for themselves, having formerly no excursion into secular affairs; so that applying themselves only to, and now debarred the exercise of the Ministry, they are left in a sad condition. Lastly, allow them faulty, yet quid teneri infuntes? &c. It is pity their Wives and Children should be ruined for their offence. But enough hereof, seeing, in motions of this nature, a word is enough to the wise, and half a word too much for others. [Reader, this passage being written some three years since, I could not command my own right hand to cross it out, but it must stand as it did.]

Lastly, I recommend unto their Charity, such Servants who have nothing save what they have gained by their industry, and have lived seven years and upwards with the same Master1; I mean not Apprentices, but such Covenant Servants, which are bound to their Masters (their year being ended) with no other indentures then their own discretion, and are sensible that they must run a hazard, and may loose with their alteration; especially such Females, who prefer a good Master in certain, before a good Husband in hopes, and had rather serve in plenty, then wed and adventure Poverty.

I confess, such is the cruelty of some Masters, no Servant can, and such the ficklenesse of others, no Servant may stay long with them. Such a Master was he, who, being Suitor to a Gentlewoman, came, every time he visited her, waited on by a new man (though keeping but one at once), such was his unconstancy and delight in change. Whereupon, when taking leave of his Mistresse, he proferred to salute her; "Spare your complements," said she unto him, "for probably I shall shortly see you again; but let me, I pray you, salute your Servant, whom I shall never behold any more."

However, though sometimes the fault may be in the Masters or Mistresses, yet generally Servants are to be blamed in our age, shifting their places so often without cause. The truth is, the age that makes good Soldiers, marrs good Servants, cancelling their obedience, and allowing them too much liberty. What Nabal applied falsely and spitfully to David, "There be many Servants now a dayes which break away every man from his Master," was never more true then now. Yea, what Tully said of the Roman Consull (chose in the morning and put out before night3) some Servants have been so vigilant, they never slept in their Masters houses; so short their stay, so soon their departure.

The ficklenesse and fugitivenesse of such Servants justly addeth a valuation to their constancy who are standards in a Family, and know when they have met with a good Master, as it appears their Masters know when they have met with a good Servant. It is pity but such properties of a houshold should be incouraged; and bounty bestowed upon them may be an occasion to fixe other Servants to stay the longer in their places, to the general good of our Nation.

I desire these my suggestions should be as inoffensively taken, as they are innocently tendred. I know there was in the water of Bethesda4, after the Angell had troubled it, a medicinal power. I know also that such impotent folk as lay in the five porches were the proper subjects to be cured: but, alas! they wanted one, at the critical instant, to bring their wounds and the cure together, and to put them seasonably into the water. I am as confident that there be hundreds in England, really willing and able to releive, as that there are thousands that do desire, and in some sort deserve their charity. But there wanteth one, in the proper juncture of time, to present such poor objects to their liberality; and if these my weak endevours may be in any degree instrumentall to promote the same, it will be a great comfort unto me.

I will conclude this subject with a motive to Charity, out of the road of, besides, if not against the ordinary logick of men: "Give a portion to Seven and to Eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth."--"To Seven and to Eight;" that is, extend thy bounty to as high a proportion of deserving persons as can consist with thy estate; "for thou knowest not what evill will be upon the earth :" matters are mutable, and thou mayest need the relief of others.

This is a Charity, which has been adopted, with improvements, in modern times. N. 1 Sam. xxv. 10.

↑ John v. 2.

3 "Habemus vigilem consulem qui in consulatu suo nunquam dormivit." Eccles. xi. 2.

Ergo,

Ergo, saith the Miser, "part with nothing, but keep all against a wet day." Not so Solomon, advising to secure somewhat in a safe bank, the backs and bowels of the Poor. Never Evil more likely to, never People less knowing of the same, then our selves. And therefore the counsell never out of, is now most in season,

WHY BENEFACTORS SINCE, ARE DISTINGUISHED FROM THEM before tHE REFORMATION.

I conceive it not fit to mingle both together, for these two reasons. First, because of the difference of their Charity since the Reformation, as not parched up by the fear of the fire of Purgatory, but kindly ripened by the Sun, viz. a clear apprehension by the light of the Scripture, that they were bound to do good works.

Secondly, because a Romish Goliah hath defied our English Israel, taxing our Church since the Reformation, as able to shew few considerable pieces of Charity, in comparison of those beyond the Seas, who may hence be easily confuted.

Indeed when I read the emulations between Peninna and Hannah, it mindeth me of the contests betwixt the Church of Rome and us, such the conformity between them.

"Her adversary provoked Hannah sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord hath shut up her womb."

"But how did Hannah rejoyce afterwards? The Barren hath born seven, and she that hath many children, is waxed feebles."

It is confessed, immediately after the Reformation, Protestant Religion stood for a while in amaze (scarcely recovered from the Marian persecution), and was but barren in good works. But, since her beginning to bear fruit, she hath overtaken her Roman Corrival, and left her fairly behind.

Let the extent of time and content of ground be proportionably stated; and England cannot be matched for deeds of Charity in any part of Spain, France, and Italy 5, as by the ensuing catalogue of Benefactors to the Publick will appear.

Objection. You had better omitted them, leaving them modestly to multiply and increase in their own silence and secresie. You know how dear David paid for "numbring the people"."

Answer. David did not offend in meer "numbring the people;" but in not paying the poll-money appointed by God in such cases (purposely to decline the plague), which omission argued his pride of heart. It is lawful for Protestants, without any just suspicion. of vain-glory and ostentation, to make a list, and take the number of Benefactors in this kind, provided the quit-rent of praise be principally paid to the Lord of Heaven. Besides, we are not challengers, but defenders of our selves herein, against the challenge of another, desiring to do it in all humility, in confidence of our good cause.

And here I can hold no longer, but must break forth into a deserved commendation of good works. Glorious things in Scripture are spoken of you, yea, fruits of the spirit. By them the Gospel is graced, wicked men amazed, some of them converted, the rest of them confounded, weak Christians confirmed, poor Christians relieved, our faith justified, our reward in Heaven by God's free grace amplified; Angels rejoyce for them, Devils repine at them; God himself is glorified in them. Oh, therefore, that it were in my power, to exhort my Countrymen, to pursue good works with all earnestnesse, which will add so much to their account!

Some will say, if the English be so forward in deeds of Charity as appeareth by what. you said before, any exhortation thereunto is altogether superfluous.

I answer, the best disposed to bounty may need a remembrancer; and I am sure that: Nightingale which would wake will not be angry with the Thorn which pricketh her breast when she noddeth. Besides, it is a truth what the Poet saith,

Thus the exhortations of the Apostles at Jerusalem were commendations of St. Paul, "Only they would that we should remember the poor, the same which I also was forward to do 1."

Lastly, though many of our Nation be free in this kind, there want not those who, instead of being zealous are jealous of good works, being so far from shining themselves, that they enviously endevour to extinguish the light of others; whose judgements I have laboured to rectifie herein.

THE STATING OF THE WORD REFORMATION, WITH THE EXTENSIVENESS THEreof.

No word occurs oftner in this our Book then REFORMATION. It is as it were the Equator, or that remarkable Line, dividing betwixt Eminent Prelates, Learned Writers, and Benefactors to the Publick, who lived before or after it.

Know then that this word, in relation to the Church of England, is of above twenty years extent. For the Reformation was not advanced here, as in some Forraign Free-States, suddenly (not to say rapidly) with popular violence, but leisurely and treatably, as became a matter of so great importance. Besides, the meeting with much opposition, retarded the proceedings of the Reformers.

We may observe that the Jews returned from the Captivity of Babylon at three distinct times, under the conduct of several persons.

1. When the main body of the Captives was brought home by Zerubbabel2, by whom the second Temple was built.

2. When a considerable company returned with Ezra3, by whom the Church part (as I may tearm it) was settled in that Nation.

3. When Nehemiah (no doubt with suitable attendance) came home, and ordered the State moiety, repairing the Walls of Jerusalem.

In like manner we may take notice of three distinct dates and different degrees of our English Reformation; though in relation to the Jewish, I confess, the method was altogether inverted. For,

1. The Civil part thereof, when the Pope's Supremacy was banished in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth.

2. When the Church Service was reformed, as far as that age would admit, in the first year of King Edward the Sixth.

3. When the same (after the Marian interruption) was resumed and more refined in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

The first of these I may call the Morning Star; the second the dawning of the Day; the third the rising of the Sun; and I deny not but that since that time his light and heat hath been increased.

But now the question will be, what is to be thought of those Prelates, Writers, and Benefactors, which lived in the aforesaid interval betwixt the beginning and perfecting of this Reformation. For these appear unto us like unto the batable ground lying betwixt England and Scotland (whilest as yet two distinct Kingdomes) in so dubious a posture it is hard to say to which side they do belong.

It is answered, the only way to decide this difference is, to observe the inclinations of the said persons so far forth as they are discovered in their writings and actions such as appear in some good degree favourers of the Gospel are reputed to be since, whilest those who are otherwise are adjudged to be before the Reformation.

A

Gal. ii. 10.

2 Ezra ii. 2.

3 Ezra viii, 1—14.

• Nehem. ii. 6.

CHAP

CHAPTER XII.

OF MEMORABLE PERSONS.

THE former HEADS were like private houses, in which persons accordingly qualified have their, several habitations. But this last topick is like a publick Inn, admitting all Comers and Goers, having any extraordinary (not vitious) remark upon them, and which are not clearly reducible to any of the former titles. Such, therefore, who are over, under, or beside the standard of common persons, for strength, stature, fruitfulnesse, vivacity, or any other observeable eminence, are lodged here under the notion of Memorable Persons, presuming the pains will not be to me so much in marking, as the pleasure to the Reader in knowing them.

Under this title we also repose all such Mechanicks, who in any manual trade have reached a clear note above others in their vocation.

Objection. It is deforme spectaculum, an uncouth sight, to behold such handy-craftsmen blended with eminencies in ingenious professions; such a mottley colour is no good wearing. How Would William Cecill, Lord Treasurer of England, and Baron of Burghleigh, be offended, to behold James York the blacksmith set with him at the same table amongst the Natives of Lincolne-shire?

Answer. I am confident, on the contrary, that he would be highly pleased, being so great a Statesman, that he would countenance and encourage his industrious Country-man, accounting nothing little, without the help whereof greater matters can either not be attained, or not long subsist. Yea, we see what signal notice the Spirit of God takes of the three sons of Lamech', the first founders of tent-making, organs, and iron-works; and it is observable, that whereas all their names are forgotten which built the Tower of Babel (though done on design to get them a name 2) these three Mechanicks, viz. Jabal, Jubal, and Tubal-cain, are nominatim recorded to all posterity. Thus is it better to bottome the perpetuity of one's memory on honest industry and ingenuous diligence, then on stately structures and expensive magnificence.

I confesse it is easier to add to any art, than first to invent it; yet, because there is a perfection of degrees, as well as kinds, eminent Improvers of an art may be allowed for the Co-inventors thereof, being Founders of that accession which they add thereunto, for which they deserve to be both regarded and rewarded.

I could name a worshipful Family in the South of England, which for sixteen several descents, and some hundreds of years, have continued in the same stay of estate, not ac- ́ quiring one foot of land, either by match, purchase, gift, or otherwise, to their ancient patrimony. The same may be said of some Handycrafts, wherein men move in the same compasse, but make no further progresse to perfection, or any considerable improvement; and this I impute generally to their want of competent encouragement..

CHAPTER XIII.

OF LORD MAIORS OF LONDON.

I HAVE concluded this Work with these Chief Officers in that great City; a place of so great honour and trust, that it hath commonly been said, that, on the death of an English King, the Lord Maior is the Subject of the greatest Authority in England; many other Offices determining with the King's Life (till such time as their Charters be renewed by his

'Gen. iv. 21, 22, 23,

Gen. xi... 4:.

Successor);

Successor); whereas the Lord Maior's trust continueth for a whole year, without any renewing after the Inter-regnum.

Objection. Such persons had better been omitted, whereof many were little better then yasnges aproì, though by good fortune they have loaded themselves with thick clay; and will be but a burden in your Book to the Readers thereof.

Answer. All wise men will behold them under a better notion, as the pregnant proofs of the truth of two Proverbs, not contradictory, but confirmatory one to another. Prov. x. 4.

Prov. x. 22.

"The Blessing of the Lord maketh Rich." "The hand of the diligent maketh Rich." The one as the principal, the other as the instrumental cause; and both meeting in the persons aforesaid.

For though some of them were the younger sons of worshipful and wealthy parents, and so had good sums of money left them; yet being generally of mean extraction, they raised themselves by God's Providence, and their own painfulness; the City, in this respect, being observed like unto a COURT, where elder brothers commonly spend, and the younger gain

an estate.

But such Lord Maiors are here inserted, to quicken the industry of youth, whose parents are only able to send them up to (not to set them up in) London. For what a comfort is it, to a poor Apprentice of that City, to see the Prime Magistrate thereof, riding in his Majoralibus', with such pomp and attendance, which another day may be his hap and happiness!

Objection. It cometh not to the share of one in twenty thousand, to attain to that honour; and it is as impossible for every poor Apprentice in process of time to prove Lord Maior, as that a Minum with long living should become a Whale.

Answer. Not so; the latter is an utter impossibility as debarred by Nature, being Fishes of several kinds: whereas there is a capacity in the other, to arrive at it, which puts hopes (the only tie which keeps the heart from breaking) into the hearts of all of the attainablenesse of such preferment to themselves.

Doctor Hutton, Arch-bishop of York, when he came into any great Grammar School (which he did constantly visit in his Visitations) was wont to say to the young Scholars, "Ply your books, Boys, ply your books, for Bishops are old men." And surely the possibility of such dignity is a great encouragement to the endevours of Students.

Lord Maiors being generally aged, and always but annual, soon make room for succession, whereby the indevours of all Freemen in Companies are incouraged. But if they should chance to fall short, as unable to reach the home of Honour (I mean the Majoralty it self); yet, if they take up their lodgings at Sheriffe, Alderman, and Common-Councellour, with a good estate, they will have no cause to complain.

I confess some Counties, in our ensuing discourse, will appear Lord-Maior-less, as Cumberland, Dorset-shire, Hant-shire, &c. However, though hitherto they have not had, hereafter they may have Natives advanced to that honour; and it may put a lawful ambition into them, to contend who shall be their Leader, and who should first of those Shires attain to that dignity. As lately Sir Richard Cheverton, skinner, descended (I assure you) of a right antient and worshipful family, was the first in Cornwall, who opened the door for others (no doubt) to follow after him.

Nor must it be forgotten that many have been Lord-Maiors-Mates, though never remembered in their Catalogues; viz. such who by fine declined that Dignity: and as I am glad that some will fine, that so the stock of the Chamber of London may be increased, so I am glad that some will not fine, that so the State of the City of London may be maintained.

I begin the observing of their Nativities, from Sir William Sevenoke, grocer, Lord Maior 1418. For though there were Lord Maiors 200 years before, yet their Birth-places generally are unknown. It was, I confess, well for me in this particular, that Mr. Stow was

This was, in Dr. Fuller's time, on horseback. N.

born