Certain queries humbly proposed in order to a quiet Christian submission to His Highness the Lord Protector S.N.

Querie I.

VVHether that good and sober men of any Nation may not be too apt and ready through their own incogitancy and un∣advisedness to murmure and repine at their Gover∣nors and Government, and that without a cause: The reason of this Querie is grounded both upon president and experience: the presidents are to be found amongst the people of Israel; As that saying of theirs unto Moses, who made thee a Ruler and a judge over us? And again, when Moses smote the Egypti∣an, he supposed that his brethren would have un∣derstood that God by his hand would deliver them, yet we see they did not: the experience hath been in our own land, how have we admired both Go∣vernors and Government? nay we have been like un∣to those S. Paul speaks of, that would have pluckt out their own eyes and have given them unto him; even so we counted not our lives too dear to be sacri∣ficed for them; and yet we have seen our selves dis∣appointed in our expectations: Now then if those high and confident thoughts of heart concerning the goodness and benefit of Governors and Government have suffered a frustration; then by the same Rule may the too mean and hard thoughts either of Go∣vernor or Government, receive the like check, shame and disappointment as the Israelites did concerning Moses, and according to that maxime, Contraria con∣trariorum sunt consequentia.

2. Whether that the sedition and division daily sown and fomented be not fruits of the flesh, and the seeds-men thereof render themselves exceeding culpable, both before God and all considering men: and whether such persons may not claim the titles, or at least be justly conferred upon them, mentioned in the Epistle of Iude 8.2 Pet. 2.10. 2 Tim. 3.3, 4. viz. to be murmurers, complainers, traitors, high-minded, who despise Government, presumptuous, self-willed, and also not afraid to speak evil of dignities: now all these several transgressors are doubtless very offensive unto God, yet the last seems to carry a greater emphasis in it, As not to be afraid to speak evil of dignities: it is a certain kind of boldness to blaspheme, for every kind of Authority hath a divine stamp upon it; and the greater and higher any Authority is, the greater is the sin and the nearer to blasphemy indeed; now for a man to be bold and daring in a wickedness, imports a strange kind of estrangement from God, and of a prostituted conscience; therefore men versed in this evil occupation had need to consider whether (according to our Saviours saying) the word above mentioned will not judge them at the great day, and before also, for commonly they have part in hand until the whole be paid. Now whether the sin be not yet greater being done and and perpetrated i the name of God, and many times in places where better things should be both spoken and heard, and whether that makes it not more abominable: as then old saying is,

In nomine Domini incipit omne malum.

3. Whether that God Almighty the King of Kings hath not manifested and declared as with an

audible voice from heaven, that amongst all the son of Iesse, this is that David that he hath chosen to be King of our Israel: else what is the meaning of all those defeats and disappointments of Treason, War and Bloud, and of all those signal preservations, even to the admiration of all that love him, and to the terror of those that seek his hurt, if that the Lord that preserved Daniel in the Lions den was not with him? His enemies they neither wanted will nor power nor subtilty to bring it to pass, but God kept an opportunity out of their way. I confesse, there is a wicked mind amongst many, which say now adays as the Jews did by our Saviours miracles, that either they were not at all, or else done by an evil spirit; whether such men had not need to be careful lest they fight against God, as they also did.

To whom did God Almighty ever do more, or give greater testimony unto then unto the present Lord Protector? hath not God crowned him with as many signal tokens of his favour as ever he did any the Kings of Israel? much less doubtless did he ever take pleasure in any of the Kings of England after such a manner: now then if that God Almighty hath owned and peculiarized him from amongst so many Worthies, and hath made him to tread upon Scorpions, and suffer no deadly thing to hurt him, and hath poured contempt, disgrace and ruine upon all his adversaries, why then should not any mans conscience give him leave to say, this is Gods Anoin∣ted, and him will we obey and pray for?

4. Whether the principal ends of freedom and liberty formerly engaged for be not in the letter and by interpretation fully answered in the present Go∣vernment.

The first and main end was, the liberty of consci∣ence, which the late King and Bishops did infringe: that was the pad in the straw, which did so disease there was ship-money, and some other extra-legal taxes; but that which made those mole-hils seem mountains was, that they must not onely prostitute their purses but their consciences also: as likewise it is apparent that upon all turns and breaches both with the Scots, and with the Parliament, it was be∣cause the one did absolutely desire rule and domina∣tion in things Ecclesiastick, and the other was at least suspected to have an itch that way; which could not be born at any hand: had it not been for this great thing called liberty of conscience, a hundred things would not have been so much insisted upon, and would have been easily swallowed without those various combustions and stirs.

Now then in this our mouths may be wide open, and say what is wanting to any, or who can justly complain (except it be in liberty to sinne;) There is no lowing of the Oxen nor Bleating of the sheep in this case to any that is so much as morally civil, but all at perfect peace and liberty, as if God was come down among men: onely the Arminian party com∣plain they are brow-beaten, which is a little too ap∣parent I confess in some cases, but blessed be God they may notwithstanding say their lot is fallen in a good ground. Doubtless the controversie is not for every understanding to reach or fadome; but whe∣ther it be not more easie to be believed then refuted, I leave to others: for my own part, I cannot but believe that there may be an election of some parti∣cular

persons more then others: Yet withal I cannot discerne from the Scriptures nor Reason how those terrible and doleful decrees of particular persons to be damned from eternity should be supported: Now then if conscience be free, and no restraint either to the weak or the strong in well doing. In this have you not all, or once would it not have been esteemed so: Let every man then examine his own conscience, and say plainly whats it he wants (sa∣ving the casting out of that unclean spirit of pride, Arrogancie and Ingratitude) and then doubtless he is either a man that is well, or may be if he himself see cause.

5 Whether the present taxes be any ground at all of the least discontent to any sort of men what∣soever. Because First, as to the Parliament Party and those under that head, they have the greatest reason to sit down not with patience onely but with satisfaction, for two reasons at least: First, because by the late quarrel they have not diminished their estates and treasure, but I may safely say (and speak no parable) they have increased them, and have with their blows received suitable encouragement; yet those of that sort that staid by the stuffe have been best rewarded. Therefore for these Gentle∣men that have reapt so good a crop and so plentiful harvest to scruple the payment of their dues, and to spare a little out of their abundance, were high ingratitude to God and men; Considering there is nothing in all these present transactions but what themselves have had some hand in to effect.

Secondly, If there were nothing else but that peaceable enjoyment of their own minds in Gods

worship and service, it were sufficient, because they would in time past have purchased it at a dearer rate when they were worse able to bear it.

And as to others as well as to the generation men∣tioned, I mean all the Protestants of England as they are both Christians and English men, have not the least ground of discontent. For the quarrel now is become the old Protestant cause that ever was afoot since the Reformation; it hath pleased God through his infinite wisdom to end all our pri∣vate and national quarrells, and settle it at that point of the compass where doubtless God Almigh∣ty expects we should all agree.

Although the charge hath been great, and some mens lives have expired in the quarrel, yet if men would be but ingenuous, there is much done already toward the charge against the Romish usurpation, viz. what think you of the peace with Portugal, and the freedom from the Inquisition there? whereof our merchants and seamen already feel the benefit: and I doubt not but the King of Spain also will hearken to those most noble and Christian terms proposed by his Highness ere it be long. Therefore having put our hands to the plough let us not look back, but ra∣ther rejoyce that God Almighty still takes pleasure in England to produce such Worthies as shall be the worlds reformers, as Constantine the first Christian Emperour borne at York, and Lucius the first Chri∣stian King: and who cannot but discerne, as Constan∣tine was a blessed Instrument of Gods to discharge the world from many of those gross Idolatries and su∣perstitions of the heathens, but that his Highness is a man exalted and raised on purpose to purge, as by

fire, the corruptions, Idolatries & heathenish supersti∣tions of the Church of Rome. Considering also that God hath made many promises to extirpate all that is or may be called Antichristian; now for us to be negligent, and murmure at so good a work, and not rather be thankful though it cost us our all, is as much as to say to the Lord, Depart from us, for we would serve other masters, would not this be to draw a sackcloth over the sun, and to poure contempt and shame upon our own heads! whom God and Christ would have lifted up, and would it not make us like unto Ierusalem as a carcase without a soul so soon as the Lord had left them, we know the eagles? I mean the Romans (whose ensigne was mottoed with an eagle) soon made a prey of them. And further were it any ignoble designe or personal quarrel or point of honor, we might well say then what needs this wast? but where there is not the least composition or ingredient that is not honourable, but a common protestant cause and for the whole worlds reforma∣tion, let us not grudge lest God repent.

6 Whether it were not more Christian and bet∣ter becoming the ministry to leave their obscure prayers, as when they pray for the supreme Autho∣rity, for the Chief magistrate, for those in Authority &c. and to pray in plain and intelligible English for his Highness the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland and the territories thereunto belonging, and for the Lords of his Councel, and for his family, &c. for by the former termes of Art no man knows whom they mean, whether his Highness or the vaga∣tor on the other side: If I may be so bold I think they have as much reason as the Kings Clergy, for

they enjoy the same benefit with many an Augmen∣tation: besides, it would tend much to a through set∣ling and a quenching of foolish and vain hopes.

I hope there is no such root of bitterness as to imagine they want incouragement, and men of other minds are tolerated, &c. to be the cause of this strange kind of obscure, uncouth and cloudy prayers: Alas his Highness is the father of us all, a father of a family doth not discourage or upbraid any for not being so straight, so tall, so good memory, so quick of discerning; no more can his Highness to the people of several and various minds, if he should it would render him unnatural: for it is much for any ma∣gistrate to keep himself free from the charge in the poet, Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas, which I doubt not his Highness will have regard unto as hitherto.

7 Whether the inflicting the severest punishment upon traitors, conspirators, &c. be any cause of dissatisfaction to any, but rather by far of the greatest content and submission: for have not those Gentlemen that have been known by the name of the Kings par∣ty been favourably dealt with, considered as conque∣red? their penances for their faults have been very tolerable, and I know upon good grounds that many are so ingenuous as to acknowledge it, and will say they believe they should not have shewn so much favour as is received; his Highness in this imitates God Almighty in such a demeanour of himself, for if mercy, forbearance, patience nay and long-sufferance will not do, then he poureth out his wrath and indig∣nation upon the disobedient. Now all that seems hard is that so many worthy Gentlemen who its

believed hath had neither intention heart nor hand in any Treasonable Act, should be secured and kept under restraint; the equi∣ty and reason of that is plain, because a plot or con∣spiracy being discovered concerning a party, and ma∣ny known to be guilty which in appearance seemed as harmless, & much more also then many of the rest: what would they themselves do but think and be ve∣ry jealous of the whole, and so secure the nation and free the persons if innocent from a temptation and keep them out of harms way? Now if his Highness should hearken too much to his own clemency in such cases, whether he would not, first sin against God in not inflicting punishment; secondly, against the Na∣tion; thirdly against himself.

8. Whether that any people in the world (to speak without any flattery) have Magistrates so free from all manner of corruption as we have? what Prince spends so many hours in prayer and devoti∣on as ours? what King hath a Councell so free from vice? no debauchery, no luxury is to be heard of amongst them; but are all examples of a holy re∣ligious life to the nation round about: how impar∣tial in justice? I have not heard so much as one a∣mongst many thosands that can say justice is denied him. And the Court governed according to Davids pattern, not a man that is a lyar must abide under his roof, or any that have dependency upon him: now then if so, can we hope to be better, to have more justice under any other way or person? doe you think we shall have better examples, better Counsellors, easier Access, freer from bribery, justice more equally distributed? if we do, it must be when the Millenary kingdom comes to pass, for my part I expect it not.

9. Whether there be any cause for the plea of in∣heritance to the Gentleman on the other side, so as to disturb the thoughts of any: you know that the entail of an estate may be cut off, and is amongst us daily: so God and men have agreed to cut off his; though I think there was enough in all equity and reason to cut off his father, yet some do surmise, and many believe that there was a greater judgement fol∣lowed him then the things he died for: therefore I could wish that no man would be so daring and pre∣sumptuous as to think otherwise then that the justice of God and the justice of men met together to cut off that line: as he did concerning Eli, he promised he and his should be priests for ever, yet we see for sin and transgression the line was cut off. Now its true the seed is escaped with their lives, I am apt to think the reason is they are not of so sanguine a constitution though in justice by the wise dispensations of God thought meet to undergo the misery of being vaga∣tors upon the face of the earth.

FINIS.