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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A87123	The harmonious consent of the ministers of the province within the county palatine of Lancaster, with their reverend brethren the ministers of the province of London, in their late testimonie to the trueth of Jesus Christ, and to our Solemn League and Covenant : as also against the errours, heresies, and blasphemies of these times, and the toleration of them.	Heyrick, Richard, 1600-1667.	1648 (1648)	Wing H800A; Thomason E434_7; ESTC R7597	26,660	31

of light and reason in other things God hath put the sword in the Parliaments hands for the terror of evil doers and the praise of them that do wel c. See a Letter sent to the House of Commons and printed 1645. going under the name of Oliver Cromwel and set down by Mr Rutherford in his survey of the spiritual Antichrist page 250. part 1. that do conceive that in things of the mind the sword is not put into the hands of the civil Magistrate for the terror of evil doers and the praise of them that do wel Yet because we judg the Toleration of all kind of opinions and professions in matters of Faith Errours therein being in the number of those evil works to which the Magistrate is to be a terror k Row 1● 3 4 to be impious and wicked and would be a tender nurse to give suck to cherish the foul ugly monstrous and mis-shapen births of our times as it would bealso desturctive to the Common wealth though we shall easily grant men are not to be punished by the Magistrate for their internal opinions which they do not discover l his 〈…〉 adjlipulamun qui sicuti beminum 〈…〉 is esse ajust it a 〈◊〉 de side opiniones a magis●●●ain 〈◊〉 esse 〈…〉 quanves 〈…〉 bo miman 〈◊〉 non esse puniendas largiamur 〈◊〉 tamia de rejpubluae exitialem religlonis proseljiunem a magistratu quibuslibet civibus ese ●●mitterdam negamus Synops purior theolog disput 50. thes 60. yet with our reverend brethren we do here profess to this Church and to all the Churches of God throughout the whole world That we do detest the forementioned Toleration m See a Yestimony to the Trueth of Jesus Christ page 34. And what ever others may expect to the contrary yet we hope that God wil never suffer the Parliament of England ever to be so unmindfut of either solemn League and Covenant or of their own formet Declarations and Remonstrances n The bonoiable House of Commans do thus remonshare They insuse into the people that we mean to abolish all Church Government and leave everyman to his own fancy for the service and worship of God And then afterwards they dicl●re And we do here declare that it is farfiom our purpose and desire to let loose the golden telns of Di●cipline and Government in the Church to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what form of diviven service they please for we hold it requifie that there should be throughout the whole Realm a consormity to that order which the Laws enjoyn according to the Word of God See the Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom Decemb 15.1641 Protestations and Professions as once to give a liltening car to such as might move for such a thing and that they might be kept from being guilry of so great a sin shal be out earnest prayer for them unto God continually night and day IV. And thus having expressed our deepest sence concerning the Errours and Heresies of these times and the Toleration of them which to us is so hateful and abominable we are now carryed on to declare what we conceive to be the cause of the spreading of our freting leprosie and eating gangrene If we make inquiry into our selves we must needs acknowledg our not prizing trueth as we ought not improving precious opportunities for good that have been put into our hands the great decay of the power of godliness leaving first love lukewarmness sleighting and undervaluing the means of grace and barrenness under them faults generally to be found in the better sort of people together with the many other grievous sins that are commited in the Land are just causes why we should be scourged with such a spiritual plague but yet these hinder not but that we may also as truly number the not fettling a wel ordered Church Government for so long a time after the old rotten building was polled down amongst the causes of the growth and spreading of pemicious Errours Anarchy wil cause confusion in the Church as wel as in the Common wealth And therefore we do profess that without a wel ordered Church Government that we here may use the words of the general Assembly of the Church of Scotland o See the Exhortation of the general Assembly of the Church of Scotland page 12. where they use these expressions in reference to the Preshyterial Government which we do also with them fully and freely own We know no other proper and effectual remedy against the present dangers of Religion in this Kingdom or for purging the Church from Scandals which are destructive either to sound doctrive or godliness and are therefore thankful to the Parliament for ordaining of late the speedy divission of all the Counties of the Kingdom into Classical Presbyteries ★ See the Ordinance of Pailiament for the speedy dividing and settling the several Counties of this Kingdom into distinct Classical Presbyteries and orderedd to be printed Jan. 29. 1647. Discipline and Government in the Church being the golden Reins whereunto this present Parliament hath wel likened it serving to curb and restrain men who are by nature like a wilde asses colt p Iob 11 12. affecting unbridled liberty it is the rod wherewith to correct petulant and froward children the shepherds crook which the faithful Pastors cannot want but to the spiritual prejudice of their flocks the keyes opening the doors for the admitance in of those whom Christ would have to be admited into his Church and the shuting out of whom he would have kept out it is the hedg or wal to keep the ravenous beasts from entering into Gods garden and vineyard the means to take the soxes the little soxes that spoil the vines ●s q Cant. 2 15. and to purge out the leaven that other wise though but little yet would leaven the whole lump r z Cor. 5.6 And if not a little Family no Common wealth or society of men can consist without the bond of Laws or Discipline ſ Steri a societ●● into 〈◊〉 a demus quae vel 〈◊〉 samiliam ●●beat comtinon in recto statu sin dis●po●●● potell eam esse multo magr●●● 〈…〉 esse Calvin lto 4. insti● cap. 12.1 ct 1. Si●ut use samiliane● respublier 〈…〉 societas sine legum dise●pl●●● 〈◊〉 ●●●do consistere potest 〈◊〉 ●●●lesae ch●●●li 〈…〉 in hoe 〈◊〉 po●●st constare a●st ●●rto ●g●●ini at queidoreis legibus in adsba●● per quae ordoejus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adverj●● c●ms mondi sathanae f●aues ac m●i●●toc●●●●rvlatè consirve●ui Synopsis pu●or the dog Disp 48. thef 1. how can it be expected but want of Church Government will soon bring the Church to ruine Therefore seeing Government is so neccessry for the Church we cannot but judg that the want of it for so long a time hath been and is one main cause of those great evils with which

on Englands head we judged the day of entering into this Covenant to be Englands Coronation day as it was the day of the gladness of our hearts and wherein God wiped away the reproach cast upon us by Separatists before for the want of an express Covenant We do also remember how Copies of this Covenant were sent abroad into neighboring reformed Churches by whom as they were received with great joy so doubtless then their expectations were raised to see England shortly brought neerer unto them in a thorougher Reformation according to the Word of God those things being abjured which had been formerly as a partition-wal set up betwixt them and us And let us never let slip out of our minds how God from heaven smiled upon our Armies from the first day of entering into this Covenant until through the good hand of our God upon us for good the whole power of the enemy was quite broke in pieces and therefore if so soon as we have reaped such fruit and benefit from it we cast it away who knows but we may be forced to take it up again to save our lives And yet for all this we wish we had not cause for to complain that this Covenant thus strongly urged thus solemnly sworn thus blessed with success is contemned sleighted most palpably broken scorned and derided Where an holy and religious Covenant once made is regarded as it ought it wil be reverently spoken of neither wil the earnest and pathetical pressing the not casting it away be any matter to quarrel or scoff at And yet besides sundry other unsavory and reproachful expressions used tending plainly to bring the Covenant into disgrace to say no worse of them d The first thing you complain of under the head of omission is no less then the Solemn League and Covenant and here you do abound with your pathetick inter●ogations to affect the hearts of those whose eyes are in their howels whose understandings are drowned swallowed up in their passions after this manner And shal the Covenant which is as solemn a Vow which creatures on earth can make to God in heaven c. And again shall the Covenant for the preservation c. And again like the Papists which hold up their idolatrous Eucharist in the eyes of the people that they may fall down to worship it shal the Covenant which both Houses recommended to the Assembly of Yet again as if here lay all your bait to catch gudgeons shal our mutual solemn league and Covenant subscribed by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms c. Once more yet for if this spring fails all our sport wil be lost shal the Covonant even with those that took it be already out of date c. Scot●ish ●aift dispeld page 22. some there are that liken the earnest and often pressing of not laying aside the Covenant to the practise of the Papists holding up the idolatrous Eucharist in the eyes of the people that they may sal down and Worship it The Covenant binds to endeavour Reformation according to the Word of God and to bring the Churches in these Kingdoms to neerest uniformity in matters of Religion and yet the earnest pressing uniformity according to the Covenant is made by some e But secondly why do you make the solemn League and Covenant the uniicum necessartum the ballance of your sanctuary and the golden reed to measure your temple you have not a tutle of the word of God but all your cry is the solemn League and Covenant in stead of the Word of God the Jew hath his Talmud the Turk his Alcharon the Papist his Mass-book the Prelate his Service-book and must we have the solemn League and Covenant in stead of the Oracles of Heaven the Word of God Better it is that this brazen serpent should be broken to pieces and ground to powder then that men should fall down and worship it It was the hypocritical Pharisees pretending to heaven though minding the earth who making voyd the Law of God did teach for doctrines the tradition of the Edders let us not put up mans posts the Covenant by Gods posts the holy Scriptures Scottish mist dispell'd page 26 27. a substituting the Solemn League and Covenant in the room of the Oracles of Heaven aseting up of mans posts the Covenant by Gods posts the holy Scriptures and is compared to the Jew having his Talmud the Turk his Alcharon the Papist his Mass-Book the Prelate his Service-Book which kind of expressions and comparisons as we cannot but with greatest indignation detest and abhor so in that they set the Covenant that makes the Word of God the rule of all Reformation and Uniformity that is sworn to there at hostile opposition with the Word of God it is very evident to what purpose they tend sc that the covenanted Uniformity in matters of Religion should not be insisted on or urged for that were to set up mans polls the Covenant by Gods posts the holy Scriptures and were to be like the Jew having his Talmud the Turk his Alcharon the Papist his Mass-book c. and therefore the conclusion is better it is that this brazen serpent should be broken to pieces and ground to powder then that men should fall down and worship it though formerly an healing benefit was received from it Are not these plain evidences in what mean account the Covenant is with some persons when the earnest pressing the not laying it aside is so scorned and slonted at and when the urging of covenanted Uniformity wil not be endured And is not this Covenant also most palpably broken when not only Uniformity is cryed out against but a Toleration of all kind of Errours Heresies and Schisms in stead of endeavours to extirpate them is earnestly pursued by divers to say nothing of the great increase of Errours of all kinds the woful divisions and rents in the Church which never were more or greater then since the Covenant was taken nor of the abominable looseness and profaness of the times which certainly is not for to amend our lives and each one to go before another in the example of areal Reformation according as was professed and promised For these things we see cause to hang down our heads and blush and that our eyes should run down with tears continually as our hearts at the consideration hereof may be astonished and swallowed up with grief Oh what dishonor is hereby brought to God! What scandal given to Religion What matter of reproach and scorn is this like to be unto us from our common enemy What an unparalell'd blot is hereby laid upon this Church and Nation never like to be washed out in this Age nor in the Age of our children after us and what danger of swift destruction if there be not repentance in time May not the Lord complain of us as once he did of Israel When he slew them then they sought him f Psa 78.34 35 36

this sick and languishing Church is so much distempered And as we are fully perswaded with the reverend and learned Assembly of Divines from clear Scripture grounds t Isa 9 6 7 1 Tim 5.17 Act 20 87 28. Heb. 1 7 17 24. 1 Cor 12. 28 Mat 28. 18 19 30. That the Lord fesus as King and head of his Church hath therein appointed a Government in the hand of Church Officers distinit from the civil Magistrate u See the humble Adivice of the Assembly of Divines concerning a Confestion of Faith ch 30. sect 1. page 52. and that it is hi upon Whose shoulders the government is who sits upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth even for ever having all power given to him in heaven and in earth by the Father Who raised him from the dead and set him in his own right hand and put all things under his feet w See the humbly Advice of the Aflembly concerning Church Government page 3 So also with our reverend brethren the Ministers of the Province of London x See a Testimony to the Trueth of lesus Christ page 24. we are well assured that Jesus Christ hath siufficiently revealed in his Word how he wil have his Church governed now under the New Teclament and that the Presbyterial Government truly so called by Presbyteries and Synods in a due line of subordination of the lesser to the greater with procperous success exercised in the best reformed Churches is that Government which is most agreable to the mind of jesus Christ revealed in Seripture And if this Government were but fully established and settled a throughout this Kingdom we do not doubt but through the bles●ing of God in the sincere and faithsul exercise thereof the mists that do at present overshadow and obscure this Church would be soon dispelled the Errours that do boldy walk up and down without controul would not dare to peep forth or if they did would be soon suppressed looseness and profaness would be more restrained the power of godliness more advanced many scandals prevented and removed sundry stumbling blocks would be taken out of the way of the weak to the healing of our divisions and so the Spouse of Christ that at present is black over would look with another manner of face then now she doth The experience of the reformed Churches and especially of Scotland confirms the successfulness of this Government abundantly for the weeding up of Errours and keeping the Church of Chirst chaste from being drawn aside to commit spiritual fornication with the idols of the brain We also our selves in the exercise of this Government according to those cautions and considerations premised by us z See the deliberate Resolntion of the Minislers of the Gospel within the County Palatine of Lancaster with their grounds cautions according to which they put into execution the Presbyterial Government upon the present Ordinances of Parliament Pieston Novemb. 17. 1646. have to the praise and glory of God cause to acknowledg it in some measure successful amongst us in the exercise of that part thereof that is alrealy settled for the stirring up of the ignorant to endeavour after more knowledg and the restraining of the scandalous but much more fruit we apprehend would be reaped from it if in all the parts thereof it were in its ful force established But in the mean time we cannot but bewail that there are so many that are prejudiced against it do asperse it speaking evil of what they understand not and that sundry do not only refuse to submit to it themselves but do with tooth and nail oppose and hinder the establishing of it in the Kingdom Here also we do further signifie that we cannot only our selves submit to what the reverend and learned Assembly of Divines have presented to the Honorable Houses of Parliament as their humble advice concerning this Government judging it to be very consonant to the Word of God and wel agreeing with the Government and Discipline of other reformed Churches but do also unfeignedly and heartily desire in pursuance of our Covenant that the three Kingdoms may be brought to that uniformity for Discipline and Govenment that is advised to there not without much regreet disapproving of the new-coined titles of distinction of a Scottish and English Presbytery V. As for our Solemn League and Covenant for the defence of our Religion and to endeavour Reformation we cannot but here cal to mind the manifold encouragements given us to take it it being when it was by authority pressed upon us thought a fit and excellent means to acquire the favor of almighty God towards the three Kingdoms a See the Ordinance of Parliament Feb. 2.16.41 for the ta●●● the Covenant and for the better encouraging of all sorts of person to take it was by the Parliament in the tenth instruction for the taking of the Covenant recommended to the Assembly of Divines to make a brief Declaration by way of Exhortation to all sorts of persons to take it as that Which they judged no only lawful but all things considered exceeding expedient and necessary for all that wish wel to religion the King and Kingdom to joyn in and to be a singular pledg of Gods gracious goodness to all the three Kingdoms and was accordingly urged by the Assembly as the soveraign and only means to recover an embroiled bleeding remnant b See the Exhortation for the taking the Covenant ordered by the House of Commons to be p●●ated Feb. 9.1643 and yet further that in the Declaration of both Kingdoms joyned in Arms ordered to be printed Jan. 30. 1643. such as would not take the Covenant are declared to be publick enemies to their Religion Country and that they are to be censured punished as professed adversaries and Malignants all which as they did lay strong engagements on us to take it so to see it so urged and pressed made our hearts within us to leap for joy We remembred our servitude and bondage under the Prelatical Task-masters how the Doctrine Discipline and Worship had been corrupted and this Covenant for Extirpation of Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Schism and Profaness and for Reformation of Religion in Doctrine Discipline Government and Worship not only recommended but also commanded and so strongly pressed by the higher powers to be taken throughout these three Kingdoms did in the midst of our troubles at that time lying on us mightily revive and cheer our drooping spirits and was as life from the dead c Rom. 11 15. We also shal never forget how the taking of this Covenant was by our selves pressed and urged on our several Congregations how lolemnly it was sworn and what rejoycing there was at the Oath sundry at the taking of it weeping for joy And when the Covenant was thus taken we thought within our selves that surely now the Crown is set

37 and they returned inquired early after God they remembred that God was their rock and the high God their Redeemer nevertheless they did slatter him with their mouth and they lyed unto him with their tongues for their heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant And may it not be said of us as in the days of Josiah it was said concerning treacherous Judah that had made a solemn Covenant with God for Reformation g 2. Chron. 34. 31 32 that she turned not to God with her whole heart but feignedly h Ier. 3.6 10. And besides all this neighbor Churches take notice of our strange breach of Covenant and are amazed at it Our dear brethren of Scotland who upon our taking this Covenant were induced to embark themselves with us and run a common hazard in the same cause do sadly complain i See the Exhortation of the general Assembly of the church of Scotland to their brethren in England page 5 6 7. of the crying sin of breach of Covenant and that the staves of beauty and bands covenant and brother hood are broken by many in this Kingdom and are much cast down in themselves and grieved fearing lest they should lose the fruit of all their sufferings and hazards for our sakes sc the establishment of Reformation and Uniformity in Religion in these three Kingdoms according to the Word of God and example of the best reformed Churches and which notwithstanding all suggestions whatsoever to the contrary we dare neither be so injurious nor uncharitable towards them as not to judg was the main end by them proposed when they first engaged with us especially when we consider whence came the first stirrings of the Wheels of Christs chariot in great Britain of latter times and who it was that first sounded the retreat to return from Babylon which posterity wil know to the second coming of Jesus Christ thoughwe should not own it of which we are modestly put in remembrance by one k Mr Rathe sord in his survey of the spiritual Antichrist in the Epistle to the Reader page 6. whose name is famous throughout the Churches whilest he is alive and whose works will abundantly commend him to posterity when he is dead The things that have been already mentioned in reference to breach of Covenant are matter of deepest sorrow to our hearts especially if we do further consider what guilt of perjury l Neh. 1● 29. spiritualadultery m Jer. 50. 5. high treason against the God of heaven is hereby brought upon our Land and that also breach of Covenant is a thing which God complains of n Psa 78.10.37 2 King ●1 15 ler. 11. 10. threatens severely o Lev. 26.25 Deur 29 20 21 22 10 ●5 let 22.8 9. and for which he hath inflicted sore Judgments on his people in former times p 2 King 6.7 15. As for our selves though we cannot excuse our selves from failings against our Covenant for which we desire unfeignedly to be humbled yet considering that for the matter of it there is nothing in it to be repented of but that the seed of Reformation and the foundation of the house of the Lord is in it and knowing also how solemnly with hands lifted up to the most high God it was taken and that it was made with the Almighty who will not be mocked and in his presence who is the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as we shal answer at the great day when the secrets of all hearts shal be disclosed we do therefore by the grace of God resolve that we will not suffer our selves either directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terror to be ever withdrawn either in whole or in part from this sacred League and Covenant that was so solemnly and Cheerfully sworn by us in the time of Englands low estate and sad hour of temptation but shall all the days of our lives zealously and constamly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoever being fully assured there is none on earth that hath that power our consciences as to discharge us at their pleasure from the bond of this sacred Oath and that therefore the parties engaged in it what ever some mens intentions might be when they took it and how ever the common enemy whose prevalency and power together with our low condition in this land before first occasion the entring into it be now suppressed are notwithstanding still as firmly bound to their utmost to endeavour according to their places the performance of all the several things therein contained and sworn and that yet have not received their accomplishment because the war is ended as at the first taking of it And therefore though we cannot but heartily lament that any should be so strangely deluded as to q First I do not conceive the parties to that League intended thereby to be everlastingly bound each to other the gounds of striking it being meerly occasional for the joyning in a war to supprest the common enemy accordingly we did joyn the enemy is if we be wise suppressed and the was as you see ended what should the Covenant do but like an Almanack of the last year shew us rather what we have already done then what we be now to do Set the Independency of England endeavoured to be maintained by Henry Marten a Member of the Parliament there c. page 11. conceive so much yet we do abhor that it should be so much as once imagined that when the common enimy is suppressed this Convenant then forthwith should be out of date and but like an Almanack of the last year shewing us rather what we have already done then what we be now to do And because as when it was first enjoyed to be taken it was thought a fit means to acquire the favour of God so we now are fully perswaded being kept and observed it would make England the delight of God the rejoycing of al true hearted Saints at home and abroad a corasive and vexation to the Devil Antichrist all Popish prophane and Malignant persons at home and abroad and a mirrour of incomparable mercy We shal therfore as by the Order r Die veneris Jan. 29.1644 Ordered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament that the Solemn League and Covenant be on every day of Fast and publique humiliation publiquely read in every Church and Congregation within this Kingdom and that every Congregation be enjoyned to have one of the said Covenants fairly printed in a fair letter in a table fitted to hang up in some publique place of the Church to be read of the Honourable the House of Commons we are appointed to read it every Fast day in our places by stirring up our several Congregations to be always mindful of it our uttermost endeavour that they may observe

and keep it not expecting the blessing of God any longer on these Kingdoms then in the remembrance of it and adherence to it And as with the Reverend Alsembly of Divines ſ See the humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines concerning a Confession of Faith Chap. 22. Sect. 4. page 40. we are assured that an oath is to be taken in the plain and common sence of the words without equivocation or mental reservation adjudging the contrary opinion to lay a certain foundation for the cluding all or the as such a salve as this that the Covenant may be taken in mens own sence hath given occasion to some to except against the taking of it t See the Reasons of the present judgment in the University of Oxford concerning the Covenant c. page 22.23 so what ever any others may conceive to the contrary with our Reverend Brethren then Ministers of the Province of London u See a Testimony to the Tinen of Jesus Christ page 28. we do firmly beleeve That neither this nor any other oath is otherwise to be interpreted then according to the common plain and true grammatical sence of it accounting it a most absurd and wicked perverting of it when it is so interpreted as to engage to defend and maintain any kind of Religion whatsoever without any inquiry at all how orthodox it is if established by them who have all the authority that is visible to choose for themselves which is the construction that is put upon it by some that profess to have taken w Secondly what would it do were it renewed and made perpetuall thus much it saith in my opinion and no more whensoever you shall be violently hindred in the execution of that Religion you had amongst you at the time of the engagoment and shal require out assistance we must afford it you for the removall of that violence In like manner when we shal be hindred in the excreise of that Religion which we according to the Covenant shall establish here upon request to you made for that effect you are tyed to assist us and so throughtout all the other clauses respectively and equally carrying this along with you we are hereby obliged to the reciprocall defenco of one another according to the declaration of the party wronged in any of the particulars there comprised without being cavilled at or scrupled by the party involied whather your Religion be the same it was or ours the same it should be whether the bounds of your liberties or ours be not enlarged beyond their then line whether your delinquents or ours be justly so or no for the native Rights of both people being the principal it not the only thing we looked on when we swore we do not keep our oath in preserving those rights if we do not allow 〈◊〉 master-right to each several people 〈◊〉 by to be sole judges within themselves what ●●●●gion they will set up what kind of laws they will have what size what number of Magistrates they hold fit to execute those laws and what offendors to be tryed by them Hereupon you know we did not enquire at all how orthodox your religion was before we towed to maintain you in it that is in the quiet possession of it not in the theological trueth of it a business for an University perhaps not for a Kingdom being well assured it was established by them who had all the authority that is visible to chase for themselves and could not without apparent breach of order and in jury to fundamentals be disturbed in the exercise of what they had to chosen See the Independen●y of England edeavoured to be maintained by Henry Marten a Member of the Parliament there c. page 11 12. it God having never given such an absolute power to any men on earth to establish what religion they please and to require from any sort of persons in any Kingdom whatsoever who are all to render an account to God for themselves that they should maintain and defend it upon such establishment without any inquiry at all whether it be according to the Word of God or no as also because the Covenant according to this interperation might be made the bond of iniquity to maintain defend such Religions as are flat contrary to the Word of God as Judaism Turcism and even Paganism yea Popery it self although by Covenant we be expresly bound to endeavour to extirpate it if established by them who have all the authority that is visible choose for themselves And therefore we are sure this can be none of those native rights of the people of any of these Kingdoms which we looked on when we sware and which by this Oath or Covenant we are obliged to preserve Thus fearing lest if we had altogether held our peace at this time x Esther 4.14 God might have sufficiently vindicated his truth by other instruments but for our baseness judged us unworthy to be intrusted any longer with so precious a treasure as trueth is we have therefore chosen rather to approve our selves faithful to God by joyning hands with our brethren who have witnessed such a good confession in giving such a publike and open Testimony to the trueth of Jesus Christ to our Solemn League and Covenant and against the Errours Heresies and Blasphemies of these times and the Toleration of them though for so doing we should be never so much persecuted by men then by our sinful silence seem to be ashamed either of Christ his Trueth or faithful servants boldly standing up in the cause of our great master although thereby we might be assured to gain the whole world And now having discharged our consciences how ever our actions may be misconstrued by some yet we knowing our witness is in heaven and that God is the righteous judg we do not doubt but the testimony of our consciences that herein we have aimed at nothing but the glory of God the defence of his Trueth the health and recovery of this bleeding Church the casting some discountenance upon the raging Errours of these times and testifie our adherence to our Solemn League and Covenant wil abundantly support us against the worst of evils that can befal us for witness-bearing to the Trueth Subscribed the 3d of March 1647. by us Richard Heyrick Warden of Christ-Colledg in Manchester Richard Hollinworth Fellow of Christ-Colledg in Manchester Alexander Horrocks Minister of the Gospel at Deane John Tilsley Pastor of Dean John Harper Pastor of Bolton Richard Goodwin Minister of the Gospel at Bolton Richard Benson Minister of Chollerton William Alt Min of Bury Robert Bath Pastor of Rachdal William Assheton Pastor of Midleton John Harrison Pastor of Asshton-underline Thomas Pyke Pastor of Radcliff John Angier Pastor of Denton William Walker Minister of the Gospel at Newton-heath Chappel Toby Furnesse Min. of the Gospel John Joanes Min. of Eccles. Edward Woolmer Min. of Flixton Robert Gilbody Preacher at Holcome Jonathan Scholefield Min. at Heywood Thomas Holland Min. of Ringley Thomas Clayton Min. of Diasbury Robert Constantine Min. of Ouldham Peter Bradshaw Min. of Cockey John Brierley Preacher at Salford Thomas Johnson Min. of the Gospel at Halsal William Bell Pastor of Hyton William Dun Min. of the Gospel at Ormeskirk James Worrall Pastor of Aughton William Aspinwal Preacher of Gods Word at Mayhall John Mallinson Min. of Gods Word at Melling Robert Seddon Min. of Gods Word at Alker Will Norcot Minister of West-Derby Will. Ward Min. of the Gospel at Walton Nevil Kay Pastor at VValton Henry Boulton Preacher at Hale John Fogge Pastor of Liverpoole Joseph Tompson Min. of Sephton Jo. Kyd Min. of Much-Crosby James Bradshaw Pastor of the Church at Wigan James Starkey Pastor of North meoles James Wood Preacher of the VVord at Assheton in Makersield Robert Yates Pastor of the Church at Warrington Bradbey Hayhurst Preacher of the VVord at Leigh Thomas Norman pastor of Newton Timothy Smith preacher of the VVord at Rainforth John Wright pastor of Billinge Henry Shaw pastor at Holland Thomas Crompton Min. of the Gospel at Aslley William Bagaley Min. of the Gospel at Burtonwood William Leight Preacher of the Word at Newchurch Richard Mawdesley pastor of Ellins James Hyet pastor of Croston Thomas Cranage pastor of Brindle Edward Gee Minister of the Gospel at Eccleston Paul Latham pastor of Standish Samuel Joanes pastor of Hoole Henry Welch Min. at Chorley Wil Brownsword preacher at Dugglas James Crichley preacher at Penwortham Edward Fleetwood pastor at Kirkham Isaac Ambrose pastor of Preston William Addison Lecturer at Preston William ●ngham Minist at Goosenarghe Matthew Moore minister at Broughton Christopher Edmundson pastor at Garstang Thomas Smith preacher at Garstang Chappel John Breres minister at Padiam Richard Jackson pastor at Whittington Nicolas Smith pastor of Tatham Robert Shaw pastor at Cokeram James Scholecroft minister at Caton Thomas Whitehead pastor at Halton Peter Atkinson minister of Ellel John Jaques minister of Bolton Richard VValker minister of VVarton Phillip Bennet minister of Vlverston VVilliam Smith minister of over-Kellet Brian VVillan Minister of Coulton Peter Smith minister of Shireshead Edward Aston minister of Claughton Thomas Demy minister of VViresdalle Thomas Fawcet minister at Overton VVill. Garner Preacher of the Gospel John Smith Minister of Melling Errata Page 4. line 10. for accursed read condemned FINIS