Genealogical memoir of the most noble and ancient house of Drummond

seot.iv. Of Sir John Drummond, 1st Lord Drum mond. 85
logian does the like, ever affecting pre-eminence, with
means and riches to entertain the same. Should we not,
then, at least be also careful, as they are, to maintain
our estate and condition, so easily befallen unto us by
succession, as not to suffer it, through supine negligence,
untimely spending, drunkenness, companionry, or de-
bauchery whatsomever, to be delapidated, or basely put
away. Rather let us live honestly and soberly, within
ourselves, as becomes good christians, than to cast away
the thing we never wan.
Let our spending be conform to our yearly rent, with-
out diminution of the stock, or ground right, else we
shall incur the blame of debauchery, and sustain great
reproach, with disreputation, and loss of these means,
which we never acquired.
Let us look, and consider our charter-chest, how many
sorts of evidents are there, what consultations with law-
yers, how many contracts and obligations of diverse na-
tures, with other securities, all tending to secure us.
Then we will find, that such records, and monuments
have not been put there, without great pains, labours,
and expences. Wherefore, to dilapidate such writs mis-
chantly, upon feckless and frivolous occasions, can no
way be recommended. Moreover, he, by whose mis-
government this falls to the destruction of his family,
shall be misprized of all men, as unworthy of such pa-
rentage, or any true friendship. But, on the contrary,
by conserving his estate, he will be honoured and re-
spected, as becomes his quality and condition.
Thir and such like reasons, should make us careful to
behave ourselves aright, and to take diligent heed to our
affairs, that they be no way misguided to our shame,
and skaith j but, albeit no remonstrance be sufficient to
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