A BILL for Uniting the Protestants.  
WHereas there are many Jealousies risen about Popery, which makes it even necessary to the Peace of the Nation, that the Protestant Interest be united and strengthened by all good and lawful Means: And to this end, there being this one proper Expedient, to wit, the removing the Occasion of Divisions, which several Persons do find to themselves in those late Injunctions, which yet were intended to the same purpose of Concord in the Nation: Be it Enacted,— That an Explanation of these Impositions, and such Alleviations, be allowed to the tenderly Considerate, and peaceably Scrupulous, as follows.  
In the Act of Uniformity, By the Declaration of Assent and Consent to all Things, and every Thing contained in, and prescribed by the Two Books, Of Common-Prayer, and Of Ordering Priests and Deacons, we understand not, 
These Materials were provided, during the sitting of that Parliament, which passed the Act of Uniformity, and other the like Rigorous Acts; and are therefore drawn up in the Form of an Explanatory Bill, because it was supposed, they were not like to Repeal their own Acts, though they might be got to Interpret them. But now we have a New Parliament, and that after another also Dissolved, we may expect quicker Work: Yet will the Proposing these Things still to view, have their use, both for repressing such as have said, The Non-conformists know not what they would have; and setting some Measure to our own Desires, and the Parliaments Condescensions about the same.  that these Books are ●●n every Minute particular, infallible, or free from that Defect, which is incident to all Human Composure: but that they are in the main Contents, to be sincerely approved and used. And we do therefore allow this Declaration to be sufficient, if it be made to the use of the Book, in the Ordinary Constant Lord's- Day Service, notwithstanding any Exceptions some may have against some Things in the By-Offices, and Occasional-Service, the Rubric, and otherwise. And for the Ceremonies, which are made, and have been always, and on all hands, held to be only indifferent Things we think fit that they be left to the Consciences and P●●dence of Ministers, and People, every where (excepting th●● Cathedrals) to use them, or forbear them, as they judge 〈◊〉 most meet for their own and others Edification. Provide● that if any Person will have his Child Baptised with t●● Sign of the Cross, or stands upon any thing else, hitherto required by the Service-Book, if the Minister himself scr●ple the Performance, he shall have always some Assistantly or Curate, ready to do it.  
In the same Act, By those Words in the Subscription, tha● It is not lawful to take Arms against the King, upon any Pretence whatsoever; we intent no new or strange Thing, bu● the rightful Maintenance only of the King's Authority against Rebellion, 
Our Reasons for these Interpretations, appear in our Arguments before, against the Oxford-Oath, and this Subscription; which we can by no means submit to, without them. There is moreover this Clause [And I will conform to the Liturgy of the Church, as it is now by Law Established] we desire may be spared; because upon our Declaration before of Assent and Consent, (which must be the Bounds of our Sense thereof) it is needless altogether, and can serve but for a Snare only to men's Consciences.  according to the common Determination of Learned Writers, in the Case of Subjection to Princes. By the Words, I abhor the Position of taking Arm● by the Authority of the King, against any Commissionated by him, we never thought of Advancing the Arbitrary Commissions of the King, above Law; but by those Commissionated by him, we understand such as are Legally Commissionated, and in the Legal Pursuit of such Commissions. By the Clause which follows, that requires a Renunciation of all Endeavour of any Alteration of Government in the Church or State, we never meant to deny any Freeborn Subject his Right, of Choosing Parliament-Men, or Acting in his Place for the Common Good any way, according to Law; but that he shall Renounce all such Endeavour, as is Seditious, or not warranted by the Constitution of the Nation; and particularly, such an Endeavour as was Assumed in the late ●mes, without, and against the Consent of the King. And 〈◊〉 the rest of the Subscription, which is enjoined but to the ●ar 1682, Be it enacted, that it cease presently, and be 〈◊〉 longer enjoined.  
And forasmuch as there is an Oath prescribed and re●●red of all Nonconformist Preachers, that Reside in any ●rporate-Town, by a certain Act of this Parliament, made 〈◊〉 Oxford in the 17th. Year of His now Majesty's Reign, En●●led, An Act for restraining Non-conformists, from inha●ng Corporations: We do further declare, That it shall suf●any Man, for the Enjoyment of his Freeborn Liberty, of habiting where he thinks best; 〈◊〉 serve him also instead of the ●e-mentioned Subscription; 
This Oath is of the same Contents with the Subscription before; and to impose both, is nothing else but the multiplying Wrath, and laying Load on the already Laden.  to ●e that Oath in this Form of ●ords following. I A. B. do ●●r, That I hold it unlawful up●ny Pretence, to take Arms a●st the King, his Government or Laws: And that I disclaim 〈◊〉 dangerous Position, of taking Arms by his Authority, against 〈◊〉 Person, or any Legally Commissionated by him, in the Legal suit of such Commissions: And that I will not Endeavour Alteration of Government in the Church or State, in any way ●anner, not warranted by the Constitution of the Kingdom, ●y otherwise than by Act of Parliament. And as soon as 〈◊〉 Man hath taken the Oath thus, he shall be discharged ●ll Penalty for his Omission before.  
We do declare moreover, That whereas it is required al●● the Act of Uniformity, that every Minister who enjoys Living, or Ecclesiastical Preferment, shall be Ordained 〈◊〉 Bishop; and there are several Persons of late, who in 〈◊〉 of Necessity, for want of Bishops, took Presbyterian●ers: Our Meaning is not in any wise to disgust the Re●ed-Churches beyond the Seas, and make it necessary for such to be Re-ordained to the Office; but that they receive this Second Imposition 〈◊〉 Hands, 
There is Reordinatio ad Officium, which (we say) is generally decried by Divines: or Reordinatio ad Exercitium particular, which may be irrefragably proved from Acts 13.2, 3. with Acts 14.26. and consequently allowed to serve this Occasion.  to the Exercise of the●● Office in the new Charge, un●● which they are, or shall be ca●led; and that the Bishop sh●● frame his Words accordingly.  
And whereas there is a S●scription also in the Canons, a● the Canonical-Oath of Obedience, imposed on most Minister by the Bishops, that have given some of the greatest Occasion to Nonconformity here●●fore; 
If the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance be taken, and the Articles of the Church subscribed, and the Declaration before to the Common-Prayer, made; we see no need of boiling over these Three Things again for us, in the Canons, unless it be for a Cram Repetita, on purpose to Kill us. Neither do we think the putting any Honest Men who fear God, out of the Vineyard, to be so good a Thing for her, that our Wise Church of England should use so much Care and Industry as She takes, that She may not miss to do it.  which yet never passed to Law by any Act of Par●ment: We do further declare That nothing more of that k●● shall be required of Minist●● henceforward, then was ma●● and held necessary, by the Ac● the Thirteenth of Elizabeth.  
And in regard there hath b● great Offence taken by Contentious Ministers, at the Bishop (or their Courts) command●● them to read the Sentence 〈◊〉 Excommunication against some or other of their Parish, for●● Faults as they think not at all worthy of so great a Censu● We declare it but a just Thi●● that every Minister be first satisfyed in the Cause, 
As we think, there is no Elder in the New-Testament, who is not a Pastor, and that there is no Lay-Pastor; so do we account, that there is no Pastor or Presbyter, but such as have the Power both to Rule and Teach, committed to them by Christ: Yet do we for all that, prehe●●d it not only Lawful, but Expedient, for the ordinary Ministers of o●● rochial-Congregations, (when the Church is National) to commit part of Charge, (to wit, that of Ruling) in Actu Secundo, to some few among who are more Eminently fitted for the Work, (that is, the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) and consequently to the Bishop: So that, if this Fundamental Right of Governing their own Flocks, be but acknowledged to Reside in every Presbyter, by granting so much to us as this (and what hath preceded) comes to, we shall be unwilling to fall off from Episcopacy, upon the Points of Ordination and Jurisdiction.  or else exempted from the Execu● of that Charge; and that the Bishop (or his Court) provide some other Person, that is satisfied about it, to do it.  
And to the intent, that a free Search after Truth may not be discouraged in the Pursuit of Concord, and many other Scruples avoided upon that Account: We declare, That though an Authentic Interpretation be required, as to the Substance of all Laws, yet in the Articles of the Church, (which are Theses for Agreement, and not Laws) and the Homilies, a Doctrinal Interpretation shall be held sufficient for an Assent or Subscription to them. 
The Authentic Interpretation of an Article, is the Meaning of the Major Part of the Convocation: A Doctrinal Interpretation, is the Meaning of any one of the Doctors there present, (and consequently, of any other Learned Expositor) who are supposed to have the Liberty to abound in their own Sense, so long as they can agree in the Words of the Article Established. And this Clause therefore we put in upon Mature Consideration, in regard more especially to the Conscientious Latitudinarians, (which is a Name abused) who being some Arminian, and some Calvinian, cannot otherwise Subscribe the Doctrine of the same Theses; as the Reader may see more in such another Book as this, called The Healing Paper, out of which this Bill for Unions. newly Collected.   
And because the very Superintendency of Bishops, and that Subjection to them which is required by the Constitution of the Realm, is or may be an Hindrance to many sober Ministers, and other Protestants, of coming into the Church, who are ready to consent to the Doctrine, but not to the Discipline or Government of it: We do declare, That so long as any Person or Party do acknowledge the King's Supremacy, as Head of the Church in this Nation, and obey their Ordinary, or the Bishops, 
That is, Although there be some that cannot acknowledge our Diocesan Prelates to be Christ's Officers, distinct from the Elders in Scripture: Yet so long as they can live Peaceable Lives, in Obedience to them, as Ecclesiastical Magistrates under His Majesty, for the keeping the several Congregations, in their Precincts, to that Gospel-Order, which themselves allow, and for super-vising their Constitutions in Things indifferent, that nothing be done, but in Subordination to the Peace of the Kingdom, (which is a Notion wherein the Judicious of every Party may acquiesce, and expressed by us therefore in these very Words before, p. 31.) it is sufficient unto National-Church-Vnion.  in Licitis & Honestis, upon the Account of his Authority (committed to them for the Exercise of that External Regiment Circa Sacra which is granted by all our Divines, to the Higher Powers in every Nation), it is enough for the owning Episcopal Jurisdiction (so far as they do own it, in the Declaration of Assent and Consent, or in any other Part of Conformity), and shall serve them to all Intents and Purposes in Law, no less than a professed Belief and Acknowledgement of the immediate Divine Right of it.  
Be it therefore Enacted by this Present Parliament, That if any Person be willing to Conform to the Present Establishment of the Church of England, and her Service appointed according to these Explanations, Alleviations, Declarations, Lenitives, or Cautions, he shall be admitted to any Ecclesiastical Preferment, and enjoy the use of his Ministry without any Molestation: All Statutes, Canons, or Laws to the contrary notwithstanding.  
And for the making this Act of better Signification to the Concerned, and the Prevention of that Scandal which is raised on the Clergy, through the Covetousness of some, in heaping up to themselves all the Preferments they can get, when others have scarce Subsistance for their Families, and the Souls of many People are thereby neglected: Be it farther Enacted, That no Clergyman for the Three next Years ensuing, be suffered to Enjoy and more than one Living, or Cure of Souls, 
We propose these Things, we confess, as we were in Republica Platonis; but should be glad to see any Fruits of this kind, as those who are in Faece Romuli may expect. What is Right and Just, and aught to be done, is one thing, and to be sought; though what is like to be done, or will be done, is another.  and one Dignity, (or other Ecclesiastical Preferment) at one Time; and that every Man (without Exception) that hath more than One of Either, shall immediately give up the Rest to be distributed among those who shall be brought off from their Nonconformity, upon the Terms of this Act into the Established Order. Which that they may also be obtained, and possessed with a clean Conscience, and that grievous Corruption of Simony may be Extirpate out of the Land: Be it Enacted moreover, That very Patron that shall henceforward present his Clerk to my Living, shall have the Oath called The Simoniacal Oath, imposed on himself, no less than on the Incumbent: And ●f he Refuses to take it, that then the Bishop shall have immediate Power (taking only the same Oath) of Presenta●on in his Room.  
And forasmuch, as there are some Ministers of a good ●ife, that cannot (according to their Judgements) allow of our parochial Churches, nor a Book of Liturgy; but do choose to Worship God, and Jesus Christ, in the way of their Gathered or ●eparate Congregations; and crave the Protection and Clemency of the King, upon their allegiance, as other Subjects: 
There are two Parts of this Bill; One for Concord or Coalition with all such as can join in Parochial Communion, in the Clauses before: The Other for Forbearance of those that cannot, in this last Clause. For, What shall we do with such? We must not Knock them on the Head: They must therefore have Time. If the Parliament will begin with the Last first, that is, a Suspension of the Penal Statutes, and then let us treat for a Composition after, we consent with all our Hearts, and like the Method best. Then Abner called unto Joab, and said, Shall the Sword devour for ever! Knowest thou not, that it will be Bitterness in the latter End! How long shall it be, ere thou bid the People return from following of their Brethren.  ●e it finally Enacted, for the ●appiness & Quiet of the Realm, ●nd the Reduction of these Men 〈◊〉 other means than those which have hitherto proved ●nsuccessful, That every Chri●●an Subject throughout the and, that profess the Reform●● Religion, and be not Convict Popery, be pardoned all Faults ●●d Penalties, incurred upon the Account of any Forepassed N●● conformity; and that they sh●● not, 
* Until by a farther Act of Parliament, or a Convocation, those that are 〈◊〉 be Tolerated, and the Intolerable, be distinguished.  during these Seven Ye● next ensuing, be prosecuted on any Penal Law for their Consciences, in the Matter of Religion; They carrying themselves Innocently and Peaceably, with Submission to the ●●vil, and without Disturbance to the Ecclesiastical Government, now settled in the Nation: All Statutes or Canons the contrary notwithstanding.  

In short,  
A Repeal of all our Laws about Conformity unto the r●● of Elizabeth, or, A New Act of Uniformity, or, 〈◊〉 King's Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs at first Coming-in, turned into a Law, were Comprehension  
His latter Declaration to all his Loving Subjects (s● few Things in Both yet a little considered) made so, w● Indulgence.  
A Bill for Comprehension with Indulgence, both together will do our Business. An Addition, or Clause in it, aga●● Pluralities, will do it with Supererogation.   
Deo Gloria.   

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THis Bill (as appears by the Margin) is one Sheet of (or ) Entitled, Materials for Union; fresh out, and humbly Presented to the Consideration of P●● 〈…〉 London.