Minors no senators. Or A briefe discourse, proving, that infants under the age of 21. yeares, are uncapable, in point of law, of being members of Parliament, and that the elections of any such are meere nullities; yea, injurious, prejuditiall, dishonourable to the whole Parliament and Kingdome, in sundry respects. / Written by a common-lawyer (a true lover of his country, and honourer of the Parliament) to a friend and client of his, for his private satisfaction, and published for the common-good.
         Prynne, William, 1600-1669.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A91218 of text R205590 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E506_33). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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             Minors no senators. Or A briefe discourse, proving, that infants under the age of 21. yeares, are uncapable, in point of law, of being members of Parliament, and that the elections of any such are meere nullities; yea, injurious, prejuditiall, dishonourable to the whole Parliament and Kingdome, in sundry respects. / Written by a common-lawyer (a true lover of his country, and honourer of the Parliament) to a friend and client of his, for his private satisfaction, and published for the common-good.
             Prynne, William, 1600-1669.
          
           16 p.
           
             [s.n.],
             Printed at London :
             anno 1646.
          
           
             Singed at end: W.P., i.e. William Prynne.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "Aprill 20th".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           England and Wales. -- Parliament -- Rules and practices -- Early works to 1800.
           Election law -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Minors -- England -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A91218  R205590  (Thomason E506_33).  civilwar no Minors no senators. Or A briefe discourse, proving, that infants under the age of 21. yeares, are uncapable, in point of law, of being membe Prynne, William 1646    11483 129 0 0 0 0 0 112 F  The  rate of 112 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with  100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 
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        2007-04 Mona Logarbo
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           MINORS
           NO
           SENATORS
           .
        
         
           Or
           A
           Briefe
           Discourse
           ,
           proving
           ,
           That
           INFANTS
           under
           the
           Age
           of
           21.
           yeares
           ▪
           are
           uncapable
           ,
           in
           point
           of
           Law
           ,
           of
           being
           
             Members
          
           of
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           and
           that
           the
           Elections
           of
           any
           such
           are
           meere
           Nullities
           ;
           Yea
           ,
           injurious
           ,
           prejuditiall
           ,
           dishonourable
           to
           the
           whole
           
             Parliament
          
           and
           
             Kingdome
             ,
          
           in
           sundry
           respects
           .
        
         
           Written
           by
           a
           
             Common-Lawyer
          
           (
           a
           true
           lover
           of
           his
           
             Country
             ,
          
           and
           Honourer
           of
           the
           
             Parliament
             )
          
           to
           a
           
             Friend
          
           and
           
             Client
          
           of
           his
           ,
           for
           his
           private
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           published
           for
           the
           
             Common-good
             .
          
        
         
           
             Job
             12.
             12
             ,
             12.
             
          
           
             With
             the
             ancient
             is
             wisdom
             ,
             and
             in
             length
             of
             days
             is
             understanding
             :
             With
             him
             is
             wisdome
             and
             strength
             ,
             he
             hath
             Councell
             and
             understanding
             .
          
        
         
           
             Galath.
             4.
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Now
             I
             say
             the
             Heire
             as
             long
             as
             hee
             is
             a
             Child
             differeth
             nothing
             from
             a
             servant
             ,
             though
             he
             be
             Lord
             of
             all
             ,
             but
             is
             under
             Tutors
             and
             Governours
             ,
             untill
             the
             time
             appointed
             of
             the
             Father
             .
          
        
         
           
             Isay
             3.
             1.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
          
           
             For
             behold
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hosts
             doth
             take
             away
             from
             
               Jerusalem
            
             the
             stay
             and
             the
             Staffe
             ,
             the
             prudent
             man
             ,
             and
             the
             Ancient
             ;
             the
             Honourable
             man
             ,
             and
             the
             Councellor
             ,
             and
             the
             Eloquent
             Orator
             .
             And
             I
             will
             give
             Children
             to
             be
             their
             Princes
             ,
             and
             Babes
             shall
             rule
             over
             them
             .
             And
             the
             People
             shall
             be
             oppressed
             every
             one
             by
             another
             ,
             
               &c.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             11.
             
          
           
             VVhen
             I
             was
             a
             Child
             ,
             I
             spake
             as
             a
             Child
             ,
             I
             understood
             as
             a
             Child
             ,
             I
             thought
             (
             or
             reasoned
             )
             as
             a
             Child
             :
             but
             when
             I
             became
             a
             man
             ,
             I
             put
             away
             Childish
             things
             .
          
        
         
           
             Chrysostom
             ,
             Hom.
             4.
             in
             1
             Cor.
             cap.
             1.
             
          
           
             Non
             ferunt
             Pueri
             ut
             de
             ulla
             re
             utili
             curam
             gerant
             ;
             sape
             autem
             cum
             nos
             loquamur
             de
             rebus
             necessarijs
             ,
             eorum
             quae
             dicuntur
             ,
             nihil
             sentiunt
             .
          
        
         
           Printed
           at
           
             London
             ,
          
           Anno
           1646.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           Minors
           ,
           no
           Senators
           ,
           OR
           A
           Briefe
           Discourse
           against
           the
           Election
           ,
           Admission
           ,
           and
           Permission
           of
           any
           INFANTS
           under
           the
           Age
           of
           21.
           
           Yeares
           ,
           to
           be
           Members
           of
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ;
          
        
         
           WHereas
           you
           have
           requested
           me
           to
           deliver
           my
           opinion
           in
           point
           of
           Law
           concerning
           this
           question
           now
           in
           controversie
           .
        
         
           Whether
           an
           Infant
           under
           the
           age
           of
           one
           and
           twenty
           ye●●es
           be
           Capable
           of
           being
           a
           Member
           of
           Parliament
           ?
           And
           whether
           his
           Election
           be
           not
           meerly
           voyd
           in
           Law
           ?
        
         
           I
           conceive
           the
           finall
           resolution
           of
           this
           Quere
           ,
           belongs
           only
           to
           the
           Houses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           
             a
          
           
             The
             proper
             Iudges
             of
             their
             own
             respective
             Priviledges
             ,
             Members
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Legallity
             or
             Nullity
             of
             their
             Election●
             ;
          
           Yet
           notwithstanding
           since
           every
           Lawyer
           ,
           may
           without
           breach
           of
           Priviledge
           of
           either
           house
           ,
           declare
           ,
           what
           hee
           believes
           the
           Law
           to
           bee
           in
           any
           disputable
           point
           that
           concernes
           Elections
           or
           Members
           ;
           the
           
             Committee
             of
             Priviledges
          
           in
           all
           Parliaments
           ,
           admitting
           
             Lawyers
          
           (
           some
           of
           the
           most
           necessary
           ,
           usefull
           ,
           active
           ,
           able
           Members
           in
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           whatsoever
           some
           
             *
          
           
             Ignoramusses
          
           have
           lately
           scribled
           ,
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           as
           experience
           manifests
           )
           to
           debate
           all
           questions
           concerning
           Elections
           of
           Members
           before
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           rules
           of
           Law
           and
           right
           reason
           ,
           and
           that
           Committee
           ,
           with
           the
           whole
           House
           of
           Commons
           alwayes
           Voting
           Elections
           good
           or
           bad
           by
           these
           very
           Rules
           ,
           I
           have
           adventured
           without
           any
           scruple
           freely
           and
           impartially
           to
           deliver
           my
           Judgement
           touching
           the
           propounded
           Quere
           ,
           with
           all
           humble
           submission
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           (
           the
           proper
           Judge
           thereof
           )
           and
           the
           opinions
           of
           more
           able
           Lawyers
           then
           my selfe
           .
        
         
           
             For
             mine
             own
             opinion
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             I
             am
             really
             perswaded
             ,
          
           That
           Infants
           under
           the
           Age
           of
           twenty
           one
           yeares
           (
           which
           the
           
             b
          
           Law
           resolves
           to
           be
           their
           full
           age
           ,
           when
           they
           come
           to
           full
           discretion
           )
           are
           altogether
           uncapable
           of
           being
           Members
           of
           the
           Commons
           House
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Elections
           of
           such
           Members
           are
           meere
           Nullities
           in
           Law
           .
           
             The
             reasons
             swaying
             mee
             to
             this
             opinion
             are
             various
             ,
             weighty
             ,
             and
             I
             thinke
             unanswerable
             ,
             I
             shall
             reduce
             them
             to
             these
             foure
             heads
             .
          
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Reasons
             extracted
             out
             of
             the
             very
             bowells
             of
             the
             
               Writ
            
             it selfe
             for
             the
             Electing
             of
             Knights
             ,
             Citizens
             ,
             and
             Burgesses
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Reasons
             taken
             from
             the
             very
             Nature
             of
             the
             High
             Court
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             both
             as
             it
             is
             the
             
               highest
               Court
               of
               Justice
               ,
            
             and
             
               greatest
               Councell
               of
               the
               Realme
               ;
            
             and
             from
             the
             importance
             of
             the
             publike
             affaires
             therein
             transacted
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Reasons
             from
             the
             inconveniencies
             that
             may
             arise
             from
             admitting
             Infants
             competent
             Members
             of
             this
             supreame
             
               Court
            
             and
             
               Councell
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             Reasons
             from
             Presidents
             of
             Forraign
             Senates
             ,
             Parliaments
             ,
             Councels
             appliable
             to
             our
             owne
             great
             Councell
             ,
             and
             one
             expresse
             printed
             authority
             .
          
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           the
           writ
           it selfe
           for
           electing
           Knights
           and
           Burgesses
           (
           which
           is
           very
           ancient
           approved
           by
           all
           Par●iaments
           ,
           
             and
          
           
             c
          
           
             unalterable
             but
             by
             Parliament
             ,
          
           furnisheth
           me
           with
           three
           Arguments
           against
           the
           Election
           of
           Infants
           ,
           and
           their
           incapability
           of
           being
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           of
           them
           is
           couched
           in
           this
           clause
           ,
           comprizing
           the
           subject
           matter
           for
           which
           Parliaments
           are
           summoned
           to
           treat
           and
           consult
           about
           ;
           to
           wit
           
             d
          
           
             De
             quibusdam
             arduis
             &
             urgentibus
             negotijs
             Statum
             &
             Defensionem
             Regni
             Ang●●a
             &
             Ecclesiae
             Anglicanae
             concernentibus
             .
          
           And
           Infants
           certainly
           are
           uncapab●e
           (
           for
           want
           of
           Judgment
           experience
           wisdome
           ,
           Learning
           )
           to
           debate
           ,
           and
           determine
           such
           arduous
           ,
           urgent
           ,
           grand
           affaires
           ,
           concerning
           the
           safety
           ,
           the
           defence
           both
           of
           the
           Rea●me
           and
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           since
           in
           Judgment
           of
           Law
           ,
           they
           are
           uncapable
           to
           mannage
           their
           owne
           private
           Estates
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           more
           ful●y
           prove
           herea●ter
           :
           Therefore
           not
           capable
           to
           be
           elected
           Members
           of
           this
           supreamest
           Councell
           of
           the
           Realme
           .
        
         
           
             The
             2d
             .
             is
             more
             transparent
             ,
             and
             positively
             expressed
             in
             these
             ensuing
             words
             of
             the
          
           Writ
           ,
           
             which
             thus
             describe
             the
             quality
             of
             the
             persons
             to
             be
             elected
             .
          
           
             e
          
           Elogi
           facias
           duos
           Milites
           gladijs
           ●inctos
           ,
           MAGIS
           IDONEOS
           ET
           DISCRETOS
           ,
           
           &
           de
           qualibet
           Civitate
           Com.
           praedict.
           duos
           Cives
           ,
           &
           de
           quolibet
           Burgo
           Duos
           Burgenses
           DE
           DISCRETIORIBUS
           ET
           MAGIS
           SVEFICIENTIBUS
           Eleg●
           facias
           .
        
         
           In
           relation
           to
           which
           clause
           of
           the
           writ
           the
           Sheriffes
           ,
           and
           Majors
           use
           to
           make
           this
           forme
           of
           Returne
           ;
           
             Virtute
             ●stius
             Brevis
             feci
             cleg●
             duos
             Milites
             ,
             MAGIS
             IDONEOS
             ET
             DISCRETOS
             ,
             &c
             F●ci
             etiam
             Praeceptum
             virtute
             hu●us
             Brevis
             quod
             de
             eodem
             Burg●
             Elegi
             facerent
             duos
             Burgenses
             DE
             DISCRETJOR
             BUS
             ET
             MAGIS
             SVFFIENTI●VS
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Now
           I
           would
           demand
           of
           any
           rationall
           man
           ,
           Elector
           ,
           or
           Member
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           whether
           he
           believes
           in
           his
           conscience
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           judgement
           of
           common
           reason
           ,
           Law
           ,
           the
           compilers
           or
           issuers
           of
           this
           
             Writ
          
           for
           Elections
           ,
           
             Infants
             ,
             who
             hav●
          
           
             f
          
           
             not
             arrived
             at
             the
             yeares
             of
             full
             ,
             of
             ordinary
             discretion
             ,
             and
             are
             so
             indiscreet
             in
             judgement
             of
             Law
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             uncapable
             to
             manage
             or
             dispose
             of
             their
             owne
             private
             estates
             ,
             and
             therefore
             are
             in
             ward
             to
             others
             ,
          
           can
           possibly
           be
           deemed
           .
           THE
           MOST
           FIT
           AND
           DISCREET
           MEN
           to
           be
           e●ected
           Knights
           in
           any
           County
           ,
           OR
           THE
           MORE
           DISCREET
           AND
           SVFFICIENT
           PERSONS
           ;
           that
           can
           be
           culled
           out
           to
           serve
           as
           
             Citizens
             ,
          
           and
           
             Burgesses
          
           for
           any
           City
           or
           Burrough
           ?
           Certainly
           they
           are
           so
           far
           from
           being
           the
           
             most
             discreet
             persons
          
           that
           the
           
             g
          
           
             Law
             [
             and
             Gospel
             to
             ]
             resolves
             ,
             they
             are
             within
             the
             years
             of
             perfect
             discretion
             ,
          
           the
           most
           indiscreet
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           not
           able
           to
           dispose
           of
           their
           own
           private
           estates
           :
           yea
           so
           far
           from
           being
           the
           most
           sit
           persons
           to
           be
           Judges
           ,
           or
           councellors
           in
           this
           supreame
           Court
           ,
           
           that
           they
           can
           neither
           be
           Stewards
           ,
           Judges
           ,
           Attorneys
           ,
           nor
           Officers
           in
           any
           Court
           of
           Law
           or
           justice
           ;
           so
           far
           from
           being
           the
           most
           sufficient
           men
           [
           to
           wit
           for
           wisdome
           ,
           skill
           experience
           ,
           judgement
           the
           
             sufficiency
          
           here
           intended
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           the
           most
           insufficient
           of
           any
           ,
           nnlesse
           all
           the
           whole
           County
           ,
           City
           ,
           or
           Borough
           which
           elected
           them
           be
           
             Fooles
             ,
             Children
             ,
          
           or
           more
           indiscreet
           then
           those
           very
           Infants
           they
           chuse
           to
           serve
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           most
           discreet
           and
           sufficient
           persons
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           yet
           a
           third
           clause
           in
           the
           Writ
           ,
           discribing
           ,
           what
           persons
           must
           be
           elected
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           ,
           and
           Burgesses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           even
           such
           only
           ,
           
             Qui
             
             plaenam
             &
             sufficientem
             Potestatem
             PRO
             SE
             ET
             COMMVNITATE
             Civitatum
             &
             Burgorum
             pradict
             :
             AD
             FACIEDVM
             ET
             CONSE●T
             I●NDVM
             HIS
             ,
             quae
             tunc
             ibidem
             de
             communi
             consilio
             dicti
             Regni
             nostri
             super
             negotijs
             ante
             dictis
             contigerint
             ,
             ordinari
             .
             Ita
             quod
             pro
             defecta
             potestatis
             hujusmodi
             ,
             seu
             propter
             improvidam
             electionem
             Civium
             ac
             Burgensium
             pradictorum
             ,
             dicta
             N●gocia
             infecta
             non
             remaneant
             quovismodo
             ,
          
           Now
           are
           Wards
           or
           Infants
           under
           the
           age
           of
           21.
           years
           ,
           such
           persons
           as
           these
           ?
           Have
           they
           ,
           or
           can
           they
           have
           any
           full
           and
           sufficient
           power
           for
           themselves
           or
           for
           the
           Communaltie
           of
           the
           Counties
           Citties
           or
           Burroughs
           for
           which
           they
           serve
           ,
           to
           do
           and
           consent
           to
           those
           things
           concerning
           the
           arduous
           and
           weighty
           affaires
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           state
           of
           
             England
          
           which
           shall
           be
           ordained
           by
           common
           consent
           in
           Parliament
           ?
           doubtles
           not
           ▪
           Our
           common
           Law
           resolves
           ,
           
             h
          
           
             that
             Infants
             have
             no
             full
             power
             to
             do
             or
             consent
             to
             any
             thing
             for
             themselves
             .
          
           If
           they
           Levy
           a
           Fine
           ,
           acknowledge
           a
           statute
           ,
           or
           recognisance
           ,
           which
           are
           matters
           of
           record
           ,
           they
           may
           avoyd
           them
           by
           a
           Writ
           of
           
             i
          
           
             Error
             ,
          
           or
           an
           
             Audita
             Quarla
          
           by
           the
           Common-Law
           ,
           during
           their
           Minorities
           .
        
         
           
             Their
             feofments
             ,
             Gra●ts
             ,
             Releases
             are
             all
             either
             void
             or
             voidable
             ,
             as
             will
             at
             their
             full
             age
             as
             before
             ,
          
           and
           that
           not
           only
           by
           themselves
           but
           their
           heirs
           to
           ,
           by
           entrie
           ,
           or
           a
           writ
           of
           
             k
          
           
             Dum
             fuit
             infra
             aetatem
             :
          
           yea
           ,
           their
           assents
           are
           meerly
           void
           in
           Law
           ,
           not
           binding
           themselves
           ,
           as
           our
           
             Law-books
          
           resolve
           .
           Vpon
           which
           very
           reason
           
             M.
          
           11.
           E.
           3.
           
           
             Assise
             :
          
           87.
           
           It
           was
           resolved
           ,
           
             that
             if
             one
             enter
             upon
             the
             freehold
             of
             an
             Infant
             with
             his
             assent
             ,
             this
             is
             a
             disseisin
             ,
             because
             an
             Infant
             cannot
             consent
             to
             an
             entry
             .
          
           And
           if
           he
           cannot
           consent
           fully
           for
           himselfe
           ,
           much
           lesse
           for
           others
           being
           
             unable
             to
             be
             an
          
           
             l
          
           
             Attorney
          
           or
           Proxy
           to
           assent
           for
           others
           in
           any
           Court
           of
           Iustice
           ,
           much
           more
           then
           in
           a
           Parliament
           the
           supreamest
           Court
           .
           Therefore
           for
           defect
           of
           such
           a
           power
           ,
           and
           by
           reason
           of
           such
           an
           improvident
           ,
           Election
           of
           Infant-Citizens
           and
           Burgesses
           ,
           the
           affaires
           of
           the
           Realme
           must
           needs
           remain
           altogether
           ,
           or
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           unfinisht
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           purport
           of
           the
           
             Writ
             of
             Election
             ;
          
           And
           so
           in
           all
           these
           respects
           ,
           such
           Infants
           Elections
           must
           needs
           be
           meerly
           void
           in
           Law
           .
        
         
           My
           second
           sort
           of
           reasons
           shall
           be
           drawn
           from
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           
             High
             Court
             of
             Parliament
             it selfe
             ,
          
           as
           it
           is
           the
           
             supremest
             Court
             of
             Iustice
             ,
          
           the
           
             greatest
             Councell
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           and
           from
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           great
           publike
           affaires
           therein
           debated
           ,
           transacted
           ,
           resolved
           ,
           settled
           .
        
         
           First
           the
           high
           Court
           of
           Parliament
           is
           the
           
             m
          
           most
           absolute
           and
           supreame
           Court
           of
           Justice
           in
           the
           Realme
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Judgements
           proceedings
           of
           all
           other
           Courts
           ,
           
             Civill
             Ecclesiasticall
             or
             Marine
             are
             examined
             finally
          
           determined
           ,
           confirmed
           or
           revoked
           ,
           without
           any
           further
           Appeale
           :
           if
           then
           an
           Infant
           be
           uncapable
           of
           being
           a
           Judge
           either
           of
           matters
           of
           fact
           or
           Law
           ,
           in
           any
           iuferiour
           Court
           of
           Justice
           ,
           much
           more
           then
           in
           this
           supreame
           Soveraigne
           Court
           which
           control's
           all
           others
           .
        
         
           Master
           
             Lit●leton
          
           in
           his
           Chapter
           of
           
             Parceners
             ,
          
           Sect.
           259.
           and
           Sir
           
             Edward
             Cooke
          
           in
           his
           
             Institutes
          
           on
           it
           ▪
           
             f.
          
           155.
           172.
           175.
           resolve
           .
           
             That
             an
             infant
             before
             the
             age
             of
             21.
             cannot
             be
             a
          
           
             n
          
           
             Bayliffe
             nor
             Receiver
             (
             for
             want
             of
             skill
             and
             ability
             in
             intendment
             of
             Law
             to
             make
             any
             improvement
             or
             profit
             of
             lands
             or
             goods
             )
             nor
             yet
             sworne
             at
             all
             in
             any
             Inquest
             as
             a
             Juror
             ;
          
           The
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           ,
           
             o
          
           
             Jurors
             are
             Judges
             of
             all
             matters
             of
             f●ct
             ,
          
           which
           Infants
           have
           no
           competent
           knowledge
           ,
           experience
           
           or
           Judgement
           in
           eye
           of
           law
           to
           determin
           or
           Judge
           a
           right
           of
           any
           matters
           comming
           juditially
           before
           them
           ,
           &
           therefore
           are
           not
           such
           
             legales
             homines
             ,
          
           as
           the
           
             Venire
          
           requires
           
             M.
             40.
             
             &
          
           41.
           Eliz.
           
             B.
             Rs.
          
           in
           a
           case
           betweene
           
             Scambler
             ,
             and
             Walkers
             ,
          
           reported
           in
           Sir
           
             Edward
             Cookes
             Institutes
          
           on
           
             Littleton
             ,
          
           fol.
           3.
           
           B.
           it
           was
           resolved
           ,
           
             That
             an
             Infant
             is
             altogether
             uncapable
             of
             a
             Stewardship
             of
             a
             manner
             ,
             in
             possession
             or
             reversion
             ,
             or
             of
             any
             Office
             which
             concerns
             the
             administration
             or
             execution
             of
             Iustice
             or
             the
             Kings
             Revenew
             ,
             or
             the
             Common
             wealth
             ,
             or
             the
             interest
             ,
             benefit
             or
             safety
             of
             the
             Subject
             :
          
           because
           the
           Law
           intends
           hee
           wants
           both
           skill
           and
           judgement
           juditially
           to
           mannage
           either
           of
           them
           .
           If
           then
           an
           Infant
           be
           utterly
           uncapable
           of
           being
           a
           Judge
           ,
           Officer
           ,
           or
           Executioner
           of
           Justice
           in
           a
           Court
           Baron
           ,
           Leet
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           the
           most
           inferiour
           Courts
           ,
           or
           of
           being
           a
           Justice
           of
           Peace
           ,
           Major
           ,
           Bayliffe
           ,
           Sheriffe
           ,
           Auditor
           
             p
          
           or
           but
           an
           ordinary
           Attorney
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           where
           the
           meanest
           businesses
           between
           man
           and
           man
           are
           transacted
           ;
           much
           more
           is
           he
           uncapable
           of
           being
           a
           Judge
           ,
           in
           
             Parliament
             ,
          
           the
           suprem●st
           Court
           of
           Justice
           ,
           where
           the
           most
           difficult
           businesses
           ,
           the
           most
           weightie
           publike
           causes
           are
           
             q
          
           
             finally
             examined
             ,
             debated
             ,
             iudged
             without
             any
             further
             appeale
             ,
             the
             very
             judgments
             of
             the
             greatest
             ,
             learnedest
             Judges
             ,
             re-examined
             ,
             and
             oft-times
             reversed
             ;
             the
             very
             lives
             ,
             liberties
             estates
             of
             all
             the
             Subjects
             ,
             yea
             the
             Prerogatives
             ,
             Rights
             ,
             Revenues
             of
             the
             Crowne
             it selfe
             judicially
             determined
             ,
             to
             the
             Kingdomes
             Weale
             or
             woe
             .
          
        
         
           Upon
           this
           very
           ground
           ,
           in
           the
           House
           of
           Peeres
           ,
           
             The
             King
             is
             not
             bound
             of
             Right
             to
             send
             forth
             his
             Writ
             of
             Summons
             to
             any
          
           Peere
           ,
           
             that
             is
             under
             Age
             ,
             neither
             doth
             he
             use
             to
             Summon
             such
             to
             sit
             as
             Iudges
             in
             that
             house
             ,
             though
          
           Peere
           ,
           
             by
             Birth
             :
             But
             when
             any
          
           Peere
           
             is
             of
             all
             age
             ,
             then
             he
             ought
             to
             have
             a
             Writ
             of
             summons
          
           Ex
           debito
           justitiae
           ,
           (
           not
           before
           )
           
             as
          
           Sir
           
             Edward
             Cook
          
           informes
           us
           in
           his
           4.
           
           
             Institutes
             fol.
          
           19.
           and
           41.
           
           Nay
           ,
           if
           the
           King
           himselfe
           be
           an
           Infant
           ,
           [
           as
           King
           
             Henry
          
           the
           3d.
           
           
             Rich.
          
           the
           2d
           
             Hen.
             5.
             
             Hen.
             6.
             
             Edward
             5.
             
             &
             6.
             and
             some
             others
             of
             our
             Kings
             were
             ]
             the
          
           
             r
          
           
             Parliament
             hath
             in
             such
             cases
             ,
             usually
             created
             a
          
           L.
           
             Protector
             over
             him
             ,
             in
             nature
             of
             a
             Guardian
             ,
             to
             supply
             his
             place
             in
             Parliament
             ,
             to
             give
             his
             Royall
             assent
             to
             Bills
             ;
          
           and
           execute
           that
           Royall
           
             Authority
             which
             himselfe
             by
             reason
             of
             his
             Infancy
             is
             unable
             to
             discharge
             ;
          
           That
           of
           
             ſ
          
           
             Liuy
          
           concerning
           
             Ierom
          
           the
           Infant
           K.
           of
           
             Syra●use
             ,
          
           who
           had
           his
           Protectors
           ▪
           being
           true
           ,
           
             Nomen
             Regium
             penes
             puerum
             Regem
             ,
             regimen
             rerum
             omnium
             penes
             Tutores
             .
          
           If
           then
           our
           Peeres
           themselves
           during
           their
           Minorities
           are
           thus
           uncapable
           of
           being
           Judges
           in
           the
           House
           of
           Peeres
           ,
           where
           they
           represent
           their
           own
           persons
           only
           ,
           and
           our
           Kings
           too
           ,
           in
           some
           respects
           ,
           then
           much
           more
           are
           other
           Infants
           uncapable
           of
           being
           Members
           of
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           where
           they
           
             t
          
           
             represent
             whole
             Counties
             ,
             Cities
             ,
             Burroughs
             ,
          
           yea
           
             the
             Commons
             of
             all
             England
             ,
          
           and
           Vote
           and
           judge
           in
           their
           behalfe
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           As
           the
           Parliament
           is
           the
           
             Supreame
             Court
             ,
          
           so
           the
           
             u
          
           
             Greatest
             Councell
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             .
          
           Hence
           it
           is
           usually
           
             stiled
          
           in
           our
           Ancient
           
             Writers
             ,
          
           (
           especially
           before
           the
           Conquest
           )
           
             x
          
           
             Concilium
          
           SAPIENTUM
           ,
           ore
           SAPIENTUM
           POPULI
           ▪
           
             Concilium
          
           SENATORUM
           ,
           SENIORUM
           NATU
           MAJORUM
           ALDERMANNORUM
           ;
           
             &c.
          
           and
           are
           Infants
           such
           ?
           The
           Members
           of
           it
           representing
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           are
           commonly
           called
           ,
           
             Sapientes
             ,
             Sapientissimi
             viri
             ,
             Senatores
             ,
             Seniores
             populi
             ,
             ●rudentissimi
             viri
             ,
             Authoritate
             &
             Scientia
             pollentes
             :
             Conspic●i
             clarique
             Viri
             ;
          
           
           
           
           and
           are
           Infants
           such
           ?
           Or
           can
           they
           be
           stiled
           such
           ?
           If
           not
           ,
           then
           certainly
           they
           are
           no
           fit
           Members
           of
           such
           a
           Councell
           ,
           neither
           were
           they
           so
           reputed
           informer
           ages
           ;
           why
           then
           should
           they
           be
           deemed
           fit
           Members
           now
           ?
           when
           greater
           ,
           weightier
           businesses
           of
           all
           sorts
           concerning
           Church
           and
           State
           are
           imagitation
           ,
           then
           in
           any
           former
           age
           whatsoever
           ,
           or
           all
           our
           Parliaments
           put
           together
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           why
           should
           they
           bee
           deemed
           meete
           Members
           to
           sit
           and
           Vote
           in
           this
           greatest
           Councell
           of
           the
           Realme
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           thought
           fit
           persons
           to
           bee
           admitted
           in
           any
           our
           most
           inferiour
           Councells
           [
           authorized
           either
           by
           Law
           or
           custom
           ,
           ]
           at
           any
           time
           ?
           Who
           ever
           heard
           or
           saw
           an
           Infant
           elected
           a
           Common-Councell
           man
           in
           any
           of
           our
           Cities
           ,
           Corporations
           ,
           Fraternities
           ,
           Guiles
           ;
           much
           lesse
           a
           Major
           ,
           Alderman
           ,
           Master
           ,
           or
           Warden
           ,
           in
           any
           of
           them
           ?
           Did
           ever
           any
           of
           our
           Kings
           make
           choice
           of
           Infants
           for
           their
           Priv●e
           Councellours
           of
           State
           ?
           for
           their
           Councell
           of
           Warre
           ,
           Law
           ,
           Physicke
           ?
           Or
           were
           ever
           any
           such
           elected
           to
           be
           Members
           of
           any
           Convocation
           ,
           Synod
           ,
           Councell
           ?
           our
           
             x
          
           
             present
             Laws
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ancient
             Canons
          
           prescribe
           ,
           that
           
             no
             man
             shall
             bee
             made
             a
             Minister
             before
             the
             age
             of
          
           24.
           
           
             yeares
             ;
          
           much
           lesse
           then
           can
           bee
           a
           Member
           of
           any
           Synod
           or
           Convocation
           ,
           before
           that
           age
           :
           And
           shall
           Infants
           then
           bee
           capable
           of
           being
           Members
           of
           the
           supream
           Councell
           of
           Parliament
           before
           the
           age
           of
           2●
           .
           
             wherein
             all
             Acts
             ,
             Canons
             made
             in
             Synods
             ,
             or
             Convocations
             must
             be
          
           [
           x
           ]
           
             ratified
             before
             they
             becom
             obligatory
             ?
          
           Certainly
           this
           would
           be
           a
           great
           solecisme
           ,
           disparity
           ,
           absurdity
           .
           Every
           Senater
           and
           Member
           of
           the
           greatest
           Councell
           of
           the
           Realme
           (
           as
           
             z
          
           Polititians
           ,
           and
           
             others
             resolve
             ]
          
           ought
           to
           be
           endued
           with
           these
           severall
           qualifications
           to
           discharge
           that
           place
           ,
           which
           Infants
           commonly
           want
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             With
             deepe
             solid
             wisdome
             ,
             and
             gravity
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Sound
             judgement
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Grand
             experience
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             Impartiall
             Justice
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Inflexible
             undaunted
             courage
             and
             resolution
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             overcome
             with
             flattery
             or
             threats
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             A
             prudent
             foresight
             to
             prevent
             all
             gro●ing
             mischiefes
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             A
             competent
             measure
             of
             Learning
             and
             skill
             ,
             especially
             in
             the
             lawes
             ,
             constitutions
             ,
             and
             Histories
             of
             his
             owne
             and
             other
             States
             ,
             and
             in
             State
             affaires
             ;
             Now
             what
             Infant
             is
             there
             to
             bee
             found
             endowed
             with
             all
             these
             qualities
             in
             such
             an
             eminent
             manner
             as
             to
             make
             him
             a
             fitting
             Member
             for
             so
             great
             so
             publike
             a
             Councell
             as
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             to
             which
             none
             are
             to
             bee
             admitted
             ,
             but
             such
             who
             are
             qualified
             in
             some
             good
             measure
             for
             it
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           matters
           to
           be
           debated
           and
           transacted
           in
           Parliament
           will
           easily
           resolve
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           too
           ●igh
           ,
           weightie
           ,
           difficult
           for
           Infants
           to
           debate
           ,
           order
           ,
           as
           determine
           aright
           :
           As
           namely
           ▪
        
         
           
             a
          
           First
           ,
           All
           matters
           touching
           the
           King
           ,
           his
           Prerogative
           ,
           Crown
           ,
           Revenewes
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           All
           matters
           concerning
           the
           State
           of
           the
           Kingdomes
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           as
           well
           in
           times
           of
           Warre
           as
           Peace
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           All
           affaires
           which
           concerne
           the
           defence
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           by
           Sea
           or
           Land
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           preservation
           ,
           Reformation
           of
           the
           Church
           Government
           ,
           disciplin
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Engl.
          
           and
           true
           Religion
           established
           therein
           .
           Fifthly
           ,
           The
           enacting
           of
           ,
           new
           Laws
           ,
           with
           the
           amendment
           ,
           or
           repeale
           of
           old
           ones
           .
           Sixthly
           ,
           All
           matters
           
           concerning
           the
           Courts
           ,
           Officers
           ,
           and
           administration
           of
           Justice
           .
           Seventhly
           ,
           All
           things
           concerning
           trade
           ,
           commerce
           ,
           the
           severall
           arts
           and
           professions
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           .
           Eighthly
           ,
           Crimes
           ,
           grievances
           ▪
           oppressions
           of
           all
           sorts
           .
           Ninthly
           ,
           The
           liberties
           ,
           properties
           ,
           estates
           ,
           lives
           ,
           limbes
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           people
           .
           Tenthly
           ,
           The
           Priviledges
           of
           this
           high
           Court
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Members
           therof
           ;
           Alas
           what
           Infant
           ,
           (
           yea
           what
           ancient
           experienced
           States
           man
           almost
           )
           is
           sufficient
           for
           all
           these
           things
           of
           moment
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           if
           we
           look
           only
           upon
           the
           great
           arduous
           Ecclesiasticall
           ,
           Civill
           ,
           Millitary
           affaires
           ,
           wherein
           this
           Parliament
           hath
           spent
           above
           five
           yeares
           deliberation
           and
           debate
           ,
           we
           shall
           finde
           them
           so
           intricate
           ,
           difficult
           ,
           ponderous
           ,
           dangerous
           ,
           arduous
           and
           transcendent
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           confident
           all
           that
           know
           them
           will
           conclude
           ,
           they
           transcend
           the
           capacity
           of
           any
           Infants
           to
           understand
           ,
           much
           more
           to
           debate
           ,
           determine
           resolve
           ,
           settle
           in
           a
           ●ight
           and
           stable
           way
           for
           our
           Churches
           ,
           Kingdoms
           future
           preservation
           .
           And
           shall
           we
           make
           or
           suffer
           Infants
           to
           be
           Members
           of
           this
           greatest
           Councell
           of
           the
           Realme
           to
           settle
           ,
           determine
           such
           difficult
           weighty
           things
           as
           these
           ,
           which
           their
           capacities
           ,
           skill
           ,
           abilities
           are
           unable
           to
           comprehend
           much
           lesse
           to
           resolve
           ,
           regulate
           ,
           settle
           ?
           Verily
           if
           we
           should
           do
           this
           ,
           I
           feare
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           and
           Christian
           world
           would
           censure
           and
           condemne
           us
           (
           as
           Children
           )
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Finally
             our
          
           
             b
          
           Parliaments
           themselves
           have
           in
           all
           ages
           provided
           and
           taken
           speciall
           care
           of
           Infants
           educations
           ,
           persons
           ,
           estates
           enjoyning
           their
           Gardians
           ,
           &
           others
           ,
           to
           take
           the
           care
           and
           custody
           of
           them
           during
           their
           minority
           ,
           and
           exempting
           them
           out
           of
           sundry
           Acts
           in
           cases
           of
           Lackes
           ,
           Nonclaime
           ,
           fines
           ,
           as
           persons
           uncapable
           to
           dispose
           of
           themselves
           or
           their
           estates
           yea
           void
           of
           competent
           wisdome
           and
           discretion
           to
           manage
           their
           owne
           privat●
           affaires
           :
           
             A
             direct
             Parliamentary
             judgment
             and
             resolution
             in
             all
             ages
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             much
             more
             uncapable
             to
             order
             ,
             settle
             ,
             manage
             the
             greatest
             affaires
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             State
             ,
             in
             the
             supreamest
             Court
             and
             Councell
             of
             the
             Realme
             .
          
        
         
           3ly
           .
           The
           reasons
           drawne
           from
           the
           inconveniencies
           and
           mischiefs
           of
           admitting
           Infants
           to
           be
           Members
           ,
           are
           many
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             it
             is
             of
             one
             of
             the
             saddest
             judgments
             God
             threatens
             to
             his
             people
          
           That
           he
           will
           give
           them
           Children
           to
           be
           their
           Princes
           and
           Babes
           to
           rule
           over
           them
           Isa
           3.
           4.
           Eccles.
           10.
           16.
           
             and
             then
             what
             followes
             .
          
           The
           people
           shall
           be
           oppressed
           every
           one
           by
           another
           and
           every
           one
           by
           his
           Neighbour
           ;
           the
           Child
           shal
           behave
           himselfe
           proudly
           against
           the
           ancient
           ,
           and
           the
           base
           against
           the
           Honourable
           ;
           Children
           are
           their
           oppressors
           ,
           and
           women
           rule
           over
           them
           ,
           O
           my
           people
           those
           that
           load
           thee
           cause
           the
           to
           erre
           ,
           and
           destroy
           the
           way
           of
           thy
           Paths
           .
           Isay
           3.
           5.
           12.
           
           
             Therefore
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             mischeivous
             and
             an
             heavy
             judgment
             to
             have
             Children
             and
             Babes
             in
             Law
             ,
             Members
             of
             our
             Parliaments
             ,
             which
             should
             be
             a
             Councell
             of
             the
             sagest
             ,
             discreetest
             Senators
             ,
             and
             Elders
             of
             our
             Realme
             .
          
        
         
           2ly
           .
           It
           is
           of
           very
           dangerous
           consequence
           for
           Infants
           to
           be
           admitted
           Members
           ,
           especially
           in
           these
           times
           of
           greatest
           consultation
           ,
           action
           ,
           danger
           ,
           and
           reformation
           .
           For
           first
           ,
           if
           any
           one
           Infant
           may
           
             de
             jure
          
           be
           a
           Member
           of
           Parliament
           then
           by
           consequence
           a
           second
           ,
           third
           ,
           &
           so
           in
           
             infinitum
             ,
          
           till
           the
           House
           be
           filled
           with
           such
           for
           surety
           ,
           if
           one
           Infant
           be
           capable
           of
           being
           a
           Member
           ,
           then
           another
           as
           well
           as
           hee
           :
           And
           if
           an
           Infant
           of
           twenty
           yeares
           ,
           then
           of
           ten
           ,
           twelve
           or
           lesse
           by
           like
           reason
           since
           if
           you
           once
           break
           the
           Rules
           of
           Law
           you
           can
           set
           no
           bounds
           ▪
           to
           any
           number
           ,
           or
           age
           of
           Infants
           ,
           and
           so
           by
           consequence
           ,
           instead
           of
           
           having
           
             Concilium
             Sapientum
             ,
             Senatus
             Seniorum
             ,
             &c.
          
           as
           Parliaments
           were
           ancient●y
           stiled
           ;
           we
           shall
           have
           
             Parliamentum
             Puororum
             ,
             Senatus
             Infantum
             ,
          
           a
           Parliament
           of
           Children
           ,
           a
           Senat
           of
           Babes
           ,
           if
           all
           Cities
           ,
           Burgesses
           ,
           were
           so
           Childish
           so
           foolish
           ,
           and
           injurious
           to
           the
           publike
           in
           their
           elections
           of
           such
           ,
           as
           som
           [
           through
           the
           importunity
           of
           friends
           ]
           have
           bin
           .
           Now
           how
           dangerous
           this
           may
           prove
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           let
           all
           wise
           men
           judge
           ,
           by
           the
           example
           of
           King
           
             c
          
           
             Rehoboams
             young
             Counsellors
             ,
             who
             discontented
             his
             people
             and
             lost
             his
             Kingdom
             .
          
        
         
           3ly
           .
           Admit
           the
           Commons
           House
           should
           determine
           ,
           how
           many
           Infants
           they
           would
           allow
           to
           be
           Members
           ,
           (
           perhaps
           not
           above
           five
           or
           six
           to
           prevent
           this
           inconvenience
           )
           yet
           the
           mischiefe
           and
           danger
           of
           admitting
           so
           few
           may
           prove
           very
           great
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           illnesse
           of
           the
           President
           in
           these
           signall
           times
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           probable
           dangerous
           consequences
           of
           it
           .
           It
           was
           a
           prudent
           speech
           of
           a
           blunt
           Burgesle
           when
           he
           was
           solicited
           to
           give
           his
           voyce
           for
           a
           young
           novice
           ;
           
           
             This
             is
             no
             Parliament
             to
             enter
             whelps
             in
             ,
             therefore
             we
             must
             think
             of
             som
             graver
             person
             .
          
           Verily
           there
           are
           so
           many
           weighty
           &
           difficult
           debates
           almost
           every
           day
           in
           the
           House
           of
           matters
           of
           highest
           concernment
           ,
           wherein
           the
           House
           is
           oft
           divided
           in
           their
           Votes
           ,
           that
           two
           or
           three
           Infants
           misguided
           voyces
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           judgment
           to
           vote
           a
           right
           ,
           may
           infinitly
           prejudice
           ,
           endanger
           our
           three
           whole
           Churches
           ,
           Kingdomes
           in
           a
           moment
           ,
           especially
           ,
           if
           the
           wheele
           of
           fortune
           should
           turne
           against
           the
           Parliament
           by
           any
           treachery
           ,
           or
           disaster
           .
           Therefore
           it
           is
           very
           perilous
           to
           admit
           any
           Infants
           to
           sit
           as
           Members
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           dangerous
           over-reaching
           age
           as
           this
           .
        
         
           4ly
           .
           It
           is
           inevitably
           perillous
           ,
           and
           mischeivous
           (
           as
           
             d
          
           
             Bodin
             truly
             informat
             us
             )
          
           upon
           this
           consideration
           .
           
             That
             the
             Councell
             of
             young
             men
             [
             especially
             of
             Infants
             ]
             though
             never
             so
             wise
             ,
             vertuous
             and
             discreet
             ,
             will
             never
             be
             so
             readily
             entertained
             ,
             nor
             their
             Commands
             ,
             Advices
             ,
             Ordinances
             ,
             Laws
             ,
             so
             chearefully
             submitted
             to
             by
             the
             people
             ,
             young
             or
             old
             ,
             as
             the
             Councells
             ,
          
           Edicts
           ,
           Votes
           of
           grave
           ,
           wise
           and
           ancient
           men
           ,
           but
           be
           either
           slighted
           ,
           vilified
           or
           disobeyed
           :
           
             For
             those
          
           (
           writes
           he
           )
           of
           
             equall
             age
             ,
             will
             think
             themselves
             altogether
             as
             wise
             at
             they
             ,
             and
             those
             who
             are
             ancienter
             will
             deeme
             themselves
             much
             wiser
             then
             such
             young
             Councellors
             of
             state
             ,
             and
             thereupon
             scorne
             ,
             contemne
             ,
             deride
             their
             Votes
             ,
             Ordinances
             ,
             Resolutions
             ,
          
           (
           especially
           when
           any
           new
           Lawes
           or
           formes
           of
           Government
           are
           to
           be
           introduced
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           old
           laid
           quite
           aside
           ,
           as
           now
           :
           )
           
             And
             in
             matters
             of
             state
             (
             if
             in
             any
             thing
             in
             the
             world
             )
             opinion
             hath
             no
             lesse
             ,
             and
             oftentimes
             more
             force
             then
             the
             truth
             it selfe
             ;
             Neither
             is
             there
             any
             thing
             in
             a
             Commonweale
             more
             dangerous
             ,
             then
             for
             Subjects
             to
             have
             an
             ill
             opinion
             of
             their
             Councellers
             ,
             Governours
             Law-makers
             ;
             for
             then
             how
             shall
             they
             obey
             them
             ?
             and
             if
             they
             obey
             them
             not
             ,
             what
             issue
             is
             to
             be
             expected
             ?
          
           surely
           disobedience
           ,
           sedition
           ,
           Rebellion
           ,
           ruine
           ,
           It
           behoves
           therefore
           our
           present
           Parliament
           ,
           if
           they
           would
           prevent
           this
           dangerous
           mischiefe
           ,
           to
           expell
           all
           Infant
           (
           as
           well
           as
           Malignant
           )
           Members
           ,
           which
           may
           draw
           a
           very
           great
           disparagment
           ,
           contempt
           ,
           or
           disesteem
           upon
           their
           Councels
           ,
           Votes
           ,
           
             Ordinances
             ,
             Laws
             ,
          
           not
           only
           in
           the
           opinions
           of
           Royalists
           and
           Malignants
           ,
           but
           of
           grave
           ,
           wise
           well
           affected
           persons
           of
           Eminency
           and
           Ability
           ,
           who
           perchance
           will
           tacitly
           deem
           it
           no
           small
           disparagement
           ,
           if
           not
           injury
           and
           folly
           for
           them
           ,
           to
           submit
           their
           Lives
           ,
           Liberties
           ,
           Estates
           ,
           Lawes
           ,
           and
           consciences
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           to
           the
           votes
           ,
           Resolutions
           ,
           and
           Commands
           of
           Infants
           under
           age
           ,
           though
           backed
           with
           the
           most
           mature
           suffrages
           ,
           Advices
           ,
           of
           
           many
           aged
           ,
           wise
           and
           eminent
           Members
           of
           greatest
           integrity
           and
           sufficiency
           .
           It
           is
           a
           memorable
           observation
           of
           
             Solomon
             Eccles.
             10.
             1.
             
             Dead
             flies
             cause
             the
             oyntment
             of
             the
             Apothecary
             to
             send
             forth
             a
             stinking
             savour
             :
             so
             doth
             a
             little
             folly
             him
             that
             it
             in
             reputation
             for
             Wisdome
             and
             honour
             .
          
           And
           no
           man
           knowes
           what
           an
           evill
           savour
           o●
           contempt
           ,
           disobedience
           ,
           disrespect
           ,
           the
           apprehention
           of
           a
           
             little
             folly
          
           in
           some
           
             Infant
             Members
          
           may
           draw
           upon
           the
           whole
           Parliament
           ,
           [
           their
           Ordinances
           and
           proceedings
           ,
           ]
           though
           otherwise
           in
           great
           reputation
           for
           wisdome
           and
           honour
           .
           
             e
          
           
             Cicero
          
           defined
           the
           
             Roman
             Sonate
          
           to
           bee
           ,
           
             the
             Oracle
             of
             the
             whole
             City
             .
          
           And
           
             ●liny
          
           resolves
           ;
           
             f
          
           
             It
             is
             a
             wicked
             Act
             to
             goe
             against
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             Senate
             .
          
           It
           therefore
           behooves
           all
           Freeholders
           ,
           Citizens
           and
           Burgesses
           of
           the
           Realme
           to
           take
           speciall
           care
           ,
           that
           they
           elect
           not
           ,
           and
           the
           Honourable
           Houses
           that
           they
           admit
           not
           any
           unfit
           
             Members
             ,
          
           whose
           illegall
           presence
           or
           Votes
           therein
           may
           derogate
           in
           the
           peoples
           Opinions
           from
           their
           
             incomparable
             wisdome
             ,
          
           or
           
             irresistable
             Authority
             .
          
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           It
           is
           mischievous
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           as
           it
           opens
           the
           mouthes
           of
           Royalists
           ,
           Papists
           ,
           Malignants
           ,
           Sectaries
           ,
           and
           the
           Prelaticall
           party
           to
           Revile
           ,
           Calumniate
           ,
           censure
           ,
           vilifie
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           new
           Recruits
           ,
           Votes
           ,
           Ordinances
           ,
           Proceedings
           of
           the
           Commons
           House
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           so
           if
           they
           should
           get
           power
           enough
           hereafter
           (
           which
           God
           forbid
           )
           it
           may
           give
           them
           occasion
           to
           undoe
           ,
           unvote
           ,
           repeale
           ,
           yea
           nullifie
           all
           their
           Acts
           ,
           Ordinances
           ,
           proceedings
           for
           the
           future
           ;
           because
           some
           Infants
           [
           uncapable
           by
           Law
           of
           being
           Members
           ,
           or
           of
           consenting
           for
           themselves
           or
           others
           )
           had
           a
           Vote
           and
           Concurrence
           in
           their
           passing
           ,
           whose
           Acts
           ,
           Votes
           ,
           Consents
           ,
           are
           either
           voyd
           ,
           or
           voydable
           by
           Law
           .
           Certainly
           when
           I
           read
           the
           printed
           Act
           of
           39.
           
             H.
             6.
             cap.
             1.
             
             Which
             repeales
             and
             makes
             void
             the
             Parliament
             held
             at
          
           Coventry
           
             the
             yeare
             before
             ,
             and
             all
             Acts
             ,
             Statutes
             ,
             and
             Ordinances
             therein
             made
             ,
          
           upon
           this
           very
           ground
           among
           other
           ,
           
             that
             a
             great
             part
             of
             the
             Knights
             Citizens
             and
             Burgesses
             appearing
             in
             it
             ,
             were
             unduly
             Elected
             against
             the
             course
             of
             the
             Kings
             Lawes
             ,
             and
             the
             Liberties
             of
             the
             Commons
             of
             this
             Realme
             ,
             by
             the
             meanes
             and
             labours
             of
             some
             seditions
             persons
             :
          
           And
           when
           I
           consider
           ,
           that
           our
           
             unconstant
             persidious
             King
          
           Henry
           
             the
          
           3d.
           
             nulled
             and
             avoyded
             for
             a
             time
          
           
             g
          
           
             the
             great
             Charter
             of
             the
             Forrest
             (
             though
             confirmed
             in
             Parliament
             )
             upon
             this
             pretext
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             a
             Minor
             under
             the
             Age
             of
             21.
             when
             he
             first
             granted
             it
             and
             in
             Ward
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           And
           when
           I
           revolve
           the
           Statutes
           of
           28.
           
             H.
             8.
             c.
          
           7.
           
           &
           1.
           
             Edw.
             6.
             c.
          
           11.
           which
           
             authorized
             the
             heires
             of
             the
             Crowne
             to
             King
             Henry
             the
          
           8.
           
             and
             King
             Edw.
             the
             6.
             even
             out
             of
             Parliament
             to
             repeale
             all
             Acts
             and
             Statutes
             made
             and
             assented
             to
             by
             them
             in
             Parliament
             before
             their
             age
             of
             24.
             years
             ,
             after
             they
             came
             to
             the
             Age
             of
             24.
             years
             :
             And
             when
             I
             consider
             upon
             what
             other
          
           
             h
          
           
             slight
             pretences
             some
             former
             Parliaments
             and
             their
             Acts
             have
             bin
             totally
             nulled
             :
          
           It
           makes
           me
           tremble
           and
           feare
           ,
           what
           future
           ages
           may
           attempt
           against
           the
           proceedings
           of
           our
           present
           Parliament
           [
           if
           the
           Malignant
           Royall
           party
           should
           grow
           potent
           ]
           upon
           the
           like
           pretences
           ,
           [
           especially
           of
           undue
           Elections
           of
           Infants
           ,
           and
           others
           now
           complained
           of
           ,
           ]
           unlesse
           the
           Parliament
           take
           timely
           care
           to
           redresse
           them
           ,
           and
           severely
           prohibit
           ,
           censure
           all
           undue
           underhand
           practises
           in
           new
           Elections
           ,
           of
           which
           we
           have
           so
           many
           sad
           complaints
           in
           diverse
           parts
           .
           The
           prevention
           therefore
           of
           this
           grand
           future
           mischiefe
           ,
           will
           undoubtedly
           move
           them
           to
           apply
           a
           present
           remedy
           to
           it
           ,
           for
           feare
           of
           after-claps
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           By
           the
           ancient
           Law
           and
           custome
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           our
           
             i
          
           
             Law
             〈◊〉
          
           resolve
           and
           the
           statute
           of
           5.
           
             R.
             2.
             cap.
          
           4.
           enacts
           ;
           
             Every
             Member
             
             of
             Parliament
             who
             absents
             himselfe
             ,
             or
             departs
             from
             it
             ,
             without
             just
             ex●●●e
             and
             License
             ,
             shall
             be
             amerced
             ,
             and
             otherwise
             punished
             (
             by
             imprisonment
             and
             the
             like
             )
             as
             oft
             time
             hath
             bin
             used
             .
          
           But
           
             k
          
           
             our
             Law-Books
             all
             resolve
             ,
             that
             an
          
           Infant
           
             cannot
             be
             fined
             ,
             amerced
             ,
             or
             imprisoned
             for
             any
             Laches
             ,
             default
             ,
             absence
             or
             negligence
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             not
             of
             full
             discretion
             :
          
           Therefore
           he
           cannot
           be
           a
           Member
           of
           Parliament
           by
           the
           expresse
           resolution
           of
           these
           Authorities
           and
           this
           statute
           ;
           even
           for
           this
           very
           mischiefe
           ,
           because
           he
           cannot
           bee
           amerced
           imprisoned
           or
           punished
           ,
           as
           other
           Members
           are
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           ,
           in
           case
           of
           absence
           ,
           or
           undue
           departure
           from
           the
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           Admit
           the
           forementioned
           mischiefes
           should
           all
           prove
           but
           contingent
           ,
           and
           future
           ,
           yet
           this
           one
           present
           mischiefe
           happens
           by
           Infants
           Elections
           ,
           that
           they
           keep
           out
           abler
           Members
           ,
           and
           deprive
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           Kingdome
           of
           the
           assistance
           ,
           Councell
           ,
           abilities
           of
           more
           discreete
           ,
           wise
           ,
           active
           ,
           experienced
           .
           Venerable
           persons
           then
           themselves
           ,
           who
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           Infancy
           ,
           and
           want
           of
           experience
           ,
           are
           no
           ways
           serviceable
           ,
           active
           in
           the
           House
           or
           in
           Committees
           ,
           where
           they
           commonly
           sit
           as
           Ciphers
           ,
           to
           keep
           out
           Figures
           ,
           and
           men
           of
           greater
           parts
           and
           eminency
           .
           I
           have
           ought
           times
           admired
           at
           the
           sotishnesse
           of
           people
           in
           resigning
           up
           their
           Lives
           ,
           Liberties
           ,
           Estates
           ,
           Laws
           ,
           Religion
           ,
           all
           ,
           into
           the
           hand●
           of
           such
           Novices
           and
           unconfiding
           Members
           whom
           they
           Elect
           to
           represent
           and
           Vote
           for
           them
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           themselves
           would
           disdain
           to
           advise
           with
           ,
           or
           make
           use
           of
           in
           any
           other
           imployment
           .
           No
           man
           is
           so
           foolish
           as
           to
           make
           choice
           of
           a
           young
           raw
           unexperienced
           unskilfull
           Practitioner
           to
           be
           his
           
             Pilot
             ,
             Physitian
             ,
             Lawyer
             ,
             Advocate
             ,
             Commander
             ,
          
           especially
           if
           the
           Voyage
           ,
           Disease
           ,
           Case
           Service
           ,
           bee
           dangerous
           or
           difficult
           ;
           but
           will
           resort
           to
           the
           skilfulest
           
             Pilots
             ,
             Physitians
             ,
             Lawyers
             ,
             Advocates
             ,
             Souldiers
             ,
          
           in
           such
           cases
           .
           And
           should
           they
           not
           much
           more
           do
           thus
           in
           their
           choyce
           of
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           especially
           in
           these
           dangerous
           and
           tempestuous
           times
           ,
           when
           the
           ship
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           State
           are
           extreamely
           indangered
           by
           stormes
           and
           rockes
           ;
           the
           whole
           body
           of
           our
           three
           Kingdomes
           ,
           Churches
           desperately
           diseased
           ,
           wounded
           ,
           lacerated
           ,
           their
           case
           very
           dubious
           if
           not
           desperate
           ;
           and
           their
           service
           so
           hot
           ,
           so
           difficult
           ,
           that
           it
           requires
           the
           Conduct
           of
           the
           most
           experienced
           Commanders
           to
           bring
           them
           off
           with
           safety
           ?
           Certainly
           if
           they
           doe
           it
           not
           ,
           the
           Election
           of
           some
           few
           unable
           Members
           and
           preterition
           of
           others
           of
           greater
           abilities
           in
           this
           juncture
           of
           time
           of
           affaires
           of
           highest
           concernment
           ,
           may
           ruin
           us
           and
           our
           Posterities
           for
           ever
           .
           The
           consideration
           therefore
           of
           these
           recited
           mischiefes
           should
           ,
           and
           will
           no
           doubt
           enduce
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           to
           remove
           all
           such
           Infants
           and
           illegall
           Members
           ,
           (
           as
           well
           as
           Malignants
           and
           Monopolists
           )
           out
           of
           the
           Commons
           house
           ,
           or
           Prelates
           and
           Popish
           Peeres
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           house
           of
           Lords
           .
        
         
           Seventhy
           ,
           It
           is
           mischievous
           even
           in
           this
           regard
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           an
           extraordinary
           dishonour
           to
           our
           whole
           Parliament
           and
           Nation
           ,
           to
           suffer
           Infants
           to
           sit
           as
           Judges
           ,
           Councellors
           in
           the
           supreamest
           Judicature
           and
           Councell
           of
           our
           three
           Kingdoms
           ,
           which
           gives
           Lawes
           to
           
             England
             ,
             Ireland
             ,
          
           all
           the
           Kings
           Dominions
           except
           
             Scotland
          
           on
           which
           it
           hath
           a
           great
           influence
           to
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           mutuall
           brotherly
           League
           betweene
           both
           Nations
           ,
           ]
           especially
           in
           such
           a
           time
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           Consultation
           ,
           Circumspection
           ,
           and
           action
           as
           this
           is
           .
           What
           think
           you
           will
           foraign
           Nations
           report
           of
           our
           Parliament
           ,
           our
           Nation
           ,
           if
           they
           shall
           heare
           of
           Infants
           ,
           Wards
           ,
           Minors
           sitting
           yea
           Voting
           as
           Members
           
           as
           Judges
           among
           our
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           ,
           Burgesses
           now
           the
           greatest
           matters
           ever
           debated
           in
           any
           Parliament
           are
           in
           agitation
           ?
           will
           they
           not
           say
           ,
           our
           Kingdome
           is
           either
           voyd
           of
           wise
           experienced
           Senators
           ,
           that
           we
           Elect
           such
           Novices
           ;
           or
           that
           all
           our
           wise
           ancient
           men
           ,
           or
           our
           electors
           are
           turned
           Children
           .
           Naturalls
           in
           making
           such
           a
           choyce
           ,
           and
           our
           Parliament
           very
           neglectfull
           of
           their
           owne
           honour
           in
           petmitting
           such
           Associats
           to
           sit
           among
           them
           ,
           in
           case
           the
           Kingdome
           can
           afford
           them
           others
           of
           more
           Antiquity
           Ability
           ,
           and
           experience
           ?
           To
           prevent
           therefore
           this
           dishonour
           abroad
           ,
           and
           the
           scoffs
           of
           Royalists
           and
           Malignants
           at
           home
           (
           who
           jeare
           us
           with
           these
           
             Childish
             Infant
             Members
             ,
          
           as
           well
           as
           with
           our
           
             Independent
             Women-preachers
             )
          
           I
           make
           no
           doubt
           but
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           will
           unanimously
           resolve
           ,
           their
           Elections
           void
           in
           Law
           ,
           and
           their
           Electors
           worthy
           publike
           censure
           ,
           for
           putting
           such
           a
           dishonour
           both
           on
           our
           Parliament
           and
           Nation
           ,
           and
           enjoyne
           them
           hereafter
           to
           make
           better
           choyces
           ,
           under
           paine
           of
           forfeiting
           their
           right
           of
           Election
           .
        
         
           4ly
           .
           For
           presidents
           in
           forraigne
           States
           ,
           I
           could
           produce
           many
           ;
           I
           shall
           instance
           only
           in
           some
           few
           of
           chiefest
           note
           ,
           which
           will
           beare
           most
           sway
           ,
           and
           in
           one
           domestike
           printed
           Authority
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           shall
           begin
           with
           
             Scripture
             Presidents
             ;
          
           the
           best
           of
           any
           .
           We
           read
           ,
           that
           when
           God
           would
           have
           
             Moses
          
           to
           make
           choice
           of
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           or
           Senate
           to
           assist
           him
           in
           the
           Government
           ,
           he
           gave
           him
           this
           direction
           concerning
           the
           quality
           of
           the
           persons
           to
           be
           elected
           to
           that
           publike
           Senate
           .
           
             Num.
          
           11.
           16
           
           
             And
             the
             Lord
             said
             unto
             Moses
             gather
             unto
             me
             seventy
             men
             of
             THE
             ELDERS
             of
          
           Israell
           ,
           
             whom
             thou
             knowest
             to
             be
             THE
             ELDERS
             of
             the
             people
             ,
             and
             Officers
             over
             them
             ,
             &c.
             and
             they
             shall
             beare
             the
             burthen
             of
             the
             people
             with
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             beare
             it
             not
             alone
             ,
          
           which
           he
           accordingly
           performed
           .
           
             v.
          
           24.
           25.
           whence
           they
           are
           stiled
           ,
           the
           SEVENTIE
           ELDERS
           
             of
             the
             people
             ,
          
           both
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           age
           and
           dignity
           .
           Hence
           the
           great
           Councell
           Senate
           ,
           &
           Sanhadrim
           of
           the
           Jews
           resembling
           our
           Parliament
           is
           stiled
           :
           
             The
             Assembly
             of
             the
             ELDERS
             :
             Ps.
          
           107.
           52.
           
           
             The
             ELDERS
             of
             Israel
          
           
             l
          
           
             both
             in
             the
             Old
             and
             New
             Testament
             :
          
           and
           oft
           times
           the
           ANCIENTS
           
             of
             the
             people
             ,
          
           as
           
             Isay
             .
             3.
             4.
             Jer.
          
           19.
           1.
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           age
           and
           gravity
           ;
           none
           being
           admitted
           into
           their
           Senate
           ,
           Parliament
           ,
           or
           Councell
           of
           State
           ,
           but
           
             ancient
             men
             .
          
           Hence
           we
           finde
           
             Isay
             .
             3.
             2.
             3.
             4.
             12.
             14.
             
             The
             prudent
             the
             Ancient
             man
             ,
             and
             the
             COVNCELLOR
             ,
             coupled
             together
             ,
          
           and
           that
           in
           opposition
           
             to
             Children
             and
             Babes
             ,
             whose
             ruling
             over
             the
             people
             is
             threatned
             by
             God
             ,
             as
             the
             s●arest
             Judgment
             of
             any
             .
          
           Hence
           is
           that
           expression
           of
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
             Eze.
          
           7.
           26.
           
           COVNCELL
           
             shall
             perish
             from
             t●e
          
           ANCIENT
           ▪
           because
           none
           but
           such
           were
           Councellors
           in
           the
           Jewish
           State
           :
           with
           that
           of
           
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             119.
             100.
             
             I
             understand
             more
             then
             the
             ANCIENTS
             ;
             and
             that
             of
             Iob.
             ●c
             .
          
           12.
           12.
           
           
             With
             the
             ANCIENT
             is
             Wisdome
             ,
             and
             in
             length
             of
             dayes
             ,
             understanding
             :
          
           Hereupon
           
             Solomons
          
           and
           
             Rehoboams
             Councellors
             of
             State
             ,
          
           with
           whom
           he
           first
           advised
           ,
           what
           answer
           to
           returne
           unto
           the
           people
           when
           they
           came
           to
           make
           him
           King
           ,
           are
           expresly
           termed
           
             m
          
           OLD
           MEN
           ;
           who
           gave
           him
           very
           savory
           Councell
           ,
           had
           he
           followed
           it
           ;
           which
           he
           
             forsaking
             and
             following
             the
             Councell
             of
             his
             young
             Courtiers
             ,
          
           lost
           both
           his
           peoples
           affections
           ,
           and
           his
           Kingdome
           too
           ,
           over
           ten
           of
           the
           Tribes
           ,
           who
           set
           up
           another
           King
           .
           If
           then
           you
           will
           follow
           Scripture
           presidents
           ,
           no
           Infants
           under
           age
           ,
           or
           Children
           ,
           but
           Elders
           ,
           Ancients
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           for
           yeares
           ,
           wisdome
           and
           experience
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           
           Members
           of
           our
           supreame
           Councell
           especially
           in
           such
           a
           time
           as
           this
           .
        
         
           
             The
             2.
             president
             I
             shall
             instance
             in
             ,
             is
             the
          
           Roman
           Senate
           ,
           
             who
             admitted
          
           none
           into
           their
           Senate
           ,
           as
           Members
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           those
           who
           were
           24.
           yeares
           old
           at
           least
           ,
           
             as
             the
          
           
             n
          
           marginall
           Authors
           testifie
           ;
           their
           Senators
           being
           
             ●tate
             graves
             ,
             spectataeque
             probita
             is
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             3d
             president
             is
             the
          
           
             o
          
           Laced●monian
           Senate
           ,
           which
           consisted
           of
           32.
           ancient
           men
           ,
           into
           which
           none
           were
           admitted
           unlesse
           they
           were
           above
           sixtie
           yeares
           old
           .
        
         
           
             The
             4th
             .
             the
          
           
             p
          
           Bythinians
           ,
           who
           admitted
           no
           man
           into
           their
           Senate
           unlesse
           he
           were
           thirty
           yeares
           old
           at
           least
           .
        
         
           
             The
             5th
             .
          
           
           
             the
          
           
             q
          
           Athenians
           ▪
           who
           permitted
           none
           ,
           but
           those
           who
           were
           fiftie
           yeares
           old
           ,
           to
           consult
           of
           that
           which
           should
           be
           good
           &
           profitable
           to
           the
           Commonweal●
           .
        
         
           
             The
             6th
             .
             is
             that
             of
          
           Solon
           ,
           who
           forbad
           any
           young
           man
           to
           be
           admitted
           into
           the
           Senate
           ,
           seemed
           he
           never
           so
           wise
           ;
           Lycurgus
           before
           him
           having
           composed
           the
           Senate
           of
           the
           elder
           sort
           .
        
         
           
             In
             few
             words
             ,
          
           
             ſ
          
           Iohn
           Bodin
           informes
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           Greeks
           and
           Latines
           composed
           their
           Senate
           of
           Seniors
           ,
           or
           aged
           men
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           wisermen
           ,
           and
           men
           of
           greatest
           experience
           .
           And
           that
           not
           only
           the
           
             Greeks
             and
             Latines
          
           have
           given
           this
           prerogative
           unto
           the
           aged
           ,
           to
           give
           Councell
           unto
           the
           Common
           weale
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           
             Aegyptians
             ,
             Persians
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             Hebrewes
             ,
          
           who
           taught
           other
           people
           well
           and
           wisely
           to
           govern
           their
           estates
           ;
           for
           that
           by
           presumption
           the
           Elders
           are
           wiser
           ,
           of
           better
           understanding
           ,
           of
           more
           experience
           ,
           and
           fitter
           to
           give
           Councell
           then
           the
           younger
           sort
           .
           
             Neither
             do
             I
             finde
             that
             ever
             any
             forraigne
             Kingdome
             ,
             State
             admitted
             Infant
             Members
             into
             their
             Senate
             ,
             Parliament
             ,
             Councell
             ,
             they
             deeming
             it
             altogether
             injurious
             and
             absurd
             .
             Therefore
             there
             is
             no
             reason
             why
             our
             Parliament
             and
             great
             Senat
             should
             admit
             of
             any
             such
             Infant
             Members
             among
             them
             .
          
        
         
           I
           shall
           conclude
           with
           the
           opinion
           and
           resolution
           of
           reverend
           and
           learned
           Sir
           
             Edward
             Cook
          
           (
           the
           oldest
           and
           best
           experienced
           Parliament
           man
           in
           this
           age
           )
           who
           in
           his
           4.
           
           
             Institutes
          
           printed
           by
           Authority
           of
           Parliament
           :
           
             Ch.
             1.
             f.
          
           46.
           47.
           
           under
           this
           Title
           ;
           
             Who
             be
             eligable
             to
             be
             a
             Knight
             ,
             Citizen
             or
             Burgesse
             of
             Parliament
             ?
          
           resolves
           thus
           ,
           
             One
             under
             the
             age
             of
             21.
             years
          
           IS
           NOT
           ELIGIBLE
           ,
           neither
           
             can
             any
             Lord
             of
             Parliament
             sit
             there
             untill
             he
             be
             of
             the
             full
             age
             of
             21.
             years
             .
          
           A
           punctual
           Resolution
           in
           direct
           termes
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           given
           you
           a
           briefe
           Account
           of
           the
           reasons
           of
           mine
           Opinion
           concerning
           the
           Question
           propounded
           ,
           I
           shall
           in
           the
           next
           place
           returne
           a
           short
           Answer
           to
           some
           Objections
           ;
           and
           so
           conclude
           .
        
         
           The
           1.
           
           
           Objection
           is
           this
           :
           That
           the
           Election
           of
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           ,
           Burgesses
           ,
           and
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           belongs
           to
           the
           Freeholders
           ,
           Citizens
           ,
           Burgesses
           and
           Freemen
           who
           elect
           them
           ;
           if
           they
           therefore
           shall
           make
           choice
           of
           any
           Infants
           as
           the
           fittest
           or
           ablest
           persons
           to
           serve
           for
           them
           in
           Parliament
           ,
           their
           Election
           must
           stand
           good
           ,
           otherwise
           they
           shall
           be
           deprived
           of
           the
           liberty
           and
           priviledge
           of
           a
           free
           Election
           .
        
         
           To
           this
           I
           Answer
           ,
           1.
           
           That
           no
           Freeholders
           ,
           Citizens
           or
           Burgesses
           ,
           have
           any
           absolute
           power
           to
           elect
           what
           Members
           they
           please
           ,
           
           but
           only
           such
           as
           are
           most
           fit
           able
           discreet
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           the
           Laws
           and
           Statutes
           of
           the
           Realme
           approve
           .
           They
           
             t
          
           cannot
           elect
           a
           sheriffe
           a
           
             Minister
             ,
          
           a
           man
           beyond
           the
           Seas
           ,
           a
           Iudge
           or
           attendant
           in
           the
           Lords
           house
           ,
           to
           be
           
             Knight
             of
             any
          
           County
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           contrary
           to
           Law
           ,
           
             expresse
             statuts
             and
             the
             VVrit
             it selfe
             :
          
           and
           if
           they
           make
           choice
           of
           any
           such
           ,
           the
           House
           may
           adjudge
           the
           Election
           void
           ,
           and
           put
           them
           to
           a
           better
           
           election
           of
           sitting
           Members
           .
           They
           cannot
           elect
           these
           or
           Peere
           of
           the
           Realme
           ,
           an
           Idiot
           ,
           a
           
             Non
             Compos
             ,
          
           Alien
           ,
           Woman
           ,
           &c.
           to
           be
           a
           Citizen
           or
           Burgesse
           of
           Parliament
           :
           and
           if
           they
           do
           so
           the
           election
           is
           void
           ,
           because
           the
           persons
           are
           uncapable
           .
           Therefore
           by
           the
           selfesame
           reason
           they
           cannot
           elect
           an
           Infant
           .
           Where
           a
           person
           is
           uncapable
           by
           Law
           ,
           the
           Electors
           cannot
           make
           him
           capable
           of
           being
           a
           Member
           .
        
         
           2ly
           .
           The
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           not
           the
           Electors
           ,
           are
           the
           sole
           Judges
           of
           the
           Fitnes
           ,
           the
           capability
           of
           the
           persons
           elected
           and
           if
           any
           Counties
           ,
           Cities
           ,
           Burroughs
           be
           so
           indiscreet
           and
           injurious
           to
           the
           Kingdome
           as
           to
           elect
           unworthy
           Members
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           Writ
           and
           their
           duty
           ,
           the
           house
           may
           justly
           cast
           them
           out
           againe
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Election
           ,
           which
           concludes
           them
           not
           .
           This
           the
           presidents
           of
           former
           Parliaments
           in
           expeling
           unworthy
           &
           unsitting
           Members
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           practise
           of
           this
           sitting
           Parliament
           in
           ejecting
           all
           
             Monopolists
             ,
             Projectors
          
           at
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           all
           Malignant
           Members
           since
           ,
           who
           deserted
           ,
           or
           betrayed
           their
           trust
           ,
           abundantly
           manifests
           .
           Therefore
           by
           the
           selfesame
           reason
           ,
           they
           may
           and
           ought
           to
           expell
           Infants
           the
           House
           ,
           as
           unfitting
           and
           illegall
           Members
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Projectors
           ,
           Monopolists
           and
           Malignants
           as
           
             unworthy
          
           ones
           .
        
         
           3ly
           I
           dare
           confideutly
           affirme
           ,
           that
           no
           Cittie
           ,
           or
           Borough
           did
           ever
           freely
           of
           their
           owne
           accords
           make
           choice
           of
           any
           
             VVard
             ,
          
           or
           
             Infant
          
           to
           serve
           in
           Parliament
           for
           them
           ;
           as
           the
           ablest
           or
           fittest
           of
           any
           other
           ,
           to
           do
           themselves
           and
           the
           Kingdome
           service
           in
           Parliament
           ;
           or
           as
           the
           sufficientest
           ,
           ablest
           and
           discreetest
           persons
           ,
           according
           as
           the
           writ
           directs
           them
           ,
           but
           meerely
           through
           the
           over-earnest
           solicitation
           ,
           threats
           or
           over-rulling
           power
           of
           the
           Infants
           friends
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           stood
           engaged
           for
           favours
           ,
           or
           durst
           not
           offend
           ,
           least
           they
           should
           turne
           their
           foes
           ,
           not
           out
           of
           meere
           publike
           respects
           ,
           which
           all
           electors
           in
           justice
           and
           prudence
           should
           only
           aime
           at
           .
           Therefore
           it
           is
           altogether
           unreasonable
           ,
           that
           the
           election
           of
           Infants
           ,
           grounded
           meerly
           on
           such
           base
           privat
           respects
           as
           these
           ,
           should
           defraud
           the
           Parliament
           and
           whole
           Kingdome
           of
           the
           choice
           of
           abler
           Members
           ;
           
             since
          
           
             u
          
           
             every
             Member
             elected
             for
             any
             particular
             Borough
             ,
             when
             once
             admitted
             ,
             Votes
             and
             serves
             not
             only
             for
             it
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             whole
             Kingdome
             too
             ,
             to
             whom
             those
             who
             make
             unworthy
             elections
             for
             private
             ends
          
           or
           Interests
           do
           most
           apparent
           wrong
           which
           the
           House
           hath
           power
           to
           right
           ,
           else
           we
           might
           have
           our
           Parliament
           stuffed
           with
           Infants
           ,
           Malignants
           ,
           &c.
           if
           people
           be
           so
           foolish
           to
           Elect
           them
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           beene
           insome
           .
        
         
           The
           2d
           .
           
           Objection
           is
           this
           .
           That
           some
           Infants
           under
           the
           age
           of
           21.
           have
           bin
           permitted
           to
           sit
           as
           Members
           in
           former
           Parliaments
           :
           Therefore
           by
           like
           reason
           they
           may
           be
           admitted
           in
           this
           upon
           our
           new
           Elections
           .
           
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           First
           ,
           that
           no
           Infant
           ought
           
             *
          
           
             de
             jure
          
           to
           sit
           in
           any
           Parliament
           as
           I
           have
           manifested
           ;
           therefore
           not
           in
           this
           .
           2ly
           .
           None
           ever
           sate
           in
           former
           Parliaments
           of
           right
           ,
           but
           only
           by
           connivance
           ,
           when
           either
           the
           House
           took
           no
           notice
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           their
           Elections
           were
           not
           questioned
           ;
           or
           if
           questioned
           ,
           (
           as
           they
           have
           sundry
           times
           bin
           )
           &
           not
           ejected
           the
           busines
           hath
           bin
           comprimised
           without
           comming
           to
           any
           solemne
           debate
           &
           resolution
           in
           the
           House
           .
        
         
           3ly
           .
           The
           connivance
           of
           former
           Parliaments
           in
           this
           kinde
           is
           no
           president
           to
           over-rule
           or
           bind
           our
           present
           Parliament
           ,
           for
           these
           ensuing
           respects
           .
           ●
           .
           because
           there
           are
           more
           weighty
           ,
           difficult
           affaires
           concerning
           our
           Church
           ,
           State
           and
           three
           whole
           Kingdoms
           to
           be
           consulted
           upon
           debated
           and
           settled
           in
           this
           Parliament
           then
           in
           any
           ,
           yea
           all
           the
           Parliaments
           of
           former
           ages
           united
           .
        
         
         
           2ly
           .
           Because
           there
           are
           greater
           differences
           ,
           distractions
           between
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           more
           labouring
           to
           make
           parties
           in
           the
           House
           to
           serve
           ends
           [
           if
           possible
           then
           in
           any
           former
           Age
           .
        
         
           3ly
           .
           Because
           a
           greater
           reformation
           is
           now
           expected
           ,
           promised
           ,
           endeavoured
           in
           Church
           ,
           State
           ,
           Parliaments
           then
           in
           any
           preceedent
           times
           .
        
         
           4ly
           .
           Because
           the
           Acts
           ,
           and
           Members
           of
           this
           Parliament
           more
           concerne
           the
           Kingdome
           to
           be
           free
           from
           all
           just
           exceptions
           ,
           and
           are
           likely
           to
           bee
           more
           narrowly
           scanned
           ,
           sifted
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           present
           and
           future
           times
           ,
           then
           the
           Members
           or
           proceedings
           of
           any
           former
           Parliaments
           ,
           and
           the
           least
           just
           flaw
           against
           them
           may
           in
           after
           ages
           prove
           dangerous
           if
           not
           fatall
           to
           revoke
           or
           shake
           what
           ever
           shall
           be
           concluded
           by
           them
           now
           if
           not
           timely
           prevented
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Because
           this
           Parliament
           is
           more
           lasting
           then
           any
           other
           ,
           and
           happily
           may
           prove
           diuturnal
           ,
           if
           not
           perpetuall
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           Because
           both
           Houses
           have
           made
           a
           more
           exact
           purgation
           of
           unsitting
           ,
           unworthy
           Members
           ,
           in
           this
           ,
           then
           in
           any
           Parliament
           in
           former
           ages
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           Justice
           ought
           to
           displace
           all
           unable
           or
           unsitting
           Members
           (
           as
           well
           Infants
           as
           any
           others
           )
           to
           avoid
           the
           just
           censure
           of
           partiality
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           Because
           more
           exceptions
           ,
           cavils
           are
           &
           will
           be
           made
           against
           undue
           elections
           ,
           Members
           now
           ,
           by
           Malignants
           ,
           Royalists
           ,
           Prelates
           ,
           then
           to
           any
           Members
           ,
           Elections
           in
           former
           ages
           ;
           Therefore
           the
           House
           should
           bee
           more
           carefull
           what
           Members
           they
           now
           admit
           ,
           then
           they
           were
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           when
           there
           were
           no
           such
           unhappy
           divisions
           betweene
           the
           King
           &
           Parliament
           as
           now
           .
        
         
           The
           3d.
           
           Objection
           is
           this
           :
           That
           the
           Infants
           in
           the
           House
           are
           not
           many
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           led
           by
           the
           Votes
           of
           wiser
           and
           more
           able
           Members
           ;
           therefore
           the
           danger
           is
           not
           great
           .
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           1.
           
           That
           if
           no
           Infant
           be
           capable
           of
           being
           a
           Member
           ,
           then
           none
           ought
           to
           be
           admitted
           ,
           
           be
           they
           many
           or
           few
           .
           2ly
           Though
           they
           be
           but
           few
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           yet
           there
           may
           be
           more
           hereafter
           elected
           ,
           there
           being
           new
           endeavours
           to
           bring
           in
           more
           .
           3ly
           .
           One
           or
           two
           in
           judicious
           Infant
           Members
           Votes
           in
           matters
           of
           momen●
           ,
           when
           the
           House
           comes
           to
           bee
           devided
           ,
           may
           prove
           very
           dangerous
           .
           4.
           
           Every
           Parliament
           man
           ought
           to
           Vote
           according
           to
           his
           owne
           judgment
           not
           anothers
           only
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           very
           dangerous
           for
           any
           to
           Vote
           with
           such
           and
           such
           persons
           only
           in
           the
           House
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           their
           Votes
           the
           sole
           ground
           of
           their
           concurrent
           
             Ay
          
           or
           
             No
             ;
          
           is
           the
           high
           way
           to
           factions
           .
        
         
           The
           4th
           .
           
           and
           principall
           Objection
           is
           this
           :
           That
           it
           will
           be
           both
           convenient
           and
           expedient
           that
           young
           Gentlemen
           under
           age
           of
           Honourable
           Families
           should
           be
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           during
           their
           Minority
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           enable
           them
           to
           serve
           their
           Country
           therein
           ,
           when
           they
           come
           to
           r●per
           yeares
           it
           being
           the
           best
           Schoole
           of
           Experience
           to
           educate
           ,
           to
           improve
           young
           Gentlemen
           and
           sit
           them
           for
           publike
           Action
           :
           Vpon
           which
           ground
           the
           eldest
           Sons
           of
           Peeres
           are
           admitted
           to
           sit
           in
           the
           Lords
           House
           and
           heare
           their
           debates
           ,
           to
           enable
           them
           the
           better
           to
           serve
           the
           Kingdome
           when
           they
           come
           to
           be
           Peeres
           ;
           and
           former
           Parliaments
           have
           connived
           at
           Infants
           being
           Elected
           Members
           ,
           and
           at
           their
           sitting
           in
           the
           Commons
           House
           .
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           
           1.
           
           That
           this
           Argument
           is
           a
           meere
           fallacy
           if
           examined
           :
           For
           though
           most
           Members
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           as
           well
           old
           as
           young
           may
           learne
           much
           knowledge
           and
           experience
           by
           sitting
           there
           ,
           (
           as
           all
           Judges
           ,
           or
           other
           Officers
           do
           by
           sitting
           in
           Courts
           of
           Iustice
           ,
           and
           execu●ing
           their
           places
           )
           yet
           they
           learne
           it
           
           not
           as
           Schollers
           or
           Auditors
           in
           a
           Schoole
           ,
           but
           as
           Iudges
           and
           Councelors
           of
           state
           ,
           in
           the
           supreamest
           Court
           and
           Councell
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           ;
           to
           discharge
           which
           trust
           ,
           they
           must
           have
           some
           competent
           abilities
           of
           wisdome
           and
           experience
           requisite
           for
           Iudges
           and
           Councellors
           of
           state
           ,
           (
           which
           Infants
           want
           )
           before
           they
           can
           be
           admitted
           Members
           into
           this
           highest
           publike
           Schoole
           ,
           into
           which
           none
           ought
           to
           be
           elected
           ,
           but
           such
           
             wise
             men
             ,
             who
             know
             both
             times
             ,
             Law
             ,
             and
             Iudgment
             :
             Esth.
          
           1.
           13.
           especially
           in
           such
           times
           as
           these
           .
           2ly
           .
           It
           is
           an
           absurdity
           ,
           if
           rightly
           stated
           ▪
           implying
           ,
           asserting
           ,
           that
           Infants
           may
           be
           elected
           to
           sit
           and
           Vote
           as
           Members
           in
           Parliament
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           to
           enable
           them
           to
           be
           s●t
           Members
           in
           it
           for
           the
           future
           though
           unsitting
           for
           the
           present
           ;
           when
           as
           in
           truth
           ,
           none
           should
           be
           chosen
           to
           such
           a
           place
           of
           publike
           t●ust
           but
           those
           alone
           who
           are
           able
           and
           
             *
          
           
             sit
             to
             discharge
             it
             at
             the
             very
             instant
             when
             they
             are
             elected
             ,
          
           Is
           any
           Father
           ,
           Schoole-Master
           so
           inconsiderate
           or
           absurd
           ,
           to
           send
           his
           Son
           or
           Scholler
           to
           the
           University
           ,
           before
           he
           be
           fit
           for
           a
           Grammer-Schoole
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           fit
           and
           enable
           him
           for
           the
           Vniversity
           ?
           will
           the
           King
           ,
           or
           Parliament
           ,
           think
           it
           just
           or
           reasonable
           to
           make
           a
           puny
           Barrester
           Lord
           Chiefe
           Justice
           of
           
             England
          
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           enable
           him
           to
           be
           a
           Judge
           or
           Chiefe
           Justice
           for
           the
           future
           in
           his
           riper
           yeares
           ,
           though
           unfit
           ,
           unable
           at
           the
           time
           of
           his
           Parent
           to
           be
           a
           puny
           Iudge
           ?
           Will
           any
           be
           so
           sencelesse
           ,
           as
           to
           create
           a
           puny
           Schoole-boy
           chiefe
           Master
           of
           any
           Free-schoole
           during
           his
           Minority
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           abilitate
           him
           to
           discharge
           that
           Office
           twenty
           yeares
           after
           ,
           when
           hee
           comes
           to
           perfect
           age
           ?
           Why
           then
           should
           any
           Infants
           be
           elected
           Parliament
           men
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           before
           they
           are
           actually
           fit
           or
           capable
           ,
           upon
           this
           poore
           surmise
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           the
           better
           instruct
           them
           to
           be
           able
           Parliament
           men
           in
           future
           times
           ?
           Certainly
           this
           is
           and
           must
           be
           like
           the
           corrupt
           practise
           of
           the
           late
           Prelates
           ,
           who
           would
           first
           admit
           men
           to
           benefices
           with
           cure
           of
           soules
           ,
           which
           they
           were
           unable
           to
           discharge
           for
           the
           present
           and
           then
           grant
           them
           dispensations
           to
           be
           resident
           in
           our
           Vniversities
           for
           five
           or
           six
           years
           space
           together
           ,
           of
           purpose
           to
           fit
           them
           to
           execute
           their
           cures
           and
           discharge
           their
           Ministry
           some
           five
           or
           six
           yeares
           after
           their
           institutions
           and
           inductions
           to
           their
           Benefices
           .
           3ly
           .
           I
           dare
           averre
           ,
           that
           Infants
           by
           following
           their
           studies
           close
           in
           the
           Vniversity
           and
           Innes
           of
           Court
           during
           their
           minorities
           ,
           will
           arre
           better
           improve
           themselves
           to
           serve
           their
           Country
           in
           Parliament
           in
           after
           times
           when
           they
           come
           to
           yeares
           of
           full
           discretion
           ,
           then
           by
           spending
           their
           time
           idlely
           in
           the
           House
           ,
           where
           they
           commonly
           sit
           like
           Cyphers
           with
           out
           speaking
           or
           observing
           ought
           that
           is
           materiall
           ,
           which
           takes
           them
           oft
           from
           their
           present
           studies
           ,
           and
           bladders
           them
           with
           selfe-conceits
           of
           their
           owne
           superlative
           worth
           ,
           &
           abilities
           .
           4ly
           .
           Admit
           the
           Objection
           true
           ,
           yet
           the
           prejudice
           and
           dishonour
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           whole
           Parliament
           shall
           undergoe
           by
           the
           permission
           of
           such
           unable
           Members
           ,
           is
           no
           wayes
           recompenced
           ,
           by
           that
           little
           wisdome
           or
           experience
           which
           two
           or
           three
           Infants
           may
           possibly
           gaine
           by
           being
           Members
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           who
           happily
           may
           never
           live
           to
           serve
           in
           future
           Parliaments
           ,
           or
           prevatica●e
           in
           this
           .
           5ly
           .
           The
           argument
           drawne
           from
           Peers
           eldest
           sonnes
           admission
           into
           the
           House
           of
           Peers
           ,
           as
           Auditors
           only
           ,
           not
           Members
           ,
           is
           as
           strong
           an
           argument
           as
           possible
           against
           the
           Objectors
           ,
           they
           being
           permitted
           (
           like
           
             the
          
           
           
             Sons
             of
             some
             of
             the
             cheife
             Roman
             Senators
             of
             old
             to
             come
             into
             the
             Senate
             )
          
           not
           as
           Peers
           ,
           Members
           ,
           Voters
           ,
           but
           Auditors
           or
           spectators
           only
           .
           Therefore
           the
           selfesame
           Law
           and
           reasons
           which
           exclude
           Infants
           from
           being
           Members
           of
           the
           House
           of
           Peers
           should
           likewise
           
           d●barre
           them
           from
           being
           Members
           in
           the
           Commons
           House
           ,
           into
           which
           if
           any
           Infants
           should
           be
           admitted
           out
           of
           favour
           it
           must
           be
           only
           a●
           Auditors
           ▪
           not
           Members
           ,
           as
           Infant
           Lords
           and
           Noble
           men
           are
           admitted
           into
           the
           House
           of
           Lords
           ;
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           no
           Knight●
           or
           Burgesses
           by
           birth
           as
           Noble
           men
           are
           Peeres
           ,
           but
           only
           by
           undue
           Elections
           ,
           voyd
           in
           Law
           .
        
         
           To
           close
           up
           all
           ;
           I
           hartily
           wish
           our
           honourable
           Parliament
           to
           prevent
           all
           future
           sinister
           ,
           undue
           Elections
           (
           of
           which
           we
           heare
           so
           many
           just
           complain
           ●
           of
           late
           ,
           to
           the
           shame
           of
           those
           who
           ●ccasion
           them
           )
           would
           caus●
           this
           
             〈◊〉
             Statut●
          
           concerning
           Elections
           to
           be
           duly
           executed
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             ,
          
           The
           
             Statute
             of
          
           3.
           
           ●●●
           1.
           
             c.
          
           5.
           which
           runs
           the
           
             *
          
           
             And
             because
             Elections
             ought
             to
             be
             free
             ,
          
           the
           King
           commandeth
           upon
           great
           forfeiture
           ,
           that
           no
           great
           man
           nor
           other
           
             by
             force
             of
             A●mes
             or
             menacing
             ,
             shall
             disturb
             any
             free
             Election
             to
             be
             made
             ,
             ●ith
             this
             ●●st
          
           excellent
           Law
           concerning
           the
           Election
           of
           
             Justices
             ,
          
           &
           other
           inferior
           Offic●rs
           ,
           to
           be
           strictly
           observed
           in
           point
           of
           Parliamentary
           elections
           ,
           both
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           Electors
           ,
           and
           persons
           Elected
           ,
           to
           wit
           12.
           
             R.
             2.
             c.
             2.
             
             It
             is
             accorded
             that
             the
             Chancellor
             ,
             Treasurer
             ,
             Keeper
             of
             the
             Privy-Seale
             ,
             Steward
             of
             the
             Kings
             House
             ,
             the
             Kings
             Chamberlaine
             ,
             Clerk
             of
             the
             Rolls
             ,
             the
             Justices
             of
             the
             one
             Bench
             and
             of
             the
             other
             ,
             Barons
             of
             the
             Eschequer
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             that
             shall
             be
             called
             to
             〈◊〉
             ,
             name
             or
             make
             Iustices
             of
             Peace
             ,
             Sheriffs●
             Escheators
             ,
             Customers
             ,
             Controlers
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Officer
             or
             Minister
             of
             the
             King
             ▪
             shall
             firmly
             sweare
             ,
             that
             they
             shall
             not
             ordaine
             ,
          
           
           
             nam●
             or
             make
             Iustice
             of
             Peace
             ,
             Sheriffe
             ,
          
           &c.
           for
           any
           gift
           ,
           brocage
           ,
           favour
           ,
           affection
           ,
           nor
           
             that
             none
             which
             pursueth
             by
             him
             ,
             or
             by
             other
             privily
             or
             openly
             to
             be
             in
             any
             manner
             office
             ,
             s●all
             be
             put
             in
             the
             same
             Office
             or
             in
             any
             other
             ,
             but
             that
             they
          
           make
           all
           such
           Officers
           and
           Ministers
           OF
           THE
           BEST
           AND
           MOST
           LAWFVLL
           MEN
           ,
           AND
           SVFFICIENT
           
             to
             their
             estimation
             and
             knowledge
             .
          
           These
           two
           Lawes
           alone
           if
           revived
           ,
           and
           applyed
           to
           the
           Elections
           of
           Knights
           ,
           Citizens
           and
           Burgesses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           with
           severe
           censures
           on
           the
           Infringer
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           would
           save
           that
           
             Vb●q●itary
          
           pertu●●er
           ,
           of
           Solicitor
           and
           stickler
           at
           most
           of
           our
           late
           Elections
           [
           Mr.
           
             Hugh
             Peter
             ,
             ]
          
           a
           great
           deale
           of
           unnessary
           un●itting
           paines
           ,
           solicitation
           ,
           and
           abuse
           of
           the
           Pulpit
           ,
           to
           the
           peoples
           great
           disgust
           ,
           
           for
           his
           owne
           private
           luchre
           &
           advaucing
           the
           designes
           of
           his
           party
           ,
           so
           it
           would
           certainly
           prevent
           al
           undue
           Elections
           of
           Infants
           and
           unworthy
           Members
           ,
           ●ll
           the
           House
           with
           the
           
             ablest
             ,
             lawfullest
          
           
             *
          
           
             most
             sufficient
             men
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           purport
           of
           the
           writ
           for
           Elections
           of
           Knights
           and
           Burgesses
           ,
           who
           ought
           to
           be
           freely
           chosen
           by
           the
           Electors
           
             [
             g
             ]
             si●●
             prece
             ,
             〈◊〉
             precio
             ,
             fine
             pr●●cepto
             ,
          
           without
           S
           
             ●●brocage
          
           o●overa●ng
           
             commands
             ,
          
           without
           solicitation
           or
           supplantation
           ,
           which
           now
           to
           many
           practise
           to
           their
           Infamy
           .
        
         
           Thus
           I
           have
           given
           you
           a
           briefe
           accompt
           of
           min●
           opinion
           touching
           the
           propounded
           Question
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           reasons
           swaying
           mee
           thereunto
           .
           If
           your selfe
           or
           others
           reape
           any
           satisfaction
           from
           it
           for
           the
           publike
           good
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           only
           
             Fee
          
           I
           expect
           in
           this
           
             Common
             Cause
             ,
          
           that
           concerns
           not
           your selfe
           alone
           ,
           but
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           ,
           which
           suffers
           more
           mischiefe
           ,
           dishonour
           ,
           prejudice
           by
           
             unworthy
             Elections
             ,
          
           then
           any
           privat
           
             Competitors
          
           justly
           greived
           by
           them
           .
           I
           shall
           close
           up
           all
           with
           that
           of
           
             Solomon
             ,
             Eccles.
          
           11.
           10.
           
           
             Childhood
             and
             Youth
             are
             vanity
             ;
          
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           are
           so
           in
           our
           Parliaments
           ,
           where
           they
           should
           have
           no
           place
           ,
           if
           he
           divine
           ●right
           ,
           who
           desires
           to
           approve
           himselfe
           ,
           upon
           this
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           good
           occasions
           .
        
         
           
             
               Febr.
               12
               ,
               1645.
               
            
          
           
             Your
             most
             affection
             Friend
             and
             Servant
             W.
             P.
             
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A91218e-370
           
             a
             
               Cookes
            
             4.
             
             Institutes
             ,
             
               p.
            
             15
             to
             20.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Englands
            
             Birth-right
             Advertisments
             for
             the
             Election
             of
             Burgesses
             ,
             confuted
             by
             Master
             
               Cooke
               .
            
          
           
             b
             Littleton
             sect.
             103.
             104.
             110.
             259.
             
               and
            
             Cookes
             
               Institutes
               ,
            
             Ibidem
             .
             Glanu
             :
             l.
             7.
             c.
             3
             Ploudens
             com
             :
             f.
             267.
             
             
               See
            
             Brook's
             Abridment
             ,
             
               &
            
             Fitz.
             
             Tit.
             
               Cover●●re
               ,
            
             Enfant
             ,
             No●hability
             .
          
           
             c
             
               Cookes
            
             4.
             
             I●stit
             .
             
               p.
            
             10.
             4●
             7
             H.
             4.
             c.
             15.
             8.
             H.
             6.
             c.
             7.
             
          
           
             d
             Cromptons
             Iurisdictions
             of
             Courts
             ,
             
               f.
            
             2.
             3.
             
             Cooks
             Instit
             on
             
               Lit.
               f.
            
             110.
             his
             4th
             .
             Institute
             ,
             p.
             ●
             .
          
           
             e
             Crompton
             and
             Cook
             
               qu●
            
          
           
             (
             d
             )
             Dyer
             .
             
               fol.
            
             60.
             a●el
             est
             intend
             des
             ●outs
             homes
             queils
             sont
             les
             plus
             Sages
             et
             discreet
             persons
             Deins
             le
             Realme
             .
          
           
             f
             Littleton
             
               sect.
            
             103.
             104.
             110.
             269.
             
          
           
             g
             Cooks
             Institut
             .
             on
             
               Littletons
               .
            
             3.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             11.
             
          
           
             h
             Littleton
             
               Sect.
               259.
               
               Fitz.
            
             Abridg.
             Tit.
             Enfant
             .
             &
             Brook
             .
             Tit.
             coverture
             .
          
           
             i
             21.
             
               E.
               3.
               24.
               22.
               H.
            
             6.
             31.
             
             ●
             .
             2.
             
               R.
            
             3.
             1.
             
             ●
             .
             20.
             
             &
             18.
             
               ●d
               .
            
             4.
             13.
             
             Fitz.
             
               N.
               Br.
               f.
               21.
               
               D.
            
             Cook
             2.
             Rep.
             57.
             18.
             
               E.
            
             3.
             29
             
             Audita
             Querela
             26.
             27.
             35.
             
          
           
             k
             Littleton
             
               Sect.
            
             406.
             4●6
             .
             Brook
             Dum
             fuit
             infra
             aetatem
             .
          
           
             l
             1.
             H.
             5.
             6.
             
             
               Fitz.
            
             ●●●ant
             .
             3
             21.
             E.
             4.
             18.
             
          
           
             m
             Cooke
             4.
             Instit.
             ●
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             n
             Se
             13.
             
               E.
            
             3
             Enfant
             .
             9.
             1
             
               E.
            
             2.
             
             Account
             121.
             21.
             
               E.
               3.
               8
               10.
               H.
               4.
               14.
               2.
               H.
               4.
               13.
               26
               E.
               3.
               63.
               b.
               27.
               E.
               3.
               77.
               a.
               29.
               E.
               3.
               5.
               a.
               
            
          
           
             o
             Cookes
             
               Instit.
               on
            
             Littl.
             f.
             ●55
             .
             See
             Kitching
             41
             ▪
             
          
           
             p
             
               In
            
             H.
             5.
             6.
             
             Fitz
             :
             Enf.
             3.
             21
             
             ●
             .
             418.
             
             Br.
             
               coverture
               .
            
             55.
             
          
           
             q
             See
             the
             Soveraigne
             Power
             of
             Parliaments
             ,
             
               part
               1
               p.
            
             34
             39
             ,
             46.
             
             Sir
             
               Thomas
               Smith
            
             his
             Common
             Wealth
             of
             
               England
               ,
               l.
               2.
               cap.
               1.
               2.
               
               Cooks
            
             4.
             
             Institut
             .
             
               ●
               .
            
             1.
             
          
           
             r
             See
             the
             Soveraigne
             power
             of
             Parliaments
             ,
             
               part
               1.
               p.
               50
               ,
               51.
               part
               2.
               p.
            
             56.
             57
             ,
             65
             ,
             67
             ,
             71
             
          
           
             ſ
             Rom
             :
             Hist.
             l.
             24.
             sect.
             4.
             p.
             517.
             
          
           
             t
             Cookes
             4.
             
             
               Institut
            
             cap.
             1.
             
          
           
             u
             Cookes
             4.
             
             
               Institut
            
             cap.
             1.
             
          
           
             x
             Beda
             Eccl.
             Hist
             l.
             3.
             c.
             5.
             12
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             Hen
             :
             Hunting
             .
             Hist.
             l.
             3.
             5.
             
             Matth.
             west
             .
             An.
             905.
             
             Wil.
             Malmes
             :
             de
             Gest:
             Pont.
             Angl.
             l.
             2.
             c.
             13.
             
             Houed
             :
             p.
             427
             Flor
             :
             wigo●niensis
             .
             
               An.
            
             977.
             
             Antiqu.
             Eccl
             :
             Bri●
             .
             
               p.
            
             19
             20.
             59.
             60.
             
             Lam.
             Archaion
             Seldens
             
               Titles
            
             of
             Hon.
             p.
             63●
             Cooks
             4.
             
               Insti.
            
             p.
             2.
             
             Spelman
             concil
             :
             p.
             182.
             183.
             219.
             293.
             300.
             301.
             334.
             335.
             375.
             387.
             390.
             408.
             419.
             424.
             494.
             510
             513.
             534.
             559.
             552.
             566.
             
          
           
             x
             19.
             H.
             6.
             13.
             
             Issue
             67.
             13.
             Eliz.
             c.
             12.
             
          
           
             (
             y
             )
             See
             
               Truth
            
             triumphing
             over
             
               Falshood
               ,
            
             &c.
             
          
           
             z
             
               Bodins
            
             Common-Weale
             ▪
             
               l.
               3.
               c.
               1.
               
               Cookes
            
             4.
             
             Institutes
             ,
             
               cap.
            
             1.
             
          
           
             a
             See
             
               Cooks
            
             4.
             Instit.
             
               c.
               1.
               
               Beam
               ,
               l.
               3
               c.
            
             1.
             
             Sir
             
               Th.
               Smiths
            
             Common-Wealth
             of
             
               England
               ,
               l.
               2.
               cap.
            
             1.
             2.
             
             Vowels
             Order
             and
             Vsage
             how
             to
             keep
             a
             Parliament
             .
             
               Cambd●ns
               Brit.
               pag.
            
             173.
             
             The
             Soveraign
             power
             of
             Parliaments
             and
             Kingdoms
             
          
           
             b
             9.
             H.
             3.
             c.
             20.
             H.
             3.
             c.
             6.
             7
             52.
             H.
             3.
             c.
             17
             3.
             E.
             1.
             c.
             21.
             13
             E.
             1.
             c.
             34.
             15.
             16.
             14.
             E.
             3.
             c.
             13.
             18.
             E.
             1.
             
               of
               fines
               .
            
             1.
             R.
             3.
             c.
             7.
             4.
             H.
             7.
             124.
             21.
             
             
               Ian.
            
             c
             ,
             16.
             
             
               See
            
             Ashes
             
               Tables
               Enfant
            
             33.
             32.
             H.
             8.
             E.
             2.
             
          
           
             c
             2.
             Chron.
             10
             
          
           
             NOTE
             .
          
           
             d
             Common-weale
             l.
             3.
             p.
             ●55
             .
          
           
             e
             Se●at●●
             t●tius
             Or●●●lum
             Civitati●
             De
             Oratore
             ,
             
               lib.
            
             2.
             
          
           
             f
             Nef●s
             est
             adversus
             auctritatum
             Senatus
             tendere
             
               Rom.
               Hist.
               l.
            
             5.
             
          
           
             g
             Matthew
             Paris
             ,
             
               Anno
            
             226.
             p.
             324.
             325.
             
             ●●niells
             
               Hist.
            
             p.
             151.
             152
             
          
           
             h
             
               See
            
             15.
             E.
             3.
             
               Stat.
               2.
               11.
               
               &
               21.
               R.
            
             2.
             cap.
             12.
             1.
             
             H
             :
             c.
             2.
             3.
             4.
             31.
             H.
             6.
             cap.
             1.
             17.
             E.
             4.
             cap.
             7.
             
          
           
             i
             3.
             E.
             3.
             19
             
             Cookes
             4.
             
             
               Institutes
               ,
            
             p.
             15.
             
             ●●
             20.
             38
             ,
             39.
             
             Fitz
             :
             C●●●n●
             :
             16●
             ,
          
           
             k
             C.
             8.
             
             
               Rep
               :
               66
               ,
               c.
               3.
               E.
               3.
               
               Fitz
               :
            
             Enfant
             14.
             14.
             
             Ass
             17
             43.
             
             Ass
             :
             45.
             17
             
               E.
               3.
               75.
               
               Fitz
               :
            
             Dammages
             ,
             127.
             
             Imprisonment
             8.
             ●0
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             l
             Deutr.
             27.
             1
             c.
             29.
             10.
             
               c.
            
             31.
             9
             28.
             
             Judg.
             21.
             16.
             2
             Sam.
             3.
             17.
             c.
             5.
             3.
             c.
             17
             4.
             1
             
             Kings
             .
             8.
             1.
             3.
             c.
             20.
             7.
             8.
             c.
             21.
             11.
             2
             
             Kings
             23.
             1.
             1
             Chron.
             c.
             11.
             3.
             c.
             15.
             25.
             
             ●●
             21.
             16.
             2
             Cron.
             34.
             29.
             
             Ezec.
             20.
             1.
             3.
             Iob.
             2.
             16.
             
             Mar.
             15.
             1.
             Math.
             16.
             11.
             
          
           
             m
             2
             Chron.
             10.
             6.
             
             &
             13.
             1
             
             Kings
             12.
             
          
           
             n
             
               Alexander
            
             ab
             Alexandrol
             .
             4.
             
               c.
            
             10
             Martinus
             Phileticus
             in
             Cic.
             l.
             1.
             Ep.
             fam
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             o
             Alexander
             ab
             Alexand.
             14
             .
             c.
             11
             
          
           
             p
             Alexander
             ab
             Alex.
             ibid.
          
           
             Goodwins
             Roman
             Antiquities
             l.
             3.
             c.
             3
             :
          
           
             q
             Bodins
             Comon-weal●●
             l.
             3.
             c.
             1.
             p.
             256.
             
          
           
             ſ
             Common-weale
             l.
             3.
             c.
             1.
             p.
             255.
             256
             
          
           
             [
             r
             ]
             Bodin
             
               ibid.
            
          
           
             NOTE
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             〈◊〉
             .
          
           
             t
             1.
             〈◊〉
             ,
             5
             ,
             c.
             1.
             
             ●
             .
             
               H.
               6.
               c.
            
             7
             Cookes
             4.
             
             In●●it
             .
             
               p.
            
             47
             
          
           
             u
             Cookes
             4.
             Instit.
             
               p.
            
             14.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
             2.
             
          
           
             Answer
             
          
           
             *
             See
             Cooke
             9.
             
             Rep.
             f.
             49.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
             3.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             *
             See
             Cookes
             8.
             
             Rep
             s
             .
             41.
             b.
             42.
             
          
           
             *
             Alexander
             abAlexand
             .
             l.
             3.
             c.
             10.
             
          
           
             *
             See
             Cooks
             2
             Instit.
             
               p.
            
             168
             169.
             
          
           
             NOTE
             .
          
           
             [
             *
             ]
             See
             Cooke
             8.
             
             Report
             .
             f.
             41
             42.
             
             &
             9.
             
             Rep.
             4●
             .
          
           
             *
             Cookes
             4.
             Instit.
             
               p.
            
             10.
             
             &
             2.
             Instit.
             
               p.
            
             169