LETTERS and PAPERS Concerning some MATTERS in the last PARLIAMENT, Relating to the Common Rights of all the Communs of England, Fit to be Considered in the next, And by all the said COMMONS In the mean time.
LONDON: Printed for the Author in the Year 1700.
To the Knights, Gentlemen and Free-Holders of the County of Gloucester.
THough I have left the Employments of the World, I have not left off my Love and Good Will to my Country; either the Nation in general, or your particular County: And therefore since you are e're long to have a New Election of Members of Parliament, I think sit to give you Notice of some things fit to be considered in Relation to that Business; a Business, which deserves to be better considered by all the Commons of England than it has been hitherto. But what does concern the Nation in General is fit to be said to all, and something of that has been said already. 'Tis what does more especially concern your County that I shall here offer to your Consideration. The Denial of Justice has been always look upon as a great Grievance in a King, but a Capital Crime in a Subject. The Preservation of our Rights, and of the free Course of Justice is a principal part of the Trust reposed in our Representatives in Parliament. To prefer our Petitions for matters of Common Concern to the House of Commons is as much the Right of every Commoner of England, as to prefer an Indictment to a Grand Jury in a County. And as the Misdemeanors of a particular Grand Jury-man may be presented and enquired of by another Grand Jury, and the Misdemeanors of a whole Jury upon an Attaint; So, the Misdemeanors not only of particular Members, but of a whole House, or a whole Parliament, may be Corrected and Redressed in another; and the Crimes of particular leading Members Punished.
This great, fundamental, and important Right, has been twice within few years, violated, denied, or hindered and abused, by Members of your County; First by one since deceased, who, having a Petition to present against the Speaker and another Member, for no less a Crime than discouraging the Execution of the Law and Contempt of her late Majesties Authority; for Proof of which, there were no less than seven Bishops, besides other considerable Persons, Witnesses, did by Contrivance [Page 2]with the Criminals so time it, that at last, after much delay, it was by a small Number of the Members gotten together with the Speaker, thrown out without Reading. This was soon after complained of at the General Quarter Sessions, and the Petition left with the Clerk of the Peace: And now again in the last Session of Parliament in such manner, as is a Shame to themselves, the whole House of Commons, and indeed to the whole Nation to have had such a Set of Representatives: and most Just it was upon them, that they, who had no more Regard to the Honour of the King, nay, to the Honour of God himself, should be so infatuated as to expose their own Shame, and the Shame of the whole House, and to the farther Shame of the Nation, if it be suffered to Pass without due Correction. The Case is so plain and easie to be understood by the other two Papers hereunto annexed, that I need say no more, than, as to Mr. How (whose Name I spared, but they Printed) that the Words alledged to have been spoken by him to my self, I can safely Testifie upon Oath, if there were occasion, but I presume he will not deny them. And as for Sir Richard Cox, I had by a former Letter imminded him of the former Case; but it seems he was not so much concerned for your Rights, as ever to move any thing concerning that. But upon the motion of this, by a Person, if I be not misinformed, who had given such Proofs of his Dis-respect, at several times, both to King and Commons, that I have before now wondered that he hath been so long permitted to have any Place in an English Parliament; he was not only pleased to make a Wise Speech, as he thought in the House, but to repeat it out of the House in Coffee-houses, and Taverns, with so much Vanity, and so palpable Falsity, that the very perusal of these Papers are sufficient to detect it, and as gave Offence to divers who heard him, and made some think a little Addition to his Name at the end, more proper for him than that before it.
I presume you know who are concerned in the Case, and hope you will do at your County Court, what may be a sufficient Indication, of your Sense of Religion, of your Loyalty, and Regard to the Noble Constitution of our Government, and your Concern for the Common Rights of the Commons of England. And indeed, it is a kind of unavoidable Test of all these.
QUESTIONS OF Common Right, Proper and Necessary to be considered by all Knights, Gentlemen, Free-holders, and Commoners of England, and especially those of the Honourable Profession of the Law.
THE true English Government, excellently composed of the three Simple Species, Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy, I have long thought, and still think, to be in its Constitution, one of the Best Governments in the World; and not more excellent in it self, than well Accommodated to the Genius of the People; and which is but the consequence of these, most Easy to be Exercised. This I think very true, tho' it hath already within our Memory, suffer'd such dismal Concussions and Confusions, and, in my apprehension, is in in so great Danger of more, as if there was nothing of Truth in it. But this doth not proceed from the Constitution; but from other Causes: Whereof one is Secret, The Judgment of God, for a secret Root of Bitterness, little regarded by those, who ought to be most Skilful in discerning, and most Active in amending such Matters. But there are others manifest enough: One is a General Corruption of the Manners of [Page 2]the People: Another notorious Corruption of their Deputies and Representatives, both in Manners in general, and in respect of Justice and the Trust reposed in them; in which respect, I have known some of themselves laugh, and say, that they are the true Representatives of the Nation indeed. And tho' this of it self hath a Tendence to the Dissolution of the Government, yet there is another more dangerous than this, if it be not look'd to in time: and that is by Popular Factions. For as Monarchies are apt to degenerate into Tyranny, so Democracies are as apt to be dissolv'd by Factions: And tho' in the English Constitution there is as good Provision against both these, as Humane Affairs are capable of, yet are the Parts of which it is constituted, subject in some sort, to the Corruptions of those simple Species, from which they are derived. What was it but a secret Faction in the Long Parliament, which first cast out the Bishops as Popishly affected, then the Lords as Useless and Dangerous, then the greatest part of the Commons, except themselves, commonly call'd, The Rump; then cut off the King's Head; and brought all into such Confusions as could never be settled, until the old Form was restored again? What was it but a Faction, which by no less than three several Acts of Parliament engag'd the Clergy, the Corporations, the Militia, and all the great Officers and Magistrates of the Nation, in such Declarations, as justify or excuse the Adversaries of the late Revolution and make the Severities against them and Pretence of Forfeitures, inexcusable, unjust, and unreasonable? What is it but a Faction, which hath presum'd with so much Insolence to offer such Indignities to a Prince of so Great Courage and Conduct, as hath been commonly believed and talk'd to have been on purpose to affront him? How near have such Factions gone to inslave the Nation, and set up the Monarchy to be Absolute and Arbitrary? And how fairly have they begun to pull down that, and the Aristrocratical part, and set up the Democracy, or themselves and they know not what; or rather to introduce an Anarchy, and turn all into the like Confusions again. What such things may come to in time, if neglected, no man knows; but what may be done to prevent the Mischief, is fit to be considered. Miscarriages of Juries may be enquir'd into: And what is done amiss in one Parliament may be rectified in another. And where there is manifestly a Trust reposed, and so great a Trust, it would be such a Fault in this Constitution as I never suspected, if it might be falsisied in such Matters as these, and without Remedy. I have therefore thought [Page 3]fit to propose the following QUESTIONS to the Consideration of all Persons concern'd, who think fit to concern themselves with them. But into so great Degeneracy, Corruption of Manners and Audacious Impiety, is this Nation Sunk, That it is rare to meet with Men, who dare to do their Duty, or so much as assert their Common Rights, or the very Religion they Profess, notwithstanding the Laws both of God and Man on their side, and even where they have not only the greatest Obligation, but the greatest Priviledge to do it that can be. This is manifest beyond all Contradiction by some late Actions of great Infolence, and no less Impiety: So that unless another Parliament, and a Convocation of the Clergy take the Matter into good Consideration, and provide a speedy Remedy, there is great Danger that the whole Nation will speedily fall into great Confusion.
The QUESTIONS are these:
I. Whether the several Members of the House of Commons be not Authorised to Sit and Act there, by their respective Counties, Cities, and Burroughs, by Indenture under the Hands and Seals of the Principal Electors for themselves and the rest, as Deputies and Trustees for them all?
II. Whether they ought not to receive Instructions from, and in all Matters of moment consult and advise with their Principals?
III. Whether it be not the Right and Duty of every Knight, Gentleman, Freehold, and Commoner of England, to represent to the House of Commons by their proper Representatives, or any other Member of the House, all such matters of Publick Concern as are proper to be enquir'd of and considered there?
IV. Whether any Commoner of England may not require his proper Representative to represent any such Matter to the House?
V. Whether it be not a Breach of Trust in any such Deputy or Representative not to perform what is so required honestly and faithfully?
VI. Whether they be not accountable for their Behaviour in Parliament to their Principals, by and for whom they are deputed and intrusted; that is, questionable by those of the Counties in their County Court (to which all owe Suit and Service, but many neglect it to their common Prejudice) and those of the Cities and Burroughs in their respective proper Courts and Assemblies, and Punishable for any notorious Breach of their Trust upon Complaint in Parliament?
VII. Whether Matters touching the Honour of Religion, the Honour of the King, the common Right of all the Commoners of England, and the Encouragement, or Discouragement of the Execution of the Laws, be not proper Matters to be represented, enquired and considered there?
VIII Whether it be not Ʋnparliamentary, a Breach of Trust, and great Violation of a Fundamental Right of all the Commoners of England, for a small number of the Members with their Speaker before the House be full, to Vote that a Petition Exhibited for any such Matter, as aforesaid, should not be read?
IX. Whether it be Parliamentary or agreeable to the usual Course of Parliaments, to Vote a Petition or Letter of Complaint for any Contempt of Religion, or Dishonour or Indignity to the King, or Factions, or Seditious Practices, to be a false and scandalous Libel, and the Complainant to be prosecuted before he hath been heard at the Bar, or had notice to appear and prove his Complaint?
X. Whether the Fundamental and Common Rights of all the Commons of England be not of greater Importance to be Preserved and Maintained Inviolably than any of the Priviledges of their Deputies, which they have only in Respect of their Deputation and Trust reposed in them (of which some are often Complained of by their Principals as Abused to their Prejudice?)
XI. Whether it be not the Common Interest of the Government of England, and of all the Commons, and the Duty of every Subject to maintain and defend the Honour and Dignity of the King, when there is occasion, as well as the Rights and Liberties of themselves, and their Fellow-Commoners, by the Common Law of Loyalty and Allegiance, and of all Members of Parliament, Magistrates and Officers, &c. by special Obligation of their Solemn Oath?
XII. Whether all Conspiracies and Practices which have a natural Tendency to dissolve, interrupt, or abate the mutual Considence that ought to be preserved and maintain'd between the King and the People, and to draw the Affections of the People from the King to the Conspirators; especially when on the one side there is no special Occasion for them more than ordinary; and on the other, there are such Popular Matters in agitation as give great Advantage to such a Design, may not justly be suspected to be Treasonable, and by Consequence ought to be stoutly and resolutely opposed by all Faithful and Loyal Subjects?
To the Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders and Commons of England, EDWARD STEPHENS wisheth Prudence, Piety, Peace and Happiness.
VVHat you see here Open [...] to divers Members, your Trustees and [...] [...]sentatives in Parliament, being then printed, not to be publish'd, but only a small number to be presented to them. But since they have pubublish▪d their V. Old English Loyalty. p. 13.14. Votes concerning it; 'tis fit and but just you should see what it is they have so Censur'd. I have many years endeavoured to serve you to the best of my Ability, without seeking Preferment or Reward from Men, or accepting of what hath been offer'd. What I have written lately for the Service of our Great Master and your Selves, hath been ill requited by the Prudential A name not imposed, but assumed very properly. Latitudinarian Bishops with False Reports and Calumnies, no less than of Madness and Popery, like the False Prophets of old, and the Incendiaries of the late Civil Wars: And what I have offer'd to the House for the same purpose, both formerly, and now again, hath been so treated as is very inconsistent either with their Duty or our Right. For these things I appeal to the Righteous Judgment of Almighty God, to your own Consciences, and to the next Parliament; and to a Convention of the Clergy, as to what concerns the Bishops and the false Charge of Popery. These Gentlemen, who set up themselves for our Masters, receive all their Authority from Us, and under our Hands and Seals; and if we do not let them know they are our our Servants, and accountable to Us for their Behaviour, We our selves are justly answerable for their Misbehaviour before God and Man. And if we do not appear as well for the Honour of the King, when there is occasion, as for the Rights of the Subject, we do not discharge our Duty to our Country, perform our Oath to the King, or are Worthy of the Benefit of so Noble a Government. I hope you will look better to your Election the next time, and send up such Persons as have more sense of Religion [Page 2]and their Duty to God, of the true English Government, and the Honour of the Ring, of your Rights and the Trust reposed in them, and fit to enquire into the Miscarriages of these.
To Sir Richard Cocks.
AS I am a Commoner of England, it is, as I told you before, my Right and my Duty to take notice, and complain to the House of Commons, of all, or any such matters of publick Concern as are proper for the Inquiry or Consideration of that House. And as I am a Christian, I am much more obliged to use that Right, and discharge that Duty, when they are such as do affront, or do Contempt to the Christian Religion, which is the Religion of the Nation, and so Essential a part of this Constitution, that it is one of the Fundamental Principles of our Laws, that what-ever Laws are enacted in any thing contrary to this Religion, they are so far void and null. This is the common Right and Duty of every Commoner of England. But besides all this, I have been for some Years, by the special Providence of Almighty God, engaged in his more immediate Service, and without limitation to any special Charge; so that where-ever I have opportunity for his Service, I am obliged saithfully to discharge it. And besides all this, I am obliged by Oath to be faithful to the present King, which I intend, by the Grace of God, faithfully to perform, tho' for special, and, I think, good Reasons, I refuse to take it again. These are great Obligations, and such as I cannot discharge without taking notice and complaining of what I observe greatly amiss in Both Houses of Parliament. And I shall do it first to you, as my proper Representative; and by you desire it may be represented to the House, as you will answer it to your Country, for which you serve.
In your House I observe such abominable Impiety, and Contempt of Religion, as greater hath rarely been known: I have heard it complained of by Members of the House, that a Man can hardly mention any thing of God or Religion there, but he shall be in danger to be ridicul'd or laught at. And when I have asked, why no body moved the House that some of them might be called to the Bar, and made Examples, the common Answer hath been, It would be to no purpose. Which is the Shame of the whole House, and notorious Evidence of their Impudence and Ignorance of what becomes such Assemblies, in one part of them; and of such Baseness, [Page 3]as makes them unworthy of the Name of Christians in the rest; as if the generous Discharge of so great and noble a Duty, was not of it self a thing to great purpose; as if the Fearful, or such as are ashamed of Christ, or his Words, are not to have their part with Infidels and Unbelievers; that is, with such as the rest of their Fellow-Members of whom they complain; as if their Baseness might not reasonably be imputed by the others to Infidelity and Disbelief of the Religion, which they profess, to the Scandal of Religion, and Hardening those poor Creatures in their Impiety. It is no wonder if the whole-Nation abound in Infidelity, and all kind of Wickedness, when there is no more Religion in those who should correct it among the Commons, and the Of their Prudentials, I have long since noted one remarkable Instance in Reflections on the Action at Sea, p. 29, 30, 31 and another lately in my Narrative, besides others elsewhere. Latitudinarian bishops among the Lords. And now I appeal to the Consciences of all, who have any Sense of Religion, and to the dreadful Tribunal of Almighty God, whether these things be not true, and whether there be not more danger to the Nation from such a House of Commons, and such Bishops, than from Popery, and from all the Priests and Jesuites in the Nation, if they were as many more as they are.
And where there is no more Fear of God, it is no wonder if there be not that Honour and Respect for the King, that there ought to be: Freedom of Debates in Parliament is undoubtedly the Right of the Subject: But if under pretence of Freedom of Debates any Members shall do acts of Insolence and Disrespect to the King, that is no part of their Right, but a Violation of Duty to the King, and tending to the Dissolution of the Government, and ought to be corrected.
That your late Votes, grounded upon a false and foolish Letter to a Member of Parliament, was such, is believed by many, to get an advantage against the King; and to prevent that, 'tis likely many did comply in their Votes, who did not see any other reason for it; and the Choice of the Chairman for that Committee, a Person, who was turn'd out of her Service by the late good Queen, hath declared openly in your Lobby to my self, that he thought Vice ought to be encouraged, and is reported to have expressed no little disrespect to the King in your House before now, is a considerable Aggravation of the Indignity. How such things can be consistent either with Conscience and Religion, Civil Duty to our Country, and one of the best Governments in the World, or their Oaths of Fidelity to the King, I do not understand: Nor so much as with common Prudence for themselves, and their own Rights. The King hath shewed himself a Prince of great Courage, and of as great Prudence and Conduct. Almighty God has by him, as his Instrument, in Confederacy with divers of the chief Catholick Princes, vouchsafed us a happy Peace, if we have the Discretion to use it as we ought, and as becomes Persons sensible of his Goodness, [Page 4]and of the Respect they ought to have for his Instruments in it. But I doubt these Politicians do but egregiously befool themselves with a vain Conceit add Presumption of having the Purse of the Nation. For certainly the King hath as little need of them, as they have of him: And by such Politicks they do but provoke the just Indignation, not only of a wise Prince, but of all honest and faithful Subjects; and most of all, of those Confederates, who, if this King should die, as he must one day, may by the just Judgment of God, enter into a Confederacy of themselves to correct their Ingratitude and Folly. Nay, should the King but dissolve this Parliament, and in a Declaration set out such Reasons as he may for that, and for Calling of another, their little Politicks with themselves might probably be soon in the dirt. The Pretence of the There are other more proper, natural, and effectual Means to remove all Fear of Popery, than such Violence of Factions: of which the King cannot but know something.Growth of Popery hath been made use of to so ill purpose heretofore; hath so little ground at this time, more than what proceeds from the Negligence of the Clergy in assisting condemned Persons, and visiting the Sick, and the Obstinacy and Unconcernedness of a Party-of Prudential Latitudinarian Bishops, for what does more properly belong to their Charge, and particularly for mending their Cause, and making that sound, which is indefensible at present: and is raised, I believe, so unseasonably to serve and support a lame and tottering Cause, that 'tis like to prove the Shame and Confusion both of it, and of those who make use of such indirect Means for that purpose. Let me but know who were the Composers of that Letter, and had the Impudence and Folly to call me (as it is commonly understood) Madman Convert, (two Lyes at once) and I do not doubt but to give you such Account of the whole Matter, as will sufficiently satifie both the House and all honest and wise Men in the Nation. What I have more to say, I shall reserve till I see what Use is made of this. I hope the House will consider what is to be done, both to expiate that provoking Wickedness against God, and to Correct, as they deserve, all Indignities done to the King: and you shall always find me ready, in what belongs to me, to serve Both, and my Country, in the best manner I can.
THE CORRUPTION AND IMPIETY OF THE Common Members OF THE Late House of COMMONS.
IT is with the Best Governments, that all the Wit and Foresight of Man can devise, as it is with Material Buildings. They are both alike subject to Decays, which if not repaired in due time, inevitably bring Ruin and Destruction at last. The true English Government is both in it self one of the best Constitutions in the World, and most accomodate to the Nature and Genius of the English People. And the People of this Nation have been heretofore as Famous, not only for Courage and Hardiness, but also for Wisdom, Virtue and Piety, as any People in the World. But at this present, both the Government is fallen into great Decay, and the People become so degenerate, that they are like to become the Scorn and Odium of all the rest of Mankind, if Matters be not speedily amended. The whole Nation has seemed to me for some time, as under an Enchantment. And I have known those, who in respect to the Notorious Corruption of the House of Commons, have jestingly said, They were True Representatives of the People; and yet when they themselves have gotten In amongst [Page 2]them, have done nothing worthy of the Name of Englishmen toward any Amendment, much less of Christians, though Professors of Religion of no ordinary Form.
The Writers of Magick tell us, That such as are Initiate and Proficients in the Black Art, can by the Assistance of their Familiar Spirits, so bind People in some Particulars, that in those Particulars they cannot accomplish any thing, though in all others they act as other People; and divers such have I seen and discoursed with. And whole Families have I known brought to Desolation, in such manner as seemed very plain to me, to be by the secret Operations of some invisible intelligent Powers, or some Secret Curse, which did adhere to them, or both. And in some I have known a certain and manifest Cause, and I doubt not, but there was the like in others, but unknown to any but such as would not discover it. And this I have great reason to believe is the true Case of this Nation; which will appear in time. But it is too sober a Subject for so mad a Generation to be farther discoursed at present.
The Corruptions of the House of Commons is, what is at present necessary to be consider'd, and is so Notorious, as needs not many Words to prove it. It hath been a common and known Practice for this Forty Years last past; for Men of Confidence and ready Elocution, if they could but procure an Election in some little Mercenary Burrough, and so get into the House, presently to set themselves to oppose the King and the Court, that they might be bought off by some good Gratuity, Pension, or Place: and one while to Treat the King with the greatest Insolence and Indignity; and another time the whole House of Commons; and this either lightly laugh'd at, or gravely and prudentially passed by, by the rest. Have we not seen after sufficient Insolence to the King on one side, afterwards the whole House of Commons Adjourned by the same Person, their Speaker, without; nay, against their Consent, to please him; and yet this Gentleman permitted constantly to be a Member to this Day? And what a Noise and Clamour had we lately of the Growth of Popery, and a most unreasonable Act passed upon it, when the Mystery of all was no other than to Lower King William's Reputation with his Confederates beyond Sea, and ingratiate themselves with the Abused People at home? Whether these things do not tend to the Dissolution of the [Page 3]Government, and to introduce a Commonwealth, like to end in Anarchy and Confusion, as heretofore, is not hard to be resolved, and deserves to be well consider'd in time. And it may be worth the Consideration, Whether the Mystery of some Peoples Heat about the Succession be not in the bottom to make that a Step to the Alteration of the Government? So that there seems two Dangerous Corruptions in the late Members of the House of Commons; the one the Trade of Particular Members, of which I have mentioned but little of what is known, or upon good grounds believed or suspected; whereby the common Interest of the People is bought and sold by these Traders, or Traitors if you will; the other a Conspiracy of a most wicked Faction of Apostates, Deists, Socinians and Latudinarians, to subvert the Government, under pretence of Preserving the Rights of the People; and to cast out Christianity, under pretence of Securing the Protestant Religion. And how little there is of true Religion amongst any of them all is Notorious by their Actions in the two last Parliaments, upon the Letters in Print to Sir Richard Cocks, and to the Knights, Gentlemen and Freeholders, and Commons of England. What a Charge of Impiety is there upon the whole House of Commons! And what a silly and impious Vote was pass'd upon it! And how Hypocritically and Scandalously have this last deservedly short-liv'd House of Commons behaved themselves in their Formal Address for a Solemn Day of Fasting and Prayer for the Blessing of God upon their Consultations; and yet not one of them all so much as open his Mouth for a due Correction of so great Impiety.
It is certain and unquestionable, that being ashamed of Christ or his Words, and giving Offence or Scandal to Religion, are Two Capital Crimes in the Laws of the Gospel, and terrible and severe Judgments denounced against them. And nothing can be more Scandalous to Religion, than for a Man to make a high Profession of Religion, and be ashamed or afraid to speak for it, when there is so just and necessary occasion. So that the Sin and Danger of such Persons in the House, I take to be the greatest of all, and that which is like to seal up some Judgment of God upon the whole Nation, if some proper Course be not speedily taken to prevent it.
God hath already answered them in their own kind: for he hath the Hearts of Kings in his hands, and turns them as the Rivers of Water: And if the People have not now a Care that they choose none of them again, they who do otherwise may possibly find the Curse cleave to themselves, and to those they choose. And as the King has done well to Dissolve them, so if he please to consult his Judges, and the Learned in the Law, it is like he will find matter enough to Correct the Insolence of some of the most active Conspirators. And then it may be hoped, we may see a true English Parliament again. And then it may also be hoped we may see the Decays, which have been too long neglected, effectually repaired.
Part of the Letter to Sir RICHARD COCKS.
In your House I observe such abominable Impiety, and Contempt of Religion, as greater hath rarely been known: I have heard it complained of by Members of the House, that a Man can hardly mention any thing of God or Religion there, but he shall be in danger to be ridicul'd or laught at. And when I have asked, Why no body moved the House, that some of them might de called to the Bar, and made Examples? The common Answer hath been, It would be to no purpose. Which is the Shame of the whole House, and notorious Evidence of their Impudence and Ignorance of what becomes such Assemblies, in one part of them; and of such Baseness, as makes them unworthy of the Name of Christians in the rest; as if the generous Discharge of so great and noble a Duty, was not of it self a thing to great purpose; as if the Fearful, or such as are ashamed of Christ, or his Words, are not to have their part with Infidels and Unbelievers; that is, with such as the rest of their Fellow-Members of whom they complain; as if their Baseness might not reasonably be imputed by the others to Infidelity and Disbelief of the Religion, which they profess, to the Scandal of Religion, and Hardening those poor Creatures in their Impiety. It is no wonder if the whole Nation abound in Infidelity, and all kind of Wickedness, when there is no more Religion in those who should correct it.
The Letters at Large with other Papers, may be had at the New-Inn Coffee-House.
Printed in the Year 1701.
To the Knights, Gentlemen, Freeholders and Commons of England.
THO I have given sufficient Demonstration to all those few who know me, of my good Will, Readiness, and Resolution for your Service, yet such has been the Malice of some wicked men to defame me, which I could have born patiently did it not disable me to serve you, as I would, that I'm compel'd, as St. Paul was, to say those things for my self, but for your sake, which nothing less should have extorted from me.
I have liv'd now in the World above the ordinary Age of Man. My principal Study from my Youth has been the Service of God and of my Country, upon all Occasions, which I always look'd upon as Calls to me. I always hated Knavery and Falshood, and was zealous for Truth and Righteousness; tho I have sometimes been mistaken in matters of fact of others, yet never in my Principles that I remember, or varied from them in deliberate Actions, so as to be justly charg'd by Man, tho I dare not justify my self before the strict Justice of God. I have spent my Life in this Service without soliciting for Preferment, or so much as accepting what has been offer'd me both in Church and State. And to say nothing of former times, I prov'd my self a Faithful Monitor to the late King and Queen, and to my Country, all his time from first to last, and so as I doubt not but Posterity will approve, whatever the present Generation doth: and should have done the like in the present Reign, had I had the like Opportunities, nor have I been wanting in what I could do.
I drew a Specimen of a Declaration against Debauchery, before the Prince came to London, which being approv'd by considerable Persons, was soon after deliver'd to him, and the Care of it recommended to one, whose Advantages were no less than his Duty to have promoted it: After he came to the Crown, I presented him with a most faithful Admonition of what most concern'd him, and not only then complain'd in print of the shameful neglect of the Propagation of Religion in Foreign Parts, and of Reformation of Manners at home, but some time after actually begun that necessary Work, and had undoubtedly brought it to a good Effect speedily, had not such as were actually engag'd in it, and such as were most of all oblig'd to promote it, unworthily deserted it, and set up a little superficial Formality instead of it, which hath more expos'd it to Contempt by great Ones, than promoted it among Inferiours.
I gave you not only Notice, but Example too, how to correct the Miscarriages of your Trustees in Parliament, and to make them know, that they are not your Masters but your Servants; but such as are most like to undo you, if you look not better to them, and consider their Behaviour at your County Courts and General Quarter Sessions.
Considering of how great importance it is to have a Good Cause in all Differences, and how much Religion is really concerned or pretended in the present War, I began before it broke out again, in a Discourse dedicated to the Judges, to shew the necessity of mending our Cause in matters of Religion. And have so asserted the Truth in several Particulars against four several Parties, that not any one of any of them all has yet appear'd publickly to resist it (otherwise than by Lies and Calumnies, and discouraging the Booksellers from printing or selling my Writings) or defend their own Cause against me; a thing perhaps never known before, since Printing was known; and an Attestation to Truth not inferiour to a Miracle, being a plain accomplishment of our Saviour's Promise.
Most of these things have been presented to the Lower House of Convocation, where they rest in Peace. And I have done the like in Civil Matters by just Representations to our Representatives in Parliament: But there not only Truth and Justice has been disregarded, but one of our principal fundamental Rights violated, by those, whose principal Trust and Business it is to take Care to preserve 'em. And several Papers of this sort, with others of a Collection, intituled, A Message of Peace, &c. being stifled by the former Artifice, this Nation seems now in the miserable Condition of the Jews of old lamented by the Prophet, Jsa. 59.14, 15.
I could tell you of divers other Maters, both Civil, and relating to Religion; as for the better ordering of the Revenues of the Church in populous Parishes, for more Assistants to take care of the Souls of the People; for better Provision for the necessary Preparation of condemned Persons for their Execution; for better and more reasonable Correction for Criminals than our common Executions; and for such Reformation of our Gaols and Prisons, which are now the Nurseries of all Vice and Wickedness, that they may be made Schools of Virtue: All things very necessary, which I have endeavour'd to promote, but with such Success, as, with the like in others, tempt me to suspect the whole Nation to be in some sort under that wicked Power, whose Effigies is plac'd in the Place of the Cross, upon the chief Spire of the City; especially when I consider what Wickedness has been acted, how the Nation has been abus'd, and the Judgments of God provok'd by such Mysteries of Iniquity, as affront his Omniscience, as well as his Justice, harden such as are concern'd in them in Aposzacy, now call'd Deism, and little less than Atheisin, and would sill the Minds of all sober People with Horror, were they but commonly known and understood. But a Spirit of Slumber doth usually precede the greatest Judgments.
And this Suspicion is the more increas'd in me, when I consider how easily our Divisions might be compos'd, and the Mischiefs and Confusions, which seem coming on like a Torrent, be prevented, were it not for a Spirit of Faction and Self-Interest, but mistaken Interest in all Parties, and the Abuses put upon all by the false Pretences of a few Sons of Bichri, who do more harm at home, than all our foreign Adversaries abroad, and were it not for those, 'twere easy to break all their measures more effectually, than all our Forces both by Sea and Land are like to do.
But one of the greatest Ʋnhappinesses of Mankind in the State they are fall'n unto, is that they are generally like a Flock of silly Sheep, which are either quietly fed and preserv'd in Safety, by faithful and careful Shepherds, or expos'd [Page]or frighted into Danger and Mischief by such as are careless of them, but get in among them to serve themselves of them for some Designs of their own. For they are very few who act upon sound and solid Judgment, but most upon common Opinion, receiv'd by Education, taken up upon inconsiderate Apprehension, or impos'd upon them by the Crast and Subtlety of designing Men, who abuse their Hopes and Confidence only to serve themselves.
Out of Pity therefore for the innocent Flocks, that they may beware of such Shepherds, and of the Spirit of Faction in all Parties, are these Papers now publish'd. My Kindness exprest to the honest Quakers may possibly be misconstru'd by some, especially of their sharpest Adversaries: But, besides other reasons, the monstrous prevalence of the Spirit of Faction, even in such as are in a suffering Case, and Persons otherwise of Learning and Ability to consider, and yet will not receive the Truths they cannot fairly resist, was a special Motive to me to accept the Invitations for farther Conference from a People so despis'd in the sight of the Learned; tho I never use to decline to answer any, either by Word or Writing, whom I find serious and pertinent. And I do declare I do it sincerely and heartily, and will not be asham'd to assert and maintain whatever Truth there is amongst them or any others, against any or all Opposers of it. For Truth and Righteousness, by the Grace of God, I will not desert in what Party soever. And if the honest and well-meaning People of this Party will accept of my Advice and Assistance, I do not despair, thro Divine Assistance, but to help them, who are now the most despis'd of all Sects, to become as truly honourable in real Worth and Virtue as any of them all; and to maintain their Cause, not only by Principles of Religion, but also by the true Principles of the Laws of England.
But for those Troublers of our Peace and Unity, those Roman Catholick Missioners and Quaker Ministers, who obstinately resist the Truth, they cannot with any sound reason gainsay, and notwithstanding continue with their Sophistry and specious Pretences to deceive the People, if the State please but to afford me a reasonable Favour and Assistance of the Civil Authority, I hope I shall easily demonstrate that they are so justly punishable by the I aws of this Nation, antecedent to those made against them in particular, as will leave them utterly inexcusable, and promote a good Service both to God and Man, much more effectually. Which might have been put in practice before this time, if such as, not long since, made the last great Clamour against the Growth of Popery, had really designed to stop it, and not merely to abuse the People, to ingratiate themselves with them, that they might use them at pleasure for their own Advantage. This was undoubtedly the Mystery of the unreasonable be verity of that Act, which has hitherto serv'd rather for a Cover than any Restraint of that Growth; and possibly might be so intended by such Juglers with all Parties for their own Interest; who, when once discover'd, can never after be safely trusted by any, or will easily by such as are wise.
I know not any greater Service, which can be done to this Nation at this time, than to undeceive and disabuse the innocent Flocks of this distracted and divided People, by detecting the Deceivers and their several Arts and Abuses; nor any one, who has endeavour'd it upon so clear and certain Principles in all respects, or with equal Candour, Impartiality and Conviction, as I have done. And therefore, by how much the greater are the Evidences of my Integrity, [Page y]Fidelity, and constant Zeal for your Service; that is, for the Service of my Country, so much the more notorious is the Iniquity and evil Dispositions, of such as by malicious Defamations, have not only grosly abus'd me (which I could easily have born had that been all) but disabled me from farther Prosecution of that Service hitherto, to which I am so heartily and intirely affected; and the greater is the Evidence against them, that they are no true Friends to our Country, but unfaithful treacherous Deceivers, who, under specious Pretences, seek to serve themselves, without due regard, if any at all, to the Service of their Country. And they are of two sorts, either such as are or have been our Trustees in Parliament, or of the Clergy of the Church of England. And these latter have not only injur'd me and hinder'd me in your Service, but brought a foul Scandal upon the Church of England; and therefore the Consideration of that may be left to the supreme Authority, so lately asserted in all Causes as well Spiritual as Temporal.
But for the others, who have not only injur'd me, and done you that Disservice, but moreover foully broken the Trust repos'd in them, in betraying one of our principal and most necessary Rights; which if once lost our Servants become our Masters, and more likely by their Tricking to bring all into Confusion, than ever to do any thing truly for the Honor or Safety of this Nation. I must therefore recommend that unto you with this FAITHFUL ADMONITION AND ADVICE: Neglect no longer your own Interest at your COUNTY COURTS: Give there your Instructions well consider'd to your Trustees, when you choose them, and there confer constantly concerning their Behaviour, and as occasion requires, from thence admonish them of what you see necessary: And at your next Court, or as soon as may be, assert, like true Englishmen, that antient, fundamental necessary Right of every Commoner of England, to have his Petitions for proper matters to be presented to the House of Commons, by his Representatives, and to be read, heard and consider'd, and duly answer'd there; and the Duty of your Trustees to inquire into the Miscarriages in that respect. This may be done also at your General Quarter Sessions, and by Cities and Buroughs at their proper Courts,