WEe are exceedingly apprehensive of the desire-ablenesse of the Churches peace, and of the pleasantnesse of Brethrens unity, knowing that when peace is set upon its proper basis, viz. Righteousnesse and Truth, it is one of the best possessions, both delectable and profitable; like Aarons ointment, and the dew of Hermon. It is true, by rea­son of different lights and different sights among Brethren, there may be dissenting in opinion; yet why should there be any separating from Church-communion? The Churches coat may be of divers colours, yet why should there be any rent in it? Have we not a touchstone of truth, the good word of God; and when all things are examined by that word, then that which is best may be held fast; but first they must be knowne and then examined afterward. If our dissenting Brethren after so many importunate entreaties, would have been perswaded (either in zeale to the truth, or in sincere love to the Churches peace and unity among Brethren, or in respect to their owne reputation by faire and ingenuous dealing, or in conscience to their promise made with the Ministers of London now five years since, or any such like reasonable consideration) at last to have given us a full narrative of their opinions, and grounds of their separation, wee are perswaded they would not have [Page 2]stood at such a distance from us as now they do; But they chose rather to walk by their own private lights then to un­bosome themselves to us their most affectionate Brethren, and to set themselves in an untrodden way of their own, rather then to wait what our covenanted Reformation, according to the word of God and examples of the best Reformed Churches would bring forth. But the offence doth not end here, it is much that our Brethren should separate from the Church, but that they should endeavour to get a warrant to authorize their separation from it, and to have liberty (by drawing members out of it) to weaken and diminish it, till (so farre as lies in them) they have brought it to nothing; this we think to be plainly unlawfull, yet this we understand is their present design and endeavour. Wherefore (Reverend Brethren) having had such large experience of your zeale of Gods glory, your care of his afflicted Church, your earnest endeavours to promote the compleat Reformation of it, and of your ready concur­rence with us in the improvement of any meanes that might be found conducible to this end; we are bold to hint unto you these our ensuing Reasons against the Toleration of Indepen­dency in this Church.

I The desires and endeavors of Independents for a Toleration are at this time extreamly unseasonable and praeproperous: for,

1. The Reformation of Religion is not yet perfected and setled among us according to our Covenant. And why may not the Reformation be raised up at last to such purity and per­fection that truly tender Consciences may receive abundant sa­tisfaction for ought that yet appeares?

2. It is not yet known what the government of the Inde­pendents is, neither would they ever yet vouchsafe to let the world know what they hold in that point, though some of their party have been too forward to chalenge the London Pe­titioners as led with blinde obedience, and pinning their soules upon the Priests sleeve, for desiring an establishment of the Government of Christ, before there was any modell of it extant.

3. Wee can hardly bee perswaded, that the Independents themselves (after all the stirres they have made amongst us) [Page 3]are as yet fully resolved about their owne way wherewith they would bee concluded, seeing they publish not their modell (though they are nimble enough in publishing other things) and they professe Reserves, and New lights, for which they will (no doubt) expect the like toleration, and so in infinitum. It were more seasonable to move for toleration when once they are positively determined how farre they meane to goe, and where they meane to stay.

II Their desires and endeavours are unreasonable and une­quall in divers regards.

1. Partly because no such toleration hath hitherto beene established (so farre as we know) in any Christian State by the civill Magistrate.

2. Partly because some of them have solemnly profest that they cannot suffer Presbytery, and answerable hereunto is their practice in those places where Independency prevailes.

3. And partly because to grant to them and not to other Sectaries who are free born as well as they, and have done as good service as they to the publike (as they use to plead) will be counted injustice and great partiality; but to grant it unto all will scarce be cleared from great impiety.

III Independency is a Schisme, for

1. Independents doe depart from our Churches, being true Churches, and so acknowledged by themselves.

2. They draw and seduce our members from our Congre­gations.

3. They erect separate Congregations under a separate and undiscovered government.

4. They refuse communion with our Churches in the Sa­craments.

5. Their Ministers refuse to preach among us as Officers.

6. Their members, if at any time they joyn with us in hear­ing the word and prayer, yet they do it not as with the mini­steriall word and prayer, nor as acts of Church-communion.

Now wee judge that no Schism is to be tolerated in the Church, ^† [...], 1 Cor. 1.10. 1 Cor. 12.25. Divisions [...] Rom. [...].17. with 1 Cor. 3.3. Gal. 5.20.

IV Many mischiefes will inevitably follow upon this Tole­ration, [Page 4]and that both to Church and Commonwealth.

First, To the Church, as,

1 Causelesse and [...]just revolts from our Ministry and Con­gregations.

2 Our peoples mindes will be troubled, and in danger to be subverted, as Acts 15.24.

3 Bitter heart burnings among brethren will be fomented and perpetuated to posterity.

4 The godly painfull and Orthodox Ministry will be dis­couraged and despised.

5 The life and power of godlinesse will be eaten out by fri­volous disputes and vaine janglings.

6 The whole course of Religion in private families will be interrupted and undermined.

7 Reciprocall duties between persons of nearest and dearest relations will be extreamely violated.

8 The whole work of Reformation especially in discipline and Government will be retarded, disturbed, and in danger of being made utterly frustrate and void, whilst every person shall have liberty upon every triviall discontent at Presybyteriall Go­vernment and Churches to revolt from us and list themselves in separated Congregations.

9. All other Sects and Herefies in the Kingdome will be encouraged to endeavour the like toleration.

10. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdome will safeguard and shelter themselves under the wings of Indepen­dency, and some of the Independents in their books have open­ly avowed, that they plead for liberty of conscience as well for others as themselves.

11. And the whole Church of England in short time will be swallowed up with distraction and confusion, but God is not the Author of confusion but of peace, 1 Cor. 14.33.

Secondly, To the Common-Wealth. For,

1. All these mischiefes in the Church will have their pro­portionable influence upon the Common-Wealth.

2. The Kingdome will be wofully weakned by scandals and Divisions, so that the enemies of it both Domesticall and For­reign will be encouraged to plot and practice against it.

3. It is much to be doubted, lest the power of the Magi­strate, should not onely bee weakened, but even utterly over­thrown, considering the principles and practices of Independents, together with their compliance with other Sectaries, suffici­ently known to be Anti-Magistraticall.

V. Such a Toleration is utterly repugnant and inconsistent with that solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and de­fence of Religion, which not onely both Houses of Parliament, but also persons of all sorts in both Kingdomes of England and Scotland, have subscribed and with hands lifted up to the most high God have sworn: Which Covenant likewise both you, and we, and those that most earnestly pursue the establishment of this Toleration, have made, (or should have made) in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts, with a true intertion to performe the same as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. For

1. This is opposite to the Reformation of Religion accor­ding to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches, Article 1.

2. It is destructive to the three Kingdomes nearest conjun­ction and uniformity in Religion and Government, which might leade us and our posterity after us as brethren to live in faith and love, Art. 1.

3. It is plainely contrary to that extirpation of Schism, and whatsoever shall bee found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of Godlinesse, which we have sworn sincerely, really, and constantly to endeavour without respect of persons, Art. 2.

4. Hereby we shall be involved in the guilt of other mens sins, and thereby be endangered to receive of their plagues, Art. 2.

5. It seemes utterly impossible (if such a toleration should be granted) that the Lord should be one, and his name one in the three Kingdomes, Art. 2.

6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion; Inevitably divide one Kingdome from another, and unhappily make factions and parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant, of which evill offices whosoever shall be found guilty, are reputed in the words of the Covenant, Incendiaries, Malignants, or evill instruments, to be discovered, [Page 6]that they may be brought to publike tryall, and receive condigne punishment, Art. 4. and 5.

These are some of the many considerations which make deep impression upon our Spirits against that great Diana of Inde­ [...]endents, and all the Sectaries so much cryed up by them in these distracted times, viz. A Toleration, A Toleration. And how­ever, none should have more rejoyced then our selves in the establishment of a brotherly, peaceable and Christian Ac­commodation: yet this being utterly rejected by them, wee cannot dissemble how upon the forementioned grounds, wee detest and abhorre the much endeavoured Toleration. Our bowels, our bowels are stirred within us, and we could even drown our selves in teares, when we call to minde how long and sharp a travell this Kingdome hath been in for many yeares together to bring forth that blessed fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation, and now at last after all our pangs and dolors and expectations, this reall and thorough Reformation, is in danger of being strangled in the birth by a lawlesse Tolerati­on that strives to be brought forth before it.

Wherefore (Reverend and beloved Brethren) we could not satisfie our selves till wee had made some discovery of our thoughts unto you about this matter, not that we can har­bour the lest jealousie of your zeale, fidelity, or industry in the opposing and extirpating of such a root of gall and bitter­nesse as Toleration is and will be, both in present and future ages; but that we may what lies in us endeavour mutually to strengthen one anothers resolutions against the present growing evills, and that our consciences may not smite us ano­ther day for sinfull silence, or sluggish deficiency in any point of duty tending to the glory of Christ, honour of the truth, peace of the Church perfection of Reformation, performance of our Covenant, and benefit of present and succeeding gene­rations.