HAving, lately, received Information, that both Houses of Parliament, are not onely resolved to call their false and Apostate Members to a just account; but, for ever, also to disable them from returning to [...]at Parliamentarie trust and dignitie, which they have unworthily disho­ [...]ured and deserted; I presumed thereupon, that the vacancie of those many [...]oomes which are now void by their failings, and the want of those Wor­ [...]ies, whom God hath (perhaps for our sinnes) called out of this life since [...]e Parliament began, would shortly necessitate the renewing of that num­ [...]r of Knights and Burgesses, which compleats the House of Commons. I [...]jectured also, that the more speedy Summons would be sent forth for [...]eir election, because the wisdome of our Great-Councell failes not (I hope) [...] consider, how casuall their pretious lives are who now sustaine the heavy [...]then of publike affaires; how intollerable it might prove, if the present [...]pporters thereof should be much more diminished; how possible it is that, [...] me time or other, advantages may be taken by the paucity of the number, [...]indammage the Publike, by those who wait for such opportunities; and, [Page 2]how many accidents may suddenly happen, to disturb that means of a free election, which is now cleare in many parts of this Kingdome.

Therefore being woefully experienced, in the manifold miseries, wherein­to this Nation is plunged, by the corruption, and insufficiencie, of Persons heretofore chosen (or presumptuously intruding upon that High-Calling;) and perceiving no publike meanes provided for prevention of the like mis­chiefe hereafter, nor any man privately contributing his advice, toward the regulating of those Elections, from whence our present calamities have sprung; and wherupon the remedie both of present, and future mischiefs, may depend: I have, upon these, and the like considerations, hastned to send a­broad among you my humble Letters of Advice: Not, a [...] one arrogating a sufficience fully to direct or advise in all things pertinent to the due choice of your Knights and Burgesses; but rather as one (sensible of the common danger) offering his weake indeavours to be a meanes of stirring up, and pro­voking others, of more sufficiencie, to take timely notice of his intention; and to imploy their better judgements, in perfecting these good purposes toward the procurement of a prudent managing, and execution of your Ele­ctions. And, I desire, for your own sakes that, my good meaning may not bee utterly despised, or made void.

For, I addresse not these lines, for such private and corrupt ends, as those for which you heretofore received many letters from Lords, and La­dies, to shuffle into your Elections, those of their Court-Cards, or of the vul­gar pack which might be most serviceable to their own designes; but, honest­ly to discharge that duty, whereto I am obliged both by our Nationall Cove­nant, and my personall affection to the common-good; and, so, to prepare before the dayes of Election, those of inferiour rank, and meanest capacities to whom the free choice, of Knights, and Burgesses, appertaines, by presen­ting unto them needfull Cautions, and Considerations, that they might thereby (if possible) bee rendred more capable, and more conscionable [...] their Duties, to their Countrey and themselves in that point; and become willing to be instructed, how much it concernes their own, and the Public Interest and Safety, to be well advised, and heed full in the said Elections And, to that end, I beseech you, to whom these Missives do come, (and among whom, better Oratorie is wanting) that their words, or contents may, in private, or at your Conventions in publike, be so signified to tho [...] illiterate persons, whose Voices are, usually, given by an implicit Faith; th [...] they may more discreetly conferre them, for the time to come,

That my Advice intended, may be the more willingly entertained, I will first make bold to remember you of those mischiefs and inconviences, which are observed to be the fruits of inconsiderate Elections; and, how traiterous you are unto your selves and Countrey, therein. I will next present you with a briefe Character, or Qualification, both of those whom you ought to reject, and of those, who are fit to be elected for your Knights and Burgesses, in Parliament. And, lastly, I will offer to your considerati­on, that, which I conceive to be the best meanes for preventing partiality in choice; and so, consequently, for replenishing the House of Commons with such Members, as shall be likely (by Gods blessing) to become Instruments of removing our present mischiefs, and of establishing a happy Peace among us for the future; if we be not grown so corrupt a Body, that, we will not be represented, by good and discreet men; which, it seemes, was, formerly, our fault, and made us choose a Representative Body, in corruptions and failings, like unto our selves.

I will, as I said, only remember you (for, things apparent need no proofe) into how many plagues and miseries this Common-wealth is plunged, by the rottennesse and giddinesse, of some, formerly chosen to be Members of the Representative Body of our Commonaltie: and how perfidiously they have betraied their trust, to their perpetuall infamie, and to the indangering of our everlasting slaverie both to Tyrannie and Poperie; which joint-bondage would have been nothing lesse accursed, then that of Egypt, whether consi­dered as a temporall, or spirituall servitude: and, God onely knowes, how long it will yet be, ere these Islands shall be totally delivered from the dan­gers, whereinto those Traitors have formerly brought them. Thus miserable are they able to make us, on whom we conferre a Parliamentarie trust, if they be not wife, and conscionable men; for, we give them power, not onely to make us Slaves, Beggers, and liable to the Hangman at their pleasure; but, to submit us, also, to those Decrees which may, gradatim, bring our Poste­ritie to be Turks, Pagans, and Vassals to the Devill; which, if you believe not possible, (because not yet come to passe) believe, at least, that which you see, of the condition and practice, of them whom you have unworthily and unwarrantably elected; and consider, what may be further possible, by their bringing so farre back upon us (as they have lately done) those Antichristian slaveries which we thought past feare of reviving.

[Page 4] But, perhaps, mischiefs and inconveniences of lesse concernment, will st [...] up some to be more cautious in their Elections, then these; let such therfore take notice, that, by heedlesnesse in this dutie, they shall make Tyrants and Fooles, Lords over them, who will fawne and court them, till they are ele­cted, and then, scorne and trample them under feet, putting such an im­measurable distance, betwixt themselves and others, of that Body whom they represent, and out of which they were chosen, as if they had forgot­ten what they were; and that the respect due to a whole Committee, at least, if not to the whole House of Commons, were due to their single Votes, and Persons: yea, some of their deportments shall be such, as if it were Cri­men laesae Majestatis, to speak to them, or of them, or in their presence, but as they please to permit: and they will so take upon them, and so demean [...] themselves likewise, as if to favour their Clients, to suppresse those who [...] they disaffect, to strengthen their Faction, to further their private designes, to secure their owne estates, and to defend their personall Priviledges (though to the utter ruine of all publike Liberties and true Pietie) were the chief end of their Calling. And what good can be had, or what benefit can be look for, from such a choice? Or what better choice can be made; unlesse you seri­ously, prudently, and conscionably mannage your Elections?

The only means to be delivered from such mischiefs, is, by humbly suppli­cating the divine Mercy; by truly repenting our sins; and by taking mo [...] heed hereafter (then we have done heretofore) that we be not traitors to our selves, in foolishly giving up the disposure of our estates, lives, liberties and consciences to them who will sell us for old shoes, and serve us, onely to serve their owne turnes to our destruction: Therefore, I beseech yout [...] be warie, whom you shall now, or hereafter, elect; and make us not irreco­verably unhappy, by listening to the insinuations of unworthy persons, wh [...] will importune you, by themselves, or others, to put our Bodies and Sou [...]e into their hands; complying with all shewes of curtesie and humility, til [...] their purposes are obtained; and never afterward regard your Persons, you [...] Cause, your Miseries, or your Petitions: but, over-look you with such pride and despight, as if they had neither received their power from you, nor fo [...] your welfare; but meerly to exalt their owne vanitie: or, as if every one of them had in his single capacitie, conferred on him by his Election, such a measure of all Virtues and Sciences; and received such an extraction out of the Body represented, that none of his Electors had left in himself, either wis­dome, [Page 5]hones [...]ie, or pietie, in comparison of his; though but the day before his Election, all the good you heard or knew of him, amounted perhaps to no more, but that he was a good Huntsman, a good Faulkner, a good Gamester, or a Good-fellow; who, having a good estate in his Countrey, where he was [...]hosen, a good opinion of himselfe, and a good mind to be a Law-maker, was [...]lected by his neighbours, who had rather adventure the undoing of them­selves, their posteritie and the whole Kingdome; then hazzard his frowne, or [...]he Lords, or Ladies displeasure who sollicited for him: Which follie that [...]on may now shun, both for the remedie of present evils, and for the better [...]stablishing our just Priviledges, with the common safetie; let your care be [...]o avoid the choice of such as these.

1 Men over-lavish in speaking, or in taking extraordinarie pleasure to hear [...]hemselves talk: for, a man full of words is neither good to give, or keep [...]ounsell.

2 Notorious Gamesters; for, though I have known some of them wittie; [...] never found a prudent, or just man among them. For, how can he be just, whose daylie practice is to cheat others of their estates? Or, how can they [...]ave prudence becoming disposers of the publike Treasure, who are so foolish, [...]s needlessely to expose their certaine estates to the uncertain hazzards of [...]hance?

3 Men extremely addicted to Hunting or Hawking: For, most of these, so [...]hey may preserve and increase their Game and inlarge priviledges for their [...]wne pleasure, much care not though it were to the depopulation and impo­ [...]erishing of whole Countries, and to the multiplying of those wild beasts, which are one of the curses threatned for sinne.

4 The houshold servants, or, such as are the obliged dependents on Peers of [...]he Realme except they be of known and approved integritie. For, though [...]ome Lords have honourably persisted faithfull to the Re-publike, both now [...]nd in all times of Triall; yet, the greatest part prefer their will and pleasure [...]efore the just liberties and priviledges of the Commons; yea, sometimes [...]efore the safety of the whole Kingdome and the purity of Gods worship: And such Noblemen wil upon all advantages, expect from their Creatures, the [...]romotion of their own designes and interests, how repugnant soever to the [...]enerall-Good.

5 Courtiers, depending meerly on the King's or Queens favour; For, the [...]largement and continuance of their fortunes depend on the Prerogative: And, the more that may be improved to the depression of the Subject, the ri­ [...]her and the greater these grow.

[Page 6] 6 Chuse not such as are evidently ambitious or covetous; for, how pro [...] these will be to sell their Country and their Religion too, for titularie ho­nours or rewards, we have had too much experience of late yeares.

7 Men inslaved to Wantonnesse, and, with open impudence persevering [...] that sinne: For, such are a dishonour to that high-calling, and will not on [...] give a way their estates and liberties, to fulfill their lusts, but betray also the [...] owne Lives, their Country, and their Saviour, to please their Dalilahs.

8 Take heed of choosing those, who are Superlatively proud: for, the [...] will be so pust up with their Legistatorships, that after they have sate while in the House, they will be apt to forget they are a part of the Co [...] ­monalty, and be so elevated, that we shall hardly know how to speake [...] make addresses or complaints to them without danger of being question [...] for breach of good manners, or infringing their personall priviledges, whi [...] usually they prefer before the Priviledges of the whole Commonwealth.

9 Chuse not men immoderately adicted to popularity, for those have so m [...] ­ny to pleasure, protect, prefer, or comply withall; that their wit, leisu [...] and abilities will be wholly taken up in the prosecution of private accom­modations and conveniences for their Clyents, who shall not onely be serv [...] before the publike, but to the detriment thereof also, rather then faile.

10 Chuse not men reputed of a Vicious conversation in any kind: for, s [...] will be secret opposers of all Lawes or Ordinances restraining Enormities and constant hinderers of bringing Delinquents to condigne punishment.

11 Make not choice of men Irreligious, or inclined either to antiquate Superstitions, or moderne Novelties: for, the first will neither further ne [...] full Reformation, nor be carefull of preserving Orthodox Discipline [...] Doctrine from violation; nor much regard, so their temporall possessions m [...] be exempt from payments, and their persons from labour and danger, wh [...] hapneth to the dishonour of God, or to the safetie or perdition of Soule▪ And, the later will advance nothing but what tends to the establishment [...] his Fancies.

12 Elect not those Male-contents, who are observed by discourse or pr [...] ­ctise, to be enemies to the whole frame and constitution of our Government for, these will prove ill-Counsellers; and rather destructive then helpefull, [...] repairing and curing the ruines and destractions of these Times.

[Page 7] 13 Make not choice of Children under age: for, to me it seemeth not onely [...]nnecessarie, but ridiculous also, to commit the managing of the most weigh­ [...]y aff [...]ires of the Common-wealth to those who are not by our Lawes capa­ [...] of governing or disposing their private estates: Especially; seeing the ma­ [...]or part of Voices, which the vote of an ignorant child makes up, may con­ [...]rme a Resolution to the publike dammage.

14 Permit none of those to be Elected, who have heretofore procured, [...] cuted, or countenanced oppressing Monopolies, or beene active in extort­ [...]g Shipmony, Coat and Conduct-mony, or in any illegall exactions injurious [...]o the Rights and Priviledges of the Commons: For, though some of these [...]ay, now perhaps, be better Patriots and other wayes affected: yet, if there be [...]thers untainted. not unworthy of your choice; good reason it is that they [...]hould be preferred before these.

15 Chuse not men who, knowingly, stand Out-lawed, or so far indebted [...]hat they dare not walk: abroad without protections, except in such cases as [...]ay in equitie be allowable; for what can be more absurd or unjust, then that [...]ey should sit as Law-makers, who subject not themselves unto the Lawes [...]force? and what can be more unreasonable, then to make the Fountaine of [...]ustice to be an obstruction to her owne due proceedings, to the scand l [...]of [...]hat High Court which ought (as much as possible) to be composed of such [...]embers as are every way without exception? I hope the Land is not yet [...] full of beggers and bankerupts, that there may not be 400. men found in it, [...]ly qualified for this service, without straining a priviledge in this kind.

16 Lastly, avoid in your Elections, the choice of those who make meanes to [...]ve themselves chosen: For, in my opinion, it discovereth in them so much [...]rrogance and selfe-conceit, that they are worthy to be rejected; though the [...]stome of the times made it heretofore seem no infringment of modestie and [...]ought many discreet and honest men Insanire cum vulgo, to be over-seen or company. Doubtlesse, the cause of most or those evills which are fallen [...]on these Islands, have been occasioned by some of these Intruders. The [...]se-hood, pride, co vetuousnesse, hypocrisie, apostacie, cowardice, ignorance, [...]artialitie, Athiesme, sensualitie, selfe-love and selfe-conceit of some of [...]ese, hath distracted, divided, impoveri [...]hed, and almost undone us at this pre­ [...]ent; and, the totall accomplishment thereof will follow, unlesse God shall [...]ve you grace to be conscionably carefull in your choice of the Knights and [...]urgesses to be supplied: and cause those to purge themselves by repentance (if [...]y such remaine in the House of Commons) who have intruded as aforesaid, [...] beene heretofore inconsiderately and unworthily elected by others: For, [Page 8]the chiefe Deliverers of Gods people in distresse, and their ablest Captai [...] and Governours, were they who modestly sought to put off, rather then ar­rogantly to intrude upon, such places: And, it may be observed, that Saul w [...] fitter to Raigne when they found him hidden among the stuffe, then when [...] tooke care to be honoured before the people.

These are they, the choice of whom, I shall humby advise you to avoi [...] in your Elections, as much as possible you can: Yet, let your proceeding [...] with such discretion, that you neither expect men absolutely free from [...] imperfections (least you be compelled to seek them in another world) no [...] examine every mans failings, with such severitie, as may scandalize ho [...] and deserving men: For, the best are somtime traduced, and evill spoken o [...] by Malignants and wicked persons, without cause: which may easily be dis­covered, by diligently examining who they are that speake evill of such And, upon what grounds they traduce them: Or, by a prudent and charitab [...] examination of testimonialls given on their behalfes, who are traduced.

Now, in counselling to make choice of such as may be best confided [...] I shall be verie brief; because, by the foregoing Cautions touching their quali­fications whom you are to passe by, directions are tacitly given, to inform [...] what manner of men they ought to be, who should have Nomination in you [...] Elections: To wit, Men whom you know, or believe (by their testimon [...] whose fidelitie you suspect not) to bee of upright conversations, unrepro [...] ­able (as far as humane frailtie will permit) prudent, stout, impartiall, sober [...] well-experienced, Lovers of their Countrey, grave, meek, humble, religious and rather eminent for their vertues and abilities, then for their wealth, birth or titles: And, yet not so poore or meane, as to make their persons liable t [...] contempt, or in danger to be exposed to a temptation through extreame ne­cessities. Of these qualifications being assured, or at least well perswaded by good information (and not wilfully deceiving your selves, or negligently permitting others to deceive you) proceed cheerfully to an Orderly Ele­ction; and commit the event to God, without distrust of his blessing therein that his mercifull providence may supplie that, wherein your weaknesse [...] improvidence may faile: and questionlesse, a good event will follow.

But, you will say, perhaps, evill customes have so disordered your Ele­ctions, that though you have considered the danger of making Choice [...] [Page 9]Randome; or, according to their perswasions, who abused your credulitie and simplicitie heretofore: and, though you are also truly desirous to regulate your choice according to good Advise: yet, so much is ascribed to Custome (though evill) And, the corruption and cunning of those who are most pow­erfull in managing those Elections may be such, that the well-affected shall be over-borne; or those contrivances perhaps practised, whereby your Votes may be neverthelesse transferred to a wrong Partie; as it hath often happened [...]n times past.

To prevent this, I will offer to consideration, what I have conceived may be helpfull against such fraud or falshood; and conducing to the regulating of your Elections for the time to come: And (though the wisdome of this generation may, perhaps, deride it) I shall not repent the proposall thereof: because I am assured it will availe to the publike security, and shall be both entertained with approbation, and practised with good effects, when the time cometh in which this Kingdome must be restored to that happinesse, which we have lost; and shal be made blessed, by that Reformation which we desire. My Propositions are these.

1 That at your conventions of the Freeholders or Burgers, to elect Knights of the Shire, or Burgesses, no mans presence may be admitted of, but his who is interested in your Elections: For, they who intermeddle imper­ [...]inently, in other mens matters, do very seldome busie themselves to an ho­nest purpose.

2 That no man be permitted at such meetings, (before or after choise made) to provide banquets, or make costly preparations, for their entertain­ment, by whom they are chosen: for, it is a kind of embracing his chosers; [...]nd to me it seems an unproper Complement (if nothing were corruptly in­tended) that he who confers the benefit, should be at the charge of giving Thanks; for, he that is Elected undertakes the service for his Electers.

3 That either at, or before the times of meeting about your Elections, you confer together, and take care, throughly to informe your selves, what persons you know, or by common Fame, conceive to be fittest, to serve the Republike, for your severall Counties or Burroughs, according to the di­rections afore-expressed; and that you then give in the names of so many as are conceived, and agreed upon, by a considerable number of voices, worthy to be presented (be they more or lesse) rejecting none, who shall be so brought in. And if two are to be chosen, let foure of them, and if one, let two, which have the most voices, make triall by Lot, to whether of them God will be pleased to dispose the place, or places, to be supplied: so, both [Page 10]God and man, concurring in their Elections, much corruption thereby will be prevented: and, where mans judgment faileth to make a right Election, Gods providence (if he hath any pleasure in us) will correct your errours; and if he hath decreed our destruction, what will it the more, or lesse, pro­fit us, that we chuse our own Destroyers, by that meanes?

This determination of Election by Lots, though it may now seem new, was warrantably practised by the lews, in the election of their first King, as appeares, 1 Sam. 10.20. For, the Tribe of Benjamin was chosen, and Saul, out of that Tribe, by Lot, before the Kingdom was established upon him. The like course was taken, to supply the room of Judas, the apostate Apostle (eve [...] in those Primitive times, wherein the Gift of discerning Spirits, was confer­red, in greatest measure:) and after the Congregation of Believers had chosen out from among the Disciples those two, whom (according to out ward ap­pearance) they judged fittest for the Apostleship, Matthias was elected by lot, out of those two; perhaps, to be a patterne to succeeding times, in wha [...] manner they might best make choice of Officers, for prevention of a parti [...] election. And doubtlesse, this way, of electing by lot, was, in after-ages, pur­posely disallowed, omitted, and changed, as superstitious, by the fraud and corruption, of those Priests and Prelates, who perceived, that, if such practice should be approved and persisted in, as warrantable; it would ne [...] ther be easie, nor possible for them, to keepe the disposure of Dignities, an [...] Preferments, in their own power, for the advantage of themselves, and thei [...] Favourites; by which they had wanted the chief pillar in their Antichristia [...] structure. This, other Politicians observing, the Civill Magistate, in mos [...] States, learned their subtilty, and have followed, ever since, their example in vilifying or neglecting lots; and in electing of temporall Officers, accord­ing to such means, or Votes, as may bring in whom they please, and effect that which will be most advantagious to their particular ends. Which no [...] profitable policie being discovered, if now elections by lot, were againe revi­ved, and practised in the choice both of Ecclesiasticall, and Temporall Offi­cers, it might be a meanes to restore honesty and piety to their primitive be­ing, in Church and Common-wealth; where Officers have hither to been ar­bitrarily chosen, by their corrupt Superiours, and Patrons, for private ends

Take this Overture into your consideration, as you see cause (for, I pred­it no further) and therewithall, if you like the motion, take heed that your bose not lots, to determine what is already determined, or determinable by the Word of God, by positive humane Lawes, or by common reason; and, beware also that ye make not God an Vmpire in triviall and indifferers [Page 11]things, which are at your own free choice: for, that were a sinfull temptation of God, and a profanation of that Ordinance, which, being considerably and rightly used, may be a means of much good, and of preventing much evill. For, if the Kings Majesty, Supreme Magistrates, Officers of State, Pa­trons of Church-Livings, and other who claime the disposure of the pro­fits and executions of all places in Church and Common-wealth, could pos­sibly be perswaded to resigne to the Church, and to their Countrey respe­ctively (and unto whom by most ancient right they appertaine) a free electi­on or nomination of Officers to all publike places; referring all such particular elections to those unto whom, by calling, they most properly belong; doubtles honest and experienced men would be still preferred. Yea, should we refer to the Votes of both Houses of Parliament (when they sit) or to the Votes of the Privy Counsell, they not sitting, the nomination of all Officers of State, whose places are void? To the Sergeants at Law, the voting of Judges, Chiefe-Justices, and such like Officers: To the Benchers of the Innes of Court, the voting of Sergeants: To Clerkes of the Chancerie, and of other Courts, the voting of their chiefe Officers: To Freeholders and Burgers, the voting of Knights and Burgesses, according to their lawfull customes: To the Vniversities, being first purged, the voting of sending forth able Persons for the Ministerie, when Church-livings are void: To the Ministers within a certain limit, wherein Livings of greatest value are vacant, the vo­ [...]ing of removing thither such persons from inferiour Cures, who are most e­minently deserving in the Church: And so proceed in all other nominations or elections considerat is considerandis; and then let the finall determination of the said elections and nominations be concluded, as it shall please Gods pro­vidence to dispose of them by Lot; It seemes very probable that, by this means the Reformation we desire would be much facilitated, yea halfe effe­cted; and that most of the corruptions now complained of both in the Church and Commonwealth, would be beaten down at one blow. For, if this course might be taken, there would be no admission of ignorant and Symoniacall Pastors; there would not be so easie an entrance for bribing-Magistrates, or other corrupt Officers; Men would neither so glory or trust in Riches, as they do; because their trash would be able to purchase nothing but things of it own value: Honesty, Knowledge, Piety, and other Virtues, would be more accounted of, more studied, and more practised; as most con­ducible to our well-being here, and to our happinesse hereafter: and men vi­ciously inclined, or unprofitably spending their times, would by degrees be­come more conscionable, or more ashamed of their courses.

[Page 12] Perhaps good and discrect men may, at first hearing, stumble at this: but, sure I am, incurable Fooles, and incorrigible Knaves, will be mad at the motion, and never condescend therunto. For, if they should put their pre­ferments to God and their Country, they would have little hope of advance­ment: And therefore I neither expect their Vote in this Matter, nor their ap­probation of this Letter, for being an Instrument to offer unto consideration: Proposition so mischievous to their constitution. Howsoever, the Overturn is now made, and tendred in publike; Valent ut valere potest. Perhaps it comes forth in a good season: if not, God hath another time for it, where­to I referre it, and the effects thereof to his good pleasure.

I will now conclude these my Letters of Advise, with that which must be the beginning of your Elections; even with a heart lifted up in prayer to God the Father, for a blessing on your endeavours; and, with an earnest de­sire, that you may make choice of such men, as may be fitly qualified with naturall abilities, for the well discharging of that trust which you repose in them; and, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the sanctification of his holy Spirit, be so furnished, and so separated, for the work which they shall be called unto; that they may be a means of bringing peace againe into our Borders, even that Peace which passeth all understanding; and which shall prevaile, to the establishing of Truth, and to the introduction of that Kingdome, for which we patiently attend. Amen.