Certain speeches made upon the day of the yearly election of officers in the city of Gloucester ... by John Dorney, Esq. ...

IV. Laurentio Singleton Arm' Majore.

GEntlemen, The change of Officers is the oc∣casion of this solemn meeting: And it is no marvell that I tell you of a change; for experience doth not only teach that men are mortal, but also that their conditions (whil'st they live) are mu∣table, and so are all sublunary things wherewithall men have to do: If proof hereof were requisite, I need not go further then Gloucester for an In∣duction of particulars, for this place hath been the subject of many changes; and that in severall respects, both in the times of our forefathers, and in this present age. There hath been a change in the name of this place; by the Britains it was called Cacr Glowe, the fair Town; by the Ro∣mans it was called Clevum, and here Antonine pla∣ced his Colonie, which was called Colonia Clevum, to be as a yoke upon the necks of the Silurcs, who inhabited betwixt Severne and Wye. The Saxons called it Gleaucester, and we Glocester or Glouce∣ster. And as it hath been multinominis, having had such changes in the Appellation; so it hath been multiformis. It hath had many changes in build∣ings; for Cambden saith, that it was Fortuito igne quater pene absumpta; and some change hath been since these troubles, by the burning of the suburbs, so that it is as a garment without skirts, which we were willing to part withall, least our enemies

should sit upon them. And now in stead of the old suburbs without this City (where there are ruinarum vestigia) there is a new street building within the City. But my principall meaning is, in respect of the several forms of Government; for this hath been a very ancient Borough: For in the Charter of King John, it is said, Secundum Antiquam legem Burgi, quam habuerunt tempore Antecessorum nostrorum. In which Charter it is appointed that the Common-Councel of the Burrongh should choose two Burgesses, and pre∣sent them to the chief-Justice at Westminster, for the prepositure and government of the Town; and four Burgesses to keep the pleas of the Crown; and to see that the other two justè & legitimè tra∣ctent, tàm pauperes quàm divites. From a Bailiff Town it was changed to a Maior Town by R. 3. who to the hundred of Gloucester made an addi∣tion of the two hundreds adjacent, which are cal∣led the In-shire, viz. the hundreds of Dudston, and Kings Barton. Afterwards it was made a City by H. 8. And now it is governed by a Maior and eleven Aldermen Justices of the peace.

To omit the changes in respect of priviledges and Ensigns of Honour, there have been divers changes in the habits and manners of men inha∣biting within this place; for tempora mutantur, & nos mutamur. There have been also divers chan∣ges in respect of Trade; for heretofore there was a Guild Merchant and a Mint; and K. John gran∣ted unto them to be free from Toll, and other im∣munities; which Trade afterwards decayed. But of late it hath been somewhat revived by some Gont' who deserve commendation; and I wish some others would joyn with them in promoting

of the Merchandizing Trade; which is the most likely means to make this a flourishing City. The trade of Clothing is also at a low Ebbe; I wish that that might be set forward, or some other manufacture for keeping of the poor at work. And as there have been changes in matters Civil, so there have been also in matters Ecclesiasticall. Here was an Abbey; but H. 8. (that malleus mo∣nasteriorum) dissolved the same; and made this a Bishops See, with a Dean and Chapter, of six Prebendaries, and indowed them with revenues, formerly belonging to the said Monastery. Since which time there have been eleven Bishops; yet it is said that there were Bishops here in ancient time, and that the Bishop of this place was called Episcopus Cluvicusis; but after the Saxons prevail∣ed, it was under the Bishoprick of Litchfield, and after that of Warwick. And now instead of E∣piscopacy (which seems to lye in the dust) a Presbytery is expected; and Preachers in stead of Readers, and a spiritual in stead of a sormal and pompous service. And therefore (as I said be∣fore) it is no marvell that I tell you of changes. Notwithstanding these changes, this City hath not had such changes as some other places have had, which have been forced by hostile power; whereas this remains a Maiden City. And that it had not such a change, this place hath been the occasion of a great change in the affairs of this Kingdom. And as in the battell fought near Tewxbury, there was as it were a period put to the disputes of the Houses of York and Lancaster, for in that battell many of the Lancastrians were cut off; and there amongst others Prince Edward the sonne of Henry the sixth being apprehended

was slain, so that that side was not able to stand up against E. 4. as the Chronicles declare: so the standing out of this place in the late siege, made it the verticall point in this civill warre, for from that time the enemies more and more declined; insomuch, as it pleased that reverend Judge Ser∣geant Wilde, in his late Charge, sitting upon the Commission of Oyer and Terminer here, to stile Us of this place, The conservators of the Parliament of England, which was an higher expression then our modesty would have suffered us to have used of our selves. And we account that a part of our happinesse, that as no hurt was intended to our King, so no hurt came to him. And now consi∣dering all these things, we should endeavour that there may be a change in our lives; and the ra∣ther, sithence there is so great a change in this place by reason of sicknesses, which are as Gods physick for the soul; and if we do not amend thereby I fear our case is desperate. Let us then shew our respect to the Magistrates, who are Gods Vicegerents in matters temporall, and to the Ministers who are Christs Embassadours in things spirituall; and to carry our selves in such manner of conversation, enjoying the Sunshine of the Gospel, that we may deserve to be called Probi homines de Glouc. which was a Title given to the Burgesses of this place in the dark times of Popery, as appears by divers Charters.

And now give me leave to change my Speech, and by an Apostrophe to addresse my self to the Officers of the year past; and I shall crave of them leave to change my former course of parti∣cular and personal commendations; for although I might speak of many prudentiall Acts and Acti∣ons,

for the honour and profit of this City, yet I had rather their own actions might be the Ora∣tors of their praises; for by speaking somewhat perhaps I might add to their applause, but nothing to their worth: for many things I might speak well of them, and yet perhaps I might malè audire for so speaking; for when I have heretofore thought I had kept within the bounds of modesty, I have scarce escaped the censure of flattery. And therefore in these times of Reformation I desire to reform this, and in stead of speaking to the Commendation of the old Officers, I purpose to speak by way of Exhortation to the new: the Names of them are as followeth—

Now you Gentlemen that are elected by the 24 Electors to these Offices, although you are to enter upon your Offices in the night, yet they are no obscure Offices, but Offices of Trust and Credit: your Predecessors these late years have had (as it were) a continuall night of troubles; yet the stars of the greater and lesser magnitude, I mean the Lords and Commons in Parliament, did afford them some light of comfort; and now I hope the day of deliverance doth dawn upon us. In that night Light was sown for the righteous, yea light did arise to them out of that darknesse, and I hope that we shall ere long see Jerusalem in good condition, and peace upon Israel. And now give me leave to take occasion from the season of the night, to give you a word of Advice, which is to keep a good watch; a good watch over your selves, and a good watch over others; you are to watch over your selves, yea against your selves, for you will finde self a very great hinderance to you in the good performance of your duties. And

therefore beware first of self-love, that you be not carried away with by-respects, for your aims ought to be as publick as your places, and you are to con∣sider, that you enter upon an Office, not a Benefice, and therefore should endeavour to perform your service with credit, rather then for profit; and as you heard from the Minister to day, there may be a peny sometimes as ill saved, as there may be a peny ill got. And you are also to beware of self-will, knowing that good Laws and Customs are to be your Rule for your carriage, and not your will: Sic volo sic jubeo is a very ill Motto for a Magistrate, when he shall give no other reason of his actions but his will: And therefore as Lu∣ther said to Melancthon in another case, I say to you, Luctare contra teipsum maximum hostem, strive against thy self the greatest enemy to thy self. You are also to keep a watch over your passions, especially of fear and anger; I do mean that base fear and pusillanimity of heart, contrary to the noblenesse of minde that should be in a Magi∣strate, for the fear of God ought to be cherished in you; but you are not to fear the face of man in doing what is right, but to go on with Christian courage. Jacob in blessing of his sonnes, said of Judah, Judah is a young Lion, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And afterwards it is said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Scepter shall not depart from Judah; so that men in Authority should be viri strenui, otherwise their Authority will be neglected, and the edge of their resolution taken off from executing of Justice. It was the Symbole of Ferdinandus Emperour of Rome, Fiat Justitia aut pereat mundus; and I say, Fiat Justitia ne pereat Civitas, Let Justice be done least the

City perish. I do not say that every thing should be stretched up to summum jus, and punished in severity: There may in some cases be used an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a moderation and mitigation in such cases as are left to discretion. As for the passion of anger, that is the drunkenness of the soul, and disposesseth a man of his reasonable soul, as it were, and hinders a man in knowing and dis∣cerning truth. Therefore a watch is to be kept upon that passion. Holy anger (which is called zeal against evil) is commendable, but to give way to our own passions, and by colour of the Execution of Justice, to execute spleen and malice is abominable; therefore we should use anger Ut milite, non ut imperatore, as Seneca said, As a Souldier, not as a Commander. Also you are to watch over your generall conversation, knowing that as you are set above others, so you are more conspicuous and obvious to others, and they will keep a watch upon your actions: And it is said, Magistratus virum indicat, men in Authority do discover themselves what they are. And as you are to watch over your selves, so you are to watch over others and for others; you are to take heed of friends, least they prove enemies. Justice is said to be blinde, not as if it were blinded by reason of ignorance, or of gifts, but because it may not respect persons, though it doth discern the cause. And you are to watch for the good of others souls and bodies; for their souls in maintenance of Preachers, and suppressing those houses that are Nurseries of vice; and endeavouring that the people keep a good decorum in observation of the Sabbath and Fasting daies, so as to yield outward conformity at least; that so it may be said of you

in your kinde and degree, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, They watch for our souls. And also for the bodies of others; for the security and health of their persons, to keep the City safe and clean, and to look to the Provisions, to keep a watch over the Market, and to endeavour to re∣form abuses therein, and to look to the assises of Bread for the good of the poor. You are also to look to your Priviledges, Rights and Liberties, to maintain and preserve them. I must confesse that sithence these sad distractions and troubles, whilest our peace hath been interrupted, our li∣berties have in some respects been suspended and intrenched upon by such as fled hither for refuge: but I hope the time will come wherein it may be said Cedant arma togae, and then it will be other∣wise. It is granted in the Charter of H. 6. to this place, That if any native should live a year and a day here, &c. without claim of the Lord, he was to be free from his Lord; but I would not have such as are forrainers thereupon to conclude, by some abode here, that they have a title to the free∣dom of this City, and freely to work at any Trade here; but to take notice that they are to pro∣vide for themselves elsewhere. To conclude, if you Gentlemen shall be pleased to keep this watch, and improve your parts and opportunities for the common good, then the Burgesses according to the said Charter of King John, shall live and hold their priviledges, benè, & in pace, liberè, quietè & honorificè; and you will answer our expectation, and perform your severall oathes, which now you are to take.

Notes

• Octob. 5^o. 1646^o.
• The sub∣urbs were destroyed to preserve the City.
• King John.
• R. 3.
• H. 8.
• Gen. 49. 9. 10.