COUNCIL Humbly propounded FOR THE SPEEDY SETTLEMENT OF THESE LONG Disturbed Nations.  
WHEREIN Is offered such a King, such a Church-Government, such liberty for Tender consciences, as that the Royalist, Presbiterian, and persons of different Judgements (the three great Interests of our Nations) may acquiess in.  
LONDON: Printed by M. Simmons, for H. C. In the Year, 1660.   

COUNCIL HUMBLY PROPOUNDED FOR THE Speedy settlement of these long disturbed Nations.  
I Have observed that generally books written for the healing of our breaches, have looked to one single Interest only, when as in reason and religion also, we ought to accommodate ourselves as far as equity will give leave to the minds of others, for self humour is a disturbing thing and we are not made to swallow up one another, but rather to endeavour to our utmost power to give satisfaction to all sober Interests, and this I conceive is the highway to compose our differences, I have here propounded that which may in reason and conscience, can but will comply, give content to the Royalist, Presbiterian, and Congregational Interests.  
It is certainly a good, though difficult work to unite parties, and to bring 2. if it be possible 3. into one; for my own particular I am little concerned in affairs among us, so as to be bettered or worsted any other ways then the Common weal shall suffer, and as I am pained with longing till I see my native Country settled upon foundations of righteousness and peace, I have therefore studied what may be abated of the humour of each side and party, and what allowed to one another, and have taken into my thoughts, what materially relates to our differences, and I find one vanity much abounding among the sons of men, that they will take up something that one way or other suits with their own convenience, and then are so wedded to their own case as not to see the least reason in another's, be there never so much; and it is too much the unhappiness of English men, that they like a thing upon a mere fancy, rather than upon grounds in reason which puts upon earnest desire of change continually. I have likewise considered this maxim, that that which in itself is best, yet may not be best for such a people so and so qualified; And as good food may be dangerous when a body is not rightly prepared to receive it, so may a civil Government which may have many conveniences in it, prove the destruction of a people, not constituted to embrace it, and that by the woeful wars and force that must be to maintain that which men's affection opposeth, and now what ever the things I propound may be in themselves absolutely considered, yet I am fully satisfied as the case stands, amongst us they are the things only that can settle us, and are no ways repugnant to honesty and conscience, which is chief to be preferred, I have impartially discoursed, with all sorts and parties and watched where any strength should lay against my affirmations, & finding none able to gainsay them in point of solid argument, is that only which moves me to think them so reasonable, as to present them to public view: I think not fit to insert here the grounds of what I offer, because of their tediousness & your ability at first sight, to see into the reason of them more than myself; Upon long deliberation and much weighing them, now I believe if at this turn prejudice and rigour be not laid aside, and such moderation prudence and charity as to do good against evil made use of by authority & wickedness be not suppressed among the people, that our wounds will be only skinned over and shortly break out again to the great danger of the whole body. First therefore the genius of the people of England not yielding to a Common-wealth-government, but requiring a Kingly one, let moderate Monarchy be established, wherein the King may rule with Christian Prudence and Policy, wherein the people's real good may be had in regard, and their true freedom secured, and the rights and privileges of the people's Representatives in Parliament maintained, and wherein also each estate may be obliged to promote together good Laws for the Land. Some there be that cannot be contented with Royal Majesty, as a title for the King, or great magnificent excellent Sovereign, but dread and adore him under the terms of sacred, infinite, as one that can do no wrong: but how this honour to man tendeth to the honour of God, let the impartial judge. 2. As to Church-government, let an Assembly besummoned of English, Scots, French, and Dutch, Protestant ministers, Episcopalians, Presbyteriant, and congregational persons, whereof Dr. Hamond, Mr. Peirson, Dr Seman, Mr. Pool, Mr. Nie, Dr. Owen, and Mr. Baxter would do well to be, seven being versed in the Controversy, who may freely debate and consider what the Magistrates power and business is in matters of Religion, and what government Christ hath appointed for his Church, and that we may have neither name or thing established, but what the word of God alloweth of; and that tradition and custom may be no offence, seeing the holy Scriptures are able to make the man of God wise to salvation through faith in Christ; therefore if this golden rule allow of Bishops, let us have them, or Elders let us have them, and such Pastors, Deacons, and Church Officers, neither more, less, or any other, all made good by such clear proof and sound evidence, & printed: that no conscientious person may be constrained either to fly or suffer through a non-conformity, and such only left as will comply with any thing that shall comport with their ease and profit, and if what be done in Church-affaires be fully proved, the gainsayers mouth will be stopped, and the Churches be more pure and entire, giving no occasion for separation from them. Now I do humbly conceive this following course would do very well as to these matters, namely, if any place do want a Minister, let any four of the Parish have liberty to bring in one to preach upon trial, afterward let some good men in the Parish present one that they do judge fit to Authority with desire to be admitted to be their Minister, and to receive the maintenance allowed; but regard should be had as near as may be to the generality of tose that are good in the Parish as to the choice, and the Minister settled, his work should be to gather out of the Parish into the Church all such as shall be fit, and to administer the Sacraments to them, and to baptise their Children: and the Ministers further work should be on the Lord's day in the morning to begin with a short preyer for a blessing on the whole day, or the Lord's prayer, that those that do scruple forms may come in afterward, and then to read a Chjapter in the Old Testament, often the 20 Exod. and in the Psalms, and a Chapter in the New Testament, and then proceed to singing a Psalm, prayer, and preaching, as usually, but not to be confined to a form of words in prayer, but the substance only laid down as it is excellently well by the last Assembly; and in the afternoon before Sermon to have on one Lords day Catechising, another a Chapter read in the old and New Testament; and on the third, expounding of some part of Scripture; and so constantly, the Ministers work should be also to bury and preach in season and out of season. Thus far most sober good men of the Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or congregational party might agree, and if the Scripture requires no more, it is pity more should be imposed, but there is a difference which should be decided with much wariness, and that is about Ordination: Some hold that a Church constituted as I have before mentioned, should choose ruling Elders, who should ordain, and that the Apostles being virtually Elders did upon this account ordain; others hold the Apostles ordained as extraordinary Officers, and so Ordination ceaseth; but it is generally received, that laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, is an Eldership of Pastors of Churches; which if it may be made good from Scripture, than I conceive the ensuing expedient would tend very much towards reconciling of Brethren, let eight Parishes be constituted a Diocese or Classis, the Pastors of which to choose out one to be Bishop, Precedent or Chaireman, who with two or three or more of the rest of the Presbyters may ordain: here is the Bishop that is without Lordliness, and that hath a flock to take care of.  
Thirdly, As for liberty for tender consciences, there need be no more than this, that none should be debarred merely meeting in private about the service of God, I do not mean by private that the doors shall be shut, but in other places besides the Church, and a penalty upon those that hinder them, for they may meet for the purpose of good discourse, repeating of Sermons, besides its hard to thrust out those that differ only in circumstantials; and if I mistake not, very Reverend fathers have highly approved that particular, Churches with their Minister should choose out such as God hath endeved to speak to edification, wherefore let only such be suppressed as shall preach or publish blasphemy, treason, or such gross errors as the Parliament shall think fit to punish, this is not like to touch any truly godly, and then it is to be hoped that men will spend their heat against fundamental errors, though retaining good will and compassion for the infected, and that an agreement in greater truths will swallow up differences about the lesser, and reconcile christians in love to one another, these three forementioned particulars, are not only very sovereign for the healing of our Nations, but I think I may call them the essentials of settlement, and they will gain all the three great parties amongst us, and bind peace fast to us; but though these are the main things necessary, yet there are two things more that very much conduce to the making of our settlement such a complete and happy one, as is to be wished.  
The first is, An act of indemnity and forgetfulness, for all words, books, writings, actions Military and civil, in relation to our Wars, differences, changes, extended as far as possible; this will turn anger into love, but as for the war at first, it was a breach between the three estates, neither of which alone had power to make a Law, therefore to make the war with the King all one, as if it was undertaken by private persons, is to nullify the power of the House of Commons, and an enslavery of the people, and for what hath been done since things have been out of course, christianity teacheth us not revenge, wherefore let reason guided with clemency rule herein.  
Secondly, That the Nations mind may go on, and the Parliament not change from the intentions of the people, that an act be made that on such a certain day, every three years the Sheriff of each Country shall under a penalty, summon the Country to choose Knights and Burgesses to serve in Parliament, who shall sit on such a certain day, likewise as shall be appointed, and the foregoing Parliament, if not dissolved, shall end the day before the new one cometh to sit, some general qualifications would do well, as to choose no Atheist, Papist, Drunkard, Whoremonger, common swearers or profane person, these things being done, other necessaries would be easy, you should not be daily in danger of plots, our common enemy would not be of & in our own bowels, there would be no more expectation of tumults or of more toss, and things would be in such a quiet posture as Military Officers may be turned into Civil, swords into ploughshares, and every one may then set under his own Vine, eating the fruit of his own labour. This will not only maintain peace at home, but defend our peace from enemies abroad, than you will have a fair opportunity to set forward trade, to hear complaints, redress grievances, to ease burdens, prevent fraud, to take off oppression, to consider poor prisoners for debt, to equal elections for Parliament men, to cause Justice to be administered impartially, to suppress scandalous profane, and obsceen books, to regulate the Law, and its charges, so as that the poorest wronged may have right, in all things to be a terror to evildoers, but a prais to them that do well, then will righteousness run down as a mighty stream, and God even our God will bless us, but whoever hath power given them and shall neglect the poor and needy, suffer violence and wickedness, love their own ease, judge for reward: this their sin will be bitterness in the latter end unto them: Now there be these three things I would leave with you for the public good, Namely,  
First, That a house be set up in every County, with three overseers for the poor, that they which can work should, & the other be provided for, near the Sea, if a trade was managed, busses for fishing may be used, and many lame and blind employed about the nets in the mean time, the coining of Copper tokens or Farthings, would much serve the good of the poor.  
Secondly, That the art of Navigation may be strengthened, for through the neglect and breaking of it Seamen and shipping, the walls of our Nation is much lessened and decayed, and is in danger (if not looked after) to fall and come to ruin.  
Thirdly, As you would have God preserve us from the plague and sword, take a more effectual course then ever, to prevent and punish swearing, cursing, whoring, drunkenness, cheating, Idle and lose gaming, and all profaneness and debauchery, otherwise what peace on earth if heaven should fight against us? I remember before our late troubles we was troubled with an uncivil wicked crew, given up to gaming, drinking, violence, plays, and all manner of sensual vanity, who cared for no more religion then to nick name those that was indeed religious, and to vilify strictness and cry down and abuse those whose tender consciences could not conform to imposed ceremonies.  
FINIS.