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 usefull, and not burthensome to the Common-wealth; And that the Termes may be kept at certain times of the yeer, and not according to the former moveable Feasts, whereby the superstitious observation of those Feasts may be for­gotten; and the people the better attend their seasons, and imploy­ments in the Countrey; And that the severall Termes may be made equall in length, whereby they may be the fitter 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 setled in severall 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 severall Judges of those Provinciall, 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 travell, or traffick in another Jurisdiction as being ignorant of the Laws, and Customs there in use. 3ly, The Courts in the severall Provinces, or Counties being of equall power, there could be no Appeals in case of any unjust proceedings; 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 con­tinuall residence of the Judges of each Province, or County, amongst their kindred, and acquaintance, would often tempt them unto par­tiality. [Page 2]5ly, Not onely the Cities of London, and Westminster, and parts adjacent would be impoverished for want of trading, and commerce, but the greatest part of the Common-wealth be decayed also; for every man that lives by trading (being enforced to utter his com­modities in severall 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 layes 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 expence, & losse of time, would still remain without remedie. 6ly, Trading decaying, there will likewise follow a generall 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 terme to come at a full Rent will also be undone; and though the State should grant them liberty to resigne 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 imploy the remainder of their stock for their subsistance; And not onely Tenants would be thus impoverished, but all others much weakned in their Estates, and so unable to bear such taxes, as shall necessarily be imposed upon them for the supportation of the bur­thens of the Common-wealth, or to relieve those many Labourers, and Artificers, which would be brought to beggery, for want of work, and imployment, which might produce some sad effects, and cause those Labourers, and Artificers to take such evill courses, as may exceedingly disturbe the peace, & quiet of the Common-wealth: 7ly, Each severall Jurisdiction would in time indeavour to become a Free State of themselves, and deny dependance, or subordination un­to others, and refuse, to joyn in counsell for the generall good of the Common-wealth, or give their common assistance in time of immi­nent [Page 3]danger arising in any other parts, unlesse they may make their own conditions, whereby many mischiefs and calamities will un­doubtedly follow, to the ruine of the Common wealth, the particu­lar members whereof being once disjoyned, 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 remedie.

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 setled, 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 burthen 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 enricht by Offices of pro­sit conferred upon them, whilest others waste themselves, and their estates in the service of the Common-wealth. And to the end the number of Offices may not be overburthensome to the Common-wealth, a strict inquiry may be made of the usefulnes of all Offices, and such continued only as shall be found usefull for the service of the Common-wealth, with such a number of Officers as shall be ne­cessary for the managing thereof: that so the Common-wealth 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 Bay­liffes chosen by the Shrief, the Constable in each Parish may be joy­ned to execute all Writs, Warrants, and other processe 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 thir actions. And that all Officers may be continued in their places, either during life, or so long as they discharge their severall truths with faithfulnesse, 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 [Page 4]in Print, that their severall 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 then 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 pub­lick imployment in the Common-wealth.

3. That the Statute Laws, and other Laws may be well revised, and such onely left in force, as shall be usefull for the Common-wealth freed from the former niceties, and obscurities; And that the benefit of all Fines, Issues, forfeitures of recognizances, & all penalties, upon such penall statutes as upon the review shall be judged necessary to be continued, or hereafter to be enacted, may either be imployed, to the use of the respective parties dampnified, or so much thereof as may make them satisfaction for their losse sustained thereby, or to the publick 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 publick charge of the County thereby lessned; 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 looser of his goods, in satisfaction of his losse, and the remainder, if any be) may be reserved to defray the publick 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 paiment 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 satisfie their creditors within convenient time ap­pointed by the said Commissioners, rendring to the debtor the over­plus, that shall arise upon the sale of his estate, after satisfaction gi­ven to the severall creditors, and to alott to each creditor his just proportion where the estate is not sufficient to satisfie them all; And [Page 5]that the said Commissioners may be impowred to examine the said debtors upon Oath, what sums of money they owe, and to whom; and to examine all others upon Oath concerning the debtors estate, and that a severe penalty may be inflicted upon the concealors ther­of, to be imploied 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 Infants ruine And that all guardians may give security to be accomptable for the profits of the Infants Lands, and may be liable to accompt to some friends of the Infants in the next degree, or to such as shall be thereunto appointed by Authority, either every yeer, or as often as those appointed to take the said Accompt shall finde conve­nient; for tis impossible that the Infant when he comes of age should have a cleere accompt 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 els exhibute a Bill for the discovery thereof, which often proves a fruitlesse remedy, And that Guardians may be allowed du­ring the minority of the Infant out of the revenew of his estate, to pay these debts the Infant shall be liable to pay when he comes to age, or his estate stand charged withall, whereby creditors may be relieved, which otherwise must stay, to their exceeding prejudice un­till 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 paiment of the debts of the intestate, and for the equall distri­bution of the remainder of the goods to all that have right therto 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 Originall Will; And that all provisoes, or conditions in Wills, or deeds may be adjudged void in Law, which shall restraine any persons under any penalty, or upon the forfeiture of any Lands or goods setled upon them, from suing for any other Lands or goods setled upon any other persons, by the said Wills, or Deeds, or by any other, or from endevouring to overthrow the vali­dity [Page 6]of the said Wils, 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 dis-inherited of great estates, and dare not sue for any part thereof for fear of loosing all, or indevour to overthrow such Wils, or Deeds, whereby that estate is setled 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, Colledges, and Schools, and to other charitable uses, Commissioners may be setled in each County, for the calling to an account of all Governors of Hospitals, Colledges, and Schools, and of all other Feoffees in trust for charitable uses, how they have imployed 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 offendors 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 speciall care may be taken for the erecting of Schools in places convenient, and for the admitting to Scholerships, 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 Hospitalls, and Colledges may be so moderated, that they may not exceed in wealth by the poores reve­nues, and that the surplusage of their revenues, may either be im­ployed for increasing the number of the Poor, or Scollers in the res­pective Hospitalls, and Colledges, or augmenting their allowance, where they have not sufficient maintenance; or for the erecting of free Schools in places convenient, for the fitting of Schollers, to sup­ply the vacancies in the respective Colledges those Schooles shall be appropriated unto; And that a severe course may be taken against the buying and selling of Scholerships, 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 generall charge, and that a strict inquiry may be made therein, for many are usurpt by severall [Page 7]patrons, without any colour of a title to them, and that some other unoppressive way may be appointed for the maintenance of a faith­full Ministry in some measure suitable to their deserts, and the great­nesse 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 proceedings 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 ballancing of Trade with forreign States, and making the Coin here currant equall in allay, and value with the Coine of other States, that this Common-wealth may not be impoverished by forreign Merchants gaining the Trade, and by the transportation of Coine; And that forreign 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 forreiners; And that customes may either be moderated or taken away, unles it may be a policy in State to con­tinue the paiment of customes upon all commodities brought in by forreign Merchants; for if the yearly income accrewing to the State by customes, 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 gaine, aswel, by the sum he paies for Custome, as by the sum he first disbursed for the commodity, which carries with it an increase of gaine through every hand it passeth, so that the people who are necessita­ted to make use of those commodities, pay much more then comes in cleerly to the State, besides the sums expended, in collecting of it in Fees to the severall Officers imployed therein; for remedying of which inconvenience, and lessning of the peoples burthens such a course may be taken that all monies to be raised for the publick use, may be leavied by an equall rate proportionally to mens reall and personall estate, without exemption of any Land from the paiment of its due proportion, if the people would consider the benefit they should reap thereby, and therewith rest contented, untill the great affaires of the Common-wealth would permit a relaxation of those taxes, which are the easier to be born in regard they are brought, in at a certaine, and cheap rate, and the collectors thereof more subject to a strict accompt.

9. That care be taken for the encouragement and encrease of Trade throughout the Common-wealth, by prohibiting the trans­portation of such commodities, which may any waies prejudice the manufactures of this Land; that so there may be imployment in pro­fitable Trades for all those that being willing to work, are now ready to perish for want of work and imployment, 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 Innes, and Alhouses, for prevention of which inconveni­ences, the licensing and suppressing of Taverns, Innes, and Alehouses may be referred to the discretion of the Justices of peace in the [...] se­verall Limits, whereby, the number of such houses being lessned, 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 asmuch, or more then would maintain the poore, 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 encrease 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 Townes 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 Cattell to supply wants through siknesse, 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 decaied, and impoverisht Tenants as may free the Parish from the burthen of maintaining them.

10. That confederation may be taken of the sufferings of Coppy holders by the excessive fines, and Heriots taken at every change ac­cording [Page 9]to the will of the severall Lords, which coppyholders are often also enforced by the exactions of their Lords, to renew their estates for yeares 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 severall 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 yeares 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 usuall rates upon the expiration of their seve­rall termes, but of late such excessive Fines have bin 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 yeares to be possest by some of the alliance, or dependants of their Landlords, without any satisfaction had for their disbursements and improvements, the Fines so taken seldome being imployed to any other use but the feasting of them­selves, and others, the yearly rents, and profits of those Lands being sufficient to discharge the severall uses those Lands were first apoin­ted 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 Common-wealth, 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 severall 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 wasts, 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 [Page 10]Lands to improve the same, where the advantage to the Common-wealth by such improvement may out ballance 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 seisure by the State, as heretofore.

12. That a strict inquiry may be made by Commissioners in every County of all generall nusances, erecting of Mills, planting of War­rens, turning of water courses, or Highwaies, or the like, or of any thing els that may be more prejudiciall to the borderers, then either advantageous to the party or the Common-wealth, and such of them rectified or taken away that shall be so found; And to the end all Highwaies leading to Market Towns may be made more passa­ble, all persons may be compellable under a certain penalty to re­paire those wayes as far as his own Land lieth, with the like liberty for the gathering of stones, or digging stones, or gravell in any mans 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 joine in the charge of the repairing of it, as far as their Land lieth, in that manner, for commonly such waies are made defective by the meanes of those that border thereupon, and there­fore the more fit to be repaired by them, rather then 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 Highwaies as lie through wasts, and commons, may be repaired by the Commoners, and Lord of the Soil, where his profit out of the said wasts, and Commons is considerable, by such proportions as shall be reasonable, and where the owner of Land ad­joyning to the way, is not able through povertie to repaire his part, that defect either so be supplied by the Parish, or by such therein, as [Page 11]have no Land adjoining to those Highwaies; that so the burthen may be born with most equality.

13. That all Faires may be kept upon certain daies of the month, and not according to the former moveable Feasts; for those daies will never be forgotten by the people, so long as they continue to be a guide for any busines, and that after a generall settlement of all Faires, 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 Faire, or Market without being entred into the Toll Book, with the names of the buyer, seller, and voucher, and of the place of their severall residencies, and that the keeper of the toll Book enter no Horse therein, unlesse the seller, or voucher be known unto him, upon paine 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 certifie all horses entred into their severall Toll Books, with their particular marks, and prizes, with the names of the buyer, seller, and voucher, and of the places of their severall residencies, within one month afrer the entrance of them, that being recorded in the said Office all loosers of Horses may repaire 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 additionall 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 vertue 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 administred unto al; 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 generall Quarter-sessions, upon any unjust proceedings against them by the Justices of the said cor­porations, or Burrough-towns otherwise Justices in corporations [Page 12]being either ignorant of the Laws, or led by private interests, may do injustice without controul, who are Justicss onely 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 Common-wealth, answera­ble to the greatnesse of their services they have performed; for there is no reason, that such as have been enemies to the Common-wealth 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 Common-wealth 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 Com­mon-wealth, 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 unles the successor inhe­riting the vertues 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 vertues, and engagements to the State, and be a means that honours may be lookt 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 Common-wealth, rather to cast an eye of favour upon such persons, who having formerly oppo­sed the State, shall now shew an evident demonstration of their true conversion, by the acknowledgment of their former errors, and cor­diall submission to the present Government, then still to let such per­sons, eminent for their parts and ingenuities, to live like drones in a Common-wealth, uncapable of imployment, whose future services might countervaile their former errors, and heal the breaches made amongst us, by a former union.

16. That for the better holding correspondency with forreign States, and managing the weighty busines of the Common-wealth with greater safety, the Members of the Councell of State may be continued, so long as they discharge their trust with faithfulnes, and not be subject to a yearly change; for a succession of persons of­ten changed cannot mannage the weighty affaires committed to their trust, with that advantage and security to the Common-wealth or so easily discover the secret stratagems contrived by Forreign [Page 13]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 Forreign Princes Courts, do observe the growth of such designes, whereby they may prevent the evills 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 Councellors, as some desire should be admitted by the State, what encouragement would any have to waste their time, and treasure to fit them selves for that imployment, which would last but so short a time? and what mischiefes would attend the State, which would be swaied by raw, and ignorant Statesmen? for in King James his time, it was observed, that when the ancient stock of grave, and prudent Councellours was decaied, and others placed in their roomes, not having that experience in the affairs of State, the honour of this Nation was exceedingly impaired, and some forreign States gained those advantages so prejudiciall 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 e­quall 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 recompence 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 Coppyholders to continue still disabled, to elect, or to be present at elections; for should all Tenants any coppyholders (who depend upon the will of their Landlords and other Lords of mannours) 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 defires; whereby many disaffected persons would become mem­bers of the supreme Councell of the Common-wealth, and so the Common-wealth betraied; 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 [Page 14]to their care, and for the remedying of the grievances of the Common-wealth; for tis impossible to predict what weighty busines may befall each Parliament, and what obstructions they may meet withall 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 Common-wealth had been involved in per­petuall slavery.