The HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. VoL. 11. K. Charles I." rule, , and to endeavour the nearefi: conformity to the befi: reformed ~~0 " churches, and uniformity tp a\1 the churches of the three king– " doms -- " The church and kingdom of Scotland have made offer of their hum– " ble mediation to the king for a pacification, which being ,ejeCted, both ' ' nations have entered into a mutual league and covenant ; and the [cots " have rP(olved to join in arms with their bre thren in England, for their " mutual prefervation from the common en emy, and fo far as in them « lieth for the fafety of their native king. They h ave alfo fent their " commifiioners hitl;ler, for uniformity of religion in the churches of ~· both kingdoms. " And we their commiffioJJers do exceedingly rejoice, to behold the " founda tion of the holife of God, not only in docrrine, but in church " government, laid before our eyes in a reverend affembly of fo wife, '' learned, and godly divin~s. And we find ourfelves bound in all chriftian " duty, as well as by our late covenant, to join in reprefenting to the re– " formed churches abroad, the true coi;Jdition of affairs here, againfi: all « mifl:akes and milinformation1>. · " And now, dear brethren, we beg of you, firjl, ·to judge aright of " our innoc~:nce and ioteg·rity in this our ju!l: defence; if eur enemies " fay, that we are rifen up in rebellion to deprive tpe king of his jnft « power and greatnefs, and to bring anarchy a-nd wnfulion into the ·« church of Chrifl:, we doubt not but our .folemn covenant (a copy of " which we humbly prefent you herewith) will f~16iciently clear us• •, Let the righteous Lord judg~ between us, whom we implore to help " us no further than we ·can plead the(e things in fincerity. Secondly, " That you would fympathize with us as brethren, who •' fufter in and for the fame caufe wher.ein yourfelvcs have been op– " preffed. 'Thirdly, " That you would conceive of our ~ond_iti_(')fl as your .own ·cc common caufe, which, if it be loft with us, yourfelves ar.e not like '" long to efcape, the quarrel being not fo much aga!nfi: IJ1ens perfons, ' " as againft the power of godlinefs, and the purity of God's word. " The way and manner of your owning us we leave to yourfelves, on– " ly we importunately crave your fervent prayers, both public and pri– " vate, that God would bring falvation to us; that tb.e ble.iEngs of truth ~· and peace may refi: upon us; that thefe three nations may be joined " as one fi:ick in the hands of the Lor.d ; and that we ourfelves, con– " temptible builders, called to repair the houfe pf God, in a troublefome . . time, may fee the pattern of Jhis houfe, and <;ommend fu<;h a platf0rm ·« to our ZerubbabeJs as may be mojt agreeable tfJ his Jacred '1J)ord, nearejt " in corifrmnity to the b:eft rdormrd .churclm, 4nd to tji(l./llijb z.mif.ormity among
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