A MEANS TO Reconcile the present distempers of these Times, as things now are.  
Set out By a Member of this present Parliament.  
Tempora mutantur, & nos mutamur in illis.  
Scinditur incertum studia in contraria vulgus.  
Vivitur ex rapto, non hospes ab hospite tutus:  
Nec socer à genero fratrum quoque gratia rara est.  
Nulla fides pietasque viris qui Castra sequuntur.  
Venalésque manus ibi fas, ubi maxima merces.  
Nulla salus bello, pacem nunc poscimus omnes.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1648.   

The Preface.  
THere was lately set out in Print, a Paper, Entitled, The Wonder, Or, Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace. I must confess, that the Preface and the Propositions came from me, though not the Title: The meanness thereof I desire may not be looked upon, to the prejudice of the matter, but the Zeal of the Author to the quiet and peace of his Native Country: For, the Bloodshed, Rapine, and Destruction, which now rageth amongst us, must daily by the Continuance thereof, not only make the Cure more desperate, but likewise declare the wrath of God to be more heavy upon us. For if Tully a Heathen Orator pleading a Cause for his Client could say, jugulare Civem ne jure bonus quisquam vult, mavult enim commemorare secum possit perdere pepercisci, quam cum parcere potuisset perdidisse: Much more cause have we that are Christians to avoid this needless shedding of so much of our own native blood, as is daily in every corner of the Kingdom shed amongst us, to the unspeakable grief of all good men: So that it may be said as Saint Paul once said to the Corinthians, I hear there are Contentions among you. Is there not a wise man among you, but that you must go to strife one with another? The speedy ending of these Distractions (which I conceive may be easily and soon ended) if every man would lay aside his own particular, and only look to the safeguard of the ship wherein we are all Embarked, and in the preservation whereof all our lives and fortunes do consist. This by the persuasions of some friends hath induced me to publish such Reasons for the more clear manifestation & Inducement of the former Propositions, myself (knowing my own Integrity) makes me no way ashamed to own them. I am unwilling to impute blame to any party, but rather that things past, may be passed over, with the most candour and least bitterness, though my own sufferings have been as much and as causeless, as most men's have been. Only thus much I may justly say for myself, as the Magpie did in the Poet, when she was stripped of all her feathers, being asked the question how she came to be so naked? made Answer, Quid fuerim, quid sumque vide, meritumque requiri, Invenies nocuisse fidem: This is all my end, only desiring God to give such success to this endeavour by so weak a means as may tend most to his glory, the good & peace of this our native Country, myself being always ready to serve the Commonwealth with the uttermost of my endeavours in the ways of Peace and Truth.  
Hen: Anderson.   

The PREFACE.  
HAving since the first beginning of this Parliament observed the differences therein, both in their breeding & continuance; the people holding themselves grieved with illegal pressures put upon them, both in the freedom of their Persons, the propriety of their Goods, and the liberty of their Consciences; and these wrought by particular men for sinister ends by their interests in Court, to the disturbance of the quiet and peace of the Kingdom, as it stood established by Law: These occasioned a desire by most men, not only to prevent the like for the future, but also the punishing of such as were conceived to be Authors, Procurers, or Supporters thereof, thereby to deter others from doing the like hereafter: And this trenched upon both Courtiers, Lawyers, and Divines. The means to reconcile and prevent which, as the times now are, hath incited me, being a Member of this present Parliament; and conceiving myself in duty bound to tender my best advice for the speedy ending of this most barbarous and unnatural War that is now raging amongst us, which can produce no better effect, if not timely ended, than a general destruction of the Nation, who are now become a Scorn and Contempt to all Neighbours, (who were before looked upon with great honour and respect, yea, not without envy.) Besides, the high wrath of Almighty God, by the courses held and observed in the prosecution thereof: I profess by this advice, not to look upon myself, but merely the good of my native Country; and that, which I conceive myself bound to, both by the Oath of Allegiance, Supremacy, and the Protestation which I took this Parliament. And this without respect of any party, further than my judgement shall lead me to. And I shall likewise give this testimony of my own sincerity herein, that I being a Commoner of this Kingdom, and knowing not where else to live but in England, & here, under a peaceable and free Government. In all just things, shall adhere to the Commonwealth, and the liberties of the Subject; yet no way hereby to detract from the King, what may justly be due to the Regal Power, and which it can no way be abridged of, without too much diminution: I have always conceived, & still do, that the Regal Power ought to be limited by the Law: And if it be debarred of its due course in the execution thereof, God defend, but the people upon general complaints should have remedy therein, especially to prevent the like in succeeding times, considering the Government we live in is a mixed Government, by consent between the King and the People, as to my sense doth manifestly appear by the words of the Oath of Coronation; which being observed, the people, as bound in Conscience, aught to yield the King all due Honour and Obedience to His just Commands. Thus I have declared unto you, the openness of my heart, herein, leaving the following advice to your best judgements, with my Prayers to God to give such success therein, as I, in the Integrity of my heart do desire.   

A ready way (as is conceived) to compose the present Differences, as the Times now are. With the Reasons inducing thereunto.  
By a Members of the House of Commons this present Parliament.  
1. THat the King be immediately sent for to come to Hampton-Court, without any Conditions or Guard whatsoever, but according to His Majesties own pleasure.  
That the King being under restraint, and not at his free liberty, can do no Act which can bind him either by the Law of the Kingdom, or Civil Law; both which laws do make void all Acts whatsoever which shall be done either per minas or dures of Imprisonment, so that necessarily he must be at his free liberty without any restraint or tye but his own free disposition before he be in a Capacity to grant or confirm any thing, which cannot possibly be whilst there is any restraint, upon his person, or Arms afoot to enforce a non-performance.  
That no Treaty or Capitulation can be had between a King and his people, but the people must have their desires from the King by way of Entreaty and request: Which in all just things the King ought to deny. And this appears and is manifest by the preambles of the Acts of Parliament of this Kingdom, Which for the most part are declared to be granted at the humble Desire and request of the People.  
2. That the King, before His coming to Hampton, do Publish His Proclamation of free pardon to all His Subjects of what quality or condition soever, and for all faults whatsoever, against Himself, His Crown and Dignity.  
That the publishing of his Proclamation of free Pardon shows his Mercy to all his People, which is a particular, which the Kings have as Incident to the regal Authority, and aught by them to be afforded in justice to the people, but only where Necessity or needful Severity enforces the contrary for the Example of others in the future.  
This will take away from the People all their just fear of being prosecuted according to the strictness of the Law for their Crimes which they have committed against the King, his Crown and Dignity.  
It is in his own free power to grant a pardon either general or special for all things concerning himself, Which pardon shall close the hands of all judges and Subministers in any Court of justice to proceed against any Delinquent so pardoned for any forepast Crime.  
The King can grant no more than what concerns himself, the people must necessarily concur in the granting of any thing that may concern themselves. And this can no way be done but by an Act of Parliament in a free and legal Parliament by consent of the three Estates of the Kingdom lawfully Assembled, King, Lords, and Commons, wherein the King doth consent for himself, the Lords for themselves, & the Commons by their Representative body by them Authorized by a free and unawed or constrained Election of their Deputies; which they shall appoint to consent for them: And such Act shall conclude all men, because all men do consent therein by themselves or their lawful Deputies.  
3. That the King be forthwith restored to all His just Revenues and Regal Power, which by Law is due to Him.  
Without His revenue be restored unto Him, He cannot subsist, much less maintain the Royal Dignity which His Ancestors hath flourished in; to the great dishonour of the Nation, to have a King not able to maintain His State and Dignity without the oppression of His People; and without which he cannot manage the affairs of the Kingdom incident to his Office: For it is an old Adage, Indigentem operare bonaest Impossibile; And for a King to live by perpetual begging, is to make Him and His Government hateful to His People.  
If the King be abridged of the Power of the Sword, he shall have no means to compel or force Obedience to His just Commands, nor maintain His People from the oppression of greater men: But every man will do what seems good to Himself against His Inferior; for only fear of punishment makes bad men fear to offend: And take away the Power of the Militia from the King, (which is inseparable from the Crown) and neither ever hath, nor can be taken away from the Crown, than you take away the Kings Coercive Power to enforce Obedience to the due execution of His Laws, or the means to suppress any Rebellion, Riots, Routs, or other misdemeanours whatsoever.  
4. That His Majesty take a Corporal Oath not to Govern any way but according to the known Laws of the Kingdom. And whatsoever Sub-minister of His shall do otherwise, to the prejudice of the Subject, either in point of liberty of their persons, or propriety of their goods, He will grant them no pardon, but leave them to the justice of the Law. And likewise to give His Royal Assent to an Act of Parliament for His Successors to take the like Oath, the beginning of every Parliament before both Houses, for the same.  
That this Oath is no more but the same that Kings do take at their Coronation, and therefore no prejudice can ensue to the King by the often taking thereof.  
That it is a securing of the people for the true performance thereof, by often taking of it; and by so doing, it shall the better be kept in memory, both by the King and the States of the Kingdom.  
It will keep in awe all Judges and other officers of the Kingdom, when they shall find themselves incapable of having any pardon for such offences, and the King made incapable from granting any such Pardon, as a person who by the Law can do no wrong to his people; but it must be His Ministers, who by this shall be in perpetual fear of doing injustice to the Subject.  
It shall take from the King and His Successors all causes of discontent or grievance which may justly grow between the King and His People in the point of extending the Prerogative beyond its due bound.  
It will be a means to procure a hearty and willing Obedience from the people to the Kings, their desires when they govern no way but according to the Law.  
This manner of way is presidented in the Iteration of the Oath by Magna Charta, which was confirmed thirty times at least, by several Acts of Parliament: which one Act might have served for a Law, if it had not been thought fit by our Ancestors to be often regranted for the more firm observance thereof.  
That the taking from the King His Power of pardoning in these Causes, is no more than the taking away His Power to pardon a wilful murder, which He cannot pardon, as the Law now is.  
That in case of blood, the next of kin may bring an Appeal for their Ancestors death, which the Party cannot be letted of by any pardon whatsoever.  
5. That a Proclamation be published for the Disbanding of all Soldiers within the Kingdom, and bringing in of their Arms within ten days after such Proclamation upon pain of High Treason, against all Refusers and their Abettors.  
There can be no cause to keep an Army afoot to the oppression of the People, when there is no enemy to oppose, as there cannot be, when the King is established in His Government.  
That the Kingdom is so impoverished and wasted by the late wars, that it is not able to bear the charge of an Army any longer.  
That the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom are so ruined in their estates already, that there is no possibility that it can be recovered in a long time, neither will they be any way able either to contribute to the public necessities, or well able to pay their debts.  
This is most effectual for the disbanding of all Armies without delay; and may by such a Proclamation be more speedily and easily effected.  
6. That the Church-Government may stand as it is Established by Law, having respect to tender Consciences, until such time as it shall be altered by due course of Law.  
7. That His Majesty will be pleased to promise the speedy convening of a National Synod of forty Divines of His Majesties own Subjects. And that the Reformed Protestant Churches may be entreated to send some of their Divines, such as themselves shall make choice of to assist therein, for Establishing and Rectifying such an Unity and Conformity with all other Protestant Churches as shall be by consent agreed upon, whereby to preserve Unity with them, both in Doctrine and Discipline; which agreement His Majesty will Consent to have confirmed by Act of Parliament.  
That no unity can be preserved either in Church or State, wherein there is no set form of outward Government prescribed.  
That the Government being established by Law, aught, and must be observed till it be altered by Law: And that Obedience is to be given to it, whilst it is a Law; And that the Magistrate ought to enforce Obedience to it.  
That it will avoid all disturbance in the Commonwealth, concerning difference of Opinions in point of Religion; a thing most necessary to be prevented.  
That if there be any thing in the Church Government now established, either Superstitious or Superfluous, which tender Consciences may take offence at, and may well be forborn; It will be necessary for the public Peace and quiet of the Kingdom, to forbear the strict execution of the Law for the present in such particulars.  
That for the framing of Conformity with all other Protestant Reform Churches, whereby the Papists and Sectarists may have no advantage to scandal our Religion, either in respect of diversity of Opinions, or outward Ceremony: A National Synod may be convened in this Kingdom, of Divines and learned men, whereby not only the tenets of our Religion should be expressed in terminis, but likewise the outward form of Discipline to be used in the Church.  
That it will be much for the Honour of the King and our Nation, that the Kings of England should take upon them the Protection and Defence of all the Protestant Reform Churches, and likewise to be the Head thereof.  
As the Kings of Spain make themselves the Head of the Catholic League, and to this purpose that the Reformed Protestant Churches may be invited to send their Divines to this Synod, that Agreement may be had with them in every point concerning either Doctrine or manners in the outward Discipline: And such Agreement to be established here by Act of Parliament; which all men shall Conform upon a penalty.  
This may be a just Reason to prohibit all private Conventicles and meetings, wherein private Opinions are broached amongst the people, who thereby are drawn into Public Factions, and do raise Sedition and Tumults for Religion, to the disturbance of the Peace of the Kingdom.  
8. That His Majesty will be pleased to promise to give the Royal Assent to such Bills to be made Laws, as shall be presented unto Him by both Houses, in a full, free, and Legal Parliament, which shall no way entrench upon His Majesty's Legal Prerogative, Honour, or Profit, but only such as tend to the better Government, and ease of the Subjects, for the future.  
This is but just for the King, to grant what the people shall desire, not trenching upon His own due Rights.  
This granted, secures all men for whatsoever bypast, that a free Parliament shall think fit to do.  
The King can do no more but for what concerns Himself.  
9 That His Majesty will be pleased to grant these for the present under His Hand. And which He will confirm at His first coming to Liberty to some House of His own.  
More, the King cannot do, by reason of His Imprisonment, and may befit He should promise to do, for the present quiet and Peace of the Kingdom, as now things are, at His first coming to Liberty.  
10. And if these shall be refused to be done, either by King or Parliament, the blame may justly be imputed to lie there: And are very necessary to preced a Personal Treaty, wherein all Interests may be taken into consideration.  
Si quid novisti rectius istis, Candidus imperti;  
Si non, his utere mêcum.  
HEN: ANDERSON.  
FINIS.