AN Humble Remonstrance IN The behalf of the Protestants of this kingdom, for settling the present distractions in RELIGION, by a national Synod. WITH The Names of the Divines appointed and approved of by the Parliament to be consulted with in the national Synod, for settling of Religion, and Reformation of Church-Government. LONDON, Printed for R. Johnson. 1643. An humble Remonstrance in the behalf of the Protestants of this kingdom, for settling the present distractions in Religion by a national Synod. THe bleeding distractions and divisions of this kingdom, and the distempers raised in the Church touching the government thereof, and touching Doctrine and Discipline are grown to that height, that misery and confusion must needs follow, if some speedy course be not taken for the reconciliation of the one, and settling of the other, according to the Prescript of the sacred and pure Word of God, and the ancient Constitutions of the Church of England, since the Reformation of Religion. There were great hopes upon the Parliaments late resolutions for the collection of a Synod national, if the same had proceeded accordingly, that before this time a period might have been given to the divisions of Levi. But the devil by his instruments hath so far prevailed in raising the general distractions of the kingdom, that the proceedings in that great and pious work of reformation hath been hitherto protracted and delayed, and the continuance thereof puts us in fear the same will be clean averted and put off. We are not insensible unless we were stupidly blind seeing the presses groan, and both City and country abound therwith of the ignorant and Contrary opinions touching reformation both in the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church, many ignorant men rushing into those matters whereof ●hey have no knowledge nor nothing belonging unto them, they will build Tabernacles with Peter, and lay Platforms for the Church whereof they have no skill: Every common person will be an Agrippa our Paul, and every woman a Bernice, and every mean person make a shop a Consistory to control a State, forgetting the the proverb Nè suitor ultra crepidam, the Shoemaker is not to exceed his Pantafle, Nay some so Impudently shameless are the times grown, that in their outward professions dare exclude the clergy from having any thing to do in that matter. Some would h●ve the determination of the Parliament which consists only of lay men Phisitians Lawyers soldiers and tradesman the only Judges of doctrinal points binding to the clergy without their Judgments or Approbation of the same: touching Government we are not ignorant of the present disputes we will not say by what kind of persons but the wise are troubled with the same come pleading for Episcopacy by divine right, some for independency as also by divine right, some with the Papist would have the Government depend upon the Church of Rome. And some for Presbytery Government. How shall this diversity be composed as for example, Sunday is a Sabbath, Sunday no Sabath, both true and both untrue in their several acceptaions: who shall dissolve this knot? Some say episcopal Government( and it is indeed manifest in the Governours) hath brought all this mischiefs and miseries that this nation and late floushing kingdom now groans under as being the original fountain from whence they have all flowed. Some again say, that independency is dangerous, laying open the judgement of all men, and subject upon all occasions and opportuinties, to change with the times. Some are of Opinion, that presbytery being a new form of Government, will not without much trouble and danger to the kingdom be admitted off, presidents of former times both in this nation, and other kingdoms, having produced many sudden and bloody effects upon the alteration of Church government. And for dependency upon the Church of Rome all that are not Papists have protested against the same. All men are sensible of the diversity touching the liturgy, or Book of Common prayer, envy likewise shooting his arrow against that; But some hitting the same, some besides it, both on the right hand, and on the left, some over, and some beneath the same, as for example. Some at the receving the Elements of the Lords Supper, saying kneeling is necessary, some warrantable, and some unwarrantable: And some say the same is Idolatrous, who shal be judges of these differences, and what order shall be made touching the same? We persuade ourselves the Parliament deserts the least opinion of being Judges in doctrinal points without the advice of the clergy: they are principally the Judges of the danger the kingdom is in through divisions both Ecleasticall and Civill, and temporal magistrates to punish the vices of the clergy, but who then shall compose the differences in Religion. Surely the clergy is a considerable party of the kingdom, especially touching Religion; Nay the Parliaments resolution for a Synod hath manifested to all the world the intentions of that high Court to have the judgments of the clergy in that great Buissnes. Wee aclowledge the Parliaments jurisdiction in calling Synods and such matters as by the same shall be treated and agitated must by them have their full determination and confirmation, and them turned into laws and Ordinances, with his Majesties consent which shall be binding to the whole kingdom as well clergy as Laity. It is therefore desired that the Parliament may be petitioned to go on in election of a Synod and to assix a certain day for the meeting thereof, we doubt not but they may as safely sit in, or near London as the Parliament it being not to be doubted that with their Approbation the city of London will afford a competent Guard for the securety of their persons from treacherous contempts and conspiracies. the names of the Divines appointed for the National Synod. M. Thomas Dillingham M. Oliver Boles of Sutton M. Wilkinson of Wadsden M. Valentine of Chauson D. Twist of Newberie M. Raynor of Milton M. Gammon of Mogen M. Hix of Lawrick D. Hoyle M. Bridges D. Wincomb M. Thomas goodwin, a New-Ehgland man M. Leigh M. Case D. Lane of Bennet college D. Gouge of blackfriars M. Pine of Dean forest M. Whitton of Morton D. Bromrig of Kath. Hall D. Ward of Sidney M. John White M. Edward peal D. Gennison M. Morton M. Stephen Marshall M. Obadiah Sedgwick M. Levill of Rippon M. Michael Thwait M. William Mew M. John Danning M. Thomas Bathurst M. Philip nigh M. John Green of Bencon● M. Gower of Brampton D. Smith of Berkway D. burgess of Watno M. Wilson M. Francis tailor M. Anthony Tuckey M. Coleman of Blinton M. Charles earl M. Richard Herick M. Clayton of shovel M. Gibbs of Leicester D. Calibute Downing M. Burroughs of Stepney M. edmond Calamy M. Walker M. Caryl of Lincolns inn M. Scaman D. Harris M. Morbie M. Reynolds of Branston M. Hill of Tichmarsh D. Sanderson M. John Foxcraft M. John Jackson M. William Carter M. John Acrosmith of Lin M. Thomas Thorowgood M. Robert Harris M. Robert cross James Primate of Armah D. Stiles of S. Georges M. Samuel Gibson M. Whitakers D. Featly of Lambeth D. Stanton of Kingston M. Francis Cook M. Lightfoot of Ashley M. Samuel hildersham M. Corbett M. John Langley M. Christopher Tisdell M. Thomas Young M. John Philips. M. Samuel Crook. M. Comet of L●mmington M. Benjamin P●ckering. M. nigh of Chaphum. M. Henry Hall. M. Henry Hutton. M. Henry Scudder M. Thomas bailie M. Arthur Sallaway D. Pridiax, B. of Worcester M. burgess of Sutton Coleby M. Vines of Weddington M. Richard Burlye D. Temple of Battersey. M. Shute of Lumbarstreet M. Nicholson M. Cattaker of Redriffe M. Richard Floid. D. Christopher Pashley M. Hen. Toser M. Spursto of London. M. Francis channel. D. Hacket, of St. andrew. Samuel de la Place. Jo. dela March. FINIS.