England's Standard: To which all the Lovers of A just and speedy SETTLEMENT, BY A safe Parliamentary AUTHORITY, In City, Country and Army, are desired to repair. OR, A REMONSTRANCE OF The Lovers of the COMMONWEALTH, Inhabitants of HAMPSHIRE. Delivered to The Council of the Officers of the Army, November 21. 1659.  
LONDON: Printed for Livewel Chapman, at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley. 1659.   

To the General Council of the Officers of the Army: The Remonstrance of the cordial lovers of the Commonwealth, inhabitants of Hampshire.  
SHOWETHS,  
THat being very sensible that the Enemies of this Commonwealth's peace and Safety are exceedingly lifted up in hopes and expectations that the present distractions will bring about their long-desired opportunity to introduce the Yoke and tyrannical Government of the late King's family; and finding also, to our great grief, that many that have heretofore been opposers of the same, through the subtlety and insinuations of the said Party, are ready to comply with them, under pretence that there is no other possibility of Settlement: We therefore judge ourselves bound in duty to God, our Country and Posterity, to manifest and declare, That our true and cordial affections are so fixed to the love and desire of a firm and just Commonwealths Government, that no fears, sufferings nor hardships shall (through the assistance of God) in the least measure alter our resolutions, but that we shall be ready with the hazard of our lives, and all that is near and dear unto us, to oppose both the open and private Enemies of the same: And we account it also our duty, as far as in us lies, to strive that a period may be put to these long Distractions and Miseries which thereby are fallen on the Nation, which as hitherto have been beneficial to none, but a few ambitious self-seeking persons; so we also visibly see, never can nor will; and that unless the Lord in mercy be pleased to put a period to the same, we can expect no less then that a present total destruction will ensue, or at best a servile submission to the will & pleasures of them that shall be strongest. For the prevention of which, we cannot in our judgements find any remedy under heaven, better, easier & speedier, than an unanimous agreement of the well-affected Party, on such Principles of common good and safety, that may secure the Rights of all just interests. And to the end it may be obtained, we do in the bowels of pity and compassion to our poor, almost-ruined Country, implore this from you, that finding by sad experience the hearts of men are generally so base and corrupt, that there are few or none but are Enemies to the Liberty and Prosperity of their Country, (when they may enrich themselves thereby) but only for want of time and power; and that it's to be feared, what men soever shall come into the supreme Power or Authority, will make it their business (as heretofore) under fair pretences, to enrich themselves, and perpetuate their ambition's designs, unless there be some sure, firm and unalterable Limitations and Restrictions agreed on by the consent of the people, to prevent the same: That therefore you will with all speed and vigour join with us, to invite all the Lovers of their own and their Country's peace and safety, to centre in an Agreement (according to the substance of these following Heads) and that all those that shall own, agree to, and subscribe the same, shall be capable to be Electors or Elected for all future Representatives, and none else: And that you will speedily after the signing the same, desire and persuade them to choose their Members; that so by a visible and safe Authority, the Nation may be secured from the power and designs of foreign and domestic enemies; and all Interests that are useless, oppressive, and destructive to the general good and just Liberty of the Nation, may be taken away.  

1. That no person or persons whatsoever, on pain of High treason, shall assume or challenge to themselves any power, right or interest in making or altering of Laws, but those that shall be immediately elected and impowered by the people that shall enter into and own this Agreement.  
2. That it shall not be in the power of any Representative to establish any Government by a King, Single person, or House of Lords; nor to continue the Legislative power in themselves, or make Laws for the continuation of it in others above the space of two years together at the most, upon pain of the highest punishment that can be inflicted; that so every man may taste of Subjection as well as Rule, and may be equally liable to the Laws that he shall make for others.  
3. That seeing it is not in the power of humane creatures to confer any spiritual gift or authority on their Representatives, and that they can receive no larger power than the people are capable to give them; that therefore it is not nor shall be in the power of any Representative to intermeddle with things spiritual or supernatural, nor to compel or enforce any person or persons, directly or indirectly, by Law, against their own freewill and consent, to pay to the maintenance of a National Ministry, but leave all people free to pay their own Pastors and Ministers, according to the infallible rule of the Gospel, the practice of the Primitive times, and the present practice of many Reformed Churches in foreign parts. Provided nevertheless, that it is not hereby intended or meant, that the Parliament shall be restrained from any power (in making Laws) to prohibit the profession of any Religion not Christian, neither the public profession of Popery, which is incorporated with the interest of a foreign power, inconsistent with public safety and society.  
4. That no public Salary-man shall be capable to sit in Parliament, nor during his session there, shall be invested with any Salary-Office, nor shall have any of the public Treasure conferred on him, under any pretence whatsoever, on pain of high-Treason: (the place of an Ambassador, and the charges thereon expended, only excepted.)  
5. That the Logistative power shall be kept separate and distinct from the Administrative power. That all Representatives that shall be chosen by virtue and according to this Agreement, shall be and are hereby ordained to be the Supreme Authority of the Nation to make and alter Laws, to make War and Peace, and to raise money for the same. Provided they act not against, nor endeavour to destroy or take away all or any of these five Fundamentals. And it is hereby agreed and declared, That whatsoever person or persons shall under any pretence whatsoever use power or force to dissolve the said Authority, whilst it acts nothing against the five aforenamed Rules, or use force to destroy those Laws which they shall make, shall be deemed and accounted Traitors for the same, and suffer punishment accordingly.   
By this way of Agreement, formerly practised in most Nations, when a former Government (through necessity, for their preservation) hath been cast off, we can (with the blessing of God) expect a speedy and secure Settlement, to the content and benefit of all just men, and just interests; and also rationally hope for a reconcis●ation of those that are now exceedingly bend against the Settlement of a Commonwealth: and in the prosecution hereof, we shall with all alacrity join with you in the utmost hazards. But if you shall oppose the substance hereof, we cannot expect any sure and lasting Settlement, neither can we see how you can clear yourselves of the guilt of all the Blood and Treasure that hath been spent, or of the Miseties which for want of such a Settlement will inevitably ensue. However, we have discharged our duties, and leave the success to God, who we are assured will not suffer his glory and his people's good to be overthrown.  
Now seeing these things we have here mentioned and desired are of such an high concernment, we are constrained, for the prevention of scandals and aspersions which may be cast on them or us, to show these Reasons for the same.  
It cannot be denied by any person that understands what the Government of this Nation was, That the King was pretendedly limited and bounded by his Oath, to govern according to those Laws that should be made by the people, and that the Parliament was a Screen between the King's Prerogative, and the People's Liberties: but this proved to little purpose; for that he being a standing power, and (as he pretended) unaccomptable for any thing he should do, and had the power of conferring all places of profit & honour on whom he pleased, he and his Court had generally such an influence and interest in choosing Parliaments, that seldom any considerable number, who were not his mere Creatures, were elected; and so by Parliaments, his own, and not the people's interest was promoted: Or if he at any time found the Parliament endeavouring to bond his Prerogative, it was his practice presently to dissolve it. However, if there were Bounds and Restrictions put to the King, and that there was a power intended to bridle his designs: why should any man plead for no bounds, neither of time, nor of power, to be put to the Parliament? When the King ruled, the Parliament was intended to be a Screen between the King's Prerogative, and the people's Liberties; and shall we now have no Screen between the Parliaments power and will, and the People's liberties, proprieties and safeties? Shall they have power to raise what moneys they please, and share it amongst themselves? shall they set up (as of late) many great Salary-Offices, and keep pluralities of the best of them to themselves? shall they have power to destroy men without a cause, and take their Estates to themselves? We do not by any part of this Agreement tie up their hands from doing good, but only from destroying us. And is not a Parliament free, that hath an absolute power to do good, Unless they have also an absolute unlimited power to do mischief, and make Laws to protect themselves therein? surely this is such an absurdity, that none but a grand Impostor (that aims chief at his own designs) can plead. Should any future Parliament act coutrary to the substance of all or any part of this Agreement, what rational  man can expect safety? If they can set up a single person, why not Charles Stuart, as well as any other? If perpetuate the power in themselves, or in any number of persons, why is it not better to have it in one? one Family will be at a cheaper rate made rich then many; men that are honest, and love their Country, may apostatise and prove enemies; which lamentable late experience sufficiently hath taught us. Is it not better to make such Laws that may bind the worst and subtlest heads from hurting us, then to be always at the mercy of honest men; which probably have appeared so, thereby to get an opportunity to do hurt to the purpose? If Parliaments may set up what form of Church-Discipline or Worship they judge best, why not Prelacy o● Popery, as well as Presbytery; and so consequently a compulsive maintenance for the Ministers of the same? Did not Parliaments in Edward the Sixth's Reign set up Prelacy, and own the Professors thereof? And did not Parliaments (consisting of a great number of the same men) in Queen Mary's days, establish Popery, and make such cruel bloody Laws, by which many Protestants were burned? this in these days is worth taking notice of, to prevent the like. The National Ministry that must be by compulsion provided for, surely at present is meant Presbytery, and their Adherents; & how Orthodox they are, let them by the heaps of their infamous fawning Addresses, to the late single person, be judged: and what they deserve, let their Sermons, and the fruits of them in Cheshire and elsewhere, claim. If the public maintenance should be taken from them (as it was from the Prelacy) and conferred on the Ministers and Pastors of separate Congregations, and none else, what a flood of Envy and Reproach would they cast forth! But surely, considering what blood they have been guilty of, what desperate perils they have often involved this Nation in, and how mercifully God hath preserved it from their designs; they are not a people so to be feared, nor (in point of policy) so to be pleased, as some may pretend; unless the end of all successes and victories must centre in taking away the Estates of the Conquerors, to please and strengthen the Conquered, that so at last they may be enabled to satiate themselves with a cruel and bloody Revenge. However, we have not in any measure desired any more Liberty of Conscience, nor security of our Estates, but what may be equally due to them, if they have not been, nor shall not be guilty of the breach of the peace of the Nation. We claim no more than what is due to us by the Law of God and Nature, and we are bound in conscience to ourselves and Families to assure it. But at last, if notwithstanding all this, nothing will please our Enemies, but Death, Banishment or Imprisonment, or denial of our Religion; it behoveth us to prevent the same; and if they suffer in the end, they may justly blame their own obstinacy for it. We hearty wish that all the Parliament, nay, all the Magistrates of the nation, were or may be nursing Fathers, and nursing Mothers to the Church of Christ, that they would cordially make it their work to relieve the poor, and  the naked Christians, and with the great Estates which they possess (and for which they must give an account) to take a delight in doing good. Let them do the work of Christ in the way of Christ, and not in or by the way of Antichrist; for that is not required at their hands. Why we, by this Agreement, restrain public Salary-men from sitting in Parliament, we give this Reason, That experience hath taught us, that great damage hath and may arise thereby to the nation in general: to particularise: Those people never think of lessening, but increasing the number & benefit of Offices; so that it often hath fallen out, that Parliament-men by Salary-Offices, have yearly received many thousands of pounds, when they have been nonresident, and have not paid 100 l. yearly, to execute their place: this is the reason that vast unnecessary sums of the public Treasure have been consumed, to the impoverishing of the Nation. We do not in the least deny, but that there may be, and are many Salary-men both in the Army & elsewhere, that are as able, & may be as much confided in, as any people in the Nation; and we should be glad that they might proceed in freeing their Country from captivity, and building of Laws or walls of safety about it; and that they, with Nehemiah, would not eat the bread of the Governor, for that the bondage is great: but that they should be employed in a double capacity, or render void a certain safe principle for the nations ease, may be a precedent of dangerous consequence. And that Parliament men ought not to receive or share among themselves any of the public Treasure, is of absolute necessity: had the long Parliament been restrained from it, as also from giving large unwarrantable gratuities, the nation had been some hundred thousand pounds better than now it is; the soldiers had not been enforced to sell their Arrears for little or nothing, the public Faith-mony had been paid; and in all likelihood, if they had been restrained from advantages to enrich themselves, & been bounded in their Sessions to sit but a short time, they had made such good Laws, and such a sure Foundation of Government, that might have secured the Nation and themselves, and engaged the people in their affections to them, for the good they had received by them. Notwithstanding all this, we know it is and will be the great cry of the implacable Royal Faction, both old and new, for a Free Parliament, chosen as formerly, without any Qualifications, and to sit and make Laws without Restrictions; this indeed is their Masterpiece to bring in Stuarts Family; it being visible, that by such an Election few or none would be elected, but those that would espouse the Stuarts Interest, and so under a pretence of Law and Equity, enthrone him, to the utter destruction of all the honest party, whom they brand with the Titles of Sectaries and Heretics, thereby to render them more contemptible to the people in general, than the most vicious persons in the land, whilst they themselves more justly deserve those titles, by differing more from the Precepts and Practices of Christ, the Apostles, and Primitive Churches. We are as much for a just Parliament Authority, as any people in the nation, and do declare from the sincerity of our hearts, we cannot possibly, in the least, imagine how this nation can be secured in its liberties and proprieties, but by constant successive Parliaments, limited both in time and power: for this being done, they will not rashly thrust the Nation into wars, knowing they must equally contribute to the charge, and not be in a capacity to enrich themselves by great Offices, in prosecuting the same. Had the Nation been thus settled before (causelessly) the Spanish destructive War was begun, it would in all probability, together with the miseries that have thereby happened to the Nation, have been prevented. Although Parliaments have been guilty of high miscarriages, yet this is not a ground sufficient to lay them aside, and centre in a worse way: it may as well be alleged, that all Magistracy hath generally made use of its power for their own Advantages; and therefore that all Magistracy and Government ought to be laid aside, and all things left to run into Anarchy and Confusion.  
To conclude: We profess in the integrity of our hearts, we desire a real Reformation in Church, according to the written word of God, and the example of the Primitive times; and a true firm and lasting settlement of the State, that we may have Rulers (as in the old time) that may execute justice and judgement, and be a terror to those that shall do evil, and a comfort to those that do well. And we declare we have no design nor desire, in the least measure, to ruin and destroy any of our fellow-Natives and Countrymen; as is clearly manifest, by what is afore specified. And we do earnestly desire all Interests that are consistent with common safety, and persons that desire to do as they would have others should do to them, may consent and agree with us herein; and we hope if the love of peace and settlement be not hid from their eyes, they speedily will.  
THis Remonstrance being read, and the Presenters thereof with-drawn, they were again called, to whom the Chairman, Colonel Barrow, returned this Answer: That he was commanded to give the Remonstrators the thanks of the committee, for their good affections to the Public; and to let them know, they were proceeding on things of the same nature.  
FINIS.