WHereas upon the Writ and, Summons of his Highness the Lord Protector to the [...]h [...]ri [...]s of each County throughout England and Wales, &c. For the electing and chusing of new members, for the next Representative, [Page 4]several Boroughs have had sundry meetings about a free and lawful election; whose Debates, at last, produced these Observations and Arguments, to wi [...], That he which ruleth without Law, or he that liveth without Law, is not a god, but a Tyrant. In order whereunto, it was conceived expedient to declare and shew what was Law, and what was not Law; and thus they remonstrate, That is Law which a people, Nation, City, or Commonwealth do in­tirely and unanimously consent unto; not being forced or over-awed to consent thereto. For, that is not law that is imposed upon a people, when nei­ther they, nor those deputed by their lawful electi­on, have given their consent thereunto, without be­ing awed to such consent, or invited by expecting reward, or fearing, displeasure if not consenting. To evince and make this obvious, there needs no more then a reciting of what Sir Edw Cook report­eth of the ancient Custom of England, which with­out question was most commendable, wise, & pru­dent, and so plain and evident, That by the ancient Law, and Custom of the Parliament, Proclamation of old time used to be, the which ought to be pub­lished at Westminster in the beginning of Parlia­ment, That no man, upon pain of losing what he [...] [Page 5]don, Westminster, or the Suburbs thereof, wear any Coat of Armor, or privy Coat, or go a med; nor any Games or strange Playes used, By reason that the High Court of Parliament should not be there­by disturbed, or the members thereof, which are to attend the business of the Commonwealth. And he further saith, That it was the custom of the Parlia­ment, when any new device used to be moved in be­half of the King for his aid, or the like, the Comons might answer, That they tendered the Kings estate, and are ready to grant aid to the same, onely in this new advice they dare not agree without conference with their Countries. Whereby it appeareth, that such conference is warrantable by the Law of the Land, and Custom of Parliament. Indeed, this is so plain, it needs no exposition, but rather commen­dation, being drawn by the curiousest Pen that e­ver drew the lines of praise to prudence and Wis­dom. And these Customs being followed, would make any Nation or People under Heaven happy. Man is but a creature, and is to be limited and boun­ded by Reason and Laws. Hence many great rivers lose themselves, and become formidable, by the smallest creatures, for that they have swelled over their banks and bounds to seek new Channels, or would not be bounded by their banks.

It is the like with them in power, when they swel, and exceed the ordinary bounds, Law and Reason, then they become lost, contemptible, weak, and the worst of Crea­tures: for is it not as great an evil for those that have power, to live above Law, or out of the reach of Law, as for those that are not in power, to live or act contrary to Law, as disobedient refractory evil doer? Nay, saith a learned Phylosopher▪ Armed improbity (which is leudness and dishone­sty, as hy [...]ocrisie, deceit, covenant breaking, Covetousness ambition, and pride) is intole­rable. Indeed the Nature of man is such when it is unlimited and many of those, that have aymed at great power, have (whilest they have been rising) checked and limited their exorbitant Lust, and have cloathed themselves with piety: but after they have obtained such power, then they have broke [Page 7]forth; as Nero, who whilest he was rising, and til he had been seated in the Empire five years, restrained and limited himself, remo­ving all that might stand in his Way: the which being done, his lust and cruelties broke forth. For at the first, he altogether avoided medling with publike affairs, and saluted the people with all due respect, as having in them the supream power: he wold not act or do in the Army any thing with­out a Councel of War: he admitted free addresses: he feasted the people of Rome at a thousand tables. Upon Augustus's death he seemed unwilling to take upon him the Empire (the which was notably reproved by one of the Senate, in that he refused the Name, but usurped the Power.) He conti­nued in a gentle and orderly cariage, accept­ing onely the Title of Right Honorable, and would not be called Sacred; but instead [Page 8]thereof, Laborious and painful servant of the Com­mon-wealth. If any called him Traytor or Usurper, he would not have them prosecuted, nor that the Senate should take notice thereof, to hinder the o­ther affairs of the Common-wealth. He made an O­ration in the Senate, to this effect, That a Prince is no other, nor ought to be no other then a servant to the people. But after he had setled the power in his own hands, he then made use of the souldiery to be the Keepers of the peace, and laid aside the people; for he dealt cruelly with Kings, imprisoned the Commons, and put them to excessive charges. The way for a people therefore, to prevent the receiving of evil from absolute Neroes, is, that limitations be upon those that have power; and that is the way for a people to preserve their liberties, priviledges, and immunities.