JF proportionably to the griefe we have conceived at your letters; wherein you have expressed the most sad face of your affaires) we had but as much ability either by our consolations to asswage your sorrowes, or by our counsels to ease your burthens, or by any our co-operation to help your extremity: we should think our selves very happy in so well corresponding with your honourable and most loving compellation of us: and right glad we should bee thus to requite you with our best and effectuall good offices. But alas, as the scantnesse of our capacity in this kind; so the ignorance of the more inward causes of so many miseries, and chiefly the perplex & dangerous [...]ature of matters now in agitation among you: All these put together, strike us quite dumb: we are as men who [...]ly at a stand, able only (in a kind of silent astonishment or holy horrour) to ad­mire, and to adore that finger of God, which is now lifted up over you all.

But since, being by you so lovingly invited to it, we must needs at last break off our silence: We are reduced to an extraordinary Sus­pence both of Minds and of Pens, what to say first or last, or indeed what to say at all.

And now in the end, after long deliberation, least, as Jobs friends, we should transgresse by precipitate or unseasonable discourse: Be­hold our hearts and mouths top-full of the Sences and Expressions [Page] of our hearty commiseration, our eyes running down with teares of compassion, our breasts even swoln up with sighes & groans at your calamities. These are they, God is our Witnesse, that fill up the grea­test part of our private prayers, of our publike Devotions, Fastings, and Humiliations: In all which we are resolved to give the Father of mercies no rest, untill your tranquility being once more ordained in Heaven, God do extend peace upon Earth unto you all like a River, & the fulnesse of his Blessing, like an ever-flowing stream.

Our affaires, yea the generall interest of all the reformed Churches are so closely involved in yours, and so mutually depending thereon, That your safety once procured, assures us all of our own good E­states.

Therefore, especially during this grievous Tempest, which may seem to bring about again the heavie times of the Saints great primitive Tribulation, we are, in a manner, compelled with trembling hearts and lips, to powre out our lamentations into the eares of our most gracious and heavenly Father, no longer now only preparing to con­tend by Fire, as he once revealed it in a Vision to his Prophet Amos, Amos 7.4, 5. but already for a long time really contending by Fire in­deed: And how then can we forbear from crying out? O Lord for­give, cease we heseech thee, by whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small, and round about all in a flame, by the fire of thy burning indignation. From this our own Watch-Tower, untoucht as yet by Divine miracle: We have beheld this furious conflagration, spreading it self all over; We have seen the Grisoen-Italian Churches utterly defaced, the Go­spel in Bohemia its ancient Seat, wholly extirpated; the Palatinate devoured; the French Churches deprived of all humane supports & refuges (like so many poor little Callow Birds, alive indeed, but only during pleasure the) German Churches almost all over-shaken; yea, more then half destroyed, your own Ireland swallowed up with an unexpected deluge of Assassines and Robbers, one onely thing was wanting to that huge heap of publique calamity; namely, that flou­rishing England (the very eye and excellency of all the Churches, Christs own choice, purchase, and peculiar; the Sanctuary of the afflicted, the Arceonall of the faint-hearted, the Magazine of the Needy, that Royal Standard of good hope) should by so unlookt for an accident, without an externall Enemy, or forraign Impression, become in a manner its own Fe­lo de se, and make an end of its self with its own cruell hands.

What a sad spectacle is this to see that Church thus trodden un­der foot? To see that glorious Fould of our Lord thus ransackt, yea worryed, not by the wild Beasts of the Forrest, not torn in pieces by the mercilesse pawes of the Lyon, or of the Woolf, but utterly dis­membred by its own unnaturall sheep inraged and exasperated one against another.

An horrid example this, and till now never heard nf among the reformed Churches.

It seemes, heretofore, like Christs own true sheep, they were kept tame by the feare of God, united by the same bond of Faith, knit to­gether by the apprehension of the common enemy: and so long they did both expresse and exercise holily and faithfully their mutuall charity, quiet▪ and unity amongst themselves: in all which, they pre­served themselves from the rage of the Wolfe by the Christian sim­plicity of their own conditions, by the innocency of their pious lives, by the sanctity of their Religion, by the constant undantednesse of their holy Faith.

But now we are wholly struck with horrour at the change of that so glorious Face of your Church, whilest we hear at this distance the loud report of those deadly wars that are now flaming up between the King and his People: to see at Daggers drawing indeed, Brethren against Bre­thren, Parents against their own Children, Christs sheep pushing against and goring their own Fellowes, nay their own Shepheards: At all this we are utterly amazed, and would scarce have believed, that in the self-same pitched field, one and the same God and Father, in the name of one and the same Mediator, at one and the same time, could be invocated for help on both sides, to shed the bloud of those, that for the Major-part had hitherto by so many clear Demonstrations in the whole equall course of their lives, equall in their Piety towards God, equall in their love and loyalty towards their Country, approved themselves such faithfull and true Brethren one to another. Strange, that these should now against their own Bowels, turn all their wa [...]like power, far better if imployed in the just punishments of their own treacherous Neighbors, or towards the relief of their dearest Brethren so long bowing the back under the weight of their bondage, and even at the last gasp for help.

What marvell then, if these your cruell distractions have awake­ned; yea, divided even to a variety the judgments and affections too of Christendome?

Neither do we our selves deny but that for a while we did some­what stagger at, and as it were fluctuate about it; yet that demur of ours did neither proceed from prejudice against, nor from partiality towards either side, as not being called upon by either, neither pub­likely nor privately, till now of late in your reference unto us, which we do reckon as no small piece of honou, since in your esteeme, our judgment may seeme of so much weight, as able to advance or bal­lance down either party, both being of such extraordinary quali­ty.

We have contained our selves within the bounds of a consciona­ble judgment, and impartiall charity towards both parties, for indeed we are both Brethren; We have neither way exceeded the compasse of our own measure, but still kept a mean, as rejoycing on the one hand at those good things which we did heare were entertained with the generall applause of all good men; So on the other hand, we could not but behold with griefe those other Sinister passages that in themselves did carry a more fatall appearance.

We were overjoyed at the issue of the Scottish troubles, that see­med at first to presage a combustion, not unlike this of yours, and yet far sooner quenched, for as by Gods own admirable handy-work (So by the never-enough-magnified of your most gracious King, & by the Concord of that wary Nation) that fire was in time put out, ere it did burst into a more open flame.

At the first report of these your own Commotions, our mindes were possessed with a good hope that all past offences might with the same promptitude and facility be forthwith repaired, and all matters composed.

So that what actions or counsels should appear amisse, might by the benignity of the best of Princes be easily redressed, and conse­quently both Church and Common-wealth without noise or bloud shed, be kept in due order▪

In pursuance of all which, we could not but admire the happy and glorious beginnings of the Parliament, and the more then Fatherly affection of his most gracious Majesty, evidenced by his enacting those Lawes, from which for the time to come, there was a cleare hope of a Government full of equity, and freed from all corrupti­on:

An example not so rare, as indeed singular in this our wild Gene­ration, [Page] so fertile of violent Powers and Princes. But all these our goodly hopes were soone blasted by that raging storme and tempest of popular tumults among you, that did force away both your most gracious Prince from his Parliament, as also a great part of the Par­liament from it self. Since which we have heard indeed of many at­tempts and enterprises, many Propositions and Projects, but all of them come to nothing, nothing is yet brought to perfection, nothing is yet rightly setled or established.

The businesse of the Church might seem the chief object of your care and sollicitude: If it had been handled and debated at times, & with mindes calm and quiet: had the opposite judgments been com­pared and impartially weighed one with another; such an orderly course might happily have purchased a lasting Peace to your King­dome, and also rendred unto your Church that most desired Primi­tive face of the Apostolicall times:Such was Episcopacy in its first Apostolical vigour of Discipline & Government, the which as at the Synode of Dort this very man did both acknowledge unto Bishop Carlton to bee the best Form of Church-Government, and al­so did heartily wish for it in his own Church; so doth he sufficiently commend the happy ef­fects of it above pag. 5. in that full passage of his conteining the Superlative Praises of the former flourishing estate of the Church of Eng­land, as before these troubles it stood under Episcopacie: The Restauration of which for­mer good Estate, is again by this Author at the latter end of this Epistle, pag. 12. earnestly wished and prayed for. but behold how quite contra­ry the event hath fallen out? for the mindes of both sides being averse from, yea, violently bent one against another, this very matter hath proved the great rock of offence by exaspera­ting the wound, and tearing it wider and wider, * by distract­ing more and more asunder the hearts of each party, di­stempered enough already through former partiality and discord of affections. Nay, if the report be true, these Church Distractions have opened a wide gap to so many boyste­rors and private spirits, which we hear have assumed to themselves the most mischievous Title of Independents, then which Destructive Sect nothing could more undermine, yea quite overturne the very foundation of the Church.

Besides all that, we have bin extreamly grieved at this, That the spirit of division hath so plentifully sown among you his pernicious Tares of Feares and Jealousies, that they have not onely fructified, but e­ven [Page] overgrown all over all manner of mutuall trust, in despight of so many Royall protestations sealed and bound up with so many most grievous Imprecations. But the very top and height of all our sorrows on your behalfes, hath been this. That all that cursed fuell thus hea­ped on, is now at last kindled into bloody warre, lengthned on both sides by a multiplication of deadly feuds, So that during such an u­niversal combustion, what ever mens bare words, & never so frequent Protestations other wise may pretend, yet the Royall Honour, Power and Dignity, cannot but fall into utter contempt: and on the contrary, the licentiousnesse of the most audacious and lawlesse, cannot but gather strength, and out-grow the other: and then consequently▪ Piety must needs decay, mutual love and charity must needs vanish away; and in stead thereof, a kind of savage disposition, yea brutish rage must needs invade at last the minds and maners of the men of this Generation, who in processe of time will no longer look upon the old originall causes that began the warre, but rather upon the new mutuall injuries freshly done, or received in the very progresse or prosecution of the war between two parties divided, far more by an odious difference of reproachful Names, as it were, infamous brands fixed upon each other, then really by the cause it self. It had been farre more easie un­to us, and all good men else, to deliver our judgements upon your case: had the Major part of either side differed from the other, either in the more essential poynts of Religion, or else dissented about the Fundamental Lawes of the Common-wealth: or had either party been oppressedWo be to them that first began that warre whose Non-necessi­ty, yea Injustice strangers themselves can so far off so plainly perceive and condemne too. by the other in a direct way of open persecutiō, or had there been an introduction of publick tyranny against the lawes through the basenesse and pusillanimity of the other party: But as for you, you have abundant cause of comfort or security against all these evils.To wit, in a faire, quiet, legall Parliamentary way, not in a Martiall way: therefore he men­tions not at all the power of Armes, but onely the power of the Lawes. since by vertue of your own most just and power­full Lawes, those Lawes that already have been indifferently agreed upon by the generall consent of all parties concerned, you may with ease prevent, or put all those forementioned evils which in other King­domes may seem almost unavoidable. All these considerations put together, have moved us for a long while seriously to deliberate and advise what might be at last, the best expedient left to procure [Page] an honest and sure Peace among you. Indeed wee have been much scandalized, that all the Mediations of several Kingdomes and Pro­vinces in league with you, have been tried and used all in vaine: Howbeit it came into our mind to propound this one Medium more, whether now at last there be yet any hope to obtain from the Kings most gracious Majesty, and from the Parliament, that, of both sides, Ecclesiasticall persons may bee chosen of unquestioned Trust, and Fame-proofe beyond all suspition, to whom this great businesse may be committed; Namely, that comparing the chiefe points now in controversie, they may chalkout some good way towards an holy peace. But first these men must by Gods good Spirit themselves be dispos­sessed of all factious inclinations, that so they may become fit Vmpires and Trustees of the publick Peace, and impartiall Embassadours of Reconciliation between both parties, and also able and studious too by all their Speeches, Exhortations, and Sacred Obtestations to charm the hearts that on both sides are so obdurate in War and Bloodshed.

This were the ready way, by thus interposing the Sacred Cen­ser in the very midst of these publike flames, to quench all the heart-burnings: for who knowes whether at the devout Prayers and holy groanes of Persons Sacred, thus prostrate at the foot­stoole of the Heavenly grace, the Divine power and glory may not break out once more, and shew forth it selfe by moving the hearts of both Parties to lay downe all hatred, and publike enmities? The onely way to procure such sound Councell of both sides, and to purchase again the precious blessing of a generall Peace, is espe­cially when all humane helps faile, to call in the Divine Assistance, which no man did ever try in vaine. By these good meanes that may be brought to passe (what cannot be hoped for from Civill Warre, however the successe prove) that by a voluntary Inclina­tion of Mindes, the wound shall be so fully closed up, as that Love and Charity may in time perfectly be recovered.

The good opinion which you have conceived of us, may suffer us to offer these Considerations unto you. It might be immodesty in us to prescribe, or to advise you any further: But no Law of Modesty can ever forbid us to wish, and to Vow, and to beseech God for you, yea to appeale unto God, and to adjure you all in his Name.

O then above all, take a speedy and speciall care for a sure and [Page] found Peace, what ever it beWhat would this Peace-maker have said if he had seen or heard of so many Royall rei­terated offers of peace wherwith the Soveraigne hath and still doth wooe his Stiffe-neck­ed Subjects, Certainely, the more peaceable side hath al­wayes a­mongst good men had the Reputation of the better side. tis to be preferred before any Ci­vill Broyles. Beware least the fortune of Warre smiling upon you, draw you on, and tempt you to commit your great Affaires to the Ambignous Chance of Victory, then which nothing can happen more deadly, yea pernicious unto the Common wealth. ‘Roule away that huge Scandall that lyes so heavie upon the whole Christian world, yea wash and wipe off that foule stain of black oppression charged especially upon the purest Profession of the Gospell, as if still it did in a kinde of Antipathy, or secret hatred, oppose and oppugne all Kingly power, and Supreame authority. Mittigate and asswage the exulcerated, and too-too much pro­voked mind of your King, and do not compell Him to Pinacles and Precipices.’

Rather beare with some blemishes and Corruptions from which no Empire could yet wholly be free, no not in its most flourishing Estate. Account not those Remedies the best, that are abruptly applied and accumulated; but those rather, that being taken in by degrees, may in time, by little and little, go downe more easily, and digest the better, and so at last obtaine a Confir­mation. And last of all, by the Bowels and mercy of Christ, suf­fer your selves to be intreated, that we may no longer see that Wealth, Power, and Strength which God hath graciously bestowed upon you, imployed, yea, utterly wasted in the fatall Ruine of your own selves, but rather let it be stretched out to the Reliefe, and support of so many of your ownThis was very good Councell from a Stranger: had the Subjects had the grace to follow it in time; then had there been an end of the old Warr, and a happy Preven­tion of a new Warr, which, except stopt by timely submission, can portend nothing but the utter Nationall Ruine of Church and State, which God in mercy avert. most afflicted Brethren, even panting after your own Peace.Of Ireland.

May the God of Peace himselfe heare, accept, and grant these our sincere Devotions; May God defeat all the P [...]o [...]s, and disap­point all the Machinations of the Devill, and of Antichrist. May the same God restore your Kingdom and your Churches ‘to that High State and pitch of Holinesse and of Glory, in which, on the Theater of the Universall Church they have hitherto excelled & out-shinedall theThis full Testimony of the excel­lent State of the Church of England (still as it heretofore stood under Episcopa­cy) out­speakes all the former, and to this good Ejacu­lation from Geneva, no right, Pro­testant-Ma­lignant but will hearti­ly say, A­men. Churches upon Earth.’

As for us, take in good part this our plain Sence delivered free­ly [Page] unto you, in a Brotherly Confidence, and Pardon and Impute our delay of Answer unto these weighty Reasons. The Report was here very strong, that you were now very faire for a Treaty of Peace: Therefore we thought it fit to expect what a day might bring forth, that so all our words and all our affections too, might overflow with meer gratulations and full expressions of our Ioyes. But sorry we are, that we have yet againe been deceived with vain hopes. And now that we may speedily recover and enjoy that Happinesse we both wish and pray, with as much De­votion as becomes your dearest Brethren, (who glory not a little in your good esteeme of us) That God will powre downe upon you his richest Benedictions, together with a large Measure of his Wisdome, and Spirituall Strength. Farewell, and prosper in the Lord.