CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS AND CAUTIONS Agreed upon by the Ministers of London, Westminster, and within the Lines of Communication, June 19 1646.  
According to which they resolve to put the Presbyterial Government in execution, upon the Ordinances of PARLIAMENT heretofore published.  
Published by Authority.  
LONDON, Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Ralph Smith at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill. 1646.   

Certain Considerations and Cautions agreed upon by the Ministers of London, Westminster, and within the Lines of Communication, June 19 1646. according to which they resolve to put the Presbyterial Government in execution, upon the Ordinances of PARLIAMENT heretofore published.  
WE Ministers of Christ, residing within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Lines of Communication, having seen and read an Order of the Honourable House of COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT, bearing date June 9 1646. Requiring and Enjoining all the Ministers of the Province of London forthwith to put in execution the Ordinances concerning Church Government, Hold it requisite humbly and faithfully as in the sight of God to show our judgements and resolutions about this weighty matter, for the clearing of our Integrities, and preserving our Consciences void of offence both towards God and towards man.  
We have seriously pondered the present state of things; and find ourselves, whether we act as is required, or act not, to be in a very great straight. On the one hand, Prelacy, being justly pulled down, and the Church miserably groaning under Disorder & Confusion, many things cry aloud upon us in our places to put Church Government into actual execution; The Glory of God, the edification of his Church, the Duty of our Function, the Engagement of our solemn Covenant with God, the command of the Civil Magistrate (which so far as we can with a good Conscience, we are resolved and hold it our Duty to obey,) and the present unspeakable miseries of the Church by woeful Divisions, Blasphemies, Heresies, abominable looseness, Libertinism, and Atheism, and the spiritual Ruin of many Congregations through false Teachers, or want of faithful Pastors for lack of Ordination. On the other hand, upon consideration of all the Ordinances of PARLIAMENT about Church Government, we find many necessary things not yet established, and some things wherein our Consciences are not so fully satisfied: And therefore in our beginning to act, we cannot but foresee, how likely we are to be sinisterly interpreted by many, who are prone to misconstrue all our actions of this nature. We thereupon hold it necessary to express upon what Grounds we may proceed, to act upon the Ordinances already established by Authority.  
Although we conceive the power of Church censures, and in particular the keeping off Ignorant and Scandalous persons from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, to be in Church Officers by the Will and Apointment of Jesus Christ, and from him they receive their Office and Authority: Yet we acknowledge, it belongs to the Magistrate to have his Conscience satisfied in the truth of that Government of the Church which he will set up by his Authority, from whom the Church Officers do receive Authority of the public exercise of their Offices in his Dominions. And in case the Magistrate be not so fully informed, as to set up a right and perfect Rule in every particular, the Church officers may yet act under that Rule; Provided, that they do not subscribe to, or otherwise acknowledge that Rule to be entire and right in all points.  
And therefore for these particular Ordinances, although we humbly conceive that they do not hold forth a complete Rule, nor are in all points satisfactory to our Consciences: Yet because we find many things established in them, agreeable to the Word of God (for which we desire hearty to bless God; and to be thankful to the Honourable Houses,) Provision being made for enabling the Elderships by their Authority, to keep away from the Lords Supper all Ignorant persons, and many Scandalous persons, with a Declaration of their Resolution, that all Notorious and Scandalous Offenders shall be kept from the Sacrament, and that there shall be a further addition to the Scandalous offences formerly enumerated; We conceive it is our duty to begin to act in reference to Church Government by congregational, Classical, Provincial, and Nationall Assemblies; Resolving by the Grace of God to walk in all things according to the Rule of the Word, and according to these Ordinances so far as we conceive them correspondent to it; and to be accountable to the Magistrate whensoever he shall call us thereunto; Hoping so to carry ourselves, as not only to enjoy his concurrence with us on all occasions; but also that he will supply what is lacking to make the Government entire, and likewise make alterations in all things that shall appear to be amiss. And in thus doing, we trust we shall not grieve the spirits of the truly godly either at home or abroad; nor give any just occasion to them that are contrary minded, to blame our proceed.   
FINIS.