the Church Government by Bishops intended in the paper of the Dutch Ambassadours both in England and Ireland and to hinder the setting of it up again in the Kingdom of Scotland All which being duly considered we are extreamly sory that the Houses of Parliament should not only have given way but countenanced the Army in their medling with the setling of the peace of the Kingdom authorized Commissioners to treat with them upon Propositions of peace which we take to be the reason that these Propositions are in so many things agreeable to the Proposals of the Army especially in matters of Religion and without all question it had been more agreeable to the Treaty betwixt the Kingdoms and to former professions and proceedings that the Propositions of peace had been framed and agreed upon with advice and consent of both Kingdoms We have known the Houses of Parliament formerly look upon it as an offence of a high nature for any other then themselves to meddle in the matters of peace especially the Commanders and officers of the Army though in prime place and of great and eminent fidelity making it only proper for them to be exercised in matters of warre according as they should receive direction from the Houses And much more would the Houses have been offended if any officers of their Army should have taken upon them to offer proposals to the King for setling a peace without authority from the houses as we are informed some officers of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army have done If the Houses of Parliament had according to our earnest desire the third of March 1644. when they modelled their Army made choice of such officers as were known to be zealous of the Reformation of Religion of that uniformity which both Kingdoms are obliged to promote and maintain and if they had also renewed their Declaration made the twentieth of September 1643. That they could not confide in such persons to have or execute place and authority in the Armies raised by them who did not approve and consent to the Covenant or if their Ordnance on the 15 of February 1644 which appointeth all officers to be imployed in Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army to take the National league Covenant of both Kingdoms within 20 days after they were approved by the Houses had been really put in execution we are very confident it would have prevented a world of inconveniences and evils which have ensued upon the neglect thereof Wee shall not further insist on this subject neither shall we inlarge our selves upon the proceedings of the Army But we must alwayes put the Houses of Parliament in minde that our greatest strength is in a good agreement with the King and a firme Union between the Kingdomes There is left out in these Propositions the Proposition â—â—â—â—erning the City of London whereby they were to have the Government of their owne Militia and the Tower and assurance that their Forces shall not be compelled to goe out of the City for Military Service without their owne consent An Act of Parliament confirming their Charters Customes Liberties c. And an Act that all the By-Laws and Ordinances of Common-Councell made or to be made should bee as effectuall to all inâ—â—â—â—â— and purposes as if they were enacted by Authority of Parliament with liberty also for them to repeale these Ordinaunces as they shall see cause These things were formerly desired in the Propositions in behalfe of the City because of their affection forwardnesse faithfullnesse and â—ealâ— in the common cause of both Kingdomes And we conceive our selves in duty obliged to desire that this Proposition may not be omitted but presented to His Majesty for His assent Concerning the Propositions for taking away the Court of Wards and Porrest Lands from His Majesty It cannot be â—â—pected when the Houses of Parliament shal take into their consideration the glory and greatnesse wherein their Kings have 〈◊〉 that they will ever take away or diminish any part of that â—atrimony and Revenue which is necessary for supporting the Dignity of their Royall place without giving a full recompence for thâ— same Touching the Proposition for salâ— and disposall of the Lands of Deanes and Chapters c. as the Houses shall think fit We have onely this to say that we have alwayes heâ—rd those lands were reserved by the Houses for maintenance of the Miâ—â—sterie and if they should be otherwise disposed of it will 〈◊〉 a great discouragement to faithfull Pastors make their subsistâ—â—â—â—â— to depend upon the benevolence and charity of their 〈◊〉 and give occasion to the people where Ministers 〈◊〉 wanting for lacke of maintenance to follow after Sectaries and Tâ—â—â— Preachers We desire to see the Ordinances for Indemnity mentioned in the Propositions And now to conclude we shall here set downe most of our desires Which are That there may be a Personall Treaty with His Majesty at London That the Preface may be the same as in the former Propositions That the Honourable Houses according to the solemne Vowes Treaties Declarations and Engagements between the two Kingdomes would after so very long delay establish the Solemne League and Covenant and that His Majesty be desired to give His Royall Assent for confirming the same by Act of Parliament in both Kingdomes That the setling Reformation of and Vniformity in Religion according to the Covenant in England and Ireland be likewise desired in these new Propositions And in particular that the Confession of Faith Directory of Worship Forme of Church-Government and Catechising agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines and presented to the Houses be established That by Act of Parliament effectuall Course be taken for suppressing Blasphemy Heresie Schisme and all such scandalous Doctrines and Practises as are contrary to the light of Nature or to the knowne principles of Christianity whether concerning Faith Worship or Conversation or to the power of Godlinesse or which may be destructive to Order and Government or to the Peace of the Church or Kingdome That the Ordinances concerning the calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines be desired to be confirmed by Act of Parliament as in the former Propositions That the Proposition for confirmation of the Treaties betwixt the Kingdomes And all Ordinances and proceedings betwixt them be expressed as in the former Propositions And that the Treaty for the returne of the Scots Army of the Date of the 23 of Decemb. 1646. be inserted amongst the rest That His Majesties Assent be desired to what the two Kingdomes shall agree upon in prosecution of the Articles of the large Treaty which are not yet finished And that all other things concerning joynt-Interest or the Kingdome of Scotland in particular which are omitted be inserted and expressed as in the former Propositions That Armies in both Kingdomes which were raised for preservation and Reformation of Religion And for defence of the Kings Person and safety of the Kingdomes be not kept up to hinder Reformation of Religion And
all that wish wel to Religion the King and Kingdom to ioyn in and to be a singular pledg of Gods gracious goodness to all the three Kingdoms we say shal that Covenant be layd aside Shal our mutual and solemn League and Covenant subscribed by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms by the Assembly of Divines by the City of London and which not only they but all Scotland and many thousands in England and Ireland with hands lifted up to the most high God did swear That they shal not suffer themselves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terror to be divided and withdrawn from that blessed union and conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or to give themselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God the good of the Kingdoms and honor of the King but shal all the days of their lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to their power against all lets and impediments whatsoever and that they shal do all this as in the sight of God Shal that Covenant even with those that took it be already out of date and not so much as remembred amongst the Propositâ—ons of Peace Yea it is not so much as mentioned in these new Propositions except in the 7 Qualification of the 14 Proposition where it is only made a hook to catch some into the Notion of Delinquency But perhaps there it escaped the Revisers of the Propositions who in all other places have exploded it It is answered by some that by one of the Propositions it is craved that an act of Parliament be passed declaring the Kings approbation of the making of the Treaties between the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in which Treaties there is mention made of the Covenant And therefore it is not necessary to desire a particular Confirmation and Establishment of the Covenant To which it is briefly Replyed first that there is no Proposition for passing any Act of Parliament to confirm the Treaties between the Kingdoms as was desired in all former Propositions but these words are purposely changed and in place thereof there is only desired An Act Declaring the Kings approbation of the making of the Treaties which in effect is no more then an act of Indempnity for making the Treaties and not an Act for confirmation and establishing of the Treaties themselves and those things which are expressed and transacted in them 2. Suppose there were an Act of Parliament passed for approbation of the Treaties between the Kingdoms in general which is not in these Propositions Yet such a generality would not be understood to be extended to the confirmation of the Covenant unless the particular Articles of the Treaty and the Covenant were expresly inserted because there was an express Proposition amongst the former that an Act of Parliament be passed in both Kingdoms for confirming and taking the Covenant which being now left out of the new Propositions without mentioning the Covenant cannot but he interpreted as a receding from the Covenant and the approbation and confirmation of the Treaties in generall after deleting the Covenant out of the Propositions would only be understood of the remaining Articles of the Treaties Therefore if there be not an intention to relinquish the Covenant Let us not be ashamed to avow it and insert the confirming of it as one of the chiefe and expresse desires of our Propositions Let us give testimony and beare witnesse to the truth and not deny it remembring that whosoever shall give testimony to Christ and his truth by confessing him before Men Math. 10 3â—.33 he will also confesse them before his Father which is in heaven And whosoever will deny him before Men them will he deny before his Father which is in heaven And seeing the Covenant was the soverain and only meanes of recovering these embroiled bleeding Kingdomes when the Houses were at their lowest ebbe and desired the Kingdome of Scotland Declarat delivered in Scotland Iuly 164â— to consider with what difficulties miseries and distractions they were enforced daily to wrestle even for the life and being both of Church and State Surely the despising refusing and casting aside that remedy would be the height of ingratitude must render the disease much more desperate and turn our former mutuall confidence into mutuall diffidence And therfore we desire that the Houses upon better consideration will still adhere to the Covenant and insert it among the Propositions And whereas the Kings aversnesse from the Covenant may be objected and that the desiring to have it confirmed may be a hinderance to peace We answer If the omitting of the Covenant in these Propositions doth really proceed from that principle that the Houses are desirous to please the King and to remove all obstructions that may hinder a peace We doe very much wonder that they are so liberall in the matters of God and so tenacious in what concernes themselves in all differences betwixt his Majesty and them in things Civill which may farre better be dispenced with But to answer the strength of the Objection We say That the Covenant being for the preservation and Reformation of Religion and for the true honour and happinesse of the King and his Posterity and for the peace and safety of his Kingdomes Whatever be the difference of his Majesties judgement We have just cause to insist to crave his Royall assent to it And the Kings heart is in the hands of God to turn it as the rivers of waters whither he pleaseth And although the King should deny it yet we ought to performe our duty And when his Majesty shall be convinced that our intentions in entring into this Covenant were and are pious and loyall and that our Actions doe evidence that we intend no injury to his Royall Person to wrong his Government nor to diminish his just power We hope God will incline his heart to give just satisfaction concerning the Covenant And though his Majesty shall not come the full length of our desires yet we must never depart from the Covenant nor leave off by all just wayes to promote it or desist from endeavouring by all lawfull meanes to procure his Majesties assent unto it But we desire that we may be rightly understood in this and not misconstrued as if our zeale for the Covenant did abate or diminish at all from our Loyalty and duty to the King for the Covenant doth not lessen or limit our allegeance as some would falsely slander it and those who sincerely and loyally took it or that upon difference of his Majesties judgement and not comming the full length of our desires in every thing he should be kept in prison or that Armes should be kept up now when the Warre is ended to burthen the Subjects and force the King to grant what they please to demand We were confident when our Army returned to
in this cause especially since our said engagement in pursuance of the said Covenant have thought fit lest we partake in other mens sins and therby be in danger to receive of their plagues to set forth this our deep sence of the great dishonour of God and perillous condition that this Kingdome is in through the abhominable blasphemies and damnable heresies vented and spread abroad therein tending to the subversion of the faith contempt of the Ministry and ordinances of Iesus Christ And as we are resolved to imploy and improve the utmost of our power that nothing be done or said against the truth but for the truth So we desire that both ourselves and the whole Kingdom may be deeply humbled before the Lord for that great reproach and contempt which hath been cast upon his Name and saving truthes and for that swift destruction that we may justly fear will fall upon the immortall souls of such who are or may be drawn away by giving heed to seducing spirits In the hearty and tender compassion whereof We the said Lords and Commons doe order and ordaine That Wednesday being the 10. day of March next be set apart for a day of publike humiliation for the growth and spreading of errors heresies and blasphemies to be observed in all places within the Kingdome of England Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick and to seek God for his direction and assistance for the suppressing and preventing the same And are these the waies and meanes that the Houses of Parliament have thought upon for suppressing Errors Heresies and Blasphemies to desire that a Toleration of them may be established by a Law Is the laying of a foundation to propagate Heresie and Schisme the best way to extirpate the same Are these the fruits and effects of their solemne Fast and Humiliation Certainly God will not be mocked The Covenant doth also oblige us mutually to preserve the Authority of the supream Magistrate the priviledges of Parliaments and firm peace and union between the kingdoms to all posterity And is it not visible that many of those Sectaries with their adherents and abettors doe by their pernicious doctrine and actions offer violence to the Kings person and Authority and against the rights and priviledges of Parliament So as there is not any one Article of the Solemn League and Covenant which is not in a high degree violated by them And shall a toleration be established for all such The opposing the Covenant and Reformation of Religion the dividing betwixt the King and his people or making any faction among the people contrary to this League and Covenant were formerly the characters of our enemies and whosoever mayntayn and doe these things though they should assume to themselves the name of Saints are still to be accounted Incendiaries Malignants and evill Instruments And we are obliged by Covenant with faithfulnesse to endeavour the discovery of all such that they may bee brought to publique triall and receive condigne punishment And though it be far from our intentions that pious and peaceable men should be troubled because in every thing they cannot conform themselves to Presbyteriall Govenment for we did never oppose such an indulgence to their persons as is agreeable to the Word of God may stand with the publick peace and is not destructive to the order and Government of the Church yet wee do from our very souls abhor such a generall and vast Toleration as is expressed in the Proposition And if the Houses which God forbid shall adhere thereunto and insist that it may be established We do protest against it as that which is expresly contrary to the Word of God utterly repugnant to the solemn League and Covenant destructive to Reformation and Uniformity in Religion altogether inconsistent with the Declarations and Professions of the Houses against the Treaty between the Kingdomes directly opposite to the example and practice of all the reformed Churches and as that which will unavoidably subvert all Order and Goverment and introduce a world of confusion Our mindes are astonied and our bowels are moved within us when we think of the bitter fruits and sad consequences of such a Toleration What horrid blasphemies against God! What vile abominations What pernicious doctrine to the subversion and perdition of souls What disobedience to the Magistrate What violation of duties between persons of neerest relation What differences and divisions in Families and Congregations it will bring forth What bitter heart-burnings it will beget and perpetuate to posterity Nay it is impossible for us to expresse what infinite distraction disorder and confusion it will make both in Church and State thorowout all the three Kingdoms And therefore wee do obtest the Houses of Parliament by the solemn League and Covenant which they have made in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as they shall answer at that great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed and by all the promises professions and Declarations wherewith they induced the Kingdom of Scotland to an engagement and conjunction with them in this Cauâ—â— That they do not establish such an impious Toleration as cannot but draw down the judgement of God and make a rent between the two Kingdoms united by so many tyes and relations which wee desire to cherish and strengthen and to continue to all posterity That next to Religion wherein we differ in judgement from the Propositions is concerning the interest power of the Crown We are obliged by our Covenant allegeance and the duty of Subjects not to diminish but to support the Kings just power and greatnes The question then is wherein his royall Authority and just power doth consist And we affirm and hope it cannot be denyed that regall power and authority is chiâ—fly in making and enacting Laws and in protecting and defending their subjects which are of the very essence and being of all Kings And the exercise of that power are the chief parts and duties of their royall office and function And the Scepter and Sword are the badges of that power Yet the new preface compared with other parts of these new Propositions takes away the Kings negative voice and cuts off all Royall power and righâ— in the making of Laws contrary to the constant practice of this and all other Kingdoms For the Legislative power in some Monarchies is Penes Principem solum and their Laws are called Principum placita which is the highest and most absolute kinde of Sovereignty And in other Kingdoms and Monarchies the power of making Laws is by compact between the Prince and people or according to the constitution practice and usage of the severall Kingdoms In the last the power of the King is least but best regulated where neither the King alone without his Parliament nor the Parliament without the King can make Laws and where nothing enacted by the one without the consent of the other can
the King from His Government And to be a burthen to the Subjects since the Warre is ended but that they may have due satisfaction of their Arreares and be disbanded without which there can be no reall nor lasting Peace That all Armies being disbanded here speedy reliefe may be sent to Ireland That an Act of Oblivion which is the bond of Peace be agreed upon to be past in the Parliaments of both Kingdomes That the King be restored to his Rights and Revenues and particularly that the Crowne be not excluded from the power of making Lawes which is as essentiall to Kings as to governe by Lawes and sway the Scepter Nor from the power of the Militia without which they can neither protect their Subjects oppose their and the Kingdomes enemies nor keep friendship with their Allyes That there be a conclusion added to the Propositions promising our reall endeavours as was done in the Propositions Treated upon at Vxbridge that his Majesty may live in the splendor and glory of his Royall Progenitors as beseemeth His Royall place and Dignity That so all differences and troubles may end in mutuall confidence and rejoycing the King may enjoy the comfort of His Royall Consort and Children with other contentments And wee after so great distractions and long continued sufferings may reap the blessed fruits of Truth and Peace under his Government And as it is very far from our thoughts and intentions in expressing our Differences upon the Propositions to provoke or give offence so we trust that our freedome in discharge of the trust committed to us proceeding from our zeale to Religion Loyalty to the King and love to Peace shall receive a coâ—diâ— Interpretation from the Honourable Houses And that they 〈◊〉 in their wisedome not slight the desires of a Kingdome â—ho 〈◊〉 the time of Englands greatest danger esteemed no 〈◊〉 too hard for their Assistance And are now seeking nothing but the performance of the mutuall Obligements Declarations and Treaties betweene the two Kingdomes And to prevent the dangers which may cause upon the 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 to solemne engagements The Houses of Parliament have frequâ—ntly professed that the chiefe end of their Warres was the Reâ—ormaâ—ion and establishment of Religion according to the Covenant And they have often Promised and Declared to the King and to all the World nâ—t without â—lâ—ep â—â—estaâ—â—â— of the Name of God that no trouble or successe should ever make them wrong or diminish the power of the Crowne which were the chiefe moâ—â—â—es and Arguments that indured Scotland to engage with them in this Warre Let therefore that be given to God which is Gods and to Caesar what is Caesars whereby it may be evident that you are not unmindfull of the solemne Vowes you made to God in the time of distresse for Reformation of Religion and it may also really appeare that 〈◊〉 advantages and power which 〈◊〉 put into your hands hath not 〈…〉 your Loyalty to the King And according to our many professions and neare 〈…〉 â—â—ally and coâ—â—â—â—â—ly cheâ—ish and strâ—ng then the Vâ—ion between the two Kingdomes under his Majesty by all the Pledges of reciprocall kindnesse 〈◊〉 so Religion and Righteousnesse may flourish and both Kingdomes languishing under the 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 of an naturall Warre may live in 〈◊〉 plâ—nty By Command of the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland IO. CHEISâ—â—â— WEE 〈…〉 the Inâ—â—râ—ctions communicaâ—â—â—â— unto 〈…〉 in the 〈◊〉 wherein the 〈…〉 the King care 〈◊〉 present 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 of Parliament 〈…〉 Procla 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 the Parliament to bee 〈…〉 or 〈…〉 to bee made and a new Proposition for the adjournments of both Houses To which Bills they are commanded to desire His Majesties assent by His Letters Patents under the great Seal of England and not otherwise And after His Majesties assent to those Bils the Houses of Parliament will send a Committee of both Houses to Treate with His Majesty in the Isle of Wight upon the remainder of the new Propositions To all which wee answer That although there be nothing which we more passionately desire then a happy Peace and good agreement with the King yet we cannot agree to this way of desiring His Majestyes assent to those four Bills before any Treaty with His Majesty upon other Propositions it being in our judgment neither for the good of Religion the King nor Kingdomes And first concerning Religion we say that in January 1645. it was agreed on betwixt the Houses of Parliament and us before the Treaty at Vxbridge That the Propositions concerning Religion the Militia and Ireland shall bee treated upon alteâ—â—s vicibus beginning first with the Proposition of Religion and that as it is of most excellency so it is to bee sought after and finally agreed upon in the fi st place before any finall agreement the 〈◊〉 upon any of the other Propositions Wee are very sure the Houses had far greater reason at that time to looke to their security and to desire the Proposition for setling the Militia to be first agreed on when the King had an Army in the field then now when they have a strong Army and he has none at all And upon the other part the danger to Religion is now much greater them aâ— any time before when men in Armes are demanding a toleration of all sorts of Religions Popery excepted And if first of all it should be agreed on that the continuance of such an Army shall be setled by Law wee desire it may be equally considered what good can be expected from a treaty upon 〈◊〉 or what hopes shall remaine of setling it according to the Covenant wherefore we cannot consent to the sending any Propositions or 〈…〉 a seâ—â—rity for â—â—â—ling Peace without Tâ—â—th which hath been acknowledged both by His Majesty and the 〈◊〉 all former Treaties or Messages to bee the best 〈◊〉 most 〈◊〉 foundation of a lasting Peace And we must still presse that there may be a preference of those desires which are for setling 〈◊〉 and the Goverment of the Church the want 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Sects and Heresies which doe multiply and in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daily to the disturbance of all Order and Peace both in Church and State As this way is not for the good of Religion so it cannot in reason be conceived that it shall bee acceptable to the King for how can it bee expected that he will grant those things for a personall Treaty whereof the issue is uncertain which he hath ever hitherto denyed even to obtaine a Peace especially when after all his Majesties earnest desires hee cannot bee admitted to come to London nor upon any tearms to have a Treaty here in respect the Houses conceive that the Kings presence with them at this time stands not with the safety and security of the Parliament and kingdome but that the Kings assent to the four Bills must be by Commission and thereafter a Treaty upon the rest of
Scotland and left no Forces in this Kingdome to oppose the Parliament that the Army here should have been instantly disbanded And could never have expected that the Kings Majesty to whom the Parliaments of both Kingdomes were to make their addresses for a safe and well-grounded peace should have been taken away by the Army against his will and still kept in their power to be carryed whether they please or forced to flye for safety If Scotland had apprehended that the least injury or violence would have been committed against his Majesties Royall Person or Monarchicall Government Nay if they had not received assurance from the Houses to the contrary certainly all the threatnings or allurements in the world could never have perswaded them to have parted with the King till all Armies had been disbanded and the peace of the Kingdomes setled It was our brotherly confidence in the Houses who are our fellow Subjects and the assurance we had from them that made us leave the King with them And their care of him and duty to him ought to be such as neither his Majesty nor we have cause to repent it And this we could not but declare to assert the truth and vindicate the honour and reputation of our Nation for out Loyalty hath ever been is and shall be dearer unto us then our lives and fortunes And the candor and integrity of all our Actions is a sufficient confutation of all the calumnyes and aspersions which malice or envie can forge against us We finde also these Propositions omitted viz. the Proposition for confirming the Ordinances concerning the calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines the Proposition for Reformation of Religion in England and Ireland according to the Covenant And the Proposition for setling Unity and Uniformity in matters of Religion between the Churches of God in both Kingdomes according to the Covenant In place of all which we finde nothing but a meer shadow of Presbyteriall Government an externall Form of Discipline without life or power and a liberty granted for all sorts of Service and Worship of God and for the Exercise of all such Religious Duties and Ordinances as every person shall please and his own erroneous conscience shall dictate unto him for there is no other rule prescribed which opens a doore to Atheism to all Religions and to that which by abuse of the name is called liberty of conscience being indeed liberty of errour scandall schism heresy dishonouring God opposing the truth hindering Reformation and seducing others So in place of Uniformity in Religion which by Covenant both Kingdomes have sworn to endeavour there is here desired to be setled a vast difformity or multi-formity of Heresies and Sects which if the Lord in his mercy shall not prevent may produce the ruine of Religion in both Kingdomes which we have just reason to feare as for other reasons so when we consider the Declaration of the Houses of Parliament speaking of the design of the Popish and Prelaticall Faction to alter Religion in this Island of whom they say first Page 492. collection of Declar they resolved to impose a Popish Service-Book upon Scotland for well they know the same fate attended both Kingdoms and Religion could not be altered in the one without the other And in Answer to the Scots Declaration pag. 601. Whensoever the design to root out Religion shall be perfected in either Nation it will easily be accomplished in the other Religion being the band and foundation of the safety and happinesse of both And in August 1643. the English Commissioners declare to the Kingdome of Scotland that they are commanded by their instructions to put their brethren of Scotland in minde that the Popish and Prelaticall Faction that began with them about the yeare 1638 and 1639 and then intended to make way to the ruine of the Kingdome of England by theirs have not abated any part of their malice toward the Nation and Church of Scotland nor at all departed from their design of corrupting and altering Religion through the whole Island though they have inverted the manner of their proceeding conceiving now that they have an easier way to destroy them if they may first prevaile over the Parliament and Kingdome of England In which respect it is the desire of both Houses that the two Nations may be strictly Vnited c. And in another paper it is declared that what corruptions take root in the Church and Kingdome of England English Commissioners August 16â—3 will quickly spread their venome and infection into the Neighbour Church of Scotland Wherefore we cannot dissent from this Proposition And according to the trust reposed in us represent our just exceptions against it And first of all we think it very strange That the Houses of Parliament should desire an Act of Parliament to bee made for establishing Presbyterian Government and in the very same Proposition desire that it may bee Enacted that none shall obey that Act of Parliament but such as shall please to doe it 2. We observe that however it is pretended that Presbyterian Government is desired to be established as the Government of the Church of England yet it is only in effect a Liberty granted to all such as of their own accord will joyn in Presbyteriall Government and so amounts to no more then a Toleration of it 3. That this toleration of Presbyterian Government is many wayes limited as in the time for which it is to endure being only to the end of the next Session of Parliament after the end of this present Session which perhaps may be not above six Moneths And the Ministers and Elders are appointed by Ordinance of Parliament to exclude from the Sacrament only such Persons as the Houses have thought fit and no others though it be against their consciences so to do They are bounded with severall restrictions in their Meetings and Assemblyes and are not allowed the use and exercise of all the Ordinances appointed by the Word of God so as Liberty of Conscience is denied to them and granted to others For 4. An unlimited toleration for the time of endurance matter of worship and exercise of all Ordinances is expresly granted to all the Sectaries of the time whether they be Anabaptists Antinomians Arminians Familists Erastians Brownists Separatists Libertines or Independents yea it extends to those Nullifidians the Seekers to the new Sect of Shakers and divers others By all which the very foundation of Church and State is shaken and neare to be overthrown 5. The toleration here desired to be established is of that capacity and latitude as it may admit of many vile and grosse errours which have been condemned and cast out of the Church in former times and may be revived in England as if errours and heresies were of so precious a nature that men should be encouraged by Law to enquire after them and invited to maintaine them 6. This toleration is not only to the persons of those