An Item for England in some Honest Intimations: Or, Queries in Season for the general good of all GODS PEOPLE.  
WHether it be not the present duty of this season, incumbent upon all godly Christians, especially upon all true and faithful Ministers of Christ in their public addresses to God, constantly and earnestly to solicit him with more importunate prayer than ordinary, for the general peace and concord of all the Evangelicall and Reformed Church at home and abroad? and whether we ought not now especially in this juncture of time to provoke one another, and mutually to bind each other to this particular Duty?  
2. Whether it be not requisite to appoint and observe extraordinary dayes of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer with deep soul affliction, for a certain time, both in Cities and Countries, purposely for to seek at Gods hands the Union, Reconciliation and correspondency of all the godly departed ou● of Babylon, withall bewailing our many late and present divisions and dissensions?  
3. Whether it may not be expedient to employ Agents and transactors of Peace and concord throughout all the Churches of Christ, not onely in these Dominions, but in foreign parts, in Germany, France, Denmark, Scotland &c. to make motions of Peace, and to prepare way for this blessed work of Christian Union and Gospel Love?  
4. Whether it may not be conducible to solicit the supreme Magistrates, to call a general Convention, not now to dispute and quarrel about the controverted Points( which hath been done enough if not too much already,& which would rather widen than heal the wound) but to cement and to agree upon terms and means of a Brotherly agreement and accommodation, as God shall direct by his word and spirit?  
5. Whether God doth not now expect a more effectual Reformation of sinful practices, chiefly of those notorious& epidemical sins of swearing, drunkenness, and Sabbath breaking, that none of those sins may be connived at? and whether it may not be a good expedient, for to put in execution those good Laws made on that behalf, to appoint in every parish one or more godly or at lest civill persons, to be Inspectores morum, and to present complaints to the Justices against sinful practices of dissolute persons, that they may receive condign punishment for their offences, for their amendment, and for a warning to others?  
6. Whether it may not be thought expedient for the suppressing of error, heresies and blasphemies, that all Ministers be appointed in their several places, to set up catechizing and public Conferences; thereby to establish the people of God in the sound doctrine, and saving Truth of Jesus Christ, and by the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, to beat down the strong holds of all sinful and erroneous principles?  
7. Whether it be not necessary for the preservation and safety of Gods people, that all Reformed Magistrates and Protestant States in all parts, join into a general League and perpetual Covenant, Offensive and Defensive, to strengthen one anothers hands against the common enemies, by mutual aids and succours as occasion shall require?  
8. Whether God hath not put down our former Rulers( among other sins) for their sinful compliance with Idolatry; and because they did not come to the help of the Lord against the mighty, withholding their hands from succour and relief, when the people of God in many places, were accounted ●s sheep for the slaughter, and were sacrifi●ed to the cruelties of their unmerciful enemies in barbarous slaughters and massacries?  
9. Whether the people of God may in reason expect any true, found, well grounded and lasting Peace among them, as long as the whoredoms, Witch crafts, and Sorceries of jezabel of Rome continue so many; who doth break the Peace of Gods people, and doth raise, foment and nourish our Divisions by her Emissaries; witness several discoveries made here in England, and sufficiently and publicly attested by credible testimonies?  
10. Whether the time be not now drawing very near, for the destruction of Babylon Magna, and of the great Anti-Christ, that is Rome and the State, Power, hypocrisy, Pride, Authority and supremacy of the Pope; together with his Idolatry and all the appurtenanc●s thereof: which hath been so long before predicted by the holy men of God, in the holy Scriptures, in the word of Truth, as the famous Champions of our Churches, have abundantly discovered and demonstrated?  
11. Whether all Christians Magistrates, Princes, States and Cities reformed from the Idolatry and abominable corruptions of Popery, be not bound in their Consciences, by the rules of Gods Word, to draw now at last the sword of divine Justice, against that BLOODY BEAST, Apoc. 18.6, 7. That hath made itself fat with the flesh of Saints, and drunken with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, and yet thirsteth still after the blood of the Servants of God? Do we not see the blood of holy men streaming from under the Throne of the Beast; and do we not hear the holy Blood crying from the ground for vengeance? And doth not God charge us to reward Babylon as she hath rewarded us?  
12. Whether all Ministers and Preachers of Gods Word, and others of any public Interest ought not both by Praying and Preaching, and by all other legal and regular means to stir up their Magistrates respectively, to execute the Wrath of the most high God,( Rom. 13.4.) and his just judgments denounced upon that great Incendiary of the World, the Arch-Rebell against all rule and Authority, the usurper of human power, over all that is called God on Earth, 2 Thess. cap. 2. v. 4.) For to perform the will and word of God against him, that the ancient Prophesies concerning these matters may be fulfilled, and the many prayers of Gods Saints on that behalf may at last become effectual; as we are bound to second all our prayers with our best endeavours in the use of all good means, least we be found tempters or mockers of God in our idle and verbal prayers?  
13. Whether our late great and amazing changes may not be forerunners and preparatories of far greater things, to be done abroad in the World, as the Pacification of the Churches of Christ every where, the downfall of Babylon, the extirpation of Idolatry out of the world, the Conversion of the Jews, the Destruction of Gog and Magog, or of the Turkish Dominion, the Restitution of the Holy Land, the propagation of the Gospel and of the name of Christ to the ends of the earth, that the world may be filled with his glory? Doth God onely aim at the setting up of a man, and not rather to set up himself in his people, and in his ways? When Moses was taken out of the Ark of Bulrushes, and made a Ruler to Gods people, was it not to destroy pharaoh, and to led Israel out of Aeygpt? And when Joshua from a Servant of Moses was made a governor to Israel, was it not to drive out the canaanites? When David from following the Ewes, great with young, was made King of Israel, was it not to drive out the Jebusites, and to subdue the enemies of God? And was not Cyrus( alias Cores) from a herdsman raised to be a great Monarch to destroy the Babylonians and to restore Jerusalem?  
14. Whether God doth not( as it were) with his finger, point out this Nation of England for some remarkable public, high and glorious designs, partly by his Visible and admirable providences, as the overthrow of that Invincible Armado in 88. the miraculous discovery and disappointment of the Gun powder plot, and all the many marvelous preservations of this Nation, old and new, from Popery and Destruction? Partly by the fervent prayers, wherewith this Land aboundeth more than other Nations, so that we may say: It is impossible but that a Land of so many prayers and tears should prosper and prevail, and that extraordinary prayers should fetch in extraordinary blessing; partly also by some special promises, as( for one instance) that of Isa. 58.13, 14. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, &c. then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the High places of the Earth, &c. It is publicly known, and evident, that no Nation hath done the like for the sabbath, as England hath done, giving Laws from time to time, for the strict observation of it; and therefore why may not England expect the annexed reward, which is to ride upon the High places of the Earth: since God is true in his promises and will not be found a Liar?  
15. Whether some of our late disliked actions may not be of such a nature as that act of Moses, Act. 7.23, 24. When he smote the egyptian, for he supposed his brethren would have understood, how that God by his hand would deliver them; but they understood not, in so much, that it might perhaps discourage him, and cause him afterwards to refuse that service when God called him to it; because he was upbraided with it, and condemned for it by his own brethren, that striven and quarreled together. Nor indeed could it be any ways justified by the letter of the Law; that Moses being a subject and in a private cap●city, without Commission, should become a Judge of Con●●oversies, and not only a Controller, but an Executioner of a wrong doer, by killing the man. But this was a symbolical action, or significative giving a further hint, and it was extraordinary, as also that of Phineas who executed Zimri and Cosby in the very fact, without any legal process; and doth not God seem to proclaim to us, yea to all the world, that he can and will turn Antichrist and his Conclave out of doors, and break and dissolve his councils? For if this be done to the green three in England, what shall become of that dry three? Friends! Must we not allow God the supreme Legislatour this Prerogative, in his public Instruments sometimes to go beyond his common and ordinary roads; especially, when he is about to carry on great and extraordinary Works? Yet this is rare and happeneth not but once or twice perhaps in a thousand years; neither must it be made exemplary, but ought to be rather matter of admiration to us than of imitation.  
16. Whether Gods proceedings with us in England, do not run parallel with his former proceedings in the accomplishments of the greatest mercies to his people? crossing the devices of his servants in the management of his most glorious mercies? Our first Parents thought Cain was the Man the Lord, or the promised Messiah( Gen. 4. verse 1. {αβγδ} Virum Jehovam) but he was the child of the devil. Isaac would have be queathed the blessing to Esou, but Jacob carried it: Joseph would have had his Fathers hand upon his Elder Son Manasseh, but the younger Ephraim, was preferred before him which displeased Joseph. Samuel being to anoint a king of Israel was all for the elder sons of Jesse, and never dreamed of David who kept the sheep. The Disciples looked that Christ should have been the deliverer, but he was put upon the cross, and laid in the Grave. Hath not God dealt thus with us in England? Hath he not cast down every thing that we would have set up? God poureth contempt upon Princes, and raiseth those that are least regarded and most contemned. He will not sand his Mercy in our way, but in his own way. He that bringeth forth light out of darkness cannot hebring forth order out of disorder,& good out of evil, and rule out of mis-rule, and greatness out of nothingness?  
17. Whether we have not more cause to be thankful to God for what we enjoy, than fretful because we have not the same things that we would have? We have as much liberty to be good, and to do good as our hearts can desire,( oh were it but well secured to post rite!) And though satan and his Agents have equal liberty with us( which is our just grief and trouble) and the childrens bread is cast before the dogs: Yet is not this time better than the former? When satan and his Instruments had all Licence to do their worst, but the people of God were restrained, and we had no liberty, but what we were fain to get by stealth, and to share amongst us in corners? God grant us hearts to husband our mercies well, that we be no worse in better times than we have been in worse dayes.  
18. Whether in these latter times Christs kingdom( which shall destroy all other kingdoms, and put an end to all other Monarchies) shall not be put into the hands of such Magistrates, for the civill administration of it in civill things; and such Ministers for the spiritual administration of it in spiritual things, as shall be true and faithful to Christs Gospel interest, in their several spheres all the world over?( but whether savingly faithful, as to their own salvation, or but civilly as to their outward carriage; I cannot now determine) And whether the notion of the personal kingdom of Christ hath not been our mistake? seeing we have not any sufficient ground to expect a Personal coming of Christ till he comes to the great day of judgement; since all the scriptures that speak of the coming of Christ are reducible to one of these three; First, his coming in the flesh, which is past; next, his spiritual commingdaily amongst us in his Ordinances, which is continual; and lastly, his Personal coming unto judgement in the end of the world, Acts 1. vers. 11.  
19. Whether we do not see some comfortable signs and evident symptoms of the beginnings of Christs Reign already in these Dominions? some glimpses characters and Indi●ations of that Fifth Monarchy? And whether we may not expect some fuller discoveries thereof by a Reformation of Magistracy and Ministry throughout the Nations, that Justice and righteousness may be put into the hands of just, righteous and religious Judges and Justices, as near as they may be had; and the Gospel of Truth onely into the hands of true and faithful Pastors after Gods own heart, as near as they may be had, to dispense the Ordinances of Christ according to his mind and will; so that the Church of God may b● called a City of righteousness, a faithful City? the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God? Rev. 21.  
20. Whether God hath not purposely cut out this present Governnour, that now ruleth over these lands, and fitted him with incomparable abilities, great wisdom, insuperable courage, indefatigable industry, rarest impartiality, a Lion-like Aspect, and uninterrupted Victories( his very en●mies being witness) to lay the foundation by these great changes for the turning of the Scales of Government in the World, to raise a new Frame and State of Rule amongst CHRISTIANS, to make our Ruler righteousness, and our Exactors Peace: when his very name is Ominous, and his Governments hitherto speak him to be an OLIVE quasi Olivifer of Peace to Gods People, and the Anagram of his name is not to be slighted, lye LOW CRUEL ROME?  
21. Whether we know what we do, when by our Intestine divisions, dissatisfactions, Jealousies, frowardness, and wilfulness we slight the hints and beckenings of Gods hand to us? when many Persons of great E●dowments will rather bury their Talent in the ground, than act rebus sic stantibus, in public services; yea, by their principles and practices, judge and condemn all the godly, that are publicly employed under this Authority? And whether they b● not with too much stiffness addicted to their own private judgments, that will rather suffer all the Concernments of Gods people to sink or swim, than lend their helping hand to promote good and to prevent evil, because every thing is not as they would have it, and some things are done extraordinem, and praeter regulam,( at least in their judgments) not considering withall that those who are to do greater things than others have done for England, must have a large allowance, and they that are to ride upon the high places of the earth, must not be so close gird or too strait reigned.  
22. Whether the faithful Ministry of England hath not great cause to pray unto God, and to praise him for this present Government, whereby God hath secured that sacred Office from being trampled under foot, and preserved their Maintenance hitherto, and which doth not refrain Preaching where and when, and as often as occasion and opportunity is offered? Is not this a most glorious and signal Mercy, for which thousands o● Gods people heretofore would have given half their eff●tes to have enjoyed it? But do we thus requited the Lord( O foolish people and unwise!) why are we not sensible of nor thankful for so great a blessing?  
23. Whether notorious blasphemours must not at least be put to silence? Why should not his mouth be bridled, that saith, Christ is no God, as well as his that saith, This, or that man is no Magistrate: Or, shall Christian Magistrates do less for the Vindication of God, than for the Vindication of their own Authority? And do not men pretend their Consciences as well for the one, as for the other?  
Christian Reader, Seriously ponder and consider what is here offered to thee: Whoso are wise and will observe those things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord, Psal. 107. ult.   

M.B. C.P. M.H. C.L.  
London, Printed; and are to be sold at Pauls Church-yard, and Westminster-hall, 1655.