PEACE and SAFETY FOR THE Whole Kingdom OR, AN EXPEDIENT For a safe and well-grounded PEACE between the King and his People.

As also for the speedy settlement of all INTERESTS.

Studyed and published for the honor of the Kings Majesty, his Royal Po­sterity, the present and future happiness of the whole Kingdom.

By RICHARD FARRAR, Esq

This Expedient was read by the Author him­self at the Bar of the House of PEERS, the ⟨July .7 th.⟩ Sixth day of July, 1648.

LONDON, Printed. 1648.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE LORDS and COMMONS assembled in Parliament. JUNE 23. 1648.
The humble Petition of Richard Farrar, Esq

SHEWETH,

YOur Petitioner is very confident, that (by the in­finite Mercy and Goodness of GOD) he hath conceived a direct and short way for the obtai­ning of a safe and well-grounded Peace in this Kingdom; and This Peace not only founded, but built up, upon the Two great Rocks of REASON and RELIGION.

Your Petitioner doth (therefore) most humbly pray, that he may have free liberty from both Houses of Parliament to repair to his Majesty to the Isle of Wight, & there to deli­ver him the particulars in writing, and by discourse (if his Majesty shal command) to give his Majesty ful satisfacti­on to all Objections: and your Petitioner is most will­ing that the Governor shall not only have a Copy of what he presents (instantly upon the delivery of it to the King) but also (if this honorable House shall please) the Governor, or others, whom they shall think fit, shall be present, with pen, ink, and paper, to write down the whole of all that shall be spoken pro & con: It being far from your Petitioners desire (God he knows it) ei­ther to present or say ought to his Majesty in private, wishing, and in his soul most earnestly longing, after nothing more then the saving the effusion of Christian Blood, and the sudden setling of a safe and well-ground­ed PEACE.

And Your Petitioner shall &c.

TO THE Right Honorable THE Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of PEERS.

My Lord,

SInce it hath pleased this Honorable House, after the reading of my Petition, to lay it aside, I well see under how great a Cloud of Prejudice I do appear before all the world, presuming to offer at so high an Expedient as Peace; being indeed the very Expedient of all Expedients.

My Lord, I do beg and beseech your Lordship:

For his sake, who so willingly suffered upon the Cross, for us all, Jesus Christ:

For his sake that (now) so patiently suffers under so heavy a Cross, yea under so many, so great, so grievous Crosses, King Charles.

For the sake of his most Royal, Princely, hopeful and numer­ous Issue; some of whom, albeit they have (haply) crost the seas; yet (perhaps) they have not left all their crosses behind them.

For your own sake (my Lord) and the rest of the Honorable [Page 5]House of Lords (your fellow Peers) who, if I mistake not, want not your share of dayly crosses also.

And lastly, for this unhappy Kingdoms sake (the Nurse and Mother of us all, whose Genius lies weltring in his goared Blood) this wretched, miserable, and most deplorable Kingdom, aboun­ding every where with Crosses; Crosses, from East to West, from North to South; even from the Center to the Circumfe­rence. For these Considerations (my Lord) I do humbly beseech you, to be a means, that I may have free liberty (without any interruption) my self (if my voyce will serve me) at the Bar, to read my short Expedient for Peace; one quarter of an hour will do it; and then when your Lordships have heard me, spare me not; sentence me to publick shame and punishment, if I merit it; and death, if I deserve it: And so he kisses your Lorships hands, who is,

My Lord,
Your Lordships most humble servant, and ever ready to serve the Kingdom, whilest he is called, Richard Farrar.
The sixth of July.

My Lords,

I Beleeve (at lest I hope) that there are but very few Natives of this Kingdom, who (for these many years) have not been much troubled, if not deeply afflicted at the sad and languishing condition of it, at the unhappy and bloody differences between the King and Parliament, amongst those ma­ny afflicted souls, I do profess my self to be one; and although in estate I am the poorest, yet am I rich as any he (whatsoever) in my hearty wishes, desires, and prayers to Almighty God, for a hap­py Ʋnion and Peace, or (to use the very words of this Honora­ble House) for a safe and well grounded Peace: In time God so wrought with me, that for some moneths past, I made Peace, the subject of my Nocturnal study: But for a long time without any satisfaction to my self at all: at last it pleased Almighty God (from whom alone cometh every good and perfect gift) who heard my earnest and groaning prayers, my continual sighs and de­sires, to open unto me the only door (at least in my poor judg­ment) through which both King and People must pass, if (at least) they will find the plain, safe, easie, honest and ready way to Peace: And here I cannot but profess, that the rises of this my expedient (or the ground from whence these Conceptions took their birth) were: First, From the Consideration of the unhappy and sad separation of His Majesties sacred Person, from his Birth­right, Rule and Government, from His Royal Consort (the Queen) from His numerous and Princely Issue, from His loving Subjects, and, at last, hurryed away (by his own just feares, as it is believed into a Remote Island, and there remaining under some kind of an unkingly restraint. Secondly, From the many and fre­quent Declarations which His Majesty had made to his two Hou­ses of Parliament, and to his three Kingdoms, wherein he was pleased to use such high and solemn Protestations, Asseve­rations, and Imprecations, that there was nothing in [Page 7]his power which he would not do, that there might be a right understanding between him and his people: by which it appear­ed plain to my understanding ( rebus sic stantibus) that the King is the only Center from which a setled Peace must flow: and it seemed further unto me, that there was no difficulty at all for the King (if he were as willing as he vowed) to build a Temple for Peace to dwell in. After many Debates with my self, (and not a few sheets of paper written in vain,) it pleased Almighty God to make me to digest, or form, these following Propositions (as it were in the behalf of the King to his People; or at least what I conceived the King ought to do in Reason and Religion (the first of which he is so great a Master of, and the second so great a Servant to) for the setling of a safe and well-grounded Peace: And for my own part I ever layd it down for a Maxime (from the very beginning of my study) That if the King could and would secure that part of the Kingdom, or all those persons of the Kingdom, that have seemed to oppose him in words or deeds (ever since the beginning of this Parliament) and if they might be secure from all future violences, in their lives, estates and fortunes, both themselves and their posterities for ever, (for transacting such things as his Majesty doth appre­hend they ought not to have done against Himself, his Crown and Dignity, the Laws of the Land, and their fellow-subjects;) That then such a security (if the People could understand it, and that it could be made plain unto them) would prove an open door for a safe Treaty, at least, if not for a safe and well-grounded Peace to enter in at: And I presume I am not much mistaken in this; so now I proceed to the Propositions which I have framed and which I doubt not but that his Majesty will freely offer at the Altar of the Peace of this Kingdom.

THE Piety of the Prince, NOT THE Policy of the People, Must make a safe and well-grounded PEACE.

The King to grant;

  • First, AN Act of Oblivion, as strong as can be devised, for the Preservation of the Lives, Estates, and Fortunes, of themselves and their Posterities, that have any way offended the King, or their Fellow-subjects, from Anno 1640. until the passing of this Act.
  • Secondly, The King to confirm that Act by a solemn Oath, drawn in the most strict manner, that may be, and this to be done in publick, for the better satisfaction of the people; and a short Covenant, without any ambiguities (to be understood ad literam) to be contained in a few lines, for the King to take, and the People also, reciprocally; and this will make both Prince and People happy: And this Oath and Covenant to be confirmed in Publick by the Sacrament, and declared to all the People in Print: And thus doing, he will be a glorious King, beloved both of God and man.
  • [Page 9] The Queen to take the like Oath (the Sacrament must be given by her own Priests;) and this done in the presence of persons of the greatest honour, and published in print by her self, and (then) God forbid but she should have the excercise of her Religion by her self and family fully: The Prince and Duke of York, to do the like in all things the King their Father did.
  • 3 That an Act of Parliament be made in the most strong manner that can be, Viz. That it shall be High Treason (by the King unpardonable) for any Member of either House in any succeeding Parliament for ever hereafter, so much as to motion, or cause to be motioned, or by writing or otherwise, to act or speak directly or indirectly, any thing, that may tend to the calling in question of the Act of Oblivion, or dispute the fitnesse or unfitnesse, the lawfulnesse or unlawfulnesse of it: much more for offering at the repealing of the Act of Oblivi­on, or of this present Act, but the person so offending (which will be no hard thing to be proved) to be executed in 24. hours after as a Traytor in the highest degree, against both King and Kingdom: The Execution to be at Westminster.
  • 4 An Act for a general Pardon, and, who shall re­quire it, for a particular one, from the King, for anything con­tained in the Act of Oblivion.
  • 5 An Act that no Knight of the Shire or Burgesse, shall ever hereafter be chosen, but that in a few dayes after the Choice, he shall in publick at his own Parish Church, in the presence of Three persons, besides the Minister, take the Oath for the keeping of the Covenant and the Act of Oblivion, and for the faithful observing of the Third Act, viz. That it shall be High Treason, &c. and confirme it by the Sacrament: and to bring the Certificate under the hands of Three honest men present, and the Minister, and to deliver it to the Speaker of the House of Commons, before he speak to any publick busi­nesse of the Common-wealth. And every Lord of the House of [Page 10]Peers to do the like at their Parish Church, and bring the Cer­tificate to the Speaker of the House of Lords.
  • 6 An Act that no King or Queen hereafter but shall at their Coronation (unlesse they be under age) take the same Oath the King now doth, and the same Covenant, and con­firme it by the Sacrament, for the true keeping of the Act of Oblivion, and the never consenting to the repealing of the Third Act.
  • 7 An Act that all the Lords and Commons of England, and all those that are out of the Kingdom (when they shall come in;) in a word, every person in the Kingdom, none ex­cepted of either Sex, from 17 to 100 years, of what calling soever they be; I say, that every person in a convenient time (as short as may be) to take the same Oath and Covenant, and confirme it by the Sacrament; every one to take it without equivocation or mental reservation (ad literam) and to their uttermost of power to keep it, and likewise to take the Oathes of Allegiance and Supremacy (here care must be had of Pa­pists;) and to this Act some addition, that whatsoever Native shall passe out of the Land, or come in, shall take the Oath and Covenant; the Sacrament cannot then with conve­nience.
  • 8 An Act that no Preacher or Minister, Preach or Print, (or any other person whatsoever) any thing that may in the least infringe the Act of Oblivion and the Covenant, or the lawfulnesse of it, or of the Third Act, Viz. That it shall be High Treason, &c. a severe punishment.
  • 9 An Act prohibiting of all Pamphlets, Books or Papers, printed or written, which have done or do any way asperse his Majesty, the Queen, or Royal Issue, the Parliament or the King­dom of Scotland, or Ireland, ever since the beginning of 1640 to the day of the passing of the Act; and this Act to obliterate and deface out in all Books of Records, whatsoever or wher­soever [Page 11]any thing that is publickly entered, tending this way: A severe punishment for the party so offending, selling ordi­vulging of them, with an Act for the time to come, against all that shall offend in that kind; a severe punishment.
  • 10 A severe Act against all Duels and Quarrels concer­ning the late differences either in word or deed, included in the Act of Oblivion, and the party severely punished though no harme done; for, who draws his Sword or any weapon in this kind, would, if he could, that all the Kingdom should do the like, which were a horrid thing: a high punishment.
  • 11 An Act against any that shall send a challenge, or deliver a challenge by word or writing, and for any that shall call Cavalier, or Roundhead, or any such nick-name, which may infringe the Act of Oblivion; and no man to be esteemed a coward; but on the contrary, a truly valiant man, that shall re­fuse the challenge, or puts up any affront in that kind, for the preservation of the Peace and love of the Kingdome, and complaining of it to the Judge, or Justice, he shall be esteemed the better, and the Party offending highly punished.
  • 12 An Act that no suit shall be admitted into any Court of Justice or before any Judge, included in the Act of Oblivion, the party offending punished.
  • 13 An Act that whosoever shall refuse to take the Oath and Covenant, and to confirm it by the Sacrament (herein Papists must be considered because of their Sacrament) shall be im­prisoned without Bail or mainprise, and there kept till they do it, having leave to sell all they have, then to be banished the Kingdome. I leave the particular punishment to graver judge­ments.
  • 14 An Act for a severe Punishment for any that shall wilfully infringe the Oath and Covenant, which he hath confirmed by the Sacrament, if that he persist in the breach of it, and repent it not publickly.
  • [Page 12] 15 An Act that no man shall upbraid any person or his po­sterity on either side, King or Parliament, although he have been discovered, or shall be discovered and found guilty of any misdemeanours pardoned in the Act of Oblivion; a high pu­nishment for him that breaks this Act.
  • 16 An Act that all persons now under age, men or women, and not now fit to receive the Sacrament, shall when they come to age, at the first taking of it, likewise take the Oath and Covenant: and this Act to order a publick Register in e­very Parish of the Kingdom Alphabetically, that so every mans name may be seen, who have and have not taken the Oath and Covenant, and confirmed it by the Sacrament.
  • 17 An Act for calling in and nulling of all His Majesties Declarations against the two Houses of Parliam. or any other person that hath offended or seemed to offend the King, as also a calling in or nulling all such as the two Houses have set forth against the King or his Friends, as shall be agreed on in the Treaty.
  • 18 An Act for tender consciences, that they may enjoy their consciences free, herein great care must be had, what liberty is given, for publick or private meetings, as also for Printing of opinions: the latitude of these must be well thought of; but surely there will never be a happy settlement in this Kingdome unlesse great care be had of tender consciences; so numerous they are, and so just their pretence; for doubtlesse it may easily be proved by Reason and Religion, that no man ought to force the conscience of another, but he that lives quietly, and obe­diently under the Lawes of the Kingdome without offence, should not (as formerly) be prest to come to any outward worship. But this Rule never fails; a tender and a good conscience is no disturber of the peace, and Government he lives under, but rather suffers with patience, then be active at all by opposition.
  • [Page 13] 19 That His Majesty engage himself, that the Queen, Prince and Duke of York, shall perform their parts of these Acts that belong to them, which doubtlesse he can and will do, and for his own Party also.
  • 20 An Act that no man shall be of any Jury, or bear any office in the Kingdome, or be held a good witnesse in any cause (if any person except against him) but he shall be put to the triall, whether or no he hath taken the Oath and Covenant, and if he hath not, then to do it before he be received for a good witnesse.
  • 21 An Act that present care be taken to satisfie the Army, all their just arrears at full, and forthwith to be disbanded.
  • 22 An Act that all former Arrears of the Earl of Essex his Commanders and Souldiers, or Officers, be likwise taken care for, that they be satisfied their just dues.
  • 23 That the arrears due from the Parliament to the Scots be also order taken for, and to pay and satisfie them.
  • 24 An Act that all Garisons or Armies, now already in the Kingdom, or coming into the Kingdom, belonging to the King or pretending for him, or any way invading the Parliament, be also disbanded.

To these preceding Acts, I deny not, but some additions possibly may be, for the further and better maintaining of the peace of this Kingdome; too much cannot be said or done in a matter of so high a concernment as this is; for what is to be done but once, ought to have no circumstances omitted, that it may be well done.

So far (now) as I can apprehend, there can be no fairer or more hopefull way, or means to a Treaty of Peace with the King; (I am sure none more reasonable and Religions) then [Page 14]these formerly expressed, which if he shall be pleased to grant. wil give a high satisfaction to the people, and render the King glorious for ever.

It is an old proverb, (Pardon the commonnesse of it) fast bind fast find; and if His Majesty shall be pleased to offer this, or what other, or more, of his own Princely disposition, he shall think fit, as I am confident he will doe what he can, who can desire more, or who can doubt, but it will prove a true love-knot? A knot of perfect love and amity from the King to His People; of love and highest duty from the people to the King and his Posterity, and of mutall love and amity between man and man throughout the whole King­dome.

If any man (now) can shew a better security in Reason or Religion, (for on these two great Rocks, I build this Porch to the Temple of Peace:) I say, if any man can shew a better or stronger security on His Majesties part, for the Peace and safety of His people, let him speak it, let him produce it, I envy it not, I shall rejoice at it.

But if there be no way (or meanes) more safe, no way so safe, nay no other way of safety but this, (unlesse God from heaven should shower down his holy Spirit of love and unity upon the heart of every particular person in the Kingdome, and confirm it also, which surely no man hopes or expects, (though all things are possible with God) I say, (I hope) it will not be refused by the people of this Kingdome, or by those that represent the whole nation, if the King shall graci­ously offer it, but it will be thought a godlike Act of a mortal King, since in this particular (as I conceive) he can essenti­tially do no more for the safety of His People of this King­dome; nor do I believe, that ever King did so much humble himself to his People, Since the first King that ever raigned.

PEacefull Reader,

(for into such hands I wish this my Ex­pedient may come) I am not ignorant how hard and un­civilly I presse upon his Majesties clemency, in my supposed pre­ceding Propositions. God forbid I should not think, but much lesse will and ought to satisfie the people; sure I am, it is more then is fit for any to request, even the most guilty and greatest offender in the three Kingdoms: but I have (boldly, I must confesse, and humbly I beg His Majesties pardon for it, whom I know is all mercy and sweetnesse) adventured to dive into the very bottom of security. His Majesty must be the chuser and the Royall dispensator: If hee can do it with lesse, who ought not to be satisfied? The confirmation of it by his own, the Queen's, the Prince's and the Duke of York's taking the Sa­crament may be thought too much; I most humbly submit. But for the universall taking of it, both the Oath, Covenant, and confirming of it by the Sacrament, is so necessary (in my weak judgement) that I dare say (for many Reasons) no perfect Peace can be had without it: but it being done, it will in a lit­tle time work revenge out of the hearts of the people on both sides, when all men shall see at what a dear rate they shall pur­chase it. Thus bitternesse will extinguish (when all hope of Revenge is taken away) and love to each other, it is hoped, will daily increase.

FINIS.

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