except the Castle-gate hence it is called the New-Town of Aberdeen and not with relation to that Burgh of Barronie which is now the Bishops seat since is was translated from Mortlick in the time of King David anno 1137 according to Spotswood pag. 101. when Nectanus was Bishop the foundation of which Bishoprick was by King Malcome the second Anno 1010 at Mortlick In King James the fourth his time Bishop William Elphinston builded the KINGS Colledge in the Old Town that Town being seated near the River of Don about a 1000 space from Aberdeen is commonly called the Old Town of Aberdeen not as if it were of greater Antiquity then the Burgh-Royall of Aberdeen for I was informed by a very intelligent Gentleman near that place that there were some old Evidents designing it the Old Town of SEATOUN after the Lands thereto adjoyning But the Bishop of Aberdeen hath had his residence there ever since his Seat was translated from Mortlick where there was a Magnificent Structure of a Cathedrall builded thereafter as also a stately Colledge custome and iâ—norance calls it the Old-Town of Aberdeen it having been Erected in a Burgh of Barrony in favours of the Bishop of the Diocess of Aberdeen It is reported that some call Aberdeen only Urbs a Town and the Old-Town where the Bishop's Seat is Civitas a City But I take that distinction betwixt a Town and a City as it relates to a Bishop's-Seat to be the spurious product of a Popish-Institution because many Towns were called Cities before there was a Bishop in the world A Town propperly reâ—ates to the Buildings and Houses a City denotes the Citizens and Free-men that are the Inhabitants But for this let these that would â—ppropriat the name of a City to a Bishop-Seat â—ead the Bishop of Cajetan de Institutione Reipub. â—â—b 1. Tit. 3. sub fine and he will show what 〈◊〉 City is CHAP. IV. Concerning the Government of the City of ABERDEEN WE have matter to bless GOD for the equall and just constitution of Government which is in our Ctiy and particular Common-Wealth granted to us by our KINGS and left unto us by our Worthy Ancestors which is thus Our Town-Councill is chosen yearly out of the whole Citizens and Burgesses of the City the Roll of our whole Brethren of Gild being first read at every Election of the Council which holds upon the Wednesday before Michaelmess-day there being a large Catalogue drawn up of all the Brethren of Gild amongst us every Person whom any of the Old-Councill desires to be lifted among these out of whom the New-Councill is to be chosen is presently set down in that new list and when the list is compleated by the reading over the whole Brethren of Gild of the Town there is an indefinit number set down upon a large sheet of Paper with lines drawen after every one of their names and this is given to the present Provest Bailies and whole Old-Councill that every one may make choise of thirteen Brethren of Gild to be named for the New-Councill for the year to come and most Votes or Marks make up the number Next they of the Old-Councill choose out of their own number four who are called the Old-four which being added to the former thirteen make up the number of seventeen Brethren of Gild. And lastly having got the Roll of all the present Deacons of Trades there are two of these Deacons chosen which make up the compleit number of ninteen for the Councill the year ensuing The new chosen Counsellors being all sent for and come in the afternoon the whole Old and New-Council with the six Deacons of Trades and the four Deacons of the Old and New Councill which make up ten Deacons of Trades and thirty Brethren of Gild making up in all the number of 40 Votes they altogether choose first the Provest then four Bailies a Dean of Gild a Thesaurer a Master of the Kirk-work and Bridge work a Master of the Mortified Moneys a Master of the Gild Hospital a Master of the Shoar called Master of the Impost and six single Counsellors who bear no Office but sit and Vote in all Effairs that come before the Councill with the two new Deacons of Trades If in this Election there fall to be one having equall Votes the Provest in this caice hath the casting Vote This way of Election was determined by the Convention of Burghs and ratified and approved by King James the sixth after the difference that â—ell out at the Common-Cause 1593. When any matter of more then ordinary
Peace of the Kingdom 1411. where the Provest and many of the best Citizens did assist to gain the Victory of that day with the loss of their lives Also that fatall Battell of Pinkie where there were lost and killed many brave Towns-Men of Aberdeen that went thither though at so far a distance for the Honour of their Soveraign and of the Nation King CHARLES the first in the year 1633 at his Coronation in this Kingdom confirmed and ratified all our above written Priviledges and Liberties of new given and granted by his Royall Father and Progenitors with this addition making and constituting the Provest and Bailies Sheriffs within their Burgh and Freedom-Lands and the Priviledge of having an unground Malt-Market and honored PAUL MENZIES of Kinmundie then present Provest with the Honour of Knight-hood In the year 1649 when the Parliament of Scotland out of their dutifull Respects and Loyaltie to their undoubted Soveraign King CHARLES the second had proclaimed Him King of Great Britain France and Ireland and immediatly did choose Commissioners of all the three Estates of this Kingdom to invite their King to this his Ancient Kingdom to receive the Crown which had now of right descended to him from 108 Kings The Parliament made choise of ALEXANDER JAFFRAY of Kingswells Commissioner for Aberdeen to be one of the two Burrowes to go over to Holland to the King who was a Wise Pious and Discreet Man all his time And he to be faithfull to the City he had his Commission from intreated the Parliament to consider the most important Article in his Commission that so he might undertake that weighty Employment with the greater Alacrity which was to visit the counts of the extraordinary losses of Aberdeen relating to the Publick The Parliament had that respect to him and was so desirous to grant his so just demand that forthwith they did Deput some fit Members who after hearing and considering made their report and thereupon the Parliament by an Act did acknowledge themselves as the Representative of the Nation to be justly resting to the City of Aberdeen the summ of nine hundreth threescore and nine thousand Merks and did grant the Cess of the City to be allowed to them for as many Moneths as drew to eighteen thousand Merks because this great summ that was due to them had exhausted the summs of Money that was Mortified to Hospitals Schools the Colledge and the Common-Poor of that City and had ruined almost the Common Thesaurie thereof but this was all they could spare at that time till an opportunity might fall out to make them more full payment which hitherto hath ever failed and hath been the cause of the severall heavy burdensom Taxations that have of late years been laid on and of procuring that relief which hath been obtained thir five or six years bygone by the Magistrats who withall have made themselves lyable to the grudge of such as are so selfiish that before their particular suffer but a little they could let the Publick come to utter ruine and perish without remedy and unavoidably but of two evils the least is to be chosen But to return Our abovenamed Commissioner obtained also an Act of Parliament that no Souldiers should be quartered in Aberdeen for three years thereafter such was the great respect the Parliament had to him whereupon he went to the King with the rest of the Commissioners of the three Estates And after his return being Commissioner to the Convention of Burrowes at Queensferrie obtained half a merk down of Aberdeens proportion of the 100 Pound of Stent-Roll which was a great advantage to the City He being chosen that year Provest of Aberdeen went with the rest of the Commissioners the next year 1650 to the Hague in Holland where it pleased GOD so to prosper their endeavours as to bring the King home with them Aberdeen being the first City of the Kingdom he came to there he was received with all the Demonstrations of joy and cheerfullness that the Magistrats and Inhabitants could evidence as also the Silver-Keyes of the City were delivered to him by the Provest who tame sometime before to prepare for the Kings reception with an Eloquent and Pertinent Harrangue therewith made by Mr. James Sandilands of Cotton the Cities Recorder or Clerk In the end of February and beginning of March 1651 the King came to Aberdeen where he stayed a week at which time Mr. Robert Farquhar of Munie was Provest Alexander Jaffray who had been Provest the former year having been taken Prisoner at Dumbar-fight which was on the third of September 1650. the King was pleased to honour our then present Provest with the Honor of Knighthood together with Patrick Leslie of Eden who had been Provest some years before with the like Honor. As also in the Year 1681 GEORGE SKENâ— of Fintray was Honoured with the Title of Knighthood at EDINBURGH by JAMES Duke of Albany and York then Commissioner to the Parliament of SCOTLAMD for the late KING CHARLES the Second His ROYALL-BROTHER CHAP. VI. Concerning the STATE of ABERDEEN AS for the State of ABERDEEN if it be taken for the Yearly Revenue of their Thesaurie it is not so considerable as some lesser Towns in the Kingdom It is mostly exhausted in paying Stipendiaries and other incidencies especially since the time of Queen Mary at which time our Freedom-Lands and Salmon-Fishings were all fewed out to particular men which though it brought in considerable summs at first yet now the Fewes both of Lands and Waters are but very inconsiderable all of them extending but to seven hundreth sixteen Pounds ten shillings Scots money Yet that it may appear how considerable this City is in reference to the Kings Exchequer if we consider the Customs and Excyse of Merchant-Goods one with another as also the Excyse of Ale Beer and Aquavitae or Strong-Waters with the Yearly Supplie given to the King by Act of Parliament this City one Year with another will be of in-come to the Exchequer about thirty thousand Pounds of Scots money If this were duely considered it might easily be perceived that the Prosperity and Flowrishing of this City is of speciall concernment to the King and the Publick Interests of the Nation and incaice of its decay the prejudice of both will be no less considerable We acknowledge we have severall of the Chiefest Staple Commodities in the Kingdom as Plaiding Fingrams Stockings Salmond Stuffs Serges Sheep-skins and Lamb-skins When Plading was giving good price in Holland the old Conservator SIR PATRICK DRUMMOND frequenty reported that the Kingdom of SCOTLAND was more obliedged to the City of ABERDEEN for the abundance of money the Merchants thereof brought to the Nation then to all the Towns of this Kingdom besides but the Trade of this so profitable a Commodity is greatly decayed and become very low The Rivers of Dee and Don besides what is brought from Ythan and Ugie which two last Rivers belong to the Earle MARISCHALL and
found An Isle here which the Wattrie Streams surround A little Isle but by the Highland LORDS A Battell fought therein to 't Fame affords Here the brave Youth the Noble Horses train With which the Wing'd-ones could no Race mantain This Isle MARS Field may be intituled By Light SCOTS Chariots oft enobelled Near by Thee there are Woods where one may kill The Staigs and Roes ensnare with nets at will And from the Carse not far off is which bears Most fragrant Aples and most luscious Pears Whilst thus thou do'st a happy mixture make A gain with pleasure nothing thou do'st lake And so the Crown of Praise and Dignitie As Thy just due doth appertain to Thee DUNDEE An Ancient Town to which Tay's entrie do Willing obedience and subjection shew The bones of conquer'd and slain Danes are found Here scattered ill buried in the ground When Genoa thee views it doth despise â—s Marbles nor doth barbarous Egypt pryse Her Pyramids and Gargara doth deem â—s Harvests to deserve but small esteem The Lyburne Land thinks not her Veshells fair When as she them doth with thy Ships compare Venice her self in poverty thinks-lost And Cnidus of her Fishes dare not boast The Spartan Youth to equall thine doth fail Romes Senators unto thy Consuls vail He as an Artless fool should branded be Who from Tay's-Gulph did beg a name to Thee Since thou by more then Human-Art are fram'd DON-DEI the Gift of GOD thou should be nam'd GLASGOW GLASGOW to Thee thy Neighbouring Towns give place â—Bove them thou lifts thine head with comely grace Scarce in the spatious Earth can any see A City that 's more beautifull then thee Towards the setting Sun thou' rt built and finds The temperat breathings of the Western-Winds To thee the Winter colds not hurtfull are Nor scorching Heats of the Canicular More pure then Amber is the River Clyde Whose Gentle Streams do by thy Borders glyd And here a thousand Sail receive commands To traffick for thee unto Forraign-Lands A Bridge of pollisht Ston doth here vouchase To Travellers o're Clyde a Passage safe Thyne Orchards full of fragrant Fruits and Buds Come nothing short of the Corcyran Woods And blushing Roses grow into thy fields In no less plenty then sweet Paestum yeelds Thy Pastures Flocks thy fertile Ground the Corns Thy Waters Fish thy Fields the Woods adorns Thy Buildings high and glorious are yet be More fair within then they are outwardly Thy Houses by thy Temples are out done Thy glittering Temples of the fairest Stone And yet the Stones of them how ever fair The Workmanship exceeds whlch is more rare Not far from them the Place of Justice stands Where Senators do sit and give Commands In midst of thee APOLLO's Court is plac't With the resort of all the Muses grac't To Citizens in the Minerva Arts Mars valour Juno stable Wealth impairts That Neptune and Apollo did its said Troy's fam'd Walls rear and their foundations laiâ— But thee O GLASGOW we may justly deeâ— That all the Gods who have been in esteem Which in the Earth and Air and Ocean are Have joyn'd to build with a Propitious Star Upon the Arms of the City of GLASGOW viz. an SALMON an OAK Tree with a BIRD sitting on it a BELL a GOLD-RING found in the SALMON's mouth The SALMON which a Fish is of the Sea The OAK which springs from Earth that loftie Tree The BIRD on it which in the Air doth flee O GLASGOW does presage all things to thee To which the Sea or Air or fertile Earth Do either give their Nowrishment or Birth The BELL that doth to Publick Worship call Sayes HEAVEN will give most lasting things of all The RING the token of the Marriage is Of things in Heav'n and Earth both thee to bless DRUMFRISE Apollo from Amphrysus Banks did see The goodly Pastures at DRUMFRISE which be And when he He view'd them he did freely tell That all Admetus Hills they did excell The fatted Flocks which here in Meadows feed Are numerous as Grass which Earth doth breed To Stranger Nations they are sent abroad And often do the English-Tables load The Cornes yet more abound upon the Field The River beareth Ships and Fish do yeeld And store this Town from bounteous Sea doth find Whose Waves are smoothed here by Western-Wind Diana's Temple and all else which grace The Greeks Land to the Temple here gives place Here Cumming who betray'd his native Land His Blood and Life lost by the BRUCES hand DRUMFRIESES Altars should much honor'd be For Here did SCOTLAND gain Its libertie AIR This City doth with Heavens good Gifts abound The Air in It is pure and wholsome found From whence its name it hath or from some Mine Of Brase wherewith Its ground perhaps do shine It s small in bulk but in Its worth by far It doth excell Towns which more greater are In worth smal Gemms the biggest Rocks exceed The mighty Oak growes from a little Seed The overflowing Nilus seven-fold springs Are unto Men almost unknown things Take Cowrage then for Tibers famous Town Which Seas and Lands and Empires did tread down The Great and Mighty Rome it self its told Of it that it a Village was of old HADDINGTOWN Next unto Berwick HADDINGTOWN fac'd all The greatest dangeâ—s and was SCOTLANDS wall By valiant Arms oft guarded it from Woes And often carried home the Spoyls of Foes By Force not Valour It hath been o'recome Gave many Wounds when It receaved some Believe it not that onely here should be Brave Captains and the Flower of Chevalrie Who in this City did make their abodes But here dwelt Scotlands Titularie-GODS The Coast-side Towns of FYFFE A tract of Towns by FORTH 's Streams watered From Northern-blasts the Grampian-hills you shed Neptune you taught to handle Oares and Sailes To spred forth to the Clowdy-Southern-gales No Scylla no Charibáis no such Sea As dampt Uliâ—es Ships you terrifie If ragged-Rocks to pass you do essay Or through quick-Sands through these youâ— force your way And as 't were not enough the Seas to plow The Earth its Intralls must make bare to you You search the Fires which in its bosome be Scarce from your view are Hells-dark-regions free By your unmatched Skill you do not fail To cause the Waters into Stones congeall The Ocean with that Salt your Borders fills Which Saxons boast they hew from Rockie-hills Let SCOTLAND praise your Industrie and Art For if It lack'd those Gifts which you impart Too fieâ—ce and nipping were its Winter frosts And all its Denties-savour should be lost St. ANDREWS Thou wert regarded by the World of late The Earth affording no more Sacred-Seat Thy Temples whilst by Jove with blushing seen He his Tarpeian-Chapell thought but mean Had He Diana's-Temple who adorn'd View'd thyne he his own work had surely scorn'd The Vestments of the Priests were no less fine All here did with an Heav'nly-lustre shine Here SCOTLANDS-PRIMATE in great State did sit To whom Its Patriots
URIE much increased be What is the cause My dearest Town that thou Can no MIGDONIAN Pillars in thee shew Why doth there not in Buildings which are thine Some PYRAMIDE with splendid-Titles shine Why doth Heath-Shrubs thy lovely Houses stain To which the LAWRELL rather doth pertain Here formerly the BRUCE his Foe defeat And still hereafter Prosperous was his State Nere thee did STEWART beat the Rebells down And with their Blood HARLAW almost did drown Of thee if I do boast it is no shame In thee some speciall-Interest I claime The Land which Fewell furnisheth to thee It was the Land of My Nativity Near thee it was I first drew Vital Breath I wish near thee when Old to meet with Death BAMFF BAMFF near the Ocean doth thy self confess In Bulk then Trica or Hypaepe less Yet art acknowledg'd by the Neighbouring-lands To be their Regent and the Boyne Commands Nor Cornes nor Pastures wanting are to thee Nor stately Ships which do lanch forth to Sea Thou art adorned by a Temple-great And by the Muses and Astrea's Seat A place is near which was a Field untill Our Ancestors did raise it to an Hill Hither the Sea flows up to Diveron's-food A stately-Castle also on it stood A Warlick-Fort Its rubbish yet appears The rest 's consum'd by Time which all things wears The Buildings which joyn to the Mercat-place The Parian-Pillars which uphold them grace Strong for defence and specious to the sight In them doth dwell a Noble Ancient Knight A Vertuous People doth inhabite thee And this O BAMFF thy greatest Praise must be ELGIN To ELGIN's Praise the Ancient BAJAE yeelds HESPERIAN Gardens and brave TEMPE's Fields Both Sea and Land doth still Thy needs supplie That Fishes This Cornes doth afford to Thee CORCYRA Aples unto Thee hath sent DAMASCUS Pruns CERASUS Cherries lent The Bees seem to have left their ATTICK hyve And come to Thee their Honey-trade to dryve The Silver Streams of LOSSIE here doth glyde By crooked paths unto the Sea they slyde With Stately-Castles Thou' rt environed Within with pleasant Buildings garnished All Here is lovely and delights the Eye But the torne-Walls and Rubbish when you see Of that Great TEMPLE which e're yet appears Bid SCOTLAND now bedew Her Cheeks with tears INVERNESS A Town not far from Sea in fertile Land Even near unto Our North-most Coast doth stand With Palaces of KINGS thou' rt garnished And Lakes with Blood of PIGHTS oft coloured With Ness pure Streams thy Borders watered be Where Ships float and approach for serving thee This River freezeth not by Winter cold Its Water to the Sea flow uncontrol'd The Earth doth plenteous Harvest here dispense In spite of Northern Stars cold influence Thule and Iernie which thy Neighbours be And all the Northern Isles send Wealth to thee Forth long ago the chief Command doth claim And EDINBURGH yeelds not to thee the Name Of the Chief CITY yet they eve◠shall Thee an EMPORIUM of this KINGDOM call Both Nature and the Genius of the Place Have with this Honour joyned thee to Grace INVERLOCHIE This Town where KINGS did dwell now utterly Is ruin'd and its Ashes here do lye Consuming time Its Forts hath undermin'd Which Pights could not when they 'gainst It combyn'd If yet there Here remain a Marble-Stone Let Muses grave this Lasting Verse thereon Let none henceforth prefer safe Peace to War The Evils of That do This exceeed by far War to this Town a Mother was but Peace A Step-Dame hath become unto this Place These are all the Towns upon which DR ARTHUR JOHNSTOUN wrote His EPIGRAMS though there be many Towns that are ROYALL-BURGHS in SCOTLAND to the number of three-score and two Severall of which are comprehended under that Designation of the Coast-side Towns of Fyffe as Dysart Kircaldie Anstruther Easter Burnt-Island Ennerkything Kinghorn Pettenweem Dumfermling Anstruther Wester Cryle Culrose and many more such like Towns on which He wrote no Epigrams THE CONCLUSION Containing some few Lines Composed by MR. WILLIAM DOWGLAS Advocat in EDINBURGH upon the CITY of ABERDEEN APELLES stareing long did look upon The Learning Policy and Generous Mind Of that brave CITY plac'd 'twixt d ee and DONE But how to Paint IT HE could never find For still HE stood in judging which of Three A COURT A COLLEDGE Or A BURGH IT be The Contents or Index of the SURVEY of ABERDEEN CHAP. I Concerning the Situation of Aberdeen Its Longitude and Latitude Pag. 209 CHAP. II. Concerning the Description of Aberdeen 212 CHAP. III. Concerning the Antiquity of Aberdeen 222 CHAP. IV. Concerning the Government of the City of Aberdeen 226 CHAP. V Concerning the Fidelity and Loyal-Duty which the Citizens of Aberdeen have alwayes payed to their Soveraignes together with the gracious Rewards conferred thereon and the signall Evidences of Honour put upon many chief Magistrats thereof 230 CHAP. VI. Concerning the State of Aberdeen 244 CHAP. VII A Catalogue of these who have been Provests in Aberdeen whereof any record may be had either by Scrolls Charters or Infeftments before or since the burning of the said City 246 CHAP. VIII The Epigrams of Dr. Arthur Iohnstoun Physician in ordinary to King CHARLES the first upon the City of ABERDEEN 256 CHAP. IX Dr. Iohnstouns Epigrams upon severall of the Royall-Burghs in this Kingdom as may be found in his Poems printed at Middle-Burgh 1642. Translated into English by I. B. 261 FINIS It is expected that the Courteous Reader will be pleased before He peruse this Book to take notice of and correct with His Pen these few Escapes of the Press for the most Exact and Vigilant will have some whereby He will be keept from a Stop when He comes to Them in His ordinary Reading Page Page Line Errors Corrected 131 16 17 Corporation Corruption 139 2 agreement arguments 155 11 Politita Politica 194 7 Volens Voleur 252 24 qua quo †or Gradles †the COLLEDGE
to the Youth I would have them consider that they are the seed and seminarie of their respective Corporations and that the Blessing and Happiness of a Town doth much depend upon them and their behaviour for if they be Vertuous Wise and Sober they may procure in due time a great commendation to the Place of their Nativity and Residence if otherwayes they do what in them ly to draw disgrace and contempt upon it See Prov. 11.11 By the Blessing of the Upright the City is exalted but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked For by Riotousness and Debauchrie they ruine themselves and make way for Strangers to be Inhabitants See Prov. 2.21 22 For the upright shall dwell in the land and the perfect shall remain in it but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it Wherefore in the first place I recommend to them in the fear of the LORD that they would above all make it their care to know GOD and his living Motions in their hearts whereby he bears witness against all the Sins they are inclyned unto and points out their Duty and the Way they should walk in according to Eccles. 12.1 Remember now thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth for tho they follow the corrupt wayes of their hearts in the dayes of their youth yet sayes Solomon Knew thou for all these things GOD will bring thee into judgement Eccles. 11.9 Wherefore O Young Men be faithfull to the Light of GODS Spirit in your hearts for it s there ye shall here a word behind you saying This is the way walk ye in it when ye turne to the right hand and when ye turne to the left This is a teacher which shall not be removed into a Corner Isa. 30.20 21. And therefore be much in reading and studying to know the Mind of the LORD in Holy Scripture and joyn Prayer therewith and be serious n it and let it not be a bare form but look up to GOD in all and wait on him till thou obtain the desired blessing See Prov. 2.1 2 3 4 5 6. My Son if thou wilt rceive my words and hide my Commandments with thee so that thou encline thine ear unto-Wisdom and apply thine heart to Understanding yea if thou cryest after Knowledge and liftest up thy voice for Understanding if thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasure then shalâ— thou understand the fear of the LORD and find the Knowledge of GOD. For the LORD giveth Wisdom out of his mouth cometh Knowledge and Understanding Next I recommend to you to set your hearts to prosecute some vertuous Calling or Employment whether it be Merchandiseing or Mechanick-Trade particularly in the LORD order it to choise every one of you the Trade of your Father though herein ye are not to be limited but by a diligent and skillfull prosecution of some Vertuous Calling and Employment ye will not onely be able to preserve that Portion left to you by your Patents but by the Blessing of GOD to augment the samen to your great credit and reputation The sooner ye betake your selves to your Callings the better Parents are oftentimes bâ—ame-worthy that keep their Sons at Schools and Universities though their Talent and Inclinaâ—ion run not in that Channell till they are unit for breeding in their Callings whereas the Knowledge of the Languages and Arithmetick miâ—ht be sufficient to qualifie them as men meeâ— to live in these civil Employments fit for a Câ—tizen It hath been observed frequently by wise and sober men of all ranks that it hath been the ruin of Burgers Children that they followed not their Fathers Trade but iâ— their Parents purchased any considerable Estate by their Trade and Industrie the Childreâ— bred up at a far higher rate both in apparâ—ll dyet and breeding then their Parents were or their Trade could allow became more high-minded proud and vain that they judged it below them to stoup to do many things which their Parents did Hence thorow want of fit Education and foolish pride and conceitedness many have become idle men and spent their whole life without any Calling and so have become poor and left their Children in a mean condition or have been necessitated to go off the Countrey to seek a livelyhood else where from hence it needs not seem strange to see old Families in Cities wear quyt out and to have no Posterity to preserve any memory of them for how soon any competent Estate is gained by the Parents the Children as I have said become vain and riotous oftentimes and forbear any vertuous or commendable Calling and live an idle life which does not a little reflect upon the Rulers and their Government and upon the reputation of the Town Wendelin in his 2 d. book 12. Chap. cites Cicero in his 7 These Pag. 198. saying Tamdiu duravit in Civitate Gloria quamdiu Adolescentibus Romae vagari otiosis non licuit That is Glory or Renown remained in the City so long as idlesit was not permitted to the Youth in Rome It s reported that Marcus Aurelius the Emperour in his time did condemn all those to the Publick Works that walked in the Mercat-Place without the bage of their particular Calling If such Laws had place it would serve to abate the vain conceitedness in many that will not abase themselves to keep Shops or these Employments which their Predecessors did use and iâ— may be were the first mean of their riseing or coming to any respect in a World forgeting that word Prov. 12.9 He that is despised and hath a servant is better then he that honoureth himself and lacketh bread Which plainly speaks out to this purpose that it is far more commendable to Trade and use any lawfull Employment and thereby to live comfortably then out of a vain conceit of themselves of being above such mean Employments to spend their time idlely and so bring inevitable want upon them and theirs whereas it were far more commendable to see the Children of Old-Burgers continuing to follow their Parents Trade whereby they might prevent inevitable Poverty and spend their dayes with much Comfort and Peace both outwardly and inwardly and give good example and means of education to their Posterity and retain the respect and esteem which their Parents or themselves have gained in their City These are the fruits of that Vertue which is the product of a truely Wise Humble and Sober Spirit It is a matter worthy of consideration for all that are in Power and Authority in Burghs and Cities who would rejoyce to see their Fellow-Citizens prosper and Vertue to grow amongst them to give all due encouragement not onely to Trade in generall but particularly to such as evidence a vertuous disposition in following the Trade and Way of their Parents and Predecessors especially seeing this hath been so little in use these many Years yea Generations And as this Duty