Reasons Showing the Necessity of Reformation of the Public, Title page – Dedication
REASONS SHEWING the Neceſsity of Reformation of the Publick
1. Doctrine,
2. Worſhip,
3. Rites and Ceremonies,
4. Church-Government,
and Diſcipline, Reputed to be (but indeed, not) Eſtabliſhed by LAW.
Humbly offered to the Serious Conſideration of this preſent PARLIAMENT.
By divers Miniſters of ſundry Counties in ENGLAND.
2 COR. 13.8. For, we can do nothing againſt the truth; but, for the truth.
LONDON: Printed by JA: COTTREL. MDCLX.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, THE Lords and Commons ASSEMBLED in PARLIAMENT.
IT is far from our thoughts to oppoſe, or diſparage Orthodox Doctrine, a well-compoſed Liturgy, Rites for decency and order, Ordination of Miniſters, Apoſtolical Epiſcopacie, or due Rules of Diſcipline. We are for all theſe, with Truth; and, againſt rigid Impoſitions which may debar a Chriſtian of any liberty allowed him by Christ.
Nor do we offer any Polemical Diſcourſe, or Theological Debates proper for a Divinity-School, or Synod: but onelyonly, what we humbly conceive more ſuitable to a Parliament. Our work, chiefly, is, out of thoſe Laws, which we, as Miniſters, are bound to take ſpecial notice of; and, out of thoſe Books ſaid to be by thoſe Laws ſettled; to make out theſe two things. First, that (ſo far as we can apprehend) neither the Articles of Religion, the Books of Com. Prayer, or Ordination, the Juriſdiction of Biſhops, claimed before 17 Car. 1. nor ſo much as their Being, as Biſhops, ſithence; nor thoſe Canons ſo much contended for, are indeed eſtabliſhed by Law. Secondly, that none of theſe, as they now ſtand, ought to be confirmed and ſetled. But, all, with ſubmiſsion. And this we truſt ſhall not be cenſured as Eccentrick. For, albeit we acknowledge the learned in the Law to be far more able in matter of Law, touching theſe things; yet, ſeeing every Subject is to inform himſelf of all ſuch Laws as more eſpecially concern his own calling, we hope it will not be judged an extravagancie, or preſumption in us, to produce thoſe Laws which more nearly concern all of our Function.
Of this, we apprehend ſome neceſsity. 1. Becauſe it is already too obvious, that too many (notwithſtanding all pretences of Moderation) do already fly higher than ever; ſome, in aſſerting Arminianiſme to be the Doctrine of the Church of England, thinking thereby to force all to imbrace it; ſome, in ſtickling for the Liturgy commonly uſed; ſome, ſtill holding up ſole Ordination by, and ſole Juriſdiction of Biſhops; and, all Canons, not onelyonly made in England, but in Rome it ſelf, (if not repugnant to our Laws;) labouring to poſſeſs the people that all theſe are ſettled by Law, and therefore to be continued, and impoſed, without alteration; and that all who ſeek a Reformation of them, do oppoſe and violate the eſtabliſhed Laws. 2. Becauſe if men go on in ſuch ways, and prevail therein, it is to be feared, that, in ſhort time, every Minister of different judgement, (how able, godly, and uſeful ſoever) will be put, not onelyonly out of his preſent place, but out of the Ministry alſo, as it hath already too often happened. And indeed, it can hardly be found in any age ſince the Conqueſt, that where Kings have not curbed the violence of Biſhops, they have ever ſharply perſecuted all that threw off Popery; which Perſecutions uſually produced Confuſions in the Commonwealth. For prevention whereof, we humbly beſeech all Noble Spirits, and faithful prudent Patriots, to look back upon the Mutinies, Inſurrections & Rebellions, in Edw. 6. his time, occaſioned by fomenting, and not moderating the furious Zeal even of thoſe that were most countenanced by that pious King; which notwithſtanding the Act of 1. Edw. 6.1. made many to flee ſo high, as exaſperated the other ſide ſo far, as that it put ſeveral parts of the Kingdom into Combustion. Nor will thoſe rivers of blood ſhed in Q. Maries days, by recalling the Biſhops and others formerly deprived, and giving way to their wonted tyranny, in the height thereof, be forgotten, while ought of Proteſtant Religion remaineth. Nor will it be unſeaſonable to reflect upon the throwing out of many worthy Ministers in Q. Elizabeths reign; and, of many moe, under K. James. For, that Noble King, immediately after his coming to the Crown, was ſo plyed by Biſhops, that, notwithſtanding the Conference at Hampton Court, the Prelatical Party prevailed ſo far, that the Liturgy (then much complained of) remained in greateſt part, and in the most material points, unreformed: to which, they all were compelled to ſubſcribe: which had never been required before; and many Illegal Canons were made, and inforced ſo far, that within the ſpace of two years (as was credibly reported) 70 Ministers were deprived, 113 not ſuffered to preach; and, about 94 more, were under Canonical Admonition, the next door to Deprivation. The carrying on of all which, together with the countenancing of Arminianiſm, formerly declared againſt, by that Learned King James (witneſs his promoting of the Synod of Dort) did ſo much, and ſo generally offend, and exaſperate, that, after many thouſands were compelled to leave their native Countries, to dwell in Meſech, and to take up their habitations in the tents of Kedar; others were drawn on to engage ſo deeply in the publick differences, (which, as to matters of Religion, were occaſioned by the continuing of the former corruptions, and by thoſe Canons, of 1639.) as produced all thoſe horrid and bloody effects, which we abhor to mention, and tremble to remember.
May it therefore pleaſe your Wiſdoms, Piety, and Goodneſs, to procure a review of all theſe things, after the example of the Parliament in 3.4. Edw. 6. and, to call ſome of the moſt moderate and able perſons of every different party to aſsiſt therein; and thereupon to ſettle all the things of God in a ſolid and moderate way, that all Ordinances of Christ may be reſtored to their priſtine Purity, all Chriſtians reduced to the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: and, in the mean time, nothing to be impoſed which may grieve or offend thoſe who ſhall be careful not to diſturb the Publick Peace. In order to which ends, we humbly recommend to your Noble and Pious thoughts, that of the Apostle; Let your moderation be known to all men; the LORD is at hand. For this, and for your Honours,
Your humble Servants ſhall ever pray.