Good Work for a Good Magistrate, Title page – Dedication 2
GOOD WORK FOR A GOOD MAGISTRATE.
OR, A ſhort Cut to great quiet.
BY Honeſt, homely plain Engliſh Hints given from Scripture▪ Reaſon, and Experience, for the regulating of moſt Caſes in this Common-wealth.
Concerning
Religion;
MercieMercy;
Juſtice.
By H. P.
PROV. 14. 34.
Righteouſneſs exalteth a Nation; but ſin is a Reproach to anie People.
LONDON, Printed by William Du-Gard Printer to the Council of State. 1651.
To the Supreme Power, and all true Patriots under them.
Right Honorable!
FEaring this little-nothing—Pocket—Pamphlet might com to your view by ſom other hand, it was thought needful to prevent prejudice, by aſſuring your Honors, they are the ſcriblings of two friends divided by places, to ſatisfie each other about ſom practicable pieces of ſeveral kindes, eſpecially looking at
Religion;
The Poor;
Juſtice;
Law;
Navie;
Merchandiſe;
Which now are the breeders of manie thoughts amongſt Engliſh men. And truly as hee is fooliſh, that would dare to preſcribe to your wiſdoms; ſo is hee unfaithful, that would keep a mite from your treaſure.
Theſe are the chatterings of your ignorant and ruder ſervants, who onelyonly beg pardon of all ſorts for their wiſhing thus, even that all the work of the Nation may bee carried on faithfully, and with the leaſt charge: facile eſt inventis addere. Everie head here may procure a volume.
And it is deſired, that no man of anie profeſsion would deſpiſe theſe ſmall things, or the daie of them; but ſeriouſly attend them to enlargment and practice: for doubtleſs, an honeſt heart and a quick head will ſoon enliven all theſe.
Your Honors know you are the Remainders of much winnowing: You know as your travels have been great and dangerous, ſo verie ſucceſsful: you know to whom you are indebted: this good wee have alreadie under you, that men may bee as good as they can, but not ſo bad as they would. You may bee aſſured the higheſt Libertie England gape's for is an open daie once in a year or two to chooſ a wellcharactered Repreſentative, who may tread in your ſteps of faithfulneſs and truth; which work (they ſaie) you are engaged in, and is neer perfecting. It is humbly conceived, Republicks ſow the ſeed of their ruine in faction: which wiſe men ſaie cannot bee cured but by frequent elections, and cleer and plain dealings betwixt men in place, according to Mat. 18. And then who can ſaie a Government of ſo manie praiers and tears ſhould periſh? when after-ages ſhall read written on your doors, and practiſ'd by you and your ſucceſſors:
Haec Domus odit, amat, punit, conſervat, honorat,
Nequitiam, pacem, crimina, jura, probos.
This Houſ hate's ſin, love's peace, and vice corrects,
Maintein's juſt Laws, and honeſt men protect's.
Then which nothing is more heartily wiſhed by
Your Honors H. P. Junii 7. 1651.
For my dear friend J. T.
My good friend!
You muſt excuſe mee, if I join my thoughts with yours, and further give waie to opportunitie preſsing the publiſhing our heartie ſhort breathings after the good of the Common-wealth, rais'd and preſerv'd even to miracle. Bee not diſcouraged to continue your contributions. I know wee now deſire onelyonly to laie this rough work before better heads and hands: and bee aſſured this Nation is not barren altogether of ſelf-denying ſpirits, and ingeuous Patriots: and though Holland ſeem to get the ſtart of Us, yet wee may ſo follow, as to ſtand at length upon their ſhoulders, and ſo ſee further. Our preſent tranſactions make us look like Martha, wee hope our great end will appear to bee Marie's, One thing neceſſa…ie. Bear with us till the North and South have blown peaceably and ſweetly upon our Garden, and then call for the ripe fruits. For all preſent differences tie up your judgment a while, and know that God reigneth, let the earth rejoice: Doubtleſs merciemercy and truth will follow the Saints now deeply engaged. Live and love
Yours H. P. Junii 7. 1651.
GOOD WORK FOR A GOOD MAGISTRATE.
THe waies, and means ordained of God, to bring anie Nation to, and preſerv them in as happie a condition as this world can afford,Iſa. 54. 17.
are by
I. True Religion maintained and advanced by the Magiſtrate, and walked in by the people.Deut. 4. 5, 6. 6-17, 18, 19. 7-12, 13, 14. 8. 18, Joſh. 1. 8. Pſal. 119. 1, 2.
II. True MercieMercy towards the Poor practiſed, and advanced both by Magiſtrates and People.Deut. 15. 7. Mat. 5. 7. Prov. 14. 31. Prov. 20. 28.
III. True Justice, and Righteouſneſs amongst both Magiſtrates, and People, and towards other Nations.Deut. 16. 18, 19, 20. v. Prov. 16. 12.
Not that here is intended a large diſcourſ upon theſe heads, with which manie Books might bee filled; but onelyonly to give ſom hints of ſom things, the Magiſtrates may ſee practiſed to advance theſe ends; to ſatisfie a friends deſire.