Bum. But was this fair dealing, Brother?
Citt. Did not Abraham say of Sarah, She's my Sister?
Bum. Well thou'rt a heavenly man, Citt! but come to the Miscarriage it self.
The Petition laid aside in the Common-Council.
Citt. After as Hopefull a Choice as ever was made, we procur'd a Common-Councill: where the Petition was put to the Vote, and it was carry'd in the Commons by two Voyces, for the presenting it, and by Fourteen, or Fifteen Votes in the Court of Aldermen, on the Negative.
Bum. So that your Damn'd Aldermen, and our Damn'd Justices, have ruin'd us both in City and Country.
Citt. Hang'um, they are most of them Church-Papists; but we should have dealt well enough with them, if it had not been for that confounded Act for Regulating Corporations.
Bum. Prethee let me understand that, for I know nothing on't.
The Act for Corporations brake the neck on't.
Citt. Take notice then that this Devillish Statute has provided, that no man shall serve as a Common-Councell man, but upon condition of taking three Oaths, and subscribing one Declaration, therein mention'd; and having taken the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, according to the Rites of the Church of England, within one year next before his Election. Now it so fell out, that what with this Act, and a Court-Letter for putting it in Execution, a matter of thirty of our Friends were put by, as not duly qualify'd; And upon this Pinch we lost it. Nay let me tell ye as a friend, there were at least twenty or thirty of the rest too, that would hardly have past Muster.