_A Letter from some Ministers of_ England.
_Reverend and wel-beloved in our Lord and Saviour._
We received with much joy and satisfaction the Answer which your General
Assembly vouchsafed us to our Letters of the last yeer. Some of us in the
name of our Brethren, thought it then fit by Mr. _Alexander Henderson_ (a
Brother so justly approved by you, and honoured by us) to return our
deserved thanks. And we now further think it equall upon this occasion, to
make a more publike acknowledgement of such a publike favour. You were
then pleased to give us fair grounds, to expect that brotherly advice and
endeavours, which the common cause of Christ, and the mutual interest of
the united Nations, command us now again to ask, if not to chalenge. We
doubt not but your experience, together with your intelligence, abundantly
informes you of our condition, what various administrations of providence
we have passed through and we still lye betwixt hopes and feares, a fit
temper for working; the God of all grace enable us to improve it. As our
hopes are not such as may make us fear, so neither doe our Feares prevail,
to the casting away our confidence. Your own late condition, together with
this Declaration of ours present, may acquaint you with the certain,
though subtil, authors & fomentors of these our confused conflicts: which
we conceive to be the Hierarchical faction, who have no way to peace &
safety, but through the trouble & danger of others. Our prayers and
endeavours, according to our measure, have been and shall be for the
supplanting and rooting up whatsoever we finde so prejudicial to the
establishment of the Kingdome of Christ, and the peace of our Soveraigne.
And that this Declaration of ourselves may not leave you unsatisfied, we
think it necessary further to expresse, That the desire of the most godly
and considerable part amongst us, is, That the Presbyterian Government,
which hath just and evident Foundation both in the Word of God, and
religious reason, may be established amongst us, and that (according to
your intimation) we may agree in one confession of Faith, one directorie
of Worship, one publike Catechisme and form of Governement: Which things,
if they were accomplished, we should much rejoyce in our happy subjection
to Christ our Head, and our desired association with you our beloved
brethren. For the better effecting whereof, we thought it necessary, not
only to acquaint you with what our desires are in themselves, but likewise
to you, that is, That what way shall seem most fit to the wisedom of that
grave and religious Assembly, may be taken for the furtherance of our
indeavours in this kind. We understand that our Parliament hath been
before hand with us in this intimation, and it cannot but be our duty, who
are so much concerned in the businenesse, to adde what power the Lord hath
given us with you to the same purpose. This designe and desire of ours
hath enemies on the Left-hand; and dissenting brethren on the Right; but
we doubt not, that as our hearts justifie us that our intentions are
right, and such as we conceive tend most to the glory of God, and the
peace of the Churches of the Saints; so (by your brotherly concurrence in
the most speedy and effectuall way you can find out) the Work will in Gods
due time receive a prayed for, hoped for issue. We shall not need by many
arguments from mutuall Nationall interest (though we know you will not
overlook them) to inforce this request, the firme bond wherewith we are
all united in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are assured will alone engage your
faithfull endeavours in this businesse. To him we commit you, with these
great and important affairs you have in hand. Be pleased to accept of
these as the expression of the mindes of our many godly and faithfull
Brethren, whose hearts we doubt not of, neither need you, though their
hands in regard of the suddennesse of this opportunity could not be
subscribed together with ours, who are.
_Your most affectionate Friends and Brethren in the work of the Lord._