The excellent and renowned history of the famous Sir Richard Whittington three times lord-mayor of the honourable City of London. Giving an account of all the remarkable and noted passages of his life. This may be printed, R.P.

CHAP. I. ••ow Richard Whittingon came to Lon∣don, and being almost starved, was taken by a Merchant into his House.

THat there is something more than or∣dinary, in the Fares and Fortunes of Men, relating to Adversity and ••••••sperity; is wonderfully evident by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or sinking of some in the World, who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their utmost labour, industry and dili∣••••••ce, to prevent it: and the rise of others 〈◊〉〈◊〉 neither strive for it, or in the least ex∣•••••• it. And one of this Fortunate Ones 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Person, whose unexpected advance∣••••••ts and great increase of Riches, &c. ……s this Relation, to whose story I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proceed.

Richard Whittington, born of obsc•••••• Parents, so that the certain place of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Birth is unkown; being in his Child•••••••• cast out to a desperate Fortune, he wan•••••••••• for a considerable time, about the Cou••t•••• but finding no imployment whereby he c•••••••• subsist, he resolved for London: where, ••••¦ter many weary steps, he arrived; but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there a stranger, and altogether friendle•••• he did little but wander up and down 〈◊〉〈◊〉 streets for the space of two days. But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the third, being tired and faint for want food, he laid himself down at the door of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rich Merchant, to bemoan his present ••••¦happy condition: which he had scarcely d•••••• before the Merchant came out to go to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Exchange, and finding him there, began 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chide and threaten him as a lazy Pi…… and a Loyterer; telling him that suc•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 able Fellow, as he appeared to be, ought 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 taking upon him such an idle course of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be sent to the Stocks or Whipping-p•••••• But his Replies being modest and ••••¦affirming that he would refuse no La•••••• he was capable of performing, if he c•••••••• find a Master by whom he might be su……¦ed with Victuals to ease his Hunger, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cloaths to cover his Nakedness: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made such a visible Relation, of the ……ing

and perishing condition he was in; ••••••t the Merchant, whose name was Hugh …… warren, who was naturally compassio∣•••••••• melting at the story, changed his Pas∣•••••••• to mildness; and calling one of his ……ts, ordered him to take in that stran∣••••••, and supply his wants with provision▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 withal, not to dismiss him till his Re∣••••••••. And so proceeded to look after his Af∣•••••••••• abroad.