A LETTER OF THE Presbyterian Ministers In the CITY of LONDON, Presented the First of Jan. 1645. to the Reverend Assembly of DIVINES, Sitting at Westminster, by Authority of Parliament, AGAINST TOLERATION.  
Now reprinted, with some Animadversions thereon.  
LONDON, Printed for J. Johnson, 1668.   

A Preface to the Reader.  
IT is sufficiently known, how the Presbyterian Party, in this Nation, having by the help of the Covenant, and force of Arms, rooted out (as they thought) Episcopal or Prelatical Government, Established by the Known Laws of the Land, soon found themselves supplanted in their new intended Uniformity (pressed on all men with a most zealous Rigour) by their younger Brother, Independency: which under the smooth pretensions of Liberty of Conscience, and Toleration, threatened Presbytery with the same destruction. Hereupon the Presbyterian Ministers of London, meeting at Zion College, drew up this ensuing Letter to the Assembly, convened at Westminster, to possess them with the unlawfulness of Liberty of Conscience and Toleration; especially aiming at Independency, their feared Rival. But the Intelligent Reader will easily discern how their own Arguments recoil upon themselves. How dangerous and wicked it is in their Judgement to Tolerate, (much more to perpetuate by a standing Law) Schism in the Church; whether of Presbytery, or Independency, of which they are so equally guilty, that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for an impartial understanding, to condemn the one, and to acquit the other: Yea, it will appear by their own Reasons here alleged, how necessary it is to the preservation of Truth and Peace, that an Uniform Obedience be yielded to one and the same established Rule of Ecclesiastical Polity, lest otherwise the people be seduced and drawn away from our Congregations; the Godly, Painful, Orthodox, and Conformable Clergy be discouraged; all sorts of Sectaries emboldened to desire, and endeavour the like Indulgence; the Civil State, by endless Divisions, weakened; and the Church first distracted, and at last destroyed.  
The God of Peace and Truth grant us a right understanding in all things. Amen.   

To our Reverend, Learned, and Religious Brethren, the Prolocutor, and the rest of the Divines Assembled, and now sitting at Westminster, by Authority of Parliament: These present.  
Reverend and Beloved Brethren,  
WE are exceedingly apprehensive of the desireableness of our Church's Peace, and of the pleasantness of brethren's Unity, knowing that when Peace is set upon its proper Basis, viz. Righteousness and Truth, it is one of the best possessions, both delectable and profitable; like Aaron's Ointment, and the dew of Hermon. It is true, by reason of different lights, and different sights among Brethren, there may be dissenting in Opinion; yet, 
(a) What is the keeping Conventicles, or private Meetings, but separating from our Church-Communion.  Why should there by any separating from Church-Communion? The Church's Coat may be of divers colours, yet, Why should there be any rent in it? Have we not a touchstone of Truth, the good Word of God; and when all things are examined by that Word, then that which is best may be held fast; but first they must be known, and then examined afterward. If our dissenting Brethren after so many importunate entreaties, would have been persuaded (either in zeal to the Truth, or in sincere love to the Church's peace and unity among Brethren, or in respect to their own reputation by fair and ingenuous dealing, or 
(b) Yet the Ministers of this persuasion made as little Conscience of their Subscriptions, Promises, yea, Oaths of Cananical Obedience to their respective D●ocesans.  in conscience to their promise made with the Minister of London, now five years since, or any such like reasonable consideration) at last to have given us a full Narrative of their Opinions, and Grounds of their Separation, we are persuaded they would not have stood at such a distance from us, as now they do: But they chose rather to walk by their own private lights, than to unbosom themselves to us their most affectionate Brethren; and to set themselves in an untrodden way of their own, rather than to wait what our Covenanted Reformation, according to the Word of God, and 
(c) Show us the example of one Reformed Church, which alloweth her Minister's Liberty not to use her Established Rites and Ceremonies.  examples of the Best Reformed Churches, would bring forth. But the offence doth not end here, it is much that our Brethren should separate from the Church, but that they should endeavour 
(d) This is plainly our brethren's Design and Endeavour at this time.  to get a Warrant to authorise their Separation from it, and to have liberty (by drawing Members out of it) to weaken and diminish it, till (so far as lies in them) they have brought it to nothing; this we think to be plainly unlawful; yet this we understand is their present design and endeavour. Wherefore (Reverend Brethren) having had such large experience of your zeal of God's glory, your care of his afflicted Church, your earnest endeavours to promote the complete Reformation of it, and of your ready concurrence with us in the improvement of any means that might be found conducible to this end; we are bold to hint unto you these our ensuing Reasons against the Toleration of Independency in this Church.  
1. The desires and endeavours of Independents for a Toleration, are at this time extremely unseasonable and praeproperous: for,  
1. The Reformation of Religion is not yet perfected and settled among us, according to our Covenant. And why may not the Reformation be raised up at last to such purity and perfection, that truly tender Consciences may receive abundant satisfaction for aught that yet appears?  
2. It is not yet known what the Government of the Independents is, neither would they ever yet vouchsafe to let the world know what they hold in that point, though some of their party have been too forward to challenge the London Petitioners as led with blind obedience, and pinning their souls upon the Priest's sleeve, for desiring an establishment of the Government of Christ, before there was any model of it extant.  
3. We can han hardly be persuaded, that the Independents themselves (after all the stirs they have made amongst us) 
(e) The Presbyterians (although often pressed thereunto) will not declare wherewith they would be all concluded, how far they mean to got and where to stay in their desires of Toleration or Condescension.  are as yet fully resolved about their own way wherewith they would be concluded, seeing they publish not their model (though they are nimble enough in publishing other things) and they profess Reserves, and new Lights, for which they will (no doubt) expect the like Toleration, and so in infinitum. It were more seasonable to move for Toleration when once they are positively determined how far they mean to go, and where they mean to stay.  
II. Their desires and endeavours are unreasonable and unequal in divers regards.  
1. Partly because no such Toleration hath hitherto been established (so far as we know) in any Christian State by the Civil Magistrate.  
2. 
(f) It's notorious, Presbytery would not in the late times Tolerate Episcopacy.  Partly because some of them have solemnly professed, that they cannot suffer Presbytery; and answerable hereunto, is their practice in those places where Independency prevails.  
3. And partly because 
(g) To grant Indulgence unto a few, would offend many more of all parties. Why may not Independents, and all other Sectaries, desire the same favour in case they provide Readers or Curates.  to grant to them and not to other Sectaries who are free born as well as they, and have done as good service as they to the public (as they use to plead) will be counted injustice and great partiality; but to grant it unto all, will scarce be cleared from great impiety.  
III. Independency is a Schism, for,  
1. 
(h) Ye already do, and (in case your Toleration be granted) will draw our Members from our Congregations, which ye acknowledge true Churches.  Independents do departed from our Churches, being true Churches, and so acknowledged by themselves.  
2. They draw and seduce our Members from our Congregations.  
3. 
(i) Ye do in effect set up separate Churches.  They erect separate Congregations under a separate and undiscovered Government.  
4. 
(k) Ye receive not the Sacrament (except some few) in our Churches, but at private Meetings.  They refuse Communion with our Churches in the Sacraments.  
5. Their Ministers refuse to preach among us as Officers.  
6. Their Members, if at any time they join with us in hearing the Word and Prayer, yet they do it not as with the Ministerial Word and Prayer, nor as acts of Church-Communion.  

(l) No Schism is to be Tolerated, as ye grant. But Presbytery is a Schism now, as much as Independency was by you declared to be then: Wherefore, according to your own grounds, it is not to be Tolerated.  Now we judge that no Schism is to be Tolerated in the Church, 
* Schisms.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 1 Cor. 1.10. 1 Cor. 12.25. 
† Divisions.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Rom. 6.17. with 1 Cor. 3.3. Gal. 5.20.  
iv 
(m) Should Presbytery be Tolerated, it would produce all the very same evils in Church and State, you affirm Independency (if Tolerated) would have done; and the same reasons strongly prove, that as Independency was not, so Presbytery is not to be Tolerated.  Many mischiefs will inevitably follow upon this Toleration, and that both to Church and Commonwealth.  
First, to the Church, as,  
1. Causeless and unjust revolts from our Mivistry and Congregations.  
2. Our people's minds will be troubled, and in danger to be subverted, as Acts 15.24.  
3. Bitter heart-burnings among Brethren will be fomented and perpetuated to posterity.  
4. The Godly, Painful, and Orthodox Ministry will be discouraged, and despised.  
5. The life and power of godliness will be eaten out by frivolous Disputes, and vain Janglings.  
6. The whole course of Religion in private Families will be interrupted, and undermined.  
7. Reciprocal Duties between persons of nearest and dearest Relations, will be extremely violated.  
8. The whole work of Reformation, especially in Discipline and Government will be retarded, disturbed, and in danger of being made utterly frustrate and void, whilst every person shall have liberty upon every trivial discontent at Presbyterial Government and Churches, to revolt from us, and list themselves in separated Congregations.  
9 All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdom will be encouraged to endeavour the like Toleration.  
10. All other Sects and Heresies in the Kingdom will safeguard and shelter themselves under the wings of Independency, and some of the Independents in their Books have openly avowed, that they plead for Liberty of Conscience as well for others, as for themselves,  
11. And the whole Church of England in short time will be swallowed up with distraction and confusion. And God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace, 1 Corinth. 14.33.  
Secondly, To the Commonwealth. For,  
1. All these mischiefs in the Church will have their proportionable influence upon the Commonwealth.  
2. The Kingdom will be woefully weakened by Scandals and Divisions; so that the enemies of it, both Domestical and Foreign, will be encouraged to plot and practice against it.  
3. It is much to be doubted, lest the Power of the Magistrate, should not only be weakened, but even utterly overthrown, considering the principles and practices of Independents, together with their compliance with other Sectaries, sufficiently known to be Anti-Magistratical.  
V Such a Toleration is utterly repugnant and inconsistent with that Solemn League and Covenant, for Reformation and Defence of Religion, which not only both Houses of Parliament, but also persons of all sorts in both Kingdoms of England and Scotland, have subscribed, and with hands lifted up to the most High God, have sworn: Which Covenant likewise, both you, and we, and those that most earnestly pursue the establishment of this Toleration, have made, (or should have made) in the presence of Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. For,  
1. This is opposite to the Reformation of Religion, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches, Article 1.  
2. 
(n) The Toleration of Presbytery is no less destructive to the Conjunction and Uniformity of all the three Kingdoms, than Independency.  It is destructive to the three Kingdoms nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion and Government, which might lead us and our Posterity after us as Brethren to live in Faith and Love. Art. 1.  
3. 
(o) Seeing Presbytery is as much a Schism from Episcopacy, as Episcopacy or Independency was from Presbytery, why do ye now, instead of extirpation, desire the Toleration of it, contrary to your Covenant?  It is plainly contrary to that extirpation of Schism, and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of Godliness, which we have sworn sincerely, really, and constantly to endeavour without respect of persons. Art. 2.  
4. 
(p) Toleration of Schism rendereth Magstrates and Minister's access●ry to the Errors, Sins, and Destruction of Seduced and Deluded people.  Hereby we shall be involved in the guilt of other men's sins, and thereby be endangered to receive of their plagues. Art 2.  
5. It seems utterly impossible (if such a Toleration should be granted) that the Lord should be one, and his name one in the three Kingdoms. Art. 2.  
6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion, inevitably divide one Kingdom from another, and unhappily make Factions and Parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant; of which evil Offices, whosoever shall be found guilty, are reputed in the words of the Covenant, 
(q) The Toleration of deformity, even in little matters, sometimes causeth Factions and Parties amongst the people. Let us have a care we be not Incendiaries, or evil Instruments for Sacrilegious Spirits to work by, illaffected as well to Presbytery as Episcopacy.  Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Instruments, to be discovered, that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, Art. 4. and 5.  
These are some of the many considerations which make deep impression upon our Spirits against that great Diana of Independents, and all the Sectaries so much cried up by them in these distracted times, viz. A Toleration, a Toleration. And however, none should have more rejoiced then ourselves in the establishment of a Brotherly, Peaceable, and Christian Accommodation: yet this being utterly rejected by them, we cannot dissemble how upon the  grounds, we detest and abhor the much endeavoured Toleration, Our bowels, our bowels, are stirred within us, and we could even drown ourselves in tears, when we call to mind how long and sharp a travel this Kingdom hath been in for many years together, to bring forth that blessed fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation; and now at last after all our pangs and dolours, and expectations, this real and through Reformation, is in danger of being strangled in the Birth by a lawless Toleration, that strives to be brought forth before it.  
Wherefore (Reverend and Beloved Brethren) we could not satisfy ourselves till we had made some discovery of our thoughts unto you about this matter; not that we can harbour the least jealousy of your zeal, fidelity, or industry in the opposing and extirpating of such a root of gall and bitterness as Toleration is and will be, both in present and future Ages; but that we may what lies in us endeavour mutually to strengthen one another's resolutions against the present growing evils, and that our consciences may not smite us another day for sinful silence, or sluggish deficiency in any point of duty tending to the Glory of Christ, Honour of the Truth, Peace of the Church, Perfection of Reformation, Performance of our Covenant, and Benefit of present and succeeding Generations.  
From Zion College, London, Decemb. 18. 1645. Subscribed by us your affectionate Brethren and Fellow-Labourers in the work of the Ministry, to whom truth and peace is very precious.   
FINIS.