A Nevv-yeers-Gift
For ENGLAND, and all her Cities, Ports, and Corporations, and all such therein who are fit for the same, and desire it.

OR, A Gift of God to the Wife, this new yeer 1653 to make them a free Commonwealth, if that they pursue therein. It being a Caveat to the reserved, unconstant, ambo­dextrous engagers with this Commonwealth and present Govern­ment, who being unstable in all their ways, are burthenous thereunto.

ALSO,
An Incitement to the Commonalty & Free-born people of England, (who are by Act of this present Parliament declared to be the Common­wealth) to stand for their Rights and Priviledges, and to claim their Birth­rights both of voice and choice therein, (in their several capacities and places) which they were not onely born unto, but also have been careful­ly left them by their ancestors, as their undoubted Rights for ever; as Magna Charta and the Petition of Right hold forth, and the particular and several Charters in London and England declare and manifest, upon their examination. And this present Parliament also do say they are resolved to renew the several Charters, as they may con [...]ute with this Common­wealth and Government, as by their Order and Letter made and written for and by their Committee to the Companies of London, will plainly ap­pear; which, for your satisfaction and encouragement, is here also assert­ed. Here is also added two Letters which have relation or dependence on the Parliaments Order, and a Letter sent to the several Companies of Lon­don to bring in their several and respective Charters to be altered and re­newed, and all the Charters of the Nation: and two Petitions by the Pen­man hereof: All which do partly discover the enemies and impediments of the common peoples Rights and Priviledges, or Commonalties, as in the several Charters is terminated or called, in the Right of every free-born English mans person and capacity who hath not forfeited it:and he is cal­led also a successor thereof, and thereunto; wherefore he is not to count it a vain thing, and to part with it for slender promises of any Governours or pretending Officers in places whatsoever insinuations, or any mercena­ry lying Lawyers alluring, sly perswasions, or Sollicitors; but earnestly to contend for the same, lest with Esau hereafter they repent it with tears, and their childrens children curse the slavishness they are born unto thereby.

Printed at London, and are to be sold by Will. Larnar, at the signe of the Black-moor neer Fleet-bridge. 1653.

Tuesday Sept. 14. 1652.
Resolved,

THat it be referred to the Committee for Corporations, to take into consi­deration how Corporations may be most a­greeable with, and sutable to the Govern­ment of a Commonwealth; and how their respective Charters may be altered and renewed, to be held from and under the authority of this Commonwealth.

Hen. Scobel, Cler. Parl.

By the Committee for Corporations, and re­newing of Charters, Sept. 16. 1652.

THis Committee do appoint to sit in the Queens Court, on every Tuesday and Thursday: whereof all parties con­cerned are to take notice.

Sa. O Neal, Clerk to the said committee.

[Page 2]This invited us to petition for relief and redress: and this large Petition was preferred by us, about the 21 of October, 1652. viz.

To the honorable Committee for Regulating of Charters and Corporations:
The humble Petition of Daniel Potter, Nathaniel Burt, Roger Read, and Humphry Millet, four free-men and members of the Corporation of the Mystery or Art of Sadlers, in the City of London, as well on their owne behalf, as on the behalf of all the rest, of their Brethren, working Sadlers, the communalty thereof, and Citizens of London of the same Mystery of Art, being well affected from the beginning to all the honorable proceedings of Par­liament.

Humbly sheweth unto your Honours,

THat whereas it hath pleased Almighty God, by the Parlia­ments happy success against the Enemy of the English Com­monwealth, to free the English Nation from the Norman Yoke of Kingly power, and Monarchical and Tyrannical Government; and thereupon the honourable Parliament of England did long since declare that the People of this Nation for the future should be governed by their representatives in Parliament, the same being now made a free State, without either King, or house of Lords; and therefore of late in their wisdomes, they have appointed this honou­rable Committee, for regulating of Corporations set up and ordained originally, by the late Tyrannical King, and his Progenitors and Predecssors ever since King William the first invaded and subdued this Nation, which have from time to time since being continued, re­newed, and enlarged by his successors, for corrupt and superstitious ends and purposes, as will appear upon the due examination there­of.

[Page 3]And whereas, the Corporation of, Sadlers was first obtained in Edward the third's dayes, and afterwards confirmed and inlarged in Richard the second's days, as appears plainly upon view there­of, for praying for Souls departed, and such like superstitious uses, expresly contrary to several good Laws and Statutes of this Nation; nevertheless there hath been several confirmations thereof, obtained from several Kings and Queens of this Nation, even to King Iames his time; by means whereof, the Wardens or Governours thereof from time to time have exercised a Tyrannical and Arbitrary Go­vernment under their Charter upon several of the free-born persons of this Nation, of the same Mystery or Communality of Sadlers, and by misuser, abuser, and non-user of the same, have since forfeit­ed the same to the Keepers of the Liberties of England by Authority of Parliament; and amongst other things, they govern the Compa­ny by a Master and Wardens, where there is no such things granted unto them, and dayly vex, and disquiet, and exact divers several great sums of money, for quartridge and other sesments by them un­justly imposed upon your Petitioners and other the free-men of the said Mystery Communality of Sadlers; and for no other cause, but for that your Petitioners some of them have served the Parliament from the beginning in the Wars and otherwise, they deny your Pe­titioners the common priviledge due unto them, as free-men of the said Mystery and Communalty.

The Premises therefore duely considered,

It is most humbly prayed, that the said Charter and Books of Ac­compts, and Book of Orders, now kept at Sadlers Hall, by the Master and Wardens and Clarke of the Sadlers Company in London now in being, may be forthwith seized upon, and brought in before your Honors; by which the truth of the Premi­ses may more fully appear; and that your Petitioners may be admitted, as well on their owne behalfs, as on the behalf of the rest their Brethren and Communality thereof Citizens of London, Free-men of the said Art or Mystery of Sadlers, to propound unto your Honours the form of a new Charter, for the better regulation of the said Sadlers Company, and such as may best agree and consuite with the present State-Government [Page 4] and constitution thereof, in opposition to Monarchical and Kingly Government; by what names or titles your Honours shall hold most expedient to incorporate the Sadlers Company, to exist and be.

And your Petitioners will ever pray for your Honours.

This Petition being read the 21 of October, procured us three several Orders on the Commonalties part, against the usurping Ma­ster and Wardens: To answer to the Petitioners grievances, one; to bring in the Charter, a second; and to bring in their Books of Ac­counts, and Books of Orders, a third. And as they were signed with five Parliament-mens hands, so they were served on them by an Officer to the said Committee, on the day vulgarly called The Lord Maiors day, when Monarchy was in power; since known by the 29 of October: but is was before they went to dinner, having been upon the water; and they were sober, the Messenger said, or the Officer who served them. Which Orders follow, to shew the hope we may have, when our Charter is renewed, for your and all peaceable English-mens encouragements and example, to stand for your Birthrights and Liberties, which you were born unto, and by your Ancestors left you in Charters, as the Title of this New-yeers­gift setteth forth.

By the Committee for Corporations, and re­newing of Charters, Octob. 21. 1652.

Upon consideration had of the Petition of divers of the Commonalty of the Company of Sadlers, It is ordered that the Petitioners shall have librerty to make known their grievances to this Committee, on the fourth day of Novem­ber next; on which day, the Master and Wardens of the [Page 5] said Company have liberty to answer the same. Whereof they are to have convenient notice.

  • Richard Lucy.
  • Tho. Atkins.
  • Hen. Darly.
  • Dan. Blagrave.
  • J. Davers.

By the Committee for Corporations, and re­newing of Charters, Octob.21. 1652.

Upon consideration had of the Petition of divers of the Commonalty of the Company of Sadlers, It is ordered that the Master and Wardens of the said Company to bring unto this Committee, by the fourth day of November next, the Original Charter whereby the said Company are incorpo­rated; to the end that the said Charter may be taken into seri­ous consideration, and that the same may be renewed, and held from and under this Commonwealth. Whereof they are not to fail.

  • J. Davers.
  • Dan. Blagrave.
  • Tho. Atkins.
  • Hen. Darly.
  • Rich. Lucy.

By the Committee for Corporations, and re­newing Charters, Octob.21. 1652.

Ordered that the Master, Wardens, or Clerk of the Company of Sadlers, do bring unto this Committee, by the fourth of November next, the books of Accounts and books of Orders belonging to the said Company. Whereof they are not to fail.

  • Dan. Blagrave.
  • J. Davers.
  • Tho. Atkins.
  • Hen. Darly.
  • Richard Lucy.

[Page 6]But our Master and Wardens being seemingly discontented with us; our Petition and Orders served on them, and our proceedings, despised our advice. Whereupon, we put in a second Petition, they appearing by Councel, to delay us and the Commonalty and Com­monwealth, Novemb.4. 1652.

To the honorable Committee for regulation of Corporations.

THe humble Petition of many of the Communalty of the Art and Mystery of Sadlers, who have hereunto subscribed our names, and Free-men of the said Corporation; who have heard of your Honours love, in answering a former Petition, which was put in before this Honourable Committee in our behalfs, and all others Free-men of the said Art and Mystery of Sadlers, who work, make and fell the Sadlers wares, or can work them, for the renew­ing of the said Charter, under the constitution of this present Go­vernment, and settle it according to the charitable intents of our Predecessors, for reliese of us and our Successors, and for our better Government in godliness and honesty; whereupon it hath pleased your Honours to command by your Orders the original Charter and Books of Accounts, and Book of Orders, that when your Ho­nours have considered the same, how they may be renewed and held from and under this Commonwealth; we in all humble manner re­turne you hearty thanks, for your great love and care therein, not doubting but that you will finish the said work in due time.

Whereupon we are humble Petitioners and humbly pray, for our selves and all our Brethren, Free-men of the same Art and My­stery of Sadlers, that your Honours will please to perfect the said work you have begun, that so under this Common­wealth our Charter of Sadlers may be renewed, amplified, and inlarged with such Priviledges, Articles, Clauses, and Rights, as may be for the Establishment, ordering and Government of working Sadlers; which is, both the Art and Mystery there­of, that so both we, and ours in successive generations, may have occasion to say and report, Many have done vertuously, but you have surpassed them all.

And we shall ever pray, &c.

[Page 7]To which Petition they assented and consented, we protesting a­gainst their Counsel, he acting against the Commonwealth and Com­mittee; and then this ensuing Order was made, as followeth.

By the Committee for Corporations, and re­newing of Charters, Novemb.4. 1652.

ORdered by consent of Parties on both sides, that the Cause between the Communalty of the Company of Sad­lers, and the Master and Wardens of the said Compa­ny, in the Paper of this day, be deferred till the second of De­cember next; by which day the said Master and Wardens are to bring unto this Committee the Charter whereby the said Company are incorporated, and the Books of Orders, and Books of Accounts belonging to the said Company: and this Com­mitte do appoint on the said day, to consider of the complaint of the Communalty against the said Master and Wardens; at which time, the said Communalty have also liberty to pre­sent further complaint, if they have any; and the said Ma­ster and Wardens are to answer the same.

  • Dan.Blagrave.
  • Roger
  • Chr.Martyn.
  • Will.Leman.
  • John Pyne.

Hereupon they yet procured a months time, and never yet per­formed; in which time there were Letters written to all the Compa­nies of London, by the Chair-man of the said Committee, A true copy whereof followeth.

Gentlemen,

THe Committe for Corporations, having taken in­to their consideration an Order of Parliament, of the fourteenth of September 1652. touching the altera­tion [Page 8] and renewing of the several and respective Char­ters or this Nation; and upon serious debate had thereon (judging it most agreeable with, and suitable to the Government of a Commonwealth, that they be held from, and under the authority of the same) com­manded me to signify unto you their pleasure therein, (viz.) That in pursuance of the said Orders of Par­liament, you fail not to bring or cause to be brought, unto the said Committee, upon the seventh of Deccem­ber next, sitting in the Queens Court in Westminster, the Charter or Chatters, by which you are incorporated, This being all I have in command.

Westm. Nov.30. 1652.
Dan. Blagrave.

Hereupon, finding our selves delayed and abused, as well as the Commonwealth, and that by daring mercenary Councel who ap­peared against us the Committee and the Commonwealth herein; I the Penman hereof, for the Commonweals utility and profit, pro­cured two Letters to be presented to the Chair-man; one for him­self, and the other for the honorable Committee, who as they have taken our Petitions into consideration, it is hoped (as they have pro­mised, will also (in time) when their emergenter occasions shall give them leasure to renew Charters, they then will also renew the Sad­lers Charter, whereof I am a member, and a successor also unto, with as large priviledges as in its pristine vertue our Ancestors either procured or left it, though since, by the vicissitude of persons and time, abused, to divers persons.

Mr.Blagrave,

HAving twice petitioned the honorable Committee in the be­half of the Commonalty of Sadlers, who are much abused; and also seen of your Letters sent to the several respective [Page 9] Companies and Corporations in London to bring in their Char­ter of Charters to be renewed and altered; and having observed the general aversness thereunto, or ignorance, or wilfulness of divers Citizens in government and place; and also the evil Counsel by mercenary Lawyers given them therein, to close with the present Government, or submit thereunto; I could not rest in my thoughts, until I had penned these inclosed lines, which I humbly intreat you to communicate or present (on mine and the Commonwealths behalf) unto the honourable Committee: for which you shall oblige me to rest

From my house Windmill-Court, neer Col. Prides, London, Dec.6. 1652.
Your servant, and (therein) the Commonwealths, Capt.Nath.Butt.
Indorsed thus: To the Right Worshipful William Blagrave Esquire, at his honse at Westminster or elsewhere; from a lover of this Common­wealth and Government; these present.
Honourable Sir,

I Salute you, as in the behalf of that Honourable Committee you are Chair-man of, to renew Charters and Corporations, where­in for the benefits and profits of the Communalty of the working Sadlers, and all free-born English men in this Commonwealth I have laboured abundantly, to settle our selves under this present Go­vernment; also having laid hold on your own invitations by Tic­kets set upon the posts over which you often fit, for the said end, to consider how to renew Charters, as was therein expressed, as well as in your several Letters by command sent forth to the Companies of London, to produce the bringing up of their several and re­spective Charters; these also are to give you notice of the evil ex­ample it will be to the Companies proceedings in London, and Cor­porations of England, if that mercenary Councel be suffered to ap­pear against the Commonwealth and present Government, as on the Sadlers Master and Wardens & Assistance part hath been already a­gainst [Page 10] the Communalty thereof; which Councel hath twice appear­ed before this Honourable Committee, whereby the Orders thereof have been made of no esteem, by the Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and Counseller of the Sadlers Company and your Petitioners put to much charge and trouble, and much delayed and vexed thereby, who have waited at Master Farwels Chamber two dayes, to see the Charter of the Sadlers examined as was ordered by this Honou­rable Committee, and it is not yet brought thither, but your Honou­rable order is by them contemned; this I thought my self bound both in duty to your Honours, the Committee, and present Government, as also the dear relations to the settlement of my Native Country, and the Sadlers therein as I am a free member thereof, for all whose pros­perities and peace I could desire to spend my self and be spent, and have already suffered much therefore, and having observed many of the Actions, and transactions since this time of Parliament sitting, and troubles in this Nation and Commonwealth; wherein the delayes of the House of Lords and others, when there was one, did much protract, and hinder the proceedings and rights for the Nations peace and safety (as by woful experience hath been felt, heard, and understood) by the distractions, discontents, and confusi­on it did produce, is very well remembred; which came to be pro­moted much also, by their and your suffering of mercenary Coun­sel against the Commonwealth and Parliament; who thereby both Counselled and exasperated this reserved, unconstant, Tyrannical, ex­sorting City of London, who abound in oppression and destroy, slay or divide the Communalty, as their mercenary and diabolical Counsel­lors do by consent,&c. & the unsetled Country corrupt Officers, who also pretended to have engaged with the City, and under the present Government, without either King, or House of Lords, and yet these cannot or will not submit to have their Charters renewed by the said Parliament and Government, or affect such, who either per­swade thereunto, or act to help forwards this great work, so necessa­ry to be furnished, and without which cannot be a found agreement and settlement, &c. Thus much premised, give me leave to mourn for the abuses I have observed among several in trust at times, which are great obstacles (and have been) of our peace and safety, both past and present, which hath been much to this Commonwealths de­triment, [Page 11] and that partly much brought about by mercenary Law­yers, yea rather lyers, and busie insinuating setpentine Sollicitors; who may be said to be of their Father the Devil also, (as Christ saith) who hath been a murderer from the beginning, who doth both seduce and harden the people, and obstruct justice, and subvert Govern­ment, as may be easily proved, who may fitly be compared to that impudent Harlot in Solomons time, who would have the living child divided or slain; so these impudent lying Lawyers, and serpen­tine Solicitors seek not onely to slay the people, and divide the peo­ples inheritances, for their owne sees and maintenance, but also they to please others, labour to divide the living Government, and Acts of Parliament made for the safety and good of the people therein, and by their impudency to stay it, or to possess the people of the deadness of it, in respect to the life of Monarchy in Charters: but as these are lyers and abide not in the truth, so their works are earth­ly, sensual and devilish, and descend not from above, but tend to se­dition, &c. My prayer therefore is, that the God of wisdome will give you wisdome, to do justice to the Commons and Communalty of England; who have and do adhere in singleness of heart, to settle the Commonwealth in its Native rights, and undoubted privi­ledges, as again and again by Parliament is promised, and by your Committee held forth; wherefore suffer not these mercenary Law­yers to lye any longer against the truth, or your Government in the Commonwealth, and the peoples undoubted rights and priviledges, which they have bought so dear, or any interloping Solicitors; but ex­tirpate and expunge them; and you will not onely excuse your selves, but also engage your Native Country-man, and also the hearts and tongues of all the Free-born English men of this Nation to say, the wisdome of God doth appear in you. So verily believes

From my house neer Col. Pride's, Lon­don, Decemb. 6. 1652.
Yours (in the Com­monwealths service) Capt. Nathaniel Burt.
Endorsed thus: To William Blagrave Esq Chair-man of the Committee to renew Corpora­tions and Charters, to be communicated to the honorable Committee, &c.

A LETTER to incite free-born English­men to stand and contend with a godly jealousie for their Birth-rights, their Liberties.

Written by a lover of Right and Liberty.

FEllow-Commoners, who are the Commonwealth, or Native Country-men, or brothers English-men; for indeed, if we had grace and heavenly wisdom, we should so live, and so love, as bre­thren, as kinsmen in the flesh as Paul speaks of the Israelites, Rom. 9.3,4. yea, as David saith, How comely would it be for brethren to live together in unity in amity, Psal. 133. which would be as a precious ointment: Then would not those in place and power ty­rannize over, and oppress, or defraud, or falsly imprison those that are under them, or extort from them any manner of thing, or suffer their Clerks therein, or other Officers: then would be no impoverish­ments, by procured or provoked Law-suits, or delayings, demurrings, or false returns: then would be no quarrelings, no bloodsheddings, no Wars or Rebellings, or tumultuous proceedings, or cunning con­trivements, by machinations or combinations, or excommunicatings; but those of superiority would respect such of inferiour rank, and those of inferiour degree would have occasion to speak well of and honour such as are or should be in place of Judicature, or trust of superiority or power.

It is not my intention, herein, personally to recriminate any man, though I believe, by my sufferings and innocencie, through experi­ence I could nominate many in many places; but to invite to peace, to love; for fightings and quarrelings will never settle this Common­wealth, and therein our common rights and priviledges; but peti­tionings, intreatings, conferrings, in its time, place, and order, so it be not with vain janglings or obstinacie, but in love and faithfulness to [Page 13] one another. Wherefore do but look back upon the love care, and faithfulness of our Ancestors, who set forth Magna Charta and other good Laws and Charters for our settlement and quiet Go­vernment, and for our utility or profits and benefits for ever; and to allay the proud coruptions of such who should usurpe in Go­verning left power to the Communalty in their several places of abode and capacities in England, and to every Free-born English man therein, whether in Counties, Cities, Corporations, Parishes, or Companies to chuse Governours, or Parliament-men, or all man­ner of Officers therein; and again, if that any of these intrusted by the Commoners of England should abuse their trust, then also they granted the Communalty power, when any should prove unfaithful to their trust, and unjust in their several places, to assemble toge­ther, and to displace and expunge such, and to chuse others in their places, who should be faithful Stewards for the peoples benefits, utili­ty, and profits, ever accompting the safety of the people to be the supream Law, they aluding to holy Writ, that they should chuse out of the people, for Rulers or Governours, men of courage, fear­ing God and hating covetousness. And in holy Writ it is said also, that of the Children of Issachar, which were men that had under­standing of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, there there were two hundred of them, and these were called the heads of them, and it is said, that all their brethren were at their com­mand. O my dear brethren of England, your times of choyce of Officers is coming, by your Charters, which are promised by Par­liament to be renewed, and your liberty and freedome confirmed to you: be not therefore more fearful and stupid then [...]alaams Ass who as Saint Peter averreth spake with mans voyce, and rebuked the ini­quity and foolishness of the Prophet, in his 2 Epistle 2 chapter and 15 and 16 verses; and suffer not your selves to be thrown into Pri­sons at the lust and pleasure of every one in place, or their injurious Clarkes, or abused, and threatned, or defrauded; but put on cou­rage, and in the name of the Lord claim your priviledges, and re­buke them or such openly: it is commanded by God, Lev.19.17. by Christ, Luke 17.3. and by Saint Paul 1. Tim.5. 20. Where­fore he that will not rebuke his neighbour, is said, that he suffereth him in his sin, and hateth his brother in his heart; and Christ teach­eth [Page 14] it as a doctrine of love and charity, to rebuke our brother if he trespass against us, or any one of us, and repent not of it; or as Paul saith, though he be an Elder, a Governour, or Magistrate, if he sin openly, let him be rebuked openly, that the rest may fear. It is a brand of infamie upon the Priests in Israel, Hos.4.6,7,8. that they did eat up the sins of the people in those dayes, for which they were cast off from being Priests unto God, and their glory turned into shame; because they listed up the peoples mindes thereby in their iniquity, by going out of the way themselves, they caused many to fall, and they themselves became partial, and therefore were they made vile, and despised among the people, Mal.2.5,6,7,8 9. and the Rulers or Governours were so hardened thereby, that they loved to say with shame Bring ye, Hos.4.18. that is, to take bribes or re­wards, Mie.7.2,3. and who can either trust a friend or a Counsel­ler, as our Fathers were for bidden, Mich.7.5,6. seeing a mans enemies are those of his own house? do not we at this time, pull sin and shame, and suffering upon our owne selves, for that we re­buke not such men among us, do not we thereby eat up their sins, and by our cowardize and partiality become guilty thereof, and they themselves despise us? and we may be said to depart from the Lord our God, and for this to be captivated, and to be reproached and subject to payments, as the Israelites were, and as Baruch speak­eth, chap.3.7,8. and hereafter our children may say, it was for the iniquity of our Fathers, as there it is said, that they are become so cursed, and subjected, and reproached. Solomon saith, Better is wis­dome then weapons of war, and that he knew a poor wise-man de­liver a City, Eccles.9.15,18. Wherefore let me intreat you mind your liberty in a loving peaceable wise way, but yet claim your un­doubted rights, and be not out-faced therein by usurping Gover­nours, Officers, and mercenary Lawyers (or insinuating serpentine Solicitors) a sentence I inserted into my Letter sent to the Commit­tee since upon further observations, who privily lurk to betray Eng­lish men of their liberty and right; and I am perswaded, that though divers of us hath contended with a sword in our hands for our li­berties, yet by this viperous serpentine brood of mercenary Lawyers, and letter-carrying convoying Solicitors, are we dayly pleaded out, and delayed of our just rights, and by their complices, and betrayed [Page 11] therein, as experimentally I have often seen, and ever shall be so long as they be cherished or countenanced, I could make this appear in several cases, but I promised I would not personally recriminate; yet I must needs commend that spoken, as is reported by Colonel Pride in Westminster Hall, that it would never be well with Eng­land until that mercenary Lawyers Gownes were hung up by the Scotch-Trophics: for indeed such Counsellors are but concealers of that Law, which is our rights and priviledges, and act more poli­tickly or serpentinely, then really and truly, more for their owne profits utility and self ends, then the Clyents utility or profit, which the Law holds out to all, without respect of persons; but these and the Solicitors are they who Jesuite-like make distinguishings and distinctions, for their owne and their friends sakes, and ends, for fil­thy lucres fake; as the unjust Steward, in the making his Lord and Masters accompts, yet he is said to be wise, Luk.16.8. and so are these Lawyers and Solicitors comended by many, yea by most; but the time may come they may repent of their mercenary and unjust monies they have taken to betray the peoples rights; as Judas that betrayed the Lord of life and glory, whose service is perfect freedom, to which I commend you all, that shall read herein, humbly de­siring Gods glory to be advanced, your souls eternally saved, and freeborn English-men kept from oppressions, frauds, extortions, taunts, provocations, and false imprisonments, that so having their undoubted rights, the priviledge of their fleshly bodies here, they may be enabled thereby to serve God in their Spirits, and to do no evil, that so they may be set at liberty as the sons of God.

So prayeth the Pen-man hereof for you all, that so there may be no more cryings or fightings heard in our streets, but that we may walk and live in love, must ever be the Prayer of

Your kinsman in the flesh, Nathaniel Burt, A servant of Jesus Christ in spirit and a member of this Commonwealth, a Free­born English man.
From my house Windmill-Court, neer Col. Prides, London, Dec.28, 1652.

Postscript.

Reader,

UNdoubtedly know this, that by receiving thy un­doubted right of Voice and Choice of Officers, which is thy Birth-right, if in a capacity to pay Tax and Tallage, in time you may see a Reformation there­by: for, by discoveries of mens trustie actions and their unfaithfulness, they may be either confirmed, or ex­punged out of place; and in time, it may be a means to promote truth and righteousness, by breaking of com­binations and factions in Guild-halls, Corporations, Fraternities, Common Councels, Assistants, or Com­mittees, who are cemented usually by Oaths of Se­crecie, or strong promises of Confederacie; which in such places, or in Committees, cannot be discovered, but by their Assistants, Clerks, or Sollicitors, who have been known (for their own advantages and lucre) to convoy Letters of intelligence, or carry or send Let­ters of discovery to such party or parties the Commit­tee or others shall affect: or otherwise, I have also known Committee-men (though Parliament-men) write Letters against the innocent person who hath pleaded before them by vertue of Parliament-Acts and Ordinances broken; and they have cleared the guilty and offenders, and acted thereby against their own Acts and Ordinances of Parliament, then and still in force: by which example, others have been encouraged so to do, &c. to the great damage of the partie or parties, and the ensnaring of the Commonwealth and people, they practising like sons of Iezebel, or sons of Belial, 1, Kings 8. 10,13.

[Page]Lord, thus are thine Heritage killed, spoiled, and de­stroyed, as of old; and they eat up thy people all the day long, and labour to root out their inheritance, by buying their Debenters at small rates (which is as the price of their blood) and the Lordly buyers thereof receive the full rate of 20s. in the pound for them, when its likely they gave not above 3s. 6d. in the pound for them; and some of these oppressors Parlia­ment-men. Yet David, a King, and a Souldier in the field, and in distress for water, which three of his Com­manders (breaking thorow the enemies host) fetched, he would not drink thereof, but offered it to the Lord, and said, O Lord, be it far from me to do this thing: Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? 2 Sam.23.15,16,17.

Thus some of them we fought for to maintain,
Do drink our bloods, as 'twere a thing most vain.

At Dover I once saw a Mayor, who the first time he did sit on the Bench in their Guild-hall, after that he was sworn Mayor, he silenced and would have turned off the Bench one of his Brethren, a Jurat there (which is as an Alderman in other places) upon the Bench, because he would not agree with him, the present Mayor in being, in a piece of injustice; and the reason the Mayor shewed, was, that the said Alderman or Jurat had not been new sworn to secrecie or privacie since he had been sworn Mayor; I could name the parties, but I forbear: I could also nomi­nate several injuries done in Guild-hall London, and in the Committee of the Militia and Court of Aldermen, and of some by Common Councellors and Com­panies with their Assistants and Clarkes, and that by [Page] combination of, and with their Clarkes, and Offi­cers, and Assistants, and how by their Oaths of secrecie or promises, and consederacie, and private chusing of Officers, or fore-running their choyce, to the out-fa­cing the Law, and perverting or Judgement, and op­pression of the free-born people the Commonwealth, whom they also divers times have been fain to arm for their owne preservations to fight, although they will not allow them voice or choice, even when judgement hath followed them at their heels, for their iniquities, promising their destructions, and I do believe this truth is known to divers also, though the persons and injuries are not nominated; which for future to pre­vent, next unto your reasonable service performed to Iehovah, your vigilancies over those in places, and by a laudable and free choice, displacing such as are not trusty and faithful, and labouring, and protesting also against false Oaths, for because of Oaths our land doth mourn, and much more for such as are Oaths of secre­cie: but wait you with patience in brotherly love, bearing one anothers burthens; that we or ours here­after may happily arrive at the fruition of liberty and rest from this sea and calamity of oppression and trou­ble; that our children may say of us, their deceased Fathers hereafter, they acted couragiously as free-born English men in their generation, wisely as Common­wealths-men in their places and capacities, and lo­vingly and patiently as Christians, through whom we have had deliverance, and are become a happy Eng­lish people born, and left to freedome and liberty.

By N. B. a lover of the English people, and its Native rights and liberties, and a constant contender for the same.
FINIS.

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