368 The. LIFE of the not thefe tbingr befall 01] and we have enough. And we iuppofe tholes thatthink the Perlons inconfiderable in number and quality for whom we plead, -will not themfèlves believe that we have done this for Popular Applaufe : This were not fo much to feek the Reward of Hypocrites,'as to play the Game of Fools; teeing the Applaufe of inconfiderable Men canbe but inconfiderable andwetknoov -our felves that we are like thus to offend thofe that ate not inconfiderable. The Lord that fearcheth hearts, doth know that it is not fo much the.aáoidingof Suffering to our felves or any particular Perfòns, that is the end of our Endeavours (though this were no ambitious end) as the Peace and Welfare of the Church and Kingdoms under your Majefty's Government: We know that, fuppofingthem that are for the Ceremonies to beas pious and charitable as thereft, it cannot fo muchoffendthem that another Man for beareth them, as it muff offend that other to be forced to ufe them : and we know that confciencious Menwill not confent to thepra&ice of things in their Judgments unlawful , when thole may yieldthat count the Mat. ters but indiffrent. And for the management of this Treaty, it being agreed at our firft meeting, that nothing be reported as the Words or Sence of either Part, but what isby them delivered in writing, we humbly crave that your Majefty receive no more as ours, and that where is charged on any particular Perfon, he. may be anfwelable for himfclf: And though the ReverendBilhops trave not had time to confider of our Additions to the Liturgy, and ofour Reply, that yet they may be confidered be- fore a Determination be made. And though we teem to have laboured in vain, we íiall yet lay this Work- of Reconciliation and Peace, at the feet of your Maje- fty, befeeching you to profecute filch a bleffed Refolution till it attain fuccefs. We muff needs believe, that when your Majefty took our Content to a Liturgy, to he a Foundationthat would infer our Concord, you meant not that we fhould have no Concord, but by contenting to this Liturgy without any confiderableAl- teration. And when you comforted us with your Refolution to drawus together, by yielding on both fides in what wecould, you meant not that we should be the Boar, and they theBank that muff not Dir. And when your Majefty commanded us by your Letters Patents to treat about fuch Alterations as are [' needful or ex- pedient for giving Satisfadion to tender Cónfèiences, and the reboring and con- ' tinuance of Peace and Unity ] we yell allured that it was not your fence , that thofe tender Conlcienceswere tobe forced to pradife all which they judged unlaw- ful, and not fo much as a Ceremony abated them t Or that our Treaty was only to convert either part to theOpinionof the other ; and that all our Hopes of Con- cord or Liberty confifted only in Difputing, the Bifhops into Nonconformity, or coming in every Ceremony to their minds. Finally, as your Majefty under God, is the Protelion whereto your People file, and as the fame Neceffìties bill remain, which drew forth your gracious Declara- tion, we moll humbly and earnelily befeech'your Majefty that the Benefits of the Cid Declaration may be continued to your People, and in particular [ That `none be punilhed or troubled for not Ming the Common Prayer, till it be effe- &ually reformed] and the Additions made as thereexpreffed. We crave your Majefty's pardon for the tedioufnefs of this Addrefs, and fhali wait in hope, that fogreat a Calamity of your People, as would follow the lofs of fo many able faithful Minigers as rigorous Impofitions would call out, (hall never be Recorded in the Hiliory of your- Reign : but that there Impediments of Con- cord being forborn , your Kingdomsmay flourilh inPiety and Peace, and this may be the fignal Honour ofyour happy Government, and your Joyin the Day of your Accounts. Which is the Prayer_b'f' Your Majelly's Faithful and Obedient Subjeda-
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