Expedient to Settle the Present Distractions of Both Kingdoms
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A91241.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A PLAIN, SHORT, AND Probable Expedient, To settle the present DISTRACTIONS OF BOTH KINGDOMES.
Printed in the Year. 1647.
A Plain, Short, and Probable Expedient, to settle the present Distractions of both KINGDOMES.
T HE Kings former and late Refusals to sign the PROPOSITIONS tendered him by the Parliaments and Commissioners of England and Scotland, for the Establishment of a lasting Peace in both, hath well nigh put them to a loss, how to proceed farther, and what course next to resolve on, for the future settlement and security of both Realms, in this their Distracted Condition. D ••• rs men (according to their different Principles and Interests) have proposed Various ways. Some a public impeachment in Parliament to be presently drawn up against the King, to the hazard of his Crown and Life (as in the cases of Kingd Edward; and Richard the second of England; and of 〈…〉 the first, 〈…〉 and other Kings of Scotland) to which the Sectaries and Agitators most incline. Others, a present change of the Monarchical Government into a Democratical, (which the Anabaptists endeavor) or into an Aristocratical, (which the Independents seem to drive at. The Presbyterians and Erastians, apprehending these former proposals very dangerous, and inconsistent both with their Principles and Solemn Covenant, meditate some milder and safer courses▪ but what particularly to fix on, they are yet altogether unresolved.
These varieties of Opinions multiplying our Divisions have occasioned the Proposall of this short and clear Expedient, (not hitherto thought on) humbly submitted (as a probationer) to the test of more exquisite Judgments, as the most advantageous, honorable and secure for both, Kingdoms to fasten upon, being warranted by divers Presidents of like nature in both Realms, and most consonant to the Solemn League and Covenant, by which they are mutually engaged and uni ••• each to other.
It is evident by sundry Presidents in Histories and Records that the Parliaments of England and S 〈7 letters〉 (as well as of most other Kingdoms) have during the Minority, absence, sickness, frenzy, dotage, or other •••• rall, accidental, or criminal disabilities of their Kings to discharge their Royal Office, and Duty usually constituted a Viceroy, Regent, Protector, or Custos Regni (being commonly a P ••• e of greatest Wisdom, Power, and Honor, and of Royal extraction) to guard both their Persons and Realms, and execute all Regal Acts belonging to the King himself; but more particularly, to summon and hold Parliaments, and to give the Royal Assent to Laws and Statutes, and issue out all Commissions under the great Seal, in the Kings Name and stead: The Reigns of King Richard the 1. & • Henry 3. 5. & 6. Ed. 3, 4, 6. of England; and of King • erleg, Ruthe • , T •• r • , Gill • , Corbred▪ Ethodius (first and second) Kenneth the third and his Law, John Bayvil James the 1. 3. & 6. Queen Mary and others of Scotland, and one Scripture president of King Uzziah during his Leprosy, 2 Kings 1 • . 5. 2 Chro. 25. 21. will furnish us with variety of Examples of this kind; in which France itself hath abounded, and affords a present instance in this infant King. If then the Parliaments of both Kingdoms shall think meet to create a Viceroy, Regent, Protector or Custo • Regni in each Realm forthwith (as they have frequent- done in former times) to execute all Regal Acts, summon and hold Parliaments, and give the Royal Assent to all such Bills and Statutes as shall be necessary for the present settlement of both Kingdoms Peace, according to their respective Propositions tendered to his Majesty; end establish by Act of Parliament in both Realms this ensuing Oath, or the like for the King & all his Successors Solemnly to take before their admission to the Royal Government; extracted out of the Coronation Oaths of the Kings of England, Scotland, Aragon, Navarre, Bohemia, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and▪ Denmark (conceived a better security for both Kingdoms then any hitherto propounded.)
We C. R. in the name and presence of the most high God; do solemnly swear to all our Liege people of England and Scotland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging; that we will all the days of our life, inviolably maintain, keep and preserve all just Laws, Customs, Rights, Franchises and Liberties heretofore granted to them, or any of them, by our Royal Predecessors or Our self, together with the respective Rights and Privileges of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms; the true Reformed Religion and Church Government now established in them. That we will do the best of our skil and power, endeavor entirely to preserve Peace and Amity between all our Realms and People, and cause equal Justice to be administered to them in Mercy and Truth, without Partiality, affection, hatred or delay.
That we will neither proclaim, nor make any open War, Peace or Truce, nor raise any Forces in, nor invite, nor bring any Forraigns power into any our Realms and Dominions; nor impose, nor levy any Tax, Tallage, Subsidy, Contribution or Benevolence, within our said respective Kingdoms and Dominions; nor embase, nor enhance the current coin thereof; nor alianate any Honors, Manners, Castles, Forts, Folds, Rents, Revenues, Jewels, Ships, or Ordinance belonging to our respective Crowns; Nor dispose of ourself, or of our heir apparent to the Crown in marriage; Nor dispose of any the great Offices of State or Judicature in our respective Realms; Nor creat any New Peers therein, but by common consent of our respective Parliaments of both Kingdoms.
And that we will likewise give our Royal assent from time to time, for the altering or repealing of all such public Laws and Statutes as shall be held prejudicial, and the passing of all such New Laws and Statutes as shall be judged necessary and beneficial for our people, and presented to us as such, by the Parliaments of our respective Realms.
And if we shall at any time (which God defend) willfully violate all or any the premised Particulars, to the griev •• ces or oppression of our people, and shall not upon due information t • ereof, given us by our respective Parliaments, Nobles, Counsellers, Officers, or Commons of both Kingdoms, duly reform the same, to their general satisfaction; We do here freely and voluntarily profess before God and all the World, tha • then, and from thenceforth, we do and shall hold all our people totally discharged from all bonds of duty, and Oaths of Alegiance made unto us, til such satisfaction be given them. And that in such cases, it may & shall be lawful for then, and any of them, if they think meet, and necessary freely to assemble together, and to unite their Counsels, Purses and Forces, and to crave and bring in foreign Forces from their confederate Princes and Nations, to withstand and redress, all willful violations of our said Oath, and to suppress all such persons and forces, as shall be aiding or assisting to us therein, in maintenance of their just Rights, Laws, and Liberties, and the public safety (to which they were obliged by the Laws of God, Nature, Nations, and of this Realm) without incurring the guilt of Treason▪ Insurrection, Sedi • ion, Rebellion, or any crime, Forfaiture or penalty for the same. And that all and every person or persons, who shall be wittingly aiding or assisting to us against our Oath and people in such cases: shall be declared, and judged, and proceeded against, to all intents and purposes, as Traitors, and public enemies to us and our respective Kingdoms.
All this we do cordially and sincerely swear and protest without any Equivocation or mental Reservation, and that we will neither directly nor indirectly seek to be absolved from this Our Solemn Oath. So God us help.
The speedy establishing of such Laws, and this Solemn Oath by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms in manner aforesaid, and securing the Kings person in a safe and honorable way, til he shall really accord there • y, and fully comply with the desires both of his Parliaments and Kingdoms, is humbly conceived the safest, best and speediest Means (by God's effectual concurrence) to produce a firm happy Peace and Settlement in, and cordial Union between both Kingdoms, without any breach of Covenant, or danger to his Majesty's person; the only end of publishing this Expedient; which deserves consideration til a better be propounded.