Pax et obedientia : an antidote against rebellion settinge forth the unreasonablenesse of mens complaints against the present government, the true cause of the late warre, and the mischiefes that did ensue thereby; with some remedies humbly offered from experience and observation to prevent those in

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Pax et obedientia : an antidote against rebellion settinge forth the unreasonablenesse of mens complaints against the present government, the true cause of the late warre, and the mischiefes that did ensue thereby; with some remedies humbly offered from experience and observation to prevent those inconveniences that arise from warre and disobedience, [ca. 1672].

Pax et obedientia : an antidote against rebellion settinge forth the unreasonablenesse of mens complaints against the present government, the true cause of the late warre, and the mischiefes that did ensue thereby; with some remedies humbly offered from experience and observation to prevent those inconveniences that arise from warre and disobedience, [ca. 1672].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/702177617

Manuscript on paper in a cursive bookhand setting forth the author's thoughts on the current state of England in 21 chapters. The first five chapters survey the causes and consequences of the English Civil War and the present "decay of Trade;" chapters 6-13 discuss self-interest in the "state of Nature" and the necessity of law and religion to restrain "the boundlesse Appetites of men;" chapters 14-17 concern various ways in which trade may be improved and advanced, particularly by the Crown's encouaragement of "forreigne plantations," but warn that "thrivinge lies muche in a mans owne power;" and the final four chapters discuss the centrality of the rule of law and the King's preregative in ecclesiastical matters. The text is preceded by an outline for a frontispiece in which the royal arms, the crowned King and a figure of Civil Government would be surrounded by emblems of the evils of the state of nature, including Interest and Toleration, and of the state of civilization and Religion, including Obedience and Trade. This is followed by a dedicatory Epistle to "Henry Lord Arlington, His Majesties Principall Secretary of State" and a "Preface to the Courteous Reader." The text is concluded by an Epilogue. Occasional corrections within text and marginal annotations throughout, usually referencing Biblical verses or English statues. A two page section of Chapter 17 on expenses for "setting a Cocoa walk in Jamaica" is annotated, "This must be left oute beinge published in a Late booke." An almost identical chart appears in Richard Blome's A Description of the Isle of Jamaica.... (London, 1672), where it is attributed to "a judicious and great encourager of the Plantations." In the present manuscript, the chart is preceded by praise for "the late Governour of that Islande" and a defense of him from charges of "treason," probably in reference to Sir Thomas Modyford, who had been returned from Jamaica and imprisoned in 1671.

1 v. (420 + viii p.) ; 30 x 20 cm.

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library