Answer to a Proposition of a Commonwealth
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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
AN ANSWER TO A PROPOSITION In order to the proposing of A Commonwealth or Democracy.
Proposed by friends to the Commonwealth by Mr. Harringtons consent; Who is so over-wise in his own conceit, that he propounds a Committee of Parliament, with above one hundred Earls, Nobles, Members, Gentlemen, and Divines (named in his list) may dance attendance twice a week on his Utopian Excellency in the Banquetting House at Whitehall or Painted Chamber, to hear and see his Puppet-play of a new Commonwealth: the very first view whereof the presumes will infatuate all dissenting parties, spectators, and our divided Nations by their example into a Popish blind obedience thereunto, upon his Ipse dixit.
Prov. 26. 3, 5, 12.
London Printed in the Year, 1659.
A PROPOSITION In order to the proposing of a Commonwealth or Democracy.
IF the Parliament shall be pleased to appoint a Committee to receive Mr. Harringtons Propositions for settling the Government of this Commonwealth; it is humbly proposed that unto the Committee of the House may be added
- The Earl of Northumberland.
- The Earl of Denbigh.
- The Earl of Clare.
- The Earl of Kingston.
- The Duke of Buckingh • m.
- Lord Grey of Warke.
- Lord Faulkeland.
- Lord Lambert.
- Lord Bronker.
- Richard Nevill Esq
- Mr. Nathaniel Fiennes.
- Lord Major of London.
- Alderman Titchborne.
- Mr. Thurlo.
- Mr. William Pierepoint.
- Sir John Eveling.
- Mr. Crew.
- Mr. Ansl • of Ireland.
- Mr. Prynne.
- Sir Paul Neal.
- Serjeant Maynard.
- Colonel Taylor.
- Lord Broughall.
- Mr. Hubard.
- Mr. Trevor▪
- Captain Adam Baynnes.
- Mr. Josiah Bernard's.
- Mr. Samuel Moyer.
- Mr. Anthony Samuel.
- Major Wildman.
- Mr. Maximilian Petty.
- Mr. William Harrington.
- Mr. Wren.
- Mr. Baxter of Kidderminster.
- Mr. Walwin.
- Mr. Brooks.
- Mr. Arthur Eveling.
- Mr. Cook.
- Dr. Ferne.
- Dr. Haymond.
- Dr. Owen.
- Dr. Seaman.
- Mr. Calamy.
- Mr. Manton.
- Captain Andrew Ellis.
- Mr. Chalinor Chute.
- Mr. Slingsby Bethel.
- Sir Cheany Culpepper.
- Sir Henry Blount.
- Sir Horatio Townshend.
- Sir Anthony Ashly Cooper.
- Mr. Job Charleton.
- Mr. Edward Waller.
- Colonel Harloe.
- Major Harloe.
- Colonel John Clark.
- Mr. John Denham.
- Mr. Morrice.
- Mr. Hugh Bisscowen.
- Sir George Booth.
- Mr. Robert Roles.
- Dr. Mills.
- Sir Orlando Bridgeman.
- Mr. Robert Stephens.
- Mr. William James.
- Sir Justinian Isham.
- Lieutenant Colonel Kelsey.
- Sir Robert Honnywood.
- Mr. Sedgwick.
- Mr. Philip Nye.
- Dr. Thomas Goodwin.
- Colonel Lilburn.
- Charles Howard Esq;;
- Colonel Ashfield.
- Sir Thomas Gower.
- Lord Com. Bradshaw.
- General Desborow.
- Colonel James Berry.
- Major William Packer.
- Praisegod Barbones.
- Sir William Waller.
- Colonel Sanders.
- Colonel Hatcher.
- Colonel Edmond Salmon.
- Colonel Francis Hacker.
- Mr. Rich. Knightley.
- Colonel John Burch.
- Mr. John Swynfen.
- Mr. Thomas Bampfield.
- Colonel John Okey.
- Mr. William Kiffen.
- Anthony Pierson.
- Colonel Mosse.
- Mr. Frecheville of Stavely.
- Mr. James Morley.
- Dr. Philip Carteret.
- Captain Richard Dean.
- Adjutant General William Allen.
- Mr. William Forester of Aldermarton.
- Mr. Edward Harison.
- Mr. Arthur Samwell.
- Mr. Samuel Tull.
- Mr. Edward Salloway.
That this Committee sit Tuesdayes and Fridays, by three of the clock afternoon, in the Banqueting house, Court of Requests, or painted Chamber, the doors being open, and the Room well fitted for all Comers: and that Mr. Harrington having proposed by appointment of the Parliament, such others may propose as shall have the leave of the Parliament.
This by friends to the Commonwealth is proposed with Mr. Harrington's consent.
The Reasons for this Proposition are these:
It is the fairest way of Proposing a Government, that it be first proposed to conviction, before it be imposed by power.
The Persons herein nominated being convinced, it must necessarily have an healing influence upon all the Parties, degrees or qualities in this divided Nation.
THE ANSWER.
It is the desire of our three divided Nations;
THat there be no Committee appointed by those Commoners now sitting to receive Mr. Harringtons Propositions for settling our old Kingly Government in his new way of a Commonwealth, till the House of Peers, and the secluded Members of the Commons House who sat in Parliament till December 6. 1648. be permitted freely to fit, debate, and vote in Parliament, according to the Statute of 17 Caroli, c. 7. by which the present Conventicle pretends to sit.
That this being done, a Committee of both Houses may be appointed to receive Mr. Harringtons propositions. And that the persons named in Mr. Harringtons list who are no M • mbers, with such other wise men as Mr. Harrington and the friends to his propounded Commonwealth shall nominate, may have liberty to propose to the said Committee what Mr. Harrington and they shall think fit in relation to the forming and erecting of the same.
That to the end the said Mr. Harrington and his friends may in their proposals be kept within the bounds of sobriety and moderation, according to the ancient Law of Charondas, the Law-giver of the Athenians, (the first erectors of Commonwealths,) Mr. Harrington and his friends may all come to the said Committee with Ropes about their necks, and in case they shall not convince the said Committee (and Parliament) that their new Commonwealth is better, safer, and more profitable for the English Nation, than their old legal hereditary Kingly Governusent, that then they shall forthwith by sentence of Parliament be carried to Tyburne, and undergo the penalty of Charondas Law, to be hanged up by the neck as Traitors and seditious Persons till they be dead.
But if their proposals take effect: That then Mr. Harrington for his rare invention and extraordinary good service in minting a New Commonwealth, shall have the monopoly of coining all new Harringtons, alias brass farthings, which shall henceforth pass for the only coin of his new copper Commonwealth, Gold and silver which are Royal mines & metals annexed to the Imperial Crown of the Realm) being as inconsistent with his New Commonwealth, (which hath swallowed them all up) as Kingship, and therefore to be banished with it.
The Committee is desired to sit every afternoon in the week by two of the clock at the Sessions house in the Old Bailey, or rather in the old Kings Bench Court in Westminster Hall, being places open to all Comers, and sitted for that end, without further charge to the poor Commonwealth: That so Mr. Harrington and his friends may not be delayed from receiving a deserved execution, or glorious reward.
This by the Generality of our 3 Nations friends to our Antient Monarchy is proposed, and they hope to have Mr. Harringtons post-consent thereto.
The Reasons for this Answer to the Proposition are these:
1. It is the fairest way of altering our ancient Kingly Government, and Parliament, that they be first legally impeached and condemned to conviction before they be injuriously suppressed by armed power. Therefore M. Harrington must first answer M Wren & M. Pryns reasons in his new published True and perfect Narrative; for the restitution of our old hereditary Kings & Kingship, as the best of Governments, before he propound his New Utopian Republic, to thrust them out of their long-enjoyed possession.
2. That Mr. Harrington and his friends being convinced of the illegality of the said Commonwealth, and the dangerous consequence of proposing such a seditious novelties, against our old Kingship and Kingdoms, and duly executed according to Charondas law, it must needs have a healing influence upon all the parties, degrees or qualities in these divided nations; since the exemplary execution of such leading Innovators will so terrify all others that they will not dare mutter one word for the future against our ancient fundamental government by King, Lord's and Commons; which they are all obliged to maintain by sacred Oaths and Covenants.
3. All the three Nations will Judge Mr. Harrington and his Republican friends are in good earnest for the Government of Oceana, and as Valiant as Sir John Harringtons Ajax, when they shall so fairly adventure a voyage to Tyburne to introduce it.
Resolved upon the Question, (on Mr. Harringtons friends Petition) that Dr. Chamberlain shall attend him during all the time of his travel with his Gigantick Commonwealth, lest it should miscarry, and be strangled in its birth: That if the orifice of his Brain or Womb be so narrow that the Doctors hands cannot usher it into the world without suffocation, that then ( Caesar -like) the General Council of Officers of the Army, shall violently cut it out of his Womb with their swords, rather then it should be still born, though with the Parents death: That if it be live-born, it shall not be christened, till it be able to render an Account of its Faith to Cardinal Mazarin, Dr. Owen, Mr. Nye, and John Canne: That new dipped Col. Bennet, Col. Hewson, Major Packer, and Lieut. Col. Allen, shall be Godfathers; the Whore of Rome, Mrs. Rolls, Mrs. Haggat, and Mal Cutpu • se Godmothers to it: That it shall be then called by the Fathers name, Harringtons (not England's) Commonwealth, and bear his Arms instead of the superstitious red English Cross upon its Forhead: That in the mean time it shall be strongly guarded night and day by the Keepers of the Liberties of England, and Col. Fleetwoods Regiment, lest Dr. Chamberlains Denn of Thieves, or the Queen of Fayries, should fteal it away out of its cradle, and put a misshapen Changeling without wit or reason, into its place, to the Parents dishonor, and great disappointment of the hopes and prayers of all the Publicans and Sinners, falsely styled, the godly people, and Saints of the 3. Nations, who rather desire to enjoy a share in the Commonwealth and Crown lands of England, Scotland and Ireland, than in the Kingdom and Crown of Glory in Heaven, Bonum quo communius eo melius, being a sure principle, and the chief corner-stone on which they intend to build their New Commonwealth, having little private wealth of their own, except Brass Harringtons, to inherit.