A friendly epistle to the bishops and ministers of the Church of England for plain truth and sound peace between the pious Protestants of the Church of England and those of the baptised believers written with the advice of divers pastors and brethren of the baptised congregations, by Tho. Grantham.
         Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.
      
       
         
           1680
        
      
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             A friendly epistle to the bishops and ministers of the Church of England for plain truth and sound peace between the pious Protestants of the Church of England and those of the baptised believers written with the advice of divers pastors and brethren of the baptised congregations, by Tho. Grantham.
             Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.
          
           40 p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London :
             1680.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Church of England -- Relations -- Baptists.
           Concord -- Religious aspects -- Early works to 1800.
           Baptists -- Relations -- Church of England.
           Baptists -- Doctrines.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Friendly
           Epistle
           TO
           THE
           Bishops
           and
           Ministers
           OF
           THE
           Church
           of
           England
           FOR
           Plain
           Truth
           and
           sound
           Peace
           BETWEEN
           The
           Pious
           Protestants
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           ENGLAND
           ,
           AND
           Those
           of
           the
           
             Baptised
             Believers
          
           .
        
         
           Written
           with
           the
           Advice
           of
           divers
           Pastors
           and
           Brethren
           of
           the
           
             Baptised
             Congregations
          
           ,
           By
           
             THO.
             GRANTHAM
          
           .
        
         
           
             Follow
             Peace
             with
             all
             Men
             ,
             and
             Holiness
             ,
             without
             which
             no
             Man
             shall
             see
             the
             Lord.
          
           Heb.
           12.
           14.
           
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           ,
           1680.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           THe
           Complaint
           is
           both
           great
           and
           just
           ,
           that
           Christians
           are
           so
           divided
           amongst
           themselves
           ,
           that
           it
           's
           hard
           for
           an
           impartial
           Christian
           to
           find
           where
           to
           fix
           for
           his
           own
           comfortable
           Society
           .
           And
           this
           Calamity
           is
           much
           aggravated
           by
           the
           backwardness
           of
           each
           Party
           to
           offer
           any
           thing
           to
           accommodate
           these
           Differences
           ,
           each
           expecting
           rather
           that
           their
           Opposites
           should
           wholly
           conform
           to
           their
           Sentiments
           ,
           and
           relinquish
           their
           own
           .
        
         
           And
           what
           may
           be
           thought
           (
           in
           that
           case
           )
           of
           this
           present
           Overture
           we
           cannot
           
           certainly
           divine
           ,
           nor
           will
           be
           too
           confident
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           of
           that
           nature
           in
           it
           .
           But
           of
           this
           we
           will
           be
           confident
           ,
           that
           the
           things
           here
           desired
           ,
           do
           carry
           much
           of
           their
           reasonableness
           in
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           have
           their
           approbation
           both
           from
           the
           sacred
           Word
           ,
           and
           the
           Works
           of
           those
           to
           whom
           they
           now
           address
           themselves
           for
           a
           Christian
           Compliance
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           will
           be
           said
           ,
           
             What
             are
             the
             Men
             that
             make
             this
             Overture
             ?
          
        
         
           Our
           Answer
           is
           ,
           We
           are
           the
           Servants
           of
           the
           Living
           God
           ;
           or
           ,
           We
           are
           Christians
           ;
           and
           having
           seen
           the
           Discords
           and
           Ruines
           which
           have
           befallen
           the
           Christian
           Nations
           ,
           do
           heartily
           desire
           those
           Breaches
           may
           be
           made
           up
           .
           And
           as
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           so
           't
           is
           hoped
           it
           will
           not
           be
           deemed
           ,
           any
           Transgression
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           God
           or
           man
           for
           any
           Christians
           to
           seek
           for
           Peace
           one
           with
           another
           in
           the
           *
           Truth
           ,
           notwithstanding
           their
           differing
           Circumstances
           in
           respect
           of
           worldly
           
           Honours
           ,
           or
           the
           disparity
           of
           their
           Education
           ;
           seeing
           they
           ought
           all
           to
           
             be
             cloathed
             with
             humility
             ;
             the
             strong
             to
             bear
             the
             infirmity
             of
             the
             weak
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             please
             themselves
             .
             The
             Brother
             of
             high
             degree
             to
             rejoyce
             in
             that
             he
             is
             made
             low
             ,
             and
             the
             Chief
             to
             become
             Servant
             to
             the
             rest
             .
          
        
         
           When
           Paul
           heard
           of
           the
           Divisions
           which
           happened
           in
           the
           Church
           at
           Corinth
           ,
           how
           does
           he
           blame
           them
           for
           their
           Carnality
           as
           the
           cause
           ,
           and
           bestir
           himself
           to
           recover
           their
           Unity
           ,
           in
           the
           truth
           
             which
             at
             first
             they
             had
             received
             ?
          
           1
           Cor.
           1.
           10.
           
           
             Now
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             by
             the
             name
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             that
             ye
             all
             speak
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             and
             that
             there
             be
             no
             Divisions
             among
             you
             ,
             but
             that
             ye
             be
             perfectly
             joyned
             together
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             mind
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             same
             Judgment
             .
          
           Referring
           them
           to
           the
           Foundation
           ,
           and
           Rule
           of
           all
           Christian
           Unity
           ,
           that
           only
           
             Christ
             was
             Crucified
             for
             them
          
           ;
           that
           
             Christ
             is
             not
             to
             be
             divided
          
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           were
           
             baptized
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           that
           therefore
           they
           should
           not
           follow
           any
           Man
           ,
           
             but
             as
             he
             follows
             Christ
          
           .
        
         
         
           But
           it
           seems
           this
           great
           Apostle
           did
           not
           live
           to
           see
           an
           end
           of
           their
           Divisions
           ,
           as
           appears
           not
           only
           from
           the
           close
           of
           his
           last
           Epistle
           to
           them
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           12.
           20
           ,
           21.
           but
           also
           from
           the
           Epistle
           of
           Clement
           (
           who
           survived
           him
           )
           which
           he
           wrote
           upon
           the
           occasion
           of
           that
           
             ungodly
             Sedition
          
           (
           so
           he
           calls
           it
           )
           which
           had
           kindled
           among
           them
           
             through
             pride
             and
             self-love
          
           ,
           which
           he
           vehemently
           laboured
           to
           extinguish
           by
           many
           Arguments
           ,
           but
           specially
           by
           reducing
           them
           to
           the
           blessed
           Example
           of
           Christ
           their
           Leader
           ,
           and
           the
           practise
           of
           such
           as
           lived
           after
           a
           godly
           sort
           .
           His
           words
           are
           these
           :
           
             Christ
             Jesus
             our
             Lord
             the
             Scepter
             of
             the
             Majesty
             of
             God
             ,
             came
             not
             in
             vain
             boasting
             of
             Arrogance
             and
             Pride
             ,
             although
             he
             could
             do
             all
             things
             ,
             but
             in
             humility
             of
             mind
             ,
             according
             as
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             had
             spoken
             concerning
             him
             .
             —
             See
             ,
             beloved
             Friends
             ,
             what
             an
             Example
             is
             given
             unto
             us
             :
             for
             if
             the
             Lord
             was
             so
             humble
             ,
             what
             shall
             we
             do
             ,
             who
             are
             come
             under
             the
             yoke
             of
             his
             Grace
             ?
             —
             let
             us
             stick
             to
             these
             
             therefore
             who
             live
             godly
             and
             peaceably
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             them
             who
             hypocritically
             only
             seem
             to
             desire
             Peace
             :
             for
             somewhere
             he
             saith
             ,
             they
             blessed
             with
             their
             Mouth
             ,
             but
             with
             their
             Heart
             they
             cursed
             ;
             —
             for
             their
             Heart
             was
             not
             right
             with
             Him
             ,
             neither
             were
             they
             stedfast
             in
             his
             Covenant
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           if
           the
           Points
           in
           Controversie
           among
           the
           Christians
           at
           Corinth
           ,
           were
           of
           as
           great
           moment
           as
           ours
           (
           as
           that
           may
           be
           made
           evident
           *
           )
           ;
           then
           't
           is
           as
           rational
           for
           us
           to
           seek
           for
           concord
           each
           with
           other
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           for
           Paul
           and
           Clement
           to
           seek
           to
           unite
           them
           .
           And
           hence
           we
           are
           the
           more
           desirous
           to
           make
           this
           present
           Overture
           for
           Christian
           Amity
           with
           the
           pious
           Protestants
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           for
           divers
           Causes
           :
           And
           first
           ;
        
         
           As
           it
           is
           very
           evident
           there
           hath
           bin
           a
           great
           departure
           from
           the
           simplicity
           of
           the
           Gospel
           (
           both
           in
           the
           Form
           and
           Power
           of
           it
           )
           since
           the
           plantation
           of
           it
           
           in
           the
           World
           by
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ;
           so
           also
           it
           is
           certain
           that
           many
           good
           Men
           in
           Ages
           past
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           in
           this
           present
           Age
           ,
           have
           still
           bin
           labouring
           (
           and
           that
           often-times
           under
           great
           tryals
           )
           for
           the
           Restoration
           of
           the
           Truth
           to
           its
           Purity
           ,
           some
           in
           one
           point
           ,
           and
           some
           in
           another
           more
           especially
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           the
           English
           Protestant
           hath
           bin
           as
           active
           as
           others
           ,
           some
           in
           reforming
           divers
           things
           in
           Doctrine
           and
           Practice
           ;
           others
           in
           keeping
           the
           ground
           they
           have
           gained
           ,
           against
           the
           opposers
           of
           Reformation
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           Work
           (
           as
           it
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           )
           ought
           to
           be
           carried
           on
           in
           the
           Nations
           of
           the
           World
           to
           its
           perfection
           .
           Namely
           ,
           till
           the
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           be
           delivered
           from
           all
           humane
           Innovations
           which
           have
           incumbred
           it
           ,
           to
           the
           disturbance
           of
           the
           peace
           of
           Christians
           in
           all
           ages
           since
           they
           found
           opportunity
           to
           croud
           themselves
           into
           the
           Service
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           But
           the
           great
           obstruction
           of
           this
           work
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           has
           bin
           the
           falling
           
           out
           of
           the
           Reformers
           among
           themselves
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           case
           of
           the
           sober
           Protestant
           ,
           and
           the
           Baptised
           Believer
           ,
           in
           this
           Age
           and
           Nation
           :
           the
           latter
           not
           so
           honouring
           the
           first
           as
           he
           ought
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           what
           God
           hath
           done
           by
           him
           ;
           and
           the
           former
           despising
           the
           latter
           ,
           by
           whom
           God
           is
           pleased
           (
           notwithstanding
           )
           to
           bring
           to
           light
           some
           antient
           Truths
           which
           the
           former
           overslip'd
           ,
           or
           took
           not
           due
           notice
           of
           ▪
           And
           by
           this
           impatience
           and
           disrespect
           in
           each
           towards
           other
           ,
           they
           prove
           inimical
           to
           the
           very
           Work
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           main
           they
           both
           design
           to
           promote
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           the
           way
           of
           ingenuous
           Men
           in
           reviving
           decayed
           Arts
           ,
           to
           honour
           their
           Predecessors
           ,
           though
           inferior
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           encourage
           those
           that
           succeed
           to
           attempt
           things
           more
           excellent
           .
           Why
           are
           not
           Christians
           as
           ingenuous
           in
           their
           endeavours
           to
           restore
           decayed
           Religion
           ?
           There
           is
           nothing
           in
           the
           Authour
           of
           our
           Profession
           ,
           or
           the
           Profession
           it
           felf
           ,
           but
           candor
           and
           ingenuity
           .
           Wherefore
           if
           we
           intend
           the
           
           furtherance
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           hitherto
           carried
           on
           through
           manifold
           Afflictions
           ,
           let
           us
           timely
           consider
           our
           common
           Interest
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           make
           one
           Shoulder
           to
           defend
           what
           our
           Ancestors
           have
           worthily
           atcheived
           ;
           as
           also
           to
           joyn
           our
           industry
           for
           the
           restoration
           of
           every
           Truth
           which
           they
           omitted
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Our
           second
           Motive
           shall
           respect
           the
           39
           Articles
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           in
           which
           if
           a
           few
           things
           (
           which
           are
           not
           of
           the
           substance
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           )
           were
           explained
           or
           amended
           ,
           it
           were
           a
           very
           easie
           thing
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           the
           Baptised
           Believers
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           to
           compose
           their
           differences
           in
           point
           of
           Doctrine
           and
           Faith
           ,
           as
           touching
           the
           Basis
           ,
           or
           foundation
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           And
           to
           the
           intent
           that
           Unity
           may
           be
           herein
           attained
           between
           us
           ,
           we
           shall
           humbly
           beg
           leave
           with
           plainness
           to
           shew
           (
           when
           we
           offer
           our
           Proposals
           )
           the
           Particulars
           whereof
           we
           are
           doubtful
           in
           some
           of
           the
           said
           Articles
           .
        
         
         
           Our
           third
           Motive
           to
           seek
           for
           Concord
           with
           the
           pious
           Protestant
           ,
           is
           the
           contents
           of
           that
           remarkable
           *
           Letter
           ,
           long
           since
           sent
           to
           Mr.
           
             J.
             Tombes
          
           B.
           D.
           (
           upon
           occasion
           of
           his
           learned
           Disputations
           concerning
           the
           Restauration
           of
           holy
           Baptism
           to
           its
           primitive
           use
           )
           and
           written
           by
           that
           Reverend
           Man
           
             Dr.
             Barlow
          
           ,
           now
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Lincoln
           ,
           which
           verbatim
           is
           as
           followeth
           :
        
         
           
             
               
                 —
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 friend
                 to
                 your
                 person
                 (
                 whom
                 I
                 have
                 known
                 (
                 though
                 unknown
                 to
                 you
                 )
                 this
              
               31
               
                 years
                 )
                 and
                 to
                 your
                 opinion
                 too
                 (
                 as
                 to
                 the
                 main
                 of
                 it
                 )
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 believe
                 and
                 know
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 is
                 neither
                 Precept
                 nor
                 Practice
                 in
                 Scripture
                 for
                 Paedobaptism
                 ,
                 nor
                 any
                 just
                 Evidence
                 for
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 about
                 two
                 hundred
                 years
                 after
                 Christ
                 .
                 The
                 first
                 who
                 bears
                 witness
                 to
                 Infant
                 Baptism
                 practised
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 is
              
               Tertullian
               ,
               
                 but
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 expresly
                 dislikes
                 and
                 condemns
                 it
                 as
                 an
              
               
               
                 unwarrantable
                 and
                 irrational
                 Custome
                 .
                 And
              
               Nazianzen
               
                 a
                 good
                 while
                 after
                 him
                 (
                 in
                 his
                 Oration
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 dislikes
                 it
                 too
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 not
                 have
                 Infants
                 brought
                 to
                 Baptism
                 till
                 they
                 were
                 of
                 some
                 age
                 ,
                 and
                 able
                 to
                 answer
                 for
                 themselves
                 .
                 Sure
                 I
                 am
                 that
                 in
                 the
                 primitive
                 times
                 they
                 were
                 first
                 to
                 be
                 Catechumeni
                 ,
                 and
                 then
              
               
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
                 〈◊〉
              
               ,
               
                 Illuminati
                 ,
                 or
                 Baptizati
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 not
                 only
                 Children
                 of
                 Pagans
                 ,
                 or
                 Pagans
                 converted
                 ,
                 but
                 Children
                 of
                 Christian
                 Parents
                 ,
              
               Nazianzen
               
                 (
                 though
                 a
                 Bishop's
                 Son
                 )
                 being
                 not
                 baptized
                 till
                 he
                 was
                 about
              
               30
               
                 years
                 of
                 age
                 ,
                 as
                 appears
                 in
                 his
                 life
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 like
                 is
                 evident
                 of
                 some
                 others
                 .
                 The
                 Truth
                 is
                 ,
                 Infant
                 Baptism
                 did
                 (
                 how
                 or
                 by
                 whom
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 )
                 come
                 in
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 second
                 Century
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 3d
                 and
                 4th
                 began
                 to
                 be
                 practised
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 generally
                 ,
                 and
                 defended
                 as
                 lawful
                 from
                 that
                 Text
                 (
                 grosly
                 misunderstood
                 )
              
               Joh.
               3.
               5.
               
               
                 Vpon
                 the
                 like
                 gross
                 mistake
                 of
              
               Joh.
               6.
               53.
               
                 they
                 did
                 for
                 many
                 Centuries
                 (
                 both
                 in
                 the
                 Greek
                 and
                 Latin
                 Church
                 )
                 communicate
                 Infants
                 ,
                 and
                 give
                 them
                 the
                 Lord's
                 Supper
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 confess
                 they
                 might
                 do
                 both
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 either
                 :
                 but
                 altho
              
               
               
                 they
                 baptized
                 some
                 Infants
                 ,
                 and
                 thought
                 it
                 lawful
                 so
                 to
                 do
                 ,
                 yet
              
               Austin
               
                 was
                 the
                 first
                 that
                 ever
                 said
                 it
                 was
                 necessary
              
               inde
               durus
               pater
               Infantum
               .
               
                 I
                 have
                 seen
                 what
                 my
                 learned
                 and
                 worthy
                 Friend
                 Dr.
              
               Hammond
               ,
               Mr.
               Baxter
               
                 and
                 others
                 say
                 in
                 defence
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 confess
                 I
                 wonder
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 that
                 men
                 of
                 such
                 great
                 parts
                 should
                 say
                 so
                 much
                 to
                 so
                 little
                 purpose
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 have
                 not
                 yet
                 seen
                 any
                 thing
                 like
                 an
                 Argument
                 for
                 it
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           And
           not
           only
           this
           Letter
           ,
           but
           many
           other
           Testimonies
           which
           are
           found
           in
           the
           Writings
           of
           learned
           Protestants
           *
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           (
           as
           hath
           bin
           shewn
           by
           diverse
           hands
           in
           our
           Books
           now
           extant
           )
           do
           greatly
           perswade
           us
           to
           hope
           ,
           that
           the
           Controversies
           about
           Baptism
           draws
           towards
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           were
           this
           point
           well
           agreed
           ,
           many
           other
           things
           would
           be
           therewith
           so
           moderated
           ,
           as
           that
           we
           should
           (
           by
           
           Gods
           help
           )
           approach
           that
           Blessing
           ,
           to
           have
           one
           Heart
           and
           one
           Way
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Our
           fourth
           Motive
           is
           taken
           from
           that
           great
           dread
           which
           seems
           to
           be
           at
           present
           upon
           this
           Land
           ,
           of
           
             the
             encroachment
             of
             Popery
          
           :
           but
           what
           is
           in
           this
           God
           knoweth
           ,
           nor
           shall
           we
           concern
           our selves
           with
           secrets
           .
           And
           seeing
           it
           is
           rational
           to
           believe
           ,
           that
           nothing
           shall
           sooner
           bring
           such
           Fears
           and
           heavy
           Judgments
           upon
           us
           ,
           than
           our
           own
           Dissentions
           and
           Divisions
           (
           in
           which
           there
           is
           too
           much
           dissenting
           from
           the
           Truth
           )
           therefore
           do
           we
           the
           more
           earnestly
           desire
           to
           dispose
           our
           minds
           to
           unite
           in
           Truth
           and
           Charity
           ,
           with
           all
           such
           as
           love
           God
           and
           their
           Neighbour
           ,
           and
           walk
           according
           to
           the
           general
           rules
           of
           Christianity
           :
           resolving
           to
           bear
           what
           (
           with
           a
           good
           Conscience
           )
           may
           be
           born
           for
           Peacesake
           in
           the
           Truth
           ,
           in
           which
           we
           shall
           (
           upon
           a
           friendly
           and
           free
           Debate
           )
           be
           agreed
           .
        
         
           Our
           last
           and
           principal
           Motive
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           hereby
           God
           shall
           be
           glorified
           ,
           in
           the
           furtherance
           of
           a
           Faithful
           and
           Impartial
           Reformation
           of
           Life
           and
           Religion
           ,
           
           when
           we
           who
           have
           had
           so
           great
           a
           share
           in
           contending
           one
           against
           another
           ,
           shall
           after
           a
           Christian
           and
           Manly
           sort
           ,
           cease
           our
           conflicts
           each
           with
           other
           ,
           by
           stooping
           to
           what
           of
           sincere
           Truth
           hath
           appeared
           in
           our
           Disputes
           :
           and
           not
           leave
           our
           Divisions
           Hereditary
           to
           our
           Posterity
           ,
           but
           rather
           a
           pious
           Example
           of
           our
           Charity
           to
           be
           by
           them
           pursued
           .
        
         
           For
           seeing
           it
           is
           a
           rational
           presumption
           ,
           that
           there
           hath
           bin
           said
           what
           well
           can
           be
           said
           ,
           on
           both
           sides
           ;
           what
           then
           remains
           but
           that
           we
           bend
           our
           minds
           to
           cease
           our
           strife
           by
           such
           a
           Christian
           Compliance
           ,
           as
           may
           justly
           render
           us
           willing
           to
           be
           overcome
           by
           Truth
           on
           both
           parts
           ,
           where
           the
           matter
           shall
           require
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           herein
           
             let
             none
             so
             much
             consult
             his
             own
             glory
             as
             the
             good
             of
             Christians
             in
             general
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             written
             ,
             Let
             no
             Man
             seek
             his
             own
             ,
             but
             every
             Man
             anothers
             wealth
             .
             And
             again
             ,
             let
             every
             one
             of
             us
             please
             his
             Neighbour
             for
             his
             good
             to
             Edification
             .
          
           And
           let
           that
           Christian
           speech
           of
           Clement
           
           come
           to
           mind
           and
           conclude
           this
           Preface
           :
        
         
           
             Is
             there
             any
             one
             then
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             that
             is
             bravely
             spirited
             among
             you
             ?
             Is
             there
             any
             one
             that
             hath
             compassion
             ?
             Doth
             any
             one
             abound
             with
             Charity
             ?
             Let
             him
             say
             ,
             If
             this
             Contention
             (
             Sedition
             or
             Schism
             )
             be
             for
             me
             ,
             or
             by
             my
             means
             ,
             I
             will
             depart
             ,
             I
             will
             go
             my
             ways
             whithersoever
             you
             please
             ;
             I
             will
             do
             what
             the
             rest
             commands
             .
             Only
             let
             the
             Sheepfold
             of
             Christ
             enjoy
             peace
             with
          
           *
           
             the
             Elders
             which
             God
             hath
             placed
             over
             it
             .
             He
             that
             shall
             do
             this
             ,
             shall
             purchase
             to
             himself
             great
             Glory
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             every
             place
             shall
             receive
             him
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             Prayer
             to
             God
             for
             his
             Blessing
             upon
             this
             present
             endeavour
             for
          
           Concord
           
             amongst
             Dissenting
             Christians
          
           .
        
         
           O
           Most
           Mighty
           ,
           most
           Holy
           ,
           and
           most
           Gracious
           God!
           What
           are
           we
           that
           we
           should
           speak
           unto
           Thee
           ,
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ?
           We
           beseech
           thee
           pardon
           our
           unworthiness
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Christ
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           hear
           this
           Prayer
           ,
           which
           in
           his
           Name
           we
           do
           with
           our
           whole
           Heart
           pour
           out
           before
           thy
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           O
           Lord
           ,
           in
           thy
           Fatherly
           Compassion
           behold
           the
           sad
           Divisions
           which
           have
           befallen
           the
           Christian
           People
           throughout
           the
           whole
           World.
           And
           seeing
           nothing
           is
           too
           hard
           for
           Thee
           ,
           Graciously
           be
           pleased
           to
           move
           upon
           the
           Hearts
           of
           all
           sober
           and
           Heavenly-minded
           Christians
           (
           however
           differing
           in
           
           some
           Points
           concerning
           the
           Christian
           Profession
           )
           and
           so
           work
           by
           thy
           Spirit
           of
           Power
           ,
           Love
           and
           Wisdom
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           so
           united
           in
           Brotherly
           Affection
           ,
           as
           speedily
           to
           consider
           one
           another
           in
           Love
           :
           And
           to
           have
           compassion
           one
           of
           another
           under
           their
           unhappy
           differences
           in
           Opinion
           .
           O
           destroy
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             Pride
          
           and
           BLOOD-THIRSTINESS
           from
           amongst
           the
           Christian
           People
           .
           And
           let
           all
           that
           are
           called
           by
           that
           Name
           be
           ashamed
           that
           ever
           such
           wrath
           hath
           bin
           found
           amongst
           them
           ,
           and
           let
           them
           be
           humbled
           before
           thy
           Majesty
           in
           the
           remembrance
           of
           it
           ,
           O
           Lord
           ,
           we
           beseech
           thee
           .
        
         
           Most
           Gracious
           God
           ,
           we
           confess
           unto
           Thee
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           worthy
           to
           undertake
           any
           thing
           in
           behalf
           of
           the
           Peace
           and
           Vnity
           of
           divided
           Christians
           :
           But
           thou
           (
           O
           God
           )
           that
           despisest
           not
           the
           base
           and
           weak
           things
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           be
           intreated
           to
           bless
           our
           present
           Enterprise
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           consistent
           with
           thy
           pleasure
           ,
           to
           the
           good
           of
           thy
           People
           universally
           ;
           That
           they
           may
           be
           one
           in
           Truth
           and
           Peace
           ,
           according
           to
           thy
           Word
           ,
           which
           is
           Truth
           .
        
         
         
           We
           beseech
           thee
           to
           bow
           the
           Heart
           of
           the
           Mighty
           ,
           the
           Wise
           and
           Honorable
           in
           the
           Christian
           Nations
           ,
           to
           study
           Truth
           and
           Peace
           ,
           to
           condescend
           to
           any
           thing
           for
           thy
           Glory
           ,
           and
           thy
           Peoples
           Happiness
           :
           and
           we
           pray
           ,
           that
           none
           who
           are
           called
           by
           thy
           Name
           ,
           may
           any
           longer
           be
           puffed
           up
           ,
           for
           one
           ,
           and
           against
           another
           .
           O
           teach
           those
           that
           love
           Thee
           ,
           to
           strive
           together
           with
           one
           mind
           for
           the
           Truth
           and
           Power
           of
           Religion
           according
           to
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           Good
           Lord
           ,
           be
           intreated
           for
           thy
           Names
           sake
           ,
           in
           behalf
           of
           all
           those
           that
           are
           of
           pious
           meaning
           ,
           in
           these
           Nations
           especially
           ,
           that
           their
           Hearts
           being
           intirely
           knit
           together
           in
           the
           great
           and
           more
           necessary
           parts
           of
           thy
           Worship
           ,
           they
           may
           Glorifie
           thy
           Name
           with
           one
           consent
           ,
           by
           a
           charitable
           forbearance
           ,
           in
           things
           which
           are
           not
           sinful
           in
           thy
           sight
           .
        
         
           We
           intreat
           Thee
           (
           our
           God
           )
           make
           us
           thy
           Servants
           ever
           to
           be
           ready
           on
           our
           parts
           ,
           to
           evidence
           by
           act
           ,
           what
           here
           we
           propose
           in
           words
           ,
           and
           grant
           thy
           Spirit
           to
           enable
           us
           herein
           to
           serve
           Thee
           ,
           and
           all
           such
           as
           fear
           Thee
           ,
           and
           love
           thy
           Testimonies
           .
        
         
         
           And
           grant
           that
           none
           of
           thy
           People
           may
           uncharitably
           censure
           this
           our
           undertaking
           for
           Concord
           amongst
           thy
           Servants
           .
           Grant
           them
           Patience
           to
           consider
           what
           is
           here
           offered
           ,
           and
           where
           we
           may
           seem
           deficient
           herein
           ,
           lead
           others
           to
           supply
           what
           is
           wanting
           ,
           that
           through
           thy
           Blessing
           upon
           our
           united
           Endeavours
           ,
           the
           Good
           here
           intended
           may
           be
           prosperously
           promoted
           ,
           to
           thy
           Praise
           ,
           O
           Lord
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           increase
           of
           Charity
           ,
           and
           therewith
           to
           the
           true
           comfort
           of
           thy
           People
           throughout
           the
           whole
           World.
           Even
           so
           ,
           Lord
           God
           Almighty
           ;
           Even
           ,
           so
           ,
           Amen
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           Friendly
           Epistle
           TO
           All
           the
           Bishops
           &
           Ministers
           OF
           THE
           Church
           of
           England
           .
        
         
           
             Reverend
             Sirs
             ,
          
        
         
           MAy
           it
           please
           you
           in
           the
           meekness
           and
           gentleness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           to
           lay
           aside
           (
           a
           little
           )
           those
           exterior
           Honours
           which
           are
           conferred
           upon
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           condescend
           to
           Men
           of
           low
           degree
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           Condescention
           seriously
           to
           ponder
           ,
           what
           is
           herein
           with
           Humility
           and
           Sincerity
           submitted
           to
           your
           Consideration
           .
        
         
           We
           do
           seriously
           account
           it
           a
           part
           of
           our
           Infelicity
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           Distractions
           and
           Divisions
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           our
           Land
           ,
           about
           things
           
           relating
           to
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           Saviour
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           and
           therewithal
           it
           is
           too
           evident
           that
           the
           Power
           of
           Godliness
           is
           much
           neglected
           ,
           and
           the
           Ways
           of
           Christianity
           greatly
           depraved
           ,
           whereupon
           many
           that
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           are
           so
           estranged
           among
           themselves
           ,
           as
           to
           become
           Adversaries
           to
           their
           own
           Peace
           ,
           and
           the
           Comfort
           of
           each
           other
           .
        
         
           May
           it
           then
           please
           God
           ,
           to
           lead
           us
           all
           to
           the
           Consideration
           of
           these
           ill
           Effects
           ,
           and
           to
           remove
           the
           Causes
           of
           them
           .
           And
           seeing
           we
           may
           perhaps
           be
           under
           worse
           Apprehensions
           concerning
           one
           another
           ,
           than
           there
           is
           real
           cause
           for
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           calmly
           considered
           on
           both
           parts
           ,
           that
           our
           greatest
           differences
           are
           about
           Ceremonies
           ;
           And
           those
           also
           of
           
             Humane
             device
          
           (
           as
           we
           conceive
           )
           the
           best
           of
           which
           are
           not
           worth
           the
           loss
           of
           one
           Soul
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           no
           wise
           fit
           to
           adventure
           the
           breach
           of
           our
           Peace
           and
           Christian
           Concord
           ,
           for
           their
           sake
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           the
           cause
           of
           perishing
           to
           many
           .
        
         
           May
           it
           therefore
           seem
           well
           pleasing
           to
           you
           ,
           the
           Bishops
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           with
           your
           Brethren
           of
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           to
           admit
           of
           some
           friendly
           and
           free
           Debate
           with
           the
           Bishops
           and
           Teachers
           of
           the
           Baptized
           Churches
           in
           this
           Nation
           ;
           to
           try
           if
           by
           any
           means
           a
           way
           may
           be
           found
           to
           bring
           us
           to
           
           Christian
           Concrd
           in
           the
           Gospel
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           To
           effect
           this
           ,
           is
           either
           impossible
           ,
           or
           difficult
           only
           .
           Not
           the
           first
           ,
           sith
           our
           differences
           lie
           not
           in
           the
           doctrinal
           part
           of
           any
           Foundation-Article
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           so
           much
           as
           in
           the
           application
           or
           practick
           part
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           For
           ,
           to
           touch
           a
           little
           the
           grand
           points
           about
           which
           we
           differ
           ,
           viz.
           
             Sacred
             Baptism
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Discipline
             of
             the
             Church
          
           ,
           of
           these
           we
           spake
           the
           same
           thing
           ;
           for
           thus
           you
           teach
           ,
           That
           
             in
             Baptism
             there
             is
             an
             inward
             and
             spiritual
             Grace
             ,
             and
             an
             outward
             and
             visible
             Sign
          
           ;
           And
           that
           
             Repentance
             ,
             whereby
             we
             forsake
             Sin
             ,
             And
             Faith
             ,
             whereby
             we
             stedfastly
             believe
             the
             Promises
          
           
           
             of
             God
             made
             to
             us
             in
             that
             Sacrament
             ,
             are
             the
             things
             required
             of
             all
             Persons
             that
             are
             to
             be
             baptized
             .
          
           And
           hereunto
           we
           do
           most
           heartily
           subscribe
           .
        
         
           And
           touching
           holy
           Discipline
           ,
           your
           Doctrine
           is
           ,
           That
           the
           manner
           of
           proceeding
           
             in
             Excommunication
             ,
             is
             first
             by
             gentle
             Admonition
             ,
             and
             that
             once
             or
             twice
             given
             with
             the
             Spirit
             of
             meekness
             ,
             if
             the
             fault
             be
             not
             notoriously
             known
             :
             and
             next
             by
             open
             reprehension
             ,
             afterwards
             by
             publick
             sentence
             of
             the
             Church
             to
             put
             him
             from
             the
             company
             of
             the
             faithful
             ,
             to
             deliver
             him
             to
             Satan
             ,
             to
             denounce
             him
             an
             Heathen
             and
             a
             Publican
             ,
             if
             no
             Admonitions
             will
             serve
             ,
             and
             the
          
           
           
             crimes
             be
             very
             offensive
          
           .
           To
           this
           Doctrine
           like
           wise
           we
           do
           give
           our
           full
           consent
           .
        
         
           Nevertheless
           it
           must
           be
           granted
           a
           very
           great
           difficulty
           (
           as
           things
           now
           stand
           )
           to
           reform
           what
           is
           really
           amiss
           on
           your
           part
           in
           the
           practice
           relating
           to
           those
           two
           points
           of
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           especially
           seeing
           that
           the
           worldly
           interest
           of
           so
           many
           carnal-minded
           men
           ,
           seems
           to
           depend
           upon
           the
           continuation
           of
           the
           Errors
           which
           have
           befallen
           you
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           these
           holy
           Institutes
           .
        
         
           Howbeit
           this
           Difficulty
           is
           not
           greater
           than
           it
           was
           to
           reform
           ,
           what
           was
           as
           really
           amiss
           in
           that
           great
           Ordinance
           ,
           the
           Lord's
           Table
           ,
           whether
           we
           consider
           their
           Error
           who
           for
           many
           Centuries
           gave
           the
           Communion
           to
           Infants
           ;
           or
           theirs
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           Transubstantiation
           destroy
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           the
           Sacrament
           .
        
         
           Nor
           shall
           we
           here
           forget
           ,
           but
           thankfully
           remember
           the
           great
           Travel
           and
           Sufferings
           of
           your
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           the
           pious
           Zeal
           which
           appeared
           in
           many
           of
           them
           ,
           when
           called
           to
           reduce
           that
           holy
           Ordinance
           of
           the
           
             Lord's
             Supper
          
           from
           many
           corruptions
           ,
           by
           which
           it
           had
           been
           prophaned
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           we
           must
           needs
           condole
           their
           shortness
           ,
           in
           not
           looking
           with
           like
           diligence
           into
           the
           pristine
           purity
           of
           the
           other
           Sacrament
           .
           By
           which
           oversight
           ,
           we
           which
           survive
           them
           ,
           are
           exposed
           the
           more
           to
           our
           present
           
           Difficulties
           .
           And
           hence
           we
           may
           borrow
           that
           passage
           in
           1
           Chron.
           15.
           13.
           
           
             Because
             ye
             did
             it
             not
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             therefore
             the
             Lord
             our
             God
             made
             a
             breach
             upon
             us
             ,
             for
             that
             we
             sought
             him
             not
             after
             the
             due
             order
             .
          
           And
           here
           we
           ought
           to
           learn
           ,
           that
           seeing
           God
           would
           not
           indulge
           his
           Servant
           David
           in
           such
           an
           oversight
           (
           when
           yet
           his
           intention
           was
           very
           pious
           )
           will
           have
           his
           own
           Methods
           duly
           observed
           in
           things
           pertaining
           to
           his
           Service
           .
        
         
           Your
           Wisdoms
           know
           very
           well
           who
           hath
           said
           ,
           
             A
             little
             Leaven
             leaveneth
             the
             whole
             lump
          
           ;
           and
           that
           
             every
             Plant
             which
             the
             heavenly
             Father
             hath
             not
             planted
             ,
             must
             be
             rooted
             up
          
           ;
           and
           how
           
             vain
             the
             Worship
             (
             even
             of
             the
             true
             God
             )
             is
             esteemed
             by
             Christ
             ,
             which
             is
             taught
             by
             the
             Precepts
             of
             Men
             ?
          
           All
           which
           crys
           aloud
           that
           Religion
           be
           restored
           to
           its
           primitive
           Purity
           ,
           that
           so
           Men
           may
           give
           unto
           God
           the
           things
           that
           are
           God's
           ,
           and
           cease
           to
           serve
           him
           with
           their
           own
           inventions
           .
        
         
           What
           we
           shall
           here
           propose
           to
           these
           holy
           Ends
           ,
           is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           at
           present
           we
           conceive
           to
           be
           very
           needful
           ;
           Howbeit
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           prescribe
           to
           you
           ,
           but
           only
           offer
           an
           occasion
           to
           your
           Wisdoms
           to
           consider
           us
           as
           Christians
           ,
           not
           as
           Enemies
           .
           For
           it
           is
           evident
           that
           those
           Coercive
           ways
           which
           some
           encline
           to
           ,
           and
           under
           which
           we
           have
           bin
           ,
           and
           still
           are
           exercised
           ,
           are
           not
           like
           to
           effect
           
           Christian
           Amity
           and
           Unity
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           make
           the
           Breach
           much
           wider
           .
        
         
           That
           then
           it
           may
           please
           God
           (
           even
           the
           God
           of
           Peace
           )
           to
           direct
           your
           Wisdoms
           to
           those
           wholsome
           Methods
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           natural
           to
           procure
           and
           continue
           a
           lasting
           Peace
           between
           us
           in
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           shall
           be
           our
           Prayer
           to
           him
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           in
           whose
           fear
           we
           humbly
           make
           these
           following
           Proposals
           .
           And
           first
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             
               Concerning
               the
            
             39
             
               Articles
               ,
               &c.
            
             
          
           
             As
             we
             have
             already
             hinted
             ,
             that
             (
             in
             our
             judgment
             )
             some
             things
             in
             the
             39
             Articles
             of
             the
             Church
             do
             admit
             of
             some
             amendment
             ,
             We
             shall
             therefore
             humbly
             propose
             our
             Doubts
             in
             that
             case
             ,
             that
             the
             Fundamentals
             being
             secur'd
             ,
             other
             things
             may
             the
             more
             easily
             be
             reconciled
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Our
             first
             scruple
             concerns
             the
             third
             Article
             ,
             where
             it
             requires
             ,
             Belief
             that
             Christ
             went
             down
             into
             Hell
             ,
             besides
             his
             being
             in
             the
             state
             of
             the
             Dead
             ,
             and
             buried
             in
             the
             Sepulchre
             .
             Now
             this
             Passage
             is
             so
             dubious
             ,
             as
             that
             even
             
               Mr.
               Rogers
            
             ,
             who
             wrote
             a
             Book
             in
             defence
             of
             the
             39
             Articles
             ,
             doth
             confess
             ,
             that
             the
             native
             and
             undoubted
             Sence
             of
             this
             Article
             is
             not
             known
             ,
             so
             that
             we
             conceive
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             required
             as
             an
             Article
             
             necessary
             to
             the
             Christian
             *
             Faith.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             In
             the
             8th
             Article
             all
             things
             contain'd
             in
             the
             three
             Creeds
             ,
             are
             required
             [
             throughly
             to
             be
             believed
             ,
             ]
             in
             some
             of
             which
             ,
             is
             the
             said
             clause
             ,
             of
             
               Christ's
               Descension
               into
               Hell
            
             ,
             (
             the
             meaning
             whereof
             is
             doubtful
             .
             )
             And
             some
             terms
             in
             the
             Creed
             of
             Athanasius
             ,
             are
             so
             hard
             to
             be
             understood
             ,
             that
             we
             think
             they
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             imposed
             as
             necessary
             :
             We
             humbly
             conceive
             the
             Modesty
             of
             Hillary
             ,
             more
             safe
             than
             some
             os
             the
             Zealous
             Speeches
             of
             Athanasius
             ,
             who
             tells
             us
             
               That
               whatsoever
               is
               used
               more
               ,
               than
               the
               
                 Father
                 ,
                 Son
              
               ,
               and
               
                 Holy
                 Ghost
              
               ,
               is
               beyond
               the
               compass
               of
               Speech
               ,
               the
               reach
               of
               
               of
               Sence
               ,
               and
               the
               capacity
               of
               Understanding
               .
            
             And
             though
             he
             had
             used
             the
             Words
             
               [
               Three
               Hypostasis
            
             ]
             yet
             he
             confesses
             
               This
               is
               to
               do
               things
               unlawful
               ,
               to
               speak
               that
               which
               ought
               not
               to
               be
               spoken
               ,
               to
               attempt
               things
               not
               licensed
               ,
               to
               put
               things
               in
               peril
               of
               the
               Speech
               of
               Men
               ,
               which
               ought
               to
               be
               kept
               in
               the
               Religiousness
               of
               minds
               .
            
             And
             Austin
             confesses
             
             that
             
               it
               ought
               not
               to
               be
               spoken
               ,
               [
               How
               ]
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               ,
               and
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               are
               three
               .
            
             A
             Holy
             Trinity
             there
             is
             ,
             but
             [
             how
             ]
             it
             subsisteth
             God
             only
             knoweth
             .
          
           
             And
             here
             both
             the
             Modesty
             and
             Caution
             of
             Mr.
             Calvin
             also
             is
             worth
             our
             Consideration
             ,
             who
             speaking
             of
             the
             Titles
             ,
             or
             Expressions
             ,
             viz.
             
               A
               Trinity
               of
               Persons
               in
               the
               Vnity
               of
               the
               Godhead
               ,
            
             saith
             ,
          
           
             
               If
               the
               Names
               have
               not
               been
               without
               cause
               invented
               ,
               we
               ought
               to
               take
               heed
               that
               in
               rejecting
               them
               we
               be
               not
               justly
               blamed
               of
               proud
               Presumptuousness
               .
               I
               would
               to
               God
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               they
               where
               buried
               indeed
               ,
               so
               that
            
             THIS
             FAITH
             WERE
             AGREED
             OF
             ALL
             MEN
             ,
             
               That
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               and
               Holy
               Ghost
               are
            
             ONE
             GOD
             ,
             
               and
               yet
               that
               the
               Father
               is
               not
               the
               Son
               ,
               nor
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               the
               Son
               ,
               but
               distinct
               by
               certain
               Properties
               .
            
             Instit
             .
             l.
             1.
             c.
             1.
             
             Sect.
             5.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             13th
             Article
             would
             have
             it
             believed
             ,
             
               that
               no
               Works
               done
               without
               Faith
               in
               Jesus
               Christ
               are
               pleasant
               to
               God
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             Which
             we
             think
             is
             doubtful
             ,
             considering
             how
             it
             is
             said
             that
             
               the
               Prayers
               and
               Alms
               of
            
             Cornelius
             
               were
               come
               up
               for
               a
               Memorial
               before
               God.
               Act.
            
             10.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             yet
             't
             is
             certain
             he
             did
             not
             then
             know
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             18th
             Article
             seems
             doubtful
             ,
             where
             it
             teacheth
             ,
             that
             
               none
               can
               be
               saved
               who
               diligently
               frame
               their
               life
               according
               to
               the
               Light
               or
            
             
             
               Law
               of
               Nature
               ,
               &c.
            
             
             Whereas
             if
             God
             have
             given
             them
             no
             other
             Law
             or
             Light
             to
             walk
             by
             ,
             we
             conceive
             it
             more
             safe
             for
             us
             to
             leave
             them
             to
             the
             Lord
             (
             who
             will
             not
             gather
             where
             he
             hath
             not
             strewed
             )
             than
             thus
             to
             censure
             them
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             second
             Paragraph
             of
             the
             27th
             Article
             may
             well
             be
             omited
             ,
             seeing
             it
             is
             granted
             by
             learned
             Protestants
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             
               plain
               Scripture
               for
               Infant
               Baptism
            
             .
             Instead
             of
             which
             Paragraph
             it
             may
             safely
             be
             inserted
             ,
             that
             the
             Infants
             of
             Christians
             should
             be
             devoted
             to
             God
             by
             Prayer
             and
             Blessing
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             justified
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             specially
             by
             the
             Words
             of
             Christ
             ,
             Mat.
             19.
             6.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             The
             36
             Article
             not
             necessary
             to
             be
             imposed
             
               as
               an
               Article
               of
               the
               Christian
               Faith
               ,
            
             seeing
             that
             
               Book
               of
               Consecration
               of
               Archbishops
               ,
               Bishops
               ,
               ordering
               of
               Priests
               and
               Deacons
               ,
            
             is
             not
             of
             
               Divine
               Authority
            
             ;
             and
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             more
             safe
             to
             refer
             the
             business
             of
             Consecrating
             ,
             or
             ordaining
             Christ's
             Ministers
             (
             of
             what
             rank
             soever
             )
             to
             the
             Rules
             given
             in
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             And
             hence
             we
             do
             further
             conceive
             ,
             it
             is
             very
             needful
             that
             those
             severe
             Sentences
             of
             Excommunication
             contain'd
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             
               Canons
               and
               Constitutions
               Ecclesiastical
            
             (
             specially
             these
             two
             ,
             contain'd
             in
             Can.
             5.
             
             &
             9.
             )
             be
             recalled
             .
             For
             seeing
             they
             themselves
             (
             that
             
             composed
             the
             39
             Articles
             )
             were
             but
             Men
             ,
             (
             though
             pious
             Men
             )
             and
             therefore
             (
             as
             themselves
             teach
             ,
             Art.
             21.
             )
             
               might
               possibly
               err
               ,
               even
               in
               things
               pertaining
               to
               God.
               Therefore
            
             (
             as
             they
             further
             say
             )
             
               things
               ordained
               by
               them
               ,
               have
               neither
               Strength
               nor
               Authority
               ,
               unless
               it
               may
               be
               declared
               ,
               that
               they
               be
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Word
               of
               God.
            
             Nor
             ought
             the
             Church
             to
             enforce
             any
             thing
             to
             be
             believed
             for
             necessity
             of
             Salvation
             ,
             which
             is
             either
             
               against
               or
               besides
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
            
             as
             they
             also
             teach
             ,
             Article
             20.
             
             Thus
             much
             of
             the
             39
             Articles
             .
          
        
         
           
             II.
             
               Concerning
               the
               visible
               Church
               of
               Christ
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             As
             it
             is
             rightly
             acknowledged
             by
             Christians
             generally
             ,
             and
             particularly
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ,
               Article
            
             19.
             
             That
             
               the
               Church
               of
               Christ
               is
               a
               Congregation
               of
               faithful
               Men
               ,
               in
               which
               the
               pure
               Word
               of
               God
               is
               preached
               ,
               and
               the
               Sacraments
               duly
               administred
               according
               to
               Christ's
               Ordinance
               ,
               in
               all
               those
               things
               ,
               which
               of
               necessity
               are
               requisite
               to
               the
               same
            
             ;
             So
             it
             may
             be
             as
             truly
             observed
             that
             none
             be
             admitted
             Members
             of
             this
             Visible
             Church
             ,
             or
             Mystical
             Body
             of
             Christ
             ;
             till
             they
             give
             evidence
             that
             they
             are
             faithful
             ,
             at
             least
             by
             their
             personal
             Profession
             of
             the
             Faith
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Willingness
             to
             walk
             in
             newness
             of
             Life
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Principles
             or
             general
             Rules
             of
             the
             
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             contain'd
             in
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             the
             Rule
             of
             Faith.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             And
             seeing
             it
             is
             the
             Work
             of
             God
             through
             which
             Man
             with
             the
             Heart
             believeth
             unto
             Righteousness
             ,
             from
             which
             Faith
             only
             can
             proceed
             that
             Confession
             with
             the
             Mouth
             which
             is
             to
             Salvation
             ;
             That
             therefore
             it
             may
             be
             firmly
             agreed
             ,
             that
             humane
             force
             or
             violence
             is
             not
             the
             means
             ordain'd
             of
             God
             to
             propagate
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             .
             But
             that
             preaching
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             walking
             holily
             in
             Charity
             towards
             all
             Men
             ,
             are
             the
             true
             and
             proper
             means
             to
             encrease
             the
             Church
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Will
             and
             Commandment
             of
             the
             everlasting
             God
             ,
             made
             known
             to
             all
             Nations
             in
             that
             behalf
             .
          
        
         
           
             III.
             
               Concerning
               Regeneration
               ,
               and
               Baptism
            
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             as
             Conversion
             or
             Regeneration
             is
             necessary
             to
             the
             Christian-state
             of
             every
             Sinner
             ,
             so
             it
             may
             be
             joyntly
             held
             and
             professed
             that
             the
             Baptism
             of
             Repentance
             ,
             for
             Remission
             of
             Sins
             ,
             is
             an
             Ordinance
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             necessary
             to
             the
             Admission
             of
             all
             Men
             to
             the
             Priviledges
             of
             his
             Church
             :
             and
             that
             the
             things
             required
             of
             all
             that
             are
             to
             be
             baptized
             ,
             are
             Repentance
             ,
             whereby
             they
             forsake
             Sin
             ,
             and
             Faith
             ,
             whereby
             they
             stedfastly
             believe
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ,
             made
             to
             them
             in
             that
             Sacrament
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             That
             as
             it
             is
             granted
             on
             all
             hands
             ,
             that
             Immersion
             in
             Water
             agrees
             best
             with
             the
             Word
             baptize
             ,
             and
             was
             the
             
               primitive
               way
               of
               baptizing
            
             ;
             so
             this
             Ordinance
             may
             therein
             be
             restored
             to
             its
             purity
             according
             to
             its
             primitive
             Institution
             ;
             And
             that
             to
             this
             end
             ,
             there
             may
             be
             Baptisterions
             ,
             or
             
               fit
               Places
               to
               baptize
               in
            
             ,
             appointed
             for
             the
             Solemn
             Performance
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             .
          
        
         
           
             IV.
             
               Concerning
               Infants
               ,
               or
               Little-Children
            
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             all
             Infants
             of
             Christians
             be
             solemnly
             devoted
             to
             Christ
             by
             Prayer
             and
             Blessing
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Christ
             be
             assistant
             in
             this
             Work
             ,
             not
             forbidding
             them
             this
             Blessing
             ,
             Mat.
             19.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             every
             Minister
             of
             Christ
             residing
             in
             any
             Country-Village
             be
             obliged
             ,
             in
             Consideration
             of
             convenient
             maintenance
             ,
             to
             teach
             all
             the
             Children
             in
             his
             precincts
             to
             read
             the
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             to
             instruct
             them
             in
             the
             Principles
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             
               (
               Heb.
            
             6.
             1
             ,
             2.
             )
             and
             that
             they
             may
             be
             baptized
             ,
             when
             they
             shall
             profess
             Repentance
             towards
             God
             ,
             and
             Faith
             towards
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             .
             And
             that
             the
             like
             care
             be
             used
             in
             Cities
             ,
             and
             great
             Towns
             ,
             in
             such
             manner
             as
             may
             be
             most
             convenient
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             5.
             
             
               Concerning
               laying
               on
               of
               Hands
            
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             the
             fourth
             Principle
             of
             Christ's
             Doctrine
             (
             called
             
               Laying
               on
               of
               Hands
               ,
            
             )
             be
             restored
             〈◊〉
             its
             due
             use
             and
             purity
             in
             the
             Church
             ▪
             namely
             ,
             tha●
             when
             any
             Converts
             are
             Baptised
             ,
             then
             Praye●●
             with
             the
             
               Laying
               on
               of
               Hands
            
             ,
             be
             speedily
             made
             t●
             God
             for
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             receive
             the
             Promi●●
             of
             the
             Spirit
             by
             Faith
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             may
             retain
             i●
             ancient
             Titles
             ,
             given
             it
             by
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             (
             viz.
             
               Laying
               on
               of
               Hands
               ,
               or
               a
               Principle
               of
               the
               Doctrine
               〈◊〉
               Christ
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             To
             the
             end
             this
             service
             of
             God
             be
             not
             neglecte●
             that
             it
             may
             be
             allowed
             ,
             that
             all
             faithful
             Oversee●
             of
             particular
             Congregations
             ,
             may
             perfor●
             this
             Service
             upon
             the
             newly
             Baptised
             ;
             speciall●
             in
             the
             absence
             of
             such
             a
             Minister
             as
             has
             a
             mo●●
             general
             charge
             ,
             be
             he
             called
             the
             Angel
             ,
             or
             Messenger
             of
             the
             Churches
             .
             And
             that
             care
             be
             take●
             that
             the
             Christians
             who
             have
             not
             known
             th●
             Principle
             of
             Christ's
             Doctrine
             ,
             be
             deliberately
             instructed
             concerning
             it
             ,
             before
             they
             be
             made
             comformable
             to
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             6.
             
             
               Concerning
               publick
               Prayers
               ,
               and
               the
               manner
               〈◊〉
               singing
               the
               Praises
               of
               God
               in
               the
               Churches
               .
               An●
               of
               the
               removal
               of
               such
               Ceremonies
               as
               〈◊〉
               not
               to
               Edification
               .
            
          
           
           
             1.
             
             Seeing
             the
             Prayers
             contain'd
             in
             holy
             Scrip●ure
             (
             and
             especially
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             )
             are
             suf●icient
             to
             direct
             the
             Man
             of
             God
             in
             that
             duty
             of
             Prayer
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             therefore
             the
             Book
             of
             Common
             Prayer
             be
             not
             imposed
             ,
             and
             that
             ●t
             may
             be
             in
             the
             liberty
             of
             the
             Minister
             to
             pray
             ●n
             the
             Church
             according
             to
             the
             ability
             which
             God
             hath
             given
             him
             ,
             that
             so
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Order
             of
             it
             ,
             may
             be
             preser●ed
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             it
             be
             joyntly
             agreed
             that
             singing
             the
             Praises
             of
             God
             in
             Psalms
             ,
             Hymns
             ,
             and
             Spiritual
             ●ongs
             ,
             is
             a
             holy
             Ordinance
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             ●he
             order
             and
             Spirit
             of
             that
             Duty
             be
             restored
             ▪
             God
             assisting
             )
             according
             to
             1
             Cor.
             14.
             and
             other
             Rules
             contain'd
             in
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             .
             And
             that
             Musical
             Instruments
             ,
             bowing
             to
             the
             Altar
             ,
             the
             ●ign
             of
             the
             Cross
             ,
             the
             Surplice
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             ,
             unne●essary
             Ceremony
             ,
             be
             prudently
             removed
             out
             of
             ●he
             Service
             of
             God
             in
             all
             Churches
             .
          
        
         
           
             7.
             
             
               Concerning
               Church-Discipline
            
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             the
             Exercise
             of
             Discipline
             be
             restored
             in
             〈◊〉
             Churches
             according
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             and
             〈◊〉
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             fore●●cited
             in
             this
             Epistle
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             To
             the
             intent
             that
             no
             Sinner
             be
             indulged
             in
             ●is
             Iniquity
             for
             Money
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             not
             be
             p●r●itted
             that
             any
             Officer
             concern'd
             in
             the
             Execution
             
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             take
             any
             manner
             of
             Fees
             o●
             the
             Offenders
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Person
             for
             them
             And
             that
             such
             Ministers
             be
             entrusted
             with
             th●
             Exercise
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             as
             are
             Men
             of
             know
             Integrity
             ,
             Holiness
             and
             self-Denial
             .
             And
             th●●
             holy
             Discipline
             be
             executed
             in
             or
             near
             the
             plac●
             where
             the
             Offences
             are
             committed
             ,
             accordin●
             to
             the
             Order
             of
             the
             primitive
             Churches
             .
          
        
         
           
             8.
             
             
               Concerning
               Ordination
               ,
               and
               Preaching
               the
               Word
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             the
             Election
             and
             Ordination
             of
             Min●sters
             ,
             of
             what
             Rank
             soever
             ,
             be
             restored
             (
             wher●in
             it
             shall
             appear
             to
             have
             been
             neglected
             )
             in
             〈◊〉
             most
             solemn
             manner
             that
             may
             be
             ,
             accordi●●
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             :
             And
             that
             such
             Ministe●●
             among
             the
             Baptized
             Believers
             ,
             as
             shall
             be
             fou●●
             to
             have
             been
             so
             elected
             and
             ordained
             ,
             be
             ●●lowed
             to
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             to
             edifie
             the
             Pe●ple
             ,
             and
             to
             dispense
             the
             holy
             Ordinances
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             the
             primitive
             liberty
             of
             prophesyi●●
             to
             Edification
             ,
             Exhortation
             ,
             and
             Comfort
             ,
             be
             〈◊〉
             stored
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             
               i.
               e.
            
             as
             it
             shall
             please
             〈◊〉
             to
             give
             Men
             the
             Gift
             of
             Teaching
             ,
             Exhorta●●on
             ,
             &c.
             they
             may
             be
             permitted
             with
             Prude●●
             to
             edifie
             the
             People
             by
             the
             modest
             Exercise●●
             their
             Gifts
             in
             the
             Churches
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             9.
             
             
               Concerning
               the
               M●intenance
               of
               Christ's
               Ministers
               ,
               and
               the
               Relief
               of
               poor
               Christiant
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             it
             be
             agreed
             ,
             that
             the
             Relief
             of
             the
             Poor
             ,
             〈◊〉
             that
             those
             who
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             should
             〈◊〉
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             are
             God's
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             〈◊〉
             be
             performed
             with
             all
             Faithfulness
             by
             all
             ●hristians
             according
             to
             their
             Ability
             .
             But
             that
             〈◊〉
             Methods
             for
             performance
             of
             them
             ,
             are
             ●●ythes
             for
             the
             one
             ,
             or
             Assessment
             for
             the
             other
             ,
             〈◊〉
             only
             
               jure
               humano
            
             ,
             and
             that
             therefore
             the
             same
             ●●wer
             Magistratical
             which
             gave
             being
             to
             these
             ●ethods
             ,
             may
             lawfully
             alter
             the
             same
             to
             the
             ●tter
             when
             they
             please
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             And
             that
             therefore
             it
             be
             further
             agreed
             and
             ●●clared
             ,
             that
             the
             way
             asfign'd
             in
             holy
             Scripture
             〈◊〉
             the
             support
             of
             Christ's
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             the
             ●●lief
             of
             Poor
             Christians
             ,
             is
             by
             a
             free
             Contribu●●on
             ,
             to
             be
             constantly
             upheld
             in
             the
             Churches
             ,
             ●●cording
             to
             every
             ones
             Ability
             ;
             and
             the
             Mo●●y
             so
             collected
             to
             be
             entrusted
             in
             the
             Hands
             〈◊〉
             the
             Deacons
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             by
             them
             to
             〈◊〉
             faithfully
             distributed
             as
             occasion
             requires
             .
             ●nd
             that
             therefore
             such
             as
             will
             stand
             to
             Christ's
             ●●lowance
             ,
             and
             for
             his
             Name-sake
             minister
             the
             ●ospel
             freely
             to
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             may
             be
             still
             had
             in
             ●eputation
             ;
             and
             sent
             forth
             by
             the
             Church
             〈◊〉
             restore
             Christianity
             where
             it
             is
             corrupted
             ;
             〈◊〉
             to
             plant
             the
             Gospel
             where
             it
             is
             not
             known
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             10.
             
             
               Concerning
               Separation
            
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             It
             's
             here
             propounded
             ,
             as
             greatly
             necessary
             to
             a
             tru●
             Christian
             state
             ,
             that
             some
             effectual
             Course
             be
             resolve●
             upon
             ,
             to
             keep
             (
             as
             far
             as
             may
             be
             consistent
             with
             Trut●
             and
             Charity
             )
             a
             holy
             and
             just
             Distinction
             ,
             between
             thos●
             who
             lead
             wicked
             and
             Scandalous
             Lives
             ,
             and
             them
             tha●
             live
             holily
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             general
             Rules
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             without
             respect
             of
             Persons
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             this
             Care
             be
             taken
             more
             especially
             concerning
             the
             Ministery
             ;
             otherwise
             we
             shall
             still
             have
             multitudes
             of
             prophane
             and
             debauched
             Men
             set
             up
             as
             Leaders
             .
             And
             we
             see
             by
             Experientce
             the
             People
             are
             too
             ready
             to
             follow
             their
             ill
             Examples
             ,
             and
             the
             consequence
             mus●
             needs
             be
             lamentable
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             written
             ,
             
               They
               eat
               up
               th●
               Sins
               of
               my
               People
               ;
               and
               set
               their
               Heart
               on
               their
               Iniquities
               ,
               and
               there
               shall
               be
               like
               People
               like
               Priest
               ;
               And
               〈◊〉
               will
               punish
               them
               for
               their
               Wayes
               ,
               and
               reward
               the●
               their
               Doings
               .
               Jer.
            
             15.
             18.
             
          
        
         
           
             II.
             
               Concerning
               the
               means
               to
               effect
               the
               Vnity
               desired
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             it
             would
             please
             you
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             to
             petition
             the
             King's
             Majesty
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             made
             lawful
             by
             an
             Act
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             or
             by
             his
             Royall
             Permission
             ,
             for
             a
             competent
             Number
             of
             Representatives
             of
             such
             Dissenters
             ,
             as
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             unite
             with
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             to
             meet
             in
             Christian
             Counsel
             with
             your selves
             ,
             and
             to
             agree
             (
             upon
             mature
             Deliberation
             )
             on
             such
             Articles
             as
             may
             (
             if
             God
             see
             i●
             good
             )
             put
             a
             Period
             to
             our
             present
             Animosities
             and
             Divisions
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             if
             these
             Proposals
             do
             not
             hold
             Agreement
             with
             the
             good
             old
             way
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             then
             we
             desire
             they
             may
             be
             rejected
             ,
             and
             that
             you
             would
             be
             pl●ased
             to
             propose
             things
             which
             may
             be
             more
             effectual
             to
             procure
             the
             Unity
             desired
             .
             For
             our
             Record
             is
             on
             high
             ,
             and
             we
             
             have
             also
             the
             Testimony
             of
             our
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             in
             Sim●licity
             ,
             and
             godly
             Sincerity
             ,
             not
             with
             fleshly
             Wisdom
             ,
             but
             by
             ●he
             Grace
             of
             God
             ,
             we
             desire
             to
             have
             our
             Conversation
             〈◊〉
             the
             Gospel
             with
             you
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             that
             love
             Christ
             〈◊〉
             our
             Nation
             .
             Trusting
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             the
             u●●ting
             of
             such
             in
             the
             Truth
             in
             general
             ,
             may
             effectually
             ●ove
             many
             to
             Jealousie
             with
             themselves
             ,
             who
             are
             now
             ●●tangled
             in
             Error
             ,
             or
             involved
             in
             Prophaneness
             ,
             that
             ●hey
             may
             be
             converted
             from
             the
             Evil
             of
             their
             Ways
             ,
             and
             ●onsequently
             our
             Nation
             to
             abound
             with
             all
             Blessings
             ,
             ●specially
             the
             Blessing
             of
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Peace
             .
             
               For
               Godliness
               hath
               the
               Promise
               of
               the
               Life
               that
               now
               is
               ,
               and
               of
               that
               which
               is
               to
               come
               .
            
          
           
             Finally
             ,
             if
             these
             Endeavours
             for
             Christian
             Concord
             with
             all
             that
             fear
             God
             ,
             and
             work
             Righteousness
             in
             this
             Nation
             ,
             be
             rejected
             ,
             yet
             herein
             shall
             we
             have
             some
             Peace
             and
             Comfort
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             made
             the
             best
             Essay
             we
             could
             for
             Brotherly
             Concord
             with
             them
             :
             
               Being
               also
               ●eriously
               desirous
               utterly
               to
               forget
               all
               the
               hard
               things
               which
               in
               time
               past
               we
               have
               suffered
               from
               our
               Countrey-Men
               .
            
             Hoping
             that
             the
             sober
             Protestant
             hath
             had
             good
             Occasion
             by
             this
             time
             to
             observe
             ,
             that
             God
             Almighty
             hath
             pleaded
             the
             Innocency
             of
             our
             Principles
             and
             Purpose
             ,
             from
             the
             Evils
             too
             frequently
             ▪
             and
             most
             unjustly
             suggested
             against
             them
             ;
             and
             that
             therefore
             we
             may
             now
             with
             the
             greater
             freedom
             of
             Speech
             ,
             express
             our selves
             as
             in
             the
             Premises
             ,
             and
             conclude
             with
             the
             modest
             Speech
             of
             Augustine
             .
          
           
             
               This
               then
               is
               our
               Desire
               ,
               which
               we
               do
               alledge
               by
               these
               Letters
               unto
               your
               Reverence
               ,
               First
               ,
               if
               it
               may
               be
               that
               you
               would
               confer
               with
               our
               Bishops
               peaceably
            
             
             
               and
               quie●ly
               ,
               to
               the
               End
               that
               Error
               be
               taken
               away
               from
               those
               in
               whom
               it
               shall
               be
               found
               ,
               and
               not
               that
               Men
               be
               taken
               away
               ,
               nor
               punished
               ,
               but
               gently
               corrected
               .
            
          
           
             But
             before
             we
             shut
             up
             this
             Epistle
             it
             will
             be
             needful
             to
             answer
             two
             Objections
             which
             may
             seem
             to
             be
             of
             〈…〉
             we
             have
             said
             .
          
           
           
             
               Obj
               ▪
            
             1.
             
             It
             will
             be
             objected
             ,
             
               That
               we
               ask
               or
               desir●
               many
               things
               ,
               and
               grant
               but
               few
               .
            
          
           
             Ans
             .
             1.
             
             That
             we
             hope
             we
             have
             desired
             nothing
             bu●
             what
             is
             rational
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             sound
             Principles
             〈◊〉
             Christianity
             ;
             and
             which
             will
             be
             profitable
             to
             the
             Churc●
             of
             God
             ,
             when
             granted
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             We
             stand
             ready
             to
             hear
             what
             our
             Friends
             of
             th●
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             will
             require
             of
             us
             ,
             to
             answer
             tho●
             Kindnesses
             which
             we
             desire
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             hope
             we
             shadeny
             them
             nothing
             which
             we
             may
             lawfully
             grant
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Obj.
             
               That
               the
               Alteration
               which
               we
               propose
               in
               t●●
               case
               of
               Baptism
               ,
               amounts
               to
               a
               Renunciation
               of
               th●●
               Christianity
               ,
               and
               to
               begin
               anew
               to
               become
               Christians
               ▪
            
          
           
             Ans
             .
             The
             Church
             of
             England
             does
             not
             only
             retai●
             the
             Substance
             of
             what
             Truth
             ●he
             hath
             received
             concernin●
             Baptism
             ,
             by
             altering
             to
             the
             better
             ;
             but
             will
             indeed
             the
             be
             consistant
             with
             the
             Truth
             of
             her
             own
             Doctrine
             in
             the
             fi●
             paragraph
             of
             her
             27th
             Article
             ,
             and
             her
             vulgar
             Catechis●
             which
             she
             hath
             rather
             made
             void
             hitherto
             by
             the
             Custo●
             of
             Paedobaptism
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             If
             we
             take
             the
             Text
             Act.
             19.
             5.
             according
             to
             t●
             Exposition
             of
             the
             Ancients
             ,
             and
             divers
             Modern
             Writ●
             (
             as
             that
             is
             indeed
             the
             native
             and
             clear
             Sence
             of
             t●
             place
             )
             It
             will
             then
             be
             a
             good
             president
             to
             the
             Chur●●
             of
             England
             to
             alter
             the
             Subject
             and
             Manner
             of
             her
             Ba●tism
             ;
             for
             here
             we
             see
             ,
             these
             Ephesians
             being
             not
             right
             instructed
             concerning
             the
             grounds
             of
             Baptism
             ,
             when
             th●
             were
             baptized
             unto
             
               John's
               Baptism
            
             ,
             are
             therefore
             
               ba●tized
               again
            
             ,
             upon
             more
             perfect
             Instruction
             ;
             Yet
             〈◊〉
             they
             not
             renounce
             the
             least
             part
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             〈◊〉
             any
             Truth
             which
             they
             had
             received
             concerning
             Baptis●
             But
             did
             rather
             perfect
             that
             Infirm
             Baptism
             which
             th●
             had
             received
             .
             And
             it
             is
             a
             just
             Presumption
             that
             the
             first
             Baptism
             was
             more
             valid
             then
             Paedobaptism
             ,
             〈◊〉
             Infants
             know
             nothing
             at
             all
             ,
             either
             what
             they
             do
             ,
             what
             is
             done
             to
             them
             ,
             but
             oppose
             it
             what
             in
             them
             
             〈◊〉
             ,
             whereas
             these
             at
             Ephesus
             were
             Disciples
             ,
             ver
             .
             1
             ,
             ●uch
             as
             did
             know
             unto
             what
             they
             had
             been
             baptized
             ,
             〈◊〉
             .
             3
             ,
             and
             yet
             are
             baptized
             again
             ,
             because
             not
             duly
             in●ormed
             before
             concerning
             the
             grounds
             of
             Baptism
             ;
             and
             ●his
             is
             written
             for
             our
             Learning
             ,
             when
             our
             case
             is
             like
             ●heirs
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           THe
           Reader
           may
           be
           confident
           ,
           we
           are
           not
           without
           foresight
           ,
           that
           our
           hearty
           desire
           and
           endeavour
           for
           
           Truth
           ●nd
           Peace
           ,
           will
           be
           little
           regarded
           by
           many
           ;
           some
           will
           cen●ure
           us
           ,
           others
           contemn
           us
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           have
           here
           pro●osed
           .
        
         
           But
           be
           it
           so
           ,
           yet
           we
           also
           hope
           some
           will
           consider
           what
           we
           ●ave
           offered
           ;
           and
           may
           it
           but
           give
           some
           Light
           to
           a
           better
           ●nderstanding
           of
           the
           Case
           depending
           ,
           or
           move
           any
           whose
           ●ircumstances
           may
           render
           them
           more
           serviceable
           to
           promote
           Truth
           and
           Peace
           amongst
           Dissenting
           Christians
           ,
           We
           shall
           ●e
           content
           
             to
             labour
             ,
             and
             suffer
             reproach
             ,
             because
             we
             trust
             〈◊〉
             the
             living
             God.
             
          
        
         
           Since
           the
           precedent
           Epistle
           was
           written
           ,
           some
           of
           us
           have
           〈◊〉
           a
           Sermon
           lately
           preached
           by
           Dr.
           Stillingfleet
           ,
           on
           
             Phil.
             ●
             16.
          
           wherein
           he
           also
           endeavours
           for
           Peace
           amongst
           Dissening
           Christians
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           
             one
             thing
             necessary
          
           (
           which
           he
           ●oes
           not
           much
           meddle
           with
           )
           and
           that
           is
           to
           shew
           ,
           
             That
             the
             ●hurch
             he
             would
             have
             us
             to
             communicate
             with
             ,
             is
             such
             for
             Constitution
             and
             Government
             as
             was
             that
             at
          
           Philippi
           .
           ●hen
           he
           shall
           do
           this
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           confident
           small
           faults
           ●●ll
           not
           keep
           us
           from
           her
           Communion
           :
           And
           that
           she
           may
           〈◊〉
           such
           ,
           is
           the
           unfeigned
           desire
           and
           eadeavour
           of
           the
           Au●●ors
           of
           the
           precedent
           Epistle
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A41779-e110
           
             *
             By
             Truth
             in
             this
             place
             we
             intend
             chiefly
             what
             is
             needful
             to
             a
             true
             Church-state
             ,
             and
             an
             holy
             Life
             .
          
           
             *
             1
             Cor
             3.
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             &
             11.
             18
             ,
             19
             ,
             20
             ,
             21.
             
             &
             15.
             12
             ,
             29.
             2
             
             Cor.
             12.
             20
             ,
             21.
             see
             also
             
               Clem.
               Ep.
            
             at
             large
             and
             it
             will
             fully
             appear
             .
          
           
             *
             This
             Letter
             has
             been
             printed
             about
             24
             years
             ,
             and
             never
             yet
             contradicted
             by
             Dr.
             Barlow
             .
             See
             Mr.
             Tombes
             his
             Praeface
             to
             the
             Reader
             in
             the
             third
             part
             of
             his
             full
             Review
             of
             the
             Dispute
             concerning
             Infant
             Baptism
             .
             p.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             *
             Mr.
             Baxter
             tells
             us
             ,
             many
             both
             Papists
             and
             Prela●ists
             ,
             have
             maintain'd
             that
             Infant
             Baptism
             is
             not
             determined
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             but
             depends
             on
             the
             Tradition
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             
               Def.
               Princ.
               of
               Love
               ,
               p.
            
             7.
             
             And
             Dr.
             
               Jer.
               Taylor
            
             tells
             us
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             prime
             Tradition
             for
             Infant
             Baptism
             .
             See
             his
             Disswas
             .
             from
             Popery
             .
          
           
             *
             Note
             ,
             that
             the
             Division
             at
             Corinth
             was
             occasioned
             by
             laying
             aside
             the
             primitive
             Institution
             of
             Christ
             concerning
             the
             Ministery
             ,
             the
             ancient
             Bishops
             or
             Elders
             being
             thrust
             out
             ,
             &c.
             
             And
             our
             Divisions
             are
             occasioned
             by
             either
             the
             laying
             aside
             ,
             or
             the
             not
             duly
             observing
             Christ's
             Ordinances
             touching
             the
             Constitution
             and
             Government
             of
             his
             Church
             according
             to
             the
             primitive
             pattern
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A41779-e1210
           
             See
             your
             Church
             Catechism
             .
          
           
             *
             
               And
               it
               is
               granted
               by
               learned
               Protestants
               ,
            
             that
             this
             clause
             of
             Christ's
             Descent
             into
             Hell
             was
             not
             always
             in
             the
             4th
             Article
             of
             the
             Creed
             ,
             as
             the
             Nicen
             Creed
             ,
             and
             divers
             others
             do
             witness
             .
             
               See
               Mr.
            
             Ross's
             
               Abridgment
               of
               Divinity
               ,
               pag.
            
             115.
             
          
           
             See
             
               Mr.
               Calvin
               Instit
               .
               L.
            
             1.
             
             Chap.
             13.
             
             Sect.
             5.
             out
             of
             whom
             this
             Quotation
             is
             taken
             .
          
           
             Aug.
             Ep.
             58.
             ad
             Jan.
             &
             Donat.