so used which liberty being much abused the parties who upon the heat of the blood that is while the injury was fresh complained were bound over by Recognizance to prosecute for the King and so were the Witnesses but if the party or the Witnesses should refuse it it might much be scrupled what by our Law ought to be done to inforce them justly but Custome hath prevailed to go by steps The places of Trial of Crimes are either the Ordinary as Kings-Bench or Statute-Sessions or the Extraordinary and yet Ordinary viz. the Commissions of Oyer and Ter. and Gaol Delivery carried down alwayes with the Iustices of Nisi Prius at the Assizes or the legal Extraordinary which were an assotiation of more men then ordinary according to the novelty and exigency of the cause most legally and usually made up of all the Iudges of all the Benches and no other and heard in the Checkquer Chamber Now these are not to be scrupled in themselves the other and which are extraordinary and scrupled as illegal are meer Royal Commissioners consisting of Iudges Lords and other men according to the pleasure of the prime Magistrate and these were rare and but in case of great offences or doubts of imminent at lest so pretended concernment And there were two Causes the one professed which was the resolution of many wise men sworn to do right according to Law betwixt the King or State and the Subject who by concurrent Votes assured the interest of either party and surely were the Law by which they judged as plain and evident as the reason or foundation of their extraordinary judgements there would be no exception but the fear heretofore on the peoples part which is the ground to the present jealousies was in respect that Commissions pretended of that nature were aiding to the inchroaching vertue of the Supream Power to the advance of Prerogative especially after King James had made the Iudges which were the leaders in both these powers his meer Creatures by absolute dependance in altering their Patents as aforesaid from during their well abearing to during his pleasure How the Iudges Patents are now I know not but except the present condition of affairs make that now lawful which in it self is not surely such Arbritrary Patents are introductive of the heights of vassalage for if they in each Punctilio advance not the intendments and interests on foot of the Supream Magistrate be it good or evil for God or against Liberty or Bondage A Writ of Ease is next to be expected and that engages to the slander of every malitious enemy and he now lies open to the lash of every accuser especially if any litigious person hath been overthrown before him O how the man bustles and now is his time for revenge our eys have seen this and this I suppose to be the ground of fears of such Commissions I willingly avoid Ravelling Controversies upon presidents which in our Laws are so many and so diverse each from other and multitudes so contrary each to other as supream or most excellent reason must bear sway and then the arbitrium of the Commission will not be so much the question as the Law by which judged If it be objected against the adjoyning in Royal Commissions that they are nor Lawyers nor Iudges in Ordinary but Merchants c. I say there lies an Appeal to Parliament from any Court Ordinary or Extraordinary which receives Commission under the Parliaments Authority If it be objected they are meerly the States Pentioners then the Argument is against the Supream Magistrate mediately against their Iudges immediately and is remedied by appeal but this is manifest that there is no necessity of these Commissions they were continually declaimed against and denied as one gap to invade the native proper liberty of the Subject and if now inforced can but foment jealousie against the State Having now found out the proper Courts of Trial of criminal persons let us see who the criminous person is and how to be dealt withal the criminous person is vulgarly taken to be him that is accused Legally him that is convicted not differencing where upon examination before the Iustice there is confession of the party full evidence upon oath violent presumptions or barely suspition but all are dealt withal alike except they misdemean themselves and in case the matter be baylable baylable alike few Iustices looking at good bail but all the Clerks at their Fees in which case much error is where the Clerk is Iustice of the Peace or c. and the Iustice not able or too proud to draw a Warrant himself Now by the Law of England and just reason mens liberties being highly prised heretofore men were to be tried the next Gaol delivery I mean at the Sessions for the County but now by a Statute made in the time of Philip and Mary or at least under pretence of it all matters criminal being death that is out of the Rogues City of Refuge that is to which they cannot readily plead guilty of all Felonies within Clergy the still continued shame of England so that some use a hateful Proverb All Rogues to the Clergy and all Clergy to the Gallows they must be tried at the so called Assises This Statute was a great friend to the Clerk of the Assize above the Clerk of the Peace and those Iustices that will not see this Statute the Inquisitive Clerk of Assise can spy his time to fit him if he cometh in his compass which may be every Assises and though present put him down absent so he is fined forty shillings and to remedy it will cost twice so much Now in the Gaols the Schools of Iniquity they are not imployed and if any one will imploy himself he must purchase his liberty to use his Trade at the Gaolers discretion for there is no Law for it no not for Debtors so that having nothing to do the Prisoners confer notes and the older Thief Cutpurse c. still instructs the yonger in the revealed quidities of the Law Vain people think highly of these nice evasions of Law but the serious sees it makes the Law ridiculously difficult the great Rogues scape but the ignorant and unexperienced dye for it All honest men love mercy and are as loth simple Felony should be death as any but they would not men should by Custom abuse just things or endure unlawful ones or connive at wickedness Yet these and multitudes more well known have long and do still pass unremedied or are provided for but in part or for a parcel of the Commonwealth So that it is certain the generalty of men which once come into Englands prisons of all sorts as now used are spoiled for ever both as to industry and honesty yea so notorious is the evil that I have known many Justices avow it was their sorrow to be in place to be instrumental to such evils by sending one for his first offence to Gaol and likely to
by Execution to this end it is fit as most think to give a general Oath of faithfulness in their trusts although they agree it true that the generalty of men are just for Righteousness sake oath or no oath they are the same And so on the contrary but in a Commonweal in the State that England is now in it is fit to make Laws of this nature probationers for a time in each County and by due returns of what is done which is so required but neglected for that in all things its noted only from all Acts and Ordinances and Instructions earnestly required for a day or two and then rejected which is a great oversight in them supreamly concerned for it is visible all men are by this beaten out of the road of setled obedience and spin out time to attend the issue and that falling out as of old they will never be forward to service after so for service in Arms the forward appear the other slack so in Assesments upon the true value the forward pay to the utmost peny the other half no punishment but talking no deal gently thus is all sense of obedience to Powers and Authorities destroyed by the Powers themselves and their self-ended Agents seeking to make parties for one such time and person-server shall in this corrupt Age have more followers then 20. honest men But I return to my task If the supream Power have due returns let them see and judge out of the severall experiments made what is fittest to be the general head Rule and way of the charge of Arms It s visible in our condition at present the generality of the Nation are unfit to be entrusted but for accidental evils there can no particular remedie be well prescribed the general Rule wisely executed must be the top stone under God of the safety Magazines in the several Hundreds for the publick Arms of the Hundred or the chief Town adjoyning or such head Town or Town of defence in a County to be the Magazine of the County these have all their objections yea in a setled state all or any may be useful and in a distracted one may prove destructive now the difficulty is but to find out the best as we must say for the present temper of the Nation for its certainly true to settle unity love and peace and root out the jealousies and acerbities which are risen in a Nation its fit to have all the same general Law the Supream Magistrate ought so to administer Law that it be the same to all his Subjects To follow the crochets of Machivilian Politicians by transplanting souldiers is to nourish absolute dependences such as free Common-wealths explode only raise to an eminency of power to do good or evil at lust which is tyrannical no a necessary dependance is all here hinted which though some may extend farther then others yet while its rule is not absolute nor its constant practice there is no just ground for exception by this its plain the Laws must be equal that is respecting time place person estate c. and so universal now for the leading and conducting of these whether to place the whole under a general Command absolute and setled of a known Military Officer or of a Civil Officer as now the Sheriff and the other to be setled by the Supream power as need is is worthy enquiry yet easie to be determined for if it be looked into both will be seen necessary for the setled Law of England alwaies allowed the power of the County to suppress Riots c. and against obstinate offenders and oppugners of the Publick peace therefore the chief Judges in the County must have an Officer duly constituted who shall see to the execution of the Laws next to give the ancient Colonel or the Col. of Horse in each County the chief trust in order reserving special power of making an extraordinary Officer in chief is while Commissioners for the Militia are a Court resident the most evidently safe way Now we are come to consider a necessary engagement and that is the pay of Officers and Souldiers of the Trained Souldiers of the Nation To this it s easily answered if in actual service pay is necessary the doubt is only in time of peace now not to distinguish of peace as setled peace and disturbed peace intervalls of peace and war or outbreakings or fears I say in the most setled times its fit the Officer have some setled pay be it more or less as the Supream power thinks fit I shall not enlarge concerning that what the age of Souldiers is is not so needful ours is the best way that requires an able man of body and of this the Commissioners are absolute Judges It s not much requisite with us what rank a Horsman be of especially if the State be mixt Monarchy so called or Republical for honours engage not to a dependance that is should not but as the Law requires For offences done in the field and as Souldiers let them be tryed by the Commissioners for the Militia without any form of complaint legal or in writing that is so necessitated and let the Marshal see the Judgement executed For all things which now the Heralds exercise in Office and which the Lord Marshal did take cognizance of they ought properly to come to the Commissioners thereto appointed in the County and that for the Militia is the fittest for Honours arose from Arms and with them let the Records of Honors remain The Lists of them enrolled Souldiers Those authorirized to make and fell Arms Powder and Ammunition of all sorts Let them also have the sole power of watching and warding but by a like head-rule of a proportionate charge and let them have a set way by a joint consent at Sessions or as is by the Supream Magistrate appointed to raise monies to pay in case of necessity such as are imployed by them for the necessary peace of the County Let them appoint Superadvisors of Taverns Inns Alehouses c. and let them have their Licenses from them if allowed by the Justices at Sessions and you may make a Reservation of a Rent to the State to defray charges but to admit that entrance to increasing gain is a visible in let to all villany in enervating the good Law under colour of publick benefit which is most carefully to be avoided as the shelter to private knaveries Lastly the rule of punishments that is the general Law of punishing mutinous refractory and disobedient Souldiers and that both in actuall service and also in ordinary musters and trayning or better to express it appearing in Arms is to be considered and some other way thought of especially for trained Souldiers who are not in constant pay then cashiering or taking away of Arms for the despising of Arms is yet in mind and the honour of the trust of Arms is unknown it must be corporal punishment as whipping with cashiering some incorrigible rude unworthy
This is a matter requiring great and vast expence and how shall it be raised To the first I answer If the Magistrate hath power to make the Law then duty ought to subject all minds to unity in obedience To the second I answer That this is so far from dispriviledging that it is the highest yea the top stone of Liberty I dare not say it is not possible to abuse or misuse this power but if rightly used it is the extent of Priviledge for may a Magistrate make a Law to keep mad mens children to educate Ideots Lunaticks and the like and dispose their goods to the necessary use of their Family which all Laws of Nature and Nations allow Who art thou then Quaeriest if thou dost it thy self thou wilt grant that must be by allowed means and lawful wayes I say not That there cannot be just causes of Negation but I say Submit to just things in their Seasons it is your duty and deny unjust ones when time of trial comes that is your duty also This takes not away your Guardianship of Nature but makes your load lighter especially when and where it is greatest for the most poor and ignorant are most like to brable and wrangle such intendments for the charge I confess its great but the great Lett will be if you settle this aright the rich must pay for the education of the poor and the barren of them that have children For I can allow nothing of a Rate but by an equal pound Rate and that on all the estates of all persons and that not onely for Wars but for the poor for maintenance of Ministers yea for Bridges Causywayes Highwayes all publike Meeting-places and that both for Divine and Civil affairs if you settle it no higher then Counties at first it may do something but in a young or begun State it is requisite to cast all into a lump were Righteousness obvious in the disposers it would easily be assented to But now the fear is and Objections are if you do thus the Parliament men will look to distribution of parts most unequally and they that are best friended shall have the best proportion though they have least need As now in general Leavies The Towns and Counties are most free or burthened as they have active Parliament men Committee men and Justices of the Peace to stand by them Therefore first it is requisite that each man shew forth integrity in his actions cast away selfishness own in deeds what you profess be not deceived God cannot be mocked The Heathens at the preaching of Jesus yea the Wise men they that used curious Arts brought their Books of great price and burnt them come and do likewise with your advantageous interests of all sorts you are all a Nation without scruple though no National Church But you object further This Nation hath lost its Politike Rule it is overspread with multitudes of men nay multitudes of poor so that to take care for the educating of all these is you say wholly unfeazable To this I say That no Nation if not plagued with War or Diseases but naturally it will grow over-numerous Now the Magistrate Supream ought truly to know the contents of his Territory and be as able to lay out the possible subsistance of his Subjects as the wise Grasier to know how many beasts will be depastured in such a ground or how much seed will sow one Acre These are the Mysteries of wise Regiments which few Princes or Magistrates now adayes if at any time will study but it is their duty for from not well considering these things Nations which might in ordinary course live quiet being grown over populous whereby the due care of inferior Magistrates is obstructed they grow loose and lazy then swarve into crimes Then complain of neglects of duty of Magistrates which is evident then interest gains head these make parties and then the Sate is either embroiled or altered Therefore if the Princes will in the use of the wisdom God hath given them to Rule by Rule well and safely they must once every seven years number their people if the Accidents I must so call them of Plague War Famine c. hath not done it and either by opening a fit way publikely known of easing their Counties burthen by setling them in an other County or if all Counties be full by transporting them into an other Country avoid this danger This Act of Numeration well used will take off the jealousie to what end such matters tend and the well and carefully providing for the Colonies will encourage Adventurers This will enlarge a Nation infinitely and if well carried on will by just means so settle Christian interest that great if not universal will be the propagation of the Gospel Now we send away Rogues then you may send away Preachers Teachers Scholars Masters of Prudence in respect of Christian and Civil knowledge This fitted you see visibly your charge cannot be so insupportable you look at the Commonwealths corruptions as now wholly sick wholly defiled this frights you but let your speculations mount higher it is not Vtopianisme it is Christian wise order all you that look for Christs Raign upon earth labor after it I bid you not sit down by this this is rational yours is divine this may be it hath been yours may and is to be prayed and attended for patiently and if it heightens you in the active part of more exemplary conversation who will oppose it let him first live above you and then teach you not upbraid your opinion But surely all the Taxes Charges Levies Payments ought all to be set assessed and paid according to one set Rate so that each poor honest Countrey man may immediately resolve his payment and in case of Refusal the Officer may know how to leavy it namely by distress and all to have one time and till that time be past the Magistrate ought not to issue out his Warrant and then upon a Warrant the Magistrate superior to be sued not the Officer for levying it for no reason he should be questioned or molested much less undone as now for executing the commands of his Superior for it is agreed the inferiour Officer in legal Administration ought and so may act not question otherwise each Officer might delay and therefore it is justly constituted if he denyes and takes upon himself the knowledge of the Law if he mistakes he is highly finable and his Fine and all other Fines and the Fees and Salaries belonging to all publick Officers ought to be so Assessed and leavied c. And where no distress is apparent that is no goods in the house be they whose they will or denyal and they either delay or by denyal imprisonment till payment if able to pay I must in this case also remember That it is fit that no person as no place be infranchised from payments for if one may be all may be except onely as necessity enforces and then
person or running the Gantlop and this by the judgement upon vote of the Officers of Troop Company or Regiment if the Regiment be there Seek not many but fit souldiers but look none keep Arms but those charged or allowed by the Militia or Justices as now one is fit if not of necessity I have now but one word to the Commissioners and Officers and in them to all Officers of Trust Judges and others be strict in your duties to your Supreams and require nothing but just things and obedience will flow of it self it is the Military power that in all alterations of State gives forth the Rule of Government from their order is the Nation setled Reduce therefore your Discipline to a just and setled Rule and then each one labor to beget this opinion in your Souldiery which is truly a Christian as well as prudent humane Maxime That the riches and safety of the Master is in the emulation of servants but as that so this must have a just emulation and by that the Army and so the Commonwealth will be established and preserved but this emulation is fit to be a little better known It consists principally in the glory of doing good but that doing good is materially in avoiding or hindring of evil I mean they that will faithfully serve the Commonwealth must not only keep the Laws themselves out of conscience of their own duty but also see to and as much as in them lies that is as lawfully they may in their places enforce the performance of them by others the want of which hath so disordered Civil Government that he that requires or advises but the obedience to the Law or a just and consciencious regard thereto is thought nay called a busy-headed fellow a Roundhead a pragmatick self-conceited shallow-brain'd fellow Turks and Heathens will rise up against us Gent. you it is that must redeem Authority buried in the ashes of politick mercy which hath destroyed Kings will ruine this Commonwealth ere it hath the honour of a settlement unless the prudence of power set it on his legs again with the blessing of the Spirit of the eternal wisdome without which all mans labor is in vain But I proceed with my intended settlement Whether Indictments or Appeals are to be pursued in cause of crime or both HAving done with the due regulation of Arms which under God are the great staies and support of men to assure their peace quiet repose enjoyment of what God by their friends or labors hath vouchsafed them for I must agree that the foundation of humane happinesse subsists in the providence of the Almighty however he useth us as instruments that is gives success to our endeavors thereto We come now to look at the civil settlement in the remainder and first because the criminal part of law is of most and greatest concernment as looking at the life of man I shall therefore look first at that now in this the difficulties causing difference are these in an appeal there must and ought to be witness besides him that appeals for he is the accuser and that either in his own right or as next of kin but all for private benefit Secondly there the dammages are to the party and it is a personal thing proper to the complainer and he may desist when he will and compound as he will The Indictment is at the suit of the supream Magistrate solely for the benefit of the Commonwealth and the State hath all the goods and all dammages and the prosecutor or complainer is here a witness for the State but at his own charge which is as now used unjust The Interest therefore of the Magistrate the Subject ought here to be compromised rationally for assuredly if life goes for life dammages are cut off as unfit or of unequal value to be rendred for the life of a man therefore the heir or wife or friend who should bring an appeal as I conceive ought to have no forfeiture some recompence may be where the life is lost as in all cases of Murders and voluntary considerate killings and in all appointed duels not in heat of blood especially if for ought the Law gives a remedy for great abuses dispunishable by Law it seems not reasonable but of this more after Now for to clear this indeed it is requisite that there be as is justly supposed in Law an Attorney for the State whether called Clerk of the Crown Clerk of the Peace or what other name you will give him setled in every County who upon a set day each week by vertue of his place should receive all complaints and that upon oath himself being duly sworn and then by and with the consent and advice of one or more Justices should frame an appeal generally thus I do challenge you A. for the peace of the Commonwealth to answer to B. for the death wounding c. of C. whereof you are accused and let B. and another witness make two witnesses and upon the finding of him guilty let him be fined moderately that is so that at least a fourth part of his estate be left him The like Law also in case of Maym wounding c. whereof two parts to the party wounded c. a third part to the State to bear all charges for it is not fit to add charge loss of time to him that is before oppressed in case of life let life answer life unless by misadventure yet then he must be fined but not to the party but to the State and that but to a third part of his estate reall or personal to bear charges and where the life is lost the charges must also be apportioned in like manner For the leavying this the way is before set but for discovery of estate there is the difficulty but in Lands admit no trusts for deceit nor uses to cheat and the estate in the Land will be visible and take the goods in possession at the time of death and all is satisfied that can be expected Only let a set time be for Creditors to come and be satisfied also that the Common-wealth be satisfied and the members not ruined undone and impoverished Thus shall both interests be satisfied and the multitudes of legal quarrels by indictments c. will be quitted which have freed many rich Murderers Poysoners c. and of other offendors multitudes when there have been poor prosecutors That this must be done in the County where the fact is committed is owned Let the transferring him from one County to another when taken out of that County be setled in an easie and speedy way and that a Judge be there ready to determine such cases weekly if not daily however to examine witnesses immediately upon Oath which all Justices must have power to give as they see cause therefore make wise and honest Justices better then yet are and let this be taken as evidence as far as is credible and let not witnesses stay
equally just yet let the Commonwealth have its due freedom let the Fines be made certain one years clear value which cannot be above two parts in three Next No forfeitures next to pass by free deed lastly all as Free-hold at Common Law except onely the Rent for it is better enlarge the Rent and have no Fine Lastly let no Rent be distrainable for upon the land after eighteen moneths due and for the apportionment of Rent let it be recorded between Buyer and Seller and if parties concerned cannot let two Justices of the Peace upon hearing both parties determine it and let it be recorded in the Parish or Town-book to cease all Controversies after To clear this Let a Commission issue to some persons to return a Survey of all Mannors when granted what Customs what Tenants what Rents Free or Coppy the quantity and nature of lands particularly the value yearly that so a foundation of settlement may be laid but because of the great advantage hath been said to accrue to the Commonwealth by Coppyhold-lands above free and Charter-hold in respect they were not subject to cheats frauds c as Free-hold lands let us a little consider how lands are to be passed Whether Inrollments ought to be in each County and how and the way to avoid deceit in Conveyances c. and of Frauds and the best way of punishing them HEretofore Deceits were not so frequent men yea even the highest preferred honor above inheritance Now as the love of riches the god of the world prevailed so private interest grew and from thence looseness of Law and the jealousie between our Kings and people made Laws come forth difficulty and when ever they came the interest of one side was visible or the Law so choaked with ambiguities or incertainties or so short in the main that it did but add to Contention besides the difficulty of obtaining them without an active leading Parliament man were the Author or eager promoter which in those dayes few would or did undertake out of pure zeal so that men set down willingly by the evil and lookt to prevent it as well as they could and take their chance as they called it amongst others rather then stir for new Laws of any sort This made of late years the legal robberies of cheating and truly fraudulent conveyances encrease as well as Letters yet not within the adjudged remedy of Statute frequent for it is as easie to avoid the Statute as to quench ordinary fire with scalding hot water one good Law against all frauds is better then a hundred of the best against fraudulent conveyances the reason is so gross and visible that it neds no president there are yet too many But while all possible means of the exact purity of Justice are to be indeavored by all Magistrates especially Christian It is just and requisite that they take the hint of the good hath flown from the manner of passing of Coppyhold Estates which truly proves that an Office of Inrollment at least in the Head-Town of every County is of necessity with such due regulations as is fit and in the same Office a passing of the wives consent by sealing the Deed of Sale or releasing it provided the Act be done before two Justices of the Peace be as good as a Fine the Dedimus upon the Fine is to meaner persons less fit to be trusted then some Justices may be however not under the conscience of an Oath which all they be the charge of a Fine is not so much though to some it is more then they are worth and ought to hold some rule of proportion as the trouble care delay c. Let there be therefore alwayes some authorized to take these There is another legal I dare not call it deceit the Custom hath established it as a Fine to bar the issue intayle or a recovery or both with single and double voucher but what is this but Custom against the Statute Law by the assent of the Statute I know the Evasion is but a meer Evasion it is better to mould the Law anew for the Law is both wayes unjust for the Statute Dedonis is in it self a perpetuity and would settle lands impassible in a short time and then all men must flie to the Supream Power for remedy let them therefore settle how lands shall be De jure as for example The eldest son to have all two parts of three or three of four or a double portion or at the will of the father provided he gives it no otherwise but to him and his heires and indeed all other estates are but to be a little over-wise but in this I shall not undertake to prescribe ought I shall onely add let the Law be All frauds to be punished by Presentment which found legally dammages to be to the party according to the value proved and then a fine to the State according to the Law and the nature of the offence Now this according to Law brings us to discussion of Juries Whether it be best to have Trials by Juries and in that of the Course of all Trials Civil ALL agree that right is to be done but many nay most differ about the way and certainly there are divers wayes and all good but there are better wayes and the best but the diversity of Opinions is great in these for some call that best which others call but good so various is Judgement much more Opinion for many which have found the good of one just wise discerning Magistrate will think him better then a Jury of Twelve and they that have found corruption in one Magistrate and Justice from Twelve men abhor what they call Prerogative Sentence it must be assented to that while in the flesh the best men are subject to fails and mistakes and therefore to drain Justice hath been thought the best this with popular jealousie in the just fears of dependencies of Judges rivited England to the maintenance of Juries who will not easily forgo it and though there is at present so much miscarriage that I think there is far more evil then good by them to the Nation I would not their temporary ejection but their due strict and setled Regulation But first every Case is not worth such trouble but Justice must be done in every Case and unless you will pay Juries for their pains they cannot travel therefore to avoid this you must make Judges in every Town and though the letter of the Magna Charta is general yet do but the Justice of Magna Charta and the Subject will not complain Justice never wrought dispriviledge and is above Magna Charta But before we proceed with Jurors let 's see how Cases ought to come to the decision of Juries then what Juries c. Now it is just that before any suit be the party wronged should first privately seek peace then call the party before a Magistrate to know what the difference is and see if it yet may
Market is over before they arrive or near it They also put exceeding charges upon admissions c. and no accompt but to themselves which in the consequences may be destructive not only to the private person but body politique in amassing Treasure The lesser Corporations were for marking measuring sealing sluffs linnen and woollen with a Crown Seal forsooth and these were his Majesties gratuities to the Lord of c. Marquess c. Q. Mother Lady Nurse Groom of the stool that is the Close stool whether King or Queen high and advantageous honours and this discended to outlandish as in Land commodities yea to pins and brooms and it was said to Rags for paper and Marrow-bones for Kitchin-stuff or grease Next he found one so base as being a Lawyer to take a pattent to have the first motion in the strictest sence or to be heard in all cases before any other which the Judges wisely quashed in the shell hearing him and shewing obedience to power and fulfilled this Patent therein and then declaring by an intimation of a rigid dislike that the Authority pretended could not that is with safety grant it for the Lawyers would be stirred who had the key of Knowledge and they once disaffected might be like a spark in powder All these had their success because they by degrees falling upon persons or trades only they even upon advice desisted generally from more then expostulation some few brought Actions and were killed with delayes and frowns Then the King intends a Master-piece which was at once to quash all controversies by a sleight and sudden judgment having a colour of Law but no substance and this was by an universal charge upon the whole body of Subjects so called Ship-Money which had for foundation thus much The Kingdom was an Isle the defence Shipping the Navy was decayed the King must replenish so he rigs his Ships and sends them forth to take the ayre as the idle ones said but indeed to inure bodies to the Sea settle them under pay and discipline and so engage dependance they return and whereas heretofore the Maritine Counties sent forth Ships and the Land towns paid now the King would provide all Ships and they all should pay now this was clearly done only to inhance the so called Crown Revenue for the Subject saw no Enemy and so no necessity the original cause of that Tax a general peace was held to the out side with all Nations after theslaughter of the gallant English at the Isle of Ree and the dismanteling of Rochel But the upshot was the King must be judge nay sole Judge of this necessity and this is quaeried by the King to his Judges which to prove the assertion before they were all King trodden that is had engaged all their abilities to his meer will two onely of twelve in this so important a business as indeed the whole life of the Subjects Liberty was involved in it as to his estate at first and for denyal of that to his restraint durst assert the truth which two only I shall own as men noble and honest Crook and Hutton and though both or one were by the plurality of Votes ingaged to the first Quaere Whether the King were sole Judge yet upon the Tryal brought by that true Patriot Hambden they righted themselves and the Nation to the utmost and honest Crook spake true plain English reason and good Law while mercinaries blundred upon the work and had they taken Barcley's Argenis and read the discourse betwixt Polyarchus and Hyanisbe touching such taxes they had saved their credits as only declaring the judgement of an Alien to English Liberty and reserved themselves But now 'twixt Truth and Loyalty so called they were confounded and gave no satisfaction no not to the well-affected to absolute powers and by this notwithstanding all power the Subject was enboldned to deny and at last after some two or three yeer the King was enforced to desist and surely his cogitations were for Armies how providence prevented there being so many discourses of it I shall omit only with this hint That these fore-runners manifestly declare that the Arms in Ireland raised by his Commission and continued in England against the same power of Parliament Assertors of the same Common Liberty by the Nation owned and petitioned for were undoubtedly the effects of the same cause namely the subversion of Englands Law and Government the peoples Liberties and all Rights making the King by his meer free will the absolute Arbiter of all actions civil and criminal Thus in brief I have set down some of the visible preparatives to Englands Climaterical Revolution which it now labours under In the discussion of the State of affairs civil and so called Ecclesiastick before but especially in the time of the late King and all shews that plainly there was left no more then an outside Christianity or formal Religion the temper of the clay of the world the pravity of Reason in the depraved principles of policy the iron of reason in the variety of species of Government and the gold of Christian simplicity the gold owned in the Scriptures by Authority allowed the iron in the rational formal profession of the same and the consequences thereof the Clay in the false and unconsequential glosses to make mans rule and absolute Government the higest and last refuge of every man and that for a particular persons end though in publke trust for that trust was said not so much to be for the peoples benefit as his own These things premised I might omit the passages since as being fresh in every mans memory but at the desire of some I shall go on in the way of a cursory Historical Narration repinings and grudgings by and from the actions of the King and his Ministers growing high so that it was not thought fit to proceed without some force ready for fear of insurrections which were indeed desired and therefore the people were afflicted that they might rebell and bring themselves into slavery The King having received the platform of alteration of his State from Thomas Earle of Strafford he is made his Agent to keep on foot a strong Army in Ireland who to speak truth were a company of men fit for as high an attempt as they were intended for but being Jesuited in great if not the greatest part they might have double designs that is rather to embroile all the Kingdomes and fit them for the tooth of the Spaniard their universal Patron then for the Kings absolute settlement in England whom they truly knew not to affect the Popes interest further then it stood with his own which is truly the Maxime of all Princes however they carry it Upon the confidence of this Army he is fooled into a quarrel with the Scots and was undoubtedly made beleeve that to let the Spaniard land 10000. in England was the only way to set all right and Wentworth a man of depth of policy and courage might
pleading to the Jurisdiction Next by denying himself to be the party with multitudes more how evident soever Which Laws in the letter being taken advantage of as one for example one first called said nothing then shewed his name was not John but John-as Jenkins therefore not the party indicted That amended the Clerk goes on John-as Jenkins of c. he answers not after much debate there is two Towns one Hoph Pet. the other Jo. and the Indictment is general he knows not which that agreed on then his addition is mistaken as he is Baronet indicted Knight or Knight and Baronet but all agreed on he is then to plead and to this he pleads First strange dilatory pleas as that the fact was done in another County c. These breeding great trouble and great delay were both in Civil and Criminal cases in great part rectified but so jealous was the Parliament ever of the thing called Priviledge that all was never done though it may be the greater evils were removed so that there are causes enough still to dally in Law to general disadvantage of honest and publike good and no liberty but of general capital offenders Now the reason of this was evident because the Subjects Liberty was by Princes sought to be totally enslaved the best and wisest were most active in opposition and to save these good men we ensnarled the Law and till now had never opportunity of rectification if yet we have this seen by the Crown side they engage three wayes by Judges absolutely depending A Jury of Conformists and the general Plea not guilty And thus Prerogative and Priviledge fought And surely the Law holds forth matter so clear in the Year-Books on the one side by Presidents Rights of Supremacy dispatch of business c. On the other side by Presidents reason of Priviledge for safety of Life that the controversie seems endless and yet Justice is plain let him plead not guilty but withall give what other matter he can in evidence which the Court ought to accept and upon the whole matter to give judgement hearing himself and Councel which surely if in any other Cause Matter or Plaint a Subject ought to have then much more in case of life especially if the Law favors it and more especially where the Judges are the meer Dependants of the Prince or State which jealousie cannot be satisfied without if withall other things can be supposed any way requirable and therefore it hath been accounted for Law that the Jury were not barely Judges of the fact but were surely intended as a barr to Prerogative in some sort or dependance thereon for they may be without all doubt so far Judges as to finde the matter specially will the Judge or nill he and if themselves will venture an attaint may be Judges of the Law indeed against the plainest evidences So that it is evident these questions are easie to be controverted and hard to be determined yet not in themselves but only because of the divers interests in this as in most matters in our Law wherein the Crown had any hook according to the prevailing of their party having laid foundations for their own benefits and advancing their particular designs which is the first rise of the controversie about the Militia which never was in England in the Kings hand otherwayes then that of Tenures the posse Comitatus being alwayes the proper defence of the County and not subjugated to the Kings will or Royal Commission Now the reason was War and Peace was nominally in the King really in the Subject because of Moneys which could not be charged without consent in Parliament some upon this ground a Quaere of main concernment Namely what are the Laws of England or where to be found Some as I have said answer the Law of God others say excellent reason some the Law of Nations peculiarized by use others say with the Lawyers That the Law of England is founded upon the Law of God the Law of Reason principles called Maximes Customes not contrary to reason received time out of mind and proper quarto modo to the people of the Nation Statutes and the resolutions of the Judges To this it is objected that these generals teach or edifie not what the Law of England is For the Quaere is If the word of God whether all or part if so the infallible or at least certain Rule pleadable to know which part they require the like certainty in reason and the Exposition of Principles and Customes for they say all these must solely depend upon the Iudges and then the Law in their opinion is wholly Arbitrary for if their only word makes it reason and their only word determines the end and meaning of the principle and so whether custome be good or not then it is meerly at the will of them and this they say experience manifested in the great Cause of Ship-Money wherein had not the Sword been the better Arbiter of their priviledge the sentence had been irrevocable to enslave them all to the King Therefore they say there must be common reason or some head-Rule which must judge most excellent reason not that they intend vulgar decision but a judgement must be tryed by its conducing to publike good The Rule is Good the more general and common so much the more precious and from this they conclude all these heads of the Law of Nature or Reason Principles or Maxims and Customes to be all the same with the dicta sap or resolutions of the Judges and then whose creatures they are and from whom they have their honour pay c. to them they will be bound which they cast not by way of odium upon them but common to them with all men to enforce and improve all their abilities by the first principle of nature to the preserving self and this they do and better self in advancing the Title and Interest of them upon whom they depend But they say this is as fatal a hawk to liberty to have such an absolute dependance upon a State as upon a Prince tending to the same end of enslaving the people Yea reducing a State from a Democracie to a Tyranny as well as from Royalty to Tyranny for they say they have heard from Lawyers and it is a general complaint That the Laws of England are they know not what at least a wise or so called Politick Judge may make them so and that this is easiliest done in matters of highest concernment Take them to be the Law of God no such matter where is ought according to that rule They exemplifie in Henry the Eights Law for marriages made meerly for private interests and now for the same neglected for Gods Name is scandalized prophaned blasphemed and not regarded horrible adulteries and some say incests unpunished Yea all the rabble of Popish Episcopal and now so called Presbyterial Professors that is the baptized Christian are guilty of walking clean contrary to their profession
multitude of prisoners in Norwich Castle being as per Calender 144. The civil part was there only determined and not the criminal Now I shal omit to speak of the abundance of forfeitures by this means though falling much upon the poor it helps forward the necessity of Levellers in the grossest acceptation by reducing them to absolute beggery I shall onely speak of the triall of the Gaol which will hint matters of some concernment First there was a Commission of Oyer and Terminer next a Commission of the Peace These Commissions are not setled by Act of Parliament in the County but are a part of Prerogative and grantable at pleasure of the Supream Majestie Now there were many Prisoners which were bound over to the next Goal-Delivery these the learned in the Law upon mature deliberation and after great advisement resolve they cannot try consider the reasons which I must own Legally of great weight but hear them by the Commission of Oyer and Ter. they could not be heard for the Recognizance was onely at Gaol-delivery therefore they could not be called by the Commission of the Peace they could not try them for the Sessions of the Peace had before referred them to the trial of a Superior Judge of course for difficulty of the matter but if was agreed that had a Commission of Gaol-delivery come the same men without a Superior Judge or more skill or knowledge in the Law then they had before would have tried them Is not Form the Idol of the world I appeal to the Supream power for the priviledg of the Nation and beseech them that the due rights of a Free Nation may be established in setled Judicatories in the Nation Here also fell out another Quaere at this great Sessions namely what to do in case of an Under-Sheriff who should execute his Office beyond his year contrary to the Statute we found this The High-Sheriff of the County as usually before to the great prejudice of the people of the Nation under the late King did make a bargain with an Attorney to be or find one to be for him such a one as he would undertake for his Under-Sheriff This man contracts with the Kings Sheriff accordingly and himself and his son a young boy as the Justices upon view judged him of about eighteen years of age execute the Office both at the last Assizes and this Sessions and the intervals not having taken any Oath it was demanded of the boy who was Under-Sheriff he answered his father but his name was used he was tried by the Justices to read a precept he could not do it so for double disability he was disallowed by the generalty of the Justices by this practise if the Father were Under-Sheriff he lost two hundred pound by the Statute for this year and two hundred pound more for a year before for it is said he hath served now three years and I beleeve unsworn all the time if due inquiry were made Next the son forfeits 40. pound for executing without Oath yea though unfit but notwithstanding all this two Justices of the Peace present at the debate do the next day swear this Boy thereby sure intending to intricate the business and give the Father leave to plead against his Forfeiture of 200. pound or question for executing the Office unsworn I say no more but I think they deserve a Fine above his besides forfeiture of their Trusts and the rather because the mans integrity and so fitness for the Office is as much questioned as any mans in Norfolk Gent. To sue for this in the Travailes Expenses Delayes Tortures of the Law who will You are the Fathers of the Family if you please to take this notice according to your Trusts who are in the places of Eminency and Supream Power in the Nation from a son a brother a Citizen of the Commonwealth do if not I have satisfied my Conscience the evil lies at your door if you think as they who have gone before you have done to salve all with The Law is open 'T is begging the question We say the door was never so fast shut as now either in the setled Law Courts in Ordinary or new ones of Committees for though the doors be open that is there is easie beginning suits that is it is easie to complain yet the journey is great from the remoteness of places and in Committees 't is so difficult to get them together in the other Courts there is so much business that there are so many obstructions to right especially of poor men or quiet spirits and especially the men of Law are so favoured that there is a dead heart in all men to seek Reformation Remedy this and you will finde complainers enow But if a great man now be complained of for just things as have been offered to be avowed upon Oath yet rather then stand the shock of a suit the wise mans Councel in Ecclesiastes is the poor mans comfort Go not to suit with him that is too mighty for thee compound with him is the way though he requires all thy substance as too little to satisfie his wronged honour brought into question such a one as he scandalized though all his friends know the truth of the case how wisely soever carried that is legally avoiding the reach of the practical Law so called I know no truly wise and prudent man desires a measure exactly just that is such as against which no objection will lie no surely if there be such bad Christians there will be evil men what is desired is not only possible but feasable were there but just endeavours after it were not the diversions so visible it were tolerable but when it s well known that all eyes are upon you when all engagements and Artifices which the Religion held forth or prudence at best suggest have been not only proffered but penally enforced what but a seared conscience will not relent or a nealed face blush Former services do not acquit latter offences the instances of the elder of the Horatii Manlius and other among the Romans and multitudes of other in other places evidence The greatest and mightiest Princes are subject to the same proportionable changes with their meanest Subjects and the Subject hath this advantage he is best able to bear it Our evil hath grown from lenity our remedy must be at least necessary severity and if you be not guilty you may use it freely 'T is offendors cry out so sternly for mercy you are now by true interest and obligation to labour a well grounded peace to this the occasions of publique disgust must be first taken away Remember natural and rational Priviledge the clearing of interested Dependancies take them away they are visible and visibly known Next settle such plain and evidently rational Laws and proceedings as may assure Justice in the end and that Common and Universal Justice that as England is one our Law may be one and that known this will
appointed to ore-see Bridges Rivers Causeyways and all that is now within the extraordinary Jurisdiction of the Admiralty and Commission of Sewers 2 This so be setled that errors in Neighbouring Counties may be quietly remedied 3 The Error of purchasing Commissions Chap. 61. p. 175. shewing 1 The necessity of good witness in case of controversie 2 Legal objections difficult 3 Wicked men may be heard not sworn and the reason 4 One such evidence alone not sufficient 5 Objection of Alliance how to be accepted Chap. 62. p. 176. shewing 1 The necessitie of promulging Laws 2 The best way thereto 3 Punishment till then unfit to the common Subject Chap. 63. p. 176. shewing 1 How vain light apparel works upon nature 2 The Advantages publick from this no way equal to the dammage and is unlawful 3 The Magistrates duty to repress the excess of Apparel Chap. 64. p. 176. shewing 1 That Titular Honours as now flowing from a King give a tendency to the establishment of that Government 2 Good to decline them and that by exalting proper vertue Chap. 65. p. 177. shewing 1 No offence but under some general head of Law but the want is no set punishment where circumstances aggravate the offence exceedingly 2 Fit the Judge to punish according to the head rule or consult his Neighbours or secure till resolved legally in circuit 3 No Judge to be punished meerly for defect in form Chap 66. p. 178. shewing 1 The necessity of providing fit remedies for the ordinary causes of Duels 2 Words and light acts when grown obnoxious must have punishments suitable 3 Speedy remedy in this case of necessity 4 Incertain Tryals as by fire and water how best to be setled 5 If the suspected walk still inordinately how to be dealt with Chap. 67. p. 178 179 180 181 182 183 184. shewing 1 Questions 'twixt Magistrate and Church must be wisely discussed and here only hinted to open clearly the controversie so to pacifie 2 Wherein the controversie as now stated principally rests 3 This so far troubles the outward peace that the Magistrate must umpire 4 Certain questions urged by the Congregational way 180 181 5 Some private Quaeries concerning the Ministery and its maintenance 6 Age of Pastors and Baptizing Infants only hinted 7 Wherein Christian liberty principally consists 8 This opening the matter how it settles peace 9 The right of Tythes and how 182 10 What Religion the Magistrate must settle 11 Wherein the Churches power principally consists 12 Whither there may be two Supreams 13 How the controversie rises 14 How they of the Congregationall way settle it 183 15 An objection answered arising from the supposall of the necessity of uniformity 16 How far outward or sword Power reaches 17 What are impropriations and appropiations 18 Some things making Reformation difficult 19 That Prescription is but a particular mans custom 20 It ought to be adjudged lawfull and recorded before allowed Chap. 67. p. 185 186. Shewing 1 The Imperiall or Romane Civil Law to be the foundation of our Justice 185 2 How the multitude of their cases came to be digested 3 Why that Law was with us rejected or not used 4 Why those Lawyers were neglected 5 The evils of having two divers Laws to Judge by in one Nation 6 When a Church or State are in evident Error or Apostacie 185 186 7 A well constituted Nation must have a known settled Law proper 8 As little form as may be 9 The habits of honor kept distinct I say not sacred Chap. 68. pag. 186. Shewing 1 That to put Offices to sale in any kind is the inlet to all injustice 2 That wise and honest men have approved is no argument now 3 That there is a sufficient Revenue to carry on the work of Reformation with satisfaction to the Office and advantage to Magistrate and people 4 A consideration of the succession graduall of Officers 5 The way to have good Officers considered Chap. 69. pag. 187. Shewing 1 Breeding able Mariners of necessity to this Nation 2 How to breed them or how they be best bred 3 How to encourage and settle them 4 A consideration of the season called Lent 5 What the Magistrate may do in it 6 Objections against it Religious and Physical 7 Two wayes offered to salve all the first Religious the other Politique and not unjust for its general 8 The benefit considered and some laws fits to be established universally Chap 70. pag. 188. Shewing 1 Customes received engage to secure the seas 2 The Magistrate not bound to secure all but to imploy a sufficient guard 3 Yet the losses by Piracy are to be in some sort defrayed out of the advantage of prizes 4 Cases wherein there ought to be no satisfaction admitted Chap. 71. pag. 188 189. Shewing 1 That all officers that receive the revenues of the Commonwealth ought account 188 2 That its fit this be done in the particular Counties and the reasons 188 3 Judges must be thereto appointed and have power c. 4 All Fees settled and Offices during well abearing Chap. 72. pag. 189 190. Shewing 1 That the Magistrate hath all power to preserve the Peace 189 2 As King he hath no power in Church assemblies 3 Prudentially yet what ever done by him not simply unlawfull is lawfull 4 Reasons why no publick Church Conventions should or way be without particular allowance of the Magistrate 5 If upon disturbance of the peace the Magistrate settle a Law the Churches are bound to obey 6 The Right of calling Councels for setling matters of Religion so called cleared 190 7 The reason of the Authors undertakeing 190 191 192. 8 The Authors Prayer for a Spirit of turning to the Lord c. 192 193 c. FINIS ERRATA PAg. 102. l. 10. r. cautious l. 18. r. govern all l. 19. r. of force l. 22. r. as p. 112. ca. 11. l. 24. r. fancles p. 113. l. 27. r. transcendency p. 115. l. 10. dele this was derogative l. 36. r. groundage p. 118. l. 6. r. swerve p. 119. l. 47. r. now p. 120. l. x. r. at his l. 27. r. conquassations p. 123. l. 9. r. handed p. 225. l. 36. r. run p. 141. l. 45. r. simular p. 142. l. 24. r. objectors p. 146. l. 40. r. under p. 149. l. 10. r. that p. 151. l. 31. r. do we not rather p. 154. l. 40. r. into p. 158. l. 7. r. practice constant l. ult r. none p. 162. l. 13. r. without delay l. 17. r. twenty pound p. 163. l. 44. r. the fourth p. 165. l. 7. dele equally p. 165. l. 26. r. adjudged p. 173. l. 28. r. verdict p. 177. l. ult r. person p. 178. l. last but 4. r. discuss p. 186. l. 26. r. eighteen thousand l. 28. after Lord Au. r. c. p. 187. l. 15. for I r. It p. 192. l. 27. r. act vigorously AN ESSAY OF Christian Government The first Quaere what is Monarchy and its Divisions FIrst Monarchy in General or