Some Cautions offered to the Consideration of those who are to Chuse MEMBERS to serve in the Ensuing PARLIAMENT.
I Will make no other Introduction, than 〈◊〉 it is hoped the Counties and Burroughs will remember in general, That besides other Consequences, they will have the Credit of a good Choice, or the Scan∣dal that belongeth to an ill one.
The Creators will be thought like their Creatures; and therefore an ill Choice will either be a disparagement of their Understanding, or their Morals.
There cannot be a fuller Approbation of a thing, than the Chusing of it; so that the fault of the Members cho∣sen, if known before-hand, will be judged to be of the growth of that County or Burrough, after such a solemn Approbation of them.
In short, those who send up their Representatives to Westminster, should take care they may be such as will do them Right, and their Countrey Honour.
Now to the particulars.
I. A very extraordinary earnestness to be chosen, is no very good Symptom: A desire to serve the Nation in Parliament, is an English Man's Ambition; always to be Encouraged, and never to be Disapproved.
Page 4 A Man may not only be willing to stand, but he may declare that willingness to his Friends, that they may as∣sist him, and by all the means becoming a modest and prudent Man, he may endeavour to succeed, and prevent the being disappointed in it.
But there is a wide difference between this and the raising a kind of a petty War in the County or Corpo∣ration; entring the Lists rather for a Combat than an Election; throwing Fire-balls to put Men into a heat, and omitting to spread no Reports, whether true or false, which may give an advantage by laying a Blemish upon Competitor.
These Methods will ever be suspicious; it will never be thought a Natural thing for Men to take such extra∣vagant Pains for the meer sake of doing good to others.
To be content to suffer something for a good end, is that which many would do without any great repug∣nance: But where a Man can honestly propose nothing to himself, except Troubles, Charge and Loss, by ab∣sence from his own Affairs, to be so violent in the pur∣suit of so ill a Bargain, is not at all suited to the languish∣ing Virtue of Mankind so corrupted.
Such a self-denying Zeal in such a self-seeking Age, is so little to be imagin'd, that it may without injury be suspected.
Therefore when these blustring Pretenders come upon the Stage, their natural Temper and other Circum∣stances ought to be very well consider'd, before Men trust them with the disposal of their Money, or their Liberty.
And I am apt to believe, there could hardly be found one single Man whose other Qualifications would over∣ballance the Objections that lye against such importunate Suitors.
Page 5 II. Recommending-Letters ought to have no effect up∣on Elections.
In this I must distinguish; For tho in strictness perhaps there should be no Exception; yet in compliance with long practice, and out of an Indulgence that is necessary in a time when Mankind is too much loosened from severe Rules, to be kept close up to them, Letters sent only from Equal Men, doing Good men right by giving Evidence in their behalf, offering them as fitly qualified, when they really are so, and freeing them from unjust Aspersions, may be still allowed.
The Letters I mean, are from Men of Power, where it may be beneficial to comply, and inconvenient to oppose.
Choice must not only be free from Force, but from In∣fluence, which is a degree of Force: There must be no dif∣ficulty, no apprehension that a Refusal will be ill taken, or resented.
The Freeholders must be Freemen too; they are to have no Shackles upon their Votes in an Election; and the Men who stand, should carry their own Letters of Re∣commendation about them, which are their good Cha∣racter and Behaviour in the world, without borrowing Evidence, especially when it cometh from suspected hands.
Those who make use of these Epistles, ought to have no more advantage from them, than the Muscovites have from the Letters put into their hands when they are bu∣ried, to recommend them to St. Nicholas.
The First should as little get admittance for Men into the Parliament, as these Letters can introduce the Bear∣ers into Heaven.
The Scandal of such Letters lieth first in the arrogant imposing of those that write them, and next in the wretched Meanness of those that need them.
Page 6 Men must be fallen very low in their Credit, who upon such an occasion have a recourse to Power to sup∣port it: Their Enemies could not give stronger Evidence of their not being fit for that which they pretend to. And if the Electors judge otherwise, they will be pretty sure in a little time to see their Mistake, and to repent it.
III. Non-Attendance in former Parliaments ought to be a Bar against the Choice of Men who have been guilty of it.
It is one of the worst kinds of Non-Residence, and the least to be excused: It is very hard that men should de∣spise a Duty, which perhaps is the only ground of the Re∣spect that is paid to them.
It is such a piece of Sawciness for any one to press for the Honour of Serving in Parliament, and then to be care∣less in Attending it, that in a House where there were so many Officers, the Penalty had not been improper to have Cashier'd them for not appearing at the General Muster.
If men forbear to come out of Laziness, let them be gratified by taking their Ease at Home without Interrupti∣on: If out of small Cunning to avoid Difficulties, and to escape from the Inconvenience of Voting in Critical Cases, let them enjoy that despicable pitch of Wisdom, and never pretend to make a Figure where the Publick is to be served.
If it would not be thought advisable to trust a man im∣mediately after he hath been drawn out of a Gaol, it may be as reasonable to look upon one who for his Non-attendance in the House hath been sent for in Custody, as a kind of Bankrupt, which putteth him upon unequal terms with those who have been assiduons in the discharge of their Duty.
They who thought fit in one Session to neglect the Publick Business, may be justly suspected, by their stand∣ing, in the next to intend their own.
Page 7 Besides these more deliberate Offenders, there are some who do not Attend even when they are in the House; ab∣sent in their Thoughts for want of Comprehending the Business that is doing, and therefore diverted from it by any thing that is Trivial.
Such Men are Nusances to a serious Assembly; and when they are Numerous, it amounteth almost to a Dis∣solution; it being scarce possible for good sence to be heard, whilst a noise is made by the buzzing of these Horse-flies.
The Roman Censors who degraded a Senator for yawn∣ing whilst there was a Debate, would have much more abundant matter here upon which they might exercise their Jurisdiction.
To conclude this Head, There are so few that ever mended in these Cases, that after the first Experiment it is not at all reasonable to take them upon a new Trial.
IV. Men who are unquiet and busy in their Natures, are to give more than ordinary proofs of their Integrity, be∣fore the Electing them into a Publick Trust can be justi∣fied. As a hot Summer breedeth greater swarms of Flies, so an active time breedeth a greater number of these shine∣ing Gentlemen.
It is pretty sure, That men who cannot allow them∣selves to be at rest, will let no body else be at quiet. Such a perpetual Activity is apt by degrees to be applied to the pursuit of their private Interest. And their thoughts being in a continual motion, they have not time to dwell long enough upon any thing to entertain a scruple.
So that they are generally at full liberty to do what is most convenient for them, without being fettered by any Restraints.
Nay further; Whenever it happeneth that there is an Impunity for Cheating, these nimble Gentlemen are apt Page 8 to think it a disparagement to their Understandings not to go into it.
I doubt it is not a wrong to the present Age, to say, That a Knave is a less unpopular Calling than it hath been in former times. And to say truth, it would be ingrati∣tude in some Men to turn Honest, when they owe all they have to their Knavery.
The People are in this respect unhappy; they are too many to do their own business; their numbers, which make their strength, are at the same time the cause of their weakness; they are too unweildy to move; and for this reason nothing can ever redeem them from this incurable Impotency: So that they must have Solicitors to pursue and look after their Interests; who are too often disposed to dispense with the Fidelity they owe to those that trust them; especially if the Government will pay their Bills without Abatement.
It is better these Gentlemen's dexterity should be em∣ployed any where than in Parliament, where the ill consequence of their being Members is too much diffused, and not restrained to the County or Burrough who shall be so unwary as to Chuse them.
V. Great Drinkers are less fit to Serve in Parliament than is apprehended.
Men's Virtue, as well as their Understanding, is apt to be tainted by it.
The appearance of it is Sociable and well-natur'd, but it is by no means to be reli'd upon.
Nothing is more frail than a Man too far engaged in wet Popularity.
The habit of it maketh Men careless of their business, and that naturally leadeth them into Circumstances that make them liable to Temptation.
Page 9 It is seldom seen, That any Principles have such a root, as that they can be proof against the continual droppings of a Bottle.
As to the Faculties of the Mind, there is not less Ob∣jection; the vapours of Wine may sometimes throw out sparks of Wit, but they are like scattered pieces of Ore, there is no Vein to work upon.
Such Wit, even the best of it, is like paying great Fines; in which case there must of necessity be an abate∣ment of the constant Rent.
Nothing sure is a greater Enemy to the Brain, than too much moisture; it can the least of any thing bear the be∣ing continually steeped: And it may be said, that Thought may be resembled to some Creatures which can live only in a dry Country.
Yet so arrogant are some men, as to think they are so much Masters of Business, as that they can play with it; they imagine they can drown their Reason once a day, and that it shall not be the worse for it; forgetting, that by too often diving the Understanding at last groweth too weak to rise up again.
I will suppose this fault was less frequent when Solon made it one of his Laws, That it was Lawful to Kill a Magistrate if he was found Drunk. Such a Liberty taken in this Age, either in the Parliament or out of it, would do terrible Execution.
I cannot but mention a Petition in the year 1647, from the County of Devon, to the House of Commons, against the undue Election of Burgesses, who are strong in Wine and weak in Wisdom.
The cause of such Petitions is to be prevented by Chu∣sing such as shall not give handle for them.
VI. Wanting-Men give such cause of suspicion where∣ever they deal, that surely the Chusers will be upon their Page 10 guard, as often as such dangerous pretenders make their application to them.
Let the behaviour of such Men be never so plausible and untainted, yet they who are to pitch upon those they are to trust with all they have, may be excused, if they do not only consider what they are, but what they may be.
As we pray our selves we may not be led into Tempta∣tion, we ought not by any means to thrust others into it; even though our own Interest was not concerned; And sure when it is, the Argument hath not less force.
If a man hath a small Estate, and a numerous Family; where it happeneth that a Man hath as many Children as he hath Tenants, It is not a Recommending Circum∣stance for his Election.
When it cometh to be the Question with such a Man, Whether he shall be Just to the Publick, or Cruel to his Family? It is very possible the decision may be on the side of Corrupted Nature.
It is a Compliment to this Age, which it doth not de∣serve, to suppose Men are so ty'd up to Morality, as that they cannot be pinched out of it; especially now when it is called Starving not to be Embroidered, or served in Plate.
The Men Chosen to serve their Countrey, should not be loaden with Suits that may tempt them to assume Pri∣vileges; much less under such Necessities as may more immediately prepare them for Corruption.
Men who need a Parliament for their own particular Interest, have more reason to offer their Service than others have to accept of it. And though I do not doubt, but there may be some whose Virtue would triumph over their Wants, let them be never so pressing; yet to expose the Publick to the hazard of being deceived, is that which can never be justifi'd by those that Chuse. Page 11 And tho it must be allow'd possible for a wanting-Man to be honest, yet it is impossible for a Man to be wise that will depend upon it.
VII. There is a sort of Men that have a Tinsel-wit, which make them shine among those who cannot judge.
Club and Coffee-house Gentlemen, Petty Merchants of small Conceits, who have an Empty habit of prating without meaning; They always aim at Wit, and gene∣rally make false Fire.
Their business is less to learn, than to set themselves out; which makes them chuse to be with such as can only be Witnesses of their small Ingenuity, rather than with such as might improve it.
There is a subordinate Wit, as much inferior to a Wit of business, as a Fidler at a Wake is to the lofty Sound of an Organ.
Men of this Size are in no degree suited to the business of redressing Grievances, and making Laws.
There is a Parliament-Wit to be distinguish'd from all other kinds; those who have it, do not stuff their heads only with Cavils and Objections.
They have a deliberate and an observing Wit, a Head turned to Publick things; Men who place a greater pleasure in mending a Fault, than in finding it out.
Their Understanding directeth them to object in the right place, and not like those who go by no other Rule, than to conclude, That must be the best Counsel which was not taken.
These Whole-sale Judges shew such a gross and peevish Ignorance, that it appeareth so openly in all they say or do, That they give loud warning to all considering Men, not to chuse them.
Page 12 VIII. The dislike of slight Airy Men must not go so far, as to recommend heaviness in opposition to it, espe∣cially where men are convicted of it by Experience in for∣mer Sessions.
As a lively Coxcomb will seldom fail to lay in his claim for Wit; so a Blockhead is apt to pretend, That his heaviness is a proof of his Judgment.
Some have an universal Lethargy spread upon their Un∣derstanding without exception; others have an Insuffici∣ency quo ad hoc, as in some Cases men have quo ad hanc; These last can never so turn their thoughts to publick Bu∣siness, as to give the attention that is necessary to com∣prehend it.
There are those who have such a thick Shell upon their Brains, that their Ignorance is impenetrable, and maketh such a stout resistance against Common Sense, that it will never be subdu'd by it: True Heart of Oak, Ignorance that will never yield, let Reason beat never so hard upon it; and though their kind Neighbours have at several Elections sent them up to School again, they have still return'd the same incurable Dunces.
There is a false Gravity that is a very ill symptom; and it may be said, That as Rivers, which run very slowly, have always the most Mud at the bottom; so a solid stiff∣ness in the constant course of a man's Life, is a sign of a thick bed of Mud at the bottom of his Brain.
A dull Man is so near a dead Man, that he is hardly to be ranked in the List of the Living; and as he is not to be buri'd whilst he is half alive, so he is as little to be imploy'd whilst he is half dead.
Parliaments are now grown to be quite other things than they were formerly.
In Ancient Times they were little more than Great As∣sizes; A Roll of Grievances; Magna Charta confirmed; Privileges of Holy Church preserved; so many Sacks of Wool given, and away.
Page 13 Now there are Traps and Gins laid for the well-mean∣ing Countrey-Gentlemen; he is to grapple with the Cun∣ning of Men in Town, which is not a little improv'd by being rewarded and encourag'd.
So that men whose good Intentions are not seconded and supported by some degree of Ability, are as much the more dangerous, as they are less criminal than Cunning Knaves. Their honest Mistakes, for want of distinguish∣ing, either give a Countenance to, or at least lessen the Scandal of the injurious things that are done to the Pub∣lick; and with leave ask'd for so odd an expression, Their Innocent Guilt is as mischievous to the Laws and Li∣berties, as the most deliberate Malice of those that would destroy them.
IX. There is an Abuse which daily increaseth, of sending such to Parliament, as are scarce old enough to be sent to the University.
I would not in this restrain the Definition of these Boys to the Age of Twenty One: If my Opinion might take place, I should wish that none might be chosen into the House of Commons under Thirty; and to make some Equality, I should from the same Motives think it conve∣nient, That no Lord should have a Vote in Judicature un∣der that Age.
But to leave this Digression; I cannot see why the Chusers should not at least make it a Rule among them∣selves, Not to send any Man to Represent them under the Age of Twenty five, which is the time of Majority in most other places of the world.
Surely it is not that we are Earlier Plants than our Neighbours.
Such supposition could neither be justifi'd by our Cli∣mate, nor by the degree of Latitude in which we are pla∣ced; I must therefore attribute it to the haste our Ance∣stors Page 14 had (and not without reason) to free themselves from the Severity of Wardships.
But whether this, or any thing else, was the cause of our earlier stepping into Man's Estate; so it is now, that according to our Laws, Twenty one is the Age of Discre∣tion; and the Young Man is then vested with a Legal, how defective soever he may be in his Natural Under∣standing.
With all this, there ought to be a difference made be∣tween coming out of Pupilage, and leaping into Le∣gislatorship.
It is perhaps inconvenient enough that a man should be so soon let loose to destroy his own Estate; but it is yet worse, that he should then have a Power of giving away other men's.
The Law must make General Rules, to which there always will be some Objections.
If there were Tryers appointed to judge when Leading-Strings should be left off, many would wear them a very great while, and some perhaps with their Gray Hairs; there being no small number of Old Boys in all times, and especially in this.
It is necessary therefore to make Exceptions to this Ge∣neral Rule, where the Case so much requireth it, as it doth in the matter in question.
The ground of sending these Minors to Parliament ought not to recommend the Continuance of it to those who are Lovers of Liberty; since it was by the Autho∣rity and Influence of Great Men, that their Stripling Sons were first receiv'd by the humble depending Boroughs, or the complying Counties.
They called it, as many do still, the best School for Young Men. Now Experience hath shew'd us, that it is like a School only in this respect, That these Youngsters when they are admitted, deserve to be whipp'd in it.
Page 15 If the House of Commons is a School, it must be for Men of riper Age; these are too young to learn there, and being elevated by a mistaken smattering in small Politicks, they grow too supercilious to learn any where else; so that instead of improving young promi∣sing Plants, they are destroy'd by being misplac'd.
If then they do themselves hurt by it, it is surer yet that they do the House no good by coming into it.
They were not Green Geese that are said to have sav'd the Capitol; they were certainly of full Age, or else their Cackling could not have been heard, so as to give warning.
Indeed it look'd of late, when the Fashion was to have long continu'd Parliaments, as if we might plant a Boy in the House with a Prospect that he might continue there till he had Grey Hairs: And that the same Sapling might have such a Root, as that he might grow up to be Timber without being remov'd.
If these Young Men had skill enough to pitch upon some Body in the House, to whom they might resign their Opinion, and upon whose Judgment they might lean without Reserve, there might be less Objection.
But to speak Truth, they know as little how to chuse, as those did who elected them; so that there is no other Expedient left, than the letting them alone.
One may say, generally speaking, That a young Man being too soon qualifi'd for the serious Business of Parlia∣ments, would really be no good Symptom.
It is a sign of too much Phlegm, and too little Fire in the beginning of Age, if Men have not a little more heat than is convenient; for as they grow older they will run a hazard of not having so much as is neces∣sary.
The Truth is, The vigour of Youth is soften'd and misappli'd, when it is not spent either in War or close Page 16 Studies; all other Courses have an idle Mixture that cometh to nothing, and maketh them like Trees, which for want of Pruning run up to Wood, and seldom or never bear any Fruit.
To conclude this Head, it must be own'd, That there is no Age of our Life which doth not carry Arguments along with it to humble us; and therefore it would be well for the Business of the World if young Men would stay longer before they went into it, and old Men not so long before they went out of it.
X. Next to these may be rank'd a sort of superfine Gentlemen, Carpet-Knights, Men whose Heads may be said to be only Appurtenances to their Perukes, which intirely ingross all their Care and Application.
Their Understanding is so strictly appropriated to their Dress, that no part of it is upon pain of their utmost Dis∣pleasure to be diverted to any other use.
It is not by this intended to recommend an affected Clown, or to make it a necessary Qualification for a Mem∣ber of Parliament, that he must renounce clean Linen or good Manners; but surely a too earnest Application to make every thing sit Right about them, striketh too deep into their small stock of Thoughts to allow it Furni∣ture for any thing else.
To do Right to the these fine-spun Gentlemen, Business is too course a thing for them, which maketh it an unrea∣sonable Hardship upon them to oppress them with it; so that in tenderness to them, no less than out of care to the Publick, it is best to leave them to their Taylors with whom they will live in much better Correspondence, when the Danger is prevented of their falling out about Privileges.
Page 17 XI. Men of Injustice and Violence, in their private Dealings, are not to be trusted by the People with a Com∣mission to treat for them in Parliament.
In the 4th of Edw. 3. The King Commandeth in his Writs not to chuse any Knights who had been Guilty of Crime, or Maintenance.
These warm Men seldom fail to run into Maintenance, taken in a larger Extent.
It is an unnatural Sound to come from a Man that is Arbitrary in his Neighbourhood, to talk of Laws and Li∣berties at Westminster; he is not a proper Vehicle for such Words, which ought never to be prophaned.
An habitual Breaker of the Laws, to be made one of the Law-makers, is as if the Benches in Westminster-hall should be filled with Men out of Newgate.
Those who are of this Temper cannot change their Nature out of respect to their Countrey.
Quite contrary, they will less scruple to do Wrong to a Nation where no Body taketh it to himself, than to particular Men to whose Resentments they are more im∣mediately exposed.
In short, they lye under such strong Objections, that the over-ballance of better Men cannot altogether purify an Assemby where these unclean Beasts are admitted.
XII. Excessive Spenders and unreasonable Savers are to be Excluded, being both greedy from differing Causes.
They are both of them Diseases of Infection, and for that Reason are not to be admitted into publick Assemblies.
A prodigal Man must be greedy, because he thinketh he can never spend enough.
The Wretch must be so, because he will never think he can hoard enough.
The World first admireth Men's Wisdom for getting Money, and then raileth at them if they do not throw it Page 18 away; so that the Prodigal Man is only the less unpopular Extreme; he is every jot as well prepared as the Miser to fall out with his Morals, when once a good Tempta∣tion is offered him to lay them aside.
On the other side, some rich Men are as eager to overtake those that are Richer, as a Running-horse is to get to the Race-post, before the other that contendeth with him.
Men often desire to heap, rather because others have more, than that they know what to do with that which they covet with so much Impatience.
So that it is plain, the Fancy hath as great a share in this imaginary Pleasure of Gathering, as it hath in Love, Ambition, or any other Passion.
It is pretty sure, that as no Man was ever the Richer for having a good Estate, if he did not look after it; so neither will he be the Honester if he hath never so much.
Want of Care will always create want of Money; so that whether a Man is a Beggar because he never had any Money, or because he can never keep any, it is all one to those who are to trust him.
Upon this head of Prodigality, it may be no unrea∣sonable Caution to be afraid of those who in former Ser∣vice have been extravagantly Liberal of the Publick Money.
Trusting is so hazardous a thing, that it should never be done but where it is necessary; so that when Trustees are found upon Trial to be very Lavish, even without examining into the Causes of it, (which are generally very suspicious) it is a reasonable part of Preventing-Wit to change Hands, or else the Chusers will pay the Penalty that belongeth to good Nature so misplaced, and the Consequences will be attended with the Aggravation of their not being made Wiser by such a severe and costly warning.
Page 19 XIII. It would be of very great use to take a general Resolution throughout the Kingdom, That none should be chosen for a County but such as have either in Posses∣sion, or Reversion, a considerable Estate in it; nor for a Burrough, except he be Resiant, or that he hath some Estate in the County, in present, or Expectancy.
There have been Eminent Men of Law who were of opinion, That in the Case of a Burgess of a Town not Resiant, the Court is to give Judgment according to the Statute, notwithstanding Custom to the contrary.
But not to insist now upon that, the prudential part is Argument enough to set up a Rule to abrogate an ill Custom.
There is not, perhaps, a greater Cause of the Corrup∣tion of Parliaments, than by adopting Members, who may be said to have no title by their Births.
The Juries are by the Law to be Ex vicineto; And shall there be less care that the Representatives of the Peo∣ple be so too?
Sure the Interest of the County is best placed in the hands of such as have some share in it.
The Outliers are not so easily kept within the pale of the Laws.
They are often chosen without being known, which is more like chusing Valentines, than Members of Parliament. The Motive of their standing is more justly to be suppo∣sed, that they may redress their own Grievances which they know, than those of the Countrey, to which they are strangers.
They are chosen at London to serve in Cornwall, &c. and are often Parties, before they come to be Representa∣tives: One would think the Reproach it is for a County not to have Men within their own Circle to serve them in Parliament, should be Argument enough to reject these Page 20 Trespassers, without urging the ill Consequences in other Respects of their being admitted.
XIV. As in some Cases it is adviseable to give a total exclusion to Men not fitly qualified; so in others it is more proper to lay down a general Rule of Caution, with al∣lowance of some Exceptions, where Men have given such proofs of themselves, as create a Right for them to be di∣stinguished.
Of this nature is that which I shall say concerning Lawyers, who, by the same Reason that they may be use∣ful, may be also very dangerous.
The Negligence, and want of Application in Gentle∣men, hath made them to be thought more necessary than naturally they are in Parliament.
They have not only ingrossed the Chair of the Speaker, but that of a Committee is hardly thought to be well fil∣led, except it be by a Man of the Robe.
This maketh it worthy of the more serious reflection of all Gentlemen, that it may be an Argument to them to qualify themselves in Parliamentary Learning, in such a manner, as that they may rely upon their own Abilities, in order to the serving their Countrey.
But to come to the point in question; It is not without Precedent, that Practising-Lawyers have been excluded from serving in Parliament; and, without following those Patterns strictly, I cannot but think it reasonable, that whilst a Parliament sitteth, no Member of Parliament should plead at any Bar.
The Reason of it is in many respects strong in it self, and is grown much stronger by the long sitting of Par∣liaments of late; but I will not dwell upon this: The matter now in question being concerning Lawyers being Elected, which I conceive should be done with so much circumspection, that probably it would not often happen.
Page 21 If Lawyers have great Practice, that ought to take them up; if not, it is no great sign of their Ability; and at the same time giveth a suspicion, that they may be more liable to be tempted.
If it should be so in Fact, That no King ever wanted Judges to soften the stiffness of the Laws that were made, so as to make them suit better with the Reason of State, and the Convenience of the Government;
It is no Injury now to suppose it possible for Lawyers in the House of Commons, so to behave themselves in the making of New Laws, as the better to make way for the having their Robes lined with Fur.
They are Men used to argue on both sides of a Question; And if ordinary Fees can inspire them with very good Rea∣sons in a very ill Cause, that Faculty exercised in Parlia∣ments, where it may be better encouraged, may prove very inconvenient to those that chuse them.
And therefore, without arraigning a Profession, that it would be scandalous for a man not to honour; one may, by a Suspicion, which is the more excusable when it is in the behalf of the People, imagine that the habit of ta∣king Money for their Opinion, may create in some such a forgetfulness to distinguish, that they may take it for their Vote.
They are generally Men who by a laborious study hope to be advanced: They have it in their Eye as a Reward for the Toil they undergo.
This maketh them generally very slow, and ill disposed (let the Occasion never so much require it) to wrestle with that Soil where Preferment groweth.
Now if the Supposition be in its self not unreasonable, and that it should happen to be strengthen'd and confirm'd by Experience, it will be very unnecessary to say any more upon this Article, but leave it to the Electors to consider of it.
Page 22 XV. I cannot forbear to put in a Caveat against Men ty'd to a Party.
There must in every body be a Leaning to that sort of Men who profess some Principles, more than to others who go upon a different Foundation; but when a man is drowned in a Party, plunged in it beyond his depth, he runneth a great hazard of being upon ill terms with good Sense, or Morality, if not with both of them.
Such a man can hardly be called a Free Agent, and for that reason is very unfit to be trusted with the Peoples Li∣berty, after he hath given up his own.
It is said, That in some part of the Indies they do so af∣fect little Feet, that they keep them squeezed while they are Children, so that they stay at that small size after they are grown Men.
One may say something like this of Men lock'd up in a Party; They put their Thoughts into such a Narrow Mould, that they can never be enlarged nor released from their first Confinements.
Men in a Party have Liberty only for their Motto; in reality they are greater Slaves than any body else would care to make them.
A Party, even in times of Peace, (tho against the Original Contract, and the Bill of Rights) sets up and continues the exercise of Martial Law: Once inrolled, the Man that quitteth, if they had their will, would be hanged for a Deserter.
They communicate Anger to one another by Conta∣gion: And it may be said, that if too much Light dazzleth the Eye-sight, too much Heat doth not less weaken the Judgment.
Heat reigneth in the Fancy; and Reason, which is a colder Faculty of the Brain, taketh more time to be heard, than the other will allow.
The Heat of a Party is like the Burning of a Feaver, Page 23 and not a Natural Warmth, evenly distributed to give Life and Vigor.
There was a time indeed when Anger shew'd a good sign of Honesty; but that Evidence is very much weak∣ned by Instances we have seen since the Days of Yore: And the Publick-spirited Choler hath been thrown off within time of Memory, and lost almost all its Credit with some People, since they found what Governments thought fit to make their so doing a step to their Prefer∣ment.
A strong blustring Wind seldom continues long in one Corner.
Some men knock loud only to be let in; the Bustle they make is animated by their private Interest. The outward Blaze only is for Religion and Liberty: The true lasting Fire, like that of the Vestals which never went out, is an eagerness to get somewhat for themselves.
A House of Commons composed of such Men, would be more properly so many Merchants incorporated in a Regular Company, to make their particular Adventures, than Men sent from the People to serve and represent them.
There are some Splenetick Gentlemen who confine their favourable Opinion within so narrow a compass, that they will not allow it to any man that was not hanged in the late Reigns.
Now by that rule one might expect they should rescue themselves from the disadvantage of being now alive; and by abdicating a World so little worthy of them, get a great Name to themselves, with the general satisfaction of all those they would leave behind them.
Amongst the many other ill consequences of a stated Party, it is none of the least, that it tempteth low and in∣significant men to come upon the Stage, to expose them∣selves, and to spoil Business.
Page 24 It turneth a Cypher into a Figure, such a one as it is: A man in a Party is able to make a noise, let it be never so empty a sound.
A weak man is easily blown out of his small senses, by being muster'd into a Party; he is flatter'd till he liketh himself so well, that he taketh it extremely ill if he hath not an Employment.
Nothing is more in fashion, than for men to desire good Places, and I doubt nothing is less so than to deserve them.
From Nobody to Somebody is such a violent stride, that Nature, which hath the Negative Voice, will not give its Royal Assent to it: So that when insufficient Men aim at being in business, the worst of their Enemies might out of malice to them, pray for their Preferment.
There could be no end, if one did not stop till this Theme had no more matter to furnish. I will only say, Nothing is more evident, than that the Good of the Na∣tion hath been sacrificed to the Animosities of the several Contending Parties; and without entring into the dispute which of them are more or less in the right, it is pretty sure, that whilst these Opposite Sets of Angry Men are playing at Foot-ball, they will break all the Windows, and do more hurt than their pretended Zeal for the Nation will ever make amends for.
In short, a man so engaged is retained before the people take him for their Council; he hath such a Reserve for his Party, that it is not advisable for those who would chuse him, to depend upon his Professions. All Parties assuming such a Dispensing Power, that by their Sovereign Autho∣rity they cancel and dissolve any Act or Promise that they do not afterwards approve.
These things considered, those who will chuse such men deserve whatever followeth.
Page 25 XVI. Pretenders to Exorbitant Merit in the late Revo∣lution, are not without Objections against them, when they stand to serve in Parliament. It would not only be a low, but a criminal kind of Envy, to deny a distinguishing Justice to Men who have been instrumental and active, when the Service of their Countrey requir'd it. But there ought to be Moderation in men's Claims, or else it is out of the power of our poor Island to satisfy them. It is true, Service of all kinds is grown much dearer, like Labourer's Wages, which formerly occasioned several Statutes to regulate them.
But now the men who only carried Mortar to the Build∣ing, when it is finished, think they are ill dealt with if they are not made Master-Workmen.
They presently cry out, The Original Contract is bro∣ken, if their Merit is not rewarded, at their own Rate too.
Some will think there never ought to be an end of their Rewards; when indifferent Judges would perhaps be puzzled to find out the beginning of their Merit.
They bring in such large Bills, that they must be exa∣mind': Some bounds must be put to men's Pretensions; else the Nation, which is to pay the Reckoning, will every way think it a scurvy thing to be undone, whether it be by being over run by our Enemies, or by the being exhausted by our Friends.
There ought therefore to be deductions where they are reasonable, the better to justifie the paying what re∣maineth.
For example, if any of these passionate Lovers of the Protestant Religion should not think fit, in their manner of Living, to give the least evidence of their Morality, their claims upon that Head might sure be struck off without any Injustice to them.
If there are any who set down great Sums as a Reward due to their Zeal for rescuing Property from the Jaws Page 26 of Arbitrary Power; their pretensions may fairly be re∣jected, if now they are so far from shewing a care and tenderness of the Laws, that they look rather like Coun∣cel retained on the other side.
It is no less strange, than I doubt it is true, that some Men should be so in Love with their dear Mistress, Old England, with all her wrinkles, as out of an Heroick Passion to Swim over to rescue her from being Ravish'd; and when they have done the Feat, the first thing after Enjoyment is, that they go about to Strangle her.
For the sake of true Love, it is not fit that such un∣gentile Gallants should be too much encourag'd; and their Arrogance for having done well at first, will have no right to be excused, if their doing so ill at last doth not make them a little more modest.
True Merit, like a River, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes.
These loud proclaimers of their own Deserts, are not only to be suspected for their truth, but the Electors are to consider that such meritorious Men lay an Assessment upon those that Chuse them.
The Publick Taxes are already heavy enough without the addition of these private Reckonings. It is therefore the safer way not to employ Men, who will expect more for their Wages, than the mistaken Borough that sendeth them up to Parliament could be sold for.
XVII. With all due regard to the noblest of Callings, Military Officers are out of their true Element when they are misplaced in a House of Commons.
Things in this World ought to be well suited. There are some Appearances so unnatural, that men are con∣vinc'd by them without any other Argument.
The very Habit in some Cases, recommendeth or giveth Offence.
Page 27 If the Judges upon the Bench should, instead of their Furrs, which signify Gravity, aud bespeak Respect, be Cloathed like the Jockeys at New-Market, or wear Jack-Boots and Steenkirks; they would not in reality have less Law, but Mankind would be so struck with this unusual Object, that it would be a great while before they could think it possible to receive Justice from Men so Accouter'd.
It is to some degree the same thing in this Case; such Martial Habits, Blew-Coats, Red Stockings, &c. make them look very unlike Grave Senators. One would al∣most swear they were Creatures apart, and of a differing Species from the rest of the Body.
In former times, when only the Refiant Shopkeeper was to Represent his Corporation (which by the way is the Law still at this day) the Military Looks of one of these Sons of Mars, would have stared the Quaking Member down again to his Burrough.
Now the number of them is so encreased, that the Peaceable part of the House may lawfully swear they are in fear of their Lives, from such an Awful Appearance of Men of War.
It maketh the Room look like a Guard-house by such an ill-suited mixture. But this is only the out-side, the bark of the Argument; the root goeth yet deeper against Chusing such Men, whose Talents ought to be otherwise applied.
Their two Capacities are so inconsistent, that Mens undertaking to serve both the Cures, will be the cause in a little time, that we shall neither have Men of War, nor Men of Business, good in their several kinds.
An Officer is to give up his Liberty to obey Orders; and it is necessarily incident to his Calling that he should do so.
A Member of Parliament is originally to be tender of his own Liberty, that other Men may the better trust him with theirs.
Page 28 An Officer is to enable himself by his Courage, impro∣ved by Skill and Experience, to support the Laws (if In∣vaded) when they are made; but he is not supposed to be at leisure enough to understand how they should be made.
A Member of Parliament is to fill his thoughts with what may best conduce to the Civil Administration; which is enough to take up the whole Man, let him be never so much raised above the ordinary Level.
These two opposite Qualifications, being placed in one Man, make him such an ambiguous divided Creature, that he doth not know how to move.
It is best to keep Men within their proper Sphere; few Men have Understanding enough exactly to fill even one narrow Circle, fewer able to fill two; especially when they are both of so great compass, and that they are so contrary in their own Natures.
The Wages he hath as a Member, and those he recei∣veth as an Officer, are paid for Services that are very dif∣fering; and in the doubt which of them should be pre∣ferably performed, it is likely the greater Salary may di∣rect him, without the further inducements of complying most, where he may expect most advantage by it.
In short, if his dependance is not very great, it will make him a scurvey Officer; if it is great, it will make him a scurvier Member.
XVIII. Men under the scandal of being thought pri∣vate Pensioners, are too fair a mark to escape being consi∣der'd, in reference to the point in Question.
In case of plain Evidence, it is not to be suppos'd, possi∣ble, that Men convicted of such a Crime should ever again be Elected.
The difficulty is in determining what is to be done in case of suspicion.
Page 29 There are suspicions so well grounded, that they may pretend to have the force of proofs, provided the penalty goeth only to the forbearing to Trust, but not extending it so far as to Punish.
There must be some things plain and express to justify the latter, but Circumstances may be sufficient for the former: As where Men have had such sudden Cures of their ill Humours, and opposition to the Court, that it is out of the way of ordinary methods of recovery from such Distempers, which have a much slower progress; it must naturally be imputed to some Specifick that maketh such a quick alteration of the whole Mass of Blood.
Where Men have raised their way of Living, without any visible means to support them in it, a suspicion is justi∣fi'd, even by the Example of the Law, which in cases of this kind, though of an inferior nature, doth upon this foun∣dation not only raise Inferences, but inflict Punish∣ments.
Where Men are immoral, and scandalous in their Lives, and dispense familiarly with the Rules by which the World is Govern'd, for the better preserving the bonds of human Society; it must be a confidence very ill placed, to conclude it impossible for such Men to yield to a Temptation well offer'd and pursu'd; when, the truth is, the habit of such Bons vivants, which is the fashionable word, maketh a suspicion so likely, that it is very hard not to believe it to be true.
If there should be nothing but the general Report, even that is not to be neglected.
Common Fame is the only Lyar that deserveth to have some Respect still reserv'd to it; tho she telleth many an Untruth, she often hits right, and most especially when she speaketh ill of men.
Her Credit hath sometimes been carried too far, when it hath gone to the divesting men of any thing of which Page 30 they were possess'd, without more express evidence to justify such a proceeding.
If there was a doubt whether there ever was any Cor∣ruption of this kind, it would alter the Question; but sure that will not bear the being controverted.
We are told, That Charles the Fifth sent over into Eng∣land 1200000 Crowns to be distributed amongst the Lead∣ing Men, to encourage them to carry on Elections.
Here was the Protestant Religion to be bought out for a valuable Consideration according to Law, though not according to Gospel, which exalteth it above any Price that can be set upon it.
Now, except we had reason to believe that the Vertue of the World is improv'd since that time, we can as little doubt that such Temptations may be Offer'd, as that they may be Receiv'd.
It will be owned, that there is to be a great tenderness in Suspecting; but it must be allow'd at the same time, that there ought not to be less in Trusting, where the Peo∣ple are so much concern'd; especially, when the Penalty upon the Party suspected goeth no further than a suspension of that Confidence, which it is necessary to have in those who are to represent the Nation in Parliament.
I cannot omit the giving a Caution against admitting Men to be chosen, who have Places of any value.
There needeth the less to be said upon this Article, the truth of the Proposition being supported by such plain Ar∣guments.
Sure no Man hath such a plentiful spring of Thought, as that all that floweth from it is too much to be appli'd to the Business of Parliament.
It is not less sure, that a Member of Parliament, of all others, ought least to be exempted from the Rule, That no man should serve two Masters.
It doth so split a man's Thoughts, that no man can know Page 31 how to make a fitting distribution of them to two such dif∣fering Capacities.
It exposeth Men to be suspected, and tempted, more than is convenient for the Publick Service, or for the mu∣tual good Opinion of one another, which there ought to be in such an Assembly.
It either giveth a real dependance upon the Govern∣ment, which is inconsistent with the necessity there is, that a Member of Parliament should be disengaged; or at least it hath the appearance of it, which maketh them not look like Freemen, though they should have vertue enough to be so.
More Reasons would lessen the Weight of this last, which is, That a Bill to this effect, commonly called the Self-Denying Bill, pass'd even this last House of Commons.
A greater demonstration of the irresistible strength of Truth cannot possibly be given; so that a Copy of that Bill in every County or Burrough, would hardly fail of discouraging such Pretenders from Standing, or at least it would prevent their Success if their own Modesty should not restrain them from attempting it.
XX. If Distinctions may be made upon particular Men, or Remarks fix'd upon their Votes in Parliament, they must be allow'd in relation to those Gentlemen, who for Reasons best known to themselves thought fit to be against the Triennial Bill.
The Liberty of Opinion is the thing in the World that ought least to be controll'd, and especially in Parlia∣ment.
But as that is an undoubted Assertion, it is not less so, That when Men Sin against their own Light, give a Vote against their own Thought, they must not plead Privi∣lege of Parliament against the being Arraigned for it by others, after they are Convicted of it by themselves.
Page 32 There cannot be a Man, who in his definition of a House of Commons, will state it to be an Assembly, that for the better redressing of Grievances the People feel, and for the better furnishing such Supplies as they can bear, is to continue, if the King so pleaseth, for his whole Reign.
This could be as little intended, as to throw all into one Hand, and to renounce the Claim to any Liberty, but so much as the Sovereign Authority would allow.
It destroyeth the end of Parliaments, it maketh use of the Letter of the Law to extinguish the Life of it.
It is, in truth, some kind of Disparagement to so plain a thing, that so much has been said and written upon it; and one may say, It is such an Affront to those Gentle∣mens Understandings to censure this Vote only as a Mi∣stake, that, as the Age goeth, it is less Discredit to them to call it by its right Name; and if that is rightly under∣stood by those who are to chuse them, I suppose they will let them Exercise their Liberty of Conscience at home, and not make Men their Trustees, who in this So∣lemn Instance have such an unwillingness to surrender.
It must be own'd, That this Bill hath met with very hard Fortune, and yet that doth not in the least diminish the value of it.
It had in it such a Root of Life, that it might be said, It was not Dead but Sleeped; and we see that the last Session, it was revived and animated by the Royal Assent, when once fully inform'd of the Consequence, as well as of the Justice of it.
In the mean time, after having told my Opinion, Who ought not to be Chosen:
If I should be ask'd, who ought to be, my Answer must be, Chuse Englishmen; and when I have said that, to deal honestly, I will not undertake that they are easy to be found.
