THere being nothing under Heaven of greater importance, then the preaching of the glorious Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt, you cannot but be very ſenſible of what weight and concernment it is to take a right eſtimate of all that offer themſelves, and to paſſe a due approbation of ſuch only, as Chriſt himſelf would have admitted to that great employment. A great part of which ſervice in this Nation, the Lord by his Providence hath caſt upon us, and is by us undertaken, as with much fear and trembling, ſo with a deep ſenſe, that the effectual accompliſhment therof will much depend upon the Teſtimonials exhibited to us, concerning the holy and good Converſation of ſuch as ſeek for approbation from us. Wherfore conſidering how eaſily and frequently abuſes creep into buſineſſes of this nature, partly through the endeavours of thoſe who are ill-deſerving, and partly through the non-attendance of others, who are better minded. For the prevention of any ſuch miſcarriage, we have thought it our duty, hereby humbly & earneſtly to beſeech all the people of God throughout the Land, who ſhall ſend any Certificate to us, that they would not take things upon the opinion and report of others, but (according to the good proviſion made in the Ordinance, deſigning us to this Service) to certifie their own perſonal knowledge and experience, ſo as neither any, whom God accepteth; may want the teſtimony of his ſervants, nor any be recommended by them whom he diſalloweth; leſt guilt be contracted by you, to whoſe teſtimonials ſo much is referred, as that through careleſneſs or partiality therein, very unworthy men may unawares be admitted, to the diſhonour of God, the prejudice of his Cburch, and the utter fruſtrating of the pious intentions of our Governours; and we alſo be accounted blame-worthy, if through your miſinformation, way being made for our miſtakes, we ſhould at any time act amiſſe. This we are, and ſhall be more liable to, 〈◊〉 reaſon of the difficulty of our making diſcovery in a ſhort time of ſeveral mens graces and gifts, in ſo full and ample a manner as would be deſired for juſt ſatisfaction, without the faithful help of ſuch as having been obſervers of them, and converſant with them, do more fully know, not only the tenour of their doctrine, but the conſtant courſe of their lives. It being a much more eaſie thing to be able to deſcribe what a godly man ſhould be, then to be one indeed. Nor may we doubt, but there are ſome men, who having firſt willingly deceived themſelvs by a falſe apprehenſion and perſwaſion of their own condition and eſtate in grace, will think it eaſie to deceive us, by giving a falſe account of that condition. But as ſuch ſhall do well to conſider, that he who trieth the Spirit is not mocked, neither can any thing be hid from his eyes, and that they muſt undergo another kinde of Teſt then this ſlender ſcrutiny of ours, when the ſecret of all hearts ſhall be laid open, and brought to light. So our Brethren may likewiſe pleaſe to conſider what opportunity is put into their hand by this Addreſſe made unto them for the avoiding of ſuch miſtakes, and •• e inconveniences which may follow upon them through their neglect; beſides the blot which will deſervedly ſtick to them, not only for the preſent, but with poſterity and ſucceeding times, foraſmuch as the Certificates now exhibited will appear upon Record. For the prevention whereof, we humbly conceive and hope, that this friendly and brotherly intimation will be accounted ſeaſonable, and by the bleſſing of God, be found uſeful for the ſucceſſeful carrying on that work which we have in hand. And therefore, Dear friends, and much beloved in the Lord, give us leave again, earneſtly to beſeech you in the bowels of Jeſus Chriſt, as you tender the Honour of the great God himſelf, whoſe ſervants we all are, the precious ſoules of his people, purchaſed by the blood of his Son, the advancement and propagation of his Goſpel through all the parts of this Land and Nation, wherunto we belong, ſo to lend us the joynt aſſiſtance, both of your fervent prayers and due infor •• tions, that hereby the work may be carried on more proſperouſly, and we more encouraged to attend it.