Good Work for a Good Magistrate, Postscript 1 – Postscript 2
Poſtſcript.
Refer theſe to their proper places. Concerning PRINTING, which well uſed is a great honor, and benefit to the Common-wealth Theſe things would bee conſidered.
1. THat PRINTING bee look't upon as a Myſterie, not as a common Trade for everie ignorant man to take up; but to bee ordered by the State, as the Mint is for Coin.
2. That Printing-houſes bee reduced to a certain number: as heretofore they have been: for the multiplying of them is a wrong to the Publick, and oftentimes the ruine of private men.
3. That all Popiſh and offenſive Books, Libels, and looſ Pamphlets may bee ſuppreſſed.
4. That no Books printed originally in England, may bee imported from beyond Seas into this Commonwealth: other States will not ſuffer it: and wee finde by experience that neither Autor, nor Printer, nor bookſeller can bee incouraged, when the Book, aſſoon as it is out here, ſhall bee printed beyond Sea, where they have paper and printing at a cheaper rate, and hither imported, oftentimes to the ruine of the undertakers of a good work here.
5. That the right of everie man's Copie may bee preſerved. Much wrong hath been don this waie by invading one another's right, in theſe licentious times.
6. That all Books fit for publick view may bee licenſed, and nothing printed which ſhall not firſt bee allowed by ſom judicious men, in everie facultie, appointed by the State for that purpoſe. This would bee a means to ſuppreſs manie idle, and noxious d…ſcourſes; and a good warrant to the undertakers of ſolid and profitable Books.
THat all Females from ten to ſixtie might bee enjoined to ſpin, and have made into linnen cloath one pound of flax everie monethmonth, and regiſtred in the Pariſh, where made; and returned again to the owners, with incouragement to poor maids that do best. This would by computation, emploie two or three hundred thouſand poor: for which a Model is readie. The buſineſs of the Fens need's great incouragement to this end for Flax.
That ſince the foundation of Families, Villages, Towns; Cities, and Common-wealths ſpring from Marriage, and the buſineſs meerly civil, that the reſpective Magistrates in everie place might not onelyonly do that work, which Preachers, quâ Preachers, have not to do with; but alſo look to the qualifications of thoſe that join in that estate: and that two or three ſuch Magiſtrates together may hear, and determine matters tending to Divorce: for all which much is wanting in this Nation, and whole Families periſhing upon that account; and ſeveral ſins increaſed.
A Poſt ſet up in everie Pariſh, or at the Church door a Paper ſtuck up of the Pa…ie's names to bee married, and there to ſtick three weeks or a monethmonth.
That where fees of Phyſitians are stated, a courſ may bee taken for reducing that work to ſont certain Rule.
That Bedlam may bee minded, the Armie diſeaſed, and Hoſpitals.
That ſuperfluities may be ſuppreſt; as Coaches, and guilding Coaches: to which purpoſe thoſe that will ride in them may paie five or ten pounds per annum to the State: the like for Gold and Silver-lace, and Bone-lace from beyond Seas.
End of the text · Hugh Peters, Good Work for a Good Magistrate (1651)