IT is no new thing , that such workes as have been most eminently conducing to the glory of God and the Churches greatest wellfare , have met with strong oppositions . When the Ezra Chap. 4. throughout . Neh. 4. 7 , 8. Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard , that the Children of the captivity builded the Temple unto the Lord God of Israel , they set themselves diverse waies to hinder and obstruct the worke . When Sanballat , and Tobiah , and the Arabians , and the Ammonites , and the Ashdodites , heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up , and that the breaches began to be stopped , then they were very wroth , and conspired all of them together , to come and to fight against Jerusalem and to hinder it . When Jesus Christ the eternall Son of God , the brightness of his Fathers glory , and express Image of his Person , appeared in the world cloathed with our nature , though he came about a worke of greatest consequence that ever was , yet his enimies withstood and opposed his Kingdome . Of this the Psalmist prophesied before it came to pass , Psal. 2. 1 , 2. Why did the Heathen rage , and the people imagine a vaine thing ? The Kings of the Earth set themselves , and the people take counsell together , against the Lord , and against his annointed , saying , Let us breake their bands asunder , and cast away their cords from us . And this the Church saw fulfilled , who in their Prayer unto God , applied unto the times , wherein they lived , what he , by the mouth of his Servant Act. 4. 27. David had foretold so long before , saying , For of a truth against thy holy Childe Jesus , whom thou hast annointed , both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsell determined before to be done . It would be here too long to go through the Books of the N. T. and tell what persecutions were raised against the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour for executing that Commission which he had given them , when he commanded them to go teach all Nations ; or to go through the story of the Church , and speak of Mar. 28. 19. the diverse kindes of tortures and torments , which thousands of all rankes endured in the times of the ten Primitive persecutions under the Heathen Emperours ; to tell of the Martyrdome of Ignatius , Polycarpus , Justin Martyr , Irenaeus , Cyprian , and many others , glorious lights , and worthy Confessors of the truth , for no other reason but because they studied to advance Christs Gospell . We will instance something in latter times . When the Romish Synagogue having most abominably apostatiz'd both in Doctrine , Worship , Discipline , and Governement ; Luther and other faithfull Servants of Christ did earnestly bend themselves to endeavour a reformation in Religion , the Antichristian world was mad with fury . To come yet a little nearer home . When Religion was reformed in Scotland in Doctrine and Worship , the Church of Christ there had many conflicts , and the worke was long obstructed , before the Governement and Discipline of Christ could be fully established amongst them ; as it is in fresh remembrance , what troubles they passed through more lately , in their contending against Episcopacy , and the Ceremonies which had been introduced amongst them , to the great prejudice of their Ancient Church governement and Discipline . But here it may not be forgotten , how , when the Parliament of famous memory that was convened eighteen yeares agoe , having taken into their pious consideration the condition of our own Church at home , and judging that a further reformation in matters of Religion , then had been made in the daies of Queen Elizabeth , was necessary , and setting upon that work , as also the vindication of the liberties of this English Nation , were forced to take up Armes for their own defence against that Partie , that could not brooke the Reformation , which they intended . And to what an height that opposition grew in after time , and with what difficulties they conflicted for many years together , because they would not give up that cause , they had undertaken to defend , is so well known to even such as may be but strangers in our Israel , that we may spare the pains of a full recitall . But yet nothing of all this is to be wondered at ; Satan must needs Rev. 12. 12. be like himselfe , and stir the more when he sees his Kingdome begin to shake : And corruption will rage when it is crossed . God also hath a wise hand in these oppositions , not only thereby the more inflaming the zeal and brightning up other graces in his faithfull servants , trying and exercising Dan. 11. 35. Jam. 1. 2 , 3. 1 Pet. 1. 6 , 7. and 4. 12. Rev. 13. 10. their faith and patience , the purging and purifying and making them white ; but also getting himself the greater glory , when his worke is carried on , notwithstanding the greatest opposition of his and his Churches enemies . And here we cannot but with all thankfullness to Almighty God , take notice of this hand , that was most eminently lifted up in the worke of Reformation begun by that late forementioned Parliament , as there is cause , why also we should to the honour and glory of his great Name , and the praise of that Parliament , unto the generations that may come hereafter , acknowledg their unwearied pains , courage , and constancy in that worke . Much was done , yea very much by that illustrious and worthy Parliament . By them the foundation of reformation was laid in the solemne League and Covenant , which they not only took themselves , but ordained should be solemnely taken in all places throughout the Kingdome of England , and Dominion of Wales . And for the better and more orderly taking thereof appointed and injoyned certain directions to be strictly followed . And in pursuance of this League and Covenant ( engageing See the Ordinance of Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament , with instructions for the taking the League and Covenant in the Kingdome of England , and Dominion of Wales . every one that tooke it , in their severall places to indeavour the refomation of Religion in England and Ireland in Doctrine , Worship , Discipline and governement , according to the word of God , and the example of the best reformed Churches , and to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity of Religion , Confession of Faith , forme of Church Government , Directory for worship and Catechizing . ) After consultation had with the Reverend , Pious , and Learned Assembly of Divines called together to that purpose , they judged it necessary that the Book of Common Prayer should be abolished , and the Directory for the publick worship of God , and in their Ordinance mentioned , should be established and observed in all the Churches within this Land , as appears by their Ordinance of January the 3. 1644. for that purpose . By them Prelacy , that is , Church Government by Archbishops , Bishops , their Chancellors and Commissaries , Deanes , Deanes and Chapters , Archdeacons , and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchy , was extirpated according to that Covenant , as appears by the Ordinance they passed October the 9. 1646. for the abolishing Archbishops and Bishops within the Kingdome of England , and Dominion of Wales , By them also after the passing of severall Ordinances for the setling of the Presbyterian Governments by parts before , at length that progress was by them made in that work , that they passed the Ordinance of 1648. establishing the forme of Church Government to be used in the Church of England after advice had with the Assembly of Divines . By their authority , and according to the rules and directions by them given for that purpose , they setled the Presbyterian Government in the Province of London , and in this Province of Lancaster , and in some other parts of the Land , whereby they sufficiently awarranted those , that should act therein according to their Ordinances , that they are secured against that danger of a Premunire , with which some ( as will appear from the following Papers ) hath been threatned . What obstructions this work of reformation so happily begun , did after meet with from severall Parties , or how it came to passe , that this Government was setled throughout the Land , we are not willing here so much as to mention , desiring rather in silence to acknowledge the righteous Hand of God , in bringing us back again into the wildernesse of confusion , to wander there for severall years together , when we had been upon the borders of a just settlement , and thereby correcting an unthankfull people , and unwilling to be reformed according to their Covenant , then by making complaints against any , to seem to murmur at his just dispensation ; especially considering , that we are not without hope , but that the wise and mercifull God may have reserved the honour of finishing this work and building upon that foundation , which was by them laid in troublous times for a fitter season , when the people of this Nation , having been convinced of the mischiefs and miseries of an ungoverned Church by the long want of Church Government in it , may be the more ready to give the more chearfull entertainmant to what may be established by some after - Parliament . And who can tell , but the hands of sundry of the same Zerubbabels , that laid the foundation of this work , their hands may Zach 4. 9. also finish it ? But however thus we see , that the worke of reformation , and particularly of Churches and Nations , is not a work that goes on easily , it meeteth with opposition , not only often from enemies , but sometimes even from professed friends . And if that Parliament that cast out Episcopacy , and established the Presbyterian Government in the room thereof , did not carry on that worke so far , but through much difficulty ; it is not to be thought strange , if the same spirit of opposition , that they wrestled with , should after they were risen , discover it selfe to the interrupting and hindering of those that acted upon their Ordinances , in the exercise of that Government and Discipline , which they so established . We cannot but imagine , that sundry throughout the Land have reason to complaine of the like , if not far worse , then we have met with . But as touching our selves it was our publishing a short Paper in our severall Congregations , and herewith Printed , that was the occasion of those contests betwixt us and the Gentlemen we have to deale with , that are now made publick to the world . What the designe of that Paper was , we leave it to all indifferent persons to consider , nothing doubting but that all equall judges will conclude , it was very honest , and did not merit such unhandsome handling , as it after met with . But how matters after proceeded betwixt us and the Gentlemen that assaulted it , untill without our privity and consent both that and other Papers , that after passed on both sides , were by them Printed , our Narrative following will give a full account ; whereby also it will be evident , that we are forced into the field for our own defence , as it will be further manifest to every Reader from the Papers themselves , which we here publish , we are meerly on the defensive part . And if the Reader be pleased to take notice from our Narrative , that it was in July last that we first met with all the Papers in Print ; and further observe thence , that we had been before that time in a treaty with them , touching a meeting in order to an accommodation , during which time , we had not any thoughts of returning any Answer in writing to their last Papers ; and that notwithstanding our severall other employments in the meane season , our Answer to those Papers had fully passed the Class November the 23. of this same Year , as appears by the date they beare , according to the subscription of them by the Moderator ; we cannot conceive that he will judge , we have neglected any time that could with conveniency have been redeemed for the hastening our Answer abroad in the world . And now untill they see the light , the transcribing them faire for the Press , and the Printing of them , drinkes up the remainder of the time . All that we have now further to acquaint the Reader with ; is to give him an account of some things in reference to what we here publish . We have Printed over again all the Papers that formerly passed betwixt them and us , because we could not answer severall things in theirs , without some speciall reference to both their Papers and ours ; and we judged it to be the fairest way to present all entirely to the Readers view , that thereby he might be able the better to judg concerning the whole , especially considering what we now publish , might perhaps come into the hands of sundry , that had never seen what had been before by them Printed . We have not omitted to Print the Title given by them to the Papers , as they were by them published , that by comparing their Papers with their Title , and our examination of them , together with that tast we give in the close , of that spirit they discover in them , the Reader may the better judge , how their discourse doth suit with the Title given to it . We have also therewith again Printed their Preface , that they might not have any occasion to say of us , that we had a mind to suppress any thing of theirs , which they perhaps might judg materiall ; though from our Narrative and Animadversions on this their Preface in the close of that our Narrative , the weight that is in it will be tried . The Paper which we published in our Congregations , and that followes our Narrative , though approved by the Provinciall , yet being directed only to the Congregations of our own Association , was drawn up short , being for the use of those that were not altogether strangers to the Discipline , it having been practised amongst them for severall yeares before ; and the rules whereof , as they are more fully and particularly held forth in the forme of Church Government established by the Parliament , so had been more fully expounded to them in our publick Ministry , as there hath been occasion . But here we must further acquaint the Reader , that the errours and depravations of this Paper , which we found in it , as it had been by them Printed , we have rectified ( as we well might ) according to the Originall , and now exhibit it to the Readers view , as it was when it passed from us . We have Printed their first Paper , as we found it Printed by themselves , only we have added the rest of the Names that were subscribed to it , when it was presented unto us , that so those that were represented to us as the subscribers of it , may own it or disown it as they see cause . We have divided our Answer to their first Paper into eleaven Sections , as also the last Paper of theirs ( on which we Animadvert ) into the like number , that so by comparing all together , it may be the better discerned , how they have dealt with us , what they reply to and what they omit ; and we leave the whole , together with our Animadversions on the severall Sections of theirs , to be judged of by the Reader . We have also Printed their two last Papers , as we found them Printed by themselves , and have noted in the Margents of them both the variations ( which yet are not great ) from the Copies , that were presented unto us , and whereof the letters Cl. and Cop. prefixed to those variations ( and intimating how it was in those Copies , that were exhibited to the Class ) are an indicium or the sign . We confess our Answers to their two last Papers are now grown to a greater bulke then we first intended , or then what some perhaps may judge necessary ; but we wish it might be considered , that if some things that fall into debate betwixt them and us , be not of generall concernement , yet the discussion of them being of use for our vindication , and the discovering unto them their errours and faults , we conceive that in those respects it was requisite ; although the Reader may find severall things spoken to , that be of common use , and whereof we give him some account at the end of this Epistle , as also where they may be found ; that such as have not either leisure or will to peruse the whole , may take a view more speedily , of what they may chiefly desire to read . When we were to give our reasons , why we could not consent to admit of Episcopacy moderated , we considered that the point touching Episcopacy having been so fully discussed by farre abler Pens , we thought it might be the fittest for us to insist chiefly upon the inconveniency and dangerousnesse of that Government , and what we in this Land and the Neighbour Nation had experienced in those respects . In another place we urge some Arguments to prove a Bishop and a Presbyter to be , in a Scripture sense of those words , all one . What is spoken touching the Jus divinum of the ruling Elders Office was occasioned from the Texts we had urged ( though it was but by the way ) in our Answer to their first Paper , and their excepting in their second , against our alledging those Texts for that purpose . But we do here professe , that we do not discusse that point our selves ; we only transcribe what is solidly and fully done concerning it to our hands , by other Reverend and Learned Brethren ; and therefore when in our Title we mention the clearing up of the Jus divinum of the ruling Elders Office , the Reader is so to understand that branch of it , as when we come to speak of that point particularly , we there give him our reasons of that transcription . We have now no more to acquaint the Reader with , and therefore shall leave the whole to his perusall , not much mattering the censures of loose and prophane spirits ; though we hope with such as are unprejudiced and zealous for reformation , our endeavours shall find some acceptance . And having the Testimonie of our consciences that in the uprightness of our hearts , we have aimed at the Glory of God and the good of his Church , in what we now send abroad into the world , we do not question , but that God , who is the trier of the hearts and reines , and the God of truth , will not only own that good old cause of his , in the defence whereof so many of his faithfull Servants have suffered in former times , but us also the meanest and unworthiest of his Servants , in this our standing up for it , and so bless our labours herein , that they may be of some use for the publique good . The Father of Lights , and God of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Prince of Peace give unto us all , and to all His , the spirit of wisdome and revelation , in the knowledge of his Will , guide our feet in the waies of Peace , and after our manifold and great shakings , settle the Affairs both of Church and State upon some sure foundations , to the Glory of his own great Name , and the everlasting Comfort , Peace , and Wellfare of all his People . Amen .

IT was a witty Etymologie which the Ld. Chancellor St. Albane gave of a Lybell , thatit was derived of a lye forged at home , and a Bell to ring it up and down the Country , the Subscribers to those Papers make the lye , and some private Friend makes the Bell , by commending it to the Presse , and ringing it abroad all over the Nation . The * * Alterig famam maledictis laedere . blasphemies wherewith they have blasphemed the Presbyterian Government , the Government practised in the reformed Churches , and established by the Parliament in this Nation , the reproaches wherewith they have reproached us , that act Presbyterially , we know not what better to returne upon them , then what our Lord and Teacher , and the great pattern of patience and meekness did to the Jews , that Crucified him , Father forgive them , they know not what they do . * * Prov. 18. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just , but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him . The Presbyteriall Government needs not any support , we can give it , 't is our honour we sit under the shadow of it : concerning our selves , the presenting a true Narrative of the whole business will justifie us to all men , that would not have a tolleration for their sins as for their persons .