CONSIDERATIONS DIVINE, RATIONAL and POLITICAL, calculated for the preſent ſtate of Affairs in ENGLAND, and offered to the Conſideration of every true-hearted ENGLISH-MAN.
COnſider, That the ancient Government of this Nation by KING, Lords and Commons aſſembled in Parliament, is in it ſelf the moſt equal and well tempered Government of any in Chriſtendom.
2. Conſider, The Renown and Felicity of this Nation, which continued many hundred years under that Government.
3. The many Violences acted upon the Parliament, eſpecially the Force which was upon the Houſe of Commons when the pretended law was made for the alteration of that Government, being contrary to the expreſs Oaths, Declarations and Reſolutions thereof whileſt free.
4. That the Deſign of the Chief Actor of thoſe Villanies, and Contriver of that Law was for advancing himſelf to the regall Dignity, which it hath pleaſed God to confound to the perpetual reproach of him, his Relations and Poſterity.
5. Conſider, The general contempt and poverty which God hath brought upon the Nation, ſince the change by ſubjecting us to the Inſolencies of the Baſeſt of the people, who have Exalted themſelves by the Ruine of their Superiors, whereby we are become a ſhame to our ſelves and a ſcorn and deriſion to all our Neighbours.
6. That it is deſtructive to the Liberties of the people that the Legiſlative Power ſhould reſide in a Multitude of Commoners without any Checque upon them, Probatum eſt, there having been more horrid oppreſſions by High Courts of Juſtice and other Exorbitant arbitrary Laws Acted in the Inter-regnum, then ever was done by colour of Authority in the Reigns of all the KINGS of England.
7. That Atheiſme. Ignorance, Sacriledge, Factions, and Hereſies the Fruits and Nurſlings of this alteration, have crouded out Piety, Learning, Charity, Uniformity and ſound Doctrine, wherein the Glory of this Nation did formerly excel moſt in Chriſtendom.
8. That it is the undoubted Birth-right of Charls Stuart to be KING of England.
9. That the People of the three Nations beſides the Obligation of their Natural duty are bound by their Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, Proteſtation and Covenant to endeavour his Reſtitution.
10. That it is the earneſt deſire of all the Nobility, Gentry and ſober Comonalty, except only ſuch whoſe peculiar Advantages or dreadful conſciences cauſe them to oppoſe it.
11. That during his Exile the three Nations have been under perpetual Enmities, tremblings and Changes without any Foundations of Peace or Government.
12. That it is impoſſible without his concurrance to eſtabliſh any Government that ſhall be binding to the People.
13. That the Pretenders to the preſent Power (perſons ſo worthleſs that it is a ſhame for the Nation to ſubmit unto them) have by meer Force without colour of right excluded their Fellow Members, much greater in Number and Quality then themſelves; and therefore the Laws made by them during that Force (admit otherwiſe they had good Authority) cannot in juſtice Challenge obedience from the people.
14. Conſider, The vaſt Impoſitions wherewith the Pretenders do Oppreſs the Nations for ſupporting of Souldiers, whoſe whole•mployment is only to ſuppreſs thoſe that Endeavour the KING'S Reſtitution; and the evident Neceſſity of continuing them for that End.
15. That the Soldiers are in truth the Supreme Governours, and have only delegated their Power to the Pretenders whom they have advanced and ſupported, ejected and reſtored as they pleaſed: it being no leſs truly then wittily ſaid, That they are the Parliaments Army and thoſe are the Armies Parliament.
16. That this Power is now devolved upon and executed by the Common Soldiers, who knowing their own ſtrength, have gotten the hand of their Officers, and caſhiere and re-admit them with the ſame facility and pleaſure that the Officers have done their Governors.
17. Conſider, The total decay of Trade throughout the three Nations occaſioned by the Diſturbances and Oppreſſions at home, and Fears from abroad, impoveriſhing the meaner ſort, and reducing them to that Neceſſity which will ſoon force them to Violences; and the ſmall hopes of its return till our rightful PRINCE be Reſtored.
18. Conſider, The great effuſion of Blood and Ruines of Eſtates which muſt neceſſarily happen if he be reſtored by Force, either at Home or from abroad, againſt either of which we can never be ſecured, and now more eſpecially the latter, conſidering the league between the two potent Princes his Allies, by whom the opportunity of employing their ſuper-numerary Forces on ſuch an occaſion will doubtleſſe be imbraced.
19. That it is the undoubted Deſign of the Jeſuites who have tried his ſtedfaſtneſſe in Religion, to prevent his reſtitution by his ſubjects, that he may be Neceſſitated to flye unto Forrain power for effecting it, (the moſt probable means of introducing Popery) for which purpoſe they are come over in Swarms, and in private Congregations, more especially amongſt the Soldiers (with whom they have mingled themſelves under the Diſguiſes of more plauſible Factions) do ſow the Seeds of perpetual Enmities as well againſt him as among our ſelves, and ſome of them have boldly affirmed that he ſhall never be reſtored but by their means.
20. Conſider, This reſtitution by treaty in a Free Parliament, the Secluded Members being readmitted, places Vacant ſupplyed by Free Elections, and both Secluded and new Elected Members to be admitted without any Oath previous to their Seſſion is the moſt hopeful means of reconciling different parties, providing for tender conſciences, eaſing us of the burthen of Soldiers (their Arrears being paid before disbanding, and they admitted to the uſe of any trade) ſecuring purchaſers under the States title by an Act for confirmation of Sales, appeaſing Fears and Jealouſies, by a Free and General pardon, uniting the three Nations and ſetling peace with our Neihghours, advancing Trade, preſerving of Liberties, and reſtoring the Honour of the Nation; and if this be not affected, certainly it is the viſible judgement of God upon us, who for our ſins infatuates our Counſels, that we cannot diſcern, or dejects our ſpirits that we dare not attempt, or diſappoints our enterpriſes that we cannot attain the means of our deliverance.
2. Objections,There are againſt his reſtitution.
- 1. That there is no publick Revenue for him.
- 2. That there can be no ſecurity that he will obſerve the Articles of the Treaty.
Anſwer to the firſt,
- 1. The fifth part of the extraordinary Annual charge that the Nation muſt undergoe by Exciſe and Taxes for maintaining Soldiers to keep him out, will be a farr greater Revenue then ever any King of England enjoyed beſides the Cuſtomes:
- 2. The hearts of the Nobility and Gentry would be enlarged upon his return freely to contribute for the purchaſing of him a Revenue.
To the ſecond,
- This World affords no abſolute ſecurity, but certain it is, there is greater reaſon to expect performance from him then that the Nation ſhould enjoy Peace without him.
- 2. The Parliament may diſpoſe the places of ſtrength and truſt in the hands of ſuch worthy perſons as they ſhall conceive may beſt ſecure performance of Articles, and we may have more ſecurity againſt him if he be reſtored by treaty, then we can have that he ſhall not be reſtored by Force; however it is our duty to do that which is juſt, and deliver the Nation from ſin; The ſucceſſe we muſt leave to God, whoſe hand hath been eminent in conſounding all our devices of n•w foundations, and continuing a ſpirit of Diviſion among us that we may not Unite without HIM.