Chap. XI. The HISTORY of the PURITANS, 789 king rejected as before; and the rather, becaufe they hill infifled upon K. CharlesI. the abolishing of epifcopacy, which his majefly believed to be of divine '6 in/iitution, and upon an unformity of prefbyterian government in the two nations: whereas the majority of both houles being of ERASTIANPRIN crrl.Es, were under no difficulties about a change of difcipline, apprehend- ing that the civil magiflrate might letupwhat form ofgovernment was moll conducive to the good of the Elate. The parliament therefore treated the Ham. NIe- chancellor with great refpeT and not only accepted the mediation, but moire, wrote to the general affembly which was to meet in 7uly, acquainting 13.194.- them with the criers of their affairs, and defiring their adviceand affiiftance in bringingabout fuch a reformation as was defired. To which the af- fembly returned an anfwer dated Augufl 3. 1642. to the followingpurpofe; A FTER givingGòd thanks for the parliament's delireof reformation Letter of the, IA of religion, and exprefiing their grief that it moves fo (lowly G. a. fmbly _They obferve, that their commiffioners, far from arrogance and to theparlia. <' prefumption, had with great ref eft and reverence, expreffed their de. menr res for unity of religion, that there might be one cfefsion of faith, part 3d. " one diretlory of worship, one public catechifm, and onefirm of church- P. 387, "government. The affembly (fay they) now enter upon the labours of " the commiffioners, being encouraged by the zeal of former times, " when their predeceffors feat a letter into England againft the furplice, " tippet, and corner -cap, in the year 1566. and again in the years 1583. " and 1589. They are now further encouraged by the king's late an- " fwer to their commiffioners in the treaty for Ireland, wherein his ma-`. " jelly approves of the affection of his fubjetts of Scotland, in their de- " fires of conformity of church-government ; by his majefty's late prac- " tice while he was in Scotland, in reforting to their worfhip, and eftab-, " lìfhing it by act of parliament. They are alfo encouraged by a letter " fent from many reverend bretheren of the church of England, expref " fing their prayers and endeavours againft every thing that (hall be pre-. " judicial to the eflablifhment of the kingdom of Chrift. They there " fore advife to begin with an uniformity of church - government; for " what hope can there be (fay they) of one confeon offaith, oneform. ofworship and catechifm, tillprelacy be plucked up root and branch, as , ' aplant which God bath not planted? Indeed the reformed kirks holdi " their form of government by prefbyteries to be jure divino, and per- " petual, but prelacy is almoft univerfally held by the prelates themfelves " to be a human ordinance, and may therefore be altered' or'aboliflled in, " cafes of neceffity, without wronging any man's confcience.; for: the, accomplifhing of which they promife.their bell.affiflance.'.' 3h:
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