THAT Episcopacie is a frame an­ciently raised out of the Pastorall place, built up with Chancellors, Deanes, Arch-Deacons, Commissa­ries, Surrogates, Officialls, Appari­tors, &c. And further finished with their Consi­stories, High-Commission, Oath Ex Officio, Books of Canons, old and new, Books of Recreation and Liberty, Ceremonies, and manifold Innova­tions enlarged, especially in latter times by vi­olent and intemperate Spirits, which have pur­sued many of the best lived of the Ministry and People, with too much heate, insomuch that ma­ny choice Men have bin wormed out, the most scandalous cherished, Doctrine adulterated; the fire of zeale quenched, Tyrannie exercised, espe­cially over the Consciences of their Brethren; Primitive Discipline defaced, the judgements of [Page 2] many engaged for Episcopacie Jure divino; Civil Warres incouraged (the most dangerous and hazardous undertaking of a State.) In the mean time the Prelates not sufficiently sencible of the dishonour of our gracious Soveraigne, and secu­ritie of these happy and Illustrious Kingdomes. Nay, besides all this, many of the late Church-Governours have also complyed too much with the Popish Faction, and drawn (quantum in illis) the odium of the late disturbances upon his Ma­jestie (let them pretend what they please) and dishonour upon the Protestant Religion, in the eyes of the Romish party, and the whole world by their tongues, pennes and indeavours.

May it therfore please this Honourable House to take Episcopall Government into your grave and serious Consideration. And if it may stand with the wayes and customes of this Honoura­ble House, That our Petition may be presented to the House of the Lords, and finally to his most excellent Majestie.

1. First, that a speedy survey may be taken of this old-ruinous and decayed building by a Commission ad inquirendum, concerning the truth of the numerous Complaints from all parts of this Kingdome. When God visited Sodom in Judgement, he first sent his Angels to inquire of the truth of the crimes thereof.

2. If upon just and exact triall the whole building from the foundation to the highest part of the superstructure, prove sound, God for­bid [Page 3] any moderate spirit should desire the alte­ration of a Government so long established: but if (in toto composito) there be an universall dissolution and weaknesse of all parts, that then the old decayed frame may be taken down; and such a new modell propounded as may most nearely agree with the Word, the Apostles, and Primitive times: with the Assistance of a select Company of grave pious-learned and Orthodox Divines, in nature of a Nationall Synod, which may be chosen by your singular care and wis­dome, gathered out of all parts of the Kingdome, and authorised for that purpose. And in case it may stand with the pleasure of his Majesty, and this High and Honourable Court of Parliament, that some Scots and Irish Divines may be also admitted to such Assembly, which may happily tend, not only to mutuall information of them­selves, but to a more firme obligation of all members in these Churches in Civill or Eccle­siasticall affaires under our most gracious Sove­raigne as Supreme Governor unto a more firm union and obedience.

Notwithstanding all this, it is not the desire of your Petitioners, with the Sonnes of Zebedee, that fire should come down from heaven and de­stroy this frame of Government; neither any illegall or precipitant violence should demolish it; such reverence doe we owe to the memory of those industrious-pious-learned Bishops, which have somtimes sealed the testimony of the Gos­pel [Page 4] with their blood. And to our happie Princes (whose Names are ever blessed with us) who have yielded all Princely indulgence unto Episcopall dignities. Only thus farre do your Petitioners humbly sue, for asmuch as there is such a consi­derable number of grievances and complainants, through the whole Kingdome, (as may appeare by the numerous Petitions and Remonstrances to this Honourable House,) That in the meane time whilest a Commission issues out for a more full discovery of Corruptions in Ecclesiasticall Government and Ministers, notoriously scanda­lous, the above-named Ecclesiasticall Assembly be called, and Episcopall Governours allow'd a faire and legall tryall by Ministers, men of their own Order (as Lords are tryed by their Peers) but impartiall, and not ingaged by the dignities and preferments of the times.

And if it may not savor of sawcines, or too high presumption, May it please this Honoura­ble House, to require the Episcopall party to as­signe some of their own choice to answer in such a well constituted Assembly, and to give liberty to the Presbyteriall Disciplinaries, as in Scotland, or them of the Pastorall and more Independent way, as in New England, to come in and oppose, only give leave we beseech you that the Word may be the moderator in this Nationall Synod. And if we may not be thought to presume upon this intelligent and Religious House, we humbly sue, First, that in such a well dispos'd Assembly, [Page 5] the Doctrine of the Chnrch may be cleared and explaine.

Secondly, the Discipline questioned. First by what tenure Episcopacie holds, whether Jure Divino, vel Ecclesiastico? If Divino, it must necessa­rily stand for ever. Secondly, if Ecclesiastico whe­ther it be not alterable according to Corrupti­ons attending it, or the varying Constitutions of particular Churches, or the like considerable Circumstances?

3. If alterable, whether this Government may safely be altered in this Church of England?

4. If it may be altered, what Government can be propounded more nearely agreeing to the Word, and more fit for these times?

5. Whether Christ left any certaine and ne­cessary Discipline to be observed in his Church for ever?

6. Whether Examples, which have not grounds on expresse Rules, or necessary Conse­quences out of those Commands doe bind the Conscience to subjection, as to an Ordinance of Christs?

7. Whether it be not fit for Christians rather to follow the Examples of Christ, his Apostles, or the purer times for Presidents, then the more degenerate and corrupt times of the world?

When these or the like Questions are well discussed and decided, The confirmation of such Acts of Assembly as shall be then determined, we submit unto the wisdome of this Honourable House.

[Page 6] In the meane time most noble Patriots, suffer not the glory of our Church to set under a cloud. We have betrusted you with our selves, and all ours, faile us not in the maine, (viz) in the matters of Religion, neither Doctrine not Discipline.

Begin we beseech you where your forefathers left, in the dayes of King Edward the 6th. Let the noble bloud of your Ancestors which runs in your veynes induce you to perfect the glori­ous beginnings of your renowned Predecessors. Never think the Common-wealth can be well healed, unlesse the Church be also Cured. Did not our sufferings in the Church lead the way to yours in the Civill State? If you conceive your worke is fully ended, when the Common­wealths grievances are removed: God himselfe will not take it well at your hands to leave Sion weeping, and none comforting her. You have come on nobly and like religious Patriots, in giving faire hopes of easing the distressed part of the Church: Go on like your selves, and the God of Heaven prosper you. Let not golden Balls turn you out of the way: Neither Syrenian mu­sicke, nor Crocodile teares of the degenerate part of the Tribe of Levi captivate your judge­ments. You have the whole Nation ingaged to be Servants unto the King for ever in a stricter bond, if you his great Councell of State, accor­ding to his trust in you, see Religion freed from the complaints and grievances of it. It is true, [Page 7] Episcopal Governors, with their nearest friends, think it scorn to come to tryall of their title. We are not ignorant of many of their choysest Arguments: but if you please with patience to survey them, you shall find they have studied fal­lacies more then demonstrations. It is true, they pretend 1. the Word: 2. Antiquity. 3. Refe­rence to our Laws. 4. Order. 5. Suppression of Errors, Schismes, and Heresies. 6. Incouragement to Learning. 7. Conformity of Episcopall Go­vernment unto Monarchie. All specious preten­ces we confesse, like the Grapes and fruits of Sodom: but if you touch them they fall to Ashes.

First, the Word, no better plea in the world, nor stronger Argument, if the pontificiall side would shew but one expresse Command or ne­cessary inference for Episcopacie over the Cler­gie (it is our meaning) to be a constant and stand­ing office in the Church: we should think our selves deserved to lose our Eares, liberty, life and all, for speaking against a Law of Gods own making. But whilst the great Clerks of the Kingdome in this multa dicunt, nihil probant. We must desire this Government (but in an Eccle­siasticall assembly) may goe to the question.

Secondly, Antiquity, a plea which would well have served in the dayes of Hezekiah and Josiah for keeping up the High Places, because they had continued from the dayes of Solomon or a­fore. If this Argument were sufficient, the Re­formers in the dayes of Edward the 6. and Queen [Page 8] Elizabeth of famous memory should have staid their hands from taking away such ancient Ce­remonies as had continued many hundred years.

Upon this ground an old ruinous House which is rotten from the foundation, to the highest part of the superstructure should not be pulled down; upon the like ground old Vines, where the humidum radicale is quite gone, and fruit ceases, should not be plucked up, nor others plan­ted in their room.

The brazen Serpent was at the first erected upon better warrant then ever Episcopacie, yet when it grew worm-eaten with corruption of Antiquity, Hezekiah made bold to take it down, and the fact is fronted with the name of Zeale unto Immortality.

Thirdly, Reference to our Laws, It is true, Epis­copacie is too truly and too much Inter-woven with the Statutes of this Kingdome; Not that Episcopacie strengthens the Laws, but the Laws Episcopacie. So that it seems no necessary Ar­gument for this dignity standing Statu quo nunc, but rather serves for a good caution that in the taking down of this old frame, the Statutes of the Land suffer no violence, which we doubt not but by the wisdome of this Honourable House, may be well contrived.

Fourthly, Order, a great deale of reason for it, if Order doe not violate that eternall and in­dispensible Rule of charity, unto which the Epis­copall Government hath done much violence, [Page 9] by their Pride and Tyranny over the Consci­ences of their Brethren. In such case we desire the Word, Christian Liberty and Charity may be preferred afore any pretended Order in the the world.

Fiftly, Suppressing of Schismes, Errors, and Heresies; we deny not but when Episcopacie was first raysed and instituted in the Church, there was such a politicke intention, but Where is the Successe? Have not Corruptions, Schismes, Er­rors, if not Heresies, more grown under the sha­dow of Episcopacie, then under any other Re­formed Protestant Church in the world?

Let the Remonstrance of the Ministers speak unto this, together with the Numerous Com­plaints from all parts of the Kingdome. It is not to be denyed, but as these Weeds, so much pre­tious Corne hath grown within the bounds of Episcopall Government, not that we must thank the smiles and indulgence of the Pontificiall party, but their frowns, brow-beatings, and ma­nifold oppressions, or rather God himselfe, who multiplyed the Israelites under Pharaohs Ty­ranny and Cruelty.

Sixtly, Encouragement to Learning, Give loosers leave to speak, let the inferiour Clergie of the Kingdome (as they are usually called) come in, and speake what they usually feel in their own experience; Doth not the burthen and heat of the day lye upon poore Parsons, Vicars, Lectu­rers, and Curates? What encouragement to [Page 10] Learning, whilst a few Bishops, Deanes, Arch-Deacons, &c. swallow up the best and riches [...] part of Ecclesiasticall maintenance, taking little or no paines, in feeding the soules of the people, studying only Law-suits; how to rise higher in the world, and to sowe dissention betwixt King­domes, Princes, and their Subjects, when the in­feriour Clergie in the meane time must sit be­low the salt, gather up the Crums from under Episcopall Tables, and account it favour enough to have a nod from a Bishop; nay happily lesse then that, an hollow-hearted leave or Licence to use a Pulpit in his Diocesse.

Seaventhly, A Conformity of Episcopall Go­vernment unto Monarchie. We confesse the Conformitie is too much and too neare. For Kings send out Writs in their own Names (as it is fit they should) so doe Bishops. Kings Rule and Command, so doe Bishops: yet this Conformity in Government unto Monarchie, cannot induce our Charity to think they (at least many of them) can cordially affect Supreme Government whilst so many in latter times have complyed so much with the Pope in all Papall usages, the great ene­mie to all Kingly Government. How can we judge, but if oppertunity served, they would fall in with the Pope in matter of Supremacie, as in other his Traditions; Besides our Bishops in late dayes have cast the odium of all unacceptable Commands upon the King, a point of Bishop­craft we confesse, but never used by faithfull [Page 11] Statesmen to their Princes, since the beginning of the world, till these our dayes. Whereas, we (though the lowest of the Tribe of Levi) dare protest unto this Honourable Assembly, we could be contented to wipe off with our blood the least aspersion upon the honour of our most gracious Soveraigne, whom we sincerely value above all Princes of the world.

But now most noble Senators, mistake not, we beseech you, the candor and ingenuity of our intentions, we doe account it an inexpiable fault to prescribe unto you that must prescribe Laws to us; only we prostrate what we have propoun­ded in all hvmility at your feet, wherein we have both expressed our grievances and Petitions. Notwithstanding all abovesaid, we are not so faln out with Episcopall Government: but if it seems good to his Majesty, and this High and Honourable Court of Parliament to continue it, we can (as formerly) sit down under the shadow of it▪ if the Authority of it be sufficiently cleared by a well constituted Church Assembly, where­unto we should willingly subject, as a way of the Church (anciently used) in such difficulties; only, in case it be thought meet upon advise by your singular wisdomes to continue Episcopall Go­vernment in the Church; be pleased that the sting therof be taken away: we meane the High-Commission burthensome and superfluous Offi­cers, the unnecessary Ceremonies and subscrip­tions, according to their Canons, which they [Page 12] have only used as snares and nets to catch the Innocent and faithfull in the Land; And the scandalous Ministers removed, the spots and ble­mishes of the Ecclesiasticall State. But in case such a Church Synod, or Assembly, doe finde a Presbyteriall, or Pastorall, and independent Jurisdiction to be more nearely agreeing unto the Word, and more fit for the present Consti­tution of our Churches, May it then please you to incourage that way which comes next to the mind and will of God, and suits best with the present state of times.

So that finally, the sum of all we sue for, is, that Justice may be eminently done unto all sides, and truth (with leave of his Majestie, as Supreme) may by the best Reason hew out its way in a Church Assembly or Synod, unto peace and unity; not that we any way suspect your Candor or Integritie, with whom we have trusted both our selves and all ours: But because the premised Considera­tions doe chiefly fall under Ecclesiasticall cog­nizance, it would be most satisfactorie (under cor­rection of more sublime judgements) to the minds of all men, and no way derogatory to the honour of his Majestie, or this High and Honou­rable Court of Parliament. If such of the Ministe­ry as have not violated their Consciences, nor staind their garments, but men of good temper, Piety, Learning, and consulting heads should be authoriz'd to advise in the matters of the Church both Doctrine and Discipline.

[Page 13] Pardon we beseech you, our rudenesse, and brokennesse of our expressions, Truth is never so amiable as when she goes in her playnest garb. Honour us so farre as not to take us for the giddy Sons of Apollo who would set the whole world on fire. We abhorre the intemperance of such spirits. And doe humbly desire that all Pamph­lets may be staid from the Presse, which take upon them (afore their time) to propound mo­dells and new formes of Government till a well Constituted Church Assembly have fully discus­sed the maine questions now in Controversie. So shall you honour God Almighty, bring out the Truth more fully, which is now overclouded and obscured; perform the Trust which his Ma­jestie hath put in you; happily unite more firmly these Churches of England, Scotland and Ireland. Make our State admired in the eyes of forraigne Churches, pull down the proud and mighty from their Seats, and exalt the humble and meek. And by such happy satisfaction in all Ecclesiasticall wayes, you shall ingage the Church to pray more fervently for the happinesse of our Illustrious King, and this flourishing Common wealth.

Which God grant, Amen.