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UNfortunate Citizens; for so I may call you having been ruined by Warrs, and spoiled by our Enemies; for our City is not only Burnt to the ground, and all our Goods Plunder'd, but many of our Citizens and Country-men Kill'd, and we that remain, are preparing with our
Wives and Children to seek new Habitations and Acquaintance in Forein Countries, from which I would, if I could, disswade you, since our Enemies are Gone, and not like to Return; for though they had the Victory, and won our City, yet it was with such Loss to them, as will force them to keep Peace for a long time, not being able to make Warrs any longer; for their Valiant'st and most Experienc'd Souldiers are Kill'd, and most of the Flour of their Youth; besides, they have spoiled and lost many of their Horses, and have wasted and spent abundance of Ammunition and Arms; all which considered, they have not Gain'd much by this Warr; In∣deed, Warr makes more Spoil than Profit; for though we are Ruined, yet our Enemies are not much Inriched; but leaving them, let us Con∣sider, what is the best for our selves in these our Misfortunes, and to be Industrious to Repair our Losses; my Advice is, not to Separate, but to keep in an United Body together, and to Rebuild our City: for shall we be worse Citizens than the Ants or Pismires? which will Rebuild their Hill or Mount over their Heads, whensoever it is pull'd down, either by Beast, Men, or Birds, and though it be often pulld down, and the Dust dispers'd, yet they will bring new Earth, or ga∣ther up the Relicks of the former Farth, to Re∣build, and will never leave Rebuilding so long as they Live; and certainly, they are very wise in so doing. The like for Men; for it is better, as the wisest way, to Unite in a Common-wealth,
than to live Disperst, and to Wander about like Vagabonds, or to live with Strangers in Forein Lands, or to be Governed by Unknown or new Laws, or to Marry with Strangers, that mix or corrupt their Generations; for those Men are happiest, that Live in their Native Countries, with their Natural Friends, are Govern'd by their Ancient Laws, Marry into their own Tribes or Natives, increase their own Breed, continue their own Races, uphold their own Families, and are Buried with or by their Fore∣fathers. Wherefore, Good Citizens, be Indu∣strious to Rebuild your City, whereby and wherein, you may be as Happy and Flourishing, as formerly you were; but if through a de∣jected Discontent, you leave your City in its Ruins, 'tis probable you will Live unhappy, and in Slavery all your Lives, as also your Posterity after you.