I. THat ſince the firſt Reformation in King Edwards dayes, was rather of the Doctrine, then of the Diſcipline, and of the Rites that were palpably groſſe, which yet were retained, with a purpoſe they ſhould be removed afterwards, and for to unlooſe by degrees, the faſt holds to the Romiſh Church: now ſince every Proteſtant is well informed of the change made in Religion, that whatſoever in Religion is Popiſh, or tending to the diſturbing of the peace of the Church, and maintaining of Hereticall doctrines, be redreſſed.

II. That in that great worke of Reformation which is of moment and conſequence, far beyond the ſetling of civill affaires, there be appointed by both the Houſes, a Committee or convocation and meeting of 40. or 50. Engliſh Divines, men that were not of, and did no way favour the late Convocation, and ſuch as be unpartiall, learned, and uncorrupt in their lives and Doctrine, ſuch as Dr. Vſher Arch. B. of Armach, Dr. Prideaux, Dr. Twiſſe, and the like, with 10. Scots Divines, to which be called 8. Forrain Divines of the moſt learned and famous; ſuch as Rivetus, Primroſe, Diodati, Moulin, and the like, who may treat and agree upon a ſetled platforme of Church-government, ſutable to the Monarchy of great Britain which ought to be ratified, and enacted by Parliament.

III. That ſince our neighbour Churches have enjoyed more peace and ſafety under their diſcipline, our diſcipline bee framed upon the patron of theirs, which hitherto hath not beene ſubject to the inconveniences that ours is; ſuch are: To be rent with ſchiſmes, & poy ſoned with hereſies: to have the whole people of the land and the greateſt part of the Miniſters liable without any redreſſe, to the unjuſt uſurpations, vexations, and cenſure of ſome few Biſhoppes: To have in great many parochiall Churches, a want of a profitable Miniſter: To have in ſome of them either ſeldome or no Preaching at all: in others, little or no maintenance: and in moſt a diſproportionable maintenance: Beſides the manifold altercations and quarrells about trifles and toyes, that our diſcipline is attended with: It was never heard that any man living under our neighbour Churches diſcipline was ever ſo braine-ſicke as to moove queſtions, whether of the Table, Pulpit, and Font, deſerves more reverence and bowing at; or that their Synods or Conſiſtories made Canons and Conſtitutions about placing and rayling the Communion Table: about Hoods and Surpliſſes, and ſuch needleſſe orders, which bring rather ſtriving then edifying. Since then our neighbour Churches diſcipline is obnoxious to leſſe diſorders, that a diſcipline be eſtabliſhed in England, that be approaching unto theirs, yet a ſenſible difference kept betweene theirs and ours.

IIII. That the Churches Diſcipline being eſtabliſhed, a Nationall Synod be convocated, that may frame a Confeſſion of faith, to which may be called a competent number of Forraine Divines. However, ſince ſo many have beene ſo earneſt of late, to be in charity with the Roman Church, that they have beene uncharitable to the Reformed Churches: Let Canons be made in the Synode, and an Act of Parliament for union with other Proteſtant Churches in matter of Doctrine: and all the fire-brands of theſe late innovations in the Church, that have made us a laughpng ſtocke to the neighbour Churches, be ſharrcly cenſured, if not cut off as banes of the Church, eſpecially the firſt raiſers of Altars, ſuch as Heylin, Pocklington, and the like.

V That in that Synod, if the Engliſh Liturgie bee retained, to the end it be received all over England without exceptions, it be reformed and repurged from many corruptions, and from a great deale of droſſe among the gold, and the good matters that are therein contained, as it appeareth; Firſt, in the vaine repetitions of the ſame thing. Secondly, in the uncouth expreſſions, as the name of Epiſtle when it is Propheſie, and miſaplying peeces of Scripture to the daies for which they are appointed. Thirdly, in the reading of the ridiculous ſtories and fables of the Apocripha bookes, ſuch are the Stories of Tobit and his dogge and the like. Fourthly, in the unſutableneſſe of many collects and prayers to the matter and intent they are prayed for: ſuch are the Collect before the Ten Commandements, and the prayer for the Miniſters of the Goſpel, O God Almighty that workeſt great marvels: which, if the words Biſhops and Curates be taken out, may be applyed to any purpoſe: And laſt of all, in the unſound Doctrines; As that Sacraments are abſolutely, neceſſary to ſalvation, and that Infants have Faith in the perſon of their Godfathers and Godmothers, which is as much as to beleeve by a proxie or by an Atturney.

VI. That in that Synod it be determined what Popery is, and Canons made where thoſe errours whereof the people is with good reaſon affraid, be named and condemned.

VII. That above all the holy doctrine of Iuſtification by Faith only, which is the maine hinge of ſalvation, bee ſtrongly eſtabliſhed by an eſpecial Canon according to the tenets of all Proteſtant Churches, which Canon be ſworne and ſubſcribed unto, by all that have taken, and hereafter ſhall take orders or Eccleſiaſticall promotions. This being the greateſt plague of the Church of England, that many men dignified in the Church, and Maſters of Colledges, fellowes and Schollers in the Univerſitie, defend openly the juſtification by workes, which is flat popery, and the ready way to bring in iudulgences, auricular confeſſion, Purgatory, and the tyranny of the Clergie over the conſciences.

VIII. That likewiſe the Doctrine of the Neceſſitie and effecacy of the Sacraments, eſpecially of Baptiſme bee mainely and diſtinctly eſtabliſhed and explained according to the Tenets of all the other reformed Churches; ſince it hath beene of late verie uſuall among our timeſervers, and thoſe Miniſters that are as much taken with conformitie as they love non-reſidencie and pluralitie of livings, to be enamoured with all the Popiſh and Arminians opinions, and to hold and teach Baptiſme of water to be of abſolute neceſſity to be ſaved; that it doth blot out ſinnes, and regenerate, Ex Opere operato and vi nudam actionis by the bare ſtrength of waſhing; and workes neceſſarily in the Baptized partie, faith and the habit of true ſanctification; and have grounded their poyſonous Tenets upon ſome paſſages of the Liturgie that were not daſht out, nor explained by the reformers of the Roman breviarie in King Edwards daies; As be the words in the Catechiſme, The Children Baptiſed have all things neceſary to ſalvation, and are undoubtedly ſaved. And in The Prayer after Baptiſme, where thankes is given to God for regenerating the Juſant with his holy ſpirit. Since then ſuch places have beene a ſtumbling blocke to weake ones, and have given faire opportunity of erring to malicious ſpirits, that in the task expected of reforming the Engliſh Liturgie, they be corrected and amended.

IX. That bowing before of the Communion Table, or toward the Eaſt, bee forbidden under the puniſhment of deprivation of benificed men and expulſion of Schollers out of the Colleges, and the Communion Table be kept in the Veſtery and removed from the eyes of the people but in the time of the Communion, to avoid the creeping idolatry.

X. That the Crucifixe in a peece of hanging and other ſuperſtious figures which ſometimes in the yeare are ſet over the Communion Table of many Churches and Chappells, bee removed and aboliſhed; and that the Authors or renewers of that ſuperſtition be ſeverely puniſhed.

XI. That the authors of Popiſh and Arminian bookes bee called in queſtion, and that the pleaſure of our late Soveraigne King James of bleſſed Memory, be executed, who ſent his Divines to the Synode of Dort, that the Church of England afterwards ſhould be bound by the deciſions made there, and that Canons be made conformable to the determination of our Divines in that Synod.

XII. That if Biſhops are thought fit to be retained, there be no more ſuch diſtance betweene a Biſhop and an ordinary Miniſter; and that Biſhops be no more called Lords, and that they be enjoyned to preach diligently, as is the duty of their place and office.

XIII. That if ſome of them ſit in Parliament, it bee upon Wool-Sacks, and have no more priviledges by their office and places then the Iudges, the Lord Keeper and Treaſurer: and that a certaine number of Deputies from the Nationall Synod, whether Biſhops or other, bee aſſiſting both in the higher Houſe and lower Houſe, for delivering their advices upon any clauſes of Acts, that may entrench upon the Churches priviledges, or are contrary to Doctrine or good manners.

XV. That the principall defect of our Diſcipline, and the ſpring of all errours in Doctrine and Practice, which is the want of Synods, bee mended, & hereafter all Viſitations of Biſhops be Synods, as by right they ought to bee, and according to the ancient Conſtitution, as it appeareth by the Synodalls which Miniſters pay in every Viſitation, and that at Synods all Pariſh Miniſters be ſitting and covered, & have their voyce in the diſcuſſing of the affaires of the Dioceſſe, and making orders which may not afterwards be altered by the Biſhops, but onely by the Nationall or Metropolitical Synod, which for the publike Union, is to bee kept once every two yeares, neither was ever the Church of late without Synods, but but in England.

XVI. That beſides nationall Synods there be provinciall Synode convocated in each Dioceſſe once a yeare; and that every moneth there bee a meeting of Miniſters within the Precinct of ſixe or ſeven neighbour pariſhes through the whole Dioceſſe; to which the firſt citations, complaints and proceſſes within that precinct be carried, and in which the incident controverſies without further delay be compoſed, and that what ſoever is judged within that precinct bee cenſurable againe by the provinciall Synode of the Dioceſſe, and that onely cauſes of high moment, as deciding controveſies of faith, and matters which doth concerne the whole nation bee removed from the the Provinciall Synod to the Nationall.

XVII. That the election of Preſidents, Aſſeſſors, and other members of the Nationall Synode, be in the power of the Deputies, whether Biſhops or others, appointed for that purpoſe by each reſpective Provinciall Synod: And that in Provinciall Synods the election of them, bee in the power of the Presbyterie within each Dioceſſe.

XVIII. That the preſentment of cauſes and perſons to the Nationall Synod bee made by the Biſhop of the Dioceſſe▪

XIX. That in every Presbyteriall meeting within the Precinct of neighbour Pariſh • s the Biſhop ſhall have power to aſſiſt in his owne perſon or by a Commiſſioner of his, and have his voyce as others.

XX. That the citations and preſentments from theſe Presbyteriall meetings to the Provinciall Synod beenot made without the knowledge of the Pariſh Miniſter, who ought to preſent the delinquent, and have his voyce in the cenſure.

XXI. That the Biſhop be cenſurable by the Synod, whether it be provinciall or nationall, and that it bee no more in the power of Biſhops to impoſe what they pleaſe upon the Clergie with ſuch rigorous penaltie as they have lately uſed for the oath of the ſixth Canon.

XXII. That the power of Ordination bee not ſtronger in Biſhoppes then in other Miniſters.

XXIII. That no Scholler ſhall enter into the holy Miniſtrie without a certificate from the Vniverſitie, and from the Pariſh wherein he hath beene commorant of his life and Doctrine, and without further triall and examination of his gifts and learning and ſoundneſſe in Doctrine by ſixe Miniſters, or at leaſt fiue, and that none ſhall be ordained Miniſters except preſently upon he is to be inveſted with a Cure of Soules.

XXIIII. That Miniſter bee ordained at leaſt foure times in the yeare, and that a record bee kept of the Pariſhes void of Miniſtrie, that in the time of Ordination they may be ſupplyed accordingly.

XXV. That it be lawfull for Students in Divinity and having good report, to Preach, but not to exerciſe any other part of Miniſteriall function, to the end they may exerciſe their parts, and give a taſt of their abilities to the flocke.

XXVI. That afore they be permitted to Preach in publique, they be exerciſed in private by way of Sermons to handle and expound the word of God before the neighbour Miniſters where they are cōmorant, or before the heads of the Colledge where they are members; And that their Sermon ended, the matter and manner of their handling the word be cenſured and examined by thoſe Miniſters that are preſent.

XXVII. That another courſe bee taken for maintaining Miniſters and Biſhops, then that of Tyths, which are the cauſe of endleſſe ſuits betweene the Miniſter and the Pariſhioners, the Patron and incumbent, keepe the Miniſter from his Church, while he followes ſuites in London, and bring the holy Miniſtry into obloquy & contempt. But an honorable competent proportion bee appointed for the maintenance of each Pariſh Miniſters by the Pariſhioners, and rated by the Parliament or Synod, and that the diſtinctions of Deane, Arch-deacon, Perſon, Curat, Vicar, and Reader bee taken away, but let them be coequalls, and more or leſſe in number in one Pariſh, according to the greatneſſe or wealth of the Pariſh.

XXVIII. That as Biſhops in height of Iuriſdiction and place, by act are to bee ſhortned, ſo an act be made that from henceforth, all ordinary Miniſters, which are too much vilified, ſhall have more reſpect and honour then heretofore was given unto them, and that of well deſerving Schollers, the Miniſters ſonnes bee preferred to the fellowſhips of Colledges.

XXIX. That the power of Eccleſiaſticall Keyes, ſuch as belongs to Biſhops and Miniſters, be reſtored unto them, according to the ancient conſtitutions of the primitive Churches: and that there bee no cenſure paſt upon the Clergie or people from Synod, Biſhop or Presbyterie, but ſuch as is Spirituall, and that the uſuall penalties of impriſonment and fine be rendred againe to the right owner, viz. to the civill Magiſtrate, and the commutations of bodily penance into pecuniarie, and the abuſe of excommunication, and the Oath Ex officio aboliſhed.

XXX. That the Clergie of the Dioceſſe; ſhall chooſe their owne Biſhop, or preſent to the Kings Majeſtie two, who may chooſe of them whom he pleaſeth: and that every Pariſh be Patron of its Pariſh, and have the preſentation of as many Miniſters, as the flocke requireth, to the Synod or Biſhop.

XXVIII. That Biſhops be more in number and their Dioceſſes of leſſe extent then hitherto it hath beene.

XXXI. That in ſtead of Chancellors, Officers, Apparitours, Regiſters, and ſuch like Graſhoppers, there bee ſome Lay-elders, that may ſit in Provinciall Synods, and have their voyce in matters of Diſcipline and Church goverment, and that in Nationall Synods, there be ſome Laymen likewiſe appointed by the Parliament.

XXXII. That a better courſe be taken for providing for the poore, and that both Miniſters and Chiefe of the Pariſh bee overſeeing, how Church-Wardens doe diſpoſe of the Church-Treaſury, and that they bee not permitted under crime of Sacrilege to ſpend it upon themſelves, and that every moneth they give an account of whatſoever is received and laid out.

XXXIII. That the griping of Church duties and buriall-coſts, exacted oftner more rigorouſly of the poore then the rich, be reſtrained, and that the Miniſter bee contented with his yearely Salary, performing all the branches of his calling, as baptizing, burying, viſiting the ſicke without any further recompence, but ſuch as is tendered to him.

XXIIII. That the Fountains of Learning, Cambridge and Oxford, be purged from ſuperſtitious Rites and Popiſh doctrines, and Orthodoxe Readers be provided.

XXXV. That no publique Vniverſitie readers be admitted, but ſuch as are either allowed or named by the Nationall Synod, or ſuch as out of the Convocation of the Natioall Synod are preſented to the Kings Majeſtie by the heads of the Univerſity and afterwards approved by the next inſuing nationall Synod.