CONSIDERATIONS Humbly proposed As well to the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, as to others; In order to a quiet and Christian Submission to his Highness the Lord Protector: Under these General Heads following; 

1. His Legal Inauguration.  
2. The general consent and approbation.  
3. The endowments of mind and abilities that renders him meet.  
4. The respects and affections from many to his late Father.  
5. The Concurrence of Providence.  
6. The honour and safety of our Nation.    
With TWO QUERIES also humbly proposed to his HIGHNESS.  
Existiment enim non sine divina quadam Providentia pervenisse Reges ad summam de omnibus Potestatem.  Aug. 
By whose appointment men are born, by his appointment also Kings are constituted fit for the people, etc.  Iren. 
By T. L. Gent.  
London, Printed for the public good, and are to be sold in Pauls-church-yard, and in Westminster-hall, 1658.   

CONSIDERATIONS Humbly proposed As well to the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, as to others; In order to a quiet and Christian Submission to his Highness the Lord Protector.  
THat the Installment of his Highness into that place of eminency, 
His Legal Inauguration.  care and trust wherein now he stands was Legal, needs be no man's doubt or Hesitation. I confess that the Righteousness of Proceed for these last 20. years, hath been questionable and full of Ambiguity, as hath appeared by those fiery Contests between men of the same Country and Religion: But as to the Legitimacy of his Highness' Introduction, it is written as with a beam of the Sun, there is no better right or property that any man hath to his Inheritance, both the one and the other being jointly sustained, upheld, and acknowledged by the Law. Nay, the Law of Nature itself, according to learned Grotious, doth countenance and confirm the present Settlement; For, saith he, natural Law is the dictate of right Reason, and is to be judged by the necessary conveniency or inconveniency any thing hath to the rational nature. Again, We conclude (saith he) that to be a point of Nature's law, which is received for such amongst all, at least the most Civil Nations. And as Seneca speaks well, Argumentum veritatis est aliquid omnibus videri. Now then, if all Nations Civil, desires no Ruler but what comes in by Consent and Law, and that it agrees fully with the rational and social nature so to do, then doth the Law of Nature, which is also the Law of God, favour and countenance his Highness' Ingress to that high office of Protector.  
So then, if the legality of his Highness' stand be so evident and perspicuous, as that the known Laws of the Land, the Law of Nature, and of Nations are so congruous with our present Governor, certainly than it is the indubitable law of God; for if God would and did lay such strict injunctions upon the primitive Christians to submit and obey their Governors though Usurpers, as Nero, etc. Certainly it will be very displeasing to God to harbour so much as a hard thought against one whose standing is upon such terms of honour and justice.  
General consent and approbation, 
The general consent and approbation.  is such a thing as hath for a long time departed, and stood at a distance from us; we have been like the Ark tossed upon the floods of uncertainties; that hath been our lot for a long tract of time. The Psalmist saith of God, That He stilleth the raging of the Sea, and the tumults of the people; the Holy Ghost seems to intimate, 
Psal. 65.7.  that the minds of the generality of men are as instable, and inconstant as the waves of the Sea, and as apt to fall as suddenly into the same disorder, inconvenience and molestation. Yet both the one and the other at his rebuke and control: who is this, saith some of our Saviour, whom the Seas obey? now than if that discord and variance be turned into amity and agreement, and those insolent waves of strife and contention, into the sweet calm of peace and unity, and all men (though once enemies) with one heart, and one mind, say this is he, certainly its little less, if at all then a testimonial divine.  
There was a thing called and urged heretofore as an Agreement of the people, but it was only so called, as too sad experience hath sufficiently testified, but the Agreement of the People in reality, and properly so called, after many blasts and storms, is now happily arrived in the fair haven of Peace and Safety.  
This General consent of which we now speak, is evident 2. ways.  
1. By the people's Representees met and assembled in Parliament.  
2. By Proclamations with alacrity and cheerefulness in all places, as also by Addresses from most parts, and from all sorts of men, which are noonday evidences of love, respect and submission. And that which is as much as all the rest, is that all those signal testimonies were altogether voluntary and unconstrained, there was not the least shadow or appearance of promise or allurement on the one hand (save the merits of the person) nor fear or threatening on the other, that should induce them thereunto: If then the consent be so universal, as both by Parliament and the People's manifestation, since and that without any urgency or constraint, it follows then, that certainly God and men are agreed, and that the two sticks (as Ezekiel speaks) are grown into one.  
As to those radiant abilities and endowments of mind which issue forth upon all occasions, 
The endowments of mind that renders him meet.  and as opportunity presents, in consideration with his Call and approbation, is of very sovereign importance to the business in hand.  
By abilities, I mean that wisdom, courage, justice and mercy which he expresses, according to the variety of affairs that is administered unto him: As for example; That 4 or 500 Officers, the Representees of the most valiant Army in the world, should address themselves, first, by way of submission, and then to desire some things which he quickly discerned not to be convenient (as well as themselves afterwards) and to treat them with that strength of reason and resolution, even to the admiration of most of those heroic spirits: as also to entertain the famous Citizens of London, the Army at other times, and other Corporations and Societies of men in their various and distinct addresses unto him, with that sweetness, candour and affability, and to their exceeding satisfaction, so that as yet it may be said hitherto as it was of Titus Vespasian that he never sent any man sad out of his presence.  
I say to behave himself upon such excellent terms in the morning of his rule and government, argues a princely mind, and well inspired, and it is enough to fill the hearts of all men with satisfaction for the present, and of good expectations for the future, and that the same species of fortitude and magnanimity lodges in his breast, which his good old father of renown expressed so freely: he seems to be like to Dieneces the Spartan; when one thought to have terrified him, saying, That the flight of the Persian arrows would fly so thick as to hid the Sun; He answered, it is very good news, for than shall we fight in the cool shade. Now this noble and generous mind in conjunction with love of justice and mercy, which are apparent also, and will be more manifest doubtless in due time, is another consideration, not only of our submission but rejoicing in him, considering also, that God hath delivered us from that misery mentioned in the Proverbs, Woe to that people whose King is a child.  
We have all natural affection for our Children, 
The respect and affection of many to his Highness late Father.  Friends, and Allies, and certainly they the same for us, we ourselves would think it a strange solecism in nature for them that was bosom friends and acquaintance in war and peace, not to be favourable and indulgent to our children in our absence, especially nothing appearing distasteful or injurious from them, to forfeit or rescind those respects which otherwise were due, and they might challenge at their hands.  
If any of us have a tree that bears plenty of good and pleasant fruit, all care is taken to nourish the same, and to graft or inoculate, that so we may have more of the same species, the excellency of every kind being most ; it is famously known, even to the ends of the earth, that the stock bore the execellent fruits of wisdom, valour, justice and mercy; then doubtless, if the branch be but well cultured with our prayers to God, and by council by those that are able and convenient, we shall not need to fear but the branch will also bring forth fruit accordingly in its season.  
General consent and approbation to this consideration is also very material: 
The concurrence of Providence.  It was said concerning the children of Israel that came out of Egypt by night, that the dogs did not bark at them, which the Holy Ghost takes notice of, and acquaints us therein of the providential care of God toward that people, that such a snarling and watchful creature should give no Alarm to the Inhababitants, to prejudice or molest them in their way, there is not the least murmur or repinining, nay not of those that are most querelous amongst us that is come to my ken; and not only so, but those of a different mind are now reconciled, what is it there that thus causeth the Lamb and the Lion to lie down together, not long since we were even quot homines, tot sententiae, we were even a Babel, a heap of confusion, and now with one heart and one mind, consenting in one wars and strifes (saith St. James) comes from our lusts, but peace comes immediately from the God of Peace; generally if you observe troubles, sicknesses, miseries and deaths springs up out of the dunghill of sin and unrighteousness; but tranquillity, plenty, health and all good things proceeds only from the throne of God's goodness and bounty; the face of things seems already to look with a more lovely and smiling countenance, its true, formerly men were quiet and submissive, but it might be observed, more for fear and dread then good will by many, but now for love and respect. Old things are passed away, and all things are become new  
That which the sword could not do for a long season, though wielded with valiant and skilful hands, God Almighty hath undertaken it, who makes the greatest contrarieties to dwell and abide together, and hath effected it, viz. the peace, quiet, safety and glory of our Nation out of that Chaos and disorder wherein it lay.  
It is such a kind a thing which hath been always reputed and esteemed next or equal to being itself. 
Honour and safety of the Nation.  For suppose a Nation without Honour and safety, you would conclude it miserable, and according to the Proverb in the High way to beggary and ruin.  
Therefore first the Honour of a Nation consists in its oneness and agreement, as it was said of Jerusalem to be a City at unity within itself, a people that are unanimous and agreeing, resemble not only Jerusalem the City of God, but also the whole universe.  
Where all things move in their proper sphere, though infinite in number, yet its lovely amiable and delightful to behold the Sun shining, the rain falling, the grass growing, the fish swimming, the birds flying, the rivers running, and all in a pleasant uniformity. But you will say these are moved necessarily. It is true, most things do, yet it's set for our example, having the use of reason, and the benefit of further revelation by God's word, we are in a capacity sufficient to love one another, and to keep ourselves in peace equal with those things that are necessarily so.  
Secondly, The honour of a Nation is provided for, when the people are steady and constant, and not volatile and flitting; what affiance can any Prince or People have in an unconstant and unstable people, that are for one thing to day, and another to morrow, as if they were governed by the Moon: we know that in sacred Writ, it's a brand set upon persons that are given to change, and so in the judgement of God as well as of men its a dishonourable thing: It's no man's doubt, but as agreement and certainty tends to the honour of a Nation, it doth also upon equal terms turn to the safety, and that upon this ground in reason. If that disagreement and unconstancy renders a people unsafe, and more liable to a prey, than the contrary must needs follow, for the contrary of contrarieties have their contrary consequences: from whence it follows without all controversy, that subjection and agreement with perseverance therein aught to be all men's care and practice, otherwise we dishonour our Nation, as well as ourselves, and render our Country unsafe.  

Most Eminent Sir,  
Quere 1. Whether that interposition or umpirage in the affairs of Religion be secure and safe, otherwise then to countenance the best livers and the best subjects, as Tertullian saith, Timor hominis, Dei honor est; The reason is, because many have broken themselves to pieces against this rock, and it cannot well be prevented as our present case and condition stands, for at that time that the supreme power falls in, and doth peculiarise any of the forms or methods amongst us, even at the same time doth he make all the rest his enemies, every party thinking their own way best, but the truth is, there is no party but are fit to serve then to rule, and I hope it will be judged so: for it is a little too apparent, that give some an inch, they will take an ell, set them on horseback, and they will ride— they have an itch to be beating their fellow-Servants, and more than that also, if the Bulrush have but mire, the Magistrate himself shall not be quiet on his Throne, except he shall receive the laws of his mind from them alone, and put their humours in execution.  
Quere 2. Whether that your Highness' enemies are not the Armies enemies, and Your friends their friends, and their enemies, Your enemies, and their friends Your friends; And whether you are not both to maintain one and the same cause and interest; And whether it be likely that that any should strengthen Your hands to do that which all men thinks is in Your heart to do, like unto them: Then whom God in his Providence hath thus involved and joined together, let no suggestions, jealousies or any other thing part asunder: The common enemy can have no other door of hope left to him in all probability, but a division amongst ourselves, which the great God divert.   
FINIS: