HAving lately (as far as I might) discerned the subtle, yet ambiguous desires of som, (not the soundest nor most able Printers) I finde their pretences to bee Regulation, as in order to themselvs, but no way in relation to the Common-wealth: And their chief ends to apply to themselvs Com­municatively the chiefest Copies, being the proprieties of other men. Where­fore that these innovating men should, if they would, better understand themselvs, I have directed these sequels.

1. A Companie Municipal is such an one which subordinately utitur regulis suis in ordine ad se; useth their own Rules and Constitutions in relation to themselvs, as do Mercers, Drapers, Fish-mongers, &c. Also Gold-smiths, Brasiers, Shoo-makers, &c. All of whom can buy, barter, sell, contract, work, &c. without any special privilege, order, or li­cence from any Superior, Superiors, Supervisor or Supervisors. But Printers, Book-binders, and Book-sellers cannot by Decrees and Ordinances (hitherto thought fit to continue) print, binde, or sell a Book (imprinted within this Nation) but by special licence and allowance; nor import from other Nations, but with like regard. And in France, Germanie, Spain, and other Countries, they cannot print, but for a certain determined time, such or such a Book; nor sell, but for such a price (a convenience, which, I suppose, would bee useful in this Common-wealth,) especially for som Books. So that albeit the Printers, Book-binders, and Book-sellers, are a Companie which subordinately utitur suis regulis, in som things; yet they use such Rules and Constitutions in ordine ad alios, viz. Their Superiors (or rather the Common-wealth) not ad se; as the forementi­oned Companies do; And are therefore to bee accounted a Privilegial, not a Municipal Com­panie.

2. And whereas the Printers would not only invade other mens Proprieties (thereby endeavour­ing to null, as much as in them lie's, Meum & Tuum, and inducing, as far as may bee, an example of ill consequence to this Common-wealth) but they would also destroy (as I am credibly informed) Patrimonial Right; that is, that the Father of a free Stationar shall not make his Son free; and con­sequently that his Son shall not bee capable of having or enjoying the benefit of Printing his Fa­ther's Copies; This their endeavour I conceiv to bee most injurious; For many a Stationar (in­cluding the Printers) have many times little or nothing to leav their Wives and Children, but their Copies: Which if they should, by the indirect device of these innovating Printers, be deprived of; then they cannot other way subsist. Moreover, why should any free Stationar bee debarred from such Right, which by the Rules and Constitutions general of the honorable Citie of London every Free-man enjoyeth; to wit, to make his Son a Free-man? This I take to bee a device of the Printers against Matthew Barker, and others, whose Rights they would invade. So that (in my opinion) it would bee requisite, that neither the Book-sellers, nor the Printers, being (as I have al­readie instanced, but privilegial, and not properly municipal) debate nor draw any Act or Acts, on their own behalf, for regulating of Printers & Printing: But that such Act or Acts bee from hence­forth debated by the Honorable Council of State, or by such as they shall appoint, and by them drawn up and recommended to the Parlament, for the regulating of Printing it self in a true De­corum, as also of all Proprieties individually. And if this of Proprieties were but exactly con­sidered and reported, these new (and for the most part mean) Innovators, would (in all probabi­litie) desist from further troublesom solliciting the Honorable Council of State, and apply them­selvs to bee ruled and governed, as their Honors, and high Court of Parlament should in their Wisdoms think fit.

If it should bee said, That none ought to exercise the Art or Mysterie of Printing, but such as have served seven years to a Printer, in regard that Printing may be said to bee a manual occupation, and consequently to bee comprehended within the Act of Elis. 5. c. 4. I answer, That albeit Printing may in regard of its labor, bee said to bee a manual occupation; yet in regard of its END, it is a Pri­vilegial, and not a Popular manual occupation, no otherwise then Coyning. And that Act of Elis.&c. intend's onely manual occupations popular, not privilegial; as the clauses thereof manifest. So that the privilege of Printing, or right of Copies, may reside in one or more, who are no Artists; and the performance of Printing in such onely who are Artists in Printing.