The present state of London: or, Memorials comprehending a full and succinct account of the ancient and modern state thereof. By Tho. De-Laune, Gent

The Oath of a Common-Councel-Man.

YE shall Swear that ye shall be true to our Soveraign Lord the King, that now is, and to his Heirs and Successors, Kings of England, and readily ye shall come, when ye be summon∣ed, to the Common-Council of this City, but if ye be reasonably excused; and good and true Councel, ye shall give in all things, touching the Commonwealth of this City, after your Wit and Cunning: and that for favour of any person ye shall maintain no singular profit against the Com∣mon profit of this City; and after that ye be come to the Common-Councel, you shall not thence depart untill the Common-Councel be ended, without reasonable cause, or else by the Lord Mayors License. And also any secret things that be spoken or said in the Common-Councel, which ought to be kept secret, in no wise you shall disclose, as God you help.

The Common-Councel-Men are chosen at the Wardmote-Inquest, for the respective Wards, and are to be of the most sufficient, honest, and discreet

Men of the Ward, to serve for the ensuing year, on St. Thomas the Apostles day.

9. The Court of the Chamberlain of the City, to whom belongs the Receipts of the Rents and Re∣venues of the City; And to his Court belongs the business of Apprentices, over whom he hath great Authority (as was said before.) This Officer is cho∣sen by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, He over-sees, and keeps, all the Books, Rolls, Re∣cords, and other Monuments, and Remembrances that ought to remain of Record, and the City Trea∣sure —to keep and maintain all the Rents and Te∣nements pertaining to the Chamber of London— His Office about Orphans we have shewed before: as also about Apprentices, to which we shall add, that he is to cause their Indentures to be Inrolled, and make those Apprentices to serve out their time. One may be a Freeman of London, 1. By Se••vice, as in case of Apprentiship.—2. By Birth-right, as being the Son of a Freeman.—3. By Redemption, by Order of the Court of Alderm••n: For such as are made Free this way, the Chamberlain of Lon∣don is to set the Fines of such Redemptions,—He is to take Fines of such as are rebellious to their Masters or Guardians, and for certain other De∣faults, &c.

To shew the Piety of the honourable Governours of this great City, in ancient as well as modern times, I shall produce the Instructions Recorded for the Apprentices of London, out of Stow, p. 668. Edit. 1633. The Observation of which is heartily recom∣mended to the Youth concern'd.

It is thus.

YOu shall constantly and Devoutly on your knees, every day, serve God, Morning and Evening, and make Conscience in the Due hear∣ing

of the Word Preached, and endeavour the right practise thereof in your Life and Conver∣sation: You shall do diligent and faithful Ser∣vice to your Master, for the time of your Appren∣tiship, and Deal truly in what you shall be trust∣ed: You shall often read over the Covenants of your Indenture, and see and endeavour your self to perform the same to the uttermost of your power: You shall avoid all evil Company, and all occasions which may tend, or draw you to the same, and make speedy Return when you shall be sent of your Masters or Mistresses Errands: You shall avoid Idleness, and be ever Employed, either for God's Service, or in your Masters busi∣ness: You shall be of fair, gentle, and lowly speech and behaviour to all men, and especially to all your Governours. And according to your Car∣riage expect your Reward, for Good or Ill, from God and your Friends, &c.