Study to be quiet, or, Serious and seasonable advice to the citizens of London written by a Citizen of London.

Study to be quiet, or, Serious and seasonable advice to the citizens of London written by a Citizen of London.

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Title page

Serious and Seaſonable ADVICE To the CITIZENS of LONDON, &c.

Serious and Seaſonable ADVICE To the CITIZENS of LONDON, &c.

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Friends and Fellow-Citizens.

THe End of theſe few Lines is to perſuade Peace, which every man pretends to covet; but the end is not attainable without the uſe, means, and avoiding that which is of a contrary Importance. Some few things are here pointed at, which have occaſioned diſturbance in Families, hatred and animoſity among Neighbours, diſorders in the City, oppreſſion and violence in the Nation. That ſuch things may not happen amongſt us any more, is the deſign of this Paper, and ſhall be the conſtant and hearty Prayers of the Author.

It behooves every good Citizen to have a watchful Eye towards ſuch Perſons and Actions as would caſt Scorn and Contempt upon the meaneſt Inſtrument of Government. It is rare if any man be made deſperately wicked at once. Evil is propagated by degrees. Hard thoughts of our Superiour, are often followed with Hatred, and after with Sedition and Rebellion, great things taking their riſe from ſmall and inſenſible beginnings. A Cloud of the bigneſs of a Hand, ſpreads the face of the Heavens. Thus a diſobedient Servant proves a bad Maſter, and a worſe Citizen. If we ſlacken [Page] in the leaſt the Chain of our Duty, the Devil quickly takes advantage. Some men who at firſt deteſted Rebellion, have laughed and talked themſelves into Diſobedience, for which, perhaps, being worthily puniſhed, hath ſo exaſperated their minds, ſo as nothing wanted for revenge, but an opportunity. Others there be, whoſe great felicity lies in hearing and telling News: Theſe are a ſort of Buſie-bodies, and men for the moſt part, of ſmall imployment, and as little diſcretion, that receive all they hear (eſpecially ſuch things as will pleaſe their Party) without examining the probability of its being true or falſe; and having heard ſome odd Story, go (big with it) to the next Club, where it is related with abundance of formality; and if it be any thing relating to the Government, it is ten to one but ſome Surmiſe or ſad Deſcant, as bad as Malice can invent, is added over and above. A ready way to introduce a diſaffection toward thoſe in Authority, and prepare mens minds for Diſobedience and Rebellion: Therefore ſuch Malapert Talkers, who are always finding fault, and like Flies, are apt to dwell upon every Sore ought to be Brow-beaten, ſcorned, and oppoſed by every honeſt Citizen, as the Bane of Society, and Peſts of the Commonwealth. Let us all endeavour to live like Men, and Chriſtians, and boldly reprove ſuch as offer to put Affronts and Contempts upon Authority: A far readier way to cure their itching Malady, than by taking pleaſure in their Fooleries and impertinencies. Let every man in his ſtation purſue thoſe things that make for PEACE. We are all Members of one City, Subjects of one Kingdom: all embarked in the ſame Veſſel, and if that ſuffers Shipwrack, none can promiſe immunity to themſelves. In a word, Let us fear God, honour the King, and not meddle with thoſe that are given to change.

[Page] There is alſo another ſort of men among us, ſo well conceited as to think themſelves fit to be ſharers in the Government, and are always complaining that ſomething is amiſs. Men of petulant teſty humours, and factious Spirits, never contented, never pleaſed. Is it not a ſhame to think what a fooliſh and ridiculous attempt was lately made to introduce an Officer among us? Did they fanſie the Government would be Trickt into a Sheriff? What was the Man? How qualified, that ſuch ſiniſter and undue practices were uſed about his Election? I believe but few men will beſpeak him Maſter of any extraordinary meaſure of Reaſon, Judgment or Piety. As for his Eſtate, that was granted deficient, even by his own Faction, as appears by their Subſcriptions towards the upholding of his Grandeur. Certainly They have need of a Bird that give a Groat for an OWL! What then? Why the truth is, though nothing can be more ridiculous than Empty Boldneſs, yet this mans confident and ſeditious ſpeaking, which made him obnoxious to the Law, hath advanced his Reputation with ſome men to an high rate, who otherwiſe might have paſſed along unobſerved. Is this an Office to be carried on with Contribution? Is it not one of the higheſt places of Truſt in this great City? Ought not he, whoever is Elected to that dignity, to be able to bear the charge without auxiliaries, as well for his own ſecurity as the Cities honour? For ſhould he fail in that particular, he muſt not onely be ruined, but the Office fall lame by the way. Yet this man, till he ſaw his Party confounded, offered without bluſhing to accept it. It is an Office of that Truſt, as ought to be committed to the care of none but perſons of known Integrity, Religion, and Honeſty, that in times of danger and diſorder, may keep the Peace, and not encourage Sedition and Tumult: one firm in his Allegiance to [Page] his Majeſty, and a true Proteſtant according to the Church of England. What deſign theſe men had in offering their purſes ſo freely toward ſetting up this Puppet Sheriff, God and their own hearts onely know; but certainly it hath an ill aſpect, for that during his Office he muſt have been Penſioner to the meaneſt Tradeſ-man of his Party. Some few Quakers afforded him their Votes, but their frugality and principles, I ſuppoſe, would hardly, allow them to club toward Feaſting or Fine Clothes. Whatſoever their end was, they are not to be approved, who ſeek to acquire good ends by bad means; and in this Eſſay they ſhewed the Popiſh party a new device (though they have already more tricks than are good) by Subſcriptions and Cabals to introduce ſome of their Favourites into places of Honour and Truſt.

Conſider the danger and inconvenience that ariſeth from the multitude of Pamphlets that are publiſhed every day, filled with Lies and Falſhood, to the diſhonour of God and Religion: containing baſe and unworthy reflections upon moſt men of the greateſt Authority in the Nation, not ſparing at ſome turns (though in cunning and canting terms) the Perſon and Government of his Sacred Majeſty. Are not all publick Actions turned into Ridicule by theſe petty Scriblers, who have hardly Bread to eat, but what they receive for their Weekly Copy? Do we not all know that not long ſince Poor Robins Intelligence was Weekly publiſhed, where the Author took upon him to make a Laughing-ſtock of any perſon, to whom he was prompted, either by money or malice, or to fill up an empty ſpace in his Pamphlet? And though he forbore to name the perſons, yet pointed at them by ſuch Notes and Characters, as they were eaſily known by any that were of the Neighbourhood, to the great diſturbance of [Page] Families and breach of Charity among Citizens, till for abuſing a perſon of Honour, Authority took occaſion to chaſtize his inſolence by ſtopping the Preſs: which particulars, as to him, had been omitted, but that he, or ſuch another, hath, and ſtill doth take upon him to traduce and aſperſe the Juſtice of the Nation, in unworthy and unſeemly terms, not caring whether the matter be true or falſe, ſo it will help to ſell the Book. It is true the Lord Major hath taken ſome care about thoſe Pamphlets, but ſtill there remains a duty upon every private Citizen that may tend much to ſuppreſſing the miſchiefs thereby ariſing: for if in ſtead of reading them with delight and complacency, they and their Authors were diſcountenanced, it would contribute much to the quiet and tranquility of the City and Nation. Let each man obſerve this decorum, and for want of reward, thoſe that write them would ſoon be compelled to turn their Pens to ſome honeſter imployment. It is not ſmall trouble to men that are peaceably diſpoſed, to ſee how eagerly the multitude purſue thoſe miſchievous vanities which commonly the ſharper and more Satyrical they are againſt thoſe in place and authority, find the moſt ready and approved reception, though to ſpeak plain, it is a certain indication of a depraved conſtitution, when men are better pleaſed with things ſowre and crude, than with what affords wholeſom nutriment. And the youth of this City, with ſome others, who are but Children in Underſtanding, are as it were inſenſibly tainted with diſlike of the Government, by receiving thoſe ſeeds of Sedition which afterwards afford an Harveſt too plentiful, and upon every occaſion and opportunity is ready to break forth into open Rebellion againſt thoſe, whom by the Law of Nature and Religion they are bound to obey, eſteem, and honour.

For my own part I am as deeply ſenſible of the late [Page] horrid and damnable Plot againſt the perſon of his ſacred Majeſty, and the Proteſtant Religion as any man, and am verily perſuaded the King himſelf, and thoſe about him, are ſufficiently ſatisfied how induſtriouſly it hath been carried on, contrived, and fomented by the Romiſh Emiſſaries both at home and abroad. But withall, I do profeſs, I think it our greateſt prudence and duty to leave the proſecution of thoſe villanous Conſpirators to his Majeſty, and thoſe whom he is pleaſed to authorize for that purpoſe, and not for us to meddle with cenſuring their proceedings, either for Method, Place, or Time, but to reſt ſatisfied with what they ſhall think fit to do in the matter, leſt we be found among the number of thoſe who are heady, high-minded, and ſpeak evil of dignities, and that would rob the King of his Diadem. For what is it leſs, if we cry out that thoſe who ſit at the Helm are either ignorant, or abettors, or favourers of ſuch horrid deſigns; in the one caſe we preſume our ſelves fitter to govern than they; and in the other, we render them, ſo much as in us lies, odious to all men.

We all know the Romaniſts have been buſie ever ſince the Reformation, to make us again taſte of their Colocinths and Gourds, yet through the goodneſs of God, and the prudence of our Governours their moſt ſecret Plots have been diſcovered, their Deſigns baffled, and all their attempts proved the ruine of the Contrivers. Neither have they been yet ſo formidable, as to offer at any acts of open hoſtility, unleſs it can be ſaid they made the Presbyterians and Independents their Drudges in the late. Times to do their work. And if ſo, when ever you ſee them again labouring at the ſame Oar, conclude they are ſtill ſerving the ends of the ſame Maſters, or ſetting up for themſelves. And here it will not be amiſs to conſider how things ſtand now, [Page] and what motives were frequently uſed for introducing the late unnatural War. Did not the Factious of thoſe Times ſeduce the people, by making them believe the late King, of bleſſed Memory, was inclined to Popery, or at leaſt a favourer of it? Were not Fears and Jealouſies the main Engines uſed by thoſe bloody Miſcreants to ſerve their turns? And is there not ſtrong preſumptions that the ſame things are endeavoured by the ſame ſort of men to be acted over again? Is it not daily inculcated what danger we are in from the Papiſts, and many a dreadful Story told of Slavery, Popery, Tyranny, and Arbitrary Government, and God knows what? Does any man think that the Magiſtrates are ſwallowed up in a Supine Negligence? Hath his Majeſty, think you, no care of us, nor of himſelf? Hath he not always with much fervor proteſted his adherence to the Proteſtant Religion? Did he not graciouſly offer the laſt Parliament to ſign any Bill they ſhould frame for ſecurity thereof after his deceaſe? Is he then ſo zealous for its preſervation after his death, and ſhall we imagine he will not protect us in the profeſſion of it during his happy Reign? (which God long continue.) Away then with theſe Fears and Jealouſies which are fomented by men of ambitious deſigns, turbulent ſpirits, and aſpiring minds. Look upon them all as Tricks of the old Trade. Did his Majeſty ever do any thing that looked like betraying us into Slavery? For Gods ſake, Sirs, Conſider whither we are going; let us not be undone again by the ſame methods we were before. Are there not ſome at this day that long to be fingering the Crown-Lands, and Biſhops Revenues. Be not enſnared with their wicked Contrivances, and ſpecious pretences; and let not us deny that to our Soveraign, which by the common ſuffrages of Chriſt and his Apoſtles was awarded to Heathen Emperours.

[Page] But it may be ſaid, we are yet in danger of being outwitted by the Jeſuites and their bloody Crew, and the late Plot is not yet over. It is true, we may yet be ſubject to ſome effects of their malice and fury. But we uſe to ſay, when a Diſtemper is once diſcovered, it is half cured. Have not we been hitherto delivered from thoſe Lions and Bears? They contrive, but God diſappoints; and if their plotting and deſigning, though it takes not effect, ſhall continually fill us with fears and jealouſies, how much more ſhould every man be filled with affrightment at the leaſt appearance of that ſpirit which ruled in the hearts of thoſe Children of Diſobedience in the beginning of our late troubles? Shall theſe men ſtill impoſe upon us ſuch dreadful apprehenſions of thoſe, whoſe deſigns have hitherto been blaſted, and muſt we be perſuaded that we are out of all danger from thoſe who have ſo far ſucceeded in their attempts, as to ſubvert a flouriſhing Kingdom, and overthrow both Religion and property? Perhaps if theſe things were well conſidered, we ſhould not be ſo eaſily Cajoled by them, whoſe great Cry is for Liberty, when indeed they mean nothing more than Anarchy and Confuſion; againſt Popery, while they mean Epiſcopacy; that while we are ſtaring at the Romiſh Wolf, we may be ſurprized by the Northern Bear.

We have had of late ſome Inſtances of Timultuary Propoſals and Applications, that fell little ſhort of the old Story of Venn with his Mermydons, as his late Majeſty was pleaſed to expreſs it; which was onely an Eſſay of the ſtrengh of that Party that caſt us formerly into Confuſion. But they were ſeaſonably check: both by the authority and good affections of the City, to the Confuſion of their Hopes and Deſigns. Is not this like Abſalom in the Gate? Is not this the way to amuſe and fright men from their Trade and Buſineſs? and in effect [Page] to cry, as of old, To your Tents, O Iſrael? It is a dangerous thing to affect Popularity, and to talk of Papiſts in Maſquerade. But unleſs we had better marks whereby to diſtinguiſh thoſe ſort of men, it can onely ſerve as an odious term to be fixt upon whom himſelf and his Party pleaſes; and when time ſerves, expoſe them to the fury of an untutoured Zeal, and to be uſed as Malignant, Delinquent and Popiſhly affected, were of late; which had no other effect, but ſequeſtring the Eſtates, and ruining the Families of perſons ſo ſtigmatized; though indeed they onely were the true Lovers of the Proteſtant Religion, their King, and Country. We are not to account a Vote of the Houſe of Commons to have the Authority of a Law, (as ſome would have a late Vote to be,) when as (the Parliament being diſſolved) it ſignifies) juſt nothing as to the matter of Law, though it was an honeſt and excellent teſtimony of their Zeal for the preſervation of his Majeſties perſon, and the Proteſtant Religion; for which the whole Nation is bound to give them thanks, but I hope we ſhall never live to ſee a Vote, no nor an Ordinance neither, paſs for a Law; and I believe this did not ſpeak the ſenſe of the Houſe: and as little did the late out-cry ſpeak the ſenſe of the City, as appears in this, that there are not ten men to be found that will own the action. Beſide that, the Faction was over-born by a majority of honeſt men.

I have no purpoſe to reflect upon any mans perſon. My deſign is onely to caution my Fellow-Citizens, not to have a hand in any action that looks like Faction and Diſorder, for from little ſparks, many times, are kindled mighty flames: and Solomon bids us, Shun the appearance of evil.

Frailty and Imperfection is juſtly inſcribed on all things ſublunary. Yet if we could ſuppoſe a Syſtem of [Page] Rules and Laws infallible, even this could not free the Government from miſcarriages, it being morally impoſſible among ſuch a multitude of ſubordinate Officers (of neceſſity to be uſed) that all ſhould be furniſhed with Wiſdom and Integrity ſufficient for diſcharge of their duty, ſo that there will always be cauſe of complaint, but no man can ſay, that ſuch things will diſcharge the Subjects from their duty. As to the Conſtitution of our Government, it hath been reckoned the beſt in the World; and for the Adminiſtration, I dare appeal to any man, whether there is not more rigour and ſeverity, heavier Taxes and Impoſitions laid upon the People in the moſt flouriſhing Chriſtian Kingdom in the World, by three parts in four, than ever we have yet met with, unleſs in the late Times of Defection. Is any thing impoſed upon us (which to remedy) will make amends for Tumult and Diſorder, or any danger threatned, or like to befall us, that can equal the miſchief and inconvenience of a Civil War. Conſider this, Fellow-Citizens, and let not ambitious men purchaſe their advancement with the price of your Bloud and Treaſure. They may contrive with their heads till their hearts ake, but without help of your hands, all their project will fall to the ground. I beſeech you therefore ſtand faſt in your duty to God, allegiance to the King and the Government eſtabliſhed by Law. To the firſt you are obliged by Nature and Religion; to the ſecond, by Religion and Oath; to the laſt, by Prudence and Intereſt.

It may be ſaid by the Diſſenters from the Church of England, that they are willing to obey his Majeſty, and obſerve the Law in all Civil Matters, but in Eccleſiaſtical Affairs, and Epiſcopacy, they will not, they cannot yield obedience. My buſineſs is not to diſpute the point, but to perſuade to peace, and to warn you of ſuch men as are like to diſturb it. Let is be conſidered that [Page] Epiſcopacy hath received the ſame Civil Sanction with thoſe Laws that concern Liberty and Property. It is adapted into the Conſtitution of the Government. Would they have his Majeſty aboliſh Epiſcopacy by his own power? Surely this would be to exalt Prerogative with a witneſs; and (as themſelves would ſay in other caſes) contrary to Magna Charta. If not, let them ceaſe their murmurs, till ſome Parliament comes that will pull down that, and ſet up a better, if they can tell where to find it. I confeſs if any man purely out of conſcience refuſeth to Conform, and the Laws againſt it rigorouſly executed, his Circumſtances are hard. But is that our Caſe? Is not every man ſuffered to be as good as he will? Doth not the clemency of our King admit every man to hear and preach where they pleaſe? to follow their own Paſtors, and their own Diſcipline? And after all this, do you hear men cry out againſt the Government, the Biſhops, and the Clergy, men of honour and dignity in the Church, perſons againſt whom they have no exceptions, but their Office and Revenues, perſecuting them with the moſt vile and unſavoury Language their malice can invent. And is this out of Conſcience too? Can any man think he that ſhuns a Surplice, but can eaſily ſwallow a Lie, that exclaims againſt the Common-Prayer, yet is full of Envy, and hatred, is uncharitable to his Neighbour, and conſtantly repleniſhed with ſcurrilous and immoral expreſſions againſt every one that treads not in his path: that this is the effect of a Tender Conſcience. Fly then the Society of this ſort of men, for whatſoever their ſpecious pretences may be, their thirſt is after Domination and Plunder. Thoſe that trampled upon the Mitre overthrew the Crown, Monarchy and Epiſcopacy both fell by the ſame hand: therefore it is not amiſs to mind you once more of Solomons advice, Fear God, Honour the [Page]King, and meddle not with thoſe that are given to change.

When you reflect upon the Methods taken in the beginning of the late Wars by an ill-ſpirited ſort of men, whoſe delight was in Diſorder, and aimed at gainful Fiſhing, if they could but once trouble the Waters, that their firſt endeavour was to raiſe a diſlike againſt the Perſon and Government of the beſt of Kings, and how the Grand Engineers ſtirred up the Citizens and Apprentices to popular Tumults, whereby his Majeſty was invaded, and through fear and force, baniſhed from his Palaces, Cities, his Conſort, his Royal Children and Family, and at laſt himſelf moſt barbarouſly murthered. What contrivance, and by whom carried on? Broils raiſed in Scotland, the better to diſtreſs his Majeſty, and after all this and much more, not to be mentioned without the extreameſt horror and deteſtation; How the Actors thereof were unmasked, their perſons and deſigns diſcovered, their ſeveral Governments under their moſt politick Eſtabliſhment ſhaken to pieces as frequently as formed, and at laſt both the one and the other, not by humane prudence, but by the meer hand of God, deſtroyed and confounded. In all which mutations this City felt moſt conſtant pains and afflictions; and the whole Nation, after all the vaſt expence of Blood and Treaſure, had purchaſed to themſelves, nothing but Chains and Fetters. When, I ſay, you reflect upon theſe things, it muſt needs excite your ſingular care to preſerve your ſelves from a ſubjection to the deſigns of ſuch men, as may have hopes to lead us again into the like Defection and Inconvenience, and to be afraid of any thing that hath a tendency that way.

FINIS.

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§

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Study to be Quiet: OR SERIOUS and SEASONABLE ADVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF LONDON.

Written by a Citizen of London.

H B

LONDON: Printed for Henry Brome. 1680.

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Title statement

Study to be quiet, or, Serious and seasonable advice to the citizens of London written by a Citizen of London.

Citizen of London.

Edition statement

1680

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2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

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A61910

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Wing S6092

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ESTC R7111

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11799157

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49345

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A61910)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 49345)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 551:2)

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— Study to be quiet, or, Serious and seasonable advice to the citizens of London written by a Citizen of London., Citizen of London..

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[2], 12 p.

Printed for Henry Brome,. London :: 1680.. (Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.)

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