A proposall humbly offered, for the farming of liberty of conscience

A PROPOSALL HUMBLY OFFERED, For the Farming of Liberty of Conſcience.

SInce nothing can be dearer unto poor Chriſtians, then Liberty, for the Free Exerciſe of their Iudgments and Conſcience, which hath kindled that Fire in the Bowels of the three Kingdoms, which all the pretious Blood that hath been ſhed, during theſe late Troubles, hath not been able totally to extinguiſh: And ſince many of us, whoſe Names are affixed, were ſo profitably Inſtrumental in theſe late Combuſtions, as appears all along in our Sermons, before the Honorable Houſe of Parliament, in the Years, 1642, 43, 44, 45, 46. in exciting the good People of this Nation, to ſeek and maintain their Chriſtian Liberty, againſt all Prelatical and Antichriſtian Impoſition whatſoever. And conſidering, that the little Finger of Apoſtacie, from our firſt Love, would be a greater Burden upon our Tender Conſciences then the Loyns of Epiſcopacy, we being more bound in Honour then Conſcience cannot totally deſiſt; Neither need any man fear, or ſo much as ſuſpect, leſt any inconvenience or Alteration ſhould happen in Religion by the great diverſity of Opinions, Tongues and Languages, tolerated amongſt us, unleſs in the great Babel of Epiſcopacy that may poſsibly be pull'd down and deſtroyed by this our notable Confuſion: For if the Goſpel was wonderfully diſſeminated and ſpread abroad by every mans ſpeaking in his own Language, and the very Enemies thereof aſtoniſhed and miraculouſly wrought into a belief of it; how is it likely to be now obſtructed in the free exerciſe of our Spiritual Gifts with theſe our cloven and divided Tongues?

And ſince many Worthy perſons (from whom we might little expect it, but far leſſe deſerve it) out of their Goodneſſe and Clemency, are pleaſed to incline to ſome Libertie, did not ſome perſons, Aliens and Strangers to the Commonwealth of Iſrael take up a reproach againſt us, as perſons reprobated into an unpoſſibility of ſubmiſſion to Principles of Concord, Peace, and Order in Church or State, never being able hitherto to come to any Conſiſtency amongſt our ſelves the Ark of God having for twenty years together been expoſed to High-wayes Streets, and worſe places, for want of an agreement amongſt our own Brethren, where to reſt it, or how to entertain it.

If this be our Caſe, and could we be ſure of ſo much favour as Saul once deſired of Samuel, That the Biſhops would but honour us before the People, we would in a private Chriſtian way lay our hands upon our hearts, and acknowledg the hand of God and the Iuſtice thereof, in turning us out of his Vineyard as wicked and unprofitable ſervants, and to ſuffer the iniquity of our heels to overtake us, Crying out with Reverend Mr. Calamy, The Ark of God is juſtly departed from us: But being not yet thus aſſured, do hope the people will yet believe theſe to be only Bears Skins lappt about us by Epiſcopal hands: And therefore, to the end that a Conſiſtencie and Oneneſſe of Iudgment of the whole ſeparating Brethren, and their Moderation may be known unto all men, and that the world may know, there is a ſpirit of Rule and Government reſting in us,

It is humbly Propoſed, That the ſole power of Granting Licenſes and Indulgences for Liberty of Conſcience within the Kingdome of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Barwick, may be Veſted in the Perſons under-named, for the Terme of Seven Years, under the Farm Rent of An hundred thouſand Pound per annum, to Commence from the 25th. day of March next, under ſuch Rates and Qualifications as are hereafter ſpecified.

The Names of the Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience; propoſed on yeſterday, being Munday, March 2. 1662. being the day of a Private Faſt kept by Mr. Calamy, Mr. Baxter, and others, at Mr. Beal's houſe, near my Lord of Ely's Chappel in Holborn. Mr. Edmond Calamy Mr. Tilham, late of Colcheſter Mr. Philip Nye Mr. Feake. Mr. Stanley Gower of Dorcheſter. George Fox, Executor of the laſt Will and Teſtament of James Nailor deceaſed. Doctor Lazarus Seaman Mr. Dell, late of Cambridge. Doctor Owen Mr. Bryan, late of Coventry. Mr. Matthew Mead Mr. John Coppin Doctor Manton Mr. Kiffen Mr. William Jenkins Mr. Fiſher, late of Kent. Doctor Thomas Goodwin Mr. Hammond, late of Newcaſtle. Mr. Peter Sterry Mr. Bridges, late of Yarmouth. Mr. Joſeph Carroll Mr. Tombes, late of Lemſter. Mr. Leigh, late of Lumbard ſtreet. The Executor of Mr. Venner lately Executed. Mr. Thomas Caſe Mr. Reynor, late of Lincoln. Mr. Raph Venning Mr. Rogers Mr. Benn, late of Dorcheſter. Mr. George Griffith, late of Charter-houſe. The Executor of Hugh Peters lately Executed. Mr. George Newton, late of Taunton. Mr. Dan Dyke, late of Hertford-ſhire. Mr. Mayo, late of Kingſton. Mr. Joſhua Sprigg. Mr. Henry Jeſſey. Mr. Newcomen of Dedham in Eſſex. Doctor Tuckney of Cambridge. Doctor Cornelius Burges. Mr Zachary Crofton Doctor Holmes. Mr. John Cann Mr. Thomas Brooks.

That the Perſons aforeſaid, may be conſtituted Grand Commiſſioners, and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience, within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick, and may be impowred to ſet up one Publique Office within the City of London and to nominate and elect a convenient number of Regiſters Clerk, and other Officers: And for the more certainty of all Certificates to be granted as is hereafter appointed, The ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers may form a common Seal to be known, and called by the name of The Publique Seal of the Grand Commiſsioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience engraven. An Aſs without Ears, Braying, with this Motto incircled Star pro ratione libertas: And the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers, or any 24 of them in the ſaid Office aſſembled, may from time to time, compound and agree for Liberty of Conſcience, with any perſon or perſons, under ſuch Rates and Qualifications, as are hereafter ſpecified.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers, or any 24 of them, may conſtitute and appoint, under the Publique Seal of the Office, Sub-Commiſſioners, and other Officers, for every Countie within the ſaid Kingdom, not exceeding the number of 12. for each County whereof 7 to be a Quorum, who may compound and agree for Liberty of Conſcience, with any perſon or perſons, ſelect Congregations, Cities, Towns Corporate, Pariſhes Hamlets, and Villages, by the great, or otherwiſe, within their reſpective Countries, not exceeding the Rates hereafter mentioned.

Rates to be obſerved in all Compoſitions for Liberty of CONSCIENCE. Per Annum. A Presbyterian Miniſter 5 0 0 A Ruling Elder 4 0 0 A Deacon 3 0 0 A Hearer Male or Female in Fellowſhip to all Ordinances 2 0 0 A Common Hearer only 1 0 0 An Independant Paſtor 5 0 0 A Teaching Elder 4 0 0 A Helper in Government 3 0 0 A Deacon 3 0 0 A Hearer male or female in Fellowſhip to all Ordinances 2 0 0 A common Hearer only 1 0 0 A Baptiſt admitted to the Adminiſtration of all Ordinances 5 0 0 A Preaching aſſiſtant 4 0 0 An Elder in Office 3 0 0 A Deacon 2 0 0 A Hearer in Fellowſhip male or female to all Ordinances 2 0 0 A common Hearer only 1 0 0 A Fifth Monarcher admitted to hold forth 5 0 0 An Elder under the ſame Adminiſtration 3 0 0 A Deacon under the ſame Adminiſtration 3 0 0 A Hearer male or female in Fellowſhip according to the value of his or her Eſtate 2 s. per l. per annum. A common hearer male or Female according to the value of his or her Eſtate 12 d. per l. per annum. A ſpeaking male Quaker 4 0 0 A ſpeaking female Quaker 3 0 0 A common Quaker male or female 2 0 0 A Confeſſor 6 0 0 A Seminary or Maſs-Prieſt at large 5 0 0 A private Maſs-Prieſt 4 0 0 A Roman Catholick in any other order 3 0 0 A Roman Catholick not in order male or Female 1 0 0 An Officer under any Adminiſtration not mentioned in the rates aforeſaid being a Native of England, ſuch only excepted as ſtand Conformable to the Church of England 5 0 0 A common perſon under any Adminiſtration not mentioned in the rates aforeſaid being a Native of England, ſuch only excepted as ſtand conformable to the Church of England 2 0 0 An Officer under any Adminiſtration whatſoever not a Native of England, except conformable to the Church of England 10 0 0 A private perſon under any Adminiſtration whatſoever not a Native of England, except conformable to the Church of England 5 0 0

Rates to be obſerved in compounding for Liberty of Conſcience in the particulars following, viz. For Liberty to aſſert the Popes Supremacy 10 0 0 For Liberty to write, ſpeak, or Preach againſt the Government as they ſhall be inwardly moved 5 0 0 For liberty to keep on their Hats before Magiſtrates, or in Courts of Judicature 2 0 0 For Liberty to rail publickly againſt the Biſhops and Common Prayer 1 0 0 For Liberty to refuſe all manner of Oaths, of Allegiance and Supremacy, or in Caſes Civil or Criminal 2 0 0 For liberty to deny Tythes and other Church Duties 1 0 0 For liberty to expound the Revelations and the Book of Daniel 1 0 0 For Liberty to diſturb any Congregation after Sermon 0 10 0 For Liberty to aſſert the Solemn League and Covenant 1 5 0 For Liberty to inſtruct youth in the ſhort Catechiſm ſet forth by the Aſſembly of Divines 0 10 0

That any perſon or perſons gifted for any the Particulars aboveſaid, may have liberty therein either as an Itinerate, in private or Publique, at the Rates aboveſaid.

That no perſon or perſons be admitted to compound for Liberty of Conſcience, until he or they have firſt taken and ſubſcribed the Solemn Proteſtation following, before the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers, or their Sub-Commiſſioners reſpectively.

I A. B. do here ſolemnly proteſt, That I judg my ſelf ſtill bound by the Solemn League and Covenant, by the Engagement, by private Church-Covenant, or by any other Oath which I have taken ever ſince the year 1641. and that ſo far as with ſafety to my perſon and Eſtate I may, I will endeavour the utter extirpation of Epiſcopacy, and to the utmoſt of my power, will abet and promote all Schiſm, faction, and diſcord, both in Church and State, according to the beſt form and manner, preſcribed and laid open in the Sermons of many of the Grand-Commiſſioners and Farmers, before the Parliament, appointed to be Printed, and now called the Homilies of the Separated Churches. And that I will never by what Conviction or Authority ſoever, whether legall or Epiſcopall, ever conſent to the Eſtabliſht Doctrine and diſcipline of the Church of England.

And I do likewiſe believe, That Liberty of Conſcience was a Myſterious, yet profitable talent committed to the Churches, and that it may be lawfully Farmed out for advantage and improvement.

That no perſon within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, or Town of Barwick, may, from, and after the 25 day of March next, uſe or exerciſe any manner of Liberty of Conſcience, except perſons ſtanding conformable to the Church of England, untill ſuch perſon or perſons ſhall firſt take the Solemn Proteſtation, and ſhall compound with the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers for Liberty of Conſcience, nor ſhall he be admitted or permitted to be a Speaker or Hearer, in any Meeting or Aſſemblies whatſoever.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience, may have power to conſtitute under the Publique Seal of the ſaid Office, a convenient number of Spiritual Gagers, who may have and exerciſe all ſuch Powers, Priviledges, & Authorities, as the Gagers for Excize of Beer and Ale, have, or ought to have and enjoy, and may at any time, in caſe of Suſpition, enter into any houſe or place, publike or private, to gage and try the Spirits and Affections of any perſon or perſons; and by Praying, Preaching, or other good Exhortation, diſſwade from Epiſcopacie, and the Common-Prayer, the better to fit and prepare them to compound for Liberty of Conſcience.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience, may have power to fine any perſon or perſons (not exceeding the ſum of 20 l. for every offence, who ſhall, after Compoſition for Liberty of Conſcience, and ſubſcribing the Solemn Proteſtation, be preſent in any Church or Chappel, within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick, in the time of any part of Divine Service, unleſs at the Funeral of his Father or ſome other like occaſion: or, if being preſent at any ſuch occaſion, he ſhall either reſpond, be uncovered, or carry himſelf reverently, in the time of Divine Service aforeſaid.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience or any 24 of them aſſembled at the Office aforeſaid, may have and exerciſe a Iuriſdiction of Appeal in all matters relating to Liberty of Conſcience, within the ſaid Kingdom of England, and ſhall have a concluſive power in all matters brought before them, by way of Appeal as aforeſaid.

That for the better management of all ſuch matters as ſhall be brought judicially before the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners & Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience by way of Appeal the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers, ſhall have power to conſtitute and appoint Mr. Oliver St. Johns, and ſuch others as they judge fit for their ſaid Service, to be of Standing-Councel with the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers: And the ſaid Mr. Oliver St. Johns, being ſo conſtituted and appointed under the Publick Seal of the ſaid Office, ſhall, and may be exempted and diſcharged from being in any Publike Office, or place of Truſt or Profit, for the ſaid term of 7 years, any thing to the contrary notwithſtanding.

That if any perſon or perſons ſhall happen to be proceeded againſt in any of the Eccleſiaſtical Courts of the Biſhops of this Kingdome for Contumacy, for Non-Conformity, for non-payment of Tythes, and other Church-Duties, for publick rayling againſt the Biſhops, the Common-Prayer, or the Government of the Church of England, or ſhall ſpeak Oprobriouſly or Scandalouſly againſt the Doctrine or Diſcipline thereof, as Antichriſtian, or ſhall maintain any Poſitions or Doctrines contrary thereunto: Every ſuch perſon producing a Certificate from the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers under the publike Seal of the ſaid Office, that ſuch perſon or perſons are under Compoſition for Liberty of Conſcience, ſhall actually be diſcharged, and all further proceedings ſtayed; Any thing to the contrary notwithſtanding.

That if any perſons ſhall happen to be Indicted or Criminally proceeded againſt in any of His Majeſties Courts at Weſtminſter, or elſewhere within the Kingdom of England, either for Treaſonable Speeches or Practiſes, for publike rayling at the Government, or for Scandalous words againſt either or both Houſes of Parliament, or for Tranſgreſſing any of the Penal Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom; Every ſuch perſon or perſons producing a Certificate from the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers under the publike Seal of the ſaid Office, that ſuch perſon or perſons are under Compoſition for Liberty of Conſcience; and that ſuch words or practiſes were not ſpoken or acted malitioſe, but were only the natural and proper effects and product of Liberty of Conſcience, ſhall be diſcharged, and all further proceedings ſtayed; Any thing to the Contrary notwithſtanding.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience, may have power from time to time to Ordain Paſtors, Elders, and Deacons, or any other Officers under any Adminiſtration whatſoever, by the laying on of the publique Seal of the Office: Which ſaid Impoſition of the ſaid publique Seal being received with a Certificate, ſhall be as lawful an Ordination, as if every ſuch perſon had received Impoſition from the hands of the Presbytery, Any late Vſage or Cuſtome to the contrary notwithſtanding.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers may have power from time to time, to ſet apart dayes for publique Faſtings, and Humiliation and Thankſgiving; on which dayes it may be lawful for any perſon or perſons appointed to Officiate before the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers, to ſtir up the people to a holy Indignation againſt themſelves, for having by their want of Zeal and Brotherly kindneſſe one towards another, loſt many pretious enjoyments; and above all, the never to be forgotten Loſſe of the late Power and Dominion, which with the Expence of ſo much Blood and Rapine, was put into the hands of the Saints. And to take up for a Lamentation and great thoughts of heart, the Diviſions of Ruben, That having our Sacks full, ſuch an evill ſpirit ſhould be found in the midſt of us, as to fall out by the way; might it have beén with thoſe that abode by the Stuff, as with thoſe that went out to the Battel, it had not beén with us as at this day. Some ſtarting aſide, like a broken Bow, in the year 48; others continuing to bear the burthen and heat of the day untill 60, being harneſs'd, did then turn their backs in the day of Battel; as was moſt ſweetly handled at the Faſt kept Yeſterday at Mr. Beale's, by Mr. Callamy, Mr. Baxter, and others.

That the twentieth day of April next, commonly called Eaſter-Monday, be kept as a day of Solemn Faſting and Humiliation, for a Bleſſing upon theſe Goſpel—Vndertakings, and that Mr. Edmond Calamy, Mr. Peter Sterry, Doctor Lazarus Seaman, and Mr. Feake, be deſired to carry on the Work of the Day in Prayer and Preaching, before the ſaid Grand Farmers, and that the particulars following, be recommended to their Conſideration in the Work of the Day.

1. To Bewail, 1. All our Court Sins. 2. Our Biſhops Sins. 3. Our Monk Sins. 4. Our Common-Prayer Sins. 2. To Divert, 1. Weſtminſter-Hall Iudgments. 2. Our Old-Bayly Iudgments. 3. Our Tower-Hill Iudgments. 4. Our Charing-Croſs Iudgments. 5. Our Tyburn Iudgments.

Laſtly, For deliverance from the Hand of Dun, that uncercumciſed Philiſtine.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners, and Farmers of Liberty of Conſcience, may have power to build Churches and Chappels in any place or places, except upon ſuch Ground only where Churches or Chappels do already ſtand, in regard of the inconvenience of ſetting up Altar againſt Altar; And foraſmuch as the Cuſtom of Reading ſome part of the holy Bible before Sermon, commonly called firſt and ſecond Leſſons, hath been found fruitleſs, That therefore the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners & Farmers may have power to appoint inſtead thereof, the Annual reading of thoſe Sermons preached by many of the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers, before the Parliament, Vpon ſpecial Occaſions of Thankſgiving and Humiliation, from the Year 1641, to the Year 1648: Which ſaid Sermons may be called, The Homilies of the ſeparating Churches.

That the ſaid Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers may have power to require Mr. Gilbert Millington, and Mr. Luke Robinſon, the lame Evangeliſt, to deliver up all ſuch Articles, Orders, Books, Papers, and other Writings, as were tranſacted before the late Committee for plundered Miniſters; and likewiſe, all ſuch as were paſſed and tranſacted before Mr. Philip Ney, and ſome others of the now Grand Commiſſioners and Farmers, and heretofore called Commiſſioners or Spiritual Tryers, to the end, the ſaid Articles, Orders, Books, and other Papers may be Printed and Publiſhed, and may be kept at the ſaid Office upon Record for ever, and appointed to be the Book of Canons of the ſeparated Churches.

All this being done, we may upon Scripture Grounds expect, that the door of Hope may yet be open to Vs, and Our Children after Vs, to ſee the travell of our Souls, and to lett Vs into the promiſed Land, and to reap ſome of thoſe Cluſters of the Grapes of Canaan, which with ſo much Labour and Toyl of Body and Mind were planted, eſpecially in the Years of 1641, 42, 43, 44, 45. by many of Vs, and other precious Saints and Miniſters of the Goſpel, who are ſince fallen aſleép, and have, We hope, reaped the Fruits of thoſe Labours, the Lord having in that Day put a mighty Spirit into Vs, & ſet Vs as Watchmen upon the Towers of Iſrael, to cry mightily, Curſe ye Meroze, Curſe ye bitterly; the Lord Grant, That thoſe Heart-breaking Labours of Ours, thoſe King-deſtroying Labours, theſe Kingdom-ruining Labours, thoſe Goſpel-ſcandalizing Labours, thoſe Church-ſubverting Labours, thoſe Soul-confounding Labors of Ours, may never be forgotten, but may be written as with the point of a Diamond, upon the Heart of the King, upon the Hearts of the Biſhops, upon the Heart of the Parliament, and upon the Hearts of all the People from Dan to Beerſheba, that ſo in Gods good time we may receive our Reward ſeven fold-into our own Boſomes, and that the Generations to come may hear and fear, and do no more ſo wickedly.

So prayes, B. G.