SEVERAL PROPOSITIONS OF PUBLIC CONCERNMENT Presented to his Excellency the Lord General CROMWELL. 1. The Ordering, and settling of Particular Churches, 2. Concerning the paying of Tithes, and engaging the People to hear Sermons every Lord's day. 3. An additional Act against Adultery, and such as shall speak uncivilly. And further relief for maimed Soldiers, Widows etc. 4. The settling of Peacemakers in every City, and County of this Nation, with the form of a new oath to be taken by them. ALSO A Letter of great Concernment, directed to Mr. Hugh Peter, one of the Regulators of the Law. By SAMUEL DUNCON, A wellwisher of Trutd, Liberty, and Perme to this Nation. London Printed by I. C. Anno Dom. 1652. A Letter with some Proposals humbly presented to his Excellency the Lord General Crumwell. As also a Letter to Mr. Hugh Peter. May it please your Excellency, I Understand that the Parliament is making way for a new Representative, I am confident that your Honour doth apprehend, it to be a business of very great consernment, and that the people are at present very unfit to make a good choice. The Lord hath begun a very great work by this Parliament and Army: And there is now an opportunity put into their hands to go on, and surely the Lord doth expect that this Parliament should make good (both to himself and his the people) that which have been Fought for, Paid for, and Prayed for, that his true worship may be Countenanced, and Encouraged, by an Act, of Parliament, and that the Just Rights and Liberties of the people may be ratified, and Confirmed, so that all Tyrannical and Antichristian powers may be destroyed; to this end give me leave, to propound a few things to your Honour's Consideration, which I do humbly beg of God, that by your means this Parliament may be stirred up to enact some more Laws tending to his glory, and the people's good, that it may not be said (as some do mutter) that this Parliament, and Army, have done great things for themselves, but little or nothing for others; I shall not trouble your Honour with a long preface, or much entreaty, because I do know your Honour's wisdom, and good affections, therefore I come to the particulars, but leave all to the blessing and direction of our good God, in whom I am. Your Honour's most affectionate, and very humble servant Samuel Duncon. September the 21. 1651. 1. AN Act for the establishing of all Churches of Believers, that are gathered to gether in the Faith, Fellowship and Order of Gospel, upon a spiritual account, declaring their faith and Conversion, and showing it in lives and Conversations by yielding evangelical obedience to the will and ways of God, as they are revealed, in the Gospel, of our Lord Jesus, and by obeying the evil Magistrate, in all civil things tending to the peace and well being of the Nation, and that such Churches may have liberty to meet in any convenient place or places. 2. That the maintenance of a Gospel's Minister may not be by paying of Tithes, that none may be forced to pay Tithes. 3. An Act to enjoin, all people, to hear Sermons at least every Lords day in one place or other, except Just cause to the contrary, and in default hereof to pay so much to the poor, & and so much to the informer. 4. An Addition made to that Act against adultery, that those that do speak uncivilly that way be punished, or that do frequent such houses, or such company, that such may be indicted and not cleared without the oath of two men known to be of good life and conversation, swearing that they in their Consciences do not think, or believe any such matter in the party indicted, otherwise, to be punished according to the fact without respect of persons, the one half to the poor, the other the informer. 5. An addition made to those Acts for the relieving of maimed soldiers and widows, that lost their husband's lives in the service of the Parliament. 6. An addition made to those acts for the setting the poor one work, and relieving of those that are Blind, Lame, or Jmpotent not able to work, and that none may be suffered to beg, but that the Town, Parish, or place in which they are found to beg in, may be punished, and not the party, except for not working, and if not able to work, then to be relieved by the Inhabitants of the place of their abode, and if they do neglect or do refuse to do their duties herein, than they to be punished. 7. An Act for peace making, to allow and enable the people of every City, and Town Corporate in their several wards or prescints, as also every hundred in every County, etc. Annually to choose 5. 7. 0111. of the most understanding plain honest hearted men to be their peace makers; That no suit in Law may be Commenced against any, but that the Complaynant do first make known the difference to the Peace maker of that City, Town hundred etc. where the defendant doth live or most commonly abide, and that both plaintiff, and defendant be Enjoined by that act, to the award or Arbitrement of those chosen, and sworn men, (and in case that either Plaintiff or Defendant can except against those Actually chosen, than they may agree of 3 or 5 or more to be sworn etc. 8. That (as Parliament men) so all Justices of the Peace, Jurymen, all chief Constables, and all other civil Officers whatsoever may be annually chosen by the free people of the Nation, a accompetent number in each city, Town corporate, Counties, Hundreds, etc. By writs issued our from the Parliament such a month annually and due returns made by the chief Officers or Sheriff of all such elections, the returns to be made in so many days and of their being sworn solemnly as aforesaid, the oath according to their place and offices. The Oath of the peacemakers may be to this effect. viz. I. A. B. In the presence of God, do swear that as I do hope for mercy at the hand of Almighty God through Christ, I will not judge or determinate any cause or difference between party and party, (That shall be brought before me) neither for favour or affection, or uviht by respects to any man's person, but according to the honesty, truth and equity, of the Cause, to the utmost of my knowledge and ability, and that I will do my utmost to end the controversy or differences between party and party. So help me God according to the Contents of this Book, laying his hand upon the New Testament. I do conceive that an Oath is part of the worship of God, and therefore that it may be with conveniency, it ought to be Administered by the Pastor of a Congregation in a solemn manner on the Lord's day, in the face of the Congregation met together, for the worship and service of God; And the Pastor, & two more of the Congregation, to certify the taking of the Oath, and the manner. That (as Parliament men) so all Justices of the Peace, all Jury men, all Chief Constables, and all other civil Officers whatsoever: may be Annually chosen, by the free people of the Nation, a competent number in each City, Town, Corporate, County, Hundred, etc. By Writ issued out from the Parliament such a month, annually and due returns made by the chief Officer, or Sheriff of all such elections. The returns to be made in so many days, and of their being sworn solemnly as aforesaid, the Oath, according to their place and offices. One thing more would abundantly satisfy the people, and bring much honour, and love to the Parliament, and army, (if the Lord be pleased to give them hearts so far to deny themselves, as to agree and make an Act, that the Army that is necessitated to be continued in arms in this Commonwealth, may be maintained and duly paid; That one half of the late King's Lands, Bishop's Lands, Dean and Chapters Lands, Delinquents Lands, and Recusants' Land, may be for, and towards the maintenance of the said Army, the said Lands being got but into a few men's hands, at an under rate, and that some other addition may be made that if it be possible, neither the weekly Assessments, nor the excise upon beer or coals may be continued. A Letter to Mr. Hugh Peter. SIR, I do find that you are chosen to be one of the seven or more, to consider how he Laws of this Nation may be regulated. You cannot but know that the people are in great expectation of much good to be done, I hope you shall want no assistance, I am not able to give much in that work, yet do think it my duty to do something towards it, and yet all may be too little without an extraordinary hand of God, (which I shall desire) the most that I should do should be to stir you up to improve this opportunity, in putting life to that which you cited in your little book intitueld. Good work for good Magistrates, which was to have an act for peace makers, Sr. I have here enclosed, sent you a rough draught of a simple one of mine own devising, I do know that the Lawyers, and all the enemies of the Gospel will with all their might oppose it, and although there be never so true a conception made by your Committee; yet it will be in danger to prove abortive, but I beseech you let not your utmost endeavours be wanting. There are some other things with it, all which were sent by myself according to the date, unto the Lord General: I shall in due time, take the boldness to made an addition, although as yet I have had but little encouragement. The Act for peace makers is the 7. particular. I desire you, and some others to complete it, and I do conceive that such an act may bring much glory to God, much comfort, peace and profit to the people: God is pleased to pronounce Blessedness upon the peace makers, and truly I am afraid lest a curse should fall upon, or follow those that have power to do any thing tending thereunto, and do not improve it, Sir I do hope better things of you, and desire you to stir up others to their duties, surely there in great neglect in some, otherwise those things that have been fought for, prayed for, & paid for might have been enjoyed by the people of this Nation before this time. I desire you to communicate these to Colonel Disbrough, Maj. Parker, and some others, Sir Your very Affectionate friend Samuel Duncn. February the 10. 1651. Directed and sent to Mr. Hugh Peter. A hearty well wisher out of his good affections, was bold to offer these things to Consideration, with earnest desires that some what in answer thereunto, might be acted. But being Conscious of his own inability, and of the ltitlenes in them. saving a true zeal for God's glory, and a desire of the freedom, peace, and well being of this Nation, thought it his duty to publish them. to the view of all that Wish well to Zion, and to all the people of this Nation, entreating others to make some addition with a mendment; offering their humble desires, and addresses, to the Supreme Authority of this Nation, the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, for an establishment of what shall be for the glory of God, and the good of the people, and doubt not but the Parliament will be very ready to act according to former Declarations, and Promises. I conceive that an Act for Peace makers may save the people of the Nation, as much money as may maintain asufficent Army, and free the people from a abundance of Tyranny, and Opression. FINIS.