A proposall humbly offered for the farming of liberty of conscience Butler, Samuel, 1612-1680. 1662 Approx. 26 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 7 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A30777 Wing B6329 ESTC R37173 16263843 ocm 16263843 105167 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A30777) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 105167) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1089:12) A proposall humbly offered for the farming of liberty of conscience Butler, Samuel, 1612-1680. B. G. [2], 10 p. [s.n.], [London?] printed : 1662. Signed at end: B.G. Attributed to Butler by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints. Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Liberty of conscience -- Anecdotes 2002-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-04 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-05 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2002-05 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-06 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A PROPOSALL Humbly Offered , FOR THE FARMING OF Liberty of Conscience . Printed in the Year , 1662. A PROPOSALL HUMBLY OFFERED For the Farming of Liberty of Conscience . SInce nothing can be dearer unto poor Christians , then Liberty , for the Free Exercise of their Iudgments and Conscience , which hath kindled that Fire in the Bowels of the three Kingdoms which all the pretious Blood that hath been shed , during these late Troubles , hath not been able totally to extinguish : And since many of us , whose Names are affixed , were so profitably Instrumental in these late Combustions , as appears all along in our Sermons before the Honorable House of Parliament , in the Years , 1642 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46. in exciting the good People of this Nation , to seek and maintain their Christian Liberty , against all Prelatical and Antichristian Imposition whatsoever . And considering , that the little Finger of Apostacie , from our first Love , would be a greater Burden upon our Tender Consciences then the Loyns of Episcopacy , we being more bound in Honour then Conscience , cannot totally desist ; Neither need any man fear , or so much as suspect , lest any inconvenience , or Alteration should happen in Religion by the great diversity of Opinions , Tongues and Languages , tolerated amongst us , unless in the great Babel of Episcopacy that may possibly be pull'd down and destroyed by this our notable Confusion : For if the Gospel was wonderfully disseminated and spread abroad by every mans speaking in his own Language , and the very Enemies thereof astonished and miraculously wrought into a belief of it ; how is it likely to be now obstructed , in the free exercise of our Spiritual Gifts with these our cloven and divided Tongues ? And since many Worthy persons ( from whom we might little expect it , but far lesse deserve it ) out of their Goodnesse and Clemency , are pleased to incline to some Libertie , did not some persons , Aliens and Strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel take up a reproach against us , as persons reprobated into an impossibility of submission ●o Principles of Concord , Peace , and Order in Church or State , never being able hitherto to come to any Consistency amongst our selves the Ark of God having for twenty years together been exposed to High-wayes Streets and worse places , for want of an agreement amongst our own Brethren , where to rest it , or how to entertain it . If this be our Case , and could we be sure of so much favour as Saul once desired of Samuel , That the Bishops would but honour us before the People , we would in a private Christian way lay our hands upon our hearts , and acknowledg the hand of God and the Iustice thereof , in turning us out of his Uineyard as wicked and unprofitable servants , and to suffer the iniquity of our heels to overtake us , Crying out with Reverend Mr. Calamy , The Ark of God is iustly departed from us : But being not yet thus assured , do hope the people will yet believe these to be only Bears Skins lappt about us by Episcopal hands : And therefore , to the end that a Consistencie and Onenesse of Iudgment of the whole separating Brethren , and their Moderation may be known unto all men , and that the world may know , there is a spirit of Rule and Government resting in us , It is humbly proposed , That the sole power of Granting Licenses and Indulgences for Liberty of Conscience within the Kingdome of England , Dominion of Wales , and Town of Barwick , may be vested in the Persons under-named , for the Term of seven years , under the Farm Rent of an Hundred Thousand pound per annum , to Commence from the 25 th day of March next , under such Rates and Qualifications as are hereafter specified . The Names of the Grand Commissioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience ; proposed on Munday , March 2. 1662. Mr. Edmond Calamy Mr. Tilham , late of Colchester Mr. Philip Nye Mr. Feake . Mr. Stanley Gower of Dorchester . George Fox , Executor of the last Will and Testament of Iames Nailor deceased . Doctor Lazarus Seaman Mr. Dell , late of Cambridge . Doctor Owen Mr. Bryan , late of Coventry . Mr. Matthew Mead Mr. Iohn Coppin Doctor Manton Mr. Kiffen Mr. William Ienkins Mr. Fisher , late of Kent . Doctor Thomas Goodwin Mr. Hammond , late of Newcastle . Mr. Peter Sterry Mr. Bridges , late of Yarmouth . Mr. Ioseph Carryll Mr. Tombes , late of Lemster . Mr. Leigh , late of Lumbard-street . The Executor of Mr. Venner lately Executed . Mr. Thomas Case Mr. Reynor , late of Lincoln . Mr. Raph Venning Mr. Rogers Mr. Benn , late of Dorchester . Mr. George Griffith , late of Charterhouse . The Executor of Hugh Peters lately Executed . Mr. George Newton , late of Taunton . Mr. Dan Dyke , late of Hertford-shire . Mr. May● , late of Kingston . Mr. Ioshua Sprigg . Mr. Henry Iessey . Mr. Newcomen of Dedham in Essex . Doctor Tuckney of Cambridge . Doctor Cornelius Burges . Mr. Zachary Crofton Doctor Holmes . Mr. Iohn Cann Mr. Thomas Brooks . That the Persons aforesaid , may be constituted Grand Commissioners , and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience within the Kingdom of England , Dominion of Wales , and Town of Berwick , and may be impowred to set up one Publique Office within the City of London , and to nominate and elect a convenient number of Registers , Clerk , and other Officers : And for the more certainty of all Certificates to be granted as is hereafter appointed , The said Grand Commissioners and Farmers may form a common Seal to be kn●wn , and called by the name of The Publique Seal of the Grand Commissioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience engraven . An Ass without Ears , Braying , with this Motto incircled Stat pro ratione libertas : And the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers or any 24 of them in the said Office assembled , may from time to time compound and agree for Liberty of Conscience , with any person or persons , under such Rates and Qualifications , as are hereafter specified . That the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers , or any 24 of them , may constitute and appoint , under the Publique Seal of the Office , Sub-Commissioners , and other Officers , for every Countie within the said Kingdom , not exceeding the number of 12. for each County , whereof 7 to be a Quorum , who may compound and agree for Liberty of Conscience , with any person or persons , select Congregations , Ca●ed , Towns Corporate , Parishes Hamlets , and Uillages , by the great , or otherwise , within their respective Countries , not exceeding the Rates hereafter mentioned . Rates to be observed in all Compositions for Liberty of CONSCIENCE .   Per Annum . A Presbyterian Minister 5 0 0 A Ruling Elder 4 0 0 A Deacon 3 0 0 A Heater Male or Female in Fellowship to all Ordinances 2 0 0 A Common Hearer only 1 0 0 An Independant Pastor 5 0 0 A Preaching Elder 4 0 0 A Helper in Government 3 0 0 A Deacon 3 0 0 A Hearer male or female in Fellowship to all Ordinances 2 0 0 A common Hearer only 1 0 0 A Baptist admitted to the Administration of all Ordinances 5 0 0 A Preaching assistant 4 0 0 An Elder in Office 3 0 0 A ●eacon 2 0 0 A Hearer in Fellowship male or female to all Ordinances 2 0 0 A common Hearer only 1 0 0 A Fifth Monarcher admitted to hold forth 5 0 0 An Elder under the same Administration 3 0 0 A Deacon under the same Administration 3 0 0 A Hearer male or female in Fellowship according to the value of his or her Estate 2 s. per l. per annum       A common hearer male or Female according to the value of his or her Estate 12 d. per l. per annum .       A speaking male Quaker 4 0 0 A speaking female Quaker 3 0 0 A common Quaker male or female 2 0 0 A Confessor 6 0 0 A Seminary or Mass-Priest at large 5 0 0 A private Mass-Priest 4 0 0 A Roman Catholick in any other order 3 0 0 A Roman Catholick not in order male or Female 1 0 0 An Officer under any Administration not mentioned in the rates aforesaid being a Native of England , such only excepted as stand Conformable to the Church of England 5 0 0 A common person under any Administration not mentioned in the rates aforesaid being a Native of England , such only excepted as stand conformable to the Church of England 2 0 0 An Officer under any Administration whatsoever not a Native of England , except conformable to the Church of England 10 0 0 A private person under any Administration whatsoever not a Native of England , except conformable to the Church of England 5 0 0 Rates to be observed in compounding for Liberty of Conscience in the particulars following , viz. For Liberty to assert the Popes Supremacy 10 0 0 For Liberty to write , speak , or Preach against the Government as they shall be inwardly moved 5 0 0 For liberty to keep on their Hats before Magistrates , or in Courts of Judicature 2 0 0 For Liberty to rail publickly against the Bishops and Common Prayer 1 0 0 For Liberty to refuse all manner of Oaths , of Allegiance and Supremacy , or in Cases Civil or Criminal 2 0 0 For liberty to deny Tythes and other Church Duties 1 0 0 For liberty to expound the Revelations and the Book of Daniel 1 0 0 For Liberty to disturb any Congregation after Sermon 0 10 0 For Liberty to assert the Solemn League and Covenant 1 5 0 For Liberty to instruct youth in the short Catechism set forth by the Assembly of Divines 0 10 0 That any person or persons gifted for any the Particulars abovesaid , may have liberty therein either as an Itinerate , in private or publique , at the Rates abovesaid . That no person or persons , be admitted to compound for Liberty of Conscience , until he or they have first taken and subscribed , the Solemn Protestation following , before the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers , or their Sub-Commissioners respectively . I A. B. do here solemnly protest , That I judg my self still bound by the Solemn League and Covenant , by the Engagement , by private Church-Covenant , or by any other Oath which I have taken ever since the year 1641. and that so far as with safety to my person and Estate I may , I will endeavour the utter extirpation of Episcopacy , and to the utmost of my power , will abet and promote all Schism , faction , and discord , both in Church and State , according to the best form and manner , prescribed and laid open in the Sermons of many of the Grand-Commissioners and Farmers , before the Parliament , appointed to be Printed , and now called the Homilies of the Separated Churches . And that I will never by what Conviction or Authority soever , whether legall or Episcopall , ever consent to the Establisht Doctrine and discipline of the Church of England . And I do likewise believe , That Liberty of Conscience was a Mysterious , yet profitable talent committed to the Churches , and that it may be lawfully Farmed out for advantage and improvement . That no person within the Kingdom of England , Dominion of Wales , or Town of Barwick , may , from , and after the 5 day of March next , use or exercise any manner of Liberty of Conscience , except persons standing conformable to the Church of England , untill such person or persons shall first take the Solemn Protestation , and shall compound with the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers for Liberty of Conscience , nor shall he be admitted or permitted to be a Speaker or Hearer , in any Meeting or Assemblies whatsoever . That the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience , may have power to constitute under the Publique Seal of the said Office , a convenient number of Spiritual Gagers , who may have and exercise all such Powers , Priviledges , & Authorities , as the Gagers for Excize of Beer and Ale , have , or ought to have and enjoy , and may at any time , in case of Suspition , enter into any house or place , publike or private , to gage and try the Spirits and Affections of any person or persons ; and by Praying , Preaching , or other good Exhortation , disswade from Episcopacie , and the Common-Prayer , the better to fit and prepare them to compound for Liberty of Conscience . That the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience , may have power to fine any person or persons ( not exceeding the sum of 20 l for every offence , who shall , after Composition for Liberty of Conscience , and subscribing the Solemn Protestation , be present in any Church or Chappel , within the Kingdom of England , Dominion of Wales , and Town of Berwick , in the time of any part of Divine Service , unless at the Funeral of his Father , or some other like occasion : or , if being present at any such occasion , he shall either respond , be uncovered , or carry himself reverently , in the time of Divine Service aforesaid . That the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience , or any 24 of them assembled at the Office aforesaid , may have and exercise a Iurisdiction of Appeal in all matters relating to Liberty of Conscience , within the said Kingdom of England , and shall have a conclusive power in all matters brought before them , by way of Appeal as aforesaid . That for the better management of all such matters as shall be brought judicially before the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience , by way of Appeal , the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers shall have power to constitute and appoint Mr. Oliver St. Johns , and such others , as they judge fit for their said Service , to be of Standing-Councel with the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers : And the said Mr. Oliver St. Johns , being so constituted and appointed under the Publick Seal of the said Office , shall , and may be exempted and discharged from being in any Publike Office , or place of Trust or Profit , for the said term of 7 years , any thing to the contrary notwithstanding . That if any person or persons shall happen to be proceeded against in any of the Ecclesiastical Courts of the Bishops of this Kingdome for Contumacy , for Non-Conformity , for non-payment of Tythes , and other Church-Duties , for publick rayling against the Bishops , the Common-Prayer , or the Government of the Church of England , or shall speak Oprobriously or Scandalously against the Doctrine or Discipline thereof , as Antichristian , or shall maintain any Positions or Doctrines contrary thereunto : Every such person producing a Certificate from the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers under the publike Seal of the said Office , that such person or persons are under Composition for Liberty of Conscience , shall actually be discharged , and all further proceedings stayed ; Any thing to the contrary notwithstanding . That if any persons shall happen to be Indicted or Criminally proceeded against in any of His Majesties Courts at Westminster , or elsewhere within the Kingdom of England , either for Treasonable Speeches or Practises , for publike raysing at the Government , or for Scandalous words against either or both Houses of Parliament , or for Transgressing any of the Penal Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom ; Every such person or persons producing a Certificate from the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers under the publike Seal of the said Office , that such person or persons are under Composition for Liberty of Conscience ; and that such words or practises were not spoken or acted malitiose , but were only the natural and proper effects and product of Liberty of Conscience , shall be discharged , and all further proceedings stayed , Any thing to the Contrary notwithstanding . That the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience , may have power from time to time to Ordain Pastors , Elders , and Deacons , or any other Officers under any Administration whatsoever , by the laying on of the publique Seal of the Office : Which said Imposition of the said publique Seal being received with a Certificate ; shall be as lawful an Ordination , as if every such person had received Imposition from the hands of the Presbytery , Any late Usage or Custome to the contrary notwithstanding . That the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers may have power from time to time , to set apart dayes for publique Fastings , and Humiliation and Thanksgiving ; on which dayes it may be lawful for any person or persons appointed to Officiate before the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers , to stir up the people to a holy Indignation against themselves , for having by their want of Zeal and Brotherly kindnesse one towards another , lost many pretious enjoyments ; and above all , the never to be forgotten Losse of the late Power and Dominion , which with the Expence of so much Blood and Rapine , was put into the hands of the Saints . And to take up for a Lamentation and great thoughts of heart , the Divisions of Ruben , That having our Sacks full , such an evill spirit should be found in the midst of us , as to fall out by the way ; might it have beén with those that abode by the Stuff , as with those that went out to the Battel , it had not beén with us as at this day . Some starting aside , like a broken Bow , in the year 48 ; others continuing to bear the burthen and heat of the day untill 60 , being harness'd , did then turn their backs in the day of Battel . That the twentieth day of April next , commonly called Easter-Monday , be kept as a day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation , for a Blessing upon these Gospel — Undertakings , and that Mr. Edmond Calamy , Mr. Peter Sterry , Doctor Lazarus Seaman , and Mr. Feake , be desired to carry on the Work of the Day in Prayer and Preaching , before the said Grand Farmers , and that the particulars following , be recommended to their Consideration in the Work of the Day . 1. To Bewail , 1. All our Court Sins . 2. Our Bishops Sins . 3. Our Monk Sins . 4. Our Common-Prayer Sins . 2. To Divert , 1. Westminster-Hall Iudgments . 2. Our Old-Bayly Iudgments . 3. Our Tower-Hill Iudgments . 4. Our Charing-Cross Iudgments . 5. Our Tyburn Iudgments . Lastly , For deliverance from the Hand of Dun , that uncercumcised Philistine . That the said Grand Commissioners , and Farmers of Liberty of Conscience , may have power to build Churches and Chappels in any place or places , except upon such Ground only where Churches or Chappels do already stand , in regard of the inconvenience of setting up Altar against Altar ; And forasmuch as the Custom of Reading some part of the holy Bible before Sermon , commonly called first and second Lessons , hath been found fruitless , That therefore the said Grand Commissioners & Farmers may have power to appoint instead thereof , the Annual reading of those Sermons preached by many of the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers , before the Parliament , Upon special Occasions of Thanksgiving and Humiliation , from the Year 1641 , to the Year 1648 : Which said Sermons may be called , The Homilies of the separating Churches . That the said Grand Commissioners and Farmers may have power to require Mr. Gilbert Millington , and Mr. Luke Robinson , the lame Evangelist , to deliver up all such Articles , Orders , Books , Papers , and other Writings , as were transacted before the late Committee for plundered Ministers ; and likewise , all such as were passed and transacted before Mr. Philip Ney , and some others of the now Grand Commissioners and Farmers , and heretofore called Commissioners or Spiritual Tryers , to the end , the said Articles , Orders , Books , and other Papers may be Printed and Published , and may be kept at the said Office upon Record for ever , and appointed to be the Book of Canons of the separated Churches . All this being done , we may upon Scripture Grounds expect , that the door of Hope may yet be open to Us , and Our Children after Us , to see the travell of our Souls , and to lett Us into the promised Land , and to reap some of those Clusters of the Grapes of Canaan , which with so much Labour and Toyl of Body and Mind were planted , especially in the Years of 1641 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45. by many of Us , and other precious Saints and Ministers of the Gospel , who are since fallen asleép , and have , We hope , reaped the Fruits of those Labours , the Lord having in that Day put a mighty Spirit into Us , & set Us as Watchmen upon the Towers of Israel , to cry mightily , Curse ye Meroze , Curse ye bitterly ; the Lord Grant , That those Heart-breaking Labours of Ours , those King-destroying Labours , these Kingdom-ruining Labours , those Gospel-scandalizing Labours , those Church-subverting Labours , those Soul-confounding Labors of Ours , may never be forgotten , but may be written as with the point of a Diamond , upon the Heart of the King , upon the Hearts of the Bishops , upon the Heart of the Parliament , and upon the Hearts of all the People from Dan to Beersheba , that so in Gods good time we may receive our Reward seven fold-into our own Bosomes ; and that the Genera●ions to come may hear and fear , and do no more so wickedly . So prayes , B. G.