AN HVMBLE REMONSTRANCE TO THE HIGH COURT of Parliament . Most Honourable Lords , And yee the Knights , Citizens and Burgesses , of the Honourable House of Commons ;

LEST the world should think the Presse had of late forgot to speake any language other then Libellous , this honest paper hath broken through the throng , and prostrates it selfe before you : How meanly soever , and unattended , it presents it selfe to your view , yet it comes to you on a great errand , as the faithfull Messenger of all the peaceable and right-affected sonnes of the Church of England ; and in their names , humbly craves a gracious admittance : Had it regarded the pomp and ostentation of names , it might have gloried in a train past number ; It is but a poore stock that may be counted ; Millions of hands ( if that tumultuary , and under-hand way of procured subscriptions could have reason to hope for favour in your eyes ) shall at your least Command , give attestation to that , which this scroll doth in their names humbly tender unto you .

Ye are now happily ( through Gods blessing ) met in a much-longed-for Parliament ; It were but a narrow word to say that the eyes of all us the good Subjects of the whole Realme are fixed upon your successe ; Certainly there are not more eyes in these three interessed Kingdomes , then are now bent upon you ; yea all the neighbour Churches and Kingdomes , if I may not say the whole Christian world , and , no small part beyond it , look wishly upon your faces , and with stretched-out necks gaze at the issue of your great Meeting ; Neither doubt wee but since Soveraigne Authority hath for this purpose both summoned , and actuated you , you will not faile to produce something worthy of so high an expectation .

Yee are the Sanctuary , whereto now every man flees , whether really , or pretendedly distressed ; Even a Ioab or Adonijah will bee also taking hold of the hornes of the Altar : Your noble wisedomes know how to distinguish of men and actions , and your inviolable justice knowes to award each his owne .

Many things there are doubtlesse , which you finde worthy of a seasonable reformation , both in Church and State . Neither can it be otherwise , but that in a pamperd full body , diseases will grow through rest . Ponds that are seldome scoured will easily gather mud ; metals , rust ; and those patients that have inured themselves to a set course of medicinall evacuations , if they intermit their springs and falls , fall into feverous distempers ; Not , that supreme , and immediately-subordinate Authority hath in the meane time been wanting to its charge ; Surely , unlesse wee would suppose Princes to be Gods , wee cannot think they can know all things : Of necessity they must look with others eyes , and heare with others eares , and be informed by others tongues , and act by others hands ; and when all is done , even the most regular , and carefullyinquisitive State is not like the Sunne , from whose light and heat nothing is hid .

It cannot be expected that those constellations which attend the Southerne Pole , should take view of our Hemisphere , or intermixe their influences with those above our heads ; Every agent is required , and allowed to work within the compasse of its own activitie : Yee therefore , who by the benefit of your dispersed habitations , enjoy the advantage of having the whole Kingdome , and all the corners of it within your eies , may both clearly see all those enormities , wherewith any part is infested , ( unknown to remoter intelligence ) and can best judge to apply meet remedies thereunto . Neither can it be , but that those eies of yours , which have been privately vigilant , within the places of your severall abodes , must needs ( not without much regret ) in this your publique Meeting , take notice of the miserable disorders of so many vicious and misaffected persons , as have thrust themselves upon your cognizance .

Whiles the Orthodoxe part in this whole Realme , hath ( to the praise of their patience ) been quietly silent , as securely conscious of their own right , and innocence , how many furious and malignant spirits every where have burst forth into sclanderous Libels , bitter Pasquines , railing Pamphlets ? ( under which more Presses then one have groaned ) wherein they have indeavoured , through the sides of some misliked persons , to wound that sacred Government , which ( by the joynt-confession of all reformed Divines ) derives it selfe from the times of the blessed Apostles , without any interruption , ( without the contradiction of any one Congregation in the Christian world ) unto this present age ; Wherein , as no doubt their lewd boldnesse hath been extremely offensive to your wisedomes , and piety , so may it please you to check this daring , and mis-grounded insolence of these Libellers , and by some speedy Declaration to let the world know , how much you detest this their malicious , or ignorant presumption ; and by some needfull Act to put a present restraint upon the wilde and lawlesse courses of all their factious combinations abroad , and enterprises of this kinde .

And if you finde it passe for one of the maine accusations against some great persons , now questioned before you , that they endeavoured to alter the forme of the established government of the Common-wealth ; how can these Pamphleters seem worthy of but an easie censure , which combine their counsels and practises , for the changing of the setled form of the government of the Church ? Since , if Antiquity may be the rule , the civill Politie hath sometimes varied , the sacred , never ; And if originall Authority may carry it ; that came from arbitrary imposers , this , from men inspired , and from them in an unquestionable clearnesse derived to us : And if those be branded for Incendiaries , which are taxed of attempting to introduce new formes of administration , and rules of Divine worship into our neighbour Church , how shall those boute-feux of ours escape , that offer to doe these offices to our owne ? the severall , and daily variable projects whereof , are not worthy of your knowledge , or our confutation ; Let me have leave to instance in two , the prime subjects of their quarrell , and contradiction ; Leitourgie , and Episcopacy .

The Liturgie of the Church of England hath been hitherto esteemed sacred , reverently used by holy Martyrs , daily frequented by devout Protestants , as that , which more then once hath been allowed and confirmed by the Edicts of religious Princes , and by your own Parliamentary Acts ; and but lately , being translated into other Languages , hath been entertained abroad , with the great applause of forraigne Divines and Churches ; Yet , now , begins to complain of scorn at home : The Matter is quarrelled by some , the Form by others , the Use of it by both : That which was never before heard of in the Church of God , whether Jewish , or Christian , the very prescription of the most holy devotion offendeth . Surely , our blessed Saviour , and his gracious Fore-runner , were so farre from this new Divinitie , as that they plainly taught that , which these men gain-say ; a direct forme of prayer ; and such , as that part of the frame prescribed by our Saviour , was composed of the formes of devotion then formerly usuall ; And Gods people ever since Moses his daies , constantly practised it ; and put it over unto the times of the Gospel ; under which , whiles it is said that Peter and John went up to the Temple at the ninth houre of prayer , we know the prayer wherewith they joyned was not of an extemporary , and sudden conception , but of a regular prescription ; the formes whereof are yet extant , and ready to be produced ; And the Euangelicall Church , ever since , thought it could never better improve her peace , and happinesse , then in composing those religious models of invocation and thanksgiving ; which they have traduced unto us : And can ye then with patience think , that any ingenuous Christian should be so farre mis-transported , as to condemne a good prayer , because , as it is in his heart , so it is in his book too ? Far be it from me to dishearten any good Christian from the use of conceived prayer , in his private devotions ; and upon occasion also , in the publique ; I would hate to be guilty of pouring so much water upon the spirit , to which I shall gladly adde oyle rather ; No , let the full soule freely poure out it self in gracious expressions of its holy thoughts , into the bosome of the Almighty : Let both the sudden flashes of our quick ejaculations , and the constant flames of our more fixed conceptions mount up from the altar of a zealous heart , unto the throne of Grace ; and if there be some stops or solecismes in the fervent utterance of our private wants , these are so far fro being offensive , that they are the most pleasing musique to the eares of that God , unto whom our prayers come : Let them be broken off with sobs , and sighes , and incongruities of our delivery , our good God is no otherwise affected to this imperfect elocution , then an indulgent Parent is to the clipped , and broken language of his deare childe , which is more delightfull to him then any others smooth Oratory ; This is not to be opposed in another , by any man that hath found the true operation of this grace in himselfe : But in the meane time , let the publique formes of the sacred Church-Liturgie have its due honour ; Let this , by the power of your Authoritie be re-inforced , as that which being selected , out of ancient models , ( not Romane , but Christian ) and contrived by the holy Martyrs , and Confessors of the blessed Reformation of Religion , hath received abundant supply of strength , both from the zealous recommendation of foure most religious Princes , and your own most firme and peremptory establishment ; Amongst which powerfull inducements , that is worthy of no sleight consideration , which I humbly tender unto you , from the judgement of the learnedst King that ever sate upon this Throne , or ( as I verily think ) since Solomons time , upon any other ; King Iames of blessed memory , who ( however mis-alledged by some , as letting fall disgracefull speeches concerning this subject ) after a solemne hearing of those exceptions , which were taken by some against this open forme of Common-prayer , ( as it is called in Queen Elizabeths Act for uniformity ) shuts up in his Proclamation given at Westminster , the fifth of March , in the first yeare of his raigne , with these words ; And last of all , We admonish all men , that hereafter they shall not expect or attempt any farther alteration into the Common and publike forme of Gods service , from this , which is now established ; For that , neither will We give way to any , to presume , that Our own judgement having determined in a matter of this weight , shall be swayed to alteration , by the frivolous suggestion of any light spirit ; Neither are We ignorant of the inconveniences that doe arise in Government , by admitting innovation in things once setled by mature deliberation : And how necessary it is to use constancy in the upholding of the publique determinations of States ; for that such is the unquietnesse , and unstedfastnesse of some dispositions , affecting every yeare new formes of things , as , if they should be followed in their unconstancie , would make all actions of State , ridiculous and contemptible ; whereas the stedfast maintaining of things , by good advise established , is the weale of all Common-wealths .

Thus , that great Oracle of Wisedome , and Learning , whom I beseech you suppose , that you still heare directing this prudent and religious advise to your present eares ; and consider how requisite it is for you , out of the reason both of State , and pietie , to rest in that his sound , and exquisite judgement . As for those particularities of exceptions which have been taken by some at certain passages of that Book , they have more then once received full satisfaction , by other pens : Let me onely say thus much , That were the Readers but as charitable , as the Contrivers were religiously devout ; those quarrels had either never been raised , or had soone died , alone : Oh suffer not then , I beseech you , this holy form of Gods Service , to be exposed to the proud contempt of ignorant , and ill-affected persons ; maintain , and beare up the pious acts of your godly predecessors , yea , make good your owne : And if our holy Martyrs heretofore went to heaven with a Litany in their mouth ; Let not an ill advised newfanglenesse be suffered to put scorn upon that , wherein they thought themselves happy .

As for that forme of Episcopall Government , which hath hitherto obtained in the Church of God , I confesse , I am confounded in my selfe , to heare with what unjust clamours , it is cried down abroad , by either weak , or factious persons ; of either , or both which , I may well take up that word of our Saviour , Father forgive them , for they know not what they doe : Surely , could those look with my eies , they would see cause to be thoroughly ashamed of this their injurious mis-conceit ; and should be forced to confesse , that never any good cause had more reason to complain of a wrongfull prosecution ; Were this Ordinance meerly humane , and ecclesiasticall , if there could no more be said for it , but that it is exceeding ancient , of more then 1500 yeares standing , and that it hath continued in this Iland , since the first plantation of the Gospel , to this present day , without contradiction : A man would think this were enough plea to challenge a reverent respect , and an Immunity from all thoughts of alteration ; For , even nature if selfe teaches us to rise up before the hoare-head ; and hath wrought in us a secret honour , even to the very outward gravity of age ; and just policie teaches us , not easily to give way to the change of those things , which long use , and many Lawes have firmly established , as necessary , or beneficiall .

Yea , the wisedome of the ancient Grecians went so farre , as to forbid the removall of a well setled evill ; But , if religion teach us better things , and tell us , that nothing morally evill , can be setled well : and being , however , setled , had the more need to be ( after too long delay ) removed ; Yet right reason , and sound experience informe us , that things indifferent , or good , having been by continuance , and generall approbation well rooted in Church , or State ; may not upon light grounds be pulled up : But , this holy calling fetches its pedegree higher , even from no lesse , then Apostolicall ; ( and therefore , in that right , Divine ) institution ; For , although those things which the Founders and prime Governours of the Euangelicall Church did , as men , went no further then their own persons , yet , what they did as Apostles , is of an higher and more sacred consideration ; and , if as Apostolike men , they did , upon occasion , enact some temporary things , which were to die with , or before them , yet , those things which they ordained for the succeeding administration of the Church which they should leave behinde them , in all essentiall matters , can be no otherwise construed , then as exemplary , and perpetuall .

Now if to this Text , we shall adde the undoubted Commentary of the Apostles own practises , and to this Commentary , we shall super-adde the unquestionable glosse of the cleare practise of their immediate succeslors , in this administration , continued in Christs Church to this very day ; what scruple can remain in any ingenuous heart ? but , if any one resolve to continue unsatisfied , in spight of reason , and all evidence of history , and will wilfully shut his eies , with a purpose not to see the light , that man is past my cure , and almost my pity : The good God of heaven be mercifull to such a mis-zealous obstinacy : Certainly , except all histories , all Authors faile us , nothing can be more plain then this truth ; Out of them , we can , and doe shew , on whom the Apostles of Christ laid their hands , with an acknowledgement and conveyance of Imparity and Jurisdiction ; we shew what Bishops so ordained lived in the times of the Apostles ; and succeeded each other , in their severall charges , under the eies and hands of the then living Apostles ; We shew who immediately succeeded those immediate successors , in their severall Sees , throughout all the regions of the Christian Church ; and deduce their uninterrupted Line , through all the following ages , to this present day ; And if there can be better evidence under heaven , for any matter of fact , ( and in this cause , matter of fact so derived , evinceth matter of right ) let Episcopacy be for ever abandoned out of Gods Church ; But if these be ( as they are ) certain and irrefragable ; Alas , what strange fury possesseth the minds of ignorant , unstable men , that they should thus headily desire , and sue to shake off so sacred , and well grounded an Institution !

But I hear what they say ; It is not the office of Episcopacy that displeases , but the quality : The Apostles Bishops , and ours , were two ; Theirs was no other then a parochiall Pastor , a preaching Presbyter without inequalitie , without any rule over his brethren ; Ours claims an eminent superiority , whether in a distinct order , or degree ; and a power of Ordination , Jurisdiction , unknown to the Primitive times . Alas , alas , how good people may be abused by mis-information ! Heare , I beseech you , the words of truth and confidence ; If our Bishops challenge any other spirituall power , then was by Apostolique Authority delegated unto , and required of Timothy , and Titus , and the Angels of the seven Asian Churches , ( some whereof are known to us by name ) let them be disclaimed as usurpers ; and if we doe not shew , out of the genuine and undeniable writings of those holy men , which lived both in the times of the Apostles and some yeares after them , and conversed with them , as their blessed fellow-labourers , a cleare and received distinction , both of the names and offices of the Bishops , Presbyters , and Deacons , as three distinct subordinate Callings , in Gods Church , with an evident specification of the duty and charge belonging to each of them ; Let this claimed Hierarchy , be for ever hooted out of the Church : And if the bounty of religious Princes have thought meet to grace this sacred function , with some accession of titles , and maintenance ; far be it from us to think , that the substance and essentiall parts of that Calling is ought impaired , or altered , by such gracious munificence ; And , although ( as the world goes ) these honors cannot ballance the contempt of those eminent places ; and that portion ( which is now made hereditary to the Church ) cannot , in the most of these dignities , ( after all deductions ) boast of any superfluity , yet ( such as they are ) if any man have so little grace , and power of selfe-government , as to be puffed up with pride , or transported to an immoderation in the use of these adventitious favours ; the sin is personall , the calling free ; which may be , and is managed by others , with all humble sociablenesse , hospitall frugality , conscionable improvement of all meanes and opportunities to the good of Gods Church .

I may not yet dissemble , that , whiles we plead the divine right of Episcopacy , a double scandall is taken , by men , otherwise not unjudicious , and cast upon us from the usuall suggestions of some late Pamphleters ; The one , that we have deserted our former Tenet , not without the great prejudice of Soveraignty ; for , whereas we were wont to acknowledge the deriving of our Tenure , as in fee , from the beneficent hand of Kings , and Princes ; now as either proudly , or ungratefully casting off that just dependence , and beholdingnesse , we stand upon the claime of our Episcopacy , from a divine Originall ; The other , that , whiles we labour to defend the Divine right of our Episcopacy , we seeme to cast a dangerous imputation upon those Reformed Churches , which want that Government ; Both which , must be shortly cleared .

The former had never been found worth objecting , if men had wisely learned to consider , how little incompatiblenesse there is in this case , of Gods Act , and the Kings ; both of them have their proper object , and extent : The office is from God ; the place , and station , and power , wherein that office is exercised , is from the King ; it is the King that gives the Bishoprick , it is God that makes the Bishop ; Where was it ever heard of , that a Soveraigne Prince claimed the power of ordaining a Pastor in the Church ? this is derived from none , but spirituall hands : On the other side , who but Princes can take upon them , to have power to erect , and dispose of Episcopall Sees , within their own Dominions ? It is with a King , and a Bishop , as with the Patron , and the Incumbent : The Patron gives the Benefice to his Clerk , but pretends not to give him Orders , That this man is a Minister , he hath from his Diocesan ; that he is Beneficed , he hath from his Patron ; Whiles he acknowledgeth his Orders from the Reverend hands of his Bishop , doth he derogate ought from the bounty of a Patrons free presentation ? No otherwise is it with Episcopacy ; which thankfully professes to hold at once from God and the King ; Its calling , of God , its place and exercise of Jurisdiction , of the King : And , if it be objected , that both some former , and Modern Divines , both abroad ▪ and at home , borrowing S. Ieromes phrase , have held the superiority of Bishops over Presbyters , to be grounded rather upon the custome of the Church , then any appointment of Christ , I must answer ; First , that we cannot prescribe to other mens thoughts ; when all is said , men will take liberty , ( and who can hinder it ? ) to abound in their own sense : But secondly , if they shall grant ( as they shall be forced ) that this custome was of the Church Apostolicall , and had its rise , with the knowledge , approbation , practise of those inspired Legates of Christ , and was from their very hands recommended to the then present , and subsequent Church , for continuance ; there is no such great dissonance in the opinions , as may be worthy of a quarrell .

The second , is intended to raise envy against us , as the uncharitable censurers , and condemners of those Reformed Churches abroad , which differ from our Government : Wherein , we do justly complain of a sclanderous aspersion cast upon us ; We love and honour those Sister-Churches , as the dear Spouse of Christ ; we blesse God for them ; and we doe heartily wish unto them that happinesse in the partnership of our administration , which , I doubt not , but they doe no lesse heartily wish unto themselves .

Good words , you will perhaps say , but what is all this faire complement , if our act condemne them , if our very Tenet exclude them ? for , if Episcopacy stand by Divine right , what becomes of those Churches that want it ? Malice and ignorance are met together in this unjust aggravation : First , our position is onely affirmative ; implying the justifiablenesse , and holinesse of an Episcopall calling , without any further implication : Next , when we speak of Divine right , we meane not an expresse Law of God , requiring it upon the absolute necessity of the being of a Church ( what hinderances soever may interpose ) but a Divine institution , warranting it where it is , and requiring it where it may be had ; Every Church therefore , which is capable of this forme of Government , both may , and ought to affect it , as that , which is , with so much Authority derived from the Apostles , to the whole body of the Church upon earth ; but , those particular Churches , to whom this power and faculty is denied , lose nothing of the true essence of a Church , though they misse something of their glory and perfection , whereof they are barred , by the necessity of their condition ; Neither are liable to any more imputation , in their credit , and esteeme , then an honest , frugall , officious Tenant , who , notwithstanding the profer of all obsequious services , is tied to the limitations and termes of an hard Landlord . But so much we have reason to know , of the judgement of the neighbour Churches , and their famous Divines , that , if they might hope to live so long , as to see a full freedome of option tendred unto them , by Soveraigne Authority , with all sutable conditions , they would most gladly embrace this our forme of Government ; which differs little from their owne , save , in the perpetuity of their ( {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , or ) Moderator-ship , and the exclusion of that Lay-Presbyterie , which never , till this age , had footing in the Christian Church .

Neither would we desire to choose any other Judges of our calling , and Jacobus Lectius Pre●er . Theol. l ● . vide Episc. by Divine Right . fol. ult. the glorious eminence of our Church , so governed , then the famous Professors of Geneva it selfe ; Learned Lectius for a Civilian , and for a Divine , Fredericus Span●emius , the now renowned Pastor , and Reader of Divinitie in Geneva ; who in his Dedicatory Epistle before the third Part of his Dubia Euangelica ,

Obversatur mihi crebro grata ista Ecclesiarum vestrarum facies , ista in publicis pietatis exercitiis reverentia , &c.

Et quamvis omnia illa regna abundent praesulibus eruditissimis , & Theologis summis , &c.

Sive prolixi nostri erga ecclesias omnes Britanicas affectus , quarum praesules amplissimos , Pastores fidos , greges florentes in Domino suspicimus & amplexamur , &c.

Quo Deo sua semper apud vos constet gloria , Serenissimo Regi vestro suum jus , praesulibus sua authoritas pastoribus suus honor , Eccles●is vestris omnibus sua sanctitas , sua tranquillitas , &c. Epist. Dedic. 3. Part is Dub. Euang. Anno 1638.

to the incomparable Lord Primate of Ireland , doth zealously applaud , and congratulate unto us , the happy , & ( as he conceiveth ) flourishing estate of our Church , under this Government , magnifying the graces of God in the Bishops thereof , and shuts up with fervent prayers to God for the continuance of the Authority of the Prelates of these Churches . Oh then , whiles Geneva it self praiseth our Government , and God for it , and prayes for the happy perpetuation of it , let it not be suffered , that any ignorant or spightfull Sectaries , should openly in their Libels curse it , and maliciously brand it , with the termes of Unlawfull , and Antichristian : Your wisdomes cannot but have found abundant reason to hate , and scorn this base and unreasonable suggestion ; which would necessarily inferre , that not Christ , but Antichrist , hath had the full sway of all Gods Church upon earth , for these whole sixteen hundred yeares ; A blasphemy which any Christian heart must needs abhorre ; And who that ever hath looked into either Books , or men , knows not , that the religious Bishops of all times , are , and have been they , which have strongly held up the Kingdome of Christ , and the sincere truth of the Gospel , against all the wicked machinations of Satan , and his Antichrist ? And even amongst our owne , how many of the Reverend , and Learned Fathers of the Church , now living , have spent their spirits , and worne out their lives in the powerfull opposition of that Man of sin . Consider then I beseech you , what a shamefull injustice it is , in these bold sclanderers , to cast upon these zealously-religious Prelates , famous for their workes ( against Rome ) in forraigne parts , the guilt of that , which they have so meritoriously and convincingly opposed . If this most just defence may satisfie them , I shal for their sakes rejoyce ; But , if they shall either with the wilfully-deafe Adder stop their eares , or against the light of their owne consciences , ( out of private respects ) beare up a known error of uncharitablenesse , this very paper shall one day be an evidence against them , before the dreadfull Tribunall of the Almighty .

What should I urge in some others , the carefull , peaceable , painfull , conscionable managing of their charges , to the great glory of God , and comfort of his faithfull people ? And , if whiles these challenge a due respect from all well-minded Christians , some others heare ill , ( how deservedly , God knows , and will in due time manifest ) yet , why should an holy calling suffer ? why should the faults ( if such be ) of some , diffuse their blame to all ? Farre , far we know is this , from the approved integrity of your noble Justice , whiles in the mean time , ( unlesse your just check doe seasonably remedy it ) the impetuous and undistinguishing vulgar are ready so to involve all , as to make innocence it self a sin ; and ( which I am amazed to think of ) dare say , and write , The better man , the worse Bishop .

And now , since I am faln upon this sad subject , give me leave I beseech you , to professe , with how bleeding an heart , I heare of the manifold scandals of some of the inferiour Clergy , presented to your view , from all parts ; It is the misery , and shame of this Church , if they be so foul as they are suggested ; but , if I durst presume so far , I should , in the bowells of Christ , beseech you , ( upon the finding of so hateful enormities ) to give me leave to put you in mind , of the charitable example of our religious Constantine , in the like case ; you cannot dislike so gracious a patterne ; I plead not for their impunity , let them ( within the sphere of their offence ) beare their own sin ; But oh , forbid to have it told in Gath , or published in the streets of Ascalon ; Your wisedomes well see , under what malignant eyes we are , of opposite Spectators ; What a death it is , to think of the sport , and advantage these watchfull enemies will be sure to make of our sins , Et nostris pinguescunt monstra ruinis . Jos. Isc . and shame ? What exprobrations , what triumphs of theirs , will hence ensue ? These , and all other our cares are now securely cast upon your exquisite prudence , and goodnesse ; The very mention of our feares , whiles ye sit , had need to crave pardon of presumption ; But withall , to take down the insolence of those envious Insulters , it may please you to give me leave to tell them , that , however , in so numerous a multitude , there be found some foully vicious , ( as there is no Pomegranate wherein some grains are not rotten , and even in twelve there is one Iudas ) yet , upon a just survay , it will be found , that no one Clergy in the whole Christian world , yeelds so many eminent Scholars , learned Preachers , grave , holy , and accomplished Divines , as this Church of England doth at this day ; And long , and ever may it thus flourish , as it surely shall ( through Gods blessing ) whiles the bountifull incouragements of Learning , and ingenuous education are happily continued to it ; And the more , when those luxuriant boughes of disorder and debauchednesse , are through just censures seasonably lopped off .

But stay ; Where are we , or what is this we speak of , or to whom ? Whiles I mention the Church of England , as thinking it your honour , and my own , to be the professed sons of such a Mother , I am now taught a new Divinity , and bidden to ask , Which Church we mean ? My simplicity never thought of any more Churches of England but one ; Now this very dayeswiser discovery tels us of more ; There is a Prelaticall Church ( they say ) for one ; and , which is the other ? Surely it is so young , that as yet , it hath no name ; except we shall call it indefinitely , as the Jews were wont to style the creature they could not abide to mention , That other thing ; And what thing shal that be , think we ? Let it be called , if you please , the Church Antiprelaticall ; but leave England out of the style ; Let it take a larger denomination , and extend to our friends at Amsterdam , and elsewhere , and not be confined to our England : Withall , let them be put in mind , that they must yet think of another subdivision of this division ; some there are ( they know ) which can be content to admit of an orderly subordination of severall Parishes to Presbyteries , & those again to Synods ; others are all for a Parochiall absolutenesse , and independence ; Yea , and of these , there will be a division , in semper divisibilia ; till they come to very Atomes : for to which of those scores of separated Congregations , knowne to be within and about these walls will they be joyned ? and how long without a further scissure ? Oh God ; where doe men stay , when they are once past the true bounds ? But if it be so , that the Prelaticall part must needs make up one divident member of this English Church ; tell me , brethren , I beseech you , what are the bounders of this Church ? what the distinction of the Professors and Religion ? and , if the clients of the Prelacy , and their adherents , ( whose severall thousands are punctually calculated ) be they who make up this Prelaticall Church , what grounds of faith , what new Creed doe they hold , different from their neighbours ? what Scriptures , what Baptisme , what Eucharist , what Christ , what heaven , what meanes of salvation other then the rest ? Alas , my brethren , whiles we doe fully agree in all these , and all other Doctrinall and Practicall points of religion ; why will ye be so uncharitable , as by these frivolous and causlesse divisions , to rend the seamlesse coat of Christ ? Is it a Title , or a Retinue , or a Ceremony , a garment , or a colour , or an Organ-pipe , that can make us a different Church , whiles we preach and professe the same saving Truth , whiles we desire ( as you professe to doe ) to walk conscionably with our God , according to that one rule of the Royall Law of our Maker ; whiles we oppose one and the same common enemy , whiles we unfainedly indeavour to hold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ? Oh consider , I beseech you in the feare of God , consider , whether these be the thoughts of the sons of peace , and such as are sutable to the charge , and legacy of our deare Saviour , and think seriously from what spirit they proceed ; For us , we make no difference at all ( in the right and interest of the Church ) betwixt Clergy and Laity , betwixt the Clergy and Laity of one part , and another ; we are all your true brethren ; we are one with you , both in heart and brain ; and hope to meet you in the same heaven ; but if yee will needs bee otherwise minded , we can but bewaile the Churches misery , and your sin ; and shall beseech God to be mercifull to your willing and uncharitable separation . Howsoever , I have freed my soule before my God , in the conscience of this just expostulation , and faithfull advise .

What remains , but that I poure out my heart in my fervent , and dayly prayers to the Father of all mercies , that it would please him to inspire this Great Counsell , with all wisedome from above ; and crown this great meeting with the blessing of all happy successe , so as it may produce much glory to his own name , much complacency and contentment to his deare Anointed , comfort to all good hearts , terror to his enemies , seasonable restraint to all insolence and faction , prevention of all Innovations ; and lastly , a firm peace and settlement to this Church and Common-wealth , and to all other his Majesties Dominions ? Which God grant for the sake of the Son of his love , Jesus Christ the righteous . Amen . Amen .

FINIS .