A needful corrective or ballance in popular government expressed in a letter to James Harrington, Esquire, upon occasion of a late treatise of his, and published as seasonable in the present juncture of affaires
         Vane, Henry, Sir, 1612?-1662.
      
       
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             A needful corrective or ballance in popular government expressed in a letter to James Harrington, Esquire, upon occasion of a late treatise of his, and published as seasonable in the present juncture of affaires
             Vane, Henry, Sir, 1612?-1662.
             Harrington, James, 1611-1677.
          
           11, [1] p.
           
             s.n. ,
             [S.l. :
             1660?]
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             Caption title.
             Attributed to Henry Vane. cf. NUC.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Great Britain -- Politics and government -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A65173  R22032  (Wing V72).  civilwar no A needful corrective or ballance in popular government, expressed in a letter to Iames Harrington, Esquire, upon occasion of a late treatise Vane, Henry, Sir 1659    4893 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 B  The  rate of 4 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           A
           NEEDFUL
           CORRECTIVE
           OR
           BALLANCE
           IN
           Popular
           Government
           ,
           Expressed
           in
           a
           Letter
           to
           
             IAMES
             HARRINGTON
             ,
          
           Esquire
           ,
           Upon
           occasion
           of
           a
           late
           Treatise
           of
           his
           ;
           And
           published
           as
           seasonable
           in
           the
           present
           Juncture
           of
           Affaires
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           THE
           high
           esteem
           and
           reverence
           you
           bear
           (
           and
           that
           deservedly
           )
           unto
           humane
           Prudence
           ,
           (
           which
           the
           more
           ancient
           the
           date
           is
           that
           you
           set
           to
           it
           ,
           is
           doubtless
           the
           better
           ,
           as
           most
           partaking
           of
           its
           primitive
           purity
           )
           does
           nevertheless
           ,
           I
           fear
           ,
           out-weigh
           with
           you
           ,
           beyond
           what
           it
           ought
           ,
           to
           the
           derogation
           and
           prejudice
           of
           that
           pattern
           for
           Magistracy
           it self
           ,
           which
           was
           shewn
           unto
           
             Moses
          
           in
           the
           Mount
           ,
           during
           
           the
           forty
           dayes
           in
           which
           the
           body
           of
           that
           godly
           Man
           was
           nourished
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           secondary
           meanes
           ,
           and
           yet
           lived
           not
           upon
           the
           air
           ,
           but
           upon
           every
           word
           that
           proceeded
           out
           of
           the
           mouth
           of
           God
           :
           In
           the
           wisdom
           of
           which
           Word
           he
           was
           then
           taught
           to
           see
           the
           most
           excellent
           platforme
           of
           Civil
           Government
           ;
           as
           having
           its
           root
           and
           inward
           principles
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           its
           outward
           administration
           flowing
           from
           Divine
           Institution
           &
           revelation
           :
           of
           which
           we
           may
           well
           suppose
           ,
           that
           the
           abilities
           in
           
             Jethro
          
           a
           Heathen
           (
           that
           appeared
           in
           the
           advice
           he
           gave
           touching
           the
           outward
           order
           to
           be
           observed
           for
           the
           administration
           of
           Justice
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           of
           
             Israel
          
           )
           did
           fall
           very
           short
           ,
           although
           there
           be
           nothing
           contained
           in
           the
           one
           ,
           which
           may
           not
           have
           witness
           and
           justification
           given
           unto
           it
           by
           the
           other
           ,
           as
           was
           the
           case
           between
           
             Jethro
          
           and
           
             Moses
             ;
          
           yet
           
             Moses
          
           was
           he
           ,
           that
           by
           conversing
           face
           to
           face
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           receiving
           the
           lively
           Oracles
           ,
           was
           much
           better
           qualified
           to
           lay
           down
           the
           rules
           of
           a
           perfect
           Common-wealth
           Government
           then
           
             Jethro
          
           was
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           help
           only
           of
           tradition
           ,
           acquired
           gifts
           and
           experience
           ,
           might
           arive
           to
           that
           skill
           in
           the
           rules
           of
           ancient
           Prudence
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           him
           a
           very
           knowing
           and
           able
           Politician
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           to
           stand
           in
           competition
           with
           
             Moses
             .
          
        
         
           And
           since
           you
           have
           thought
           fit
           ,
           in
           your
           Treatise
           shewing
           the
           
             Prerogative
             of
             popular
             Government
             ,
          
           and
           very
           worthily
           asserting
           that
           cause
           ,
           with
           great
           advantage
           on
           your
           part
           ,
           against
           all
           adversaries
           that
           are
           entred
           into
           the
           list
           with
           you
           ,
           to
           annex
           to
           it
           certain
           Queries
           with
           this
           inscription
           ,
           
             To
             the
             godly
             man
             :
          
           Be
           pleased
           to
           take
           in
           good
           part
           this
           general
           return
           that
           is
           made
           thereunto
           ,
           not
           with
           any
           intent
           to
           oppose
           ,
           but
           rather
           conntenance
           the
           essentials
           of
           that
           Government
           you
           plead
           for
           ,
           and
           perfect
           the
           principles
           of
           true
           freedom
           ,
           which
           are
           taught
           by
           ancient
           Prudence
           ,
           to
           the
           rendring
           us
           a
           holy
           as
           well
           as
           a
           free
           people
           :
           In
           which
           Spirit
           of
           holiness
           you
           may
           become
           invinsible
           against
           the
           very
           Clergy
           themselves
           ,
           that
           have
           begun
           to
           undertake
           you
           ;
           as
           you
           also
           ,
           in
           requital
           ,
           have
           not
           a
           little
           unmasked
           them
           in
           their
           pretended
           ordination
           ,
           which
           they
           ,
           as
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           would
           fain
           ingross
           and
           usurp
           to
           themselves
           ,
           without
           the
           free
           consent
           of
           the
           Congregation
           .
        
         
           Nor
           will
           it
           be
           much
           material
           in
           this
           ,
           to
           know
           from
           whom
           this
           comes
           to
           you
           ,
           under
           any
           other
           notion
           ,
           then
           the
           
             Advocate
             for
             the
             godly
             Man
             ,
          
           to
           whom
           your
           Queries
           are
           directed
           ;
           it
           being
           indeed
           from
           one
           that
           cannot
           be
           wrought
           off
           from
           a
           sincere
           and
           hearty
           friendship
           and
           value
           of
           true
           godliness
           ;
           how
           shameful
           soever
           the
           miscarriage
           hath
           been
           in
           these
           our
           dayes
           ,
           of
           those
           that
           having
           had
           only
           the
           form
           
           of
           it
           ,
           have
           served
           themselves
           thereof
           to
           advance
           their
           worldly
           interests
           ,
           to
           the
           making
           that
           very
           name
           to
           stink
           amongst
           the
           Heathens
           and
           great
           Leviathans
           of
           the
           world
           ;
           and
           therefore
           is
           desirous
           to
           receive
           a
           clear
           information
           and
           resolution
           from
           your self
           ,
           unto
           some
           Queries
           that
           you
           will
           find
           in
           the
           close
           of
           this
           paper
           ,
           directed
           to
           you
           ,
           on
           the
           behalf
           of
           the
           
             godly
             Man
             ;
          
           after
           some
           little
           discanting
           upon
           the
           nature
           of
           Government
           ,
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           and
           joyning
           in
           witness
           with
           you
           unto
           those
           principles
           of
           common
           right
           and
           freedome
           ,
           that
           must
           be
           provided
           for
           ,
           in
           whatsoever
           frame
           of
           Government
           it
           be
           ,
           which
           does
           pretend
           to
           a
           perfection
           in
           its
           kind
           .
        
         
           By
           Government
           or
           Rule
           in
           general
           is
           to
           be
           understood
           that
           power
           which
           ,
           
             de
             facto
             ,
          
           comes
           to
           be
           set
           up
           as
           supreme
           ,
           and
           is
           exercised
           over
           Nations
           or
           People
           by
           way
           of
           oversight
           and
           command
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           whole
           Body
           ,
           in
           either
           of
           the
           three
           conditions
           of
           men
           you
           mention
           ,
           whether
           of
           Servants
           ,
           Subjects
           ,
           or
           Citizens
           .
        
         
           The
           rise
           and
           being
           which
           is
           given
           to
           ruling
           Power
           amongst
           Nations
           and
           Kingdomes
           ,
           is
           not
           by
           chance
           ,
           nor
           meerly
           through
           the
           will
           of
           Man
           ,
           but
           hath
           its
           place
           found
           in
           Gods
           Ordinance
           and
           Institution
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           Power
           but
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Powers
           that
           are
           sprung
           either
           from
           his
           Authority
           and
           Commission
           ,
           or
           from
           his
           Tolleration
           and
           Permission
           .
           So
           as
           upon
           one
           account
           or
           the
           other
           ,
           we
           may
           truly
           say
           ,
           they
           are
           so
           limited
           and
           ordered
           by
           him
           ,
           whether
           it
           respect
           the
           form
           of
           their
           constitution
           ,
           the
           force
           of
           their
           operation
           ,
           or
           the
           time
           of
           their
           continuance
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           use
           and
           end
           which
           they
           serve
           unto
           ,
           that
           when
           all
           is
           done
           ,
           Power
           only
           belongs
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           kils
           and
           makes
           alive
           ,
           and
           puls
           down
           one
           and
           sets
           up
           another
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           kuown
           ,
           that
           the
           pillars
           of
           the
           Earth
           are
           his
           ,
           and
           he
           hath
           set
           the
           World
           upon
           them
           ,
           upholding
           all
           things
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           his
           Power
           ;
           so
           as
           neither
           promotion
           nor
           abasement
           does
           come
           from
           the
           East
           or
           from
           the
           West
           ,
           but
           from
           him
           alone
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           bring
           to
           passe
           the
           work
           which
           he
           hath
           to
           do
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Church
           and
           People
           .
        
         
           However
           Government
           ,
           considered
           as
           well
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           right
           as
           to
           the
           actual
           exercise
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           seated
           also
           in
           the
           will
           of
           man
           ,
           where
           it
           hath
           ,
           next
           under
           God
           ,
           its
           rise
           and
           being
           .
           And
           the
           access
           unto
           it
           is
           usually
           had
           upon
           pretence
           of
           one
           of
           these
           three
           rights
           .
        
         
           First
           the
           right
           of
           consent
           and
           free
           gift
           by
           the
           common
           vote
           of
           the
           whole
           Body
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           right
           door
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           exercise
           of
           supreme
           Power
           ,
           and
           is
           genuine
           ,
           natural
           ,
           righteous
           ,
           consonant
           
           to
           those
           pure
           Principles
           of
           mans
           nature
           ,
           wherein
           he
           was
           at
           first
           created
           ,
           and
           does
           declare
           the
           governed
           to
           be
           in
           the
           state
           of
           free
           Citizens
           ,
           who
           as
           Brethren
           partaking
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           right
           reason
           ,
           common
           to
           them
           as
           men
           made
           in
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           equally
           intituled
           to
           their
           own
           oversight
           and
           Government
           ,
           and
           do
           therefore
           see
           cause
           voluntarily
           to
           associate
           themselves
           together
           ,
           and
           on
           the
           grounds
           of
           common
           right
           and
           freedome
           ,
           to
           agree
           to
           be
           subject
           and
           yeild
           obedience
           to
           the
           Laws
           ,
           that
           are
           from
           time
           to
           time
           made
           amongst
           them
           by
           their
           own
           free
           and
           common
           consent
           .
           So
           as
           this
           sort
           of
           Empire
           or
           Government
           is
           that
           of
           Laws
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           is
           of
           a
           nature
           better
           agreeing
           with
           the
           many
           then
           the
           few
           ,
           and
           least
           of
           all
           with
           the
           single
           person
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           is
           the
           right
           of
           conquest
           ,
           which
           is
           also
           through
           the
           will
           of
           man
           usurping
           and
           imposing
           upon
           his
           Brethren
           ,
           by
           force
           of
           armes
           ,
           that
           which
           could
           not
           be
           obtained
           (
           as
           it
           ought
           )
           by
           free
           consent
           ,
           and
           is
           therefore
           held
           upon
           the
           same
           terms
           of
           force
           and
           violence
           ,
           to
           the
           proclaiming
           the
           governed
           to
           be
           fallen
           into
           a
           state
           of
           servants
           ,
           if
           not
           of
           slaves
           ,
           who
           hold
           all
           they
           have
           at
           the
           will
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           are
           in
           a
           condition
           most
           agreeing
           with
           the
           principles
           of
           absolute
           Monarchy
           ,
           as
           in
           practise
           began
           with
           
             Nimrod
             ,
          
           and
           is
           yet
           to
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           Government
           of
           
             Turkey
             ,
          
           and
           other
           Nations
           of
           the
           World
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           There
           is
           a
           mixed
           right
           that
           is
           made
           up
           of
           both
           the
           former
           ,
           to
           the
           rendring
           that
           tollerable
           ,
           and
           ,
           in
           some
           sort
           ,
           satisfying
           ,
           in
           process
           of
           time
           ,
           which
           was
           at
           first
           most
           wickedly
           &
           unduly
           acquired
           :
           And
           is
           their
           case
           ,
           who
           not
           being
           able
           to
           be
           free
           men
           ,
           are
           resolved
           to
           do
           their
           utmost
           not
           to
           be
           slaves
           ;
           and
           so
           are
           brought
           to
           consent
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           middle
           way
           ,
           between
           both
           ;
           agreeing
           to
           be
           subjects
           ,
           or
           yeild
           subjection
           to
           their
           Ruler
           ,
           upon
           condition
           of
           enjoying
           certain
           known
           rights
           and
           priviledges
           belonging
           to
           them
           as
           men
           ,
           and
           which
           may
           distinguish
           them
           from
           meer
           slaves
           ,
           and
           be
           laid
           as
           fundamental
           Laws
           of
           that
           constitution
           of
           Government
           .
           This
           way
           of
           obtaining
           the
           exercise
           of
           supreme
           Power
           ,
           carrying
           in
           it
           the
           temper
           and
           mixture
           of
           the
           other
           two
           ,
           is
           neither
           very
           good
           ,
           nor
           stark
           nought
           ;
           but
           is
           the
           worse
           for
           this
           ,
           that
           such
           as
           are
           under
           it
           do
           seldome
           care
           to
           be
           better
           ,
           they
           are
           so
           afraid
           ,
           that
           by
           attempting
           to
           mend
           themselves
           ,
           they
           shall
           make
           themselves
           irrecoverably
           worse
           .
           This
           kind
           of
           Government
           agrees
           not
           with
           the
           principles
           of
           absolute
           Monarchy
           ,
           nor
           perfect
           popular
           freedome
           ,
           but
           sorts
           with
           Aristocracy
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           mixture
           of
           them
           both
           ,
           and
           with
           regulated
           Monarchy
           ,
           as
           that
           of
           Kings
           ,
           Lords
           and
           Commons
           .
        
         
         
           The
           difficulty
           at
           first
           view
           appeares
           not
           to
           be
           great
           in
           introducing
           and
           settling
           a
           Government
           ,
           where
           the
           people
           are
           conquered
           by
           force
           of
           armes
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           (
           under
           the
           fright
           and
           apprehension
           of
           the
           fate
           of
           those
           that
           come
           to
           be
           reduced
           by
           the
           sword
           )
           to
           compound
           up
           the
           business
           in
           the
           middle
           way
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           as
           this
           Nation
           hath
           often
           and
           dearly
           experienced
           in
           the
           changes
           of
           Governors
           ,
           if
           not
           Governments
           ,
           which
           they
           have
           been
           subject
           unto
           ;
           So
           as
           the
           great
           clamour
           and
           objection
           lyes
           only
           against
           the
           first
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           practicableness
           of
           introducing
           and
           settling
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           supreme
           Power
           ,
           by
           the
           free
           and
           common
           consent
           of
           the
           Citizens
           ,
           whose
           equality
           in
           power
           is
           apt
           to
           make
           their
           tempers
           luxuriant
           and
           immoderate
           ,
           and
           keeps
           them
           from
           coming
           rightly
           to
           agree
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           such
           consequence
           .
        
         
           Wherein
           first
           consideration
           is
           to
           be
           had
           by
           them
           ,
           whether
           this
           high
           trust
           of
           the
           chief
           Magistracy
           shall
           be
           placed
           in
           one
           single
           person
           ,
           or
           in
           a
           collective
           Body
           of
           Elders
           ,
           or
           a
           Senate
           ,
           consisting
           of
           more
           or
           fewer
           persons
           ?
           And
           then
           ,
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Whether
           this
           Power
           shall
           be
           transferred
           absolutely
           to
           the
           person
           or
           persons
           so
           chosen
           ,
           or
           with
           limitation
           and
           condition
           ?
        
         
           To
           transferre
           it
           absolutely
           yeilds
           up
           with
           it
           the
           Legislative
           Power
           ,
           and
           sixes
           it
           as
           well
           as
           the
           executive
           ,
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           hand
           )
           admit
           it
           be
           to
           a
           single
           Person
           ,
           or
           a
           Senate
           )
           and
           leaves
           nothing
           afterward
           unto
           the
           People
           but
           slavery
           and
           bondage
           ,
           by
           putting
           forth
           all
           the
           Acts
           of
           Rule
           and
           Power
           without
           their
           consent
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           conferre
           this
           Power
           rationally
           ,
           and
           agreeably
           to
           the
           principles
           of
           ancient
           Prudence
           ,
           is
           to
           reserve
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           limitation
           ,
           that
           which
           may
           so
           qualifie
           and
           regulate
           the
           supreme
           executive
           Power
           ,
           in
           and
           by
           whatsoever
           hand
           it
           be
           exercised
           ,
           as
           is
           able
           to
           preserve
           it
           within
           its
           due
           bounds
           as
           it
           is
           executive
           ,
           and
           keeps
           the
           result
           of
           that
           wherein
           it
           is
           Legislative
           within
           the
           power
           and
           consent
           of
           the
           People
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           easily
           done
           ,
           by
           the
           help
           of
           a
           second
           order
           of
           men
           ,
           ordained
           and
           constituted
           by
           the
           Peoples
           suffrage
           ;
           who
           ,
           in
           the
           capacity
           of
           their
           Deputies
           and
           Representative
           Body
           ,
           are
           from
           time
           to
           time
           to
           make
           up
           one
           general
           Assembly
           with
           the
           Senate
           ,
           by
           yertue
           of
           their
           Summons
           and
           call
           ,
           and
           there
           to
           give
           the
           consent
           of
           the
           People
           to
           all
           Acts
           and
           Decrees
           that
           are
           Legislative
           and
           binding
           to
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
        
         
         
           The
           third
           thing
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           the
           right
           introducing
           and
           settling
           of
           Magistracy
           in
           a
           free
           State
           of
           Citizens
           ,
           is
           to
           dispose
           themselves
           ,
           or
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           disposed
           into
           that
           order
           ,
           which
           is
           requisite
           ,
           and
           may
           best
           conduce
           to
           the
           choice
           of
           meet
           and
           fit
           persons
           into
           either
           of
           the
           two
           Assemblies
           ,
           whether
           that
           of
           the
           Senate
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Peoples
           Representative
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           great
           difficulty
           remains
           yet
           to
           receive
           its
           solution
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           shew
           how
           the
           depraved
           ,
           corrupted
           ,
           and
           self-interested
           will
           of
           man
           ,
           in
           the
           great
           Body
           ,
           which
           we
           call
           the
           People
           ,
           being
           once
           left
           to
           its
           own
           free
           motion
           ,
           shall
           be
           prevailed
           with
           to
           espouse
           their
           true
           publiick
           interest
           ,
           and
           closely
           adhere
           to
           it
           ,
           under
           the
           many
           tryals
           and
           discouragements
           they
           must
           be
           sure
           to
           meet
           with
           ,
           before
           they
           obtain
           what
           they
           pursue
           .
        
         
           Which
           Objection
           being
           so
           experimental
           as
           it
           is
           ,
           carries
           with
           it
           the
           greater
           force
           ,
           and
           is
           obvious
           to
           most
           men
           ;
           by
           reason
           whereof
           they
           rather
           choose
           the
           bondage
           whereinto
           they
           fall
           under
           the
           power
           of
           the
           sword
           moderately
           used
           ,
           then
           to
           commit
           themselves
           to
           the
           boundless
           power
           of
           the
           peoples
           will
           unbridled
           ,
           and
           unsubjected
           unto
           any
           rules
           from
           inward
           principles
           ,
           or
           outward
           order
           and
           command
           .
        
         
           However
           ,
           in
           way
           of
           answer
           ,
           there
           is
           that
           to
           be
           said
           ,
           which
           whether
           it
           will
           weigh
           in
           the
           judgements
           of
           others
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           considerable
           with
           me
           .
        
         
           And
           first
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           but
           needful
           to
           enquire
           whence
           this
           is
           ,
           and
           also
           what
           is
           that
           which
           is
           wanting
           to
           ballance
           and
           compleat
           the
           motion
           of
           mans
           will
           ,
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           its
           own
           freedome
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           so
           little
           to
           be
           trusted
           and
           relyed
           on
           ,
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           that
           which
           is
           the
           common
           Interest
           of
           mankind
           ,
           and
           the
           publick
           good
           of
           humane
           Societies
           .
           And
           if
           in
           this
           we
           search
           to
           the
           bottom
           ,
           we
           have
           it
           declared
           in
           that
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           sayes
           ,
           
             It
             is
             not
             in
             man
             to
             order
             his
             own
             steps
             .
          
           Man
           ,
           at
           his
           best
           ,
           stands
           in
           need
           of
           the
           ballancing
           and
           ruling
           motion
           of
           Gods
           Spirit
           to
           keep
           him
           stedfast
           ;
           let
           his
           nature
           be
           made
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           at
           first
           ,
           holy
           and
           righteous
           ,
           when
           his
           will
           was
           morally
           bounded
           within
           the
           excellent
           limits
           that
           were
           set
           unto
           it
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           ,
           unto
           which
           he
           did
           bear
           a
           naturall
           and
           willing
           conformity
           in
           the
           spirit
           of
           his
           mind
           ,
           and
           was
           under
           the
           dictates
           of
           a
           pure
           enlightened
           reason
           .
        
         
           And
           how
           much
           therefore
           more
           does
           his
           nature
           and
           will
           want
           this
           ruling
           and
           moving
           influence
           now
           ,
           from
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           
           when
           it
           is
           at
           its
           worst
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           heal
           and
           restore
           what
           is
           lost
           ,
           but
           to
           add
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           supply
           ,
           that
           more
           grace
           that
           may
           preserve
           from
           the
           danger
           of
           future
           relapse
           .
           And
           this
           remedy
           is
           not
           alwayes
           at
           hand
           ,
           nor
           in
           mans
           power
           to
           take
           up
           at
           his
           pleasure
           .
           For
           as
           the
           wind
           bloweth
           where
           it
           listeth
           ,
           and
           none
           know
           whence
           it
           comes
           ,
           and
           whither
           it
           goes
           ;
           so
           is
           every
           one
           that
           is
           born
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           .
           And
           though
           it
           be
           easie
           with
           God
           to
           cause
           such
           a
           Nation
           to
           be
           born
           at
           once
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           the
           Earth
           bring
           forth
           in
           a
           day
           ,
           by
           the
           extraordinary
           effusion
           of
           his
           Spirit
           upon
           all
           flesh
           ,
           yet
           this
           is
           extraordinary
           ,
           and
           very
           remote
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           redress
           of
           the
           evil
           now
           in
           question
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           the
           consideration
           of
           this
           takes
           so
           farre
           impression
           with
           me
           ,
           as
           to
           conclude
           no
           Nation
           truly
           free
           that
           is
           in
           bondage
           to
           corruption
           ,
           and
           alienated
           from
           the
           life
           of
           God
           by
           wicked
           works
           ,
           how
           much
           soever
           it
           be
           set
           at
           liberty
           in
           other
           respects
           ,
           to
           use
           the
           power
           of
           its
           own
           will
           in
           providing
           for
           its
           own
           Government
           :
           But
           the
           People
           of
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           as
           sensible
           of
           their
           great
           want
           and
           misery
           ,
           in
           this
           respect
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           forward
           to
           complain
           ,
           and
           with
           great
           justice
           also
           ,
           of
           the
           force
           of
           the
           sword
           ,
           which
           God
           permits
           very
           frequently
           to
           be
           kept
           up
           over
           them
           ,
           till
           holy
           and
           righteous
           Principles
           be
           of
           more
           power
           and
           better
           reception
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           secondly
           ,
           Until
           such
           times
           of
           refreshing
           and
           healing
           shall
           come
           ,
           from
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           upon
           the
           Nations
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           is
           promised
           in
           the
           last
           of
           dayes
           ;
           we
           are
           to
           take
           care
           in
           the
           use
           of
           the
           ordinary
           meanes
           ,
           daily
           afforded
           by
           Gods
           Providence
           ,
           that
           are
           most
           conducing
           to
           guide
           and
           regulate
           the
           will
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           unto
           their
           making
           a
           good
           choice
           of
           the
           Senate
           and
           their
           own
           Deputies
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           meet
           together
           in
           one
           general
           Assembly
           ,
           by
           them
           acknowledged
           the
           free
           and
           compleat
           Representation
           of
           the
           whole
           Nation
           .
           And
           then
           ,
           this
           being
           once
           done
           ,
           and
           thereby
           the
           first
           great
           wheel
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           set
           upon
           its
           right
           hinges
           ,
           all
           the
           other
           inferior
           wheeles
           would
           quickly
           be
           set
           to
           keep
           motion
           and
           harmony
           with
           that
           ,
           to
           the
           bringing
           in
           ,
           with
           great
           facility
           ,
           a
           well
           composed
           order
           of
           Government
           throughout
           the
           whole
           State
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           without
           difficulty
           may
           be
           done
           ,
           if
           this
           one
           Rule
           be
           held
           unto
           and
           observed
           ;
           which
           is
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Common-wealths
           constituting
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           Nation
           much
           di●ided
           in
           affection
           and
           interest
           about
           their
           own
           Government
           ,
           none
           be
           admitted
           
           to
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           right
           and
           priviledge
           of
           a
           free
           Citizen
           ,
           for
           a
           season
           ,
           but
           either
           such
           as
           are
           free
           born
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           holy
           and
           righteous
           principles
           ,
           flowing
           from
           the
           birth
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           them
           ,
           (
           restoring
           man
           in
           measure
           and
           degree
           ,
           as
           at
           the
           first
           by
           Creation
           )
           unto
           the
           right
           of
           Rule
           and
           Dominion
           )
           or
           else
           who
           ,
           by
           their
           tryed
           good
           affection
           and
           faithfulness
           to
           common
           right
           and
           publick
           freedome
           ,
           have
           deserved
           to
           be
           trusted
           with
           the
           keeping
           or
           bearing
           their
           own
           Armes
           in
           the
           publick
           defence
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           unto
           this
           selected
           number
           of
           Citizens
           ,
           the
           liberty
           of
           exercising
           the
           choice
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           for
           the
           whole
           Body
           ,
           should
           be
           for
           a
           season
           restrained
           ;
           and
           they
           cast
           into
           a
           military
           order
           and
           discipline
           (
           as
           the
           
             Israelites
          
           of
           old
           ,
           when
           they
           once
           had
           turned
           their
           backs
           upon
           
             Egypt
             ,
          
           the
           House
           of
           Bondage
           )
           and
           shall
           become
           distributed
           in
           distinct
           Tribes
           and
           Divisions
           ,
           within
           the
           borders
           of
           their
           several
           Habitations
           or
           Precincts
           where
           they
           dwell
           ;
           it
           could
           be
           no
           sooner
           said
           unto
           them
           ,
           as
           
             Moses
          
           did
           to
           the
           Children
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
             Take
             and
             choose
             you
             able
             and
             wise
             men
             ,
             such
             as
             fear
             God
             ,
             men
             of
             truth
             and
             hating
             covetousness
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             made
             Heads
             over
             the
             People
             ,
             of
             Thousands
             ,
             of
             Hundreds
             ,
             of
             Fifties
             ,
             and
             of
             Tens
             ;
          
           but
           the
           thing
           would
           carry
           that
           self-evidence
           in
           it
           to
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           how
           good
           and
           possible
           it
           is
           for
           them
           so
           to
           doe
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           most
           cheerfully
           set
           about
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           effect
           it
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           what
           then
           hath
           been
           said
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           pointing
           out
           some
           dissatisfaction
           that
           rests
           with
           me
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           definition
           you
           make
           of
           an
           equal
           Common-wealth
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           you
           find
           requisite
           to
           place
           the
           Ballance
           in
           it
           ,
           by
           an
           Agrarian
           and
           Law
           for
           equal
           interesting
           the
           People
           in
           the
           Soyl
           ,
           and
           an
           universal
           liberty
           unto
           election
           of
           the
           Magistrates
           ,
           through
           the
           help
           of
           the
           rotation
           and
           use
           of
           the
           B●llot
           ,
           the
           result
           of
           all
           amounts
           to
           this
           ;
           That
           whilst
           holiness
           in
           principles
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           spiritual
           birth
           ,
           is
           wanting
           amongst
           the
           People
           ,
           as
           one
           chief
           Ingredient
           to
           qualifie
           them
           to
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           right
           of
           free
           Citizens
           ,
           and
           a
           tryed
           good
           affection
           and
           faithfulness
           to
           common
           Right
           and
           publick
           Freedome
           remaines
           undiscovered
           ,
           the
           way
           by
           you
           proposed
           ,
           for
           the
           well
           constituting
           a
           Common-wealth
           ,
           may
           bring
           it
           to
           a
           state
           and
           degree
           
           of
           Freedome
           very
           desirable
           ,
           and
           which
           being
           attained
           we
           may
           be
           in
           the
           fairer
           and
           nearer
           way
           to
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           But
           where
           (
           as
           you
           all
           along
           most
           deservedly
           have
           regard
           unto
           )
           the
           foundations
           of
           Government
           shall
           be
           laid
           so
           firm
           and
           deep
           as
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           bottomed
           upon
           that
           Corner-stone
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           Heavenly
           Ballance
           to
           be
           met
           with
           ,
           which
           keeps
           all
           even
           .
           For
           upon
           this
           Stone
           there
           are
           seven
           eyes
           ;
           God
           himself
           is
           he
           that
           engraves
           the
           graving
           thereof
           ,
           and
           gives
           forth
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           pattern
           ,
           the
           order
           and
           constitution
           of
           Magistracy
           ,
           in
           its
           primitive
           purity
           and
           perfection
           ;
           where
           the
           Authority
           and
           proposing
           Power
           ,
           by
           which
           to
           move
           and
           keep
           the
           will
           of
           the
           People
           in
           its
           right
           course
           of
           obedience
           ,
           is
           first
           originally
           in
           God
           and
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           as
           their
           Political
           King
           and
           Civil
           Legislator
           ;
           and
           next
           under
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Ruling
           Senate
           ,
           whose
           Office
           it
           is
           ;
           and
           as
           you
           yourself
           well
           say
           ,
           from
           the
           excellency
           of
           their
           debate
           and
           deliberation
           ,
           providently
           and
           faithfully
           unfolded
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           they
           do
           frequently
           cause
           and
           necessitate
           the
           will
           and
           the
           deed
           in
           them
           .
           So
           much
           may
           one
           man
           ,
           for
           the
           excellency
           of
           his
           aid
           ,
           be
           as
           in
           the
           place
           and
           power
           of
           God
           unto
           another
           .
        
         
           
             This
             sort
             of
             Government
             is
             contained
             in
             these
             following
             Queries
             .
          
           
             
               Quer.
            
             1.
             
             Whether
             in
             the
             restitution
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             so
             assuredly
             promised
             ,
             and
             so
             often
             foretold
             ,
             since
             the
             World
             began
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             3.
             
             Man
             himself
             shall
             not
             be
             restored
             to
             the
             gift
             and
             exercise
             of
             Righteousness
             in
             his
             natural
             judgement
             and
             will
             ,
             in
             the
             perfection
             ,
             as
             to
             kind
             ,
             wherein
             he
             was
             at
             first
             created
             ;
             (
             as
             in
             the
             Type
             ,
             in
             a
             good
             degree
             ,
             did
             befall
             
               Nebuchadnezzar
            
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Government
             ,
             
               Dan.
            
             4.
             34
             ,
             36.
             )
             to
             the
             enabling
             of
             whole
             Nations
             ,
             in
             this
             day
             of
             Gods
             Power
             ,
             in
             such
             manner
             to
             obey
             Gods
             Voyce
             and
             keep
             his
             Covenant
             ,
             as
             shall
             render
             them
             unto
             God
             a
             Kingdome
             and
             holy
             Nation
             ,
             in
             the
             relation
             of
             his
             Subjects
             ;
             and
             he
             shall
             be
             to
             them
             a
             King
             or
             supreme
             Legislator
             ,
             accepted
             and
             voted
             by
             the
             Peoples
             free
             and
             common
             consent
             ,
             as
             
               Exod.
            
             19.
             
          
           
             
               Quer.
            
             2.
             
             Whether
             such
             a
             restored
             People
             and
             holy
             Nation
             ,
             
             made
             after
             this
             manner
             Gods
             peculiar
             treasure
             ,
             and
             he
             their
             chief
             Magistrate
             ,
             and
             directed
             by
             the
             Spirit
             of
             their
             Head
             ,
             to
             put
             themselves
             in
             the
             best
             capacity
             they
             can
             (
             first
             to
             hear
             what
             God
             hath
             to
             propose
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             the
             rule
             of
             their
             obedience
             to
             him
             :
             Secondly
             ,
             to
             exercise
             that
             which
             they
             agree
             to
             bear
             the
             stamp
             and
             authority
             of
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             in
             matters
             that
             appertain
             to
             the
             oversight
             of
             the
             whole
             Body
             ,
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             a
             Senate
             or
             Council
             of
             Elders
             ,
             for
             the
             executive
             part
             of
             the
             supreme
             Power
             :
             And
             thirdly
             ,
             to
             give
             the
             publick
             vote
             and
             suffrage
             of
             the
             whole
             People
             ,
             in
             a
             way
             of
             assent
             or
             dissent
             ,
             upon
             all
             matters
             proposed
             by
             the
             Senate
             ,
             to
             passe
             into
             Laws
             amongst
             them
             ,
             by
             their
             own
             chosen
             Deputies
             and
             Representative
             Body
             ,
             for
             that
             purpose
             constituted
             by
             them
             from
             time
             to
             time
             ,
             as
             need
             shall
             require
             ,
             to
             joyn
             with
             the
             Senate
             )
             be
             not
             that
             righteous
             and
             faithful
             City
             spoken
             of
             ,
             
               Isai.
            
             1.
             26.
             to
             whom
             her
             Judges
             are
             restored
             ,
             as
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             and
             her
             Counsellors
             as
             at
             the
             beginning
             ,
             by
             whose
             Decrees
             that
             Law
             goes
             forth
             ,
             wherein
             Christ
             himself
             shall
             appear
             judging
             amongst
             the
             Nations
             ,
             and
             rebuking
             many
             People
             ,
             until
             he
             settle
             Peace
             and
             Righteousness
             in
             the
             Earth
             ?
          
           
             
               Quer.
            
             3.
             
             Whether
             such
             a
             Ruling
             Senate
             ,
             consisting
             of
             a
             competent
             number
             of
             fit
             and
             meet
             persons
             to
             be
             made
             Heads
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             and
             by
             their
             free
             suffrage
             elected
             and
             designed
             to
             the
             office
             of
             executing
             the
             supreme
             Power
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             work
             singly
             appertaining
             to
             this
             chief
             Council
             of
             Elders
             )
             and
             also
             to
             the
             exercise
             of
             the
             Legislative
             Power
             ,
             in
             association
             with
             the
             Representative
             Body
             of
             the
             People
             ,
             to
             be
             by
             them
             from
             time
             to
             time
             summoned
             and
             called
             together
             for
             that
             purpose
             ,
             in
             which
             general
             and
             great
             Assembly
             to
             propose
             all
             such
             matters
             whatsoever
             as
             are
             to
             passe
             into
             Laws
             ,
             and
             to
             receive
             the
             distinct
             and
             publick
             vote
             of
             the
             peoples
             consent
             to
             them
             ,
             before
             they
             be
             of
             the
             force
             of
             Laws
             or
             binding
             ,
             be
             not
             the
             most
             exact
             platforme
             of
             the
             purest
             kind
             of
             popular
             Government
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             hath
             its
             foundation
             and
             first
             pattern
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             the
             practise
             of
             
               Israels
            
             Common-wealth
             ,
             and
             so
             plainly
             of
             Divine
             Creation
             and
             Institution
             ?
          
           
             
               Quer.
            
             4.
             
             Lastly
             ,
             Whether
             the
             beginnings
             of
             such
             a
             Government
             as
             this
             ,
             as
             small
             as
             they
             may
             be
             at
             first
             ,
             and
             accompanied
             with
             the
             mixture
             of
             humane
             frailties
             and
             infirmities
             ,
             may
             not
             however
             ,
             
             through
             the
             mighty
             and
             universal
             pouring
             out
             of
             the
             Spirit
             upon
             all
             flesh
             ,
             so
             grow
             and
             increase
             ,
             as
             at
             last
             to
             come
             up
             unto
             a
             perfect
             day
             ;
             in
             such
             sort
             as
             the
             publick
             sentence
             and
             judgement
             of
             such
             a
             restored
             People
             and
             holy
             Nation
             ,
             in
             their
             Assemblies
             of
             Judicature
             ,
             may
             not
             so
             much
             be
             the
             judgement
             of
             Man
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             Lord
             himself
             ,
             their
             King
             and
             Law-giver
             ,
             and
             be
             owned
             by
             him
             to
             be
             the
             same
             here
             on
             Earth
             ,
             with
             his
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             therefore
             to
             be
             ratified
             and
             made
             stable
             ,
             by
             the
             Word
             of
             his
             Heavenly
             Power
             ,
             executed
             by
             his
             mighty
             Angels
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             by
             their
             earthly
             forces
             and
             strength
             of
             mens
             bodies
             ,
             against
             all
             opposers
             and
             rebellious
             gain-sayers
             ,
             to
             the
             setting
             up
             of
             Christ
             as
             King
             throughout
             the
             whole
             Earth
             ,
             and
             causing
             the
             Nations
             and
             Kingdomes
             of
             this
             World
             to
             become
             the
             Kingdomes
             of
             our
             Lord
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Christ
             ,
             in
             a
             visible
             manner
             here
             below
             ,
             for
             the
             space
             of
             a
             thousand
             yeares
             ;
             in
             which
             time
             the
             Moon
             shall
             be
             confounded
             ,
             and
             the
             Sun
             ashamed
             ,
             when
             the
             Lord
             of
             Hoasts
             shall
             raign
             in
             Mount
             
               Sion
            
             and
             in
             
               Jerusalem
               ,
            
             before
             his
             Ancients
             gloriously
             ,
             shewing
             himself
             King
             in
             
               Jeshurum
               ,
            
             when
             the
             Heads
             of
             the
             People
             and
             Tribes
             of
             
               Israel
            
             are
             gathered
             together
             before
             the
             Lord
             in
             the
             day
             of
             their
             Assembly
             ?
          
        
         
           By
           this
           time
           ,
           I
           suppose
           ,
           I
           have
           well
           nigh
           tyred
           out
           your
           patience
           ,
           having
           drawn
           out
           my
           Letter
           to
           a
           greater
           length
           then
           becomes
           this
           way
           of
           address
           .
           But
           since
           my
           aim
           in
           setting
           these
           things
           before
           your
           consideration
           is
           (
           as
           I
           said
           at
           first
           )
           not
           to
           put
           lead
           on
           your
           Chariot
           wheels
           ,
           to
           cause
           them
           to
           drive
           heavily
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           be
           an
           occasion
           to
           carry
           on
           the
           Work
           in
           a
           straight
           line
           unto
           its
           perfection
           ;
           you
           will
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           the
           more
           willingly
           bear
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           offended
           at
           this
           small
           glimpse
           ,
           which
           ,
           duly
           improved
           ,
           may
           at
           length
           lead
           unto
           a
           fuller
           and
           clearer
           prospect
           into
           the
           new
           Heavens
           and
           new
           Earth
           ,
           wherein
           dwels
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           may
           in
           some
           sort
           provide
           us
           against
           the
           time
           when
           the
           fashion
           of
           the
           old
           ones
           shall
           wear
           off
           ,
           and
           passe
           away
           with
           great
           noise
           and
           fervent
           heat
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           faith
           and
           assured
           expectation
           of
           him
           ,
           who
           is
        
         
           
             Your
             true
             Honourer
             ,
             and
             reall
             Servant
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .