letter_n and_o paper_n concern_v some_o matter_n in_o the_o last_o parliament_n relate_v to_o the_o common_a right_n of_o all_o the_o communs_n of_o england_n fit_a to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o next_o and_o by_o all_o the_o say_v commons_z in_o the_o mean_a time_n london_n print_v for_o the_o author_n in_o the_o year_n 1700._o to_o the_o knight_n gentleman_n and_o freeholders_n of_o the_o county_n of_o gloucester_n gentleman_n though_o i_o have_v leave_v the_o employment_n of_o the_o world_n i_o have_v not_o leave_v off_o my_o love_n and_o good_a will_n to_o my_o country_n either_o the_o nation_n in_o general_n or_o your_o particular_a county_n and_o therefore_o since_o you_o be_v ever_o long_o to_o have_v a_o new_a election_n of_o member_n of_o parliament_n i_o think_v sit_v to_o give_v you_o notice_n of_o some_o thing_n fit_a to_o be_v consider_v in_o relation_n to_o that_o business_n a_o business_n which_o deserve_v to_o be_v better_o consider_v by_o all_o the_o commons_o of_o 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without_o due_a correction_n the_o case_n be_v so_o plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o other_o two_o paper_n hereunto_o annex_v that_o i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o than_o as_o to_z mr._n how_o who_o name_n i_o spare_v but_o they_o print_v that_o the_o word_n allege_v to_o have_v be_v speak_v by_o he_o to_o myself_o i_o can_v safe_o testify_v upon_o oath_n if_o there_o be_v occasion_n but_o i_o presume_v he_o will_v not_o deny_v they_o and_o as_o for_o sir_n richard_n cox_n i_o have_v by_o a_o former_a letter_n imminded_a he_o of_o the_o former_a case_n but_o it_o seem_v he_o be_v not_o so_o much_o concern_v for_o your_o right_n as_o ever_o to_o move_v any_o thing_n concern_v that_o but_o upon_o the_o motion_n of_o this_o by_o a_o person_n if_o i_o be_v not_o misinform_v who_o have_v give_v such_o proof_n of_o his_o disrespect_n at_o several_a time_n both_o to_o king_n and_o commons_o that_o i_o have_v before_o now_o wonder_v that_o he_o have_v be_v so_o long_o 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and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o kind_n of_o unavoidable_a test_n of_o all_o these_o your_o humble_a servant_n edw._n stephens_n question_n of_o common_a right_n proper_a and_o necessary_a to_o be_v consider_v by_o all_o knight_n gentleman_n freeholders_n and_o commoner_n of_o england_n and_o especial_o those_o of_o the_o honourable_a profession_n of_o the_o law_n the_o true_a english_a government_n excellent_o compose_v of_o the_o three_o simple_a species_n monarchy_n aristocracy_n and_o democracy_n i_o have_v long_o think_v and_o still_o think_v to_o be_v in_o its_o constitution_n one_o of_o the_o best_a government_n in_o the_o world_n and_o not_o more_o excellent_a in_o itself_o than_o well_o accommodate_v to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o people_n and_o which_o be_v but_o the_o consequence_n of_o these_o most_o easy_a to_o be_v exercise_v this_o i_o think_v very_o true_a though_o it_o have_v already_o within_o our_o memory_n suffer_v such_o dismal_a concussion_n and_o confusion_n and_o in_o my_o apprehension_n be_v in_o in_o so_o great_a danger_n of_o more_o as_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o of_o truth_n in_o it_o but_o this_o do_v not_o proceed_v from_o the_o constitution_n but_o from_o other_o cause_n whereof_o one_o be_v secret_a the_o judgement_n of_o god_n for_o a_o secret_a root_n of_o bitterness_n little_o regard_v by_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o be_v most_o skilful_a in_o discern_v and_o most_o active_a in_o amend_v such_o matter_n but_o there_o be_v other_o manifest_n enough_o one_o be_v a_o general_n corruption_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o people_n another_o notorious_a corruption_n of_o their_o deputy_n and_o representative_n both_o in_o manner_n in_o general_a and_o in_o respect_n of_o justice_n and_o the_o trust_v repose_v in_o they_o in_o which_o respect_n i_o have_v know_v some_o of_o themselves_o laugh_v and_o say_v that_o they_o be_v the_o true_a representative_n of_o the_o nation_n indeed_o and_o though_o this_o of_o itself_o have_v a_o tendence_n to_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o government_n yet_o there_o be_v another_o more_o dangerous_a than_o this_o if_o it_o be_v not_o look_v to_o in_o time_n and_o that_o be_v by_o popular_a faction_n for_o as_o monarchy_n be_v apt_a to_o degenerate_v into_o tyranny_n so_o democracy_n be_v as_o apt_a to_o be_v dissolve_v by_o faction_n and_o though_o in_o the_o english_a constitution_n there_o be_v as_o good_a provision_n against_o both_o these_o as_o humane_a affair_n be_v capable_a of_o yet_o be_v the_o part_n of_o which_o it_o be_v constitute_v subject_a in_o some_o sort_n to_o the_o corruption_n of_o those_o simple_a species_n from_o which_o they_o be_v derive_v what_o be_v it_o but_o a_o secret_a faction_n in_o the_o long_a parliament_n which_o first_o cast_v out_o the_o bishop_n as_o popish_o affect_v than_o the_o lord_n as_o useless_a and_o
dangerous_a than_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o commons_o except_o themselves_o common_o call_v the_o rump_n then_o cut_v off_o the_o king_n head_n and_o bring_v all_o into_o such_o confusion_n as_o can_v never_o be_v settle_v until_o the_o old_a form_n be_v restore_v again_o what_o be_v it_o but_o a_o faction_n which_o by_o no_o less_o than_o three_o several_a act_n of_o parliament_n engage_v the_o clergy_n the_o corporation_n the_o militia_n and_o all_o the_o great_a officer_n and_o magistrate_n of_o the_o nation_n in_o such_o declaration_n as_o justify_v or_o excuse_v the_o adversary_n of_o the_o late_a revolution_n and_o make_v the_o severity_n against_o they_o and_o pretence_n of_o forfeiture_n inexcusable_a unjust_a and_o unreasonable_a what_o be_v it_o but_o a_o faction_n which_o have_v presume_v with_o so_o much_o insolence_n to_o offer_v such_o indignity_n to_o a_o prince_n of_o so_o great_a courage_n and_o conduct_n as_o have_v be_v common_o believe_v and_o talk_v to_o have_v be_v on_o purpose_n to_o affront_v he_o how_o near_o have_v such_o faction_n go_v to_o enslave_v the_o nation_n and_o set_v up_o the_o monarchy_n to_o be_v absolute_a and_o arbitrary_a and_o how_o fair_o have_v they_o begin_v to_o pull_v down_o that_o and_o the_o aristrocratical_a part_n and_o set_v up_o the_o democracy_n or_o themselves_o and_o they_o know_v not_o what_o or_o rather_o to_o introduce_v a_o anarchy_n and_o turn_v all_o into_o the_o like_a confusion_n again_o what_o such_o thing_n may_v come_v to_o in_o time_n if_o neglect_v no_o man_n know_v but_o what_o may_v be_v do_v to_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v consider_v miscarriage_n of_o jury_n may_v be_v inquire_v into_o and_o what_o be_v do_v amiss_o in_o one_o parliament_n may_v be_v rectify_v in_o another_o and_o where_o there_o be_v manifest_o a_o trust_v repose_v and_o so_o great_a a_o trust_n it_o will_v be_v such_o a_o fault_n in_o this_o constitution_n as_o i_o never_o suspect_v if_o it_o may_v be_v falsisied_a in_o such_o matter_n as_o these_o and_o without_o remedy_n i_o have_v therefore_o think_v fit_a to_o propose_v the_o follow_a question_n to_o the_o consideration_n of_o all_o person_n concern_v who_o think_v fit_a to_o concern_v themselves_o with_o they_o but_o into_o so_o great_a degeneracy_n corruption_n of_o manner_n and_o audacious_a impiety_n be_v this_o nation_n sink_v that_o it_o be_v rare_a to_o meet_v with_o man_n who_o dare_v to_o do_v their_o duty_n or_o so_o much_o as_o assert_v their_o common_a right_n or_o the_o very_a religion_n they_o profess_v notwithstanding_o the_o law_n both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n on_o their_o side_n and_o even_o where_o they_o have_v not_o only_o the_o great_a obligation_n but_o the_o great_a privilege_n to_o do_v it_o that_o can_v be_v this_o be_v manifest_a beyond_o all_o contradiction_n by_o some_o late_a action_n of_o great_a infolence_n and_o no_o less_o impiety_n so_o that_o unless_o another_o parliament_n and_o a_o convocation_n of_o the_o clergy_n take_v the_o matter_n into_o good_a consideration_n and_o provide_v a_o speedy_a remedy_n there_o be_v great_a danger_n that_o the_o whole_a nation_n will_v speedy_o fall_v into_o great_a confusion_n the_o question_n be_v these_o i_o whether_o the_o several_a member_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o be_v not_o authorize_v to_o sit_v and_o act_n there_o by_o their_o respective_a county_n city_n and_o burrough_n by_o indenture_n under_o the_o hand_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o principal_a elector_n for_o themselves_o and_o the_o rest_n as_o deputy_n and_o trustee_n for_o they_o all_o ii_o whether_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o receive_v instruction_n from_o and_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o moment_n consult_v and_o advise_v with_o their_o principal_n iii_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o right_n and_o duty_n of_o every_o knight_n gentleman_z freehold_n and_o commoner_n of_o england_n to_o represent_v to_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o by_o their_o proper_a representative_n or_o any_o other_o member_n of_o the_o house_n all_o such_o matter_n of_o public_a concern_v as_o be_v proper_a to_o be_v inquire_v of_o and_o consider_v there_o iu_o whether_o any_o commoner_n of_o england_n may_v not_o require_v his_o proper_a representative_a to_o represent_v any_o such_o matter_n to_o the_o house_n v._o whether_o it_o be_v not_o a_o breach_n of_o trust_n in_o any_o such_o deputy_n or_o representative_a not_o to_o perform_v what_o be_v so_o require_v honest_o and_o faithful_o vi_o whether_o they_o be_v not_o accountable_a for_o their_o behaviour_n in_o parliament_n to_o their_o principal_n by_o and_o for_o who_o they_o be_v depute_v and_o entrust_v that_o be_v questionable_a by_o those_o of_o the_o county_n in_o their_o county_n court_n to_o which_o all_o owe_v suit_n and_o service_n but_o many_o neglect_v it_o to_o their_o common_a prejudice_n and_o those_o of_o the_o city_n and_o burrough_n in_o their_o respective_a proper_a court_n and_o assembly_n and_o punishable_a for_o any_o notorious_a breach_n of_o their_o trust_n upon_o complaint_n in_o parliament_n vii_o whether_o matter_n touch_v the_o honour_n of_o religion_n the_o honour_n of_o the_o king_n the_o common_a right_n of_o all_o the_o commoner_n of_o england_n and_o the_o encouragement_n or_o discouragement_n of_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o law_n be_v not_o proper_a matter_n to_o be_v represent_v inquire_v and_o consider_v there_o viii_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o vnparliamentary_a a_o breach_n of_o trust_n and_o great_a violation_n of_o a_o fundamental_a right_n of_o all_o the_o commoner_n of_o england_n for_o a_o small_a number_n of_o the_o member_n with_o their_o speaker_n before_o the_o house_n be_v full_a to_o vote_n that_o a_o petition_v exhibit_v for_o any_o such_o matter_n as_o aforesaid_a shall_v not_o be_v read_v ix_o whether_o it_o be_v parliamentary_a or_o agreeable_a to_o the_o usual_a course_n of_o parliament_n to_o vote_n a_o petition_n or_o letter_n of_o complaint_n for_o any_o contempt_n of_o religion_n or_o dishonour_v or_o indignity_n to_o the_o king_n or_o faction_n or_o seditious_a practice_n to_o be_v a_o false_a and_o scandalous_a libel_n and_o the_o complainant_n to_o be_v prosecute_v before_o he_o have_v be_v hear_v at_o the_o bar_n or_o have_v notice_n to_o appear_v and_o prove_v his_o complaint_n x._o whether_o the_o fundamental_a and_o common_a right_n of_o all_o the_o commons_o of_o england_n be_v not_o of_o great_a importance_n to_o be_v preserve_v and_o maintain_v inviolable_o than_o any_o of_o the_o privilege_n of_o their_o deputy_n which_o they_o have_v only_o in_o respect_n of_o their_o deputation_n and_o trust_v repose_v in_o they_o of_o which_o some_o be_v often_o complain_v of_o by_o their_o principal_n as_o abuse_v to_o their_o prejudice_n xi_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o the_o government_n of_o england_n and_o of_o all_o the_o commons_o and_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o subject_a to_o maintain_v and_o defend_v the_o honour_n and_o dignity_n of_o the_o king_n when_o there_o be_v occasion_n as_o well_o as_o the_o right_n and_o liberty_n of_o themselves_o and_o their_o fellow-commoner_n by_o the_o common_a law_n of_o loyalty_n and_o allegiance_n and_o of_o all_o member_n of_o parliament_n magistrate_n and_o officer_n etc._n etc._n by_o special_a obligation_n of_o their_o solemn_a oath_n xii_o whether_o all_o conspiracy_n and_o practice_n which_o have_v a_o natural_a tendency_n to_o dissolve_v interrupt_v or_o abate_v the_o mutual_a confidence_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v preserve_v and_o maintain_v between_o the_o king_n and_o the_o people_n and_o to_o draw_v the_o affection_n of_o the_o people_n from_o the_o king_n to_o the_o conspirator_n especial_o when_o on_o the_o one_o side_n there_o be_v no_o special_a occasion_n for_o they_o more_o than_o ordinary_a and_o on_o the_o other_o there_o be_v such_o popular_a matter_n in_o agitation_n as_o give_v great_a advantage_n to_o such_o a_o design_n may_v not_o just_o be_v suspect_v to_o be_v treasonable_a and_o by_o consequence_n ought_v to_o be_v stout_o and_o resolute_o oppose_v by_o all_o faithful_a and_o loyal_a subject_n to_o the_o knight_n gentleman_n freeholder_n and_o commons_o of_o england_n edward_n stephens_n wish_v prudence_n piety_n peace_n and_o happiness_n gentleman_n and_o fellow-commoner_n what_o you_o see_v here_o open_a to_o diverse_a member_n your_o trustee_n and_o â—â—â—â—â—sentatives_n in_o parliament_n be_v then_o print_v not_o to_o be_v publish_v but_o only_o a_o small_a number_n to_o be_v present_v to_o they_o but_o since_o they_o have_v pubublish_v do_v their_o v._o old_a english_a loyalty_n p._n 13.14_o vote_n concern_v it_o be_v fit_a and_o but_o just_a you_o shall_v see_v what_o it_o be_v they_o have_v so_o censure_v i_o have_v many_o year_n endeavour_v to_o serve_v you_o to_o the_o best_a of_o my_o ability_n without_o seek_v preferment_n or_o reward_n from_o man_n or_o accept_v of_o
what_o have_v be_v offer_v what_o i_o have_v write_v late_o for_o the_o service_n of_o our_o great_a master_n and_o yourselves_o have_v be_v ill_o requite_v by_o the_o prudential_n a_o name_n not_o impose_v but_o assume_v very_o proper_o latitudinarian_a bishop_n with_o false_a report_n and_o calumny_n no_o less_o than_o of_o madness_n and_o popery_n like_o the_o false_a prophet_n of_o old_a and_o the_o incendiary_n of_o the_o late_a civil_a war_n and_o what_o i_o have_v offer_v to_o the_o house_n for_o the_o same_o purpose_n both_o former_o and_o now_o again_o have_v be_v so_o treat_v as_o be_v very_o inconsistent_a either_o with_o their_o duty_n or_o our_o right_n for_o these_o thing_n i_o appeal_v to_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n of_o almighty_a god_n to_o your_o own_o conscience_n and_o to_o the_o next_o parliament_n and_o to_o a_o convention_n of_o the_o clergy_n as_o to_o what_o concern_v the_o bishop_n and_o the_o false_a charge_n of_o popery_n these_o gentleman_n who_o set_v 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the_o of_o their_o prudential_o i_o have_v long_o since_o note_v one_o remarkable_a instance_n in_o reflection_n on_o the_o action_n at_o sea_n p._n 29_o 30_o 31_o and_o another_o late_o in_o my_o narrative_n beside_o other_o elsewhere_o latitudinarian_a bishop_n among_o the_o lord_n and_o now_o i_o appeal_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o who_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o the_o dreadful_a tribunal_n of_o almighty_a god_n whether_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a and_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o more_o danger_n to_o the_o nation_n from_o such_o a_o house_n of_o commons_o and_o such_o bishop_n than_o from_o popery_n and_o from_o all_o the_o priest_n and_o jesuit_n in_o the_o nation_n if_o they_o be_v as_o many_o more_o as_o they_o be_v and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o more_o fear_n of_o god_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o there_o be_v not_o that_o honour_n and_o respect_n for_o the_o king_n that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v freedom_n of_o debate_n in_o 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their_o own_o advantage_n this_o be_v undoubted_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o unreasonable_a be_v verity_n of_o that_o act_n which_o have_v hitherto_o serve_v rather_o for_o a_o cover_n than_o any_o restraint_n of_o that_o growth_n and_o possible_o may_v be_v so_o intend_v by_o such_o juggler_n with_o all_o party_n for_o their_o own_o interest_n who_o when_o once_o discover_v can_v never_o after_o be_v safe_o trust_v by_o any_o or_o will_v easy_o by_o such_o as_o be_v wise_a i_o know_v not_o any_o great_a service_n which_o can_v be_v do_v to_o this_o nation_n at_o this_o time_n than_o to_o undeceive_v and_o disabuse_v the_o innocent_a flock_n of_o this_o distract_a and_o divide_a people_n by_o detect_v the_o deceiver_n and_o their_o several_a art_n and_o abuse_n nor_o any_o one_o who_o have_v endeavour_v it_o upon_o so_o clear_a and_o certain_a principle_n in_o all_o respect_n or_o with_o equal_a candour_n impartiality_n and_o conviction_n as_o i_o have_v do_v and_o therefore_o by_o how_o much_o the_o great_a be_v the_o evidence_n of_o my_o integrity_n fidelity_n and_o constant_a zeal_n for_o your_o service_n that_o be_v for_o the_o service_n of_o my_o country_n so_o much_o the_o more_o notorious_a be_v the_o iniquity_n and_o evil_a disposition_n of_o such_o as_o by_o malicious_a defamation_n have_v not_o only_o gross_o abuse_v i_o which_o i_o can_v easy_o have_v bear_v have_v that_o be_v all_o but_o disable_v i_o from_o far_a prosecution_n of_o that_o service_n hitherto_o to_o which_o i_o be_o so_o hearty_o and_o entire_o affect_v and_o the_o great_a be_v the_o evidence_n against_o they_o that_o they_o be_v no_o true_a friend_n to_o our_o country_n but_o unfaithful_a treacherous_a deceiver_n who_o under_o specious_a pretence_n seek_v to_o serve_v themselves_o without_o due_a regard_n if_o any_o at_o all_o to_o the_o service_n of_o their_o country_n and_o they_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n either_o such_o as_o be_v or_o have_v be_v our_o trustee_n in_o parliament_n or_o of_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o these_o latter_a have_v not_o only_o injure_v i_o and_o hinder_v i_o in_o your_o service_n but_o bring_v a_o foul_a scandal_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o therefore_o the_o consideration_n of_o that_o may_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o supreme_a authority_n so_o late_o assert_v in_o all_o cause_n as_o well_o spiritual_a as_o temporal_a but_o for_o the_o other_o who_o have_v not_o only_o injure_v i_o and_o do_v you_o that_o disservice_n but_o moreover_o foul_o break_v the_o trust_v repose_v in_o they_o in_o betray_v one_o of_o our_o principal_a and_o most_o necessary_a right_n which_o if_o once_o lose_v our_o servant_n become_v our_o master_n and_o more_o likely_a by_o their_o trick_n to_o bring_v all_o into_o confusion_n than_o ever_o to_o do_v any_o thing_n true_o for_o the_o honour_n or_o safety_n of_o this_o nation_n i_o must_v therefore_o recommend_v that_o unto_o you_o with_o this_o faithful_a admonition_n and_o advice_n neglect_v no_o long_o your_o own_o interest_n at_o your_o county_n court_v give_v there_o your_o instruction_n well_o consider_v to_o your_o trustee_n when_o you_o choose_v they_o and_o there_o confer_v constant_o concern_v their_o behaviour_n and_o as_o occasion_n require_v from_o thence_o admonish_v they_o of_o what_o you_o see_v necessary_a and_o at_o your_o next_o court_n or_o as_o soon_o as_o may_v be_v assert_v like_o true_a englishman_n that_o ancient_a fundamental_a necessary_a right_n of_o every_o commoner_n of_o england_n to_o have_v his_o petition_n for_o proper_a matter_n to_o be_v present_v to_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o by_o his_o representative_n and_o to_o be_v read_v hear_v and_o consider_v and_o due_o answer_v there_o and_o the_o duty_n of_o your_o trustee_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o miscarriage_n in_o that_o respect_n this_o may_v be_v do_v also_o at_o your_o general_n quarter_n session_n and_o by_o city_n and_o burough_n at_o their_o proper_a court_n june_n 19_o 1704._o your_o faithful_a friend_n fellow-commoner_n and_o ready_a servant_n in_o all_o thing_n of_o truth_n and_o righteousness_n edward_n stephens_n