SERIOUS SOBER STATE-Considerations, RELATING To the GOVERNMENT OF ENGLAND AND The Garrison of DUNKIRK IN FLANDERS. BY Theophilus Verax a Dunkirker. LONDON, Printed by W. G. over against the Anchor in Little-Brittain, 1660. Serious Sober State-Considerations, Relating to the Government of England, And the Garrison of Dunkirk in Flanders. 1. WHether, a Peace with Spain, be not both by the English and Spanish Subjects? And whether an honourable closure with the King, be not the most probable means to produce a good accommodation betwixt both Crowns? 2. Whether the composed Monarchical Government of England, is not the best that ever was invented? And whether our late Distractions proceeded from the effects thereof, or from the National sins; and because the Triple of it hath of late years, been tuned too high for the Bass? And whether the only way, to procure the sweet Harmony of peace, is not to keep the Instrument of the Commonwealth in Tune, allowing to the Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy, of which it's compounded, their due Rights and Prerogatives? 3. Whether since hard and dishonourable conditions of peace are seldom long lived, See H. 3. and Montford E. of Leicester. it be not dangerous to impose too high Terms upon the King upon his Admission? 4. Whether the rigid Episcopalians are not (next the Phanatique) the greatest Obstructers of the King and Nations settlement; in their scribbling and preaching against all forms of Government but their own? 5. Whether the Jesuits, and the Sectaries (their Brats) are not now labouring, as for their lives, to widen the differences between Presbytery and Episcopacy, thereby to obstruct any good Settlement? And whether it concern not the present Governors to be extraordinary watchful of them? 6. Whether a Brotherly Union betwixt these two parties, and a dutiful acquiescing in the determination of the ensuing Parliament, will not (under God) be a great means to facilitate Settlement in Church and State? And whether both parties are not in conscience and duty towards their Prince and Country bound thereto, since there is no difference betwixt them, in any fundamental of Religion, but only in Discipline and Form; which imports little to Salvation, only upholds a Decency? 7. Whether the words of Desparadoes, and Chymney-corner health drinking friends of the last and present King, were not more Enemies to both, than the Swords of their adversaries; and did not these by their threats and sharing estates before they had them, drive many by force to fight against the King, that never intended any thing but quietness; and will not the like actings now produce the same effects? 8. Whether Plurality of Factions are not dangerous, many times the overthrow of a State or Kingdom, as that of York and Lancaster to England, the miseries of France by the Royal, Politic, and Catholic League, the destruction of Rome's Commonwealth by the Factions of Pompey and Caesar? 9 Whether it be not dangerous for a Prince or Governor, to become head of any Faction in his own Government? 10. Whether the Rump proceeded not according to Achitophel's and Machevil's rule, in exposing the Kings and others lands to sale, forcing the Soldiers to take parts for Arrears, thereby endeavouring a perpetual and irreconcilable divisions in the Nations? 11. Whether it be not the safest and best way for Princes and Governors, to admit persons to places of honour and trust annually? And whether hereby men of wisdom, valour, and learning, by degrees, may not attain to dignity? and will not this make them strain to outgo each other in virtue, since the door of preferment will be thereby open to all indifferently, as they excel in goodness; will not hereby several dangers be avoided, as Perpetuation, lawlessness, and all fear of bringing those to subjection that raised them, taken away? 12. Whether the Purchaser of Lambeth-House be fit to keep the Records of the peace at Westminster? 13. Whether the Lord Lockhart Governor of Dunkirk, be indeed a Scot, since he so much transcends the nature of those he calls Countrymen? 14. Whether in former times the English have not lost their Towns and Provinces abroad, by their Factions and divisions at home? And whether now the same cause may not hazard the loss of Dunkirk.? 15. Whether old Capt. Chapman, must not in Justice be restored to his command, being outed by the prejudice of a parcel of Traitors, Commissioners from the Rump, without true ground, upon the Oath of Bromfield the Informer, that was whipped under the Gallows, lost his Ear, and banished the Garrison, within a small time after he had sworn against Chapman in Dunkirk? 16. Whether the other five Members, Captains of the Army in Flanders, Devoe, Gargrave, Poxton, Fitz-williams and Muse, aught in Justice to lose their Commands unheard, and their places supplied for the most part with fanatics, by the Suggestions of Ashfield, Peirson, and Packer, who have been since outed themselves, for endeavouring to betray the Liberties of their native Country? 17. Whether Fort Manning or Fort Loggerhead be the proper name? 18. Whether the Nonpayment of the civil Officers their deuce, be not the ready way to cause them to study Knavery, if they never knew any before? 19 Whether it be not just that all the rest of the Phanatique Informers should follow after Lieutenant Copeland? 20. Whether he be fit to be an Ammunition Commissary, that said it would never be well with England until London were burnt to ashes, for standing for their liberties, is glad at the out-ing of all Governments, and if the Turk should rule, would be his Commissary, rather than be out of employment? 21. Whether the Colonels or the Master Gunner, have the more Authority, since the Gunner can commit such as the Colonels discharge for the same offence? 22. What so much Spanish cloth would be worth as would reach between Bromfield's the Dunkirk Informers two ears? 23. Whether those that set Bromfield on work, to article and inform, being as bad as Bromfield himself, may not in due time follow his steps? 24. Whether it be likely the woman at the Welcome to Dunkirk, will ever leave her pimping cheating over-reckoning, sell by just measures and turn honest, she having so long been used to such trade? 25. Whether it be not a shame to the Protestant Religion, that the English in Dunkirk must be forced to send their Children to the Papists to baptise, or keep them unchristned, as above 30. are at this time in that Garrison? And whether an able Orthodox Ministry there is not more requisite then in any part of the three Nations? 26. When these matters will be amended. FINIS.