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example, in the diftribution of all offices in his difpofal; especially if any apparent tranfgreffion, through favour or partiality, would be imputed to him for a mifdemeanor, by which he muft certainly forfeit his favour and ftation. And there being fuch great numbers in employment, fcattered through every town and county in this kingdom; if all these were exemplary in the conduct of their lives, things would foon take a new face, and religion receive a mighty encourage

Nor would the public weal be lefs advanced; fince, of nine offices in ten that are ill executed, the defect is not in capacity or understanding, but in common honefty. I know no employment, for which piety difqualifies any man: and if it did, I doubt the objection would not be very seasonably offered at present; because it is perhaps too just a reflection, that, in the difpofal of places, the question, whether a perfon be fit for what he is recommended to? is generally the laft that is thought on, or regarded.

I have often imagined, that something parallel to the office of cenfors anciently in Rome, would be of mighty use among us, and could be easily limited from running into any exorbitances. The Romans understood liberty at least as well as we, were as jealous of it, and, upon every occasion, as bold afferters: yet. I do not remember to have read any great complaints of the abuses in that office among them; but many admirable effects of it are left upon record. There are feveral per

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nicious vices frequent and notorious among us, that escape or elude the punishment of any law we have yet invented, or have had no law at all against them; fuch as atheism, drunkenness, fraud, avarice, and feveral others; which, by this inftitution, wifely regulated, might be much reformed. Suppofe, for inftance, that itinerary commiffioners were appointed to infpect, every where throughout the kingdom, into the conduc (at least) of men in office, with respect to their morals and religion, as well as their abilities; to receive the complaints and informations that fhould be offered against them, and make their report here upon oath, to the court or the miniftry, who fhould reward or punish accordingly.. I avoid entering into the particulars of this, or any other scheme; which, coming from a private: hand, might be liable to many defects, but would foon be digested by the wifdom of the nation.. 'And, furely, fix thousand pounds a-year would not be ill laid out among as many commiffioners duly qualified, who, in three divifions, fhould be: perfonally obliged to take their yearly circuits for that purpose.

But this is befide my prefent defign; which was only to fhew what degree of reformation is in the power of the Queen, without the interpofition of the legislature; and which her Majefty is, without queftion, obliged in confcience to endeavour by her authority, as much as the doth by her practice.

It will be easily granted, that the example of this great town hath a mighty influence over the whole kingdom; and it is as manifeft, that the town is equally influenced by the court, and the miniftry, and those who, by their employments or their hopes, depend upon them. Now, if, under fo excellent a princefs as the present Queen, we would fuppofe a family ftrictly regulated, as I have above propofed; a miniftry where every fingle perfon was of diftinguished piety; if we fhould fuppofe all great offices of ftate and law filled after the fame manner, and with fuch as were equally diligent in chufing perfons, who, in their feveral fubordinations, would be obliged to follow the examples of their fuperiors, under the penalty of lofs of favour and place; will not every body grant, that the empire of vice and irreligion would be foon deftroyed in this great metropolis, and receive a terrible blow through the whole ifland, which hath fo great an intercourse with it, and fo much affects to follow its fashions?

For, if religion were once understood to be the neceffary step to favour and preferment, can it be imagined that any man would openly offend against it, who had the leaft regard for his reputation or his fortune? There is no quality fo contrary to any nature, which men cannot affect, and put on upon occafion, in order to ferve an intereft, or gratify a prevailing paffion. The proudest man will perfonate humility, the morofest learn to flatter, the laziest will be fedulous and active, where

where he is in purfuit of what he hath much at heart: how ready, therefore, would most men be to step into the paths of virtue and piety, if they infallibly led to favour and fortune!

If fwearing and profanenefs, fcandalous and avowed lewdness, exceffive gaming and intemperance, were a little difcountenanced in the army, I cannot readily fee what ill confequences could be apprehended. If gentlemen of that profeffion were at least obliged to fome external decorum in their conduct; or even if a profligate life and character were not a means of advancement, and the appearance of piety a moft infallible hinderance, it is impoffible the corruptions there, fhould be fo univerfal and exorbitant. I have been affured by feveral great officers, that no troops abroad are fo ill difciplined as the English; which cannot well be otherwise, while the common foldiers have perpetually before their eyes, the vitious example of their leaders; and it is hardly poffible for thofe to commit any crime, whereof these are not infinitely more guilty, and with less temptation.

It is commonly charged upon the gentlemen of the army, that the beaftly vice of drinking to excess, hath been lately, from their example, reftored among us; which, for fome years before, was almost dropt in England. But, whoever the introducers were, they have fucceeded to a miracle; many of the young nobility and gentry are already become great proficients, and are un

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der no manner of concern to hide their talent, but are got beyond all fense of shame, or fear of reproach,

This might foon be remedied, if the Queen would think fit to declare, that no young perfon of quality whatfoever, who was notoriously addicted to that, or any other vice, should be capable of her favour, or even admitted into her presence; with pofitive command to her minifters, and o thers in great office, to treat them in the same manner after which, all men who had any regard for their reputation, or any profpect of preferment, would avoid their commerce. This would quickly make that vice so scandalous, that thofe who could not fubdue, would at least endeavour to disguise it.

By the like methods, a ftop might be put to that ruinous practice of deep gaming: and the reason why it prevails fo much, is, because a treatment, directly oppofite in every point, is made ufe of to promote it; by which means, the laws enacted against this abuse, are wholly eluded.

It cannot be denied, that the want of strict difcipline in the universities hath been of pernicious confequence to the youth of this nation, who are there almost left entirely to their own management, efpecially thofe among them of better quality and fortune; who, because they are not under a neceffity of making learning their maintenance, are easily allowed to pafs their time, and take their degrees with little or no improvement.

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