To the Right Honourable OFFICERS in the ARMY, &c.  
IN that God hath owned you to bee such great friends to Truth and peace, in your declaring for his Highness, solemnly engaged to defend the Reformed Protestant Religion, in whom also the peace of the Nation is blessedly continued amongst us, through Christ the Prince of Truth and peace that exalted him to be his Vicegerent under him.  
Therefore of all that ever you did, this is most honourable, and acceptable service,  
For though God hath owned all that have formerly stood for the cause, and do continue in service or good affection, and that their sincerity 〈◇〉 more then yours, is at all to be questioned.  
Yet let it not displease any one, that in God's Name it may be said that God in his wisdom hath moved you to declare as be foresaid, in this the Spirit of Glory and of God, in a most special measure hath restend among you.  
This is not spoken for to exalt you in your own eyes, but in that sense that Peter Martyr praised God for the Lady that commended his sermon, or to Record( as Joshua set up a ston, or as Sir Francis Drake erected his Pillar) the professed affection, and engaged faithfulness that every honest heart ought to perform to those by whom they are Commissionated, or entrusted, as you are all by his Highness, and as all the Nation is engaged that have, or accept of the benefit of Protection.  
The Lord of Host continue his presence with you, and open all mens eyes to see how it shin's with his Highness and Right Honourable Council, as is within declared.  
Written by William Kaye, Minister of Stokesley in yorkshire.   

To the pretended Fifth Monarchy men, Anti-monarchists, or Gain-sayers of all Authority or dignities.  
IF you kept your thoughts within your breasts, and were not afraid to speak evil of Dignities, or that your swelling words were not intolerable, or that I did not the Office of a friend in this way to answer a good conscience, I had been silent, as I wish you may be. Let me tel you in God's Name hehath been very merciful unto you, a God of long forbearance; which if his goodness herein be despised, to experience the wrath of the Lamb to you may be revealed, it's not for you to think to wrest the prophecy of Daniel, which in the Spirit of the Apostle that commends him to the Saints and all that rule over them, is clearly interpnted, Heb. 13. 24.  
That you should oppose the present Power, how should any wise men own you, more then they did the jesuit, that reproaching Henry the eight for a Tyrant, Edward the sixth for being a child, and Queen Elisabeth that she was a woman, which he made uncapable to rule a Kingdom, did notwithstanding forget how much he had praised Queen Mary the allecto, because she served to make fires to burn our blessed Martyrs.  
Upon what ground then you are dis-affected, it is too easy to be conjectured.  
How often have men caused confusion as in Germany, &c. to destroy God's Order, which you cannot find in your form, which wants the form of sound words, that is found in the 13 of the Romans, and in the First Episte of Paul to Timothy the 2. chapter. And in the first Epistle of Peter, the 2 chapter. 13, 14, 15. verses; Or in the Article of our Christian Faith: I believe the Holy catholic Church.  
To be found a true member of which you shall be at peace, and quit of all factions: Here as Monica prayed for her son Augustine, I shall be ever found, and desire all the Saints within the same Creed, to pray for you.   

God's Gracious Presence, WITH HIS HIGHNESSE RICHARD LORD PROTECTOR REMONSRATED.  
SO much men have ever pleased themselves in carnal security, whereby possession, more then profession, Legality, then Morality or the hand of God hath hitherto built the rock of selfconfidence. That to speak of the presence of God, and the means to retain the same, hath hitherto been little thought, of and less regarded.  
Yet the spiritual, that live by faith and not by sight. As the eyes of all things look up unto God to give them their food in due season.  
So to take notice, how God looks on Israel, whereby they have spiritual and temporal food: the gospel and peace continued amongst them, is the true Israelites special duty.  
And though this hath respect to every man's duty.  
Yet as God hereby manifests himself in relation to the plucking up and planting of a Nation, is most of all to bee laid to heart, or timely considered, God giving some a call upon this occasion.  
For as God takes care to set up the Magistrate, not suffering any vacancy, whereby as Moses falls a sleep, he proclaimeth arise Joshua, so ought all the people to see God in the same power, and thankfully acquiesce in submitting accordingly.  
Which that in reference to his Highness Richard Lord PROTECTOR, this may in some good measure be truly discovered, let us in God's Name take notice.  
I. Of the means by which his Highness Richard Lord PROTECTOR, was called to the said Government.  
As Godsaid by the Prophet samuel, I have provided me a King, among the Sons of David, 1 Sam. 16. 1.  
So God putting it into the heart of the late parliament, to present the Petition and humble advice to his late Highness LORD PROTECTOR, of renowned memory; his Highness Richard now PROTECTOR, was Elected to succeed his Father in the said Government.  
Though this might be looked upon as state policy, yet so much of the said Petition, and humble advice doth participate of the nature of heavenly revelation, as that wee find it no less wise then Religious, in that  
The said Lord Protector doth swear to profess the Reformed Protestant Religion, by which means Heresiesa, nd Scisms stumble, and become too light in the balance.  
How wonderful is the long-forbearanee of our God how fixed is his eye on a people that turn their eyes from beholding of him. Oh blessed profession of the most holy Reformed Protestant Religion; The Old way made New in Christ to 〈◇〉 people that so much turn away their eyes from beholding of him, and their feet from following of him.  
Oh blessed profession! of the most holy Reformed Protestant Religion: How may all men see that it is a plant indeed of our Heavenly Fathers planting in thoese long since fore seen and renowned Isles of the Gentiles.  
How immortal is the seed of grace, in that the Lord notwithstanding all the blasphemous Heresies, Christ-dividing schisms, damnable profaneness, and carnal security, in the midnight darkness  
Yet notwithstanding God is pleased as you see even to visit us oncemore from on high, and to move us, nay engage us of his goodness, to look after the great work of Reformation.  
And that all men may see, somewhat more then of an ordinary providence in raising up his Highness to up hold the same cause, and that wee might be more informed thereof, of Gods good will and pleasure in his Election.  
It's observable, that at, or about that juncture of time( as for as I could be informed) when the devil put it into the heart of divers conspirates to plot to have cut of his late Highness, and to have blown up the chapel at White Hall.  
That then before the same came to light, or that the same Conspirators were discovered, the Lord was pleased to reveal himself to a servant of his, and did constrain him to declare.  
That the Lord would defend the late Lord Protector, and bless him against all Conspirators, that should be raised against him, and raise up his seed to succeed him in the Government.  
1. That in some revolution of time, this should bee fulfilled as we see this day, hath lately given occasion to renew the remembrance of the same. Oh! how zealous is God 〈◇〉 defending of his exalted servants, whom he chooseth 〈◇〉 his vicegerents, that if any shall murmur against ●●se● in the Camp, and Aaron the Saint of the Lord, that 〈◇〉 as formerly, the Lord will manifest his wrathful displeasure against such( let them be what they will be, they cannot be stronger then God) though they shall walk in the destructive paths of former Malignancy, in that they sin against the light, and known experiencies of God's Election, and gracious presence, which is more visibly Illustrated, As  
Secondly, God's presence is, or may bee apprehended by the Power wisdom& goodness that appeared in the carrying on of this great work, both at, and before the proclaiming of his Highness, and in the disposing, and conquering of all to peace, or affection; for if  
First, the said power had not appeared, by which God did support and encourage in time of darkness, and weakness, I mean when his late Highness the LORD PROTECTOR departed from us; how should wee have been cast down, and trodden under the feet of our enemies. If the Lord of host had not sent many legions of Angels mighty in power, with a charge to have thrust their swords thorough the hearts of all men whereby they did conquer more men at his Highnesses death, then ever was conquered by the said Lord Protector, though there was never in the Christian world so great a conqueror.  
Without this power of God, what panic fears might have seized on some which did befall the Papists at St. Maries Church in Oxford, upon the report that the Town was sired, that they could not get out for the crowd, nor yet stay within to do God any service.  
2. That the presence of God was not wanting, in wisdom, how may all men see, that nothing was done in relation to the first engagement, but by the counsel of him that is called the great counsellor, in order to whose infinite wisdom, as Heathens use to say, A Jove principium, to begin all with God; so Christians in Nomine Domini, desire that all be done according to God's approbation.  
Oh blessed work, the settlement of peace and blessing of our Nation! How shall the ship of the Common-wealth ever sink that hath such steer men, that hold their Compass moved by no other loadstone, then the all seeing eye, so that what was applied to Queen Elisabeth, may now in reference to his Highnesse Counsels, wise ordering of all things at the first be applied, Nullum numen abest, si sit prudentia: They can not want Gods presence that are acted with prudency, for want of which, as he that forsook the old mens counsel, and followed the young, we couldnot have prospered.  
It's wisdom that buildeth the house, having at the first hide the foundation. In which respect there was nothing wanting, and therefore there wanted not Gods presence to make all things succeed accordingly, whereby one depth called upon an other; or hereby there was a further manifestation of,  
3. The goodness of God. In reference to his Highnesse Government.  
This is the ocean of mercy, Love making peace, Reconciling God and man whereby the mystery that the Earth, or the World should help the woman or Church, is revealed, that though the church be gathered out of the World, they should both share together in outward prosperity, in being peaceably united under the present Government.  
This is of God, that creates our peace, that can onely put up the Sword into the scabbard, and put a Hook into the Nostrils of Leviathan;  
Oh, the ●bisse of the goodness of the Lord, which was hard in the mixed voice of Heaven and Earth, which made the earth to ring again when his Highness was proclaimed Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c.  
Hereby the mystery, which was hide from the eyes of the Heathen, immagining that Jupiter descended in a Golden Fleece, we Christians do find it in God's Gracious presence, for hereby God gives us the Golden Fleece; or Riches peace and plenty, is showered upon us, through God's creating of Love and peaceableness amongst us, which is experienced in his Highnesses succession.  
Oh, the said goodness of God, how is our souls bound up in the bundle of myrhe, how much with the bundle of myrrh is our souls refreshed, how hath the Lord compassed us about with his loving kindness, as with a shield? how securely do we lie under the figtree of common protection.  
Our ox is strong to labour, there is no leading into Captivity, nor no complaining in our streets, happy are the people that are in such a case, yea happy are the people that have the Lord for their God: But if the case had been altered, if wee had sown the Serpents teeth, how should wee have been the hissing, scorn, and prey of our enemies.  
If Ephraim, had risen against Manasses, and Manasses, against Ephraim, and both against Judah, how might all people have been our enemies, and how should we have been enemies to our native Country, to have kinled a fire which would never have been Quenched.  
Without question, the severity of God's wrath would have been inexpressible: God's waiting time for Reformation would then have been expired, and we should have filled up the measure of our iniquity.  
But the presence of God in his goodness as we have hard otherwise appearing, how shall we not therefore prune the three that it may bring forth fruits of reformation. This must needs be laid to heart, if we have any hearts to God in us; which leads me to speak of  
Secondly. The means, by which Gods presence in retained,  Non minus est virtus, quam quaerere parta tueri. 
It is no less virtue to keep a thing, then there was at the first required to obtain it.  
For though God hath promised his presence, wee see that it is but conditional,  
Thus Solomon, was  told by God himself: twice, and once by his own Father David, 1 Kings 3 chap. 13. 14. 1 Kings 9. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. ver. 1 Kings 3 3, 4. ver. So that Solomon not answering Gods mind, or not performing accordingly; God would have totally taken the Kingdom from him, if he had not remembered his Covenant with David his Father, for whose sake he reserved, for him some rule in the Nation, 1 Kings 11. chap.  
And if some Kings, or superiors that ruled in the Nation, had that power in their hands, which they once neglected, to put forth to the advancement of Christian religion, were raised again from the dead, they would preach this Doctrine and Tell us plainly, that they stood against God, when they resisted his despised Prophets, that spoken unto them, and the Preachers of the Gospel that stood for Reformation.  
And they would make all to know, that ever since God put the Ax to the root of the three of Antichrist, or that Antichrist was designed, or appointed of God to be destroyed, that Kings, superior magistrates, or Potentates, are ordained of God, as his selected instruments to do him that great service: And if there needed any witness, to witness the same, by certain experience: If Queen Elizabeth were alive she would readily tell us.  
That in this way, that is to throwdown Antichrist, shee was called in this way, shee was a Nursing Mother to the Church, through making it her business to promote Church-Government: in this way she prospered and lived out all her dayes, and in this way all Supreames,( God being unchangeable in his decree) that will experience the like mercy must imitate her steps, with further improvement of the same, by way of reformation, as they have attained.  
That this good, and necessary work may be done, and that all may submit to the Magistrate endeavouring the good work of Church reformation.  
These doctrinal conclusions, concerning Liberty, or no Liberty of Conscience, must be considered.  
The Magistrate may tolerate any mans conscience, if he do not preach or teach his opinion, or that the opinionists be not too Numerously dangerous, Blasphemors, or Idolaters, by which means the Magistrates tender Conscience, personal security, with the cause of Christian Religion, is violated, and endangered, the Magistrate ought not,( notwithstanding what is said) exempt, tolerate, or free any man, to forbear or not constantly to hear the word preached, and keep the sabbath,  
Because, though men cannot be compelled to believe yet may they,& ought they to be compelled by the Magistrate to wait on the means of Believing, for the superior Magistrate which is the Nursing Father of the Church, is sworn to Protect, and promote the reformed protestants Religion, by the doctrine of which we are taught of God, and by daily experience, that this is the way, or means whereby Christ would have his Flock, Lambs, and sheep, to be said by his pastors.  
In this sense then it is the Magistrates duty, and ought to be his tender Conscience, to put his Sons, and Daughters, to their spiritual Nurses to( suck even as it is prophesied of Kings,) the Breasts of the Church Ordinances, whereby they may be kept at the School of Christ, where all ought to wait all their life, in regard though they have attained to faith they are then but best fitted to make up a Body to worship God in his Congregation, where they ought to have their pure mindes put in way of remembrance of the grace received, that the Magistrate therefore should not suffer any to contemn God and the means of their own salvation, is as reasonable as it is for the Magistrate, to bind a mans hands that would stab himself, for which cause Augustine saith, that superior Magistrates, were girded about with a Sword, with a double edged Sword, to intimate that they should defend both the souls, as beforesaid,& bodies of all the people by peaceably protection.  
Now that this ought so to be done with which Gods presence usually appeareth, we may take information from ●ehemiah, who for preventing of Gods Judgments said ●nto the people.  
What evil thing is that you do, and profane the Sabbath; did ●ot your Fathers thus, and did not God bring all this evil upon us, and will ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profa●ing the Sabbath  
And though this be required of God at the hand of the Magistrate to put forth all his power to make and cause ●ll to observe worship, preaching, and Sabbath, and to take ●are that the Church have a general overfight, whereby ● may be united without which, Churches, are sinfully ●ismaticall.  
Yet, must not all be laid upon the Magistrate, for to re●ain Gods presence, how must Ministers herein be pillars of supports, and Master builders, in putting forward by ●ll their endeavours, that the Lords Table, or Christian ●ltar, may as freely be attended, as the Sacrifices were of●ered upon the Altar, whereby Christ to day as yesterday, ●ay be daily communicated, in which way all our ancient Christians have hitherto experienced; God that dwelleth in love; his special presence: the people also were kept obedient, and conscientious, far from the gain-saying of Corah, &c. the spirit of the Fifth pretended Monarchists.  
Yea, the Lord knows how useful it might be( not onely to pray a little now& then at Sermon times) but that some were set apart to mourn and pray continually for the procuring and retaining of the presence of God, the life of the truth, and peace of the Nation, under the supreme Magistrates Government; But no more of this for the present.  
Furthermore, it is the duty of all Ministers, and people in case they hold any opinions contrary to the supreme magistrates tender Consciences, or are in a word eclesiastical, which in England is a greater sin then in some respect then to be heretical, which made Augustine to say, a heretic I may be, but a schismatic I never will be; Then let them consider, that Christ is not onely thereby divided, and blasphemed but( as it caused Edward the 6th to weep when he was pressed to tolerate Queen Mary) it must needs be a burden to the Mgistrate that schisms abounds, of which as any shall be found guilty, or if the Magistrate find cause to suppress them, or command them no more to preach; then if the people would retain Gods presence, they must not disturb the peace of the Church, within the supreme Magistrates dominion? but being persecuted in one City, they must flee into another, and so flee out of those Magistrates Dominions, in that God doth not move their hearts to tolerate them: So much should we obey Christ, and live peaceably, for all men ought to believe, that if ever God own their cause, he will raise some Magistrate first to own it, because God hath decreed that the dominions of Saints, and all the great works of God, propagation of the gospel, Scripture Episcopacy, or, Church-Government, downfall of Antichrist, must not be done by a proud, disorderly