Certain Conscientious QUERIES FROM MR. WILL. JENKIN, Being the Grounds of his late Petition and Submission to the present POWER. Whereunto is Annexed his Petition still very much desired.  
With the Copy of a Letter formerly sent to him and Mr. Love with other Ministers therein nominated, supplicating their non-ingaging or withstanding Gods stupendious and amazing Acts of late and present providences, which if hearkened to in time might have prevented their late Sufferings, and better kept up their esteem.  
ALSO The Parliaments Most Gracious and indulgent Pardon to them all, notwithstanding their Acts of Treason against the peace of the Commonwealth.  
Sold by R. Harford at the Bible and States-Armes in Little-Britain, 1651.   

To the Reader.  
BEloved Christian Friends and Brethren, seeing God hath so mercifully appointed us to live in these precious, Gospel-divulging times, for which we have unspeakable cause to magnify and reverence his Holy Name; This being the last age of the World wherein more especially, the Veil is to be rend, and the greatest glory to be revealed. In order whereunto, this Generation have seen, the many multiplied wonders of the Lord, such as our Fathers, (nay, such as no Generations) ever saw, which although some will not see, yet (saith the Lord) they shall see; even his mighty outstretched arm, in bringing now his people out of Egypt, even through the Sea and Wilderness, to enjoy the promised Land, wherein his Name alone shall be exalted, to the utter staining the glory of all flesh, and all that is of flesh; For, the glory of the Lord approacheth near, and happy are the Virgins that are made ready to enter with the Bridegroom: and blessed are those Servants, that watch for their Masters coming and keep their garments about them, that they be not found naked and their shame appear; for, to all such, he will come upon them suddenly in an hour when they think not, and will cut them in pieces, and give them their portion with Hypocrites; For, without question, the day of the Lord is at hand, and cometh as a Thief: How often is this reiterated, and expressed even because, men are so apt to slumber & sleep, The consideration hereof, hath constrained us, even by all helps and means to stir up and awake one another, before this glorious day of the Lord comes; that we may be ware of his coming and our eyes may be open to see the glory of his appearing; for, if then we be found sleeping, we must sleep for ever; we know there are many now sleeping, who cannot see these things, (and indeed, who watcheth as he ought,) yea, the Prophets (as they account themselves) lying down to sleep, and delighting to slumber, they tyre, and are not able to follow the Lord so fast; according as it is written, Rom. 11.8. God hath given them the Spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears, etc. which prophecy, let even the Gentile Prophets consider as well as the Jews, etc. and let them read and ponder well those whole Chapters, Ezek. 34. and Jer. 23. Let them at no hand despise this advice, but view themselves therein, as in a glass; for they more concern their practices than they are willing to see. For as I live (saith the Lord) I will call the Shepherds to an account, those who have fed themselves and driven away the flock, therefore they shall feed the flock no more etc. but the blessed promises there, upholdeth our hearts; that the Lord himself will be our Shepherd; I even I, will both search out my Sheep, and seek them out, and bring them to their own Land, and feed them by the Rivers and in fat and good pasture, even upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be.  
This Petitionary letter was, not long since, sent to Mr. Will. Jenkins and others therein named; sent in time but harkened to, almost too Late; they encouraging Mr. Love to lead the way and he them, to follow him: but they are better advised: This letter, at first, was intended, only as a private supplication to him, but seeing so many others, were carried away; in the same paths, subscribing with him and labouring mightily to inflame this nation again, in a third War, upon a desperate hazard to obtain their own ends: but, had they fully prevailed, what had become of all their dissenting brethren, though never so godly? we fear, they should have had, but hard measure for all the kindness and patience shown to them: nor should they, have enjoyed, such pardons, privileges, and quiet habitations among them, as they enjoy among us.  
But the Lord himself, of his unspeakable mercy, having stopped that current of blood intended and begun: Hereupon, some have begun, (better late then never) to see and confess their errors and sinful miscarriages: Particularly, Mr. Will. Jenkins, being convinced thereof (as is expressed) upon his seeking GOD and not adventuring a Wounded conscience for a whole skin; and promiseth also, to hold forth his grounds to any: we therefore thought it, of great use to annex to this letter, The Petition of Mr. Will. Jenkins, as also certain Queries of his grounds, upon which his Petition was framed and himself satisfied. Expecting and assuring ourselves (if truly convinced) we shall see him and them, now act, as ardently this way, as before the other way, taking as much, or more pains now to convince others, as well as themselves, many of whom, were & are still misled and hardened by them, being exceedingly tainted with the spirit of bitterness & discontent. No less can be expected from them, were it but only, to make some part of amends to those who have so readily and graciously pardoned such great offenders; But moreover, When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren; else we cannot but suspect, etc. (If we shall say no more) to save their Carcases, they have dissembled with God and men, having taken his name in vain and abused his people: herein to clear themselves is of very great concernment.   

Three Conscientious QUERIES.  
FIrst, whether the removal of Kings, and the possession of their Governments by others, are not alterations ordered by, and founded upon God's Providence, and so proceeding from God himself, 
Dan. 2.21.4.17.25.32.  notwithstanding the miscarriages of the Persons who are Instruments therein. Whether this be not proved plainly from those places in Daniel, where the Lord is said to remove Kings, 
Dan 5.21.  and set up Kings, to rule in the Kingdoms of men, and to give them to whomsoever he will: It being also said of Baasha, who obtained the Kingdom by Conspiracy and Murders, 1 Kings 15.27. for which he was punished, 1 Kings 16.7. That he was raised up by the Lord over Israel, and by him exalted out of the Dust, and made Prince over Israel, 1 Kings 14.14. 1 Kings 16. v. 2.  
Secondly, Whether by the Stupendious and amazing Providences of God, manifested among us, 1. In the Destruction of the late King, of all his Adherents, Enemies to this present Power in so many pitched Battles. 2. In this Nations Universal forsaking of the firstborn of the Royal Line, when he came into the Land, to claim the Crown: and when it was in the power of many Thousands in the Land to have Assisted him; and its accepting this present Government manifested by a general contribution of Men, Money, and Arms in Defence thereof, and this followed with the total overthrow of Charles Stuart, and all his Armies: whether (I say) by these providences, God hath not, plainly removed the Government of this Nation, from Charles Stuart, and bestowed it upon others, as ever he removed and bestowed any Government by any Providence in any Age. And if we cannot say that these Providences shows God approving of all the means and ways used in and for the alteration of the Government: Yet who can deny that they manifest his pleasure to have this alteration of the Government to be, if at least any Providence can discover such a pleasure.  
Thirdly, Therefore, whether a refusal to yield Obedience and Subjection to this Present Government under pretence of upholding a more righteous title, be not, as contrary to the Law of England, (by which, the party in possession of the Crown, is to be adhered unto, against the best pretender who is out of the possession) for a refusal to acquiesce in the wise and righteous pleasure of God; an opposition of a Government set up by the Sovereign Lord of the whole world, a flat breach of the fifth Commandment and of that Injunction, Rom. 13.8. To conclude, such a resisting, even of God himself, as none can have Peace in continuing in, much less in acting for, least of all, in suffering for.  
These Queries are propounded by one who hath no design but to avoid sin, and to know his duty.  Ezek. 21. 
25. And thou Prince of Israel, polluted and wicked, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end.  
26. Thus saith the Lord God, I will take away the Diadem, and take off the Crown, this shall be no more the same, I will exalt the humble: and will abase him that is high.  
27. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until 
* Jesus Christ.  He come whose right it is.   

To the Supreme Authority, the Parliament of the Commonwealth OF ENGLAND: The Humble Petition of William Jenkin, Prisoner:  
Most humbly showeth,  
THat your Petitioner, is unfeignedly sorrowful for all his late miscarriages, whether testified against him or acknowledged by him, and for the great and sinful unsuitableness of them to his calling and condition. That upon earnest seeking of God, and diligent enquiring into his will, your Petitioner is convinced, that the alteration of civil Governments, are ordered by, and founded upon the wise and righteous providences of God, who removeth Kings, and setteth up Kings, ruleth in the Kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whomsoever he will. That the providences of this God, have in the judgement of your Petitioner, as evidently appeared in the removing of others from, and the investing your honours with the Government of this Nation, as ever they appeared in the taking away, or bestowing of any Government in any History of any age of the world.  
That he apprehends that a refusal to be subject to this present Authority, under the pretence of upholding the title of any one upon the Earth, is a refusal to acquiess in the wise and righteous pleasure of God, such an opposing of the Government set up by the Sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth, as none can have peace, either in acting or suffering for; and that your Petitioner looks upon it as his duty, to yield to this Authority, all active and cheerful obedience in the Lord, even for Conscience sake, to promise (he being required) truth & fidelity to it, & to hold forth the grounds of his so doing to any, as God shall call him thereunto.  
That though an Imprisonment, accompanied with the loss of his estate, and to be followed (without your gracious prevention) on with a speedy Arraignment, before an high & eminent Judicatory, are far from being pleasing to Flesh and Blood; and though the enjoyment of your grace and favour be a blessing most deserving to be reckoned among the best of temporals, yet that neither the feeling & fearing of the former, nor the expectation of the latter, could have induced your petitioner against the light of his own judgement, and the prepondering part of his own Conscience to have made, or presented this acknowledgement; he sadly forecasting, that a whole skin is but a contemptible recompense for a wounded conscience.  
That nevertheless (he trusteth) he shall be excusable in tendering thus far, even his outward condition, as to represent to your honours, that he is in most apparent danger of his irreparable loss of his health (the sweetest of outward blessings) unless by your gracious grant, he may speedily enjoy a more free and open air, than this his close confinement will allow him:  
And this Christian favour (which even for Christ's sake your poor Petitioner most humbly begs) Your Honours are as able to enlarge, even to a pardoning of his offences, and a perfect releasing of him, from his imprisonment, as he is submissively forward in desiring them, though confessedly far from deserving them.  
He nevertheless promising, that your compassionate affording hereof, shall be a strong and standing engagement upon him, daily beseeching the heart-making, and heart-changing God, that all those who either through former accustomedness, or present inadvertancy, do not clearly discern the minds of God concerning the Alteration of this Government, may be observing your prime and pious industry, to advance throughout this Commonwealth, the power of godliness, a Scripture Reformation, and the Truth as it is in Jesus, be won to a yielding to your Honours, conscionable obedience, and not only in word, but in heart and life, may be true and faithful to the present Government.  
WILL. JENKIN.   

Resolved upon the Question by the Parliament;  
That Master William Jenkin be pardoned, both for Life and estate, for and in respect of the treasons, & crimes whereof he is accused; & that Master Attorney general be authorized and required to prepare a Pardon in common form for that purpose to be passed under the great seal of England, and that the Lords commissioners for the great seal be authorized and required to pass the same under the Great seal accordingly.  
Resolved upon the question by the Parliament;  
That Master William Jenkin be forthwith discharged of his imprisonment, and Bail, and his estate be discharged of and from sequestration; and the commissioners for compounding, and other officers are to take notice hereof, and observe the same accordingly.  
Upon several humble petitions of Master Thomas Case, Mr. Ralph Robinson, and Mr. Thomas Watson Ministers; the Parliament did grant unto each of them the like pardon for life and estate, and discharged them from imprisonment, and the sequestration of their estates.  
Upon the humble petition of Mr. Arthur Jackson Minister, the Parliament granted him a pardon for his life and estate.  
Upon M. Attur. General's report of the humble and penitent demeanour of Dr. Roger Drake, at his Trial at the High Court of Justice, confessing the Treasons laid to his charge, and his humble petition the Parliament did pardon him for life and estate, and ordered his release out of prison and his estate discharged from sequestration.  
The Parliament upon report by Mr. Atturn. General of the like deportment of Lieut. Col. Jackson, Lieu. Col. Joseph Vaughan, and Cap. Hugh Massey.  
The Parliament likewise ordered for each of them a Pardon for life and estate, and discharged them from imprisonment, and their estates from Sequestration.  
FINIS.   

Mr. Jenkins Sermon Preached before the Parliament at St. Margaret's Westminster, on Wednesday the 24th. of September 1656. being the day of the public Fast.  
Printed by A. M. for John Dallam and are to be sold at his Shop in Shoe-makers-Row in blackfriars near Carter-lane. 1656.  
In which Sermon page the 33d you have these words.  
Worthy Patriots, you that are Rulers in this Parliament, it's often said we live in times, wherein we may be as good as we please, wherein we enjoy in purity and plenty the ordinances of Jesus Christ, praised be God for this, even that God that hath delivered us from the imposition of prelatical Innovation. Altar genuflections and cringings, with cross and all that popish trash and trumpery, and truly I speak no more than what I have often thought and said, the removal of those insupportable burdens countervails for the blood and treasure shed and spent in those late distractions.  
Page. 3.  
Excusing their unsubmissiveness by aspersing the Government.  
Nor did I yet ever hear of any godly men, that desired, were it possible to purchase their friends and Money again, at so dear a rate, as with the return of theirs to have those soul-burdning-antichristian yokes reimposed upon us, and if any such there be, I am sure, that design is no part of their godliness, and I profess myself, in that, to be none of the number.