COMPLAINTS CONCERNING CORRUPTIONS AND GRIEVANCES in CHURCH-Government.  
Dedicated and Directed to the KING'S most excellent MAjESTY, The Right Honourable LORDS; and the Honourable HOUSE of COMMONS, now assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
By certain peaceably affected PRESBYTERS, of the CHURCH of ENGLAND; in the name of all the rest of their BRETHREN.  
Undertaking to maintain the truth of their Assertions, against whatsoever Contradictors, if by public Edict of Supreme Authority they be called forth, granting them as safe and free Audience as their Adversaries and Judges, not preingaged, or preresolved for either side.  
Printed in the Year 1660.   

COMPLAINTS CONCERNING CORRUPTIONS and GRIEVANCES in CHURCH-Government.  
IT is the Misery of Pious Undertake, especially in Matters of weight, that by reason of humane frailty, they cannot be perfected at once, but by degrees, and after much time: whence it cometh to pass, that they are often given over, or by intervening Opposition forced to abortion, and imperfect Issue. Such was the case of that great Reformation begun with us, as in the days of those Renowned Princes, King EDWARD, and Queen ELIZABETH, and till this day, remaining unaccomplished.  
Those now Blessed Martyrs, and Holy Confessors, who were under those Pious Princes, the first Reformers of our Church, found things by that Papal Apostasy so much corrupted and disjointed, that being unable at once to cope with all the diseases of the Church, they did, as wise Physicians, set themselves first against the most deadly, deferring the rest till afterwards.  
Hence by suffering and Preaching they mightily pulled down the Babylon of Popish Doctrine, and something too they did in matter of Government and Discipline. But because the vitals of the Church consist in Doctrinal Verities, therefore their chief bent of endeavour was for a Reformation in them, which in their time with great success they effected; leaving the reducing of Government and Discipline to its Primitive Integrity; as a work to be done by Posterity.  
But, alas, as usually it falls out, the Bellows of Persecution ceasing, the fire of Zeal soon began to abate, so that, after the first heat and impetus of Reformation (as if they which had but begun, had at one essay done more than enough) the business went on no further even till this day; Nay, (as some Edifice given over before it be covered) it hath since rather decayed and fallen back again. Such power hath pomp and ease to blunt that edge of sacred Inventions, and quench the Spirit of Reformation.  
As maladies not perfectly cured, return, or turn to some other Diseases, so was it with this imperfect Reformation; Doctrinal Points being reduced, but matter of Discipline left in its former state, almost untouched: hence arose amongst us, even from the cradle of our Reformed Church, Three several Opinions, which have continued even till this time: whose discord nourished by opposition of hot spirits, hath increased till now they are come to that extremity, that the life and being of this sacred Body, is even endangered thereby.  
One side cries down Episcopacy for Antichristian; and all the dependent Government, Canons, Ceremonies, and Liturgy, for remainders of Popery, abominable, and to be departed from. The other Extreme cries it up for sacred, of Divine, Apostolic institution; and it's dependent Policy, for the most absolute, to which all aught to be brought, as to a Rule of Perfection: censuring other Churches which have it not, either as none, or else imperfect, wanting a main part of their béne esse.  
In the midst of these two, are a Remnant of sad Looker's on, which have mourned in secret, suffered with patience, prayed for peace, and preached it, and Sanctification to the people; while those other two, one by separating, the other by persecuting, and both by froward disputing have screwed up their Differences to an intolerable, irreconcilable height. Both these sacrificing to their own conceits, account all which are not with them, to be against them.  
But especially, that Episcopal Faction (for distinctions sake give us leave so to call it:) which by the indulgence of gracious Princes growing powerful, have laboured an extirpation of all which will not think, say, and swear to their Opinions. Hence of late have all been involved, as of the opposite Faction, which are not of theirs; and no place left for a moderate neutrality. New Ceremonies, Tasks, Canons, Oaths have been invented, as nets and sives to try out all, as bad fish, or chaff, which have but disliked the remaining corruptions and defects, which the first plunge of Reformation did not redress. No tolerating now of any thing as a burden; much less silent disliking of what we could in secret grieve for, but not amend: but approve all, swear to all we must, or else be thrust out, as Schismatical Puritans, and excrementitious burdens of the Church.  
On this enforcement, We (a part of a Multitude of laborious Presbyters of the Church, in the name of all the rest) do now Complain: because in this height of all devouring Faction, our patiented silence will no longer privilege us from extirpation.  
And sigh into our hands God hath put so blessed an opportunity, as to speak to the whole Kingdom, Head and Members at once, in one body conjoined, and intent about a work of Reformation. We be humbly bold and plain to lay open our Grievances, hoping that the set time is come for the quenching of these coals of Dissension, which have not only lived, but increased for so many years in the Church; by completing of that Reformation, which in the main vital Points was long since effected: and in the rest, (we hope, and pray) after more than an age of interruption, is reserved as your Crown and Glory to be perfected.  
Experience hath e'er this time taught us the woeful Effects of an half done work: the upshot of our Jars now declares that scrupulous urging of rituals, cannot stand with the welfare of a Church. Those Convulsions, and renting Pains the body now feels, show us that the humours were not at first fully purged: God will have a through work done. If instead of redressing that which remains, you think to transact all these differences by removing of Persons, and not Things, well you may hush our Troubles for a season, but they will return again with a greater violence.  
Now is that power actuated, which alone can bring to pass this great work. And if the Lord take pleasure in this his poor Church, he will give the effect, that it may be performed.  
If men would rest in the sole Authority of the Scriptures, most Controversies both about Points of Faith and Forms of Government would find an easy resolution. And if besides God's Word, we bring in men's Authority, we draw out the thread of contention into endless Disputes: men's faces differ not more in feature then their minds do in Opinion: and each will dote on, and propugn his own conceits: their judgements descent one from another, and oft from themselves.  
Let the divinely inspired Writings then be our guide in this point of Church-Government: what is there constituted must be held inviolable: what is a deviation from that, must be accounted Apostasy and Corruption, as well in Discipline as in Doctrine: no Plea of Antiquity or Universality, can privilege it from that imputation; what is not therein appointed, must at most be held but as conducent, not necessary; No though it be proved to be received into the Churches, in the age immediately succeeding the Apostles: all after them were but of a private spirit. And it is apparent, that Ambition and Corruptions grew up as soon in the Government of the Church, as Errors in the Doctrine thereof.  
Suffer us therefore with your wont Patience and Lenity, which are men preingaged to no side or Faction, but the free humble and meek Servants of Truth, to declare our minds concerning the First and Purest Form of the Church's Government; and then (as Veritas est mensura sui & obliqui) from that light to discover the heavy Grievances which at this day remain unremoved in our National Church.  
1. It is a perpetual Ordinance of Christ, That there should be Pastors and Teachers in the Church, for the Administration of the Word, Sacraments, and spiritual Discipline.  
2. That there should be a Society of these Pastors or Presbyters in every particular Church, is an Apostolic Appointment; who have also exactly prescribed what manner of men they ought to be.  
3. That this Company of Elders should have the Charge of the Church, in which they are constituted: and the power of Feeding, Censuring, and ordering the Flock committed to them: as also of ordering Elders and Officers in the Church: The work of Preaching and sacramental Administration to be done by any one of them: But that of Jurisdiction and Ordination by the society, as a common Act, not compatible to any one in particular.  
4. Among these, and in all their Acts, there ought to be Decency, Order, the Bond of Peace, Humility, Meekness, and an aim, that the spirit of the most scandalous Offender, or stubbornest Opposer may be brought to Repentance, and saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  
5. That the Bounds and extent of every particular Church ought to be a Town, and so much of the adjacent Teritory and Villages, as such a Presbytery can well by themselves watch over, and take a spiritual care of.  
6. That the Society, especially those of them which labour in the Word and Doctrine, may challenge from the People, whom they take spiritual care of, double honour, and liberal suitable Maintenance, to the calling they execute.  
7. That every one who is consecrate to this Presbytery or Office must wait on it, be instant in it; and therefore reside within the confines of that Church, where he hath such charge, or there where he may by himself on all occasions attend on it.  
8. That in cases of strife and difficulty in any Church, recourse must be had to the Meeting of the most able Presbyters of the Church for their determinations: and every one ought to subject his Spirit to the Spirits of such Prophets, yielding to the Customs of the Churches of God: provided they cross not the All-commanding evidence of God's immutable Word, either directly, or by due consequence.  
These are Rules in the Gospel, either directly constituted, or evidently deduced out of express Constitution; or practice so solemn and universal, that it hath in it the reason and virtue of a Constitution: so that every addition which thwarteth or hindereth the due execution of these, must needs be accounted a Degeneration from original Purity of Government; and a corruption in sacred Polity, have it never so much Antiquity, or weight of humane Authority to plead for it, and give countenance to it.  
One thing more there is, which on probable ground seemeth to be taken up by the practice of some Churches in the latter end of the Apostolic Age, some of them yet living; and that is the prostacy or Presidence of one of these Pastors, Bishops, or Presbyters above the rest. But it cannot possibly with any colour of consequence be proved to be Authoritative: being only for Order and Unity, that all their common Acts should have a beginning from One: as if many Deacons should appoint an Archdeacon; or many Bishops an Archbishop, in common Acts to be the Mouth and Hand of the Society.  
And this preeminence of One (if the utmost of dark probability be granted) appeareth to be but the mere practice of some particular Churches; so that it cannot have the universal binding force of a Law from that ground, much less of an Apostolic Constitution, or Divine Right.  
Now are we descended from the First Age; and so what ever follows can be but of humane and alterable Constitution. Very soon these Precedents of the Presbyters, either assumed, or by their Compresbyters had conferred on them authority and jurisdiction; and by way of propriety the name of Bishop: so that where before it was the Presbytery, now it was the Bishop and his Presbyters.  
But obseure: 1. That his Diocese, Parish, or Church was no larger than He and his Presbyters could well Oversee and govern. 2. That this Bishop had the Burden, as well as the Dignity and Chiefty passed over to him, for He was the ordinary Preacher of that Church: the Presbyters for the most part assisting in matter of Discipline and Sacramental Administration. 3. That He did nothing of weight by himself, but with the concurring Authority, and Consent of His Presbytery.  
Beyond this we will not proceed: For these Bishops, now gotten above their Brethren, and making up the main body of the Counsels, in which all Decrees were enacted, knew how to make the distance 'twixt themselves and their once Compresbyters greater and greater, by lifting up themselves, and depressing those, who now of Associates were become Servants and Vassals to Episcopal principality.  
But whatever came to pass in after Ages, it was but by the hand of Man established, and the like hand may abolish it: reduced all must be to the former Scripture and Apostolic Rules. If Accessories deviate from them, they are Apostasies, which must be reduced, if there be a through Reformation. How can their maintenance be justified in a Church which hath professed to make the Scriptures her Rule, and to reject all which is exalted against its Divine and absolute Sovereignty?  
Proofs we have not annexed to the former asserted Truths, to avoid overbold prolixity in a Supplication of this nature: as also because the most of them are obvious to every Man's Collection which is exercised in God's Book. But if any of them shall be opposed: being called to it by Authority, and having the Freedom of indifferent, not preingaged Judges, we will by God's Grace with all meekness make good what is here asserted against all contradiction of Gainsayers.  
Now will we proceed to an Enumeration of those Obliquities and Corruptions in our Church Government, which call to your Supreme Power to be rectified. And we protest before the All-knowing God, that We do it not out of envy of any man's Greatness, or Ambitious Affectation to be meddling in State Affairs, things too high for us; but from the powerful command of Conscience; from unfeigned love to the Gospel of Christ, whose Efficacy is much impeached by the following Corruptions; and from filial Commiseration of our wounded and torn Mother: Whose Breaches we verily apprehend cannot be made up, but by reducing of her Discipline to a pure Concordance with those Original Divine Prescriptions.  
We complain then,  
1. That the Power of Jurisdiction and Ordination is claimed and exercised by Bishops, as their sole Right, in a distinction from Presbyters. This we affirm to be an Exorbitance from the second of those right; original, and Apostolic Ordinances for Church Government. And as it is a departure from the Rule: so it is a main corruption of evil consequence in the Church: For it is First, an Usurpation and undue appropriation of a Legacy which Christ bestowed in Common, to reside in the Consessus, or whole Presbytery and to be exercised by their common suffrage. It not being in the Presbyters power to strip themselves, and cast on man that which was bestowed, and by the Donor intended to the whole Community of their Society. Secondly, a severing of the Word and the Keys, which cannot without detriment to either be sundered. To Feed and Rule are the two parts of Pastorship: where both are, there is a Pastor: So that, with us, while it is Ones work to govern, which seldom Feedeth: and the work of the rest to Feed, which must not meddle with Government, there is no full Pastor: But the Office is destroyed by being divided; and the Word in the mouths of a disarmed Presbytery is weak, edglesse, and contemptible. Thirdly, The ordaining of a Number of Presbyters at large: whereby the Church is filled with needy Ministers, lose from any settled employment, fit at low rates to be hired by fat Pluralists, non-resident, and Lazy Voluptuaries; which else would be to seek of Mercenary supplies, or be driven in a penury to give higher Wages. But hereby the Sacred Office is exposed to Contempt; and the Ordination to the Office and Institution into a Charge, are made several Acts; A Divorce unheard of in that Primitive Policy: Which gross Abuse could not be, if Ordination were the common on Act of the whole Presbytery of a Church. Fourthly, intromission to the Oversight of Congregations of Men Simoniacal, scandalous, and unapt to teach; which can easily steal into Office, by the connivance or corruption of One; but if the Power were in a Multitude, it could not soon be effected.  
2. The excessive Provincial extent of Diocesan Churches, is an evident departure not only from the fift of those pure original Constitutions; but also from the manner of after Ages, till Bishops in their Synods provided better for their own Greatness, than the Church's welfare. Then they degraded the Chorepiscopi; and made Orders that Bishops should be placed only in the greater and more frequented Cities. This is as a departure from the first pure manner; so much for the worse; for hence arise these Grievances: Neglect of Reformation, both in disordered Ministers and people: Remoteness of the Bishop's Seat: Expenses of Travailing; Difficulty of proving, and tedious Expectation of the Issue of Suits, where crimes must be tried before Judges, who are mere strangers to the Persons and causes coming before them, deter almost all men from so troublesome an undertaking: And thus the Churches are pestered with infamous Offenders: which could not be, if the bounds of a Church were so appointed, that all its members might be under the eye of the Governors. 2. Deputation of Authority and Jurisdiction to others; a most gross degeneration from that Primitive Discipline; which never heard of such a thing as the deputing of any part of Pastoral Office: which is committed to Men for their Personal Abilities; and cannot without abuse be committed to those who are oft Lay men, and neither of Pastoral parts or Calling. Hence that numerous fry and subordination of Officers, with the multitude of Fees, which must needs be, where the Churches are whole Countries; so large, that it is impossible that one Pastor should dispatch all by himself.  
3. The Nonresidence of men having Pastoral Charge is a gross violation of the seventh of those Apostolic constitutions; and is an unexcusable corruption, unfit to be tolerated in any well governed Church.  
4. A Plurality of Pastoral Charges undertaken by one Man, is also a gross Exorbitancy, brought in with the former, after Church Government was at the worst. Two Evils, which are the shame of our Church, not fit to be named in a Reformed Church, brought in, and continued merely to nourish Ambition, Pomp, Voluptuousness, and Avarice in Clergymen. These two usually go together, this last necessitating the former; and are seminary Evils. First, inducing a necessity of deputing Pastoral Charge, which every one before God undertakes to perform in his own Person. Secondly, Church Robbery, by transporting the sacred Allowance, paid and intended for the maintennace of a vigilant painful Pastor over the souls of the People, which afford it to another Place and Person, which hath only the Title and Charge, but doth not the work of a Pastor. 3. Thirdly, Impiety in placing a Mercenary unable for the Charge; or Injustice, if He substitute one able and fully discharging the Office, allowing him the least part of that maintenance which was originally intended (and in no other Plea can be challenged of the People) for performing the Office.  
5. Imposing, and rigorous urging on great, undoing, extirpating Penalties, ceremonies. Tasks, and Oaths, merely ad placitum, and for their own ends; contrary to the Fourth of those prime Scripture Canons, whereby Christian liberty in Indifferents is much impaired. Many worthy Men of great abilities, pains, and success of Ministry in their Charges, but of tender and strict consciences, have been thrust out; Schisms and Dissensions in the bowels of the Church, for the space now of more than fourscore years nourished, to the prejudice of our Ecclesiastical Peace; which we apprehend can never be fully attained, till Liberty of conscience in Indifferencies, and points of small consequence, but great controversy be granted. If Severity of censures, and force could have brought forth Unity, it had in this time been effected. This Remedy hath been long applied, and yet sad Experience now tells us, that the Disease hath grown worse and worse.  
6. The carriage and constitution of our Convocations or (if they may be so called) our National Synods, is such, that it is impossible to proceed to a Reformation in any of these Ecclesiastical distortions, by that way: What are they for the main, but Meetings of the one Party, consisting of Bishops, Deans, Arch-Deacons, and other Dependers on Episcopacy, and preingaged Persons? So that there is as little hope for us of Reformation in points of Government, from them, as was for the Protestants side, of a fair decision of their controversies in the Council of Trent, where Parties are Judges, the Sentence is passed, before the cause is heard.  
We have done. Would to God we could make the Church's maladies, and our Grievances fewer: So far are we from making them odious, by raising them to a multitude. These Six we conceive to be the Capital and Seminary evils: Others of inferior allay we omit, because they mostly flow from these, and the Principal being removed, the Accessaries will also fall.  
Oh that there were a way to cure Ulcers, and not first to unrip them, and lay them open? We protest before the Searcher of all hearts, that nothing but our Zeal to the Truth, and our Mother's welfare, could have moved us out of a Resolution of silence, and brought us to stand up thus as Plaintiffs.  
Far be it from any charitably minded Christian, whose eye shall be cast on these papers, to pass on us any hard censure of Heresy, Schism, or Factious inclination.  
We call not all Episcopacy Anti-christian, nor condemn their Superiority, as simply unlawful, as did that old Aërius. Though we must needs say, what every Godly Antiquary cannot but see, that it was a fair occasion for that Mystery of iniquity to work on; a fitly raised ground on which to build that fabric of Confusion, the Papacy. That man of sin, soon learned to exalt himself above Bishops; from their elevation above their once fellow Presbyters. How justly were they made Vassals to the Pope, who had first made the Presbyters of the Churches theirs?  
Neither do we erigere Altare contra Altar, dissolve the Church's Unity, and leave her Communion for these Corruptions. When we call for a Cure, we affirm that there is life, and hope of Recovery. It is an Argument that our charity remains; and therefore we cannot be charged as Novations, and Separatists.  
A turbulent dissempered Zeal, cannot be imputed to them whose aim is Peace, whose dear esteem of Unity is such, that they could redeem it with their blood: And who all this time have born these burdens, now complained of, with a silent patience, and had still continued under an humble submission, and yielding conformity, if that would have given content, as till these times it had done: But when things grew to that extremity, that we must not only bear, but allow, and swear Vassalage, to that which we cannot but call Corruptions, and deflections in Government, from Apostolic Purity: It was high time to complain, and to cry out for a removal of Evils, which we must approve, or not be.  
Political Defects and Distempers can have no Redress, but from that Power, which is Supreme: Unto that therefore, with all prostrate Humility we present our earnest Request, that these Evils, being discovered, may be removed.  
We are poor Men, of low condition, whose measure is not to rule, but to submit. We prescribe not Forms of Government: We disclaim not Episcopacy, Government must be, or ruin will be in all Societies. If we must obey, as good a Bishop with a Presbytery, as a Presbytery without a Bishop. All we sue for is, That Christ may Rule without impeachment, in his own House. That those General forealledged Constitutions, which he and his Apostles settled in the Churches of their first gathering, may be observed inviolable.  
Humane Ordinances should further, not make void, or hinder Divine. Let your Authority retain in Government, or establish what it seemeth convenient, so it concord with, or at least, do not enervate those sacred Rules. Whatever is against them, or so besides them, that it any whit stands in their way, must be removed, or we shall never see true peace: that Peace which kisseth Righteousness, which is the firm Band of Spiritual unity.  
Restless pains, and inordinate Action, must needs be the consequent of Luxations: when the members are out of their due places, some higher set, some lower, than they should be: Innovation it must needs be termed, and defection, be the Authors never so many, Ancient, or Holy, where their additionals swerve from, and oppose the use, and intention of Original Constitutions.  
A Redressement of this, is the substance of our Lowly Petition; we presume not to define the manner how, but we beseech, that it may be, and fully; so that matter be not left for a third Convulsion; and solidly, that Corruptions spring not again, out of any remaining Principles. So shall the Souls of all those who love the Lord JESUS in sincerity, and prefer his Truth, beyond Self-Respects, both in present, and future Ages, renown your Names, as of those who have done worthily: However we have discharged our Duty; and let the LORD find means, and time, to root out whatever he hath not planted.  
FINIS.