Solon his follie, or a politique discourse, touching the reformation of common-weales conquered, declined or corrupted. By Richard Beacon ...

CAP. 17. Of the reformation of manners, and how that this vniversal and absolute reformation maie not be effected without the same, and how that the corruption of manners may be discerned by his fruites and effectes.

EPI:

The reformation of manners, doth mightily advance all common-weales, and doth render them prosperous, and fortunate, of long continuance.

Sol:

Therefore not vvith∣out cause did the Romanes, constitute Iudges, and Censors of the manners of the people, which did carefully from time to time, execute all the lawes, De morum censura. Neither was the place

of the Censores holden to be sacred, without due consideration of the common-wealth: Neither were they without cause above all other officers honoured in that common-wealth, in such sort, as they did depose, and displace, sometimes the Consuls, some∣times their Dictator, at their pleasure; for no doubt, what by the refomation made by the industry of their Censors, and by their skill and knowledge in militarie discipline, they quietly gover∣ned at home, and fortunately conquered abroad in all partes of the world. Therefore since the reformation of manners, is a matter of so great importaunce vnto estates and common-weales, it shall bee convenient, that you doe describe at large vnto vs what you intende thereby.

Epi:

We intende nothing els by a corruption of manners, but a departure from the feare and reve∣rence of God, from the honour and obedience due vnto Princes governours and Magistrates, from the love which wee owe vnto our Country, and generally a declining from a iust care and re∣garde of publike affaires, and all heroicall vertues, vnto plea∣sures, wantonnesse, vices, and other such private respectes and regardes.

Sol:

You have exactly described the same; for as the fatnesse and goodnesse of the earth, is easily discerned by the large profit and benefite it yeeldeth to the labouring hande; and the goodnesse of the tree by his pleasaunt fruite; so the corrupti∣on of manners in the people, by his infinite evils, miseries, com∣mon calamities, ruines, and destructiones of states, which eve∣ry where it begetteth and bringeth forth, as by his several fruites and effectes may be discerned. For it breedeth in men a base opi∣nion and estimation of vertues, and a contempt of magistrates, it offreth in open market the sale of offices, the voices of election, yea even Iustice it selfe, it enableth Caesar with the money of the Gaules to purchase not onely favour, and offices, but even the libertie of Rome. From this fountaine springeth ambition, desire of revenge, mutinies, sedition, treason, and rebellion, final∣lie it leaveth no place, no not the Senate house of Rome, nor the pulpit for orations, nor the image of Pompey, no not the o∣pen & publicke market places vndefiled and free from bloud, no not the pallace of princes, Ʋte Galbae & Pertinaci accidit, both which

most vertuous kings were killed by their subiectes; the which mischiefe did arise vnto them, chiefely for that the manners of their subiectes and souldiers were corrupted by the malice and e∣vill governement of their predecessors, so as generally it may be reputed the mother, and nourse of al common calamities.

Epi:

That detestable custome, and more detestable confirmation thereof, for receiving and supporting of traitours, rebels, and evil disposed persons, comming and arriving into the lande, did first occasion so generall a corruption of manners in Salamina,* 1.1 as more at large the same may appeare in the act of repeale thereof made by king H. the 7.

Sol.

Sith then this generall corruption of manners doth draw with it so many publicke miseries and calamities, as are before remem∣bred, we can not, except men be altogither voide of humanity and reason, but abhorre even the remembraunce of these lamen∣table times, and be forthwith kindled with a desire of reforma∣tion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno. 10. H. ••.