A MEMENTO For the PEOPLE, about their Elections of MEMBERS for the approaching PARLIAMENT.  
I.  
REmember that the choice of your lawmakers is your first common right, by which you distinguish yourselves from slaves; for in the use thereof, you show the original of your own Authority and Government, and how that every one of you hath such an inherent and natural Right in his own person, as not to be disposed of, ordered, bounded or limited, but by his own Consent in Parliament; the Members thereof being the people's Representatives. And therefore if you be tender of any thing, that you call or think your Right, privilege or Liberty, be tender of this, as the foundation and root of all your Liberties.  
II.  
Remember that the choice of your lawmakers, is the greatest trust in civil matters, and of the nearest concernment to you all, that you ever did, or can, or shall repose in anybody: you may trust some with your estates, and it may be with your persons too; but you trust your chosen deputies in Parliament with your persons, your lives, your posterities, and your whole Country; and they may under God involve you in blood and confusion, or settle you in peace.  
O then be cautious and circumspect in your choice now to be made, and consider whom you may safely trust.  
And first, consider whether it be consonant to your safety, and the end for which you elect, to trust any that have ever broken their faith, or falsified their trust formerly put in them. Remember the Declarations, Vows and Promises of the Army, how and by whom violated and broke. The I●alian says, If a man deceives me once, it is his fault; but if he deceive me twice, it is my own fault.  
Secondly, Consider, whether it be fit to confer your own Legislative Authority upon any persons, who have another Legislative Authority stamped upon them already. For how can it be looked upon but as prodigious, for two Suns to be seen in one firmament?  
Thirdly, Consider, whether you may trust those that shall not be equally concerned with you in all the Laws to be made, or are not equally subject to them with yourselves?  
Those that live, and intend to live upon the public purse, are not equally concerned in levying of moneys upon you, with those that live only upon their own estates and trades. Public Officers, that have great Places and Salaries from the common purse, put in a penny, and take out a pound.  
Those that have been made fat by the blood and ruins of the people, you can have little hopes of: for, can a Blackmoore change his skin, or a Leopard his spots?  
And those that are to execute the Laws, may avoid the stroke which others must abide: for how is it consonant to freedom and safety, for the Legislative power, and the Executive power, to be in the same hands?  
Therefore you may safely trust those to make your Laws, that must do the same good or harm to themselves, which they do to you. And such as have not been stained with the corruptions of the times, as have been ever constant to the interest of the people, and as have not been enriched by the oppressions and ruins of the Land, you may safeliest trust; of such there being most hope.  
Fourthly, 
Excise men, Corrupt Lawyers, Impropriators, farmers of tithes, Sword,— &c.  Consider, whether you may trust any that are engaged either by their profit or honour, or any kind of interest, to continue any of the burdens or grievances that are upon you: as the silversmiths were engaged to maintain the Image of Diana and her Temple.  
Fifthly, Consider, whether you may trust any man, that wants either depth of judgement, or courage: he that wants the first, may suffer you to be cozened of your Liberties; and he that wants the other, will certainly betray your liberties unto anybody that boldly attempts to take them from you.  
And further consider, That those whom you choose for your Members in Parliament, you choose to sit in your own stead, to represent the whole Nation; their vote to be the voice of the people, and you to be bound thereby, only saving to yourselves your fundamental Laws and Liberties, as unalterable, and not within their trust to violate or destroy. All that are worth 200 l in Counties, are to be really in Parliament, voting there, and consenting to what is done by their Knights or trusties, whom they have chosen for their Counties; and all the Burgesses and Inhabitants of Cities and boroughs, are also there in Parliament, by choosing them that shall speak for them and vote for them.  
And that this Liberty, this Principle of common Right, might not be infringed or restrained, care was taken in The Instrument of Government set forth by the Lord Protector, That Tradesment that live in Cities and boroughs, should be all free to choose, although not worth 200 l for that restriction of 200 l limited in the said Instrument of Government, is for such as are thereby enabled to choose Members for Counties: which are the Knights girt with Swords, mentioned in the Indentures; but as for Burgesses, there is no distinction betwixt rich and poor; as all must be subject to the Law, so all must be free to choose: which is very much to his highness' honour.  
And indeed, Tradesmen that live in Cities, are as useful to the Nation, and bear as much share in the burdens thereof, when they are not worth 200 l as those that live in Counties, and are worth 200 l And the encouragement and respect to Traders, being of great consequence to the Commonwealth, It was not thought fit to restrain the the choice in Cities and boroughs to those only who were worth 200 l.  
Neither is that restriction of the Electors for Counties, any straightening of the election, but an enlargement thereof, full of reason; for the restraint formerly was strictly to Freeholders, having— xl.s. by the year; and now by the Lord Protector, every man, though a Copyholder, or a man of a personal estate, if he be worth 200 l is made a chooser, as well as Freeholders. So that all that are worth 200 l may choose for Counties, as well as Freeholders; and for Cities and boroughs, all universally are to choose, who have not disabled themselves by something done in the late wars.  
Now Sirs, be advised to set aside all faction, self-interest, favour and fear, that may bias your judgements in your choice; and agree together, to have regard to the worth and merit of those you choose; let their wisdom, faithfulness and courage, their public zeal and affection to the cause of the people, their moderation, charity and compassion, their freedom from the cruelty and oppression of the times, persuade you to choose them. And in so doing, you will honour your Country, and settle it in righteousness, peace and plenty. And the generations that are yet unborn, will have cause to bless you.   

London, Printed for Rich. Moon, at the seven Stars in Paul's churchyard, near the great North-door. 1654.