England's Remembrancers. OR, A word in season to all English men about their Elections of the members for the approaching Parliament.  
Dear Christian friends and Countrymen  
WE have all reason to complain, and say, this day is a day of trouble, rebuke, and blasphemy; our country that was great among the nations is now become vile, all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies; how is the profession of holiness (by the unrighteousness amongst us) blasted with the names of hypocrisy, falseness, ambition and covetousness? how is the glory and strength of our nation spoiled, and the blood of many thousands poured forth in waist like water? how is the treasure exhausted, trade and commerce destroyed? and how are all our rights, liberties and properties invaded, and subverted by arbitrary powers and force of arms? who can say his life or estate is secured for a moment, if the jealousy, envy, pride, lust or covetousness of some in power please to command it? and how is destruction threatened daily by foreign enemies? surely the day of the Lord is very great and terrible against us, and yet there is mercy with him that he might be feared for in his abundant goodness he seems to open a door of hope, and to give us all leave by our Deputies to advise the means of our safety and peace; and the present writts for election of our representatives being the product of divine providence, and we are confident not long since, beyond the thoughts of those that sent them forth, may be justly looked upon as the voice of God to you all saying; gather the people, call a solemn Assembly, go and reason together, for in the multitude of council there is safety. Dear Christians, it is by the choice of your Deputies only, that the whole body politic of this nation can consult together for their preservation by this means only you may all speak your minds, one to another and every one to the whole nation? it is the natural way to settle your Government, and provide for your common good, and in your present case, there is no other way or means consistent with the laws of God, or the nature of mankind, whereby our breaches can be healed, lawful powers and authorities created, righteousness and justice exercised amongst us. For which ends we most earnestly beseech you to be very serious and considerate in a matter of such high importance, and take heed that you neither mistake, nor carelessly sleight, or neglect your present duty, in the choice of your common Assembly. Let it not be like a price put into the hands of fools without wisdom or hearts to use it. O that you would all beg of God courage, wisdom, and faithfulness, impartiality and integrity of heart in this great affair. First then, mistake not your present duty; think not (as some) that your strength in this affair is to sit still; let not the darkness of unexamined scruples prevent your acting in the choice of your representatives. It may be some of your tender hearts, being troubled at what hath been done by the Lord Protector (so called) are afraid to vote in the choice of your Deputies, lest you should seem to approve his power, because the choice is appointed by his writs: but we pray, examine this better.  
First consider, that the writs for elections neither did, nor ever could be justly construed to give the people any right to choose their members of the Parliament; the Almighty God the Creator, and the fundamental laws of this nation, gave the people that right by their birth: it was not in the pleasure of the Kings heretofore▪ whether the people should ever choose their Deputies for the common Assemblies, though it was left to their discretion and prudence what time in the year it was most necessary to call the Assembly. The Kings were bound by the laws and their oaths to send out writs every year to summon a Parliament; and the last law made about Parliaments, ordained the very Constables to summon the people to the elections, if the Kings and others should neglect their duties to summon them; and we hope none of you would have thought that the Constable's summons had given you right to choose. The writs are only to call you to exercise your own rights, and surely you may use your own rights whosoever call you to do it. If a thief should stop your way to your own house for a time, and afterward send to you, and bid you go home if you please; we suppose none of you would scruple to go to your own house; why then should you scruple (whatsoever you think of the Lord Protector) to use your own rights in the expected election, now he permits you to do it, being no way derived or claimed from him? And if it be objected, that the way of elections approved by the laws is altered; it is easily answered, that the divisions of the numbers of the Electours into several bodies or meetings, different from those former ways of meeting, change not the rights, and that you use your own rights as fare as he will suffer you, and it were frowardness to cast away what you may enjoy, because ye have not all your rights.  
But it may be some others of you will say, that God requires at this time higher ways of advancing Christ's Kingdom, than by Parliaments, and that God is gone out of the dispensation of Parliaments, and therefore you cannot look after this to choose or to be chosen; but upon due examination this darkness of your minds will vanish, and you will find that the Saints preparation for Christ's Kingdom, which God requires, is clothing themselves with righteousness. Rev. 19.8. and that no righteous  powers of governing in this nation can be yet derived from any other fountain than the people's consent or choice; and that you cannot be righteous or holy in setting up, consenting, or adhering to any other  governing powers. 'Tis yet the law given by God, and repeated by Christ, that you should do unto all men, (Saints or not Saints) even as you would that they should do to you. And we do believe that you would not, that any man or men should impose laws upon you at pleasure, and assume a power over your lives and estates without your consent; and therefore it cannot be righteousness in you to do it unto others. Say not therefore that God is gone out of Parliaments, unless you could prove that God hath abolished this old law; or that by some other diulne law the power of politic government is now to be derved from other original than the people's consent or choice; and we beseech you, dear Christians, never fancy that ye are righteous or holy, if the divine laws be not your rule; we can no way so highly advance Christ's Kingdom, as by obeying his laws, and to be found doing them when he comes.  
But say some others, we dare not have a hand in the choice of Parliaments, for we doubt they will take away our liberty of conscience in worshipping God, and we now enjoy it under the Lord Protector, that's worth▪ all things else.  
Dear Christians, we beseech you try these your fears, whether they be of God; by what you allege; you seem to say, we cannot endeavour to settle a righteous government, lest they oppress our consciences. First try whether you can find by scripture or reason, any other way (except the people's personal agreement) to settle a lawful authority in this nation, but by some chosen Deputies to represent the people, and consent in their behalves to such laws as are now necessary for safety, peace, and common right and justice a mongst us; if you can, then there is place for prudence, to advise whether your liberties will be secure by Parliaments; but if you can find no other just means of making our laws, and settling a lawful government, than you must either renounce obedience to God, or else cheerfully do your duty, and choose your Deputies with wisdom and integrity, and trust to the divine providence to bless and protect you and your liberties, whilst you walk according to his rules, and no question, if there be due addresses to God, and dependence upon him (if it be at this time good for his people, and most for his honour to preserve their liberties in his worship) he will do it by Parliaments, and will smite the hearts of any that now intent persecution, as he smote the heart of Saul in his journey. Act. 9.4. However you may more comfortably depend upon God in pursuing the paths of righteousness in government, than you can in adhering to any power assumed in unrighteousness, under good pretences, when the Ark tottered. 2 Sam. 6.6, 7. Vzziah put forth his hand with an intent to save the Ark, yet it cest him his life, because he took his own way, and not Gods to his good ends. And many that adhered to Absolom in his rebellion. 2 Sam. 15, 4. (upon hopes of greater liberty, which he promised them▪) justly perished with him. God will have justice, and mercy, rather than sacrif ce; and its better to suffer for righteousness sake, than to enjoy the pleasures of in for a season. yet if your representatives may be duly chosen, and freely consult without the influence of a Court, or the a we of a mercenary soldier, their own interests and concernment bind them, much more than any Court, standing counsel or arbitrary powers, to provide for liberty of conscience, they themselves being subject to the laws they make, and being without any possible private interest in oporessing any man's conscience, when the others have always an interest of their own, cross to the peoples, which guides their resolutions, and may probably lead them to oppress one day the same people's conscience, that were their savourites the day before.  
But some may yet say, it is to no purpose to mind these elections, because the Lord Protector with his red-Coats will either force them to serve his ends, or turn them home again.  
We confess there is much cause for these fears, yet they are no ground for you to forbear to elect, or to be elected, it cannot be denied that (unless there could be a personal agreement of the people) an assembly of the people's Deputies, is the only visible means to settle justice, r ght and peace in the nation; and if so, then, no fear of the success or of any danger, can warrant the omission or neglect of using the last or only visible means of common right and safety, when there was no other visible means left to preserve her Country from ruin, than it was fit for Esther to attempt that means. Esther 4.16. (though the Tyrant's sword had decreed it to be death to use it) and to cry out if I perish I perish: none that love justice and their Country, may omit any one prebable means of their prosperity and safety.  
Secondly, the success of a lawful means of good ought not to be disinherited, who knows what Jonathan and his armourbearer may do when the spirit of God cometh upon them. 1 Sam. 14.6. when Hezekiah had paid Senacharib all his due tribute, and nothing would content him, but that Hezokiah and his people must be slaves, and the people were in great fear because of his mighty host, what became of his one hundred and eighty thousand men in a night. 2 Kings 18.14. with 31.  
Thirdly, admit the hopes of good were very small, if the possiblt means be not used, and justice and righteousness in government be subverted, and the name of God thereby blasphemed and your Country ruined, you cannot comfortably suffer under it, your conscience will be galled with remembrance that you neglected one opportunity that might possibly have prevented all the mischief.  
Fourthly, if the assembly prove fruitless, yet your electing carefully such as you aught may prevent much mischief; if men of corrupt, rotten principles, and of mean base servile spirits should stand under the notion of the people's representatives, by reason of honest men's negligence about the election; how will the name and glory of God be eclipsed, that should shine forth in laws founded on justice and reason, and in governor's acted by noble and sanctified principles? how may unrighte ousnesse be settled by a law; and you and your posterities sold for slaves, to serve like beast; the will and lust of great men; therefore the danger you mention as a discouragement in your election, is the greatest possible argument of care and caution in the election. And if your Deputies should be returned home again, for their faithfulness and integrity in their trust, the sin be upon their heads that do r, and the measure of their iniquity will be the sooner full, and fit for divine vengeance. Now as we hope all honest men will be satisfied, that it is their duties to choose their Deputies for the approaching Parliament, so we humbly pray them, not to slight their duty, nor do it negligently. Think not upon this as a small thing, that must give place to a bargain, or a day's harvest work, or the saving of a load or two of hay or Corn, do not think it of such mean concernment, that it is indifferent with you whether you go to the elections or not, unless your friend or your landlord send to you. Let us entreat you to consider the nature of your Duty and the Importance of it to yourselves and others.  
You are now to choose those that are to judge of all your common grievances and complaints, and to study and contrive your redress, ease and happiness, you are now to choose those that are to dispose of and comm●●d your purses, and to lay what taxes upon you they in their wisdom shall think necessary: you are now to choose those that are to make war or peace for you, so that the blood of yourselves and the whole Country, is in effect (under God) bound up in the wisdom and Integrity of their Resolutions; they may under God involve you in blood and Confusion, or settle you in peace and Happiness: you are now to choose those that are to choose for you all the Rules of your civil lives and conversations, they are to judge wherein you shall be bound and wherein free. The Rules and Laws you have already are in their power to alter (saving to you your natural Rights) and what new laws they judge necessary, you are to be bound by them: you are to choose those that are to supervise the Administration of all Justice amongst you; so that in truth you are now to provide for all righteousnhsse's amongst men, wherein the Glory of God, and the Honour of the profession of Christianity is so much concerned. And in a word, you are now to choose those whom you trust with your persons, your lives, your estates, your wives and children, and your country. If you have any value for any of these, and love to justice, and the Honour of God, and love to your dearest Country, and tenderness to your wives and children, or your own blood, or any love to your trades, peace and safety, you are seriously to mind this election and to take heed how you choose, and whom you choose, and to do it conscionably as in the sight of God, and not as men-pleasers. Take heed that no vile corrupt motive bias or incline your minds in your Election. Let not any Dependence you have upon any man for personal profit and advantage move you, let not friendship or relation of any kind whatsoever make you recede from the pure and noble principles of freeborn English men. Let not the greatest power or pomp of any man make you admire him, or incline your minds to trust him. Let not hopes of favour or countenance of any man allure you, sell not yourselves and posterity, and country at such low prices as these. Neither let the threats or terror of any man, nor yet the clashing of the soldier's Arms affright you out of your Impartial judgements and Integrity in your choice; and we beseech you lay aside all personal prejudice against any sort of men, and agree together to have nothing in your eyes in your Elections, but the worth and fitness of the persons for so great a trust as you are to repose in them. And inquire after these ensuing Qualifications.  
First, that they be such men as Jethro counselled Moses to choose, men, fearing God, and haring covetousness, and lovers of righteousness and truth. Exod. 18.21.  
Secondly, that they be men of judgement and wisdom, having a sense of, and able to look into the true causes of all our Country's misery's distractions and burdens; and by God's help to contrive the best means of our ease and settlement in freedom and peace.  
Thirdly, that they be men of courage and fortitude, despising danger and hazard for the common good; such as think not their lives too dear to venture for righteousness sake: men of cowardly mean spirits will sell themselves and you for slaves, if any man of power boldly attempt to be a tyrant over you.  
Fourthly, that they be men of uprightness and integrity in their lives, such as sear not good laws but love them; how can evil doers to whom good laws are a terror be instrumental to make such laws? such as are faith breakers and falsifiers of their trusts, proud and arbitrary, oppressors of others, or despisers of the laws; such can never hearty endeavour that justice should be done on such offenders, and without that, you can never enjoy freedom or safety.  
Fifthly, that they be full of mercy, love and goodness to all men, full of the bowels of Christ, taking compassion of such as are out of the way, not malicious cruel or blocdy, whose hands and hearts are ready to thirst for the blood of such as are not of their minds though men more righteous than themselves.  
Sixthly, that they be men of meek humble and sober minds, not proud or ambitious, nor passionate, such will easily degene eaten into tyrants, or be ready to share in tyranny.  
Seventhly, That they be men of public enlarged minds and hearts, who know they are not born for themselves, but to give glory to God in righteousness in their generation; such as cannot be satisfied unless they be doing good to othe●s; not men of private mean spirits who m●nd not how the nation fares, if it be well with them; such will be ready to betray you to save themselves.  
Eighthly, That they be men equally concerned with you in all they shall advise about, or enact, whose interest is bound up in yours, and must share equally in all your common burdens, opp essions and losses, not such as live upon the public purse, or any of their adherents, whose gain is your loss, and whose pomp and greatness must be founded in your oppressions and ruins.  
Ninthly, that they be men of sound experience in public affairs and well affected with the worth of our good old cause, and well read in the deceits of this age, and such of whose faithfulness you have had some trial; seek out we say, dear Christian friends and Countrymen, for men thus fitted by God for public trust, and meet and advise together how you may find out men so qualified; and then acquaint each other with your knowledge you have of them, and lend such in your stead to the Grand Assembly, and then pray for them, and stand by them, and take every affront done to them, as done to the whole nation, and to every one of you in particular, and then without doubt (if God shall please to humble the nation for the sins which have brought us under all our miseries) the mighty God will so bless all those endeavours that tend to the advancing of righteousness, truth and justice, that the voice of Tyranny and Oppression will be no more heard amongst us; your liberties will be vindicated, your Grievances and burdens eased, the Honour of our Country (that now lieth in the dust among all nations) will be again restored; your trades revived, peace and plenty returned, and the Generations yet unborn will have cause to bless God for such an Assembly: and what shall we say more to you? dear Christians and Countrymen; Do not the tears of the widow, and the cries of the fatherless speak? do not your imprisoned friends speak? do not your banished neighbours speak? do not your infringed rights speak? do not your invaded properties speak? do not your gasping liberties speak? do not your often affronted Representatives, (which have been trod upon with scorn) speak? 
Witness Jamaica.  do not your encumbered estates speak? do not the blood of many thousands speak, some slain with the sword, and others killed with hunger? do not the cries of your poor brethren the honest Sea men, the wall and bulwark of our Nation against foreigners, who have so freely ventured their lives upon all just accounts and calls, and are now most barbarously forced from their wives and children to serve the ambitious, and fruitless designs of one man? do not all your ruins at home and abroad, by land and sea speak to you? Surely they have loud voices, surely they do daily cry in your cares, Help, help, or England perishes.   
FINIS.