A modest plea for an equal common-wealth against monarchy.: In which the genuine nature and true interest of a free-state is briefly stated: its consistency with a national clergy, mercenary lawyers, and hereditary nobility examined; together with the expediency of an agrarian and rotation of offices asserted. Also, an apology for younger brothers, the restitution of gavil-kind, and relief of the poor. With a lift at tythes, and reformation of the lawes and universities. All accommodated to publick honour and justice, without injury to any mans propriety, and humbly tendered to the Parliament. By a lover of his country in order to the healing the divisions of the times.

To The Right Honourable, The High Court of PARLIAMENT.

The Supream Authority of the Three Nations.

Right Honorable,

BEing moved to give in a Testimony against the most Epide∣mical Abuses and corrupt Interests of the Times, I know none to whom with more justice it might be Dedicated, than your Honours, whom the providence of God hath called to be our Reformers, into whose hands God hath pleased to put a great price, an opportunity of making this Nation the happiest in the World; In order to which, he hath also pav'd your way, causing the Hills to melt like Wax, and the Mountains to dissolve like Snow before you, having smitten the Great ones of the Earth, and caused Princes to fall at your feet, and removed whatsoever stood before you, or might in the least obstruct or retard the work of Reformation: so that no man can any longer say, There is a Lion in the way. God hath put the Nation like wax into your hands, that you may mould and cast it into what Form your Honours please: We are now Rasa tabula, and your Honours may write what you please upon us, I hope it will be ho∣liness to the Lord, that we may for the future be truly term'd a Ho∣ly Common-wealth and Royal Priesthood unto God. It was not for nought the Lord raised your Honours as from the Dead, and restored you to the Administration of that Power that was so long detained in unrighteousness from you, without doubt God hath some great worke for you. And now behold the Expectations of all men are upon you; all the Nations of the Earth are looking to see what your Honours will do, for whom God hath wrought so many wonders, whom God hath Crowned with so many signal Victories, for whom God hath so often

appeared in the High Places of the Field, making bare the Arm of his Power, and rebuking the pride of your Enemies. God hath also sent a day of Tryal, that the falshood and Hipocrisie of many might be discovered, that all corrupt interests and Persons might be made manifest. And they that were not of you, are gone out from among you, they that were not spirited for the Great Worke of the Lord, that (having put their hands to this Plow) looked back, and behold they are turned to Pillars of Salt; God hath made them Monuments of his disple••sure, and blasted their designs. But the Hearts of Gods People are still with you, and their Hands, even the Hands of Mo∣ses and of Israel are lifed up in your defence. Also God is with you, And who then shall be against you? I need not now desire of your Ho∣nours, not to build on old Foundations, I know your Honours experi∣ence hath taught you, they will not, they cannot stand. Our Common-wealth hath stuck long in the birth, and the Nation been cast into strong Pangs and Throwes in bringing forth our Liberties, and it seems could not be Delivered altogether without blood: But we hope now through the dexterous midwifery of your Honours Prudence, what hath been so long expected will be brought forth, a••d that we and Posterity shall have cause to bless God in behalf of your Honours, as for the Builders of our Breaches, and the Restorers of Pathes to dwel in.

It was not intended that this Pamphlet should fawn upon your Honours in the midst of your Triumphs, being most part of it com∣mitted to the Press before the breaking forth of the late Rebellion (when the Author little thought his Thesis should so soon be disputed with swords points, and decided in so solemn an Appeal to Heaven) where it hath been imprisoned till now by the injury of the Printer: But if your Honours please to receive it into your Protection, and par∣don the boldness of this address to your Honours; it will oblige the Author to study how he may better deserve the Countenance of your Authority, and render himselfe more serviceable to your Honours, to whom he hath in all Humility devoted himselfe, &c.