IF proportionably to the griefe , we have conceived at your Letters ( wherein you have expressed the most sad face of your affaires ) we had but as much ability either by our Consolations to asswage your Sorrowes , or by our Counsels to ease your Burthens , or by any our Co-operation to help your Extremity , we should thinke our selves very happy in so well corresponding with your honourable , and most loving compellation of us ; and right glad we should be thus to requite you with our best and effectuall good offices . But alasse , as the scantnesse of our Capacity in this kind , so the Ignorance of the more inward causes of so many miseries , and chiefly the Perplex and dangerous Nature of the Matters now in Agitation among you : All these put together , strike us quite Dumbe ; we are as men wholly at a stand , able onely ( in a kind of Silent Astonishment or holy horrour ) to admire , and to adore that Finger of God , which is now lifted up over you all .

But since , being by you so lovingly invited to it , we must needs at last breake off our silence , we are reduced to an extraordinary Suspence both of Mindes and of Pens , what to say first or last , or indeed what to say at all .

And now in the end , after long deliberation , least , as Jobs friends , we should transgresse by precipitate or unseasonable discourse : Behold our Hearts and Monthes top-full of the Sences and Expressions of our hearty Commiseration , our Eyes running down with Teares of Compassion , our Breasts even swolne up with Sighes and Groanes at your Calamities . These are they , God is our Witnesse , that fill up the greatest part of our private Prayers , of our publike Devotions , Fastings , and Humiliations : In all which we are resolved to give the Father of Mercies no rest , unrill your Tranquility being once more ordained in Heaven , God doe extend Peace upon Earth unto you all like a River , and the fulnesse of his Blessing , like an ever-flowing Streame .

Our affaires , yea , the generall Interest of all the Reformed Churches are so closely involved in yours , and so mutually depending theron , That your safety once procured assures us all of our own good Estates . Therfore especially during this grievous Tempest , which may seem to bring about again the heavy time of the Saints great Primitive Tribulation , we are , in a manner , compelled with trembling Hearts and Lipps , to powre out our Lamentations into the Eares of our most gracious & Heavenly Father , no longer now onely preparing to contend by Fire , as he once revealed it in a Vision to his Prophet * * Amos 7.4 , 5. Amos , but already for a long time really contending by Fire indeed : And how then can we forbeare from crying out , O Lord forgive , cease we beseech thee , by whom shall Jacob arise , for he is small , and round about all in a flame , by the fire of thy burning Indignation ? From this our owne Watch-Tower , untoucht as yet by Divine miracle : We have beheld this furious Conflagration spreading it selfe all over ; We have seen the Grisoen-Italian Churches utterly defaced , The Gospell in Bohemia its ancient Seat , wholly extirpated : The Palatinate devoured ; The French Churches deprived of all humane supports , and refuges , like so many poore little Callow Birds , alive indeed , but only during pleasure : The German Churches almost all overshaken , yea , more then halfe destroyed ; your own Ireland swallowed up with an unexpected deluge of Assassines and Robbers ; One onely thing was wanting to that huge heape of publike calamity , Namely , that flourishing England , the very Eye and excellency of all the Churches , Christs own choyce , purchase , and peculiar ; The Sanctuary of the afflicted , the Arcenall of the faint-hearted , thr Magazins of the Needy , that Royall Standard of good hope , * * This is a very large Testimony of the flourishing Estate of the church of England as it stood under its Episcopall Government . should by so unlookt for an Accident , without any externall enemy , or Forrain Impression , become in a manner , it is own Felo de se , and make an end of it selfe with its own cruell hands . What a sad Spectacle is this to see that Church thus trodden under foot ? To see that glorious Fould of our Lord thus ransanckt , yea worried , not by the wilde Beasts of the Forrest , not torne in peeces by the Mercilesse Pawes of the Lion , or of the Wolfe , but utterly dismembred by its own unnaturall sheep inraged and exasperated one against another : An horred example this , and till now never heard of among the reformed Churches ! It seems heretofore like Christs own true sheep , they were kept tame by the feare of God , united by the same bond of Faith , knit together by the Apprehension of the common enemy , and so long they did both expresse and exercise holily and faithfully their mutuall Cha●ity , quiet , and unity amongst themselves ; in all which , they preserved themselves from the Rage of the Wolfe by the Christian simplicity of their own good Conditions , by the Innocency of their pious lives , by the Sanctity of their Religion , by the Constant undauntednesse of their holy Faith . But now we are wholly struck with horror at the Change of that so glorious Face * * Still that was under Episcopacy . of your Church , whilest we heare at this Distance the loud report of those deadly Warrs that are now flaming up betwixt the King and his people , to see at Daggers drawing indeed , Brethren against Brethren , Parents against their own Children , Christs Sheep pushing against and goaring their owne Fellowes , nay , their owne Shepheards : At all this we are utterly amazed , and would scarce have beleeved , That in the selfe same pitched Field , one and the same God and Father , in the name of one and the same Mediator , at one and the same time , could be invocated for help on both sides , to shed the blood of those , that for the Major-part had hitherto by so many cleare Demonstrations in the whole equall course of their lives , equall in their Piety towards God , equall in their love and Loyalty towards their Country , approved themselves such faithfull and true Brethren one to another . Strange , That these should now against their own Bowells turn all their warlike power , far better if imployed in the just punishments of their own treacherous Neighbours , or towards the reliefe of their dearest Brethren , so long bowing the back under the weight of their bondage , and even at the last gaspe for help .

What marvaile then , if these your cruell distractions have awakened yea , divided even to a variety the judgements and affections too of Christendome ? Neither do we ourselves deny but that for a while we did somewhat stagger at , and as it were fluctuate about it ; yet that demurre of ours did neither proceed from prejudice against , nor from partiality towards either side , as not being called upon by either , neither publikely nor privately , till now of late in your reference unto us , which we do reckon as no small piece of Honour , since in your esteem our Judgement may seem of so much weight , as able to advance or ballance down either party , both being of such extraordinary quality .

We have conteined our selves within the bounds of a conscionable judgement , and impartiall charity , towards both Parties , for indeed yee are both Brethren ; We have neither way exceeded the compasse of our own measure , but still kept a meane , as rejoycing on the one hand at those good things which we did heare were entertained with the generall applause of all good men ; So on the other hand , we could not but behold with griefe those other Sinister passages that in themselues did carry a more fatall appearance . We were overjoyed at the * * Without Battell or Bloud-shell . Issue of the Scottish troubles , that seemed at first to presage a combustion not unlike this of yours , and yet far sooner quenched , for as by Gods own admirable handi-worke , ( So by the never-enough-magnified of your most gracious King , and by the Concord of that wary Nation ) that fire was in time put out , or ever it d●d burst into a more open flame . At the first report of these your own Commotions , our mindes were possessed with a good hope that all past offences might with the same promptitude and facility be forthwith repaired , and all matters composed : So that what Actions or Counsells should appeare amisse , might by the Benignity of the best of Princes be easily redressed , and consequently both Church and Commonwealth without noise or bloodshed be kept in due order : In pursuance of all which we could not but admire the happy and glorious beginnings of the Parliament , and the more then Fatherly affection of His most gracious Majesty , evidenced by his enacting those Lawes , from which for the time to come , there was a cleare hope of a Government full of equity , and freed from all corruption : An example not so rare , as indeed singular in this our wild Generation , so fertile of violent Powers and Princes . But all these our goodly hopes were soone blasted by that Raging Storme and Tempest of popular Tumults among you , that did force away both your most gracious Prince from His Parliament , as also a great part of the Parliament from it selfe . Since which we have heard indeed of many attempts and enterprises , many Propositions and Projects , but all of them come to nothing , nothing is yet brought to perfection , nothing is yet rightly setled or established .

The businesse of the Church might seem the chiefe Object of your care and Sollicitude : If it had been handled and debated at times , and with minds calme and quiet , had the opposite judgements been compared and impartially weighed one with another , such an orderly course might happily have purchased a lasting Peace to your Kingdome , and also rendred unto your Church that most desired Primitive face of the Apostolicall times a a Such was Episcopacy in its first Apostolicall vigour of discipline and Governement , the which as at the Synode of Dort this very man did both acknowledge unto Bishop Carleton to be the best Forme of Church-Government , and also did heartily wish for it in his own Church ; so doth he sufficiently commend the happy effects of it above pag . 5. in that full passage of his conteining the Superlative Praises of the former flourishing Estate of the Church of England , as before these Troubles it stood under Episcopacy : The Restauration of which former good Estate , is againe by this Authour at the latter end of this Epistle , pag . 12. earnestly wished and prayed for . but behold how quite contrary the Event hath fallen out ? for the minds of both sides being averse from , yea , violently bent one against another , this very matter hath proved the great Rock of offence by exasperating the wound and tearing it wider and wider , by distracting more and more assunder the hearts of each party , distempered enough already through former partiality and discord of affections . Nay if the report be true , these Church-Distractions have opened a wide gap to so many boysterous and private spirits , which we heare have assumed to themselves the most mischievous Title of Independents , then which Destructive Sect nothing could more undermine , yea , quite overturne the very foundation of the Church .

Besides all that , We have been extreamely grieved at this , That the Spirit of Division hath so plentifully sowne among you his pernicious Tares of Feares and Jealousies , that they have not onely fructified , but even overgrown all over all manner of Mutuall Trust , in despight of so many Royall Protestations sealed and bound up with so many most grievous Imprecations . But the very top and height of all our Sorrowes on your behalfes , hath been this , That all that cursed fuell thus heaped on , is now at last kindled into a bloudy War , lengthened on both sides by a Multiplication of deadly feudes : So that during such an Universall Combustion , what ever mens bare words , and never so frequent Protestations otherwise may pretend , yet the Royall Honour , Power and Dignity cannot but fall into utter contempt : and on the contrary , the licentiousnesse of the most audacious and lawlesse cannot but gather Strength , and outgrow the other : and then , consequently . Piety must needs decay , mutuall Love and Charity must utterly vanish away , and in stead thereof a kinde of Savage Disposition , yea brutish Rage must needs invade at last the Mindes and Manners of the Men of this Generation , who in processe of time will no longer looke upon the old Originall Causes that began the War , but rather upon the new mutuall Injuries freshly done , or received in the very Progresse or Prosecution of the Warr between two Parties divided far more by an odious difference of Reproachfull Names as it were , Infamous brands fixed upon each other , then really by the Cause it selfe . It had been far more easie unto us , and all good men else , to deliver our Judgements upon your Case ; had the Major part of either side differed from the other , either in the more Essentiall points of Religion , or else dissented about the Fundamentall Lawes of the Commonwealth ; or had either Party been oppressed b b Woe be to them that first began that Warr whose Nonnecessity , yea Injustice , strangers themselve can so far off so plainly perceive and condemne too . by the other in a direct way of open Persecution , or had there been an Introduction of Publike Tyranny against the Laws through the basenesse and pusillanimity of the other Party : But as for you , you have aboundant cause of Comfort or Security against all these evills c c To wit , in a faire , quiet , Legall Parliamentary way , not in a Martiall way : therefore he mentions not at all the power of Armes , but only the Power of the Law . since by vertue of your own most just and powerfull Laws , those Laws that already have been Indifferently agreed upon by the generall consent of all Parties concerned , you may with ease prevent , or put all those forementioned evills , which in other Kingdoms may seem almost unavoydable : All these considerations put together , have moved us for a long while seriously to deliberate and advise what might be at last , the best expedient left to procure an honest and sure Peace among you . Indeed we have been much Scandalized , that all the Mediations of severall Kingdoms and Provinces in Leagve with you , have been tried and used all in vaine : Howbeit it came into our mind to propound this one Medium more whether now at last there be yet any hope to obtain from the Kings most gracious Majesty , and from the Parliament , that of both sides Ecclesiasticall Persons may be chosen of unquestioned Trust , and Fame-proofe beyond all suspition , to whom this great businesse may be committed , Namely , that Comparing the chiefe points now in controversie , they may Chalke out some good way towards an holy Peace . But first these Men must by Gods good Spirit , themselves be disposessed of all Factious Inclinations , that so they may become fit Umpires and Trustees of the Publike Peace , and impartiall Ambassadours of Reconciliation between both Parties and also able and Studious too by all their Speeches , Exhortations , and Sacred Obtestations , to charme the Hearts th●t on both sides are so obdurate in Warr and Bloudshed . This were the ready way , by thus interposing the Sacred Censer in the very middest of these Publike flames to quench all the heart-burnings : for who knows whether at the devout Prayers and holy groanes of Persons Sacred , thus prostrate at the foot-stoole of the Heavenly grace , the Divine power and glory may not break out once more , and shew forth it selfe by moving the hearts of both Parties to lay downe all hatred , and publike enmities . The onely way to procure such sound Counsell of both sides , and to purchase again the precious blessing of a generall Peace , is especially when all humane helps faile to call in the Divine Assistance , which no man did ever try in vaine . By these good means that may be brought to passe ( what cannot be hoped for from Civill Warr , however the successe prove ) that by a voluntary Inclination of Mindes , the wound shall be so fully closed up , as that Love and Charity may in time perfectly be recovered .

The good opinion which you have conceived of us may suffer us to offer these Considerations unto you . It might be immodesty in us to prescribe , or to advise you any further : But no Law of Modesty can ever forbid us to wish , and to Vow , and to beseech God for you , yea to appeale unto God , and to adjure you all in his Name .

O then above all , take a speedy and speiall care for a sure and sound Peace , what ever it be d d What would this Peacemaker have said if he had seen or heard of so many Royall reiterated offers of peace wherwith the Soveraigne hath and still doth wooe his Stiffe-necked Subjects . Certainely , the more peaceable side hath alwaies amongst good men had the Reputation of the better side . 't is to be preferred before any Civill Broyles . Beware least the Fortune of Warr Smiling upon you , draw you on , and tempt you to commit your great Affaires to the Ambiguous Chance of Victory , then which nothing can happen more deadly , yea pernicious unto the Commonwealth . Roule away that huge Scandall that lyes so heavie upon the whole Christian World , yea wash and wipe off that foule stain of black oppression , charged especially upon the purest Profession of the Gospell , as if still it did in a kind of Antipathy , or secret Hatred , oppose and oppugne all Kingly Power , and Supreme Authority . Mittigate and asswage the exulcerated , and too too much provoked mind of your King , and doe not compell Him e e This was very good Counsell from a Stranger , had the Subjects had the grace to follow it in time then had there been an end of the old Warr , and a happy Prevention of a new Warr , which except stopt by timely submission can portend nothing but the utter Nationall Ruine of Church and State , which God in mercy avert . TO PINACLES AND PRECIPICES .

Rather beare with some Blemishes and Corruptions , ftom which no Empire could yet wholly be free , no not in its most flourishing Estate . Account not those Remedies the best , that are abruptly applied and accumulated , but those rather , that being taken in by degrees , may in time , by little and little , goe down more easily , and digest the better , and so at last obtaine a Confirmation . And last of all , by the Bowels and mercy of Christ , suffer your selves to be intreated , that we may no longer see that Wealth , Power , and Strength which God hath graciously bestowed upon you , imployed , yea utterly wasted in the fatall Ruine of your owne selves , but rather let it be stretched out to the Reliefe , and support of so many of your own most afflicted f f Of Ireland . Brethren , even panting after your owne Peace .

May the God of Peace himselfe heare , accept , and grant these our sincere Devotions ; May God defeat all the Plots , and disappoint all the Machinations of the Devill , and of Antichrist . May the same God restore your Kingdom , and your Churches , to that High State and pitch of Holinesse and of Glory , in which , on the Theater of the Universall Church , they have hitherto excelled and outshined all the g g This full Testimony of the Excellent State of the Church of England ( still as it heretofore stood under Episcopacy ) out-speakes all the former , and to this good Ejaculation from Genevah , no right Protestant-Malignant but will heartily say , Amen . Churches upon Earth .

As for us , take in good part this our plain Sence delivered freely unto you in a Brotherly Confidence , and Pardon and Impute our Delay of Answer unto these weighty Reasons . The Report was here very Strong , That you were now very faire for a Treaty of Peace : Therefore we thought it fit to expect what a Day might bring forth , that so all our Words and all our Affections too , might overflow with meere Gratulations and full Expressions of our Joyes . But sorry we are , tha● we have yet again been deceived with vain hopes : And now that we may speedily recover and enjoy that Happinesse we both wish and pray , with as much Devotion as becoms your Dearest Brethren , ( who glory not a little in your good esteeme of us , ) That God will powre down upon you his richest Benedictions , together with a large Measure of his Wisedome , and Spirituall Strength . Farewell , and prosper in the Lord .