ALthough we do not deeme our selves worthy at all to heale any of the bleeding wounds in this distressed Kingdome, Yet when wee consider, that beside the raging of the sword devouring us every where, our miseries are increased by the seve­rall wayes of Brethren, and that many of those we dearely love in the Lord, are at this time entring themselves into Church-societies; we could not but in our tender love to the publike [Page 2] good, and also out of Christian prudence, present unto their serious thoughts these con­siderations.

First, That although it be the duty of all the servants of Christ, to keepe themselves al­wayes pure from corruption in Religion, and to indevour in an orderly way, the Reforma­tion of it; Yet is it an undoubted Maxime, that it belongs to Christian Magistrates in an especiall manner to be authorizers of, and Mi­nisters of the Gospel to be Leaders in, such Re­formation.

2 That while they are doing this worke, it is the duty of all people to pray for them, en­courage them, joyne with them, and waite upon them.

3. That at this time God hath inclined the hearts of the Honorable Houses of Parliament to ingage themselves herein, and they have called an Assembly of Divines to assist them; and required them to make the Word their onely rule, and to endeavor the nearest con­formitie to the best reformed Churches: at which worke they now are, and through Gods mercy have made some comfortable [Page 3] beginning according to that rule.

4. That now all the power of Satan and Antichrist is combining by all possible meanes to destroy the Parliament, and to cause this worke of God to cease; Nothing can be more destructive to the friends of the cause of Reli­gion, then to be divided amongst themselves; a thing which the enemies desire and endea­vour to breed and foment by all possible meanes.

5. That it is not to bee doubted, but the councells of the Assembly of Divines, and the care of the Parliament will be, not onely to reforme and set up Religion throughout the Nation, but will concurre to preserve whatever shall appeare to be the rights of par­ticular Congregations, according to the Word; and to beare with such whose Consciences cannot in all things conforme to the publicke Rule, so farre as the word of God would have them borne withall.

6. That therefore all Ministers and people be earnestly intreated to forbeare for a conve­nient time the joyning of themselves into Church-societies of any kind whatsoever, un­till [Page 4] they see whether the right Rule will not bee commended to them in this orderly way.

7. And the rather because that although the hand of God bee heavy upon us in other re­spects, yet through his goodnesse those yoakes are broken which we hitherto groaned under in regard of corruption in Religion, wee en­joying more liberty to serve God according to his word, then at any time in England since the beginning of the Reformation.

8. That while men are in expectation that a way according to their consciences may be approved or allowed of by the Magistrates, it is unfit and will bee uncomfortable, be­fore hand to provoke by setting up their owne.

9. And lastly, that if after all their waiting, the right rule should not bee delivered unto them, and they then called to suffer (which wee hope will never be) for doing what shall appeare to be their dutie, they shall have the more peace with God, and their consciences, while they shall witnesse with them that to prevent occasions of divisions they abstained [Page 5] not onely from what was sinfull, but even from what was by them judged to bee lawfull whilst unseasonable.