1.THE hearty zeal we owe to the glo­ry of our gracious God, so mightily working for us, his unworthy Mini­sters and People in this land, by stop­ping that deluge of Popery, Supersti­tion, and Prophaneness, ready of late yeares by a prevailing Faction to have overwhelmed us.

2. The Conscience of that Sacred Bond of our solemn League and Covenant, thereupon taken against Popery, Superstition, Heresie, Schisme, and Prophanenesse.

3. The sad observation of that unthankfull requitall made for such transcendent mercies, by so many more violent evills ever since, not only to break out into lawlesse liberty and licenti­ousnesse, but to contend for the sufferance and exercise of ma­ny dangerous things in matters of Doctrine and Worship.

4. The active vigilancy of Satans Emissaries for sowing the. Tares of pernicious Errors, detestable Heresies, and horrid Blasphemies.

5. The remembrance of that day of Humiliation enjoyned by [Page 2] Authority of Parliament, and observed by us not long since, for suppressing the growth and spreading of those abominati­ons so farre in this Land.

6. The feare of some dreadfull Iudgement, the rod of Gods anger against us an hypocriticall Nation, and a people of his wrath, in case Reformation answerable to our Covenant so­lemnly sworne, and humiliation publikely professed, should not accordingly be endeavoured.

7. The desire of our soules not to be partakers of other mens sins, lest we partake with them also in their plagues.

8. The hope we have in the Lord, who hath put into the hearts of the honourable Houses of Parliament, to acknowledge, That never any of Gods servants, since the foundation of the world had more high and strong engagements, heartily, and sincerely, to endeavour the compleat establishment of purity and unity in the Church of God, That the same gracious God will also give them an heart to finish it.

9. The sence of our duty not onely as Christians earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints, but also as Ministers to beare witness to the trueth, and stand up for the con­firmation thereof against all gainsayers.

10. The exemplary publike Testimony given by your selves (our faithfull Brethren) in your late Attestation to the Truth of Iesus Christ, and to our solemn League and Covenant, are (amongst divers considerations) no small inducements to us the Ministers of the Gospel in the County of Essex, to give you the right hand of fellowship, not only by preaching the truth against raigning Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these corrupt times; but by preserving and transmitting that Sacred Depositum, as much as in us lyeth unto all posterity.

We therefore whose names are hereunto subscribed doe here­by declare and testifie to your selves, and to all our Brethren, the Ministers and Members of this and all the Churches of Christ,

1. That the Confession of Faith, Directorie for Worship, and Humble Advice for Church Government, presented by the Re­verend Assembly of Divines to the Honourable Parliament, are [Page 3] (as we conceive) so agreeable to the Word, that we cannot but exceedingly blesse the Name of our God, for his presence with that Assembly; Professing our hearty concurrence therein, and cheerfull readinesse to submit thereto; resolving likewise to continue humble Suitors at the throne of Grace, That our gra­cious God in his due time would stirre up the Parliament to e­stablish the foresaid Confession of Faith, and Advice for Church-Government with their Civill Sanction, as they have already the Directory for Worship.

2. That we look upon our solemne League and Covenant as a most choice blessing from God to these Churches and King­domes so happily united therein; Earnestly intreating the Lord to give us grace, that we and all his people may continue faith­full therein; and not to charge upon us, but of his abundant mercy to pardon, wherein our selves, or the Kingdome have a­ny way therefrom hitherto receded.

3. That however we judge it most agreeable to Christianity, That tender Consciences of Dissenting Brethren bee tenderly dealt withall, yet we dare not carry in our bosomes such steely Consciences, and rockie hearts, as not to mourne in our soules: That after those strong engagements, and such a solemn day of publike humiliation for suppressing those growing and spread­ing Errors and Heresies, yet in stead thereof (under colour of Liberty of Conscience) the same still are boldly and publikely vented and maintained, as much, if not more, then ever before, to the great dishonour of the great and dreadfull name of Al­mighty God, the subversion of his most holy Truth, the contempt of the publique Worship, Ordinances, and Ministerie of Iesus Christ, the perdition of unstable soules, the grief and scandall of friends to Religion, and the great reproach of our Church and Kingdome; the which however some may perhaps count wise­dome to countenance and connive at, yet for our parts we do solemnlie and sincerelie professe as in the presence of Almigh­tie God the Searcher and judge of all hearts, That from our soules we doe utterly detest and abhor, as all former cursed do­ctrines of Popery, Arminianisme, and Socianisme: So likewise all [Page 4] the damnable Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these present evill times, whether of Anti-Scripturists, Familists, Antinomians, Anti-Trinitarians, Arrians, Anabaptists, or whatsoever is found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of Godliness.

In all humility beseeching the God of all grace, to direct, stablish, strengthen, settle, and still to preserve us and all his faithfull people, from being led away with the Error of the wicked, to fall from our own stedfastnesse; from our hearts fervently praying that the Lord Iesus may not have a con­troversie with this Church and Kingdome for suffering a­ny thing which his soul abhors; withall ever desirous to blesse his holy Name, for your pious forwardnesse in faith­full witness-bearing to the Truth of Christ, and perswading our selves, that this your zeal will provoke others to the like Attestation,

In matters that have passed the Assembly of Divines, it is not fit for us that are members thereof to make any further Attestation; In all other branches of this Testimony we doe fully and cordially concurre with our Brerhren,