A MEMORIAL CONCERNING PEACE ECCLESIASTICAL AMONGST PROTESTANTS.  
By JOHN DURY.  
LONDON, Printed for W. Hope at the sign of the Unicorn in Cornhill, Anno 1641.   

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY: OR TO His Majesty's COMMISSIONER. And To His Reverend and loving Brethren in Christ, the PASTORS and ELDERS of the Kirk of Scotland, met together at their general Assembly appointed to be held at Saint Andrew's in July, Anno 1641. The humble and earnest suit of JOHN DURY Minister of the Gospel of God,  
Reverently and humbly showeth,  
THat seeing for the space of these ten years bypast, your Petitioner, as without all prejudice and partiality against any Protestant Church or person; so with all favourable permission, good liking, approbation, and encouragements from chief men of all sides, whom in a Civil or Ecclesiastical way it doth concern, hath solicited the work of reconcilement amongst Protestants: wherein he is gone so fare, as in a private Theological way of Treaty may be proceeded with foreign Churches, to prepare their minds unto further resolutions in due time. And now finding, by God's good Providence, an opportunity of public meetings, both here in England, where his solicitation is laid to heart; and also in his native Country and Church, where hopefully his purpose may be in like manner promoted by public approbation and counsel of the godly, wise, and learned Ministry:  
Therefore he thinketh it a part of his duty to defer his humble respect unto your Reverend Assembly, entreating for the love of the Spirit, and by the Communion of Saints, that in the fear of God, so good an endeavour, though meanly hitherto countenanced, may not be slighted; but that the scope and prosecution thereof may be taken up without prejudice, according to the true meaning thereof, which is laid open in the printed English Relation, and Latin Information herewith offered unto you: And that the writ given to M. Alex. Henderson, containing a draught of the particular means and manner of proceeding, wherein the way of your sued for concurrence is specified, may be taken seriously to heart, and some Declaration of Christian advice, and answer thereupon returned, which may conduce, and help to advance the glory of God through the unblameable and peaceable profession of the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst Protestants: And I your Petitioner, as in duty bound, shall pray daily for your eternal and temporal felicity, and his Majesty's long life, in a peaceable and prosperous Government over you, and all his Kingdoms.   

A MEMORIAL Concerning PEACE ECCLESIASTICAL amongst Protestants: Which JOHN DURY offereth to Master ALEXANDER HENDERSON, to be sent or presented unto the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.  
Worthy Sir, and loving Brother in Jesus Christ,  
MY earnest desire is, that this well meant, and (as I conceive) very warrantable Negotiation of mine, may not be mistaken by any, and chiefly by you in Scotland, to whom I own reverence in the Church of God.  
For, As I was not drawn to this work by any man upon any private considerations; so I have never served any man's end, nor sought myself in it, but only God, and the manifestation of his Truth. This he that searcheth the hearts of all men knoweth to have been, and still to be mine only true and constant aim. Nor do I presume to interpose, and cast myself up as a Judge, and Arbitrator of the differences between Churches; but being earnestly in love with truth and peace, and having been stirred up by men that seek the truth in holiness and peaceable affections, to endeavour the advancement of the one and the other, I have presented hitherto myself unto God, and to all his servants without partiality, as an humble solicitor of the counsels of Peace, for the public good of Protestant Churches, that therein the truth of his Gospel may be conferred and made known unto the world. And this I find I am warranted to do, not only by the necessity of the times, and the dangers whereunto the Professors of the Gospel are brought, through the prevarication, and implacable animosity of some of their Leaders and controversal Writers; but also by the express Commandments of God; which press me, first, to seek peace with all men, 
Rom. 12. 18. Heb. 12. 14. Heb. 10. 24.  so fare as in me lieth, if possibly it may be had: And secondly, to provoke others, whom this duty in like manner doth concern, unto the same affection of love, and of good works. Let me then be looked upon as a public solicitor of peaceable counsels and thoughts, and as a provoker of godly men unto the affections of charitable duties; for this is the sum of that which I intent.  
Therefore, To perform this task more effectually towards every one, I have taken notice of that part of the duty wherein we are distinctly commanded to contemplate, and attentively to consider one another, (for this is the force of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,) to the end that we should sharpen and stir up one another (for thus much the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 implieth) towards the perfection of our holy calling and profession.  
And therefore give me leave, in obedience to this Commandment, chief at this time, to consider you of my Nation, as an object fit to be provoked to all the duties which God hath commanded in his Gospel for the glory of his name: Give me leave (I say) to believe that you desire to be provoked, & that you will effectually be stirred up hereunto, as unto a necessary duty, although by such a weak and contemptible instrument as I am, it is thus meanly proposed unto you: For I hope you will do it so much the rather and the readier, because it is not backed with Authority, that it may appear you are persuaded and moved by the grace and Spirit of God, and not by any humane and outward consideration towards that which is required of you in your heavenly calling. Be pleased then to consider not who it is that maketh the proposition, but what it is that is proposed; and in whose name, and to what end and effect these endeavours were and are undertaken.  
The end you have already heard; the name in which the proposal is made, is the name of our God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is called the great God, and the Prince of peace. If therefore you profess yourselves to be his faithful subjects in the Kingdom, and Ministers in the Gospel of Peace, I may call upon you by your allegiance, that you decline not the counsels of peace, because he hath commanded, saying, Seek peace, and 
Psal. 34. 14.  follow after it. And as for the thing required at your hands to be done at this time, it is thus to be conceived; That although sometimes I am enabled to use great boldness in a private way, yet, being now to make my address unto a whole Church, I have reason to fear lest I seem to abuse my Liberty which is in Christ. Therefore I am fare from prescribing any thing, and will only represent my earnest wishes and humble requests unto you, as they are briefly set down in the Petition hereunto annexed, and as now by this writ this shall be more particularly explained and declared for the opening of my meaning therein.  
Be pleased then to consider, that my constant suit to all Protestants is, that they would live in the Communion of Saints one towards another: for, seeing they all believe that there is a Communion of Saints, and that every one in particular thinketh himself interessed therein, as being sanctified by one and the same Spirit; therefore I suppose that none may or will be unwilling (chief when he is called upon) to communicate the fruits of his spiritual talents towards the building up of truth, and of righteousness in his fellow-saints. Now I take the ground of holy Communion, which ought to be made manifest amongst Protestants, to be this:  
First, That they jointly attained unto the acknowledgement of the same saving faith, as it is revealed in the form of sound words and Doctrine, which the holy Scriptures teach, renouncing thereby all Popish, all Socinian, and other whatsoever heresies and errors, which overthrow the ground of our salvation.  
Secondly, That they have submitted themselves unto the same rule of life and obedience, in all actions towards God and man, to be jointly directed therein by the will of God revealed in the same holy Scriptures, renouncing consequently thereby all Popish idolatry, all humane traditions, and all superstitious constitutions, as no ways binding in respect of conscience, or to be imposed as observable in the worship of God.  
Seeing then all Protestants appeal only unto the word of God, and reject all doctrines & practices, as untrue & unwarrantable, which have no ground in the same: therefore I conceive them to be really brethren in Christ. And although the more weak, and less knowing party (as commonly it falleth out) is unwilling to acknowledge the other for a Brother, yet nevertheless, because there is a commandment of God, bidding us that are strong, to bear with the infirmities of the weak, and forbidding us to please ourselves, and enjoining both 
Rom. 15. 1. 1bid. v. 7.  them and us to receive one another as Christ received us unto the glory of God. Therefore I find that we are bound to labour to gain our erring brethren, with all meekness alluring and drawing them on towards more knowledge, towards moderation, and towards godliness, and brotherly love: To which effect, we should endeavour to rectify in them those mistakes for which they show their spirits to be averse from us; and to give them also occasion to rectify in us those sinister thoughts for which we conceive our spirits justly alienated from them. For indeed, it is for the most part almost nothing but mistakes on both sides, and misinterpretations of each others meanings and actions, which make the division. These mistakes and misinterpretations therefore should be taken out of the way on both sides: which may be done, if that wherein both Churches fully do agree betwixt themselves, and disagree from Papists, were brought into a sum, and means used to cause that sum to be acknowledged by common consent, as a testimony of their unity in the faith and practice of true Christianity. Now, to make such a sum, a Symbol of their agreement in faith and obedience, as it is not difficult to be done, so it may be effectual to rectify their mistakes, and bind up their hearts in brotherly love, if the public Confessions of all the Churches were compared together in things necessary, and useful for unity and mutual edification; whereof the consent being gathered and approved by us, than afterward it might be insinuated with countenance of authority unto foreign Protestant States, to make them willing to propose the same unto their Ministry, to move them to approve of it in like manner as of a testimony of a spiritual unity. This, I say, is no hard matter to be done; and yet would be a sufficient means to unite all our spirits together, & take away the hurtful scandal of our divisions.  
This being done, needless disputes and curious School questions, which have bred much strife, might, in the second place, be cast out from the Pulpits, and other profitable, though high and sublime mysteries of godliness, might be regulated by common consent, to oblige ordinary Preachers to handle the same without curiosity, prudently and plainly, as may be answerable unto vulgar capacities, for popular edification. Thus it is conceived that controversies might be made less in number and in weight. Which being done, a course could be settled to entertain correspondency in spiritual things, belonging unto the advancement of the kingdom of God towards those that either know, or as yet know not his name: To which effect these things should be taken into consideration:  
First, How, and by what means, answerably to the will of God, scandals, heresies, and breaches of brotherly love and unity should be prevented betwixt the Churches in time to come.  
Secondly, How the increase of knowledge, which daily is enlarged, in some places this way, and in other places that way, according to the different gifts of God's Spirit diversely bestowed, and always profitable in several persons, may become profitable in common to all, and be communicated without grudging or envy, or danger of disturbance to any, arising from preposterous contradictions and disputations. And to bring this to pass, thoughts have been long ago entertained, and some endeavours used to procure the means of true Christian learning, and holy knowledge.  
The first is a full body of practical Divinity, which in stead of the ordinary Philosophicall-jangling-School-Divinity, might be proposed to all those that seek the truth, which is after godliness, and especially to the young Scholars of Theology in the Universities.  
The second is, a substantial explication of the literal and material sense of the Text of the holy Bible, to be a help unto all both learned and unlearned in matters of doubt, which ought to be decided by the word of God.  
The third thing belonging to the advancement of God's Kingdom, which may and aught to be consulted upon, is how to propagate the truth and light revealed unto Protestants towards others; that such as are yet in darkness and deadly ignorance, may be drawn unto the light of life which shineth in the Gospel.  
These are the objects of my solicitation and endeavours amongst Protestants, whereunto not only many have given their consent, and decalred a ready mind for concurrence; but some also have really and effectually put to their hand to labour in the work with us: others are more and more coming on, and no doubt by your example most of them will be raised and stirred up from that accustomed drowsiness and slackness in resolution, wherewith our flesh and blood is clogged when we intent spiritual matters: But he that is able to waken the dead, and raise them up out of their graves, and who will once bring us united together with Christ in glory, is able also to quicken men's spirits towards these duties, and make them concur in one purpose, to understand aright the sincerity of one another's intentions.  
Now then, If I may use freedom of speech through Christ, to require of you that which I conceive you aught to do, and beseech you to settle a resolution in your Assembly, that henceforth you will lay to heart such public thoughts, that as in other things you have abundantly approved your zeal towards the truth, so in these duties of love and public edification, you may go before others, and be found laudable Patrons to the communion of Saints: Which may be brought to pass, if you will make an Act for the entertainment of correspondency with foreign Churches about this matter, and in consequence of that Act, defer Authority to some fit persons of your Body, who may in your name concur to correspond and entertain with others these thoughts of spiritual and common edification. To such then as you shall appoint to heed this work I will promise to make mine address, and give you by them true information of that which is, or shall be done herein by others hereafter: And from them reciprocally I desire to receive the advice and counsel which you shall think fit to impart towards the work, that it may in due time be brought to a full period, through the assistance of God's Spirit, in the supply of your joint prayers and co-operation. And because in this spiritual combat our prayers are our chief strength and weapons, therefore my further request is, That you would recommend the work unto the prayers and supplications of your Congregations; that it may be mentioned before God, to this effect, namely, that his saving truth revealed to the Protestant Churches, may be not only freed from all scandals of needless disputes, and dangerous divisions amongst themselves: but also have a free passage towards others, and be enlarged towards all the ends of the world, through the unity of their spirits in the bond of peace, and their godly zeal to entertain holy Communion one with another, for the advancement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ our Saviour. What shall Papists fast & pray, and erect societies, and spend great revenues to breed and send forth Emissaries, to undermine the truth, and propagate their superstirions and idolatries: and shall we no nothing for the advancement and propagation of the true faith and knowledge of Christ Jesus: Shall they be more cunning and diligent to overthrow and divide our Churches by worldly wiles of destruction, than we are circumspect and zealous to maintain ourselves and all God's children, so fare as in us lieth, in unity, by spiritual rules of mutual edification: Oh, let never this fault be any more found in any of us. It may suffice, that hitherto the neglect of our duty, in this and other things, hath brought us to this extremity whereunto you see Ecclesiastical matters are reduced amongst Protestants. If therefore there be any bowels and compassion, if you intent to entertain any fellowship of the Spirit, and if you can supply any comfort of love derived to you from our head Jesus Christ, fulfil the joy of peaceable minded Christians, and in these things be like minded with us; Enlarge yourselves as we do, and open your hearts by some written Declaration fit to be imparted unto foreigners, to bear witness that you are willing and ready to seek and entertain peace with all true Professors of Christianity. And if withal you shall think fit to give any advice unto me (a mean instrument of this work) or to suggest some profitable counsel concerning the heads of consultation here proposed unto you, I am a most humble suitor unto you, that you would either insert the same into your Declaration, or communicate it apart unto me: For by the communication of your spiritual talents in this kind, you will cause many thanksgivings and praises to be offered up by many unto God on your behalf, and in particular by myself, who in the midst of many outward discouragements, and inward failings, am bound to wrestle sometimes with myself, and sometimes with others, against the spirit of envy and strife which dwelleth in our flesh, for the unblameable ways of peace and truth which are in Jesus Christ. To his grace I commend you, and shall not cease to pray, that in all your labours for the Gospel, you may find the infallible direction of his holy Spirit going along with you, till you see the blessed effects of his good will and direction over you, with joy unspeakable, and comfort unto your souls, through the apprehension of the glory of our God, which I wish may shine now and for ever, in and over every one of you severally, and your whole society jointly; of which I shall always study to be found  
The most faithful and affectionate servant in Christ Jesus, JOHN DURY.