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
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
him to hear her graciously The King replyed somewhat passionatly that he had not leasure to hear her but she fastning her eyes cryed out that he should not be a King if he irked to hear Demetrius considering and becoming more mild gave her audience at great length and did her business and sent her away with very affable words and after he had pondered the words of the old woman he changed his way and became very accessible and gracious to all that made address to him so that a great part of the day he spent in hearing and giving answers not without great profit and delight 6. By all this I would desire a due diligence in all Affairs with that seriousness that becomes not excluding seasonable and moderate divertisment which will rather whet then blunt the Rational Faculties for their proper exercises And that neither Magistrat nor Council may satisfie themselves with the name of their charge nor with the forme of their appointed dyets and meetings but labour to consider the particular affairs of the Town and of their respective Charges and to consider of every good and laudable Motion that concerneth the same and not think it sufficient to approve the same in words or with a verbal consent but so to entertain it and prosecute all these publick concernments as not onely to stop the mouth of any that may challenge them of neglect but fully to have the answer of a good Conscience towards GOD before whom they have lifted up their hands to be faithful in their charges and imployments 7. And here I judge it not unfit to offer it to consideration that as this is a Duty of persons in publick trust to mind their own Administrations so it were worthy of a Judicious Senate that would advert to every thing commendable in a Common-Wealth to study all wayes and means to check the idleness and negligence of all within their Corporation especially of the Youth whose spirits being naturally in the greatest heat and consequently fittest for action would be carefully keept at vertuous Imployments which by the Favour of GOD may greatly conduce to the good of the City and preservation thereof in its prosperity otherwayes if Idleness get liberty all the activity of their Spirits will vent it self in Vice which is not onely their personal ruine but the decay of the whole Body in a short progress of time 8. Homer the Famous Graecian Poet when he would mock and jeer Idlesit and Lazines he brings in the Cyclops or Antient Gyants who passe their whole time in Idleness and esteems it their chiefest happiness to be doing nothing he allots Lands to them that neither needs ploughing nor sowing but all fruits grow there naturally of their own accord by which they are plentifully fed and least they should be troubled with the meanest thought he commits all care to the Woman His Verses are rendered in Latine to this purpose Omnia per sese nullo nascuntur Aratro Non Fora non causas agitant non sancta Senatus Jura sed in celsis habitantes montibus antra Et puer magnis de rebus judicat uxor Englished thus All things grow of themselves without the pleugh They plead no causes nor in Courts do sue Regarding not the Senats sacred Laws But in high hills they dwell and dungeon caves They to their wife and children do commit To judge of weighty things as they think fit This kind of Idlesit is most hatefull because it is to be esteemed the greatest enemie to Vertue and opposes every commendable Art and Calling and because it abhores the meanest care therefore it s called by the Antients Incuria and by the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is without care I would have all especially of the meanest rank to hate Idlesit because it hath three evil Companions attending it Reproach Poverty and Famine which are three exceeding feirce destroying beasts 9. But though I was saying something in the former Chapter against unlawfull hunting after places and preferment I cannot but take occasion from this to shew such a fair way to satisfie their desires and for this let them take notice of the word Prov. 22.29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business he shall stand before KINGS he shall not stand before mean men Here a promise of Honour and Preferment to the carefull and the diligent and this is a commendable and most lawfull way of seeking preferment if when a man from a right Principle out of Conscience of Duty studies a sedulous carefulness and diligence in all he is called to go about Upon the contrare Idleness Sloth and Laziness is threatned with difficulty vexation and pain Prov. 15.19 The way of the slothfull man is an hedge of thorns So Prov. 13.4 The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing Prov. 21.35 The desire of the slothfull killeth him for his hands refuse to labour See Eccles. 10.18 Prov. 24.30.31 I wish all persons both in private and publick imployments may seriously mind these threatnings relating to this common guiltiness of Idleness and Neglect 10. But for the incouragement of any who are grieved for their Sloth and aversation from Pains Industry and Vertue I shall give them two or three instances that may raise their hopes and preserve them from utter despondency and sinking under this burden But I must say it were a ground of good hope if such as have been usless in their generation either through a naturall sluggishness of Spirit or depraved manners frequenting loose and dissolute company that they were so far come to themselves as is said of the Prodigal Luke 15.17 To reflect upon their Folly and Sloth and thereby become weighted with it so as not onely to desire as Prov. 21.17 but seriously and effectually to resolve to set a work after Duty with all their might To such I will set before them these instances 11. We read of Manlius Torquatus son to Lucius Torquatus a most brave and excellent Roman that he was of such a blunt and blockish nature that his Father did appoint him to live remotly in the Countrey as being unfit for either private or publick business yet notwithstanding a little after being wearied with his sluggish disposition he so bestirred himself that he relieved his father being found guilty from the hazard of the Law and by the War and Victory he had over the Latins he obtained a Triumph with the great applause and consent of the whole people What greater corruption could appear then in Fabius Maximus in his Youth but when he came to ryper Years there was nothing wanting in him that could be for compleating the gallantest of men to whom the Surname of Allobrogis was given in honour of the Victory obtained over the Gaulis or Frenches by his particular care and conduct which Surname never wore out of his Posterity Neither is that passage concerning famous Themistocles to be past over in silence whose profligat and abominable-Life was so
despaired of that his Mother did hang her self for grief yet afterward coming to more years he attained to such excellency that the most Eloquent Cicero stood not to call him the Prince of Greece and not unworthily seeing he gathered the distressed Forces of Greece when Xerxes with his innumerable Navy began to burn Athens and other Towns and became the Valiant Avenger of his Countrey and compelled that King whom the Seas seemed not sufficient to bear to return with trembling into his own Countrey in a smal fishing boat O that such may be the fruits of many that have long stood as barren Plants in their Generation Let all that are sensibly touched with a deep impression of their unfruitfulness and usless life improve by Faith and Prayer that refreshing Promise Psalm 92.12 13 14. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree he shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our GOD. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Now the LORD is faithfull And his truth endureth for ever Psal. 117.2 CHAP. IX Anent Envy and Vain-Glory being both Enemies to Vertue IN the next place I would have Counsellours and Citizens watching against Envy whereby a man grieves at his Neighbours Good Prosperity and Success and rejoices at his hurt or when any cross event befalls him If the good of the Common-Wealth were sincerely aimed at it would be the joy of all the Members that the Body were well If any were blest to be an instrument of good to the Publick every Ingenious Person that hath a Publick Spirit would rejoice therein and esteem more of the person and give all the Glory to GOD the cheif Author thereof and would be far from that venemous disposition to detract misconstruct defame or look with an envyous eye upon such as did deserve better from all 2. This evil of Envy rages most against the best deserving and therefore the more hatefull If any one be blessed to be an instrument of good and because thereof be commended by some according to demerit this stirs up Envy in others and occasions detraction and misconstruction of the best deeds or endeavours contrare to the rule of Love 1. Cor. 13.4 5. Charity envyeth not thinketh no evil 3. Envy hath brought ruine to many Famous Cities and Persons It was the misery of Athens that could never endure to see one Citizen become more Famous and Deserving beyond his fellow Citizens but either he was killed banished forefaulted of his Estate or otherwise tempted to put hand in himself It was Envy that was the death of that moral and most strick Philosopher Socrates whom when his Wife Xantippe tho a most perverse Woman and had been a daily Tryall to the Good man yet when she saw the Executioner reaching the Cup of Poison which he was sentenced to drink cryed out That he was an innocent man that was now to dye Socrates answered What thinks thou it better I should dye guilty What may be said of other Famous Athenians whose Glorious Actions both in Peace and War at home and abroad did not honour them with the Glory of Trophies or Triumphs but procured the Punishment of an miserable Exile Themistocles after he had beatten Xerxes in a Sea-Fight and had delivered his Countrey and all Greece from the Command and Tyrrannie of the Barbarians behooved to yeeld to Envy He is rewarded with ten Years Banishment and the best excuse the Athenians could put upon it was that they might bear down his Spirit lest otherwise by Power and Glory he might be lifted up and transgress the bounds of that popular equality that was fit yea they permited Tymocreon a Rhodian Poet to defame him in Verse and to accuse him of Covetousness Unjustice Wickedness and Perjury 5. Aristides who by Vertue and the Glory of his Actions was most Honourable and through his Zeal to Justice was surnamed Just was ejected and banished out of his Countrey though he had preserved enlarged it and with so great Honour made it Famous When he was going out of the Town he lift up his hands to Heaven not with imprecations against his Citizens but prayed to the most High GOD that all things hereafter might befall the Athenians so happily and successfully that there might be no more occasion to remember Aristides Examples might be multiplied to show how Envy hath depressed many excellent Men and rendered them uncapable to do their Countrey or Common-Wealth service 6. But because this is the thing that envyous ones most desire I shall mind them of some Scripturall instances that may deterr them from so base a Vice Let such consider that Envy is a disease that torments themselves more then it can do the person whom they envy Therefore Antisthenes said that as rust eats iron so does envy the person that envyeth Solomon sayes Its rottenness of the bones Prov. 14.30 So David Psal. 112.10 speaking of the envy of the Wicked to the Righteous sayes They shall gnash with the teeth and melt away Iob. 5.2 Envy slayes the silly one 7. It was Envy that made Corah Dathan and Abiram provoke the LORD to cause the Earth open her mouth and swallow them up So Psal. 106.16 compared with Num. 16.30 31. verses Envy was the first rise of the ruine of Pharoah and the Egyptians Exod. 1.9 Behold the People of the Children of Israell are more and mightier then we GOD who is Love it self and takes pleasure to do good and also in the wellfare of all his people cannot endure Envy wherefore if we would approve our selves to be of one Spirit with Him we would not envy the Honor Esteem Riches or any Vertue which others do happily procure but when ever Providence should bless any to be instrumentall of publick Good we take the Obligation as our own thinking our selves bound to recent it as done to our selves 8. But because naturally the Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to Envy Iames 5.5 all persons would need to watch against Vain-Glory and Vaunting as they would wish to be fred from Envy for nothing provokes others more to Envy then the vanity of boasting of their Vertues Worth and of any Good they have done It s good to keep an equality and carry soberly not permiting our selves to be blown up with any wind of vain Conceit or Applause from others nor to hunt after it Many Heathens have given eminent Examples of Moderation in shunning all causes of Envy some have removed themselves from their Native Countrey of purpose to eschew the Envy of their Citizens others have refused Rewards for their most Notable Services As Pittacus Mytelaeneus who was holden for one of the seven Wise Men of Greece for when he had fred his Countrey from Tirrany and had killed Phrynon the Athenian Generall in a singular Combat when the Supream Command of the Common-Wealth was offered to him he
refused it and when his Countrey-Men offered him great and large Lands he requested that they would not give him what many would envy and many more covet Wherefore of all these sayes he I will have no more but so much as may declare the moderation of my Spirit and be testimony of your Good Will towards me for lesser Gifts and Rewards are of greater duration and great things are scarce thought a mans own I might add many more Instances of the like Sobriety and Moderation in great Persons from several Histories particularly from the Famous and ever to be Honoured Common-Wealth of Venice where it may be observed that there was very little personall Ambition or Affection of airie Applause for all they contended was for the Good of their Native Countrey and Wealth and Honour thereof for they would not admit of Sumptuous Tombs nor Magnifick Statues nor the Warlick Ensignes of their Glorious Victories to be set up as the lasting Monuments of their Vertuous Atchievments but to give one of the many of such instances Caspar Conterenus that Noble Venetian in the description of the Venetian Common-Wealth showes for proof of this that Andreas Contarenus Duke of Venice dying shortly after that most remarkable Overthrow he had given the Genoaves prohibited by his Latter-Will that no Ensignes or Ducall Coat of Armes neither his own propper Escotcheon or Name should be engraven on his Tomb that no person might know where such a Worthy and Well Deserving Person was interred This and the like may check the airie and vain Spirits that hunt after the vain applause of the World 9. The Apostle gives an excellent Direction which all that have a right esteem of Gospel Rules will walk by Philip. 2.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlyness of mind let each esteem other better then himself Again Gal. 5.26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory provocking one another envying one another 10. As for Avarice which is a most dangerous and destructive evil to a Common-wealth when it gets place in the hearts of Rulers it s so gross a Vice in publick Persons and I having never seen nor known any prejudice done by any in power within the City I live in to the common Treasurie or damnage thereof I shall not insist on it GOD Himself having by Jethro given it as a speciall Qualification of all that should be in Authority that they should be men Hating Covetousness Exod. 18.21 Thus having touched at some speciall Evils very prejudiciall to a City I shall in the next place fall to speak somewhat of the particulars which the Town-Councill should be carefull to cherish for promoving the good and wellfare of their Corporation CHAP. X. Anent Love and Concord as the surest foundation of a Kingdom City or Common-wealth THe foundation of all Kingdoms Common-wealths Cityes Societies and Families is LOVE and CONCORD for as our Lord said Mat. 12.25 Every Kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation and every City or House divided against it self shall not stand This may alone suffice to discover the absolute necessity oâ— Concord and sweet Harmony in a City and Common-wealth therefore have I chosen to lay iâ— down in the first place as the only and surâ— foundation of a happy and prosperous City For what is the Origen of a City or Civil Society but an harmonious Concord and Agreement to live together for mutuall Aid and Assistancâ— in all common Concernments and when thiâ— common and necessary principle is forgotten and every one minds mostly his own things with the utter neglect of the common-Good it may be said that People and Place are going to ruine And in no Age since the World was can any instance be given where such a City or People did prosper multitudes of instances may be given where it was the dismall presage of an inevitable destruction and that of the most famous and magnificent Cities in the World To forbear the many miserable effects which at first view are obvious to any judicious beholder where this Vertue is wanting I shall instance but this one Evil which is an inevitable consequent thereof and it is this Every motion that can be made for the publick Good though with demonstration of never so much advantage if it but cross the particular interest of any Partie or Person yea because it proceedeth from such a person or partie it is forthwith opposed crushed and utterly husht down by these concerned and all their Witt Power and Moyen laid out for that end Whereas â—f there be Love and Harmonious Concord amongst â—he Inhabitants all will joyn as one-man to â—romote every Motion that may further the Publick Good 2. Wherefore I judge it a chief Duty lyâ—ng upon all in Charge or that have any Place â—r Authority in a Common-Wealth to lay themâ—elves out in the pursuit of so great a Benefit and seeing this is so necessar and conduceable for the good of a Corporation I shall propose these few means that may contribute for the attainment and preservation thereof when attained 3. In the first place let there be care taken that all Ranks of Persons have their due Liberties and Priviledges preserved according to the Rules and Constitutions of the Common-Wealth for incroachments upon these have caused great agitations yea many alterations in the Governments of Cities and sometimes have hazarded the ruine thereof from this General I shall instance some Particulars 4. Let the People bewar first of encroaching upon the Priviledges of the Councill and Magistrats which cannot be done without Mutinies and seditious Meetings and the most effectuall way to prevent this Secondly That the Magistrats and Councill be very tender of the Priviledges and Liberties of the People to do nothing against them by force or oppression Hence it was that the People of Rome rose up against the Decem-viri when they perceived them to exercise Tirranny and Oppression under the covert of Authority Therefore by sedition and slaughter they were thrust out and a new Government erected So also the Thirty Praetors of Athens whom Lysander the Lacedemonian had set up after they had with Poison and Sword destroyed many Famous Worthie Men were destroyed and overturned by Thrasibulus which Socrates that Divine Philosopher foretold before he drank that deadly Poisonous Cup at their Decree Therefore Magistrats would rather moderate their Power by Authority then bend and strain it up to the hight Thus wisely Theopompus did bow the Royal Authority amongst the Lacedemonians to a certain mediocrity and was the first setter up of the Epheri from amongst the Common People like the Tribuns amongst the Romans and when he was Taxed by his Wife as in scorn Thinks thou not shame said she that thou leaves thy Son with less Royal Authority and Power then thou got from thy Ancestors He answered wisely O Woman I do not leave them less but a far more strong and lasting Authority Magistrats would be
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
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