Rights of the Kingdom, Title page – Preface to the reader
RIGHTS of the KINGDOM: OR, CUSTOMS Of our ANCESTORS.
Touching The Duty, Power, Election, or Succession Of our KINGS AND PARLIAMENTS, OUR True Liberty, due Allegiance, three Estates, their Legislative Power, Original, Judicial, and Executive; with the MILITIA.
Freely discussed through The British, Saxon, Norman Laws and Histories. WITH An occasional Discourse of GREAT CHANGES yet expected in the World.
LONDON: Printed for I. Kidgell. 1682.
THE PREFACE TO THE READER.
READER,
IF you be wise and good, you are above my Epithets, and more above my Platteries: But yet you may expect a Preface to excuse this unexpected Address. The habit is somewhat strange, and my self so little acquainted with it, that I cannot much wonder if others should gaze upon it: but account me a Stranger, and you will forgive me.
It is no matter who, but what, is here presented to your view: I cannot excuse it, either for matter or manner. It hath much folly to my sight; and more, I believe, than yet I see. It may be also somewhat false, although I know it not. This should not prejudice all: for there are Spots above the Clouds; and the Kingdom of Heaven it self was like a Field of Wheat with many Tares: How much more, how much worse, must it be with a frail man!
But why then do I venture to come abroad? The Objection was strong enough to keep me silent hitherto; and it may be, nothing but Duty should have perswaded or prevailed on me to be publick now: and yet I do not plead an extraordinary Call; which is a close Writ, and not a Patent. Those who receive and act by such a Warrant, should be sure they know the Hand, or Seal, or Dialect of Heaven.
But I am an English-man; and therefore am obliged to this Country, and to these Laws that made me free. And this may be some Call; that I say nothing of particular Obligations to the State, in any Courts of Justice, or relation to the highest Court of Parliament. And why may not I believe my self as free to think, or speak, or write, as others are to do?
There is a Night of silence, and an evil Day; when every prudent man shall hold his peace; but also there is a time to speak, and a word in season, fitly placed, like an Apple of gold in a Picture of silver. But who knoweth his season? for our time is hidden: and because man knoweth it not therefore is his labour increased under the Sun. This also is vanity, and a fore vexation▪
I said, there are older, and wiser, and better than I; they shall speak and teach me Wifdom: I will hear in silence. Nor do I now say, They convinced him not, lest it should be said, We have found out Wisdom; God thrasteth him down, and not man. Nay, they have spoken much; and little may be left for me, but to repeat somewhat already said.
Be it so then; by this I shall be free: for if I speak their words, I may be pardoned, as those that spake before: And if I adde a new word, shall I be made an Offender for a word?
However, my hope is, that the Great Day of Judgment (of which we have long heard, and now seen so much before us) will have such influence upon our Judgement and Affections, that we shall all be ready to judge our selves, rather than others; or if others, not with prejudice. And with this assurance, or with this confidence, I now presume upon your goodness; knowing well, that if you find but one, so much as one Cluster, you will spare it, and be pitiful; there may be a Blessing in it.