The vindication of Slingsby Bethel Esq., one of the sheriffs of London and Middlesex against the several slanders cast upon him upon the occasion of his being proposed for one of the burgesses to serve in the late Parliament : for the burrough of Southwark.
         Bethel, Slingsby, 1617-1697.
      
       
         
           1681
        
      
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             The vindication of Slingsby Bethel Esq., one of the sheriffs of London and Middlesex against the several slanders cast upon him upon the occasion of his being proposed for one of the burgesses to serve in the late Parliament : for the burrough of Southwark.
             Bethel, Slingsby, 1617-1697.
          
           [2], 10 p.
           
             Printed for Francis Smith ...,
             London :
             1681.
          
           
             Attributed to Slingsby Bethel. Cf. BLC.
             Reproduction of originals in Huntington Library.
             Entry for V492 cancelled in Wing (2nd ed.).
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Bethel, Slingsby, 1617-1697.
           Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1660-1688 -- Sources.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           VINDICATION
           OF
           Slingsby
           Bethel
           
             Esq
          
           One
           of
           the
           SHERIFFS
           OF
           
             London
             and
             Middlesex
          
           :
           Against
           the
           several
           SLANDERS
           Cast
           upon
           him
           Upon
           the
           occasion
           of
           his
           being
           proposed
           ,
           for
           one
           of
           the
           BURGESSES
           to
           Serve
           in
           the
           late
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           FOR
           THE
           
             Burrough
             of
             Southwark
          
           .
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Francis
             Smith
          
           at
           the
           Elephant
           and
           Castle
           in
           Cornhil
           ,
           1681
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           The
           Vindication
           OF
           
             Slingsby
             Bethel
             Esquire
          
           .
           One
           of
           the
           SHERIFFS
           of
           LONDON
           and
           MIDDLESEX
           :
           AGAINST
           The
           several
           Scandals
           cast
           upon
           him
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           SO
           long
           as
           I
           kept
           my
           private
           Station
           (
           in
           which
           I
           have
           spent
           a
           great
           part
           of
           my
           Life
           :
           )
           I
           thank
           God
           I
           can
           say
           ,
           That
           though
           my
           Dealings
           in
           the
           World
           have
           been
           considerable
           ,
           I
           have
           had
           my
           Conversation
           so
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           meet
           with
           ,
           or
           deserve
           (
           as
           I
           reasonably
           hope
           )
           any
           Reproach
           from
           man.
           
        
         
           But
           no
           sooner
           was
           I
           (
           contrary
           to
           my
           Inclinations
           and
           Humour
           )
           called
           forth
           by
           my
           Fellow-Citizens
           ,
           to
           a
           Publick
           Employment
           ,
           than
           the
           Envy
           and
           Malice
           of
           ill-minded
           Men
           was
           awakned
           ,
           so
           ,
           as
           that
           (
           to
           use
           the
           Prophets
           words
           )
           
             They
             bent
             their
             Tongues
             like
             their
             Bow
             ,
             for
             lies
             against
             me
             .
          
        
         
           This
           I
           found
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           upon
           my
           Election
           to
           the
           Place
           I
           now
           bear
           in
           this
           City
           ;
           but
           when
           I
           was
           Nominated
           at
           the
           late
           Election
           ,
           for
           one
           of
           the
           Burgesses
           for
           Southwark
           ,
           This
           Malevolent
           Spirit
           (
           being
           grown
           outragious
           )
           mustered
           up
           all
           its
           Force
           ,
           and
           poured
           forthwith
           upon
           me
           whole
           Volleys
           of
           as
           Spiteful
           Calumnies
           as
           Wit
           ,
           sharpened
           by
           the
           keenest
           Malice
           ,
           could
           invent
           .
        
         
           Notwithstanding
           all
           which
           ,
           I
           considered
           ,
           That
           this
           was
           not
           my
           Case
           alone
           ,
           but
           a
           common
           Accident
           attending
           Persons
           standing
           in
           Competition
           for
           Places
           of
           so
           great
           Honour
           and
           Trust
           ;
           and
           especially
           ,
           where
           the
           Election
           is
           to
           be
           determined
           by
           the
           Suffrages
           of
           a
           great
           Body
           of
           People
           ,
           divided
           by
           their
           several
           Parties
           and
           Interests
           ;
           amongst
           whom
           will
           be
           still
           found
           some
           Ill
           Men
           ,
           who
           preferring
           their
           Private
           Interests
           before
           the
           Publick
           Service
           ,
           will
           not
           baulk
           the
           foulest
           Practices
           ,
           for
           the
           obtaining
           of
           their
           own
           Ends
           ;
           and
           therefore
           I
           was
           at
           the
           first
           Resolved
           to
           sit
           down
           quietly
           under
           the
           Satisfaction
           and
           Assurance
           of
           mine
           own
           Innocency
           ,
           rather
           than
           to
           foul
           my
           Fingers
           by
           Raking
           into
           that
           filthy
           Dunghil
           of
           Reproaches
           cast
           up
           against
           me
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           Colour
           of
           Truth
           or
           Reason
           .
        
         
           But
           being
           told
           by
           divers
           of
           my
           Fellow-Citizens
           that
           I
           ought
           to
           do
           something
           
           as
           well
           to
           Vindicate
           the
           Honour
           of
           the
           Place
           I
           now
           bear
           amongst
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           Justifie
           their
           Choice
           of
           me
           to
           that
           Office
           :
           And
           also
           ,
           that
           those
           of
           the
           Neighbouring
           Burrough
           ,
           may
           not
           be
           thought
           to
           have
           been
           mistaken
           ,
           and
           deceived
           in
           the
           Person
           whom
           (
           since
           that
           time
           )
           they
           preferred
           to
           a
           place
           of
           so
           great
           Trust
           :
           I
           thought
           fit
           to
           do
           them
           and
           my self
           so
           much
           Right
           ,
           as
           to
           Publish
           that
           which
           here
           follows
           ,
           for
           the
           detecting
           of
           the
           Malitious
           Falshood
           of
           those
           impudent
           Slanders
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           set
           on
           Foo●
           on
           purpose
           to
           disable
           me
           from
           holding
           any
           place
           of
           so
           great
           Trust
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             Then
             it
             was
             Objected
             ,
             that
             I
             am
             a
          
           Papist
           
             and
             a
          
           Jesuit
           and
           (
           to
           give
           that
           lye
           the
           better
           Credit
           ,
           )
           
             that
             upon
             some
             variance
             happening
             between
             me
             and
             Dr.
          
           Oates
           ,
           
             he
             did
             declare
             that
             he
             knew
             me
             beyond
             the
             Seas
             to
             be
             such
             .
          
        
         
           This
           indeed
           would
           have
           been
           a
           sufficient
           barr
           ,
           to
           my
           admission
           to
           any
           place
           of
           Publick
           Trust
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           to
           my
           Sitting
           in
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           who
           have
           shewed
           so
           great
           a
           Zeal
           to
           the
           
             Protestant
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           forfeited
           my
           Head
           also
           ,
           had
           the
           same
           been
           true
           .
           But
           (
           not
           to
           mention
           here
           the
           Tests
           that
           I
           have
           lately
           taken
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           )
           as
           those
           that
           have
           known
           my
           constant
           Conversation
           ,
           or
           what
           I
           have
           Writ
           and
           Published
           ,
           will
           not
           believe
           that
           I
           have
           any
           kindness
           for
           that
           Religion
           ,
           so
           the
           Doctor
           is
           ready
           to
           declare
           to
           any
           one
           that
           desires
           information
           in
           that
           point
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           never
           the
           Author
           of
           any
           such
           Report
           ;
           nor
           could
           he
           know
           me
           beyond
           Sea
           ,
           under
           any
           Character
           whatsoever
           ;
           for
           I
           do
           affirm
           ,
           That
           I
           was
           never
           out
           of
           England
           since
           One
           thousand
           six
           hundred
           seventy
           two
           ,
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           the
           Doctor
           will
           satisfie
           any
           ,
           that
           shall
           ask
           the
           question
           ,
           that
           he
           never
           went
           beyond
           the
           Seas
           till
           the
           Year
           One
           thousand
           six
           hundred
           seventy
           seven
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           the
           Doctor
           not
           being
           in
           Town
           ,
           to
           contradict
           this
           Story
           at
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Poll
           in
           Southwark
           ,
           it
           was
           well
           enough
           Designed
           to
           serve
           that
           turn
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             It
             was
             said
             ,
             that
             I
             was
             a
             Souldier
             in
             the
             Parliament
             Army
             in
             the
             time
             of
             the
             late
             Wars
             ,
             and
             was
             most
             Cruel
             and
             Vnmerciful
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Arms.
             
          
        
         
           This
           ,
           as
           it
           seems
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           former
           Character
           ,
           so
           hath
           it
           in
           it self
           as
           little
           of
           Truth
           ;
           but
           among
           a
           divided
           Multitude
           ,
           in
           a
           jealous
           Age
           ,
           when
           the
           generality
           of
           Men
           are
           more
           prone
           to
           believe
           any
           thing
           of
           ill
           that
           they
           hear
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           at
           the
           trouble
           to
           examine
           the
           Truth
           of
           what
           is
           said
           ,
           it
           matters
           not
           whether
           Reports
           be
           true
           or
           probable
           ,
           so
           as
           they
           be
           delivered
           with
           sufficient
           Confidence
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           variety
           there
           is
           in
           those
           Stories
           (
           however
           inconsistant
           they
           may
           be
           )
           the
           better
           are
           they
           fitted
           to
           the
           various
           and
           different
           Humours
           and
           Interests
           of
           Man-kind
           :
           And
           the
           bold
           and
           industrious
           Calumniator
           by
           this
           Method
           of
           Proceeding
           ,
           doth
           often
           prevail
           so
           far
           upon
           some
           of
           all
           Parties
           ,
           as
           to
           bring
           the
           person
           he
           hath
           a
           mind
           to
           oppose
           ,
           under
           their
           dislike
           ;
           And
           although
           (
           the
           matter
           of
           this
           Election
           remaining
           under
           question
           ,
           )
           I
           shall
           not
           say
           ,
           that
           this
           Project
           had
           its
           full
           effect
           in
           my
           Case
           ;
           yet
           to
           demonstrate
           ,
           that
           the
           last
           mentioned
           Objection
           was
           a
           meer
           Fiction
           ;
           designed
           onely
           to
           serve
           this
           occasion
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           be
           justly
           reflected
           on
           me
           :
           I
           do
           affirm
           ,
           and
           several
           Hambrough
           Merchants
           now
           living
           may
           remember
           ,
           and
           the
           Registries
           of
           their
           Courts
           will
           plainly
           shew
           ,
           That
           I
           went
           to
           Hambrough
           in
           the
           Year
           One
           thousand
           six
           hundred
           thirty
           seven
           ,
           and
           lived
           there
           in
           continual
           imployment
           ,
           until
           December
           ,
           One
           thousand
           six
           hundred
           forty
           nine
           ;
           so
           as
           I
           could
           have
           no
           hand
           in
           the
           War
           ,
           or
           change
           of
           Government
           which
           happened
           
           in
           England
           within
           that
           time
           :
           And
           though
           after
           my
           return
           into
           England
           ,
           I
           did
           with
           others
           submit
           to
           the
           Government
           I
           found
           there
           ,
           yet
           did
           I
           never
           Imbrace
           any
           other
           then
           Civil
           Offices
           ;
           in
           which
           ,
           I
           hope
           I
           may
           say
           without
           Arrogancie
           ,
           I
           demeaned
           my self
           with
           that
           Integrity
           ,
           Indifferencie
           ,
           and
           Moderation
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           justly
           challenge
           the
           greatest
           of
           my
           Enemies
           ,
           to
           instance
           in
           ,
           or
           to
           name
           any
           one
           Act
           of
           Severity
           ,
           Injustice
           ,
           or
           Partiality
           ,
           that
           I
           ever
           shewed
           towards
           any
           Party
           or
           Person
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             That
             being
             at
          
           Hambrough
           
             at
             such
             time
             as
             the
             late
             Kings
             Death
             was
             resolved
             of
             in
          
           England
           ,
           
             I
             did
             there
             say
             ,
             That
             rather
             than
             he
             should
             want
             an
             Executioner
             ,
             I
             would
             come
             thence
             to
             perform
             the
             Office.
             
          
        
         
           Although
           I
           do
           resent
           this
           most
           odious
           ,
           and
           malicious
           Slander
           ,
           with
           the
           highest
           Indignation
           imaginable
           ,
           yet
           having
           brought
           my
           Action
           at
           Law
           ,
           for
           Vindication
           of
           my self
           in
           this
           Point
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           discourse
           any
           thing
           of
           that
           Subject
           ,
           lest
           I
           should
           seem
           to
           anticipate
           Publick
           Justice
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           sort
           gratifie
           my
           Adversaries
           ,
           by
           letting
           them
           know
           ,
           what
           I
           have
           to
           give
           in
           Evidence
           ,
           to
           prove
           the
           wilful
           Malice
           of
           those
           that
           cast
           this
           Reproach
           upon
           me
           ;
           or
           what
           I
           have
           to
           offer
           in
           aggravation
           of
           this
           Scandal
           :
           Nevertheless
           ,
           I
           shall
           take
           that
           liberty
           here
           ,
           to
           say
           I
           was
           born
           a
           Gentleman
           ,
           and
           have
           had
           my
           Education
           accordingly
           ,
           and
           am
           of
           too
           great
           a
           Spirit
           to
           stoop
           to
           an
           Office
           of
           so
           base
           a
           nature
           to
           serve
           the
           greatest
           Prince
           or
           State
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
             That
             I
             was
             〈◊〉
             only
             one
             of
             the
             late
             Kings
             Judges
             ,
             but
             one
             of
             those
             two
             persons
             in
             Vizards
             ,
             that
             Assisted
             on
             the
             Scaffold
             at
             his
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           This
           I
           may
           call
           a
           home
           thrust
           ,
           a
           blow
           levelled
           ,
           not
           at
           my
           Honour
           and
           Reputation
           only
           ,
           but
           (
           since
           the
           Persons
           so
           Characterized
           are
           Excepted
           out
           of
           the
           Act
           of
           General
           Pardon
           and
           Oblivion
           ,
           )
           at
           my
           Life
           and
           Fortune
           also
           ,
           and
           ought
           more
           deservedly
           to
           be
           Vindicated
           by
           some
           solemn
           course
           of
           Law
           ,
           then
           the
           forementioned
           Scandal
           :
           but
           the
           Promoters
           of
           this
           loud
           Cry
           ,
           being
           lost
           in
           a
           Croud
           of
           People
           ,
           I
           cannot
           give
           my self
           ,
           or
           others
           ,
           that
           Publick
           satisfaction
           that
           the
           Merits
           of
           the
           Cause
           requires
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           am
           necessitated
           to
           give
           my self
           and
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           best
           satisfaction
           in
           this
           Point
           that
           I
           can
           .
        
         
           And
           since
           Malice
           is
           so
           bold
           and
           daring
           ,
           I
           do
           bless
           that
           good
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           set
           me
           in
           such
           Circumstances
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           when
           such
           Matter
           is
           Charged
           to
           be
           done
           ;
           that
           although
           I
           am
           of
           the
           Negative
           part
           ,
           I
           am
           able
           to
           convince
           the
           Author
           of
           that
           Report
           ,
           to
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           all
           Mankind
           ,
           of
           a
           most
           foul
           and
           malicious
           Slander
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           shortly
           thus
           ,
           Except
           I
           could
           be
           at
           Hambrough
           in
           Germany
           ,
           and
           at
           Westminster
           in
           England
           ,
           at
           one
           and
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           (
           which
           all
           will
           agree
           is
           wholly
           impossible
           )
           the
           odious
           Matter
           Charged
           upon
           me
           in
           this
           Article
           cannot
           be
           true
           ;
           and
           to
           prove
           that
           I
           was
           at
           Hambrough
           at
           the
           same
           time
           that
           the
           Matters
           Charged
           in
           this
           Article
           were
           Transacted
           at
           Westminster
           ,
           I
           vouch
           the
           same
           Evidence
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           Cited
           in
           my
           Defence
           upon
           the
           Second
           Article
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           the
           Malice
           of
           this
           Design
           against
           my
           Honour
           ,
           will
           plainly
           appear
           by
           what
           is
           already
           said
           ,
           so
           that
           these
           several
           Slanders
           were
           broached
           and
           sent
           abroad
           on
           set
           purpose
           to
           way-lay
           me
           in
           my
           Election
           for
           one
           of
           the
           Burgesses
           for
           Southwark
           will
           yet
           further
           appear
           by
           that
           Scandalous
           Libel
           that
           goes
           abroad
           under
           the
           Name
           of
           
             How
             and
             Rich
          
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Author
           (
           pretending
           )
           to
           give
           an
           impartial
           Account
           of
           that
           Election
           ,
           after
           he
           had
           given
           a
           worthy
           Character
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Competitors
           suming
           up
           all
           the
           forementioned
           Reports
           which
           are
           sounded
           forth
           at
           large
           
           against
           me
           in
           a
           few
           softer
           words
           ,
           is
           pleased
           by
           an
           Elegant
           Irony
           to
           Characterize
           me
           as
           
             a
             Person
             sufficiently
             Eminent
             for
             the
             Figure
             I
             made
             in
             the
             late
             Revolutions
             .
          
           And
           that
           this
           Character
           may
           find
           the
           better
           Credit
           with
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           may
           be
           thought
           still
           a
           Man
           of
           the
           same
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Libellers
           adds
           ,
           That
           at
           the
           Election
           ,
           
             I
             threatned
             to
             pull
             one
             of
             the
             Kings
             Water-mens
             Coats
             over
             his
             Ears
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             thereupon
             Replyed
             to
             me
             ,
             Aye
             Sir
             ,
             so
             perhaps
             you
             would
             my
             Masters
             too
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             in
             your
             Power
             .
          
           All
           which
           is
           most
           notoriously
           false
           ,
           and
           without
           any
           colour
           or
           ground
           of
           Truth
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           The
           next
           exception
           they
           take
           to
           my
           Nomination
           to
           serve
           as
           a
           Burgess
           in
           the
           present
           Parliament
           is
           ,
           
             That
             being
             one
             of
             the
             present
             Sheriffs
             for
             the
             Renowned
             City
             of
          
           London
           ,
           
             I
             live
             in
             a
             Garret
          
           ,
           and
           
             keep
             no
             House
          
           .
        
         
           Were
           this
           admitted
           to
           be
           wholly
           true
           ,
           yet
           will
           it
           not
           be
           allowed
           (
           as
           I
           conceive
           ,
           )
           for
           a
           good
           exception
           in
           the
           Case
           of
           a
           Burgess
           to
           serve
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           if
           I
           be
           otherwise
           qualified
           for
           so
           great
           a
           Trust
           ;
           it
           being
           a
           Maxime
           ,
           That
           those
           that
           are
           most
           saving
           of
           their
           own
           Estates
           ,
           will
           be
           most
           careful
           of
           the
           Peoples
           :
           But
           since
           it
           doth
           cast
           some
           Reflection
           on
           me
           in
           the
           Office
           I
           now
           bear
           ,
           I
           confess
           it
           will
           require
           a
           further
           Answer
           .
        
         
           I
           say
           then
           ,
           that
           (
           though
           this
           be
           not
           altogether
           true
           ,
           yet
           )
           having
           less
           of
           Malice
           then
           the
           former
           ,
           I
           can
           the
           better
           bear
           it
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           former
           matters
           Charged
           ,
           my
           Adversaries
           run
           upon
           me
           as
           if
           they
           designed
           nothing
           less
           then
           to
           tear
           me
           in
           pie●●●
           ;
           by
           this
           ,
           they
           seem
           desirous
           only
           to
           pull
           me
           down
           ,
           and
           degrade
           me
           :
           by
           those
           they
           gave
           me
           the
           Character
           of
           a
           very
           bad
           Subject
           ;
           by
           this
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           me
           thought
           no
           good
           Citizen
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           I
           have
           disclaimed
           those
           ,
           with
           that
           just
           abhorrencie
           ,
           that
           the
           Merits
           of
           the
           Case
           required
           ;
           so
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           upon
           a
           due
           Consideration
           of
           so
           much
           of
           the
           aforesaid
           Exception
           as
           shall
           be
           found
           true
           ,
           as
           also
           ,
           of
           that
           which
           follows
           ,
           they
           will
           admit
           of
           so
           fair
           an
           Apology
           ,
           as
           will
           not
           leave
           me
           under
           the
           guilt
           of
           any
           misdemeanour
           .
        
         
           But
           before
           I
           enter
           upon
           the
           Examination
           and
           Answer
           of
           Particulars
           ,
           I
           shall
           here
           enter
           my
           Protest
           ,
           That
           I
           have
           a
           true
           and
           real
           Veneration
           and
           Esteem
           for
           that
           Renowned
           City
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           ready
           to
           express
           the
           same
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ,
           both
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           ;
           even
           before
           I
           had
           the
           Honour
           to
           be
           Called
           to
           the
           Office
           I
           now
           bear
           amongst
           them
           .
        
         
           That
           I
           am
           always
           ready
           to
           pay
           that
           due
           observance
           and
           respect
           to
           the
           Government
           thereof
           that
           the
           Laws
           ordained
           for
           that
           purpose
           do
           require
           .
           That
           though
           for
           many
           years
           last
           past
           I
           have
           not
           had
           any
           private
           Interest
           and
           Concern
           by
           way
           of
           Trade
           ,
           not
           expect
           hereafter
           any
           benefit
           or
           advantage
           thereby
           ,
           yet
           I
           have
           as
           hearty
           good
           wishes
           for
           the
           Trade
           ,
           Welfare
           ,
           and
           Prosperity
           of
           the
           said
           City
           ,
           as
           any
           Citizen
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           I
           have
           been
           always
           ready
           and
           willing
           in
           my
           place
           and
           station
           to
           promote
           those
           good
           ends
           ,
           so
           I
           brought
           the
           same
           resolutions
           with
           me
           into
           that
           Office
           which
           I
           now
           bear
           ,
           and
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           discharge
           with
           all
           integrity
           ,
           governing
           myself
           therein
           (
           so
           far
           as
           I
           am
           able
           )
           by
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Land
           ,
           (
           to
           both
           which
           ,
           I
           acknowledge
           my self
           to
           be
           a
           Servant
           )
           as
           my
           best
           Warrant
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           safest
           Guides
           .
           And
           if
           in
           any
           thing
           I
           shall
           chance
           to
           fail
           ,
           or
           fall
           short
           of
           this
           ,
           it
           shall
           not
           be
           through
           any
           willful
           miscarriage
           or
           neglect
           ,
           but
           from
           mistake
           ,
           which
           may
           easily
           happen
           to
           one
           of
           my
           Education
           in
           the
           manage
           of
           an
           Office
           of
           that
           importance
           .
        
         
         
           And
           now
           to
           return
           to
           that
           which
           is
           objected
           to
           my
           disparagement
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             That
             I
             live
             in
             a
             Garret
             ,
             and
             keep
             no
             House
             :
          
           and
           this
           they
           aggravate
           by
           suggesting
           that
           for
           this
           reason
           I
           have
           been
           denyed
           several
           Priviledges
           granted
           to
           other
           Sheriffs
           ,
           not
           having
           done
           the
           City
           that
           honour
           ,
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           as
           others
           in
           my
           place
           have
           done
           .
        
         
           Ill
           will
           ,
           as
           it
           never
           speaks
           well
           ,
           so
           it
           seldom
           speaks
           true
           ;
           as
           it
           makes
           the
           worst
           Construction
           of
           all
           Actions
           ,
           so
           it
           commonly
           mis-reports
           all
           Persons
           against
           whom
           it
           hath
           any
           pique
           or
           prejudice
           ;
           this
           seems
           to
           be
           my
           Case
           ,
           and
           how
           I
           come
           to
           fall
           under
           these
           Circumstances
           will
           best
           appear
           by
           that
           which
           follows
           .
        
         
           The
           Truth
           is
           ,
           being
           a
           single
           Person
           (
           as
           I
           have
           been
           for
           many
           years
           )
           and
           having
           neither
           the
           Concerns
           of
           a
           Family
           nor
           of
           Trade
           lying
           upon
           me
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           have
           a
           setled
           and
           known
           Being
           for
           such
           time
           of
           the
           Year
           as
           I
           commonly
           spend
           in
           Town
           ,
           without
           the
           trouble
           and
           inconveniency
           which
           commonly
           attends
           the
           shifting
           of
           Lodgings
           :
           I
           took
           the
           House
           I
           now
           live
           in
           ,
           (
           not
           the
           Garrets
           but
           )
           all
           save
           the
           Garrets
           ,
           Cellars
           ,
           and
           one
           small
           Room
           upon
           the
           first
           Floor
           ,
           with
           accommodations
           sufficient
           for
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           better
           Quality
           than
           my self
           ;
           and
           this
           I
           have
           kept
           for
           Ten
           years
           last
           past
           ,
           as
           my
           Landlord
           and
           many
           other
           persons
           ,
           if
           need
           be
           ,
           will
           testifie
           .
        
         
           Being
           Chosen
           into
           this
           Office
           (
           not
           having
           then
           any
           knowledge
           of
           those
           Sumptuary
           Laws
           which
           our
           wise
           and
           prudent
           Ancestors
           had
           enacted
           for
           the
           limiting
           and
           bounding
           the
           Extravagancies
           of
           Entertainments
           as
           well
           as
           other
           exorbitances
           )
           submitting
           to
           that
           grand
           Imposer
           ,
           Custome
           ,
           I
           kept
           those
           Feasts
           which
           the
           Sheriffs
           have
           Commonly
           made
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           their
           year
           (
           which
           I
           find
           were
           two
           Feasts
           (
           of
           great
           Charge
           )
           more
           than
           those
           Laws
           will
           Warrant
           )
           and
           I
           have
           not
           heard
           ,
           that
           any
           one
           man
           hath
           complained
           ,
           that
           I
           was
           over
           sparing
           in
           my
           Provisions
           and
           Expences
           upon
           those
           occasions
           .
        
         
           And
           being
           misguided
           by
           the
           same
           Error
           (
           having
           agreed
           for
           a
           House
           for
           that
           purpose
           )
           I
           resolved
           (
           as
           some
           others
           in
           my
           Office
           had
           done
           before
           me
           )
           to
           settle
           my
           Tables
           so
           as
           to
           begin
           House-keeping
           at
           Christmas
           ,
           which
           was
           as
           soon
           as
           I
           could
           well
           settle
           my
           own
           private
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           under-Officers
           ;
           so
           as
           the
           weighty
           concern
           of
           my
           Office
           might
           not
           suffer
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           might
           be
           at
           leisure
           to
           give
           my self
           to
           the
           daily
           attendance
           upon
           the
           honourable
           Imployment
           of
           an
           Host
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           fell
           out
           (
           most
           unluckily
           for
           this
           purpose
           )
           that
           the
           Alderman
           of
           the
           Ward
           wherein
           I
           live
           ,
           dying
           ,
           and
           that
           Ward
           (
           as
           big
           as
           five
           or
           six
           of
           some
           other
           Wards
           ,
           )
           having
           (
           it
           seems
           )
           a
           better
           opinion
           of
           me
           ,
           then
           those
           that
           have
           made
           this
           out-cry
           against
           me
           ,
           thought
           fit
           by
           general
           Consent
           to
           choose
           me
           for
           one
           of
           the
           two
           Persons
           who
           were
           to
           be
           offered
           to
           the
           Court
           of
           Aldermen
           as
           Candidates
           for
           that
           Office
           ;
           and
           the
           competition
           for
           the
           second
           place
           being
           between
           Sir
           
             Richard
             How
          
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           Pilkinton
           ,
           and
           the
           latter
           carrying
           it
           upon
           the
           Poll
           ,
           and
           we
           two
           being
           accordingly
           presented
           to
           the
           Court
           of
           Aldermen
           ,
           they
           thought
           fit
           ,
           (
           contrary
           to
           their
           own
           〈◊〉
           and
           customs
           in
           that
           Case
           )
           to
           wave
           me
           in
           the
           choice
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           Mr.
           Pilkinton
           (
           a
           then
           Commoner
           )
           to
           supply
           that
           place
           amongst
           them
           ,
           and
           this
           I
           take
           to
           be
           principally
           meant
           by
           the
           Priviledges
           which
           the
           Exception
           chargeth
           to
           be
           forfeited
           by
           my
           not
           keeping
           House
           .
        
         
           This
           accident
           so
           falling
           out
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           and
           wholsome
           Laws
           before
           mentioned
           coming
           to
           my
           Knowledge
           ,
           (
           and
           I
           think
           no
           Laws
           are
           more
           properly
           called
           wholesome
           ,
           than
           those
           that
           prohibit
           the
           excess
           of
           Feasting
           )
           these
           two
           Accidents
           (
           I
           say
           )
           gave
           no
           small
           check
           to
           my
           complacent
           humour
           ,
           and
           soon
           induced
           me
           to
           change
           my
           former
           purpose
           and
           intention
           of
           House-keeping
           .
        
         
           Since
           those
           Gentlemen
           shewed
           so
           great
           a
           dislike
           of
           my
           Company
           ,
           besides
           other
           slightings
           and
           disrespects
           I
           found
           from
           them
           ,
           which
           I
           had
           not
           known
           offered
           to
           any
           before
           in
           my
           place
           ,
           and
           especially
           ,
           of
           my
           Age
           ;
           I
           thought
           my self
           in
           no
           sort
           obliged
           to
           carress
           them
           by
           the
           usual
           voluntary
           Treats
           and
           Entertainments
           ;
           nor
           so
           far
           to
           forsake
           my
           wonted
           privacy
           ,
           as
           to
           incumber
           my self
           with
           more
           magnificent
           Accommodations
           for
           so
           short
           a
           time
           as
           I
           was
           to
           abide
           in
           Office
           amongst
           them
           ,
           resolving
           nevertheless
           to
           maintain
           such
           an
           Equipage
           as
           should
           be
           suitable
           to
           my
           Office
           ,
           and
           to
           pay
           such
           services
           to
           the
           City
           as
           their
           Laws
           and
           the
           duty
           of
           my
           place
           requires
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           not
           be
           thought
           in
           what
           I
           have
           said
           to
           design
           in
           the
           least
           to
           detract
           from
           the
           worth
           of
           that
           Gentleman
           the
           Bench
           of
           Aldermen
           thought
           fit
           to
           prefer
           before
           me
           in
           that
           Choice
           ,
           or
           to
           shew
           any
           regret
           I
           have
           for
           missing
           of
           that
           preferment
           :
           I
           acknowledge
           the
           Gentleman
           they
           have
           Chosen
           to
           that
           place
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           very
           worthy
           
           Citizen
           ,
           and
           well
           deserving
           of
           that
           Honour
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           being
           one
           of
           their
           Representatives
           in
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           But
           being
           to
           vindicate
           my self
           against
           the
           Exceptions
           taken
           to
           me
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           may
           ,
           upon
           this
           occasion
           (
           without
           prejudice
           to
           that
           worthy
           Gentleman
           or
           my self
           )
           borrow
           a
           distinction
           from
           the
           Papists
           (
           though
           I
           am
           none
           of
           their
           belief
           )
           which
           I
           conceive
           with
           greater
           reason
           may
           be
           applicable
           to
           my
           Case
           ,
           then
           to
           the
           purpose
           they
           commonly
           use
           it
           .
           They
           say
           ,
           
             There
             is
             a
             merit
             of
             Congruity
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             of
             Condignity
          
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           such
           distinction
           can
           be
           made
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           may
           say
           ,
           (
           without
           any
           shew
           of
           Arrogancy
           )
           that
           though
           the
           Person
           preferred
           to
           that
           place
           ,
           may
           be
           of
           greater
           Personal
           and
           Inherent
           Worth
           then
           I
           can
           challenge
           to
           my self
           ,
           yet
           the
           advantageous
           Circumstances
           by
           which
           I
           came
           recommended
           to
           the
           Court
           of
           Aldermen
           being
           duly
           considered
           ,
           I
           might
           well
           expect
           in
           Congruity
           with
           those
           common
           Rules
           of
           Civility
           ,
           by
           which
           that
           Court
           had
           wont
           to
           Govern
           themselves
           in
           that
           Affair
           ,
           to
           have
           been
           preferred
           in
           the
           Choice
           .
           And
           if
           those
           that
           presented
           me
           missed
           of
           their
           aim
           in
           that
           point
           ,
           I
           think
           those
           of
           the
           Neighbouring
           Burrough
           had
           as
           little
           reason
           to
           reflect
           it
           upon
           me
           ,
           to
           my
           dishonour
           ,
           as
           that
           Court
           had
           to
           give
           them
           the
           occasion
           to
           do
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           this
           is
           said
           ,
           least
           by
           arguing
           the
           Case
           so
           Nicely
           ,
           it
           should
           be
           thought
           that
           I
           am
           more
           concerned
           for
           the
           loss
           of
           the
           place
           ,
           then
           for
           those
           Reflections
           that
           were
           cast
           upon
           me
           upon
           that
           occasion
           ;
           or
           that
           I
           send
           this
           Paper
           a
           begging
           for
           Preferment
           :
           I
           shall
           here
           most
           freely
           declare
           ,
           That
           as
           I
           had
           not
           the
           least
           Ambition
           for
           that
           Office
           ,
           so
           I
           lay
           as
           little
           weight
           upon
           those
           Arguments
           I
           have
           used
           to
           justifie
           my
           pretentions
           to
           it
           .
           I
           think
           in
           themselves
           they
           have
           but
           little
           force
           ,
           though
           I
           esteem
           them
           very
           cogent
           and
           proper
           to
           be
           turned
           upon
           those
           men
           with
           whom
           I
           have
           to
           do
           in
           this
           matter
           .
        
         
           As
           I
           rest
           satisfied
           ,
           that
           I
           had
           the
           Concurrent
           Votes
           of
           so
           many
           worthy
           Citizens
           for
           that
           place
           ,
           and
           do
           think
           my
           Reputation
           well
           secured
           thereby
           ,
           so
           I
           am
           very
           well
           contented
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           missed
           the
           preferment
           ;
           and
           shall
           be
           as
           well
           pleased
           (
           since
           it
           appears
           so
           practicable
           in
           my
           case
           )
           that
           those
           Courtly
           Rules
           by
           which
           that
           Court
           hath
           formerly
           governed
           themselves
           in
           their
           choice
           of
           Magistrates
           ,
           may
           for
           the
           future
           be
           set
           aside
           as
           over-partial
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           ever
           hereafter
           those
           persons
           only
           may
           be
           Elected
           into
           Places
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           that
           shall
           be
           found
           to
           be
           of
           greatest
           integrity
           ,
           and
           of
           best
           ability
           for
           the
           discharge
           thereof
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           be
           had
           to
           any
           of
           those
           ranks
           and
           orders
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           from
           those
           External
           Qualifications
           only
           ,
           do
           expect
           the
           Complement
           of
           preferrence
           in
           the
           Choice
           .
        
         
           For
           my
           part
           (
           being
           for
           many
           years
           last
           past
           delivered
           from
           the
           Incumbrances
           of
           Trade
           and
           publick
           Business
           ,
           )
           I
           have
           tasted
           too
           much
           of
           the
           Pleasures
           and
           satisfaction
           of
           a
           private
           Life
           ,
           to
           be
           fond
           of
           any
           Publick
           Trust
           .
           I
           have
           known
           what
           it
           is
           to
           injoy
           the
           sweet
           repose
           of
           quiet
           sleep
           ,
           after
           the
           divertisements
           of
           the
           Day
           ,
           whilst
           that
           Care
           and
           Anxiety
           that
           commonly
           attend
           those
           in
           Publick
           Places
           do
           not
           seldom
           render
           their
           very
           Beds
           uneasie
           to
           them
           .
           And
           for
           that
           reason
           ,
           I
           should
           not
           have
           accepted
           of
           the
           Office
           I
           now
           hold
           ,
           could
           I
           honestly
           have
           declined
           it
           ;
           but
           I
           thought
           I
           could
           not
           fairly
           desert
           those
           many
           worthy
           Citizens
           ,
           who
           after
           a
           full
           and
           free
           choice
           of
           me
           to
           that
           place
           ,
           endured
           the
           fatigue
           of
           many
           days
           throng
           and
           sweat
           ,
           in
           Justifying
           of
           their
           Election
           by
           the
           Poll.
           And
           if
           I
           can
           in
           any
           measure
           answer
           their
           Expectations
           in
           this
           service
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           very
           well
           pleased
           ,
           without
           giving
           them
           any
           future
           trouble
           of
           the
           like
           kind
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           I
           have
           spoken
           in
           general
           to
           the
           Exception
           taken
           against
           me
           ,
           for
           not
           keeping
           house
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           disrespects
           incurred
           by
           me
           upon
           that
           occasion
           ;
           It
           remains
           that
           I
           should
           say
           some
           thing
           to
           that
           other
           point
           of
           the
           exception
           ,
           whereby
           they
           would
           aggravate
           this
           neglect
           of
           mine
           ,
           as
           redounding
           to
           the
           dishonour
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           from
           whom
           I
           have
           received
           the
           honour
           of
           being
           preferred
           to
           this
           Office.
           
        
         
           I
           confess
           ,
           I
           should
           deem
           my self
           very
           unhappy
           if
           I
           should
           deservedly
           fall
           under
           this
           Censure
           but
           Custom
           (
           which
           I
           have
           said
           before
           is
           a
           grand
           Imposer
           )
           exerciseth
           its
           Tyranny
           in
           nothing
           more
           than
           in
           Creating
           in
           Man
           a
           habit
           of
           Understanding
           things
           much
           other
           wise
           then
           the
           reason
           of
           the
           thing
           will
           bear
           ;
           and
           many
           practises
           (
           upon
           this
           account
           )
           that
           in
           themselves
           are
           very
           unbecoming
           and
           unwarrantable
           ,
           are
           not
           seldom
           urged
           and
           enforced
           as
           most
           commendable
           and
           necessary
           ,
           And
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           that
           upon
           a
           due
           consideration
           of
           this
           matter
           ,
           this
           will
           appear
           to
           be
           our
           Case
           .
        
         
         
           This
           City
           is
           indeed
           a
           great
           and
           opulent
           City
           ,
           full
           of
           People
           and
           Trade
           ;
           a
           City
           eminent
           for
           the
           great
           Charters
           ,
           Priviledges
           ,
           and
           Immunities
           with
           which
           it
           is
           Invested
           ;
           Renowned
           for
           its
           many
           Courts
           ,
           and
           Counsels
           ,
           Companies
           ,
           and
           Societies
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           good
           Laws
           therein
           Instituted
           and
           Ordained
           for
           the
           better
           Government
           of
           the
           several
           Ranks
           and
           Orders
           of
           men
           amongst
           them
           ,
           whereby
           they
           are
           enabled
           to
           obtain
           their
           own
           Justice
           ,
           maintain
           their
           own
           Peace
           ,
           and
           pursue
           all
           the
           good
           and
           advantageous
           ends
           of
           Trade
           ,
           with
           the
           better
           success
           and
           greater
           security
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           the
           happiness
           and
           good
           estate
           of
           this
           City
           doth
           depend
           upon
           the
           right
           use
           and
           improvement
           of
           these
           advantages
           ,
           and
           upon
           a
           due
           and
           righteous
           Execution
           of
           those
           good
           Laws
           ,
           so
           the
           honour
           and
           esteem
           which
           this
           great
           City
           most
           justly
           finds
           from
           all
           men
           both
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           ,
           doth
           principally
           result
           and
           arise
           from
           hence
           .
        
         
           I
           confess
           there
           is
           another
           thing
           that
           doth
           well
           befit
           this
           great
           City
           ,
           which
           we
           call
           State
           and
           Grandeur
           ,
           which
           (
           though
           it
           is
           far
           below
           ,
           and
           differs
           in
           the
           esteem
           of
           wise
           men
           ,
           as
           much
           from
           that
           honour
           which
           I
           have
           before
           described
           ,
           as
           my
           Lord
           Mayors
           Horse
           accoutred
           with
           his
           richest
           Furniture
           and
           Trappings
           ,
           doth
           from
           that
           honourable
           Person
           that
           sits
           upon
           him
           ,
           cloathed
           with
           eminencie
           of
           Power
           and
           Authority
           )
           is
           found
           nevertheless
           most
           necessary
           to
           attract
           that
           Reverence
           from
           the
           Vulgar
           and
           common
           People
           towards
           so
           August
           a
           Government
           ;
           which
           they
           (
           giving
           Judgment
           of
           things
           more
           by
           outward
           appearance
           then
           by
           intrinsick
           worth
           ,
           and
           real
           value
           )
           would
           otherwise
           hardly
           give
           to
           the
           greatest
           Potentates
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           end
           the
           City
           hath
           its
           several
           Ensigns
           of
           Authority
           and
           Power
           fitted
           to
           all
           Degrees
           of
           Magistracy
           ,
           and
           shewing
           the
           place
           they
           bear
           in
           the
           Government
           with
           becoming
           greatness
           .
           They
           have
           their
           solemn
           Processions
           and
           Cavalcades
           ,
           set
           forth
           with
           Habits
           ,
           Equipage
           ,
           Attendants
           ,
           and
           other
           Ornaments
           ,
           sutable
           to
           the
           several
           degrees
           and
           orders
           of
           Men
           ,
           for
           the
           greater
           State.
           
        
         
           They
           have
           also
           their
           Publick
           Shews
           and
           Triumphs
           upon
           set
           times
           and
           occasions
           ,
           edorned
           with
           much
           splendor
           ,
           to
           entertain
           and
           divert
           the
           People
           with
           Gaze
           and
           Admiration
           .
        
         
           And
           they
           have
           (
           besides
           these
           )
           their
           Publick
           Feasts
           upon
           set
           times
           and
           solemn
           occasions
           of
           Assembling
           and
           rejoycing
           together
           for
           their
           refreshment
           .
           And
           I
           do
           agree
           ,
           that
           as
           these
           being
           practised
           with
           that
           moderation
           ,
           and
           within
           those
           limits
           which
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           City
           upon
           great
           reason
           have
           wisely
           Ordained
           ,
           may
           be
           of
           good
           use
           to
           the
           ends
           aforesaid
           ;
           so
           I
           have
           not
           been
           wanting
           in
           performing
           my
           part
           therein
           ,
           unless
           it
           shall
           be
           said
           ,
           That
           I
           have
           not
           attended
           those
           Cavalcades
           and
           Processions
           ,
           which
           were
           made
           last
           Easter
           to
           those
           Sermons
           which
           ought
           to
           have
           been
           at
           the
           Spittle
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           this
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           ,
           that
           though
           I
           did
           intend
           to
           bear
           my
           part
           in
           those
           Solemnities
           also
           ,
           yet
           my
           Lord
           Mayor
           (
           on
           whose
           Person
           only
           I
           am
           obliged
           to
           attend
           upon
           all
           Publick
           occasions
           within
           the
           Liberties
           of
           London
           )
           not
           being
           in
           a
           Condition
           to
           go
           abroad
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           (
           who
           I
           thought
           would
           have
           been
           more
           tender
           impreserving
           that
           antient
           Custom
           which
           had
           been
           but
           once
           Changed
           in
           Three
           hundred
           years
           ,
           (
           and
           then
           upon
           an
           extraordinary
           occasion
           )
           as
           I
           could
           ever
           hear
           )
           being
           pleased
           (
           for
           what
           private
           reason
           I
           know
           not
           )
           to
           stear
           another
           Course
           ,
           I
           did
           not
           think
           I
           was
           obliged
           to
           suffer
           my self
           to
           be
           led
           by
           the
           Nose
           by
           those
           that
           thought
           me
           unfit
           to
           be
           privy
           to
           their
           Councels
           ,
           or
           to
           know
           the
           reasons
           of
           so
           mysterious
           a
           Resolution
           for
           the
           alteration
           of
           that
           Antient
           Practice
           .
        
         
           But
           let
           the
           Consequence
           of
           this
           Accident
           be
           what
           it
           will
           ,
           I
           conceive
           it
           falls
           not
           within
           our
           present
           question
           :
           as
           to
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           Sheriffs
           ordinary
           course
           and
           way
           of
           House-keeping
           ,
           the
           neglect
           of
           which
           ,
           is
           here
           to
           be
           Answered
           :
           And
           therefore
           ,
           to
           speak
           more
           directly
           to
           the
           point
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           First
           ,
           that
           this
           (
           not
           being
           accounted
           amongst
           those
           Publick
           Solemnities
           which
           (
           as
           I
           have
           before
           noted
           )
           make
           up
           the
           Cities
           Grandure
           )
           I
           conceive
           detracts
           nothing
           from
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           whatever
           reflection
           it
           may
           have
           upon
           my
           own
           personal
           Reputation
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           I
           do
           little
           doubt
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           common
           course
           ,
           and
           method
           of
           the
           Sheriffs
           House-keeping
           ,
           upon
           due
           consideration
           will
           appear
           to
           be
           of
           so
           little
           Honour
           ,
           that
           on
           the
           contrary
           it
           will
           be
           found
           a
           great
           prejudice
           to
           the
           City
           ,
           and
           a
           real
           scandal
           to
           the
           Government
           that
           allows
           it
           ;
           as
           well
           as
           an
           unbecoming
           and
           unreasonable
           burden
           and
           slavery
           to
           him
           that
           bears
           it
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Method
           of
           House-keeping
           they
           divide
           the
           Week
           into
           certain
           and
           set
           days
           ,
           
           some
           whereof
           are
           called
           Publick
           days
           ,
           which
           they
           imploy
           in
           Feasting
           of
           the
           Companies
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           and
           other
           grand
           Feasts
           ;
           the
           other
           called
           private
           days
           ,
           are
           commonly
           spent
           in
           Treating
           of
           particular
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           come
           upon
           occasional
           Visits
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           that
           of
           the
           Feasting
           of
           the
           Companies
           (
           of
           which
           the
           greatest
           Observation
           is
           made
           )
           I
           think
           nothing
           can
           be
           less
           honourable
           to
           the
           Sheriffs
           ,
           and
           nothing
           more
           inconvenient
           to
           the
           Citizens
           ,
           and
           prejudicial
           to
           that
           sober
           Industry
           by
           which
           a
           Trading
           City
           thrives
           best
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           honour
           that
           accrues
           to
           the
           Sheriffs
           thereby
           I
           cannot
           well
           understand
           it
           ,
           since
           (
           according
           to
           the
           usual
           practise
           in
           this
           case
           )
           the
           Companies
           Generally
           Invite
           themselves
           to
           the
           Sheriffs
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           token
           of
           their
           Respects
           present
           them
           with
           two
           or
           three
           Guineys
           towards
           the
           Charge
           of
           a
           double
           Treat
           ;
           one
           in
           Winter
           of
           the
           Livery
           Men
           alone
           ,
           with
           such
           other
           persons
           as
           may
           accidentally
           come
           to
           fill
           up
           the
           Tables
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           in
           Summer
           of
           the
           same
           Persons
           with
           their
           Wives
           .
           I
           must
           Confess
           as
           often
           as
           I
           consider
           this
           ,
           it
           seems
           to
           me
           much
           like
           that
           Custom
           in
           some
           Countries
           where
           two
           poor
           Servants
           being
           newly
           Married
           keep
           a
           Bride
           Chamber
           (
           as
           it
           is
           Called
           )
           and
           making
           a
           Provision
           for
           that
           purpose
           ,
           Invite
           some
           of
           the
           best
           of
           the
           Neighbourhood
           to
           a
           Treat
           ,
           the
           Issue
           of
           which
           imports
           a
           Gift
           of
           Money
           ,
           Houshold-goods
           ,
           Stock
           or
           Cattle
           ,
           or
           some
           such
           like
           Present
           to
           set
           up
           the
           New
           House-keepers
           ,
           which
           much
           exceeds
           the
           Value
           of
           the
           Treat
           .
           And
           if
           in
           our
           Case
           the
           exorbitant
           expences
           ,
           (
           in
           which
           the
           Sheriffs
           of
           late
           have
           generally
           striven
           to
           exceed
           one
           another
           )
           bring
           it
           to
           an
           indifferent
           Club
           ,
           I
           cannot
           see
           that
           any
           great
           honour
           redounds
           to
           the
           Sheriffs
           thereby
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           so
           far
           from
           obliging
           the
           Citizens
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           become
           a
           considerable
           yearly
           Tax
           upon
           them
           ,
           which
           many
           cannot
           so
           well
           spare
           ,
           nor
           would
           so
           easily
           pay
           ,
           were
           they
           not
           solicited
           by
           the
           Masters
           and
           Wardens
           of
           their
           several
           Companies
           ,
           urging
           this
           unreasonable
           Custome
           as
           the
           Argument
           for
           the
           Payment
           of
           this
           Tribute
           .
        
         
           And
           how
           great
           an
           Enemie
           this
           great
           expence
           of
           time
           ,
           in
           Luxurious
           Eating
           and
           Drinking
           is
           ,
           to
           that
           sober
           Industry
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           rise
           and
           glory
           of
           a
           Trading
           City
           ,
           is
           easily
           seen
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           to
           be
           excused
           ,
           since
           those
           days
           for
           Assembling
           and
           Feasting
           in
           their
           several
           Companies
           at
           their
           respective
           Halls
           ,
           are
           sufficient
           for
           their
           reasonable
           Repast
           ,
           and
           Divertisement
           as
           well
           as
           for
           maintaining
           that
           Amity
           and
           Friendship
           ,
           which
           is
           one
           of
           the
           ends
           of
           those
           meetings
           .
        
         
           And
           lest
           there
           should
           be
           sufficient
           Matter
           wanting
           for
           the
           encreasing
           of
           the
           Slaverie
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Expence
           of
           the
           Sheriffs
           ,
           and
           that
           this
           Extravagant
           Course
           may
           continue
           the
           whole
           Year
           ,
           invitations
           are
           provided
           for
           the
           filling
           up
           of
           those
           Publick
           days
           which
           are
           not
           spent
           in
           Feasting
           of
           the
           Companies
           ,
           wherein
           by
           an
           unwarrantable
           sort
           of
           Emulation
           ,
           Men
           seem
           often
           to
           Vie
           one
           with
           the
           other
           in
           lavishness
           of
           Expence
           .
           And
           others
           less
           able
           ,
           being
           Ambitious
           to
           keep
           pace
           with
           those
           that
           went
           before
           them
           ,
           do
           not
           only
           Squander
           many
           a
           good
           Childs
           Portion
           ,
           but
           transgressing
           those
           good
           Laws
           made
           for
           the
           bounding
           of
           their
           Expence
           ,
           sometime
           spend
           in
           one
           year
           half
           ,
           (
           if
           not
           the
           whole
           ,
           of
           that
           which
           they
           )
           or
           their
           Parents
           have
           been
           many
           years
           getting
           with
           sore
           labour
           and
           travail
           ,
           as
           manifestly
           appears
           by
           those
           who
           not
           long
           after
           they
           have
           born
           these
           grand
           Offices
           dye
           Beggars
           ,
           or
           spend
           the
           remaining
           part
           of
           their
           Lives
           in
           a
           Goal
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           may
           be
           further
           noted
           ,
           as
           a
           bad
           Consequence
           attending
           this
           Extravagancie
           ,
           to
           the
           no
           little
           detriment
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           and
           diminution
           of
           its
           greatness
           ,
           That
           since
           Magistracy
           by
           this
           means
           is
           rendred
           so
           over-burdensome
           ,
           many
           Rich
           and
           Prudent
           Men
           ,
           otherwise
           well
           qualified
           for
           Places
           of
           Publick
           Trust
           ,
           and
           who
           (
           as
           matters
           were
           formerly
           ordered
           )
           would
           have
           embraced
           the
           freedom
           of
           the
           City
           as
           a
           matter
           of
           Honour
           and
           great
           Priviledge
           ,
           by
           a
           wise
           foresight
           have
           thought
           fit
           rather
           to
           decline
           it
           ,
           than
           submit
           to
           those
           grand
           inconveniencies
           ,
           which
           (
           through
           the
           neglect
           of
           those
           good
           Laws
           ,
           and
           the
           Preval
           ency
           of
           bad
           Customs
           )
           seem
           to
           be
           entailed
           on
           it
           ;
           for
           which
           reason
           likewise
           ,
           many
           Freemen
           that
           are
           in
           all
           respects
           well
           qualified
           for
           so
           great
           a
           Trust
           ,
           being
           called
           upon
           for
           that
           purpose
           ,
           chuse
           rather
           to
           purchase
           their
           own
           Liberty
           ,
           by
           Paying
           a
           considerable
           Fine
           ,
           than
           to
           bear
           any
           place
           in
           the
           Government
           ;
           or
           run
           the
           hazard
           of
           those
           Clamours
           that
           they
           should
           find
           by
           a
           more
           Frugal
           management
           thereof
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           I
           hope
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           govern
           my self
           so
           in
           this
           Affair
           ,
           as
           
           neither
           to
           be
           wanting
           in
           any
           thing
           that
           shall
           be
           Essential
           to
           the
           Duty
           of
           my
           place
           ,
           nor
           to
           exceed
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           vanity
           of
           one
           years
           jollity
           or
           applause
           ,
           to
           disappoint
           or
           discourage
           the
           hopes
           of
           those
           that
           may
           reasonably
           expect
           some
           considerable
           share
           of
           the
           Fruits
           of
           my
           former
           Labours
           ,
           which
           (
           considering
           my
           Age
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           time
           for
           the
           encreasing
           of
           my
           Estate
           is
           long
           since
           gone
           )
           ought
           the
           rather
           to
           be
           regarded
           .
           And
           I
           pray
           God
           ,
           that
           Pride
           ,
           fullness
           of
           Bread
           ,
           and
           Idleness
           ,
           which
           was
           charged
           upon
           Sodom
           ,
           and
           Jerusalem
           ,
           as
           the
           Cause
           of
           Gods
           Judgments
           ,
           may
           not
           grow
           to
           that
           height
           of
           Excess
           in
           this
           City
           ,
           as
           to
           become
           the
           Ruine
           and
           Destruction
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           There
           remains
           one
           part
           of
           the
           Objection
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           House-keeping
           yet
           behind
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           
             That
             I
             keep
             no
             setled
             House
             ,
             nor
             a
             set
             Table
             :
          
           to
           which
           ,
           (
           though
           I
           lightly
           touched
           it
           before
           )
           I
           shall
           give
           this
           further
           Answer
           ,
           and
           I
           think
           my
           Cirmstances
           considered
           ,
           it
           will
           admit
           of
           a
           very
           easie
           excuse
           .
        
         
           I
           conceive
           that
           my
           Condition
           ,
           as
           being
           called
           out
           of
           the
           Country
           (
           where
           my
           concerns
           lye
           )
           to
           serve
           this
           Office
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           (
           where
           for
           many
           years
           last
           past
           I
           have
           had
           no
           setled
           Habitation
           or
           Dealing
           )
           doth
           much
           resemble
           that
           of
           some
           Citizens
           ,
           that
           having
           their
           setled
           aboade
           and
           business
           in
           the
           City
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           Estates
           in
           the
           Country
           are
           many
           times
           put
           to
           bear
           the
           Office
           of
           Sheriff
           there
           ;
           in
           which
           Case
           ,
           they
           do
           not
           look
           upon
           themselves
           as
           obliged
           ,
           nor
           is
           it
           expected
           from
           the
           Country
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           keep
           a
           constant
           House
           and
           Table
           there
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           wont
           to
           do
           which
           have
           their
           constant
           Residence
           amongst
           them
           .
           And
           if
           they
           do
           attend
           the
           Judges
           ,
           and
           the
           business
           of
           the
           County
           with
           a
           sufficient
           Retinue
           ,
           and
           with
           due
           Care
           ,
           and
           make
           such
           solemn
           Entertainments
           as
           the
           Law
           requires
           upon
           those
           occasions
           ,
           no
           exception
           is
           taken
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           why
           more
           should
           be
           expected
           from
           me
           in
           the
           like
           Case
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           well
           understand
           .
        
         
           Had
           I
           a
           setled
           House
           and
           Family
           in
           this
           City
           (
           as
           commonly
           those
           that
           are
           Chosen
           to
           this
           Office
           have
           )
           of
           Course
           I
           should
           have
           kept
           a
           House
           ,
           and
           a
           set
           Table
           ,
           and
           should
           not
           have
           grudged
           to
           have
           inlarged
           it
           in
           some
           measure
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           this
           further
           in
           my
           Case
           ,
           that
           being
           a
           single
           Person
           ,
           without
           Wife
           or
           Family
           that
           might
           require
           a
           House
           ,
           and
           which
           ,
           (
           besides
           the
           divertisement
           of
           their
           Company
           )
           would
           be
           assisting
           to
           me
           in
           the
           Management
           thereof
           ,
           I
           thought
           I
           had
           the
           less
           reason
           to
           take
           upon
           me
           that
           melancholy
           piece
           of
           trouble
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           well
           assured
           ,
           that
           those
           friends
           that
           would
           have
           looked
           upon
           themselves
           as
           obliged
           to
           Visit
           me
           upon
           this
           occasion
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           only
           persons
           concerned
           in
           this
           part
           of
           the
           exception
           ,
           will
           not
           have
           the
           worse
           thoughts
           of
           me
           upon
           this
           account
           ,
           but
           had
           rather
           that
           I
           should
           enjoy
           them
           with
           wonted
           freedom
           ,
           than
           out
           of
           meer
           Formality
           be
           confined
           for
           a
           year
           ,
           to
           so
           great
           a
           trouble
           and
           inconveniency
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           only
           of
           receiving
           their
           Visits
           .
        
         
           The
           last
           exception
           that
           is
           taken
           to
           me
           ,
           is
           that
           according
           to
           the
           example
           of
           my
           Predecessors
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           voluntarily
           contribute
           to
           the
           Necessities
           of
           the
           Poor
           Prisoners
           belonging
           to
           the
           City
           Prisons
           ,
           and
           County-Goal
           .
        
         
           Those
           Capital
           Crimes
           that
           have
           been
           before
           objected
           ,
           carryiing
           with
           them
           no
           colour
           of
           Truth
           ;
           I
           take
           this
           Objection
           (
           that
           hath
           much
           of
           Truth
           ●n
           it
           )
           to
           be
           more
           pressing
           then
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           there
           being
           more
           to
           be
           pleaded
           for
           Acts
           of
           Charity
           ,
           than
           for
           profuseness
           .
        
         
           My
           Contest
           is
           not
           with
           the
           Poor
           Prisoners
           ,
           to
           whom
           Bowels
           of
           Compassion
           ought
           to
           be
           shewn
           ,
           but
           with
           that
           Male-Administration
           that
           hath
           occasioned
           this
           Grievance
           .
           The
           Lawyers
           say
           ,
           
             That
             a
             particular
             mischief
             ought
             rather
             to
             be
             born
             ,
             then
             a
             general
             and
             publick
             inconveniency
             admitted
             .
          
           And
           as
           those
           Laws
           which
           provide
           for
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Prisons
           have
           been
           much
           neglected
           by
           occasion
           of
           the
           Sheriffs
           taking
           upon
           themselves
           this
           Charge
           ,
           so
           I
           know
           not
           but
           the
           putting
           a
           stop
           to
           these
           Payments
           (
           which
           are
           but
           voluntary
           )
           may
           give
           a
           good
           occasion
           for
           enquiry
           into
           those
           Laws
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           restoring
           of
           them
           to
           a
           due
           execution
           ,
           which
           would
           be
           of
           greater
           advantage
           to
           the
           Poor
           Prisoners
           than
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           now
           done
           ,
           and
           would
           also
           encourage
           others
           to
           such
           Charitable
           Benevolencies
           ,
           and
           Legacies
           ,
           as
           have
           been
           formerly
           given
           for
           their
           better
           support
           ,
           and
           also
           prevent
           the
           loss
           of
           those
           charitable
           Donations
           which
           its
           said
           have
           happened
           by
           want
           of
           due
           care
           in
           the
           Execution
           of
           the
           said
           Laws
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           Land
           do
           provide
           ,
           that
           the
           Counties
           shall
           maintain
           their
           Prisoners
           ,
           so
           the
           Laws
           of
           this
           City
           both
           Antient
           and
           Modern
           do
           place
           the
           Government
           and
           Care
           of
           the
           Prisons
           in
           the
           Court
           of
           Aldermen
           and
           a
           Committee
           of
           the
           City
           ,
           to
           be
           Annually
           appointed
           by
           and
           out
           of
           the
           Common
           Councel
           ,
           as
           the
           best
           Expedient
           
           our
           Wise
           and
           Prudent
           Ancestors
           could
           find
           ,
           for
           preventing
           those
           inconveniencies
           under
           which
           the
           Poor
           Prisoners
           now
           groan
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           by
           holding
           of
           my
           hand
           ,
           and
           by
           those
           Arguments
           I
           have
           given
           to
           excuse
           my
           sparingness
           in
           this
           and
           other
           matters
           ,
           I
           should
           prove
           so
           happy
           as
           to
           give
           an
           occasion
           for
           Retrieving
           of
           those
           good
           Laws
           which
           the
           Ancient
           Prudence
           of
           this
           City
           hath
           most
           plentifully
           Provided
           for
           preserving
           and
           promoting
           the
           good
           Estate
           of
           Her
           Citizens
           ,
           so
           as
           they
           may
           no
           longer
           lye
           Dormant
           amongst
           their
           Records
           ,
           but
           be
           put
           in
           due
           Execution
           ;
           I
           think
           neither
           Prisoner
           ,
           nor
           any
           Freeman
           will
           hereafter
           find
           any
           just
           cause
           to
           complain
           of
           me
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           effecting
           so
           good
           a
           Work
           ,
           as
           the
           World
           would
           easily
           believe
           that
           I
           should
           have
           greater
           satisfaction
           in
           my self
           ,
           so
           I
           should
           not
           doubt
           in
           the
           end
           of
           my
           Year
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           great
           Cry
           that
           hath
           been
           made
           against
           me
           with
           so
           little
           reason
           ,
           to
           have
           more
           thanks
           from
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           my
           fellow
           Citizens
           ,
           upon
           that
           account
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Obligation
           would
           last
           longer
           with
           them
           ,
           then
           if
           I
           had
           according
           to
           late
           Example
           spent
           Eight
           or
           Nine
           thousand
           pound
           in
           the
           Year
           of
           my
           Shrievaltie
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           is
           but
           a
           good
           wish
           ,
           that
           fell
           out
           occasionally
           in
           the
           Current
           of
           my
           Discourse
           ,
           a
           matter
           ,
           rather
           to
           be
           desired
           ,
           than
           effected
           by
           any
           thing
           that
           I
           can
           say
           ,
           or
           do
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           for
           me
           to
           think
           I
           can
           bear
           back
           the
           strong
           Torrent
           of
           Custome
           ,
           when
           the
           Laws
           of
           the
           City
           are
           not
           strong
           enough
           to
           do
           it
           :
           If
           I
           shall
           by
           this
           essay
           be
           able
           in
           any
           measure
           to
           stem
           that
           Tyde
           of
           Reproach
           which
           runs
           upon
           me
           with
           that
           violence
           ,
           that
           it
           threatens
           to
           over-set
           and
           make
           Shipwrack
           of
           my
           Honour
           and
           Reputation
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           the
           proper
           Design
           of
           this
           Paper
           )
           I
           shall
           deem
           my self
           in
           no
           small
           measure
           Happy
           and
           Successful
           .
        
         
           
             A
             good
             name
             is
             as
             precious
             Oyntment
             ,
          
           and
           as
           I
           ought
           to
           Value
           it
           ,
           so
           (
           methinks
           )
           I
           should
           now
           at
           length
           be
           able
           to
           prevail
           with
           the
           World
           to
           be
           so
           just
           ,
           as
           to
           consider
           what
           real
           grounds
           or
           reasons
           there
           may
           be
           for
           so
           great
           a
           Noise
           and
           Clamour
           ;
           and
           the
           better
           to
           enforce
           this
           Justice
           ,
           I
           shall
           lay
           before
           them
           ,
           the
           great
           example
           of
           the
           All-righteous
           Judge
           .
        
         
           When
           the
           Cry
           of
           Sodom
           and
           Gomorrah
           was
           very
           great
           ,
           and
           their
           Sin
           very
           grievous
           calling
           for
           Vengeance
           from
           Heaven
           against
           the
           Unrighteous
           Inhabitants
           thereof
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           streight-way
           rain
           down
           Fire
           and
           Brimstone
           upon
           them
           ;
           but
           said
           ,
           
             I
             will
             go
             down
             now
             ,
             and
             see
             whether
             they
             have
             done
             altogether
             according
             to
             the
             Cry
             of
             it
             ,
             which
             is
             come
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             if
             not
             ,
             I
             will
             know
             .
          
           And
           we
           find
           ,
           that
           he
           gave
           Abraham
           leave
           to
           make
           the
           best
           Defence
           he
           could
           for
           them
           before
           the
           Judgment
           came
           .
        
         
           The
           Sin
           of
           Sodom
           was
           very
           Great
           and
           Notorious
           ,
           and
           the
           Cry
           of
           it
           came
           up
           to
           Him
           that
           could
           not
           be
           deceived
           by
           false
           Reports
           ;
           therefore
           his
           Design
           in
           this
           was
           not
           to
           salve
           his
           own
           Justice
           ,
           but
           to
           give
           the
           credulous
           and
           ill-natured
           World
           (
           which
           is
           apt
           to
           believe
           all
           the
           ill
           that
           is
           said
           ,
           rather
           than
           to
           examine
           the
           Truth
           of
           things
           :
           )
           this
           Great
           ,
           and
           Early
           Example
           ,
           as
           a
           most
           Sacred
           and
           Divine
           Rule
           to
           Govern
           themselves
           by
           in
           all
           cases
           ,
           of
           this
           Nature
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           by
           what
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           and
           here
           offered
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           prevail
           with
           a
           too
           censorious
           World
           ,
           to
           leave
           the
           Judgment
           Seat
           a
           little
           while
           ,
           and
           come
           down
           and
           see
           ,
           whether
           the
           Matters
           Charged
           against
           me
           ,
           be
           according
           to
           the
           Cry
           thereof
           that
           is
           come
           unto
           them
           ,
           or
           not
           ,
           before
           they
           give
           final
           Judgment
           :
           I
           think
           in
           what
           I
           have
           here
           said
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           have
           troubled
           my self
           ,
           nor
           them
           in
           vain
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .