The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. II.

OECONOMICK.

HAving thus explained the Vertues and the chief Heads of Ethick, it remaineth that we speak of OEconomick and Poli∣tick, for as much as Man is by Nature a Civill Creature. The first Common-wealth is the lawfull congression of man and woman, for procreation of children, and society of life. This is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Family, it is the ground and beginning of a City. A Fa∣mily seemeth to be a little City, for marriage being contracted, and children growing up one under another, and join'd one to an∣other, there is deduced another family, and so a third, and a fourth. Of these is constituted Neighbourhood and a City, for many Neighbourhoods make us up a City. Th••s as a Family hath in it the seeds of a City, so likewise of a Com∣monwealth, for in a Family there are the prints of Monarchy, an Aristo••racy, and a Democracy. The Society between Parents and

children represents a Monarchy; that betwixt man and woman an Aristocracy, as being contracted for issue, mutuall comfort and assistance. To these is added a servant, appointed to be such by nature, able for service; but not to live of himselfe, requirin•• therefore a Master to govern him. Of all these reduced to a com∣munity, is constituted a Family.

The government of a Family is by nature given to Men, fo•• the counsell of Women is weaker, Children are not yet arived to it, Servants never can. The whole ordering therefore of a family depends upon the Man; the whole prudence of Oeconomy there∣fore is in Man: This is partly Paternall, partly Nuptiall, partly Herile, partly Acquisitive. For, as an Army requireth Provision, a City, Merchandise, Art, Instruments; so a Family Necessaries, as well for common life as convenience. Of these the Master of the Family takes the first care, how honestly to encrease his reve∣nues, and moderate his expenses. He, as being the head of the Family, ought to be skilfull in many things, as in Agriculture, Grasing, Metals, whereby he may advantage himselfe without doing injury to others. Of Acquisition there are two kinds, one better then the other; that by Nature, this by Art.