A Petition for Peace with the Reformation of the Liturgy, Part 1

A Petition for Peace with the Reformation of the Liturgy · Part 1

A Petition for Peace: with the REFORMATION OF THE LITURGY.

As it was Preſented to the Right Reverend BISHOPS, BY THE DIVINES Appointed by His Majeſties Commiſsion to treat with them about the alteration of it.

LONDON, Printed, Anno Dom. MDCLXI.

p. 1A Petition for Peace.

To the most Reverend Archbiſhop and Biſhops, and the Reverend their Aſsiſtants commiſsioned by His Majeſty to treat about the Alteration of the Book of Common-Prayer.

The humble and earneſt Petition of others in the ſame Commiſsion.

Moſt Reverend Fathers, and Reverend Brethren,

THe ſpecial Providence of God, and His Majeſties tender regard of the Peace and Conſciences of His Subjects, and his deſire of their concord in the things of God, hath put into our hands this opportunity of ſpeaking to you as humble Petitioners, as well as Commiſſioners, on the behalf of theſe yet troubled and unhealed Churches, and of many thouſand ſouls that are dear to Chriſt; on whoſe behalf, wee are preſſed in ſpirit in the ſenſe of our duty, moſt earneſtly to beſeech you, as you tender the peace and proſperity of theſe Churches, the comfort of His Majeſty in the union of his Subjects, and the peace of your ſouls in the great day of your accounts, that laying by all former and preſent exaſperating and alienating differences, you will not now deny us your conſent and aſſiſtance to thoſe means that ſhall bee proved honeſt and cheap, and needful to thoſe great, deſirable ends, for which wee all profeſs to have our offices, and our lives.

The things which wee humbly beg of you are theſe.

1. That you will grant what wee have here propoſed and craved p. 2of you in our Preface; Even your charitable interpretation, acceptance of, and conſent unto the alterations and additions to the Liturgy now tendered unto you, that being inſerted, as wee have expreſſed, it [may bee left to the Miniſters choice to uſe one or other at his diſcretion] upon His Majeſties approbation, according to his gracious declaration concerning Eccleſiaſtical Affairs. And that (ſeeing wee cannot obtain the form of Epiſcopal Government, deſcribed by the late Reverend Primate of Ireland, and approved by many Epiſcopal Divines) wee may at leaſt enjoy thoſe benefits of Reformation in Diſcipline, and that freedome from Subſcription, Oaths and Ceremonies, which are granted in the ſaid Declaration, by the means of your charitable Mediation and Requeſt.

2. Seeing ſome hundreds of able, holy, faithful Miniſters are of late caſt out, and not onelyonly very many of their Families in great diſtreſs, but (which is of far greater moment) abundance of Congregations in England, Ireland and Wales, are overſpread with lamentable ignorance, and are deſtitute of able, faithful Teachers: And ſeeing too many that are inſufficient, negligent, or ſcandalous, are over the Flocks (not meaning this as an accuſation of any that are not guilty, nor a diſhonourable Reflection on any party, much leſs on the whole Church) wee take this opportunity earneſtly to beſeech you, that you will contribute your indeavours to the Removal of thoſe that are the ſhame and burdens of the Churches; and to the Reſtauration of ſuch as may bee an honour and bleſſing to them. And to that end, that it bee not imputed to them as their unpardonable Crime, that they were born in an Age and Country which required Ordination by Parochial Paſtors, without Dioceſans: And that Re-ordination (whether abſolute or hypothetical) bee not made neceſſary to the future exerciſe of their Miniſtry. But that an Univerſal Confirmation may bee granted of thoſe ordained as aforeſaid, they being ſtill reſponſible for any perſonal inſufficiency or crime. Were theſe two granted (The Confirmation of the Grants in His Majeſties Declaration, with the liberty of the Reformed Liturgy offered you, and the reſtoring of able, faithful Miniſters to a capacity to bee ſerviceable in the Church of God, without forcing them againſt their conſciences to bee Re-ordained) how great would bee the benefits to this unworthy Nation? How glad would you make the peoples hearts? how thankful ſhould wee bee (for the cauſe of Chriſt, and the ſouls of men) to thoſe that grant them, and procure them; being conſcious that wee ſeek not great things for our ſelves, or for our p. 3Brethren; that wee are ambitious of no greater wealth or honour, than our daily bread, with ſuch freedome and advantage for the labours of our Miniſtry, as may moſt conduce to the ſucceſs, the increaſe of holineſs and peace; wee ſhall take the boldneſs to ſecond theſe Requeſts, with many of our reaſons, which wee think ſhould prevail for your conſent, chuſing rather to incur whatſoever cenſures or offence may by any bee taken againſt our neceſſary freedome of expreſſion, than to bee ſilent at ſuch a time as this, when thouſands of the ſervants of the Lord, that are either deprived of their faithful Teachers, or in fears of loſing them, together with the freedome of their conſciences in Gods worſhip, do cry day and night to Heaven for help, and would cry alſo in your ears with more importunate Requeſts, if they had but the opportunity as now wee have.

And 1. Wee beſeech you bear with us while wee remember you, that you are Paſtors of the flock of Chriſt, who are bound to feed them, and to preach in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, and to bee laborious in the Word and Doctrine; but are not bound to hinder all others from this bleſſed work, that dare not uſe a Croſs or Surplice, or worſhip God in a form which they judge diſorderly, defective, or corrupt, when they have better to offer him (Mal. 1. 13, 14.) Is it not for matter and phraſe at leaſt as agreeable to the holy Scriptures? If ſo, wee beſeech you ſuffer us to uſe it, who ſeek nothing by it, but to worſhip God as neer as wee can, according to his will, who is jealous in the matters of his worſhip. If indeed yours have more of ſtrength, and ours of weakneſs, yet let not Fathers caſt the children from the Houſe of God, becauſe they are ſick or weak, and need the more compaſſion; let not our Phyſicians reſolve their Patients ſhall all bee famiſhed, or caſt off, whoſe temperature and appetites cannot agree to feed on the ſame diſh, with the ſame preparation and ſauce. Hee that thrice charged Peter as hee loved him, to feed his Lambs and Sheep, did never think of charging him to deny them food or turn them out of his fold, or forbid all others to feed them, unleſs they could digeſt ſuch forms and ceremonies, and ſuperſcriptions as ours.

2. May wee preſume to minde you, that the Lord of the Harveſt hath commanded us to pray that more Labourers may bee ſent into the Harveſt. (For ſtill proportionably the Harveſt is great, and the Labourers are few) Mat. 9. 37. And that the Lord hath not furniſhed them with his gifts in vain, nor lighted theſe Candles to put under a Buſhel, but to bee ſet on a Candleſtick, that they p. 4may give light to all that are in the houſe, Mat. 5. 15: And that there are few Nations under the Heavens of God, as far as wee can learn, that have more able, holy, faithful, laborious and truly peaceable Preachers of the Goſpel (proprotionably) than thoſe are that are now caſt out in England, and are like in England, Scotland, and Ireland, to bee caſt out, if the old Conformity bee urged. This witneſs is true, which in Judgement wee bear, and muſt record againſt all the reproaches of uncharitableneſs, which the Juſtifier of the Righteous at his day will effectually confute. Wee therefore beſeech you, that when thouſands of ſouls are ready to famiſh for want of the bread of Life, and thouſands more are grieved for the Ejection of their faithful Guides, the Labourers may not bee kept our, upon the account of ſuch Forms or Ceremonies, or Re-ordination; at leaſt till you have enow as fit as they to ſupply their places, and then wee ſhall never petition you for them more.

3. And wee beſeech you conſider when you ſhould promote the joy and thankfulneſs of His Majeſties Subjects for his happy Reſtauration, whether it bee equal and ſeaſonable to bring upon ſo many of them ſo great calamities as the change of able, faithful Miniſters, for ſuch as they cannot comfortably commit the conduct of their ſouls to, and the depriving them of the Liberty of the Publick Worſhip; calamities far greater than the meer loſs of all their worldly ſubſtance can amount to: In a day of Common Joy to bring this cauſeleſly on ſo many of His Majeſties Subjects, and to force them to lye down in heart-breaking-ſorrows, as being almoſt as far undone, as Man can doe it; this is not a due requital of the Lord for ſo great deliverances: Eſpecially conſidering, that if it were never ſo certain, that it is the ſin of the Miniſters that dare not bee Re-ordained, or conform; its hard that ſo many thouſand innocent people ſhould ſuffer even in their ſouls for the faults of others.

4. And if wee thought it would not bee miſ-interpreted, wee would here remember you, how great and conſiderable a part of the three Nations they are, that muſt either incur theſe ſufferings, or condole them that undergo them; and how great a grief it will be to His Majeſty, to ſee his grieved ſubjects; and how great a joy it will bee to him, to have their hearty thanks and prayers, and ſee them live in proſperity, peace and comfort under his moſt happy Government.

5. And wee may plead the nature of their cauſe, to move you to p. 5compaſſionate your poor afflicted Brethren in their ſufferings. It is, in your own account, but for refuſing Conformity to things indifferent, or at the moſt, of no neceſſity to ſalvation. It is in their account for the ſake of Chriſt, becauſe they dare not conſent to that which they judge to be an uſurpation of his Kingly power, and an accuſation of his Laws as inſufficient, and becauſe they dare not bee guilty of addition to, or diminution of his Worſhip, or of worſhipping him after any other Law, than that by which they muſt bee judged, or ſuch as is meerly ſubordinate to that. Suppoſe they bee miſtaken in thinking the things to bee ſo diſpleaſing to God; yet it is commendable in them to bee fearful of diſpleaſing him, and careful to obey him; a diſpoſition neceſſary to all that will bee ſaved, and therefore to bee loved and cheriſhed in them by the Paſtors of the Church; who ſhould bee very tender of putting them to ſuffering, or caſting them out of the Church, becauſe they dare not do that which they judge to bee ſo great a ſin againſt the Lord, deſerving damnation to themſelves. Should not the love of Chriſt command us to bee tender of thoſe that are ſo tender of his honour, and to take heed what wee do to men for taking heed of ſin, and being afraid to offend the Lord; and ſhould not the ſpecial love of Chriſtians, and the common love of men, command us, to bee loath to drive men by penalties, upon that which they judge doth tend to their everlaſting damnation, and which indeed doth tend to it, becauſe they judge it ſo to do; For hee that will do that which hee thinks to bee ſo great a ſin as is before deſcribed, to pleaſe men, or to eſcape their puniſhment, no doubt deſerveth the wrath of God, and ſhould wee not bee loath to drive men upon ſin and condemnation: though wee were ſure that their own infirmity is the occaſion. If it bee ſaid, that by this Rule nothing ſhall bee commanded, if men will but ſcruple it. Wee anſwer, Things in themſelves neceſſary, or commanded by God, muſt bee commanded by man, becauſe ſcruples make them not unneceſſary, and make not void the Laws of God, and it will bee a ſin even to the ſcrupulous to diſobey: But things diſpenſible, and of themſelves unneceſſary, ſhould not bee rigorouſly urged upon him, to whom they would bee a ſin, and cauſe of condemnation. It is in caſe of things indifferent in your own judgement, that wee now ſpeak. If it bee ſaid, that it is humour, pride, or ſingularity, or peeviſhneſs, or faction, and not true tenderneſs of conſcience that cauſeth the doubts, or non-conformity of theſe men. Wee anſwer, ſuch crimes muſt bee faſtened onelyonly on the Individuals, that are p. 6firſt proved guilty of them; and not upon multitudes unnamed and unknown and without pro…; and you know it is the prerogative of God to ſearch the heart, and that hee hath ſaid, Judge not that yee be not judged, for with what judgement yee judge, yee ſhall bee judged, and with what meaſure yee mete, it ſhall bee meaſured to you again. Mat. 7. 1, 2. And who art thou that judgeſt another mans ſervant, to his own Maſter, hee ſtandeth or falleth; yea, hee ſhall bee holden up, for God is able to make him ſtand. Rom. 14. 4. And who can pretend to bee better acquainted with their hearts, than they are themſelves! For what man knoweth the things of a man, ſave the ſpirit of a man, which is in him; 1 Cor. 2. 11. And they are ready to appeal to the dreadful God, the ſearcher of hearts, and the hater of Hypocriſie, that if it were not for fear of ſinning againſt him, and wounding their conſciences, and hazarding, and hindering their ſalvation, they would readily obey you in all theſe things; That it is their fear of ſin and damnation that is their Impediment, they are ready to give you all the aſſurance, that man can give by the ſolemneſt profeſſions, or by oath if juſtly called to it.

And one would think that a little Charity might ſuffice to enable you to beleeve them, when their non-compliance brings them under ſuffering, and their compliance, is the viſible way to favour; ſafety, and proſperity in the world. And if men that thus appeal to God concerning the intention of their own hearts, cannot bee beleeved, even when the State of their worldly intereſt bears witneſs to their profeſſions, but another ſhall ſtep into the Throne of the heart-ſearching God, and ſay [It is not as they ſay, or ſwear, It is not conſcience, but obſtinacy or ſingularity] all humane converſe upon theſe terms will bee overthrown: And what remedy have they, but patiently to wait, till God that they have Appealed to, ſhall decide the doubt, and ſhew who were the Aſſertours of truth or falſhood.

6 And wee crave leave to repreſent to you the great diſproportion, in neceſſity and worth, between the things in queſtion, and the ſalvation of ſo many, as may bee obtained by the free and faithful exerciſe of the Miniſtery, of thoſe that now are, and that are yet like to bee laid aſide; Do you think the Lord that died for ſouls, and hath ſent us to learn what that meaneth [I will have mercy and not ſacrifice, Mat. 9. 13.] is better pleaſed with Re-ordination, Subſcription and Ceremonies, than with the ſaving of ſouls, by the means of his own appointment: If it bee ſaid that Publick order p. 7and peace and concord do promote the ſalvation of many, and therefore are to bee preferred before the ſalvation of fewer. Wee anſwer, Concord in holy obedience to God doth indeed promote the ſalvation of all that entertain it; but Concord in Ceremonies, or Re-ordination, or Oaths of obedience to Dioceſans, or in your queſtioned particular forms of Prayer, do neither in their nature, or by vertue of any promiſe of God, ſo much conduce to mens ſalvation; as the preaching of the Goſpel doth, by able faithful and laborious Miniſters. And how comes it to paſs that unity, concord and order muſt bee placed in thoſe things, which are no way neceſſary thereto! Will there not bee order and concord in Holy obedience and acceptable worſhiping of God, on the terms which wee now propoſe and crave, without the foreſaid matter of offence? Wee here ſhew you that wee are no Enemies to order, and our long importunity for the means of concord, doth ſhew that wee are not enemies to concord.

If it bee ſaid, that other men that will conform to the things in queſtion may convert and ſave ſouls better than thoſe that are factious and diſobedient: Wee firſt humbly crave that reproach may not bee added to affliction, and that none may bee called factious that are not proved ſuch; and that Laws impoſing things indifferent in your judgement, and ſinfull in theirs, may not bee made the rule to judge of faction: But that men who live inoffenſively under civill Government, and in matters of Faith and Worſhip, ſubſcribe to all contained in the holy Scriptures; and indeavour to promote Univerſal Peace and Cha…y on theſe termes, may not bee made offenders by the making of Laws and Canons, that muſt force them to bee ſuch: Conſequently Daniel was an offender that would not forbear praying openly by the ſpace of thirty daies. But antecedently to that Law, hee was confeſſed juſt, by them that ſaid [Wee ſhall not finde any occaſion againſt this Daniel, except wee finde it againſt him concerning the Law of his God] Dan 6. 5, 7, 10. The Law which hee muſt break was made to make him a breaker of that Law; take away that law and take away his fault. Wee accuſe none of the like intentions, but wee muſt ſay, that it is eaſie to make any man an offender, by making laws which his conſcience will not allow him to obſerve, and its as eaſie to make that ſame man ceaſe to ſeem diſobedient, obſtinate, or factious, without any change at all in him, by taking down ſuch needleſs Laws. Wee may again remember you what Chriſt a ſecond time doth preſs, Mat. 12. 7. p. 8[But if yee had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not ſacrifice, yee would not have condemned the guiltleſs.]

And next, to the reſt of the objection, wee anſwer; That ſad experience tells the world, that if the Miniſters that wee are pleading for, bee laid aſide, there are not competent men enough to ſupplie their Rooms, and equally to promote the ſalvation of the flocks: This is acknowldged by them who ſtill give it as the reaſon why Miniſters are not to bee truſted with the expreſſing of their deſires in their own words, nor ſo much as to chuſe which Chapter to read, as well as which Text to preach on, to their Auditours, becauſe wee ſhall have Miniſters ſo weak, as to bee unfit for ſuch a truſt: And men that are not wiſe enough for ſo eaſie a part of their duty, as to chuſe fit portions of Scripture to read, are unlikely to afford an equal aſſiſtance to the ſalvation of the people inſtead of the labours of ſuch as wee are ſpeaking for.

7 And it muſt bee remembred that in our Ordination, wee muſt profeſs that [wee are perſwaded that the Holy Scriptures contain ſufficiently all Doctrine, required of neceſſity for eternal ſalvation, &c.] and that wee will teach or maintain nothing as required of neceſſity to eternal ſalvation, but that which wee are perſwaded may bee concluded and proved by the ſame] and that one of the articles of the Church containeth the ſame doctrine of the ſcriptures ſufficiency: and to theſe wee are called to ſubſcribe; And the perſons that wee now ſpeak for, are ready to ſubſcribe to all contained in the Holy Scriptures, and willing to bee oblieged by the Laws of men to practiſe it: And hee that hath all things neceſſary to ſalvation is received of God, and ſhould therefore bee received by the Church, if the Apoſtles argument bee good, Rom. 14. 1. 3. [For God hath received him] ſeeing then you do profeſs that none of your Impoſitions that cannot bee concluded from the ſcripture, are neceſſary to ſalvation, let them not conſequentially bee made neceſſary to it, and more neceſſary than that which is ordinarily neceſſary.

If you ſay, that ſo many men ſhall bee forbidden to preach, unleſs they dare Subſcribe and uſe theſe things; you will tempt them to infer, that Preaching being ordinarily neceſſary to ſalvation, Rom. 10. 14. And theſe things called indifferent being made neceſſary to preaching and preferred before it, therefore they are made neceſſary to ſalvation, and preferred before that which God hath made neceſſary;

p. 9If it bee ſaid, that this will as much follow the making of any other indifferent thing to bee neceſſary to preaching, and ſo the Church ſhall make no orders; Wee anſwer.

1. That ſmaller things muſt not bee impoſed by unproportionable penalties.

2. That though the Church may prefer a ſober, peaceable Preacher before one that is Schiſmatical and unpeaceable (which is not at all to exclude Preaching) yet the Church may not make any thing neceſſary to Preaching it ſelf; that is of it ſelf unneceſſary, and not antecedently neceſſary, at leaſt by accident.

8. And if our Religion be laid upon your particular Liturgy, wee ſhall teach the Papiſts further to inſult, by asking us, where was our Religion two hundred years ago? The Common-Prayer-Book as differing from the Maſs-Book, being not ſo old, and that which might then bee the matter of a change, is not ſo unchangeable it ſelf, but that thoſe Alterations may bee accepted for ends ſo deſirable as are now before us.

9. And wee humbly crave that wee may not in this bee more rigorouſly dealt with, than the Paſtors and People of the Antient Churches were: If wee may not have the Liberty of the Primitive times, when for ought can bee proved, no Liturgical Forms were impoſed upon any Church, yet at leaſt let us have the liberty of the following Ages, when under the ſame Prince there were diverſity of Liturgies, and particular Paſtors, had the power of making and altering them for their particular Churches.

10. And if you ſhould reject (which God forbid) the moderate propoſals which now and formerly wee have made, wee humbly crave leave to offer it to your conſideration, what Judgement all the Proteſtant Churches are likely to paſs on your proceedings, and how your cauſe and ours will ſtand repreſented to them, and to all ſucceeding Ages. Though wee earneſtly deſire the tolleration of thoſe that are tollerable, and the peaceable Liberties of all that agree on the Catholick terms of Primitive Simplicity, in Doctrine, Worſhip and Diſcipline, yet have wee our ſelves ſo far drawn neer you, as that the world will ſay, you reject thoſe that are for Epiſcopacy it ſelf, and ſet Forms of Liturgy, and are not ſo much as charged by you at all, as diſagreeing in any point of Faith, if you ſhall reject us. If after our ſubmiſſion to His Majeſties Declaration, and after our own Propoſals of the Primitive Epiſcopacy, and of ſuch a Liturgy as here wee tender, wee may not bee permitted to p. 10exerciſe our Miniſtery, or enjoy the Publick Worſhip of God, the Pens of thoſe learned, moderate Biſhops will bear witneſs againſt you, that were once employed as the chief Defenders of that cauſe (wee mean ſuch as Reverend Biſhop Hall, and Uſher) who have publiſhed to the world, that much leſs than this might have ſerved to our fraternal Unity and Peace. If you would not grant this Liberty, and Communion to others, with whom Chriſt will hold Communion in grace and glory; yet it will appear more ſtrange to the world, that you ſhould caſt out the Epiſcopal alſo, that dare not go beyond the Rule of Holy Scripture, and the Example of Primitive Simplicity.

And wee doubt not but you know, how new and ſtrange a thing it is that you require in the point of Re-ordination: When a Canon amongſt thoſe called the Apoſtles depoſeth thoſe that Re-ordain, and that are re-ordained; And when it is a thing that both Papiſts and Proteſtants condemn, when not onelyonly the former Biſhops of England, that were more moderate were againſt it, but even the moſt ſervent adverſaries of the Presbyterian way; ſuch as Biſhop Bancroft himſelf, how ſtrange muſt it needs ſeem to the Reformed Churches to the whole Chriſtian world, and to future Generations, that ſo many able, faithful Miniſters ſhould bee laid by as broken Veſſels, becauſe they dare not bee re-ordained? and that ſo many have been put upon ſo new and ſo generally diſ-reliſhed a thing?

11. And wee crave leave to remember you, that the Holy Ghoſt hath commanded you to over-ſee the flock, not by conſtraint, but willingly, not as being Lords over Gods Heritage, but as Enſamples to the Flock: And that it is not onelyonly more comfortable to your ſelves to bee loved as the Fathers, than to be eſteemed the Afflicters of the Church, but that it is needful to the ends of your Miniſtry for the people… When you are loved, your Doctrine will more eaſily bee received: But when men think that their ſouls or liberties are endangered by you, its eaſie to judge how much they are like to profit by you.

12. And you know if wee are not in point of Ceremonies or Forms in every thing of your mind; it is no more ſtrange to have variety of intellectual Apprehenſions in the ſame Kingdome and Church, than variety of temperatures and degrees of age and ſtrength. If His Majeſty ſhould expel all thoſe from his Dominions, that are not ſo wiſe, as ſolidly to judge, whether the Liturgy as before, or as thus reformed, bee the beſt, yea whether this bee intollerable in p. 11compariſon of yours, and whether God bee pleaſed or diſpleaſed with your Ceremonies, it would bee too great a diminution of his ſubjects, and if you ſhould turn all ſuch out of the Kingdome of Chriſt, it would bee liker a diſſipating, than a gathering, and a deſtroying, than an edifying of his Church: And you have not your power to deſtruction, but to edification, 2 Cor. 10. 8. & 13. 10. you muſt do all things for the peoples edifying, 2 Cor. 12. 19. Epheſ. 4. 12.

13. And how Chriſt will take it of you, to caſt out from the Miniſtry or Communion of the Church, or to grieve and puniſh all thoſe that dare not conform to you in theſe matters; for fear of diſpleaſing the Law-giver of the Church, wee beſeech you judge (when your ſouls are moſt ſeriouſly thinking of the day of your Accounts) by ſuch paſſages of Holy Scripture as may fully acquaint you with his mind. Hee is himſelf a merciful High-Prieſt, a gracious Saviour, a tender Governour. Hee deſpiſeth not the day of ſmall things, Zech. 4. 10. Hee feedeth his flock like a Shepherd, hee gathereth his Lambs with his Arm, and carrieth them in his boſome, and gently leadeth thoſe that are with young, Iſa. 40. 11. A bruiſed reed will hee not break, and the ſmoaking flax will hee not quench, Iſa. 42. 3. Matth. 12. 20. God doth inſtruct the Plow-man to diſcretion, and teacheth him not to threſh the Fetches with a Threſhing-inſtrument, nor to turn the Cart-wheel upon the Cummin, but the Fetches are beaten out with a ſtaff, and the Cummin with a rod, Iſa. 28. 26, 27. Gods Servants are his Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. Hee will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his Son that ſerves him, and hee that toucheth them, toucheth the apple of his eye, Zech. 2. 8. Remember the neer relation they ſtand in to God in Chriſt, that they are the children of God, co-heirs with Chriſt, Rom. 8. 17. The members of his body, his fleſh and bone, which hee cannot hate, who ever hate them, Epheſ. 5. 29, 30. Remember how dear they coſt him, and to what honour hee will advance them; and that theſe ſame perſons that love him in ſincerity, muſt be where hee is, to behold his glory, Joh. 12. 26. & 17. 24. and ſhall be like the Angels of God, Luk. 20. 36. and ſhall judge the world, 1 Cor. 6. 2, 3. and that Chriſt will come to bee glorified and admired in them, 2 Theſ. 1. 10. and they ſhall ſhine forth as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father, Mat. 13. 43. Remember with what tender uſage hee treated his weak imperfect members upon earth, and when hee was aſcending to prepare a place for them, that they might bee with him where hee is, how affectionately p. 12hee beſpeaketh them, Joh. 20. 17. Go to my Brethren, and ſay unto them, I aſcend up to my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. And leſt you ſhould ſay, that hee will not own thoſe little ones, that (whether for Truths ſake, or for their infirmities) do bear diſgraceful titles in the world; Remember that at the day of udgement hee will ſay, Inaſmuch as you did it not, or did it, to one of the leaſt of theſe my Brethren, you did it not, or did it unto mee, Mat. 25. 40. 45. If his Elect cry to him day and night, though hee bear long, hee will avenge them, and that ſpeedily, Luke 18. 7, 8. Bear with us while wee add this terrible paſſage, which wee once before made mention of, Mat. 18. 5, 6. [Who ſo ſhall receive one ſuch little childe in my name, receiveth mee; but whoſe ſhall offend one of theſe little ones that beleeve in mee, it were better for him that a Milſtone were hanged about his neck, and that hee were drowned in the depth of the Sea.] Undoubtedly if you conſider duly by ſuch paſſages, how Chriſt will take it to have his ſervants not onelyonly notviſited, not-relieved, but to bee afflicted, not onelyonly in body, but in ſoul, with that great affliction to be caſt out of the Miniſtry, or Church, for an unavoidable diſſent in things indifferent, you will never joyn with thoſe that ſhall ſtretch forth a hand againſt them for ſuch a cauſe as this. If yet the old pretence be made, that they ſuffer as Schiſmaticks, and diſobedient; wee muſt ſay again, if any ſhall make men diſobedient by impoſing things unneceſſary, which they know are by learned, pious, peaceable men, eſteemed ſins againſt the Lord, and then ſhall thus heavily afflict them for the diſobedience which they may eaſily cure by the forbearance of thoſe impoſitions; let not our ſouls come into their ſecret, nor our honour be united to their Aſſembly: If they ſhall ſmite or caſt out a ſuppoſed Schiſmatick, and Chriſt ſhall finde an able, holy, peaceable Miniſter, or other Chriſtian, wounded, or mourning, out of doors, let us not be found among the Actors, nor ſtand among them in the day of their accounts, when tribulation ſhall be recompenced to the Troublers of beleevers, 2 Theſ. 1. 6.

14. Wee beſeech you alſo to conſider, that men have not their underſtandings at their own command, much leſs can they be commanded by others, if they were never ſo willing to beleeve all that is impoſed on them to bee lawful, they cannot therefore beleeve it, becauſe they would, the intellect being not free. And to diſſemble, and ſay, and ſwear, and do, the things which they beleeve not, is ſuch an aggravated hypocriſie (being in the matters of God, and p. 13joyned with perfidiouſneſs) as wee may ſuppoſe cannot render them acceptable to any, that have not renounced Religion and Humanity, much leſs ſhould they bee conſtrained to it. And when it is known that mens judgements are againſt the things impoſed, and that penalties are no means adapted to the informing and changing of the judgement; but to force men to do the things they know, wee conceive they ſhould not bee uſed, and ſo uſed in the caſe of things indifferent, where they are not neceſſary to the common good, and where the ſufferers, have never had ſufficient means to change their judgements.

If it be ſaid, that it is their own ſault, that their judgements are not changed, and that the means have been ſufficient.

Wee anſwer, That it is their fault, is the point in queſtion, which the Sword can eaſilier take for granted, than the Tongue or Pen can prove: But if it be ſo, it is their fault, as it is that they are the Sons of Adam, partakers of the common corruption of humane nature; and as it is their fault that they are not all of the higheſt form in the School of Chriſt, above the common ignorance and frailties of beleevers, and that they are not all the moſt judicious Divines of the moſt ſubtile wits, and had not the ſame education and ſociety to advance your opinions, and repreſent things to their underſtandings, juſt as they are repreſented unto yours. And if men muſt be caſt out of the Church, or Miniſtry, becauſe they are not wiſer than ſuch learned men, as the Paſtors of the moſt of the Reformed Churches, and as Hilderſham, Bar…e, Parker, Ames Dod, Ball, Nichols, and many ſuch others as have here taken this conformity to be a ſin, how few, alas, how very few will there be left!

And if it be ſaid, that men do willingly keep out the light. We muſt ſay, that few men are obſtinate againſt the opinions that tend to their eaſe and advancement in the world, and to ſave them from being vi…ified as Schiſmaticks, and undone; and when men profeſs before the Lord, that they do impartially ſtudy and pray for knowledge, and would gladly know the will of God at the deareſt rate; wee muſt again ſay, that thoſe men muſt prove that they know the diſſentors hearts, better than they are known to themſelves, that expect to be beleeved by charitable Chriſtians, when they charge them with wilful ignorance, or obſtinate reſiſting of the truth.

15. And wee crave leave to ask whether you do not your ſelves in ſome things miſtake, or may not do ſo for ought you know? and whether your underſtandings are not ſtill imperfect, and all men differ p. 14not in ſome opinions or other? And if you may miſtake in any thing, may it not be in as great things as theſe? can it be expected, that wee ſhould all be paſt erring about the ſmalleſt Ceremonies and Circumſtances of worſhip? And then ſhould not the conſciouſneſs of your own infirmity, provoke you rather to compaſſionate humane frailty, than to caſt out your Brethren, for as ſmall failings as your own?

16. And wee further offer to your conſideration, whether this be doing as you would be done by, would you be caſt out for every fault that is as bad as this? and doth this ſhew that you love your neighbours as your ſelves? Put your ſelves in their caſe, and ſuppoſe that you had ſtudied, conferred and prayed, and done your beſt to know whether God would have you to be Re-ordained, to uſe theſe Forms or Ceremonies, or Subſcriptions, or not? and having done all, you think that God would be diſpleaſed if you ſhould uſe them, would you then be uſed your ſelves, as your diſſenting Brethren are now uſed, or are like to bee; love them as your ſelves, and wee will crave no further favour for them.

17. But nothing more affecteth us, than to think of the Lamentable diviſions, that have been cauſed and are ſtill like to bee, whileſt things unneceſſary are ſo impoſed: And on the contrary, how bleſſed an unity and peace wee might injoy if theſe occaſions of diviſion were removed, and wee might but have leave to ſerve God as his Apoſtles did. As in Doctrinals, ten thouſand will ſooner agree in an Explicite belief of the Creed, than an hundred in an Explicite belief of all that Ockam or Scotus have determined; So in the matters of Government and worſhip; It is eaſier to agree upon few things, than upon many, upon great and certain and neceſſary things, than upon ſmall uncertain and unneceſſary things, and upon things that God himſelf hath revealed or appointed, than upon things that proceed from no ſurer an Original, than the wit or will of man. The ſtrict prohibition of adding to or diminiſhing from the things commanded by the Law-giver of the Church, Deut. 12. 3…. doth put ſuch a fear in the minds of multitudes of the loyal ſubjects of Chriſt, leſt by ſuch additions or diminutions in the matters of his worſhip, they ſhould provoke him to diſpleaſure, as will bee a certain perpetual hindrance to any common unity or Concord, in ſuch humane impoſitions, of which many of the ſervants of the jealous God will have a continual jealouſie.

With grieved hearts wee now renew the lamentable diviſions, p. 15occaſioned already by theſe Impoſitions, ever ſince the Reformation in the daies of King Edward 6th. and the grievous fruits of thoſe Diviſions! How they deſtroyed Charity (the character of Chriſts Diſciples) and exaſperated mens minds againſt each other: How they corrupted mens prayers and other exerciſes of devotions, and made them pray and preach againſt one another: How their tongues were emboldned to the cenſuring of each other, one party calling the other, Factious, Schiſmatical, Singular, and Diſobedient; and the other calling them Antichriſtian, Proud, Tirannical, Superſtitious, Perſecutors and Formaliſts: And ſuch language ſtill increaſing the uncharitableneſs and diviſions; till the increaſe of impoſing rigour on the one ſide, and of impatience under Sufferings on the other ſide, was too great a preparation to thoſe greater calamities which are yet bitter to the remembrance of all whoſe intereſts or paſſions have not Conquered their humanity. And the continuance of ſo much of the cauſes and effects, doth infallibly prove, that if the ſame impoſitions bee ſetled upon us, the ſame Heart-diviſions will bee ſtill continued: Brethren will diſdain the name and love of Brethren to each other; which yet Chriſt himſelf by condiſcending and reproving love, vouchſafeth to them all. Inſtead of loving one another with a pure heart, fervently, there will bee, if not hating, yet grudging at one another, cenſuring and deſpiſing one another; Which effects will ſtill increaſe their cauſe, and make one ſide think, that they are neceſſitated to bee more rigorous in their Coercions, and the other think that they are allowed to bee more cenſorious againſt thoſe by whom they ſuffer.

And how many thouſands on both ſides by ſuch a ſtream of temptations, will undoubtedly bee carried on in a courſe of Sin from day to day, and by heart ſin, and tongue ſin, by Pulpit ſins, or ſins in other parts of Worſhip, will diſhonour God and provoke him to indignation againſt them and the Land, wee may not without aſtoniſhment and grief of heart foreſee or foretell.

And its eaſie to foreſee how the innocent will bee numbred with the faulty, and thoſe that do but feel their ſufferings; and the ſufferings of the Church on theſe occaſions, and do but groan and ſigh to God, and pray for ſuccour and deliverance, will bee thought to bee guilty of diſcontent and faction, and bringing the Government of the Church, and conſequently of the Kingdome into hatred or diſlike, and ſo their ſufferings will be increaſed: And hee that is commanded by the Laws of humanity to be compaſſionately p. 16ſenſible of the Calamities of others, ſhall bee thought an offender for being ſenſible of his own. Its eaſie to fore-ſee, how thoſe expreſſions in mens Sermons, or Prayers, or familiar Conference, which ſeem to any miſ-underſtanding, or ſuſpicious, or maſicious hearers, to intimate any ſenſe of ſufferings, will be carried to the ears of Rulers, and repreſented as a crime? And nature having planted in all men an unwillingneſs to ſuffer, and denied to all men a love of calamity, and neceſſitated men to feel when they are hurt, and made the tongue and countenance the Index of our ſenſe; theſe Effects will be unavoidable, while ſuch Impoſitions are continued, and while a fear of ſinning will not ſuffer men to ſwallow and digeſt them, and what wrong ſuch diviſions about Religion will be to the Kingdome; and to His Majeſty, wee ſhall not mention, becauſe our Governours themſelves may better underſtand it.

On the other ſide, what univerſal eaſe, and peace, and joy would be the fruits of that happy unity and concord, which the reaſonable forbearances which wee humbly petition for, would certainly produce; how comfortable would our Miniſterial labours bee, when wee had no ſuch temptations, burdens, or diſquietments? When wee lay not under the Reproofs of Conſcience, nor the ſuſpicions, or diſpleaſure of our Superiours, but might ſerve the Lord without diſtraction, and bee among his ſervants without ſuch fears, (Phil. 1. 14. 1 Cor. 16. 10.) How much would the hands of the Builders be ſtrengthened for the work of God, when they ſpeak the ſame things, and there are no diviſions among them, but they are perfectly joyned together in the ſame minde and judgement, 1 Cor. 1. 10. when they are like-minded, having the ſame love, being of one accord, of one minde, doing nothing through ſtrife or vain glory, which will never be while the one calls the other factious and ſchiſmatical, and the other calleth him ſuperſtitious and tyrannical; but when Chriſt hath taught us in lowlineſs of minde to eſteem others better than our ſelves, and not to look every man on his own things (his own gifts, and virtues, and worth, and intereſt) but every man alſo on the things of others; and till the ſame mind bee in us, that was in Chriſt Jeſus, that humbled himſelf, and took upon him the form of a ſervant, and made himſelf of no Reputation, Phil. 1. 2, to 9. How much ſhould wee honour the Body, the Spirit, the Hope, the Lord, the Faith, the Baptiſm, the God and Father of all Beleevers, which are one, if wee were one among our ſelves, which will never be, till with lowlineſs, and meekneſs, and long-ſuffering, p. 17wee forbear one another in love, inſtead of hating, reviling and perſecuting one another; and till wee endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit (though given in various degrees) rather than an unity in unneceſſary things) in the bond of peace, Epheſ. 4. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. and till the well-joynted and compacted body do edifie it ſelf in love, by a due contribution of mutual ſupply, and grow in Chriſt the proper head, inſtead of contending with it ſelf, and diſ-joynting and tearing it ſelf into peeces, becauſe of our different meaſure of underſtanding, and our unavoidable differences about ſome ſmall unneceſſary things, verſ. 13, 14, 15, 16. How beautiful would our holy Aſſemblies be, and how delightful the worſhip of God there celebrated, if wee had all laid by, the unchriſtian ſpirit of hatred, envy, emulation, murmuring, wrath, variance, ſtrife, hereſies, ſeditions, and all uncharitableneſs, and with one minde, and one mouth did glorifie God (Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. Rom. 15. 16.) which will never be done, till thoſe that are ſtrong do bear the infirmities of the weak, and pleaſe not themſelves, but every one of us pleaſe his neighbour, for his good to edification, inſtead of vilifying him, or undoing him; and till inſtead of caſting each others out of the Church or Miniſtry, on the account of things indifferent, wee received one another, as Chriſt received us to the glory of God, Rom. 15. 1, 2, 6, 7. and till wee are thus like-minded one towards another; according to Chriſt Jeſus, verſ. 5. inſtead of being ſelfiſhly minded as men, or maliciouſly as enemies (1 Cor. 3. 3. 1 Cor. 14. 20. Col. 3. 8. Titus 3. 3.) If the very Babes were fed with the ſincere Milk of the Word, and all malice, and guile, and hypocriſie, and envies, and evil-ſpeaking were laid aſide, it would prove the beſt way to their growth, and a ſurer way to your preſent and eternal peace, than caſting them out becauſe they cannot bear your burdens, or digeſt ſome unneceſſary things, 1 Pet. 2. 1, 2, 3. How good and how happy a thing would it bee for Brethren to dwell together in unity? (Pſal. 133. 1.) And as thoſe that by one ſpirit are baptized into one body, and know they have need of one another, to contribute honour to the parts that lack it; yea to beſtow more abundant honour upon thoſe members which wee think to be leſs honourable, and more abundant comlineſs, on the uncomely parts, as knowing thoſe members are neceſſary that ſeem to be more feeble. If indeed wee would have no Schiſm in the body, the natural way is, for the members to have the ſame care one for another, as ſuffering all with one that ſuffereth, and rejoycing all with one that's honoured, p. 181 Cor. 12. 12, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. Take their ſufferings as your own, and you will not be haſty to bring them unto ſuffering. It muſt be the Primitive Simplicity of Faith, Worſhip, and Diſcipline, that muſt reſtore the Primitive Charity, Unity, and Peace, and make the multitude of Beleevers to bee of one heart, and of one ſoul, and to converſe with gladneſs and ſingleneſs of heart, as having all things common, Act. 4. 32. & 2. 46. No ſuch things as our controverted Impoſitions, were then made neceſſary to the unity and concord of the members of the Church.

18. And wee humbly offer to your conſideration, which way will moſt gratifie Satan in his cauſe and ſervants, and which will moſt promote the work and intereſt of Jeſus Chriſt. The ungodly that have an inbred enmity to holineſs, and to the holy ſeed, will bee glad to ſee ſo many of them ſuffer, and glad under the ſhelter of your diſpleaſure and afflictings, to finde opportunity to reproach them, and add affliction to affliction. The common adverſaries of our Religion, and of the King and Kingdome will rejoyce to ſee us weakned by our Diviſions, and employed in afflicting or cenſuring one another, and to ſee ſo many able Miniſters laid aſide, that might do much diſpleaſure to Satan, by the weakening of his Kingdome, and by promoting the Goſpel and Kingdome of the Lord. And whether this will tend to the edification of the Saints, and the pleaſing of Chriſt, wee have inquired before.

19. And if what you ſtand for, bee indeed of God, this courſe of unmerciful impoſition, is the greateſt wrong to it, that you can eaſily bee drawn to, unawars; while ſomany truly fearing God, are caſt out or trodden down, and tempted to think ill of that which themſelves and the Church thus ſuffer by, and when ſo many of the worſt befriend this way becauſe it gratifieth them, it tendeth to make your Cauſe judged of, according to the quality of its friends and adverſaries. And how great a hand this very thing hath had already in the diſlike of that is befallen Dioceſans, Ceremonies, and the Liturgie, is a thing too generally known to need proof.

20. Laſtly wee repeat what formerly wee have ſaid, that the Holy Ghoſt hath already ſo plainly decided the point in controverſie, in the inſtance of meats and daies, Rom 14. 15. that it ſeemeth ſtrange to us that yet it ſhould remain a Controverſie. A weak Brother that maketh an unneceſſary difference of meats and daies, is not to bee caſt out, but ſo to bee received and not to bee troubled with ſuch doubtful diſputations: Deſpiſing and judging the ſervants p. 19of the Lord, whom hee receiveth and can make to ſtand, and that upon ſuch ſmall occaſion is unbeſeeming true Beleevers, verſ. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. All ſhould bee here left to the full perſwaſion of their own minde, verſ. 5. Both parties here acknowledgeth the ſoveraignty of Chriſt, and in obſerving, or not obſerving ſuch things, they do it all to him, verſ. 6, 7, 8, 9. his judgement ſhould affright us from deſpiſing or judging one another, verſ. 10, 11, 12. inſtead of judging others wee ſhould judge it our duty, that none of us put a ſtumbling block, or occaſion to fall in his Brothers way; verſ. 13. If wee grieve thoſe that eſteem that unclean which we do not, wee walk not charitably; deſtroy not the work of God, nor him for whom Chriſt died, by your indifferent things; verſ. 14, 15, 20. It is evil to him that judgeth it to be evil. verſ. 14, 20. Do you beleeve theſe things to bee indifferent, have this belief to your ſelf before God, and condemn not your ſelves in that which you allow, verſ. 22. your Brother is damned if hee practiſe doubtingly, for whatſoever is not of Faith is ſin. verſ. 23. and you drive him upon damnation! Wee may well conclude then, that it is good, even your ſelves to avoid ſuch things unneceſſary, by which your Brother ſtumbleth, is offended, or made weak. verſ. 21. Much more to forbear the forcing them upon him, which thoſe that the Apoſtle reproveth did not attempt. It is the Kingdome of God that wee muſt all promote; and that Kingdome conſiſteth not in meat or drink, but in righteouſneſs, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoſt. And hee that in theſe things ſerveth Chriſt, is acceptable to God, and ſhould bee approved of men verſ. 17, 18. Let us therefore follow after the things, which make for peace, and things wherewith one may Edifie another. verſe 19.

If you ſay, Rulers impoſition maketh indifferent things ceaſe to be indifferent? Wee anſwer,

1. They are not indifferent, in the judgement of diſſenters, though they bee ſo in yours.

2. Paul was a Ruler of the Church himſelf, and yet would deny his own Liberty, rather than offend the weak, ſo far was hee from taking away the liberty of others: 1 Cor. 8. 13. And it is to the Church of Rome and Corinth, and ſo to the Paſtours as well as the reſt, that Paul thus writeth: Wee beſeech you therefore plead not Law againſt us, when our requeſt is that you will joyn with us in Petitioning, to his Majeſty, and the Parliament, that there may bee no ſuch Law.

p. 20The Apoſtles and Elders Act. 15. 28. declare unto the Churches, that it ſeemed good to the Holy Ghoſt, and them, to lay upon them, no greater burden, than neceſſary things; impoſing them becauſe antecedently neceſſary (for that is given as the reaſon, of their ſelection, and impoſition) and not only making unneceſſary things, neceſſary, by impoſition, for then the Impoſition had been unneceſſary, though it was not a ſimple, unchangeable neceſſity, yet it was a neceſſity by accident, pro tempore & loco; antecedent to the impoſition of that aſſembly. Seeing then ſuch things commend us not to God; and if you uſe them, at leaſt, you are not the better. Sin not againſt Chriſt, by ſinning againſt your brethren, 1 Cor. 8. 8, 9, 11, 12. much more take heed of forcing them to ſin.

Wee have preſumed to bee thus plain and large, in ſhewing you ſome of our Reaſons, for your conſent, to the neceſſary abatement, of things unneceſſary to the Conſciences of your Brethren.

In the concluſion, wee beſeech you to compare with theſe the Reaſons, that can move you to deny us theſe requeſts. If you will needs uſe ſuch things your ſelves, will it gain you ſo much to force them upon others, as will anſwer all the foreſaid Inconveniences? Will it coſt you as dear to grant this Liberty, or abate theſe things, as the Impoſition will coſt your Brethren and you? O how eaſily, how ſafely, how cheaply, yea, with what commodity and delight, may you now make this Nation happy, in granting your Brethren theſe requeſts?

If you ſay that others will bee ſtill unſatisfied, and you ſhall never know when you have done: Wee anſwer,

1. The cauſe of the Non-conformiſts hath been long ago ſtated, at the troubles at Frank-ford, and having continued ſtill the ſame, you have no reaſon to ſuſpect them of any conſiderable change.

2. Grant us but the freedome that Chriſt and his Apoſtles left unto the Churches; uſe neceſſary things, as neceſſary, and unneceſſary, as unneceſſary, and charitably bear with the infirmities of the weak, and tolerate the tolerable, while they live peaceably, and then you will know when you have done. And for the intolerable, wee beg not your Toleration: Wee intercede for thoſe that have Chriſt for their Interceſſor in the Higheſt: Wee know when all's done, there will bee Hereſies. 1 Cor. 11. 19. There will bee ſelf-lovers, covetous, bouſters, proud, blaſphemers, diſobedient to Parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, falſe accuſers, incontinent, fierce, deſpiſers of thoſe that are good, p. 21traytors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleaſures more than of God, having a form of godlineſs, while they deny the power. 2 Tim. 3. 2, 3, 4. There will bee filthy dreamers, that defile the Fleſh, deſpiſe Dominion, ſpeak evil of dignities. Jud. 8. And many will follow their pernicious ways, by reaſon of whom the way of truth will be evil ſpoken of. 2 Pet. 2. 2. It is not theſe for whom wee are Petitioners: But for thoſe that are faithful to God and the King, that fear offending, that agree with you in all things neceſſary to Salvation; and the common union of Beleevers, and that you are like to ſee at Chriſts right hand, who will finally juſtifie them, and take them to his glory. If you ſuppoſe us in all this to have Pleaded our own cauſe; Wee hope wee are not ſuch as are intolerable in the Miniſtry or communion of the Church: if you ſuppoſe us to Plead the cauſe of others, wee hope you will accept our deſires as impartial, when it is ſuppoſed the perſons differ from us as well as from you. Wee have now faithfully, and not unneceſſarily, or unreaſonably, ſpread before you the Caſe of thouſands of the upright of the Land: Wee have propoſed honeſt and ſafe remedies for our preſent diſtractions, and the preventing of the feared increaſe. Wee humbly beg your Favourable Interpretation of our plain and earneſt language, which the urgency of the Cauſe commands, and your conſent to theſe our neceſſary requeſts: which if you grant us, you will engage us to thankfulneſs to God and you, and to imploy our faculties and intereſts with Alacrity to aſſiſt you for the common peace. But if you reject our ſuit (which God forbid) Wee ſhall commit all to him that judgeth Righteouſly, and wait in hope for the bleſſed day of Univerſal Judgement, when the Lord of Hoſts their ſtrong redeemer ſhall throughly plead his peoples cauſe, and execute Judgement for them, and bring them forth into the light, and they ſhall behold his Righteouſneſs. In the mean time, wee will bear the indignation of the Lord, becauſe wee have ſinned againſt him. Come Lord Jeſus! Come quickly;

Amen.