A TESTIMONY OF THE Ministers in the Province of Essex, TO THE Truth of jesus Christ, AND TO The Solemn League and Covenant; AS ALSO Against the Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these times, and the Toleration of them. Sent up to the Ministers within the Province of London, Subscribers of the First TESTIMONY. May 3 d. LONDON, Printed by A. M. for Tho. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstreet, M.DC.XLVIII. TO OUR REVEREND AND dear Brethren in the Lord, and in his work, Ministers of the Gospel, in the Province of London, Subscribers to the late Testimony to the Truth of jesus Christ; Grace, Mercy, and Peace be multiplied. Reverend and Dear Brethren, 1. THE hearty zeal we own 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 Profaneness, ready of late years 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, Heresy, Schism, and Profaneness. 3. The sad observation of that unthankful requital made for such transcendent mercies, by so many more violent evils ever since, not only to break out into lawless liberty and licentiousness, but to contend for the sufferance and exercise of many dangerous things in matters of Doctrine and Worship. 4. The active vigilancy of Satan's Emissaries for sowing the. Tares of pernicious Errors, detestable Heresies, and horrid Blasphemies. 5. The remembrance of that day of Humiliation enjoined by Authority of Parliament, and observed by us not long since, for suppressing the growth and spreading of those abominations so fare in this Land. 6. The fear of some dreadful judgement, the rod of God's anger against us an hypocritical Nation, and a people of his wrath, in case Reformation answerable to our Covenant solemnly sworn, and humiliation publicly professed, should not accordingly be endeavoured. 7. The desire of our souls not to be partakers of other men's 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 God's servants, since the foundation of the world had more high and strong engagements, hearty, and sincerely, to endeavour the complete 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 sense of our duty not only as Christians earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints, but also as Ministers to bear witness to the truth, and stand up for the confirmation thereof against all gainsayers. 10. The exemplary public Testimony given by yourselves (our faithful Brethren) in your late Attestation to the Truth of jesus 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 reigning Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these corrupt times; but by preserving and transmitting that Sacred Depositum, as much as in us lieth unto all posterity. We therefore whose names are hereunto subscribed do hereby declare and testify to yourselves, and to all our Brethren, the Ministers and Members of this and all the Churches of Christ, 1. That the Confession of Faith, Directory for Worship, and Humble Advice for Church Government, presented by the Reverend Assembly of Divines to the Honourable Parliament, are (as we conceive) so agreeable to the Word, that we cannot but exceedingly bless the Name of our God, for his presence with that Assembly; Professing our hearty concurrence therein, and cheerful readiness to submit thereto; resolving likewise to continue humble Suitors at the throne of Grace, That our gracious God in his due time would stir up the Parliament to establish the foresaid Confession of Faith, and Advice for Church-Government with their Civil Sanction, as they have already the Directory for Worship. 2. That we look upon our solemn League and Covenant as a most choice blessing from God to these Churches and Kingdoms so happily united therein; Earnestly entreating the Lord to give us grace, that we and all his people may continue faithful therein; and not to charge upon us, but of his abundant mercy to pardon, wherein ourselves, or the Kingdom have any way therefrom hitherto receded. 3. That however we judge it most agreeable to Christianity, That tender Consciences of Dissenting Brethren be tenderly dealt withal, yet we dare not carry in our bosoms such steely Consciences, and rocky hearts, as not to mourn in our souls: That after those strong engagements, and such a solemn day of public 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 publicly vented and maintained, as much, if not more, than ever before, to the great dishonour of the great and dreadful name of Almighty God, the subversion of his most holy Truth, the contempt of the public Worship, Ordinances, and Ministry of jesus Christ, the perdition of unstable souls, the grief and scandal of friends to Religion, and the great reproach of our Church and Kingdom; the which however some may perhaps count wisdom to countenance and connive at, yet for our parts we do solemnly and sincerely profess as in the presence of Almighty God the Searcher and judge of all hearts, That from our souls we do utterly detest and abhor, as all former cursed doctrines of Popery, Arminianism, and Socianisme: So likewise all the damnable Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these present evil times, whether of Antiscripturists, 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, establish, strengthen, settle, and still to preserve us and all his faithful people, from being led away with the Error of the wicked, to fall from our own steadfastness; from our hearts fervently praying that the Lord jesus may not have a controversy with this Church and Kingdom for suffering any thing which his soul abhors; withal ever desirous to bless his holy Name, for your pious forwardness in faithful witness-bearing to the Truth of Christ, and persuading ourselves, that this your zeal will provoke others to the like Attestation, We commend you to God, and the word of his grace, and remain, Your unfeigned loving Brethren and fellow-Labourers in the work of the Lord. John Bedle, Minister of Bar●eston. William Sandford, Minister of Rooding alba. john Smith Minister of Dunmow magna. Francis Hill Minister of Rooding alta. Henry Bates Minister of Mashbery. Samuel Noel Minister of Canfield parva. Francis Bridge Minister of Much Canfeild. Martin Alderson Minister of Dunmow Parva. Samuel Newton Minister of Sanford Magna. Isaac Pennington Minister of Sanford Parva. james Parkin Minister of Thacksted. Elisha Prat Minister of Lindsell. Anthony Nicholas Minister of Willingale Spain. john Parkehurst Minister of Southshoobery. Nicolas Beard Minister of Rechford. john Gibson Minister of Alsingdon. Thomas Perk Minister of Prittlewell. john Argur Minister of Leigh. Abraham Caley Minister of Rayleigh. Samuel Purcas Minister of Sut●●n. Thomas Oresby Minister of Hackwell. josiah Church Minister of South-Church. john Man Minister of Rawxeth. james Norrice Minister of Canne●…don. Christoper Scot Minister of W●●…ring magna. Isaiah Sutliff Minister of Rottendon. Nathaneel Ranew Minister of Felsted, john Harrison Minister of Waltham parva. William Hales Pastor of Hallingbury magna. john Yardley Minister of Sheering. Edward Spranger Pastor of Harlow. jeremiah Dyke Pastor of P●●nedon magna. Thomas Cramphorne Minister of Nettleswell. Henry Wilkinson Pastor of epping. john Harper Pastor of Nasing. Thomas Den Minister of Latton. john Wilson Minister of Hallingbury parva. john Borradale Minister of Steeple Bumpsted. john Pannell Minister of Stanborn. john Clark Minister of Tilbury. Ralph Hillis Minister of Redgwell. Peter Sainthill Minister of Ovington. john Gent Minister of Birdbrook. Edmund Bruer Minister of Castle Hennigham. Robert Chadsley Minister of Yeldham parva. Robert Fisher Minister of Belcham St Paul. Zach. Fitch Minister of Twinsted. john Chamberlin Minister of Bulme. Henry Ham Minister of Much Waltham. Atiel Rathband Minister of Writtle. Israel Hewit Minister at Malden. Samuel Smith Minister of Fryaring. james Willet Minister of Chisset parva. Rowland Greenwood Minister of Whimbish. john More Minister of Clavering. Hugh Glover Minister of Debden. William Prime Minister of Elmeden. Robert Abbot Minister of Stansted Mountfitchet. George Wilson Minister of Elsenham. john Wells Minister of Elford magna. Humphrey Maddison Minister of Wansted. Samuel Austin Minister of Rumford. john Bowyer Minister of Dag●nham. Philip Sanders Minister of Magdalen Laver. john Lavender Minister of High Ongar. john Wheatly Minister of Havering. john Wood Minister of Abbiss Reading. Gamaliel Car Minister of Lambourne. Edmund Bruer Minister of Fifeild. john Siday Minister of Belcham Roiding. Thomas King Minister of High Laver. George Bound Minister of Kelvedon. Edward Benthall Minister of Stapleford Abbot. Thomas Horrock Minister of Stapleford Tawny. Walter Wells Minister of Theyden Mount. Edward Wiston Minister of Norton Mandevile. john Willis Minister of Ingolston. Nathaneel Hewitson Minister of Woodham Mortimer. William Roger's Minister of Margot Ingo. Daniel Duckfeild Minister of Childerditch. Edward Ford Minister of Great Warley. Edward Green Minister of Shelley. ●ohn Wilson Preacher of the Gospel at Baddow Parva. ●eorge Smith Minister of the Gospel at Dedham. ●●hn Hubbard Minister of the Gospel in Boxted. ●●omas Lawson Minister of Doniland. ●●●●ph ●osselin Minister of the Gospel in Earles-Colne. ●●●uel Roger's Minister of Much Tey. Nathaneel Bugg Minister of Much Horkesly. john Fenar Minister of Langham. john White Minister of Wormingford. Timothy Roger's Pastor of Chappel. Richard Pulley Minister of Fordham. Gamaliel Car Minister of Aldeham. Thomas Brackley Pastor of Colne Engayne. Samuel Bridge Minister of Great Burstad. Walter Tailor Minister of Hutton. james More Minister of Layendon. Francis Scott Minister of Fabben. jonathan Hoyle Minister of Curringham. William How Minister of Dronton. Samuel Smith Minister of Sanden. Christopher Wragge of Much Badow. Edward cliff Minister of East Hornedon. Richard Cardinal Minister of West Hornedon. Marmaduke james Minister of Vpminster. Daniel Lathum Minister of Stifford. john Overed Minister of Topisfeild. jeremy Benton Minister of Finchingfeild. Robert Harmer, Ministers in Colchester. Alexander Piggot Ministers in Colchester. Gabrel Wyersdale Minister of Lexden. Robert Tuller Minister of james in Colchester. Francis Onge Minister of the Gospel. Henry Steinmer Minister of Bradfeild Nathanael Ward Minister of Shenfeild. john powel Minister of the Gospel. john Ferrity Minister of Theydon German. Nicolas Foskingham Minister of the Gospel. Nehemiah Dod Minister of Dodinghurst. james Torye Minister of East Hanningfeild. Tho. Lathum Minister of the Gospel. Edward Thomas Minister of Oaten Belcham. Thomas Deeresly Minister of Wakham St Paul. john Sherman Rector of Bradwell juxtamare. Nehemiah Holmes Minister at Southminster. Anthony samon's Minister of Burnham. Nath. Hewitson Minister of Woodham Mortimer. William Buckley Minister of Nayland. Edmund Sherman Minister at Bradwell. 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 do fully and cordially concur with our Brerhrens, Richard Cleyton Minister at Easton magna. Matthew Newcomen Minister of the Gospel at Dedham. FINIS.