Long Parliament-vvork, (if they wil please to do't) for the good of the Common-Wealth: or, The humble desires of the well-affected, revived.: Tender'd to the most serious consideration of the Parliament, Army, and others, in XX. proposals, concerning I. Liberty of conscience. ... XX. About hospitalls and alms-houses.

VI.

That there may be a Law for punishing of Felons, who steal above the value of thirteen pence half penny, more agreeable to the rule of Scripture and to humanity, then the Law now in being, which for a long time hath been ex∣ecuted on such offenders, to the taking away of life for matters of small moment; for doth not so severe and un∣suitable punishment rather harden such as are addicted to theft in that evil, then disswade from it, for such as are minded so to maintain themselves in an idle and wicked course of life, do in all probability often think, that if brought to tryal, through the importunity of friends, the Jury will encline to mercy, and the Judge to clemency and so they shall escape hanging, but if not they resolve to have (according to the old proverb) A short life and a sw••et, and regard not to think they shall come to such an end,

concluding that but few will be so rigorous as to take away their lives for a little monies or goods, or that they dare not do it; and if sometimes they escape the extremity of the Law; they flatter themselves with thinking of escaping always. Now oh that it might please the Parliament to an∣null and make void that harsh un-Scripture like and un∣equal law of putting to death for theft, and instead there∣of to make a law that it may be most severely punished ac∣cording to the degrees and manner of it (not taking away life at any hand) but compelling those that are able to make restitution, as Scripture doth direct, Exod. 22.1, 2, 3, 4, 7. but for those that are not able to restore, they may be kept close to work (if able) in houses of correction for a competent time according to the offence committed, or o∣therwise serve, be sold (or kept in prison) and doubtless this course if taken would more deter from stealing, then the way now practized; surely mans law should be as con∣form'd to Gods law as may be; and if they were so particu∣larly in this case of theft, it would be more for the com∣mon good of the Nations both here and hereafter, when an account must be given at Gods tribunal for all deeds done in the body, and then Law-makers and law main∣tainers, as well as law-breakers, must submit to the just and righteous sentence of their Judge; and hovv the in∣flicting of death for theft unrepented of, will or can be justified, we believe none can manifest, but the contrary may easily be proved both by Scripture and sufficient rea∣son, if any desire it.