SEVERAL PROPOSALS FOR THE GENERAL GOOD OF THE COMMONWEALTH. WITH The Grounds and Reasons thereof.  
Seriously propounded out of a real desire of a firm establishment of the peace and Liberties of the Commonwealth.  
LONDON: Printed for Stephen Dagnall, Bookseller at Alsbury. 1651.   

Several Proposals for the general good of the Commonwealth. With the Grounds and Reasons thereof.  
1. THat, for the more orderly proceeding in all cases of Law, the Courts of Judicature may be continued still at Westminster (or so many of them, as upon serious examination shall be judged necessary) with such Offices thereon depending, as shall be found apparently useful, and not burdensome to the Commonwealth; And that the Terms may be kept at certain times of the year, and not according to the former movable Feasts, whereby the superstitious observation of those Feasts may be forgotten; and the people the better attend their seasons, and employments in the Country; And that the several Terms may be made equal in length, whereby they may be the fit for the dispatch of all business relating unto each Term; For should the Courts of Judicature, and the Terms now kept at Westminster be discontinued there, and settled in several Counties, or Provinces, many inconveniences would inevitably follow. As first there must be as many Offices erected in each County, or Province, as necessarily depend upon all the Courts at Westminster, all which must either be maintained by the State, or by particular persons, whose Suits shall be depending there. 2ly, The several Judges of those Provincial, or County Courts, having no society together, will cause a great alteration in the Laws, by their various Interpretations of them; which would bring so great a confusion with it, that no person could either safely travel, or traffic in another Jurisdiction as being ignorant of the Laws, and Customs there in use. 3ly, The Courts in the several Provinces, or Counties being of equal power, there could be no Appeals in case of any unjust proceed; or admit a Court should be set up in any place, for Appeals, the oppression would be very great, by reason of the multitude of Appeals, and the great charge all parties would be put unto in the prosecution, and defence of them, the whole business being to be heard again, with all the witnesses therein. 4ly, The continual residence of the Judges of each Province, or County, amongst their kindred, and acquaintance, would often tempt them unto partiality. 5ly, Not only the Cities of London, and Westminster, and parts adjacent would be impoverished for want of trading, and commerce, but the greatest part of the Commonwealth be decayed also; for every man that lives by trading (being enforced to utter his commodities in several parts, many times remote from his own habitation) must of necessity undergo both trouble, and hazard in recovering his just debts, it being impossible a Trade should be continued without trusting; and there being no Attorneis that will remove from one Jurisdiction to another to attend the Causes there depending, the Creditor must be enforced, for want of an Attorney to prosecute his Action, to repair in person to the place, where he lays his Action, how remote soever it be from his own dwelling, and thither also bring his witnesses at the hearing of his Cause, which, many times, through age, or other infirmities are unable to take so long a journey; and if the Debtor after judgement shall remove into another Jurisdiction, the prosecutor must go in person thither also, and there proceed upon that judgement; but if the Judges there should not allow his former judgement, as, being ignorant of the grounds thereof, the prosecutor after his great expense, & loss of time, would still remain without remedy. 6ly, Trading decaying, there will likewise follow a general fall in Rents in all places, and in all other commodities, so that all Tenants, which have taken Leases of lands, or houses for any term to come at a full Rent will also be undone; and though the State should grant them liberty to resign their Leases, yet, that would not keep them long from poverty, although it might be some refreshing for the present, there being no visible means left them, to employ the remainder of their stock for their subsistence; And not only Tenants would be thus impoverished, but all others much weakened in their Estates, and so unable to bear such taxes, as shall necessarily be imposed upon them for the supportation of the burdens of the Commonwealth, or to relieve those many Labourers, and Artificers, which would be brought to beggary, for want of work, and employment, which might produce some sad effects, and cause those Labourers, and Artificers to take such evil courses, as may exceedingly disturb the peace, & quiet of the Commonwealth: 7ly, Each several Jurisdiction would in time endeavour to become a Free State of themselves, and deny dependence, or subordination unto others, and refuse, to join in counsel for the general good of the Commonwealth, or give their common assistance in time of imminent danger arising in any other parts, unless they may make their own conditions, whereby many mischiefs and calamities will undoubtedly follow, to the ruin of the Common wealth, the particular members whereof being once disjoined, the whole body will soon become a prey to the Enemy; these inconveniences are apparent, many more will then discover themselves, when it may be too late to seek a remedy.  
2. That a severe course may be taken against the buying and selling of Offices, and that the fees, and allowance of all Officers, Lawyers, and other Ministers depending upon any Courts of Justice may be settled, and made known, And that no Office be imposed upon any by compulsion, but that such encouragement may be given to the undertakers of any Office, that they may willingly undergo the burden thereof by having an allowance given them proportionable to the trouble, and charge incident to their respective Offices; For there is no reason that some should be enriched by Offices of prosit conferred upon them, whilst others waste themselves, and their estates in the service of the Commonwealth. And to the end the number of Offices may not be overburthensome to the Commonwealth, a strict inquiry may be made of the usefulness of all Offices, and such continued only as shall be found useful for the service of the Commonwealth, with such a number of Officers as shall be necessary for the managing thereof: that so the Commonwealth may not be overburthened with the multitude of superfluous Offices, or Officers thereunto belonging, or the revenue thereof thereby exhausted. And, that for prevention of all abuses committed by Bailiffs chosen by the Shrief, the Constable in each Parish may be joined to execute all Writs, Warrants, and other process with liberty to break open any doors at seasonable times, for the better execution of such Writs, and Warrants as shall be directed unto him, and that a severe penalty may be inflicted upon all that shall resist him in the execution of his Office, or rescue any apprehended by him, And that such men may be put into that Office, as are known for their integrity, and may be responsable for their actions. And that all Officers may be continued in their places, either during life, or so long as they discharge their several truths with faithfulness, and none to be chosen annually, as heretofore, that by their long continuance in their Offices, they may the better know the duties of their places. And that the fees, and duty of all Officers may be published in Print, that their several powers and duties being made known unto all, they may be the better questioned for their injustice, or neglect; And that all Officers, or Ministers depending upon any Courts of Justice, taking bribes or greater fees, or rewards than shall be allowed them by the appointment of the State, may be severely punished, and be for ever after held uncapable of any Office or public employment in the Commonwealth.  
3. That the Statute Laws, and other Laws may be well revised, and such only left in force, as shall be useful for the Commonwealth freed from the former niceties, and obscurities; And that the benefit of all Fines, Issues, forfeitures of recognizances, & all penalties, upon such penal statutes as upon the review shall be judged necessary to be continued, or hereafter to be enacted, may either be employed, to the use of the respective parties damnified, or so much thereof as may make them satisfaction for their loss sustained thereby, or to the public use of the County, where the offence shall be committed, with allowance of such proportion thereof to the prosecutors, as shall be judged requisite for their encouragement to discover those offences, whereby the abuse of Officers in estreating the said Fines, or conniving thereat will be wholly taken away, and those misdemenours rectified, for which the said fines, and penalties were imposed, and the public charge of the County thereby lessened; And, to the end encouragement may be given for the apprehending of Robbers, and other felons, some allowance may be given to the apprehenders of them, proportionable to the quality of their offences, out of the goods, and estates of those Robbers and felons, forfeited upon their attainders, and that part of the residue may be allotted to the loser of his goods, in satisfaction of his loss, and the remainder, if any be) may be reserved to defray the public charge of the County, where the offence shall be committed, or the party apprehended.  
4. That no persons goods, or other estate may be exempted from the payment of their debts, and that Commissioners in each County from time to time, be authorized to sell the estates of such debtors, as shall refuse to satisfy their creditors within convenient time appointed by the said Commissioners, rendering to the debtor the overplus, that shall arise upon the sale of his estate, after satisfaction given to the several creditors, and to allot to each creditor his just proportion where the estate is not sufficient to satisfy them all; And that the said Commissioners may be empowered to examine the said debtors upon Oath, what sums of money they own, and to whom; and to examine all others upon Oath concerning the debtor's estate, and that a severe penalty may be inflicted upon the concealors thereof, to be employed towards the further satisfaction of the creditors.  
5. That care be taken for prevention of abuses daily committed by guardians, and such as are trusted with the managing of the estates of Infants, and that no married woman may be guardian to any, in regard she being under the power of another cannot improve the estate of the Infant to the best advantage, but must submit both the managing of the estate, and marriage of the Infant to the will of her husband, who often strives to raise his fortune by the Infant's ruin And that all guardians may give security to be accountable for the profits of the Infant's Lands, and may be liable to account to some friends of the Infants in the next degree, or to such as shall be thereunto appointed by Authority, either every year, or as often as those appointed to take the said Account shall find convenient; for 'tis impossible that the Infant when he comes of age should have a clear account of all the profits of his Lands received by his Guardian during his minority, or discover what hath been disbursed for him during all that time, but must either take his Guardians word, or else exhibute a Bill for the discovery thereof, which often proves a fruitless remedy, And that Guardians may be allowed during the minority of the Infant out of the revenue of his estate, to pay these debts the Infant shall be liable to pay when he comes to age, or his estate stand charged withal, whereby creditors may be relieved, which otherwise must stay, to their exceeding prejudice until the Infant comes to age, And that executors may give security to perform the Will of the testator, and Administrators to give security for the payment of the debts of the intestate, and for the equal distribution of the remainder of the goods to all that have right thereto according to Law: And that exemplifications of Wills, legally proved under the Seal of the Office, may be allowed in evidence upon trials for Land, aswell as the Original Will; And that all provisoes, or conditions in Wills, or deeds may be adjudged void in Law, which shall restrain any persons under any penalty, or upon the forfeiture of any Lands or goods settled upon them, from suing for any other Lands or goods settled upon any other persons, by the said Wills, or Deeds, or by any other, or from endeavouring to overthrow the validity of the said Wills, or Deeds; that so all persons may have free liberty to recover their just rights, without hazarding any part thereof, for by means of such provisoes, and conditions, many Heirs are disinherited of great estates, and dare not sue for any part thereof for fear of losing all, or endeavour to overthrow such Wills, or Deeds, whereby that estate is settled upon others, who, working upon the weakness of the owners of such estates, when they are not of perfect, and disposing memory, do procure such provisoes, and conditions to be inserted, which may secure their broken titles, and prevent all future claims.  
6. That, for the prevention of the daily mis-imployment of lands, and money given to Hospitals, Colleges, and Schools, and to other charitable uses, Commissioners may be settled in each County, for the calling to an account of all Governors of Hospitals, Colleges, and Schools, and of all other Feoffees in trust for charitable uses, how they have employed the said Lands, or money committed to their trust, that so there may be a clear discovery of all abuses therein, and those abuses rectified, and the offenders punished; And that the chargeable feasts daily made by such Governors, and Feoffees may be discontinued, and the expenses thereof converted to a better use; And that special care may be taken for the erecting of Schools in places convenient, and for the admitting to Scholarships, and Fellowships, in the first place the children of the poorer sort, whose ingenuities shall make them capable thereof; And that the yearly allowance of the govenours of Hospitals, and Colleges may be so moderated, that they may not exceed in wealth by the poors revenues, and that the surplusage of their revenues, may either be employed for increasing the number of the Poor, or Scholars in the respective Hospitals, and Colleges, or augmenting their allowance, where they have not sufficient maintenance; or for the erecting of free Schools in places convenient, for the fitting of Scholars, to supply the vacancies in the respective Colleges those Schools shall be appropriated unto; And that a severe course may be taken against the buying and selling of Scholarships, and Fellowships, by inflicting penalties, upon both buyers, and sellors thereof.  
7. That Tithes, which are found by sad experience to be oppressive to many people may be taken away, and care taken for the satisfaction of such impropriators, at a general charge, and that a strict inquiry may be made therein, for many are usurped by several patrons, without any colour of a title to them, and that some other unoppressive way may be appointed for the maintenance of a faithful Ministry in some measure suitable to their deserts, and the greatness of the charge they undertake; And that each Congregation may be restored to the election of their Ministers, with certain rules and cautions prescribed for the more orderly proceed therein, and for the casting out of such, as shall be scandalous, and unfit for the work of the Ministry.  
8. That care be taken for the balancing of Trade with foreign States, and making the Coin here currant equal in allay, and value with the Coin of other States, that this Commonwealth may not be impoverished by foreign Merchants gaining the Trade, and by the transportation of Coin; And that foreign Nations may be prohibited the fishing upon the English Coast, that so the people of this Land might reap the profit thereof unto themselves, and not be forced to buy their own Fish of foreigners; And that customs may either be moderated or taken away, unless it may be a policy in State to continue the payment of customs upon all commodities brought in by foreign Merchants; for if the yearly income accrueing to the State by customs, should be compared to the vast sums, the people pay by the exchantment of the price of all commodities passing through many hands before they come to be made use of, the disproportion would seem almost incredible, for every Trader looks to gain, aswel, by the sum he pays for Custom, as by the sum he first disbursed for the commodity, which carries with it an increase of gain through every hand it passeth, so that the people who are necessitated to make use of those commodities, pay much more than comes in clearly to the State, besides the sums expended, in collecting of it in Fees to the several Officers employed therein; for remedying of which inconvenience, and lessening of the people's burdens such a course may be taken that all moneys to be raised for the public use, may be levied by an equal rate proportionally to men's real and personal estate, without exemption of any Land from the payment of its due proportion, if the people would consider the benefit they should reap thereby, and therewith rest contented, until the great affairs of the Commonwealth would permit a relaxation of those taxes, which are the easier to be born in regard they are brought, in at a certain, and cheap rate, and the collectors thereof more subject to a strict account.  
9 That care be taken for the encouragement and increase of Trade throughout the Commonwealth, by prohibiting the transportation of such commodities, which may any ways prejudice the manufactures of this Land; that so there may be employment in profitable Trades for all those that being willing to work, are now ready to perish for want of work and employment, And for the avoiding the many misdemenours committed daily by persons of dissolute life and conversation, care to be taken for the compelling such to work, and punishing those that shall refuse, and spend their time, and estates in Inns, and Alhouses, for prevention of which inconveniences, the licensing and suppressing of Taverns, Inns, and Alehouses may be referred to the discretion of the Justices of peace in the●… several Limits, whereby, the number of such houses being lessened, those that continue, may the better maintain themselves without disorder; And that some stricter course may be taken, for the freeing this Land from that cursed crew of Rogues, and Vagabonds, which spend as much, or more than would maintain the poor, and renders this Land the scorn and derision of other Nations, who might more profitably be set on work at home, or being incorrigeable, transported into other plantations abroad; And, that the number of labourers may not increase beyond the portion of work that may conveniently be provided for them, care be taken for the prohibiting the building new cottages in Burroughs, and Market Towns without laying some considerable portion of Land thereunto; and that no new Cottage may be erected out of Market Towns without laying thereunto a double portion of Land required by the statute, and the like portion of Land to be laid to all Cottages already built, where the owner of such Cottage hath sufficient Land in the same Parish to make up that proportion; for where Cottages depend wholly upon their labour, and have neither Corn, not Cattles to supply wants through sickness, or other casualties, they soon are brought to poverty; And whereas the owners of Cottages, by the excessive rents reserved upon them, do often cause their Tenants to be chargeable to the respective Parishes where they live, such care may be taken therein that the Landlords may be compelled to allow such a proportion of their Rents to their decayed, and impoverished Tenants as may free the Parish from the burden of maintaining them.  
10. That confederation may be taken of the sufferings of Copy holder's by the excessive fines, and Heriots taken at every change according to the will of the several Lords, which copyholders are often also enforced by the exactions of their Lords, to renew their estates for years instead of lives, which Leases once expired, their coppyhold estate is quite extinct, and so those Lands become wholly at the Lords dispose; The condition also of the several Tenants to corporations, and companies in Cities, and Burroughs is grown of late as miserable as the other, whose Tenants having estates for lives, or years have expended large sums of money in building, and other improvements of the Land they held, in hope of having their estates renewed at the usual rates upon the expiration of their several terms, but of late such excessive Fines have been imposed upon them, that they have been uncapable of renewing their estates, and so have been compelled to leave those Lands which they and their predecessors have enjoyed for many years to be possessed by some of the alliance, or dependants of their Landlords, without any satisfaction had for their disbursements and improvements, the Fines so taken seldom being employed to any other use but the feasting of themselves, and others, the yearly rents, and profits of those Lands being sufficient to discharge the several uses those Lands were first appointed for, without the taking such excessive Fines, And further that such a course may be taken, that all other Tenants also (who by their own particular charge, and industry shall much improve the Lands they hold, may have reasonable satisfaction made them by their Landlords, in case they shall not reap the benefit of their improvement before the expiration of their Leases; that so they may the better be encouraged to improve the Lands they hold to the best advantage of the Commonwealth, without receiving any prejudice by such improvements.  
11. That consideration may be taken of the large, and vast circuits of ground lying waste, and in great measure unprofitable, and some course taken for the improvement thereof for the benefit of those that are interested therein, according to their several interests, and proportions. And that, where the commoners, or owners of such grounds refuse to make an improvement thereof themselves, liberty may be given to any others to improve those wastes, allowing such reasonable satisfaction to the proprietors, as shall be thought fit, by such Commissioners as shall be appointed for that purpose, and for the deciding of all other differences that shall arise amongst the improvers; and that liberty may be given to the owners of all other Lands to improve the same, where the advantage to the Commonwealth by such improvement may out balance particular interests, and advantages, and no depopulation thereupon ensue; and to the end the poorer sort of people may enjoy the benefit of such commons as shall be thought fit to be continued, aswell as others who have greater stocks, all right of commoning without number may be taken away, and every commoner allowed his due proportion, according to the proportion of his Lands; And that for the avoiding many suits in Law, each Parish may enjoy the commons therein unto themselves, and no others not having any Lands therein, to be entercommoners with them, either by prescription, or by any other title; And that encouragement may be given for the more diligent searching after mines of all sorts by permitting the owners of the ground, where any mine of any metal shall be found, to reap the sole benefit thereof without any seizure by the State, as heretofore.  
12. That a strict inquiry may be made by Commissioners in every County of all general nuisances, erecting of Mills, planting of Warrens, turning of water courses, or Highways, or the like, or of any thing else that may be more prejudicial to the borderers, than either advantageous to the party or the Commonwealth, and such of them rectified or taken away that shall be so found; And to the end all Highways leading to Market Towns may be made more passable, all persons may be compellable under a certain penalty to repair those ways as far as his own Land lieth, with the like liberty for the gathering of stones, or digging stones, or gravel in any man's Land within the same Parish as formerly was given to the Parish by the statute, and where the highway lies between two persons ground both of them to join in the charge of the repairing of it, as far as their Land lieth, in that manner, for commonly such ways are made defective by the means of those that border thereupon, and therefore the more fit to be repaired by them, rather than by such poor people, who are not able to support themselves, and Families during the time required by the statutes now in force, for their assistance, and that those Highways as lie through wastes, and commons, may be repaired by the Commoners, and Lord of the Soil, where his profit out of the said wastes, and Commons is considerable, by such proportions as shall be reasonable, and where the owner of Land adjoining to the way, is not able through poverty to repair his part, that defect either so be supplied by the Parish, or by such therein, as have no Land adjoining to those Highways; that so the burden may be born with most equality.  
13. That all Fairs may be kept upon certain days of the month, and not according to the former movable Feasts; for those days will never be forgotten by the people, so long as they continue to be a guide for any business, and that after a general settlement of all Fairs, a catalogue thereof may be set forth in Print, that all may have sufficient notice of the alterations; And that for the better prevention of the frequent stealing of Horses, a strict course may be taken, that no Horse may be sold in Fair, or Market without being entered into the Toll Book, with the names of the buyer, seller, and voucher, and of the place of their several residencies, and that the keeper of the toll Book enter no Horse therein, unless the seller, or voucher be known unto him, upon pain of making satisfaction for the Horse to the owner that hath lost him; and that the voucher not knowing the seller and his place of residence may undergo the like penalty; and that an Office may be erected in London, into which all keepers of toll Books shall certify all horses entered into their several Toll Books, with their particular marks, and prizes, with the names of the buyer, seller, and voucher, and of the places of their several residencies, within one month afrer the entrance of them, that being recorded in the said Office all loser's of Horses may repair thither, and be informed where their Horses were sold, and the stealer thereby discovered; And that some fitting allowance may be given to the keeper of the said Office; and some additional allowance given to the keeper of the toll Book by the buyer and seller of the Horse, if it shall be thought requisite in respect of his trouble in certifying the sale thereof into the said Office.  
14. That none by virtue of any tenure, grant, charter, Office, degree, or place of residence, may be exempted from the ordinary course of Law, but that the same justice may be equally administered unto all; And that all privileges heretofore granted to any persons, or to any corporations, or companies in Cities, or Burroughs may be seriously considered, and such of them made void, as shall be found unresonable, or oppressive to the people, And that all persons resident in Corporations, and Burrough Towns, may have liberty to appeal to the Judges of Assize, or Justices at the general Quarter-sessions, upon any unjust proceed against them by the Justices of the said corporations, or Burrough-towns otherwise Justices in corporations being either ignorant of the Laws, or led by private interests, may do injustice without control, who are Justicss only by their Charter, and not by Commission.  
15. That some titles of Honour may be conferred upon the eminent maintainers of the Liberties of the Commonwealth, answerable to the greatness of their services they have performed; for there is no reason, that such as have been enemies to the Commonwealth and Liberties thereof should enjoy their titles of Honour, whilst those that have subdued them, and so often hazarded their lives for the service of the Commonwealth should still remain as private men, without any notice taken of their deserts; And further it may be considered, whether it may not be more advantageous to the Commonwealth, and add more to the reputation of all those that shall be honoured with such titles, That all titles of Honour may continue but for life, and not be made hereditary unless the successor inheriting the virtues of his predecessor shall be thought worthy by the State, to have the same honours conferred upon him, which course may cause such persons to endeavour to exceed their Predecessors in their virtues, and engagements to the State, and be a means that honours may be looked upon as badges of desert, and not be stained by the dissolute, and unworthy carriage of any, as hath been too often seen; And further it may be considered, whether it may not be convenient, and for the service of the Commonwealth, rather to cast an eye of favour upon such persons, who having formerly opposed the State, shall now show an evident demonstration of their true conversion, by the acknowledgement of their former errors, and cordial submission to the present Government, than still to let such persons, eminent for their parts and ingenuities, to live like drones in a Commonwealth, uncapable of employment, whose future services might countervail their former errors, and heal the breaches made amongst us, by a former union.  
16. That for the better holding correspondency with foreign States, and managing the weighty business of the Commonwealth with greater safety, the Members of the Council of State may be continued, so long as they discharge their trust with faithfulness, and not be subject to a yearly change; for a succession of persons often changed cannot manage the weighty affairs committed to their trust, with that advantage and security to the Commonwealth or so easily discover the secret stratagems contrived by Foreign States, or so well frustrate their devices, often long in hatching as those, that by their long experience in affairs of State, and by their holding of intelligence in Foreign Princes Courts, do observe the growth of such designs, whereby they may prevent the evils that would follow, and carry on the grand concernments of the State with greater safety; for no man's born a Statesman, And if a yearly change of Councillors, as some desire should be admitted by the State, what encouragement would any have to waste their time, and treasure to fit themselves for that employment, which would last but so short a time? and what mischiefs would attend the State, which would be swayed by raw, and ignorant Statesmen? for in King James his time, it was observed, that when the ancient stock of grave, and prudent Counsellors was decayed, and others placed in their rooms, not having that experience in the affairs of State, the honour of this Nation was exceedingly impaired, and some foreign States gained those advantages so prejudicial to this Nation, that to this day could never be regained.  
17. That to prevent the many inconveniences that may arise by the often change of persons in authority, secure provision may be made, from the dissolution of this present Parliament, for the equal distribution of elections in all Counties, with certain rules and cautions prescribed for the more orderly proceeding at elections; and for making disaffected persons uncapable of being elected, or electors or being present at elections; and that none under a severe penalty shall give any reward, or other recompense to any person for his vote at any election, or before, or after; And that none but freeholders of such a yearly value, as shall be judged fit, may have a vote at any election, and all tenants, and Copyholders to continue still disabled, to elect, or to be present at elections; for should all Tenants any copyholders (who depend upon the will of their Landlords and other Lords of manors) be allowed to give their votes at such elections, many disaffected persons (which should be thought fit to be disabled themselves to vote at such elections) instead of their own single votes, would procure many to vote according to their own desires; whereby many disaffected persons would become members of the supreme Council of the Commonwealth, and so the Commonwealth betrayed; And, that the continuance of each Parliament may be left to the wisdom of the particular members thereof, that so they may have time for the dispatch of the great affairs committed to their care, and for the remedying of the grievances of the Commonwealth; for 'tis impossible to predict what weighty business may befall each Parliament, and what obstructions they may meet withal in the dispatch thereof; what rules can then exactly be prescribed unto them for the time of their continuance or had this present Parliament been either limited a certain period, or tied to the exact performance of such rules, as should have been prescribed unto them by any former Parliaments; instead of that happy peace, and liberty is enjoyed, this Commonwealth had been involved in perpetual slavery.  
FINIS.