Letters of Advice

Letters of Advice: TOUCHING The Choice of Knights and Burgesses.

The Superscription. To the Honorable Cities and Counties, of LONDON, Westminster, Surry, and Southampton, (to whom I am especially obliged) and to all other the Honorable and Worshipful Counties and Corporations throughout the Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, to whom the choice of Knights and Burgesses for Parliament doth appertain; humbly present these.

HAving, lately, received Information, that both Houses of Parliament, are not only resolved to call their false and Apostate Members to a just account; but, forever, also to disable them from returning to •• at Parliamentary trust and dignity, which they have unworthily disho •• ured and deserted; I presumed thereupon, that the vacancy of those many •• oomes which are now void by their failings, and the want of those Wor •• ies, whom God hath (perhaps for our sins) called out of this life since •• e Parliament began, would shortly necessitate the renewing of that num •• r of Knights and Burgesses, which completes the House of Commons. I •• jectured also, that the more speedy Summons would be sent forth for •• eir election, because the wisdom of our Great-Council fails not (I hope) 〈◊〉 consider, how casual their precious lives are who now sustain the heavy ••• then of public affairs; how intolerable 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 Public, by those who wait for such opportunities; and, how many accidents may suddenly happen, to disturb that means of a free election, which is now clear in many parts of this Kingdom.

Therefore being woefully experienced, in the manifold miseries, whereinto this Nation is plunged, by the corruption, and insufficiency, of Persons heretofore chosen (or presumptuously intruding upon that High-Calling; ) and perceiving no public means provided for prevention of the like mischief hereafter, nor any man privately contributing his advice, toward the regulating of those Elections, from whence our present calamities have sprung; and whereupon the remedy both of present, and future mischiefs, may depend: I have, upon these, and the like considerations, hastened 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 weak endeavors to be a means of stirring up, and provoking others, of more sufficiency, to take timely notice of his intention; and to employ their better judgments, 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 be utterly despised, or made void.

For, I address not these lines, for such private and corrupt ends, as those for which you heretofore received many letters from Lord's, 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 designs; but, honestly to discharge that duty, whereto I am obliged both by our National Covenant, and my personal affection to the common-good; and, so, to prepare before the days of Election, those of inferior rank, and meanest capacities to whom the free choice, of Knights, and Burgesses, appertains, by presenting unto them needful Cautions, and Considerations, that they might thereby (if possible) be rendered more capable, and more conscionable 〈◊〉 their Duties, to their Country and themselves in that point; and become willing to be instructed, how much it concerns 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 Oratory is wanting) that their words, or contents may, in private, or at your Conventions in public, be so signified to though •• illiterate persons, whose Voices are, usually, given by an implicit Faith; th •• they may more discreetly confer 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 traitorous you are unto yourselves and Country, therein. I will next present you with a brief 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 means for preventing partiality in choice; and so, consequently, for replenishing the House of Commons with such Members, as shall be likely (by God's 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 seems, was, formerly, our fault, and made us choose a Representative Body, in corruptions and failings, like unto ourselves.

I will, as I said, only remember you (for, things apparent need no proof) into how many plagues and miseries this Common-wealth is plunged, by the rottenness and giddiness, of some, formerly chosen to be Members of the Representative Body of our Commonaltie: and how perfidiously they have betrayed their trust, to their perpetual infamy, and to the endangering of our everlasting slavery both to Tyrannie and Popery; which joint-bondage would have been nothing less accursed, then that of Egypt, whether considered as a temporal, or spiritual servitude: and, God only knows, 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 confer a Parliamentary trust, if they be not wife, and conscionable men; for, we give them power, not only 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 Posterity to be Turks, Pagans, and Vassals to the Devil; which, if you believe not possible, (because not yet come to pass) 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 far back upon us (as they have lately done) those Antichristian slaveries which we thought past fear of reviving.

But, perhaps, mischiefs and inconveniences of less concernment, will st •• up some to be more cautious in their Elections, then these; let such therefore take notice, that, by heedlessness in this duty, they shall make Tyrants and Fools, Lord's over them, who will fawn and court them, till they are elected, and then, scorn 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 favor their Clients, to suppress those who •• they disaffect, to strengthen their Faction, to further their private designs, to secure their own estates, and to defend their personal Privileges (though to the utter ruin of all public Liberties and true Piety) 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; unless you seriously, prudently, and conscionably manage 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 ourselves, 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, only to serve their own turns to our destruction: Therefore, I beseech yout • be wary, 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 shows of courtesy and humility, til • their purposes are obtained; and never afterward regard your Persons, you • Cause, your Miseries, or your Petitions: but, overlook you with such pride and despite, as if they had neither received their power from you, nor fo • your welfare; but merely to exalt their own vanity: or, as if everyone of them had in his single capacity, 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 wisdom, hones • ie, or piety, 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 Country, where he was • hosen, a good opinion of himself, and a good mind to be a Law-maker, was • lected by his neighbors, who had rather adventure the undoing of themselves, their posterity and the whole Kingdom; then hazard his frown, or • he Lord's, or Ladies displeasure who solicited for him: Which folly that • on may now shun, both for the remedy of present evils, and for the better • stablishing our just Privileges, with the common safety; let your care be • o avoid the choice of such as these.

1 Men over-lavish in speaking, or in taking extraordinary 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 witty; 〈◊〉 never found a prudent, or just man among them. For, how can he be just, whose daily practice is to cheat others of their estates? Or, how can they • ave prudence becoming disposers of the public Treasure, who are so foolish, • s needlessly to expose their certain estates to the uncertain hazards of • hance?

3 Men extremely addicted to Hunting or Hawking: For, most of these, so • hey may preserve and increase their Game and enlarge privileges 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 threatened for sin.

4 The household servants, or, such as are the obliged dependents on Peers of • he Realm except they be of known and approved integrity. For, though • ome Lord's have honourably persisted faithful to the Re-public, both now • nd in all times of Trial; yet, the greatest part prefer their will and pleasure • efore the just liberties and privileges of the Commons; yea, sometimes • efore the safety of the whole Kingdom and the purity of God's worship: And such Noblemen will upon all advantages, expect from their Creatures, the • romotion of their own designs and interests, how repugnant soever to the • enerall-Good.

5 Courtiers, depending merely on the King's or Queens favor; 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.

6 Choose not such as are evidently ambitious or covetous; for, how pro •• these will be to sell their Country and their Religion too, for titularie honors or rewards, we have had too much experience of late years.

7 Men enslaved to Wantonness, and, with open impudence persevering 〈◊〉 that sin: For, such are a dishonor to that high-calling, and will not on •• give a way their estates and liberties, to fulfill their lusts, but betray also the •• own Lives, their Country, and their Savior, to please their Delilah's.

8 Take heed of choosing those, who are Superlatively proud: for, the • will be so pust up with their Legistatorships, that after they have sat 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 speak 〈◊〉 make addresses or complaints to them without danger of being question • for breach of good manners, or infringing their personal privileges, whi •• usually they prefer before the Privileges of the whole Commonwealth.

9 Choose not men immoderately adicted to popularity, for those have so m • ny to pleasure, protect, prefer, or comply withal; that their wit, leisu •• and abilities will be wholly taken up in the prosecution of private accommodations and conveniences for their Clients, who shall not only be serv •• before the public, but to the detriment thereof also, rather then fail.

10 Choose not men reputed of a Vicious conversation in any kind: for, s •• will be secret opposers of all Laws or Ordinances restraining Enormities and constant hinderers of bringing Delinquents to condign 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 careful of preserving Orthodox Discipline 〈◊〉 Doctrine from violation; nor much regard, so their temporal possessions m •• be exempt from payments, and their persons from labor and danger, wh •• happeneth to the dishonor of God, or to the safety or perdition of Soul▪ 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 helpful, 〈◊〉 repairing and curing the ruins and destractions of these Times.

13 Make not choice of Children under age: for, to me it seemeth not only • 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 Laws 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 public damage.

14 Permit none of those to be Elected, who have heretofore procured, 〈◊〉 cuted, or countenanced oppressing Monopolies, or been active in extort •• g Ship-money, Coat and Conduct-money, or in any illegal exactions injurious • o the Rights and Privileges of the Commons: For, though some of these • ay, now perhaps, be better Patriots and other ways affected: yet, if there be • thers untainted. not unworthy of your choice; good reason it is that they • hold be preferred before these.

15 Choose 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 equity be allowable; for what can be more absurd or unjust, then that •• ey should sit as Law-makers, who subject not themselves unto the Laws •• force? and what can be more unreasonable, then to make the Fountain of • ustice to be an obstruction to her own 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 beggars and bankerupts, that there may not be 400. men found in it, •• lie qualified for this service, without straining a privilege in this kind.

16 Lastly, avoid in your Elections, the choice of those who make means to •• ve themselves chosen: For, in my opinion, it discovereth in them so much • rrogance and self-conceit, that they are worthy to be rejected; though the •• stome of the times made it heretofore seem no infringment of modesty and • ought many discreet and honest men Insanire cum vulgo, to be over-seen or company. Doubtless, the cause of most or those evils which are fallen •• on these Islands, have been occasioned by some of these Intruders. The •• se-hood, pride, co vetuousnesse, hypocrisy, apostasy, cowardice, ignorance, • artialitie, Athiesme, sensuality, self-love and self-conceit of some of •• ese, hath distracted, divided, impoveri • hed, and almost undone us at this pre • ent; and, the total accomplishment thereof will follow, unless God shall •• ve you grace to be conscionably careful in your choice of the Knights and • urgesses to be supplied: and cause those to purge themselves by repentance (if •• y such remain in the House of Commons) who have intruded as aforesaid, 〈◊〉 been heretofore inconsiderately and unworthily elected by others: For, the chief Deliverers of God's people in distress, and their ablest Captai •• and Governors, 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 Rain when they found him hidden among the stuff, then when 〈◊〉 took care to be honored 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 man's failings, with such severity, as may scandalize ho ••• and deserving men: For, the best are sometime traduced, and evil spoken o • by Malignants and wicked persons, without cause: which may easily be discovered, by diligently examining who they are that speak evil 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 counseling to make choice of such as may be best confided 〈◊〉 I shall be very brief; because, by the foregoing Cautions touching their qualifications whom you are to pass 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 fidelity you suspect not) to be of upright conversations, unrepro • able (as far as human frailty will permit) prudent, stout, impartial, sober • well-experienced, Lovers of their Country, grave, meek, humble, religious and rather eminent for their virtues and abilities, then for their wealth, birth or titles: And, yet not so poor or mean, as to make their persons liable t • contempt, or in danger to be exposed to a temptation through extreme necessities. Of these qualifications being assured, or at least well persuaded by good information (and not willfully deceiving yourselves, 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 merciful providence may supply that, wherein your weakness 〈◊〉 improvidence may fail: and questionless, a good event will follow.

But, you will say, perhaps, evil customs have so disordered your Elections, that though you have considered the danger of making Choice 〈◊〉 Randome; or, according to their persuasions, who abused your credulity and simplicity heretofore: and, though you are also truly desirous to regulate your choice according to good Advise: yet, so much is ascribed to Custom (though evil) And, the corruption and cunning of those who are most powerful in managing those Elections may be such, that the well-affected shall be over-borne; or those contrivances perhaps practiced, whereby your Votes may be nevertheless 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 helpful against such fraud or falsehood; and conducing to the regulating of your Elections for the time to come: And (though the wisdom of this generation may, perhaps, deride it) I shall not repent the proposal thereof: because I am assured it will avail to the public security, and shall be both entertained with approbation, and practiced with good effects, when the time cometh in which this Kingdom must be restored to that happiness, which we have lost; and shall 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 man's presence may be admitted of, but his who is interested in your Elections: For, they who intermeddle imper • inently, in other men's matters, do very seldom busy themselves to an honest purpose.

2 That no man be permitted at such meetings, (before or after choice 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, thoroughly to inform yourselves, what persons you know, or by common Fame, conceive to be fittest, to serve the Republic, for your several 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 less) rejecting none, who shall be so brought in. And if two are to be chosen, let four of them, and if one, let two, which have the most voices, make trial by Lot, to whether of them God will be pleased to dispose the place, or places, to be supplied: so, both God and man, concurring in their Elections, much corruption thereby will be prevented: and, where man's judgment faileth to make a right Election, God's providence (if he hath any pleasure in us) will correct your errors; and if he hath decreed our destruction, what will it the more, or less, profit us, that we choose our own Destroyers, by that means?

This determination of Election by Lots, though it may now seem new, was warrantably practiced by the lews, in the election of their first King, as appears, 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 pattern to succeeding times, in wha • manner they might best make choice of Officers, for prevention of a parti •• election. And doubtless, 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 • there be easy, nor possible for them, to keep the disposure of Dignities, an • Preferments, in their own power, for the advantage of themselves, and thei • Favorites; by which they had wanted the chief pillar in their Antichristia • structure. This, other Politicians observing, the Civil Magistate, in mos • States, learned their subtlety, and have followed, ever since, their example in vilifying or neglecting lots; and in electing of temporal Officers, according to such means, or Votes, as may bring in whom they please, and effect that which will be most advantageous to their particular ends. Which no • profitable policy being discovered, if now elections by lot, were again revived, and practiced in the choice both of Ecclesiastical, and Temporal Officers, it might be a means 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 Superiors, and Patrons, for private ends

Take this Overture into your consideration, as you see cause (for, I predit no further) and therewithal, 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 human Laws, or by common reason; and, beware also that ye make not God an Vmpire in trivial and indifferers things, which are at your own free choice: for, that were a sinful 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 evil. For, if the Kings Majesty, Supreme Magistrates, Officers of State, Patrons of Church-Livings, and other who claim the disposure of the profits and executions of all places in Church and Common-wealth, could possibly be persuaded to resign to the Church, and to their Country respectively (and unto whom by most ancient right they appertain) a free election or nomination of Officers to all public places; referring all such particular elections to those unto whom, by calling, they most properly belong; doubtless 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 Counsel, they not sitting, the nomination of all Officers of State, whose places are void? To the Sergeants at Law, the voting of Judges, Chief-Justices, and such like Officers: To the Benchers of the Inns of Court, the voting of Sergeants: To Clerks of the Chancery, and of other Courts, the voting of their chief Officers: To Freeholders and Burgers, the voting of Knights and Burgesses, according to their lawful customs: To the Universities, being first purged, the voting of sending forth able Persons for the Ministry, 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 inferior 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 final determination of the said elections and nominations be concluded, as it shall please God's providence to dispose of them by Lot; It seems very probable that, by this means the Reformation we desire would be much facilitated, yea half 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 easy 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 practiced; as most conducible to our well-being here, and to our happiness hereafter: and men viciously inclined, or unprofitably spending their times, would by degrees become more conscionable, or more ashamed of their courses.

Perhaps good and discrect men may, at first hearing, stumble at this: but, sure I am, incurable Fools, and incorrigible Knaves, will be mad at the motion, and never condescend thereunto. 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 tendered in public; Valent ut valere potest. Perhaps it comes forth in a good season: if not, God hath another time for it, whereto I refer 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 endeavors; and, with an earnest desire, that you may make choice of such men, as may be fitly qualified with natural 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 again into our Borders, even that Peace which passeth all understanding; and which shall prevail, to the establishing of Truth, and to the introduction of that Kingdom, for which we patiently attend. Amen.

Printed by R. A. 1644.