The Furtherance and Propagation of the Gospel, Discourse
PROPOSALS FOR The furtherance and propagation of the GOSPELL in this NATION. As the ſame were humbly preſented to the Honourable Committee of Parliament by divers Miniſters of the Goſpell, and others. As alſo, Some Principles of Chriſtian Religion, without the beliefe of which, the Scriptures doe plainly and clearly affirme, Salvation is not to be obtained.
Which were alſo preſented in explanation of one of the ſaid Propoſals.
LONDON, Printed for R. Ibbitſon dwelling in Smithfield neer Hoſier Lane. 165….
The humble Propoſals of the Miniſters who preſented the Petition to the Parliament, Feb. the eleventh, and other perſons, for the furtherance and propagation of the Goſpell in this Nation.
Wherein they having had equall regard to all perſons fearing God (though of differing judgements) doe hope that they will alſo tend to union and peace.
I.
THat perſons of godlineſſe, and Gifts in the Univerſities and elſewhere, though not ordained, may be admitted to preach the Goſpel, being approved, when they are called thereunto.
II. That no Perſon ſhall be admitted to triall and approbation, unleſſe he bring a teſtimoniall of his piety and ſoundneſſe in the faith, under the hands of ſix godly Miniſters, and Chriſtians, gathered together for that end and purpoſe, unto whom he is perſonally knowne, of which number two at the leaſt to be Miniſters.
III. That a certaine number of Perſons, Miniſters, and others of eminency and knowne ability and godlineſſe, be appointed to ſit in every County to examine, judge, and approve all ſuch perſons, as being called to preach the Goſpel have received teſtimonials as above; and in caſe there ſhall not be found a competent number of ſuch perſons in the ſame County, that others, of one or more neighbouring Counties, be joyned to them.
IV. That care be taken for removing the reſidue of Miniſters who are ignorant, ſcandalous, non-reſidents, or diſturbers of the publick peace; and likewiſe of all Schoole-maſters, who ſhall be found Popiſh, ſcandalous, or diſ-affected to the Government of this Common-wealth.
V. That to this end a number of Perſons, Miniſters, and others of eminent piety, zeale, faithfulneſſe, ability and prudence, be appointed by authority of Parliament to goe through the Nation, to inquire after, examine, judge of, and eject all ſuch perſons as ſhall be found unfit for the Miniſtry, or teaching Schooles, being ſuch as are above deſcribed.
VI. That for the expediting of this worke, theſe perſons may be aſſigned in ſeverall Companies or Committees to the ſix circuits of the Nation, to reſide in each of the Counties for ſuch a convenient ſpace of time as ſhall be requiſite untill the worke be done, calling to their aſſiſtance in their reſpective Circuits ſuch godly and able perſons, Miniſters, and others in each of the Counties where they ſhall then reſide, to aſsiſt them in this worke as they ſhall thinke fit; That theſe perſons ſo ſent, and Commiſsionated may bee impowred, before they ſhall depart out of each County, to returne and to repreſent to the Parliament the names of fit and ſufficient Perſons, Miniſters, and others, to be appointed Approvers of ſuch as ſhall bee called to preach the Goſpel in ſuch Counties▪ and that in the meane time the Perſons ſo commiſsio…ed as aforeſaid, ſhall have power, while they reſide in each County, to examine, judge, and approve of ſuch perſons, as having a Call to preach the Goſpel in ſuch County, ſhall upon ſuch teſtimoniall as aforeſaid, offer themſelves to ſuch examination.
VII. That it be propoſed, That the Parliament be pleaſed to take ſome ſpeedy and effectuall courſe, either by impowring the perſons in the ſeverall Counties to be appointed for triall, and approbation of ſuch perſons as ſhall be called to preach the Goſpell there, or in ſuch other way as they ſhall thinke fit, for the uniting and dividing of Pariſhes in the ſeverall Counties and Cities within this Common-wealth, in reference to the preaching the Goſpel there, ſaving the civill rights and priviledges of each Pariſh.
VIII. That the Miniſters ſo ſent forth and eſtabliſhed be enjoyned, and required to attend the ſolemne Worſhip of God in Prayer, Reading, and Preaching the Word, Catechiſing, expounding the Scriptures, and (as occaſion ſhall require) viſiting the Sicke, and inſtructing from houſe to houſe, reſiding amongſt the People to whom they are ſent, and uſing all care and diligence by all wayes and meanes to win ſoules unto Chriſt.
IX. That as it is deſired, That no perſons be required to receive the Sacraments further then their light ſhall lead them unto; ſo no perſon ſent forth to Preach, and already placed, or which ſhall be placed in any Pariſh within this Nation, be compelled to adminiſter the Sacraments to any, but ſuch as he ſhall approve of as fit for the ſame.
X. That a Law may be provided, That all perſons what…ever within this Nation, be required to attend unto the publick preaching of the Goſpell every Lords Day, in places commonly allowed, and uſually called Churches, except ſuch perſons as through ſcruple of Conſcience doe abſtaine from thoſe Aſſemblies.
XI. That whereas divers perſons are not ſatisfied to come to the publick places of hearing the Word upon this account, that thoſe places were dedicated and conſecrated, that the Parliament will be pleaſed to declare, That ſuch places are made uſe of, and continued only for the better conveniency of perſons meeting together for the publick Worſhip of God, and upon no other conſideration.
XII. That all perſons diſſenting to the Doctrine and way of Worſhip owned by the State, or conſenting thereunto, and yet not having the advantage or opportunity of ſome of the publicke meeting places, commonly called Churches, be required to meet (if they have any conſtant meetings) in places publickly knowne, and to give notice to ſome Magiſtrate of ſuch their places of ordinary meetings.
XIII. That this Honourable Committee be deſired to propoſe to the Parliament, That ſuch who doe not receive, but oppoſe thoſe Principles of Chriſtian Religion, without the acknowledgement whereof the Scriptures doe clearly and plainly affirme, that ſalvation is not to be obtained (as thoſe formerly complained of by the Miniſters) may not be ſuffered to preach, or promulgate any thing in oppoſition unto ſuch Principles.
And further, That the Parliament be deſired to take ſome ſpeedy and effectuall courſe for the utter ſuppreſsing of that abominable cheat of Aſtrologie, whereby the mindes of multitudes are corrupte… …nd turned aſide from dependancy upon the providence of God, to put their truſt in the lyes of men, and deluſions of Satan.