Page:Agreement of the people (1648 edition) (IA agreement1648).djvu/2



Dear Countryman,

His Agreement having had its conception for a common good, as being that which contains thoe Foundations of Freedom, and Rules of Government, adjudged neceary to be etablished in this Nation for the future, by which all orts of men are to be bound, I adjudged it a jut and reaonable thing to publih it to the view of the Nation, to the end that all men might have an opportunity to conider the Equity thereof, and offer their Reaons against any thing therein contained, before it be concluded; That being agreeable to that Principle which we profes, viz. to do unto you, as we would all men hould do unto us; not doubting but that the Justice of it will be maintained and cleared, maugre the oppoition of the toutet Calumniator, epecially in thoe clear points in the Reerve o much already controverted, viz. touching the Magitrates power to compel or retrain in matters of Religion, and the exercie of an arbitrary power in the Repreentative, to punih men for tate offences, againt which no Law hath provided; which two things epecially are o clear to my undertanding, that I dare with confidence aver, That no man can demand the exercie of uch a power, but he that intends to be a Tyrant, nor no man part with them, but he that reolves to be a lave. And o at preent I rest,

Friday, Decemb. 10. 1648.