〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR SOME CONSIDERATIONS UPON THE Act of Uniformity WITH AN Expedient for the Satisfaction of the CLERGY within the Province of CANTERBURY By a Servant of the God of Peace London Printed for Edward Thomas and Henry Marsh 1662. Some Serious CONSIDERATIONS UPON THE Act of VNIFORMITIE WITH AN Expedient for the Satisfaction of the CLERGY within the Province of CANTERBURY K. CHARLES I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 161. Neither do I desire any man should be further subject to me then all of us may be subject to God SECT I. ALthough fraile nature below Heavenly grace above and the common float of all things round about me the lively Emblems of Mortality summoned me to dye dayly the misery of late time giving leisure enough their injustice allowing occasion more then enough to those Contemplations of Mortality which are never unseasonable because this is alwaies uncertain Death being an Eclipse which often happeneth as well in a clear as in a cloudy day Although the common burden of Mortality that lyeth upon me as a man the clear apprehensions of another world that I am indued with as a Christian and the serious observation of the successive Revolutions of nature that I am capable of as an inhabitant of the world have put me most of the dayes of my appointed time to wait when my change should come when I should say I shall not see the Lord even the Lord in the land of the living I shall behold man no more with the Inhabitants of the world the keepers of the house trembling the strong men bowing themselves the grinders ceasing because they are few and those that look out at the Windows being darkened this dust of mine expected that it should return to the dust from whence it came and this spirit of mine should return to God that gave it I was willing that God should hide me in the Grave and that he should keep me secret untill his wrath and our calamity was overpast Although I was thus willing to retire to another world while that darknesse covered the face of this Yet when by a wonderfull Revolution of Providence managed by nothing lesse then an Omnipotence that perplexed Chaos of affairs and confused heap was admirably disposed to a sweet order and beauty and a new frame of another world viz. a new Heaven and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousnesse I was in a strait betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better neverthelesse to abide in the flesh I thought might be more needfull for the Church whose sad breaches I hoped should now be carefully repaired whose sacred order peace honour unity and happinesse I hoped should now be recovered to a glory becoming so antient so holy so true so venerable so divine a Religion as ours in its nature author end center and circumference so one so deserving to be most united and uniform in the Catholick truth which is according to holinesse justice order and charity after the Primitive pattern and constant practice of all true Churches Preachers and Professors founded upon Verity fortified with Charity edified in Unity Reverend for Antiquity permanent in their Constancy according to the particular Constitutions of every Church which still kept the great and Catholick Communion as to the main every Christian Catechumene Penitent Communicant Deacon and Presbyter keeping the peculiar place wherein God Nature and the Church hath set them every Member keeping to its Congregation every Congregation to their lawfull Minister set over them to watch over their Souls every Minister to his own Bishop obeying them that have the rule over them and submitting themselves every Bishop to his Metropolitan upon whom is the care of all the Churches and the Metropolitan to his Soveraign as Supreme and he to God over all blessed for ever The Faith delivered to the Saints I thought might have been solemnly established the worship in spirit and truth decent and in order legally settled the Primitive Discipline orderly restored and our antient Church recovered to that beauty order glory and majesty for which it was spoken of throughout the Reformed world that rejoyced to behold our Faith and Order and therefore I was contented if it stood with the good pleasure and will of God to be absent a while from that Church which Christ presented to himself that glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing that it should be holy and without blemish that City of the living God that Heavenly Jerusalem from an innumerable company of Angels from the generall Assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and from God the Judge of all and from the spirits of just men made perfect which I well hoped to enjoy that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Heaven upon Earth the Church in rest and peace round about with the beauty of holinesse without as well as all-glorious within in its Doctrine Apostolical in its Government Primitive in its Order Venerable in its Members Holy and Devout in its Worship Heavenly in its Laws Exact and Prudent which preserved every Christian every Family every City every Country every Province not only in a Church way Communion and Correspondence as to their particular bounds and nearer Relations in every Parish Congregation City or Country but as to that generall bond of charity that Catholick unity of an universal spirit in a bond of peace which binds all Christians in one fellowship of one body whose head is Christ to whom every true believer and visible professor in the whole Latitude of the Church being by the word of God and spirit of Christ fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part doth both edifie and increase it self and others in truth and love 1. Instead of the immediate presence of God whom blessed are the eyes who see which I hope to enjoy with these eyes face to face One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple for I have loved the habitation of his house and the place where his honour dwelleth ever since I have gone with the multitude ever since I have gone with them into the house of God with the voyce of joy and praise with a multitude that kept Holy day How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord God of Hosts my soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh cryeth out for the living God blessed are they that dwell in thine house for they will be still praising thee 2. Instead of that perfection of Soul Nature Faculty Gifts and Graces which I hope for I am contented to stay here a while growing in grace and in the knowledge of God perfecting
and every thing contained and prescribed in a Book Entituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England according to the use of the Church of England together with the Psalter or Psalms of David pointed as they are to be said or sung in Churches and the form and mauner of making Priests and Deacons Prop. 2. We are agreed That a Form of Prayer is lawful 1. grounded upon the word Numb 6.16 Hos 14. 1. Math. 6 2. agreeable to the general custom of the Church which useth Liturgies Liturgy James Basil Chrysostom Liturgy of the Church of Scotland Liturgy of Geneva the Liturgies of the French Churches for the instruction of the ignorant the maintenance of truth unity and peace yea according to the opinion of the Non-conformists Liturgies are lawful for they composed no less than three in Queen Elizabeths time and one since the King came in Prop. 3. We are agreed 1 That upon search our Lyturgy comes neerest the primitive ones of any established beginning with Sentences and exhortations according to the Scripture 2. that the confession is Orthodox that the Absolution the Lords Prayers the Hymns the Psalms the Chapters Creed with all the Prayers are such as may be allowed by any that judge charitably We are agreed That the people may as well repeate the words of the Prayer after the Ministers as say Amen after them to stir up their affections to declare their consort to keep up their fervency suis quisque verbis resipiscentium profiteatur preces repetat and repeat the Psalms as Moses and Mirian Exod. 15.1 and as the Angels answer one another saying Holy holy holy Lord God of Sabbath Prop. 4. We are agreed That the gestures of standing in confession of kneeling are our reasonable service and that the vestures imposed may be used decently according to the rules in St. Jerome divine Religion hath one kind of habit wherein to Minister before the Lord and another for ordinary uses belonging to common life in this we approve St. Basils Counsel Let him that approveth not his Governors Ordinances plainly yet privately shew his dislike if he have a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the true will of God and meaning of the Scripture or else let him quietly with silence do that which is enjoyned Prop. 5. We are agreed 1. That we may safely say those words When thou didest overcome the sharpness of death virtually at the beginning of the world and actually in the fullness of time thou didest open the Kingdom of heaven to all believers 2. That we may safely say God deliver us from sudden death that death when it cometh may give us time with David Moses c. leisurely to end our lives in peace praying for posterity confirming conforting and instructing our relutions dying the death of the righteous and having our latter ends like his or if death come suddenly we may prepar for it in our lives 3. That we may say that for our unworthiness we cannot ask what for the merits of Christ we do ask looking inward we are silencedby our sins looking upward we speak and prevail 4. That we may say O Lord deliver us from all adversity if it be possible yet resolving that not our will but the will of God be done in earth as it is in heaven 5. That we may safely pray that God would have mercy upon all men when the Apostle would have supplication to be made for all men because God was willing that all men should come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved 1 Tim. 2. 3. and our Charity hopeth all things 1 Cor. 13. 7. Rom. 9. 3. 10. 1. Math. 10 11 12. Jer. 15. 1. 6. That we may say the childe hath all things that its capable of which are necessary to salvation when he is Baptised 7. That we may say according to the Scripture John 3. that the Baptized is regenerated of water and we hope of the holy Ghost if it die before the Commission of Actual sin Rom. 5.12 c. 8. That we may say of any particular person dying in the faith that we bury him in hope of Resurrection unto life by that charity that hopeth all things Prop. 6. We are agreed To use the cross and other innocent Ceremonies and ancient as signal marks of Faith Humility Purity Courage and constancy in some parts of the worship and service of the Church as not conferring grace but as reverential in the solemn calling upon Gods name as decent in Gods publick worship and as instances of our obedience to superiors in Church and State commanding things not contrary to Gods word in faith mysteries and manners and thereby reducing the uncertainty of necessary circumstances as time place vesture gesture measure and manner to that fixed unity and comliness as seems to the Church most decent for the nature of the Duty the conveniency of the people and the beauty of holiness In a word we are agreed to submit to the established Liturgy as agreeable to the word of God Joel 2. 11. Eccl. 5. 30. as agreeable to the custom of the Ancient Churches as agreeable to the custom of Modern Churches who retain Liturgies to this day as exact as any of theirs if compared and allowed by the foreign Churches by learned Doctors and holy Martyrs who sealed it with their blood especially considering that we shall not be so strictly tyed to the Liturgy but that we may use our own Gifts before and after Sermon 2. Whereas we are obliged in the next place to declare That it is not lawful upon any pretence whatsoever to take Arms against the King And that we do abhor that traiterous of taking Arms by his authority against his Person or against those that are Commissionated by Him Prop. 1. We are agreed That its scandalous to our Religion whose doctrine is Obedience 2. That its dangerous to our Profession such positions provoking Rulers to root us out of the earth 3. That it is contrary to the profession and practice of good men in all Ages whose way was prayer and patience 4. That it is contrary to the Scripture to resist and that whosoever resisteth 't is his own damnation If any kill with the sword he shall be killed with the sword here is the patience of the Saints 5. That it s originally Jesuitical for Subjects to raise War against their King Prop. 2. We are agreed That the Scripture provides not onely for the safety of the Royal Government but of the Royal Person when we are forbid to despise Dominion to speak evil of Dignities not to resist the Powers ordamed of God O its absurd to follow the Kings person with arms in one place and to preserve his Authority in another miserable is that Power that cannot protect the Person in whom it is 3. Whereas we are obliged in the third
holinesse in the fear of the Lord and withall in my place to contribute towards the work of the Ministry and the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullnesse of Christ by promoting a powerfull Preaching by erecting a severe Discipline by exercising an impartiall Authority by shewing an exemplary Conversation in order to the restoring of that purity decency order and Uniformity of Christian Religion which becomes the wisedom and honour of this Nation by the exactest Conformity with the Catholick Church in its purest and Primitive Constitution a happinesse to be effected and enjoyed by the pious Councils devout Prayers potent Preaching and Learned Writings of good and great men owned by all Churches loved by all people supported by all Princes according to all right reason all due order all politick honour all Scripturall patterns and Divine presidents besides the Laws and antient Customs of this Church and State which had allwaies a due regard to the greatnesse of their Learning the soundness of their Judgement the gravity of their Ages the sanctity of their Lives and the dignity of their Calling 3. Instead of the excellent society of Saints and Angells which I hoped for in Heaven I was content to be with the Excellent that are in the Earth who content themselves with that plain and pristine holynesle which is taught in the Scripture deposited in the Church preserved by an holy Ministry expressed in Christian lives Most eminently manifested in Jesus Christ and his Apostles the great and famous teachers and examples of holy truth holy duties holy Sacraments holy Orders and holy Ministry in the Church to this time that holinesse by which we obey the command embrace the truth fear the threatnings observe the duties preserve the Institutions continue the Orders reverence the Embassadours joy in the Graces hope in the promises and in all things are conformable to Christ by his blessed Spirit who transforms us from glory to glory I mean those holy men 1. that hear the word with trembling 2. that pray with understanding constancy fervency reverence and comlinesle 3. that receive the pledges of Gods love in Christ from the hands of Reverend men called of God by the Church with care preparednesse and thankfullnesse 4. those holy men who love in sincerity give with cheerfullnesse rejoyce in well doing suffer with patience live by faith act by charity And live in order contentednesse and humility a communion of these Saints is part of the glory to be revealed O happy those who enjoy the benefit of their comprehensive abilities their astonishing accomplishments their powerfull discourses their obliging conversations their enflamed devotion their exact piety their remarkable integrity their innocent and large prudence their servent zeal and their publick Spirit O it is good for us to be here 4. Even the High-prayses of God which we hope shall be in our mouthes with Angels and Arch-Angells We may enjoy in the Holy Church which throughout all the World doth acknowledge God with heavenly prayses they on Earth answering one another as they in Heaven Holy holy holy Lord God of Sabbath Not without those Excellencies to which the Ingenuous industry of Christians hath attained for singing and the use of Musick Orall and Organicall in consort or solitary whereby God is glorified both in private and in publick either by the skillfull or attentive Christians whose hearts are turned and framed after Gods own heart who are by this Heavenly way pleased into a Spirituall Holy Humble and calm Frame of Spirit and sweet meditations which are the usuall effects of good and grave Musick on sober and devout soules who in hearing or reading Psalmes Hymnes and Spirituall Songs in which the divine truth of the matter affects the enlightned judgement and the quieted Conscience by a close pleasant and heavenly virtue with the neerest Conformity to the holy minds and Spirits of those Sacred Writs inspired of God for the Composures of those holy Psalmodies 5. Neither was it the least recompence for the delay of that perfect state where Sin is quite removed Sorrow cast away Teares wiped from mens eyes to hope for that state of the Church wherein we might be kept regularly to mortifie the deeds of the body where we might have learned to swallow up our Sorrow with the graces of Patience and Joy our Fears with a Blessed Hope our wants with a foreseeing Faith our shame with a conquest over the World In a word enjoying by a gratious Gonverse a Heaven of happinesse in this vale of misery and an Eternall life in this shadow of Death 6. These and the like particulars made up that happinesse in the hope whereof I flattered my self to some comfort in my few dayes full of trouble The happinesse that we should all have to rejoyce with Jerusalem and be glad with her All we that loved her and to rejoyce for joy with all we that mourned for her A happinesse we thought unquestionable when our God who seemed to be angry but for a moment returned to embrace us with everlasting kindnesse When 1. assisted by his grace and blessing 2. countenanced with the presence and authority of a gratious Soveraign 3. furnished with an Incomparably Pious Prudent and Learned Clergy 4. befriended by Persons of true piety honour and prudence who excelled in virtue 5. provided for by just equal and exact Laws 6. supported with the effectuall fervent Prayer of devout Sons The Church in all probability was likely to recover her ancient life vigour beauty and glory 1. by the Spirit of God allaying animosities and softning the hearts of men to a peaceable and quiet frame 2. by the Prudence of man reconciling interests closing differences and filling up distances 3. by severe Laws rooting up those principles testraining and condemning those practiles that ruined us those Abominations that made desolate 4. by that cheerfull submission for Conscience sake which all men promised to his Majesties Government upon his miraculous Restauration with that Generall Applause and Joy when the Providence and hand of God restored Him whom they thought by the Providence and Hand of God excluded what could we have answered the Messengers of the Nations but that the Lord hath founded Sion and that the poor of his People should trust therein SECT II. BUt that we may be satisfied as nature informes reason dictates and our Faith instructs us in the vanity and vexation of Spirit that is written upon all things under the Snn That there is that disproportion in the worth that weaknesse in the nature that uncertainty in the being that shortnesse in the duration that deceitfullnesse as to all expectations from all things under Heaven that make them unworthy worthy of our hope unfit for our confidence and below our trust being subject to an uncertainty below and a Providence
Non-Conformity will continue those distractions which endangered the first Reformers at Francford disturbed the State in Queen Elizabeths time disquieted the Church in King James his dayes and ruined the Church and State in King Charles his time that time of the best temper and the health fullest Constitution made up of sincere truth unfeigned charity liberal piety unaffected decency with just authority and uninterrupted succession Entertained with holy moderation and humble prosperity Come not thou my Soul into their secret unto their assemblies mine honour be not thou united who maintain a perpetual dissention and cherish the grounds of an endless Schism as serves to give both occasion and confidence to different parties both to excite their private ambitions and in time â—o exert them in wayes of open hostility whensoever opportunity is given by any negligence offence or distemper in Government or Governors 4. This non-Conformity will obstruct the promotion of true Piety while men are to much engaged in the Circumstances they neglect the substance of Religion while by a sullen separation they withdraw from one another to an incapacity of exhorting one Another while it is called to Day least any be hardned through the deceitfullness of Sin Of Provoking one another to love and to good works And of following after the things that make for Peace and things wherewith one may edifie another This publick disagreement will be a great obstruction to the progresse of the Gospel which will never be received by others untill we are agreed in the profession of it our selves while we thus unhappily engaged one against another we cannot all end that publick Service of making the way of God to be known upon Earth his saving health among all Nations It s too great an advantage to the common Enemy who making use of Parties reasons and passions against other thereby overthrows all It was the advice of Cardinall Allen to the Persons that undertook to reduce Ireland back again to Popery That they should apply themselves to the Nonconformist and possesse them with the Covetousnesse ambition and superstition of the Conformists on the one hand and on the other they should apply themselves to the Conformists and possesse them with the Factiousnesse disobedience and disorders of the Nonconformists that so they might be provoked to spend their fury upon each other to their mutual ruine I speak as to wise men judge you what I say 7. This rupture is dangerous to our Native Country for besides the Roman advantage which is greatest and Last the private passions and various interests of Factions and parts will hazard the Civil peace by endeavours to promote their several opinions and pretences under any specious name whatsoever alas if these Separations continue men knowing there is but one Religion as there is but one God and his holy Will but one every one is prone to presume that he is in the right Next hee growes so partial to his own perswasions to imagine this above all others best and onely pleasing to God then he concludes all other wayes of Religion as displeasing to God as to himself hence zeal and impotent Impulses to propagate his own way and overthrow all others as an acceptable service and sacrifice to God which is done first by words disputing writing rayling and reviling if that will not serve to reform the obstinate world then he first wisheth afterwards useth the sword as soon as he and his party can get number and power sufficient to act with probable safety such an opportunity he counts a Call of God an hand of Providence inviting and directing what to do to establish his own way against all others never so approved of good men and prospered by Gods grace and blessing yea therefore we may observe that they are unwilling to grant that freedom to others their inferiors in number and power which they once desired of their superiors upon a reason of State that dictates to all men thus much That publick Differings in matter of Religion are very dangerous to the civil Peace of those that enjoy Power and are quiet under it which every party secretly envieth repines at and endeavors to obtain for it self and therefore make no more conscience of any Civil or Ecclesiastical Subjection or Christian patience and submission longer then they are so ballanced by the power and prudence of Superiors that they cannot subdue all things under their feet Oh its pity that those more minute Opinions and Perswasions when Religion which should restrain stirs up mens passions should have more power to divide than all the Agreements in other main matters hath to preserve love and unity as men Countrey-men and Christians in so much that the Church of England which was grown to that height of Beauty Piety Order Moderation and Honor as became the glory of God the majesty of Christian Religion and the Wisdom of this Nation hath often in H. 8. Ed. 6. Q. Eliz and King James time bin endangered by these struglings in Religion which the publick Power policy and vigilancy of those times repressed and at last was undone by such breaches that are unparalleled in former and will be scarce credible in after Ages 8. This reluctancy of some against the present Establishment threatens all Government which consists in a full power to establish and maintain Laws Equity Justice and Religion on the one hand that we may lead peaceable and quiet lives in all godliness and honesty and on the other hand in due obedience for Conscience sake to those Laws and Methods of Government every one studying to be quiet and to follow his own business If you now refuse the seasonable and well-advis'd Law Order and Decency proposed by the Church under pretence of Liberty of Conscience you will teach others to refuse Laws of the same nature from you with the same Arguments that you oppose the directions of the Liturgy others did arise who oppose the Rubrick of the Directory and there is no stop in setting up private Opinions against publick determinations but in confusion disorder ruine to your private judgement you cannot allow present Laws others private judgement cannot allow your Ordinances It s your thoughts that you are above forms its others thoughts they are above ordinances you dislike a Surplice they dislike a Gown you cannot approve the Bishops double honor of reverence and revenue and they cannot approve yours of reverence and tythe you cannot use the Cross in Baptism they cannot use Baptism it self you cannot admit some innocent circumstances in the Lords Supper they cast off the Lords Supper it self you cannot away with Musick nor they with Psalms what end would there be of Dissensions unless the Magistrate did interpose for outward peace and order men surely would grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived till their folly be made manifest to all men What dissolution of order what novelties of opinions what undecencies of administration what sacrilegious invasions of
the Church what contempt of the Clergy what overthrows of Magistrates and all Government have been managed by the Principles now contended for all sober men have beheld with sorrow of heart and can bear witness to with their sighs teares and ruine O tell it not in Gath publish it not in Askelon I pray God give us all moderation and impartiality the best tempers in religion unpassionately to consider from whence we are fallen by humane policies and to what we are transported by popular zeal that all distempers may be laid aside by free converse and a Christian correspondence whereby those sad principles of everlasting schism might be removed by which on our side men think because in many things they are right therefore they can erre in nothing and on the other side because in some things men have mistaken and erred therefore they can be in nothing right without regard so that Truth and Charity which is the life and quintessence of Christian Religion 9. It s of very dangerous consequence that you who should promote the joy and thankfulness of His Majesties loving subjects for His happy Restauration should now occasion these fears jealousies and publick sorrow that when all rejoyce to see things grow up to a publick order and symmetry you should be discontent as when all the people cryed Hosanna the Pharisees murmured is a sin against that Deut 28. where it is said Because thou servest not the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart for the abundance of all things therefore which is the danger shalt thou serve thine enemy in hunger in thirst in nakedness and in want of all things and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thee till he have destroyed thee These are the dangerous Conseqences of Non-conformity viz. 1. Hiding your talents in a napkin and putting your light under a bushel and becoming unserviceable in your Generations 2. The grief of many good people who value high your persons and gifts who thought you would have died for them under persecutors and therefore you would much more obey for their sakes under a lawful Prince 3. The disadvantage of the Church which by your unexpected revolt will miss your gifts and services which were devoted to it 4. The disparagement of your brethren who are censured as unworthy for practising those things which rather then you will do you will resist unto blood whereby their labor is rendered unserviceable for those souls from whom your labor is withdrawn 5. The undoing of your families for whom ye are to provide unless ye will be worse then infidels O your wives and children what have they done That while you are disputing whether you should wear a Gown or whether you should stand or kneel whether you had best use these sorts of words or those to God Almighty In a word whether you shall obey or Rebel these should perish If you should go out which God forbid it 's you that will be thought to turn out your selves for men judge that the Law intends onely obedience and peace and that the offenders cause the punishment the Parliament would have you live orderly and obediently in your places you will not who is to be blamed But you cannot believe the orders of the Church to be lawful and obliging and the whole Kingdom in Parliament cannot believe that Non-conformity is lawful You cannot submit and the whole Kingdom in Parliament cannot think you fit to be encouraged with Ecclesiastical Livings unless you submit whether it is more fitting the whole Kingdom should submit to you or you to the whole Kingdom judge ye In a word if you do reject the moderate impositions the Church layes upon you I humbly crave leave to offer it to your consideration what judgement the Protestant Churches are likely to make of your proceedings And how your cause and the Churches will stand represented to them and to all future Ages The present danger is this As in disaffected bodies the humors fall to the weakest part so in a distempered Kingdom the ill disposed persons fall in with the discontented part 1. Upon this falling off of your party there are persons exasperated by just punishment on themselves and relations 2. There are thousands purchasers of Delinquents Deans Chapters Bishops King and Queen and Princes Lands unsatisfied 3. There are thousands of Cavaliers notwithstanding all care to provide for them dejected 4. There are abundance of Atheists and Neuters expecting some trouble and alteration and persons of desperate fortunes wishes they may once more fish in troubled waters 5. There are several persons turned out of Livings by the proper owners thereof and notwithstanding they are willing to submit are not likely to be admitted to so good again 6. There are many of the old Army that want employment 7. There are thousands of disobliged Sectaries 8. There are too many that for want of Trading are not able in this dead time to provide for themselves and families who would be all willing to hazzard themselves in the engagement of 41. they are in their method already Popery preached against Ceremonies and Lyturgies are cried down the Reverend Clergy afftonted Non-conformists are pittied the silencing of them is resented trading is dead taxes are complained of meetings are appointed plots discovered and all things by your dissent tend to a confusion These thoughts I leave to your cooler and more moderate intervals to meditate upon between your selves and the great searcher of hearts The Expedient But my business is not so much to exasperate as to accomodate dissenters and therefore I shall intreat those reverend persons concerned seriously to consider the following Propositions which if assented to will bring them up to the design of the Act of Uniformity agreed upon by all sober Protestants Prop. 1. That since the first plantation of true Religion which is a judicious and sincere devoting of the whole soul to God as the Supream good offered us in Jesus Christ and the right performance of that duty we ow to that God upon such grounds to such ends and after such manner as he requires it of us there have been an holy Company called by his word to the knowledge of God in Christ who in all holy ways and orderly institutions publickly profess their inward sence of duty and devotion which they ow to God by believing and obeying his word and also that Charity which they ow to all men especially to that houshold of the faith that holds communion with Christs body the Catholick Church Prop. 2. It s agreed That this outward profession of Religion as it is held forth in the word in its truth zeals duties and Ministry makes one Church Catholick of all Christians joyned in a mysterious inward and religious Communion with God and one another in Christ by the word and spirit in the inward part of Religion and in obedience charity and comely order as to the outward part of that Religion and