The Humble REPRESENTATION OF THE Committee, Gentry, Ministry, And other well affected Persons, in the County of LEICESTER:  
To His EXCELLENCY THOMAS Lord Fairfax, and the Generall-Councell of Officers of the ARMY,  
In reference to the Agreement of the People, tendered to the KINGDOM, as touching Religion.  
March. 1st LONDON, Printed for Henry Hood in Saint Dunstan's Churh-yard. MDCXLVIII.   

 blazon or coat of arms  
The humble REPRESENTATION of the Committee, Gentry, Ministry, etc. of the County of Leicest.  
Shows,  
THat the many great and glorious blessings, which the Lord of Hosts hath bestowed, upon this shattered and almost ruinated Nation, by the remarkable Valour and fidelity of your Excellency, and the Army under your Command, ascending from one high degree of service to another, with many clear evidences of your Loyalty to the Nation; together with the Candour of your Excellency, and Council of War, as it were inviting all Persons, in your draught of the Agreement of the People, to give in their apprehensions, and reasons of approving, or dissenting from any thing contained therein; And knowing that it is in the Nature of the very best of Men, to be subject to frailty and error, (which we ought seriously to bewail in ourselves and others) sometimes by Mistaken Zeal carried beyond its proper limits, and often by an Exorbitant Charity giving more Latitude to tenderness and pity, then can well stand with Divine Truths; God in his wisdom having set bounds to both, whose laws challenge in all things exact obedience, (especially in so high a point as concerns the salvation of souls.)  
These considerations have moved us, humbly to present our thoughts to your Excellency's perusal & review, about some things of greatest weight, as concerning the glory of God, the preservation of Religion, and the Peace and happiness of the Reformed Churches; And we most humbly desire, that the things so proposed by us, may be taken into your grave examination, without prejudice against us, as if we were over-byassed by the Example of Others, or any sinister ends of our own.  
We shall take leave to profess ourselves unsatisfied, concerning some Particulars, in the Ninth Article of the Agreement.  
First, that Christian Religion, which we justly account the greatest happiness, 
Deut. 32.47. Prov. 3.13.19. 1 Sam 4 12.  (the very life and glory of a People) is not reckoned as any of the Fundamentals of our Common rights and freedoms; Notwithstanding our Possession thereof so many years, and that we have found it the Parent of all our chiefest blessings and Privileges. And farther we think it strange, that the said Christian Religion is only to be Recommended, as the Public profession in the Nation, and not Established, as the Public profession of the Nation. Yea, it is not so much as Actually recommended, it's only Intended to be recommended.  
Secondly, that the care of the preservation of the said Christian Religion, in its purity, is not at all recommended to the Christian Mugistrate, (but he to be devested of all power in things touching Religion) notwithstanding the Gospel promise so well known, Isa. 60.16, 17, 18. 
Isa. 60.16, 17, 18.  Isa. 1.26. 
Isa. 1.26.  as also those eminent glorious examples of Moses, Samuel, joshua, Asa, jehosaphat, Hezekiah, josiah, Ezra, Nehemiah, etc. All which were famous in their times, for the exercise of their power, for restoring Religion to its purity.  
Thirdly, that instructing of the People in the said Christian Religion, by able and faithful Teachers, is but barely allowed and tolerated. Notwithstanding the necessity thereof for the salvation of souls; the Religious care of jehosaphat and others, who sent forth and encouraged Levites to instruct and teach the People; and Paul's weighty charge to Timothy, I charge thee before God and the Lord jesus Christ, Preach the Word, etc. together with Christ his triple charge to Peter, john. 21.15.  
Fourthly, that although the Gospel hath been long planted in this Nation, and the People have universally engaged to the Profession thereof; It is nevertheless propounded as a Fundamental right of the People, that they should in no wise be Compelled, to hold fast the said profession, or attend the Ordinances for instruction therein; whereby (as we conceive) a wide door is opened to damnable Apostasy, yea even to brutish Heathenism and Atheism: for prevention whereof, no provision is made, or mentioned in the said Articles, notwithstanding clear and pregnant Scriptures, for constraining those who had received the true Religion, to continue in the Profession and practice thereof, 2 Chr. 15.13. 2 Chro. 34.32. Ezra 7.26, 27.  
Fifthly, whereas in darker times, wholesome and Christian laws have been made against Idolatry, Sabbath-breaking, Blasphemy, and Profaneness; and some of these Laws revived and enlarged by this present Parliament, that (notwithstanding so many Prayers, Tears, and humble endeavours to bring on reformation, and also the heavy hand of God upon the Kingdom, in this intestine War, with other fearful judgements) yet by this Ninth Article, the Mounds will be broken down, and the floodgates opened, to all manner of impiety and profaneness, by repealing and making voide all Laws of restraint, to the great dishonour of God, the heart-breaking of many dear Christians throughout the Kingdom, and opening the mouths of God's enemies to blaspheme, deride and triumph.  
Sixthly, that (as if the sins of our own Nation were not yet enough, to draw down more and heavier Judgements from heaven upon us) encouragement is hereby implicitly given, to Idolaters, Turks and Heathens, to come in and exercise their gross Idolatries amongst us; against which practices, 
Deut. 7.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Deut. 12.30, 31, 32. Rev. 2 20.  the Lord from Heaven hath declared, as the highest abominations; and upon these very grounds straightly charged his People of old, to drive them out from amongst them, lest they should learn their ways, and the land be defiled. Which grounds we conceive to be Moral and Perpetual; 
Lev, 18.25.27, 28.  and if the Land Spewed them out for these abominations, O let not us lick up the vomit; And although we may think ourselves out of danger of such infection, yet the fearful example of Solomon's Apostasy, and Israel's defection upon Admissions of like nature, do deter us from entertaining such perilous temptations, to ourselves and all posterity. And if the Lord require us to come out from amongst them, 
2 Cor. 6.16 ●7.  how shall we invite or permit them to come in to us.  
Seventhly, whereas we have eves seen, and at the present feel, the sad effects of the destructive principles of Popery, both upon ourselves and our neighbour Nations, in Murders and Massacres of all manner of persons, by all manner of means; Witness two Kings successively murdered upon the same account in France, their many bloody designs upon Queen Elizabeth, that horrid attempt of blowing up the Parliament, these late barbarous Murders and Massacres in Ireland; (all which may stand as unanswerable arguments, for the rooting up of that pernicious profession, which hath been found to grow up and spread in this Nation, under the sharpest laws enacted against it): yet in your third particular concerning Religion, wherein you would seem to make some provision against it, you have so slenderly and obscurely, provided (and upon the matter not at all, if not held forth as the Public Profession in the Nation) that it fills us with amazement, 
Hab. 3.1.6.  makes our bellies to tremble, and rottenness to enter into our bones.  
Eightly, by the third clause, all that do profess faith in God by Jesus Christ, as Papists, Socinians, Familists, etc. will pretend to do, have liberty to profess their faith, and exercise their Religion in any place whatsoever, (even in such places as are appointed for Public worship if they may have but leave) Which liberty being granted, although it should not disturb the Civil peace, yet, may prove infinitely pernicious, and destructive to many thousands of ignorant and unstable souls; as we already find by sad and deplorable experience, even now, before this liberty be granted.  
What strange and woeful issues, may we then expect, when not only boundless liberty, but (as we humbly conceive) most unwarrantable Protection, is to be provided? So that hereby, Errors are under as safe & powerful a shelter, as truth; and the most corrupting sedueers, as the soundest and most Religious Christians; which seems extremely against the very current of Scriptures, which tell us that seducing will eat as doth a Gangrene, and overthrow the faith of some. 
2 Tim. 2.16, 17, 18. Deut. 13.  And if God commanded such false Prophets to be put to death, how then may we dare to give protection to them?  
And besides all this, casting our eyes further upon the Agreement, we perceive that you intent not only to settle it for the present, but now (at once) to form it into an Irrevocable Establishment, which (as fare as it relates to Religion, being our business in hand) adds heaviness unto our spirits; against which we humbly offer these ensuing reasons.  
First, some things therein appear dangerous, as hath in part been here presented; others (at least) dubious; and so not to be immutably established.  
Secondly, because many of these things were never found safe, by the experience of any Church or State; and to establish immutably, in matters of high concernment, such untried expedients (we conceive) cannot be so suitable to piety or prudence.  
Thirdly, because to settle such irrevocable establishments, seems to be inconsistent with a common principle of reason, obliging us to endeavour and await the increase of light and knowledge, in things both Civil and Religious: in which (through mercy) we have found much increase of late years; and so have no ground to conclude, that we are now grown up, to such perfection in them, as may not yet receive additional and future improvement. From all benefit whereof, We, by this Agreement, conceive ourselves from henceforth for ever excluded.  
Fourthly, by such Establishment, we conceive, we shall (under the pretence of liberty) but enthral Posterity, and tie them fast with a Gilded Chain. And therefore we are unsatisfied, concerning the immutableness, of the Establishment proposed.  
And lastly, although we do, exprofesso, in this address, decline such things proposed in the said Agreement, as are merely of Civil Concernment; wherein we shall resign up ourselves to the determination of those in whom the great trust and supreme authority of the Kingdom doth reside, (as we hope yourselves and others will, which is our earnest desire:) yet, forasmuch as the way proposed, for settling and determining the Civil interest, and also that of Religion, is one and the same, viz. by offering the same form of Agreement to the People, to be established or laid aside, as it shall be received or disliked by the Generality of them; We humbly conceive that gathering Subscriptions, in the way you suggest, and which (as we understand) is already practised, may be of dangerous consequence, for dividing the Kingdom; especially the godly and well affected therein, who being already Generally engaged, by the Nationall Covenant, to maintain the power and privileges of Parliament, in the maintenance of true Religion, and the fundamental laws of the Kingdom, must needs, by such intended subscriptions (for and against your Agreement) be dangerously engaged, in such oppositions one of another, as may greatly advantage the designs of the Common Enemy, hazard the ruin of the honest party, and hinder the settlement of the Nation in Peace and Safety.  
Thus having briefly, plainly, and sincerely, summed up our thoughts of the premises, we now leave them in your bosoms, with our Prayers and Tears, from Hearts and Eyes lifted up to Heaven, for a spirit of wisdom and holiness, to direct you in all your proceed referring thereunto; Beseeching you would not repute us, among the number of those, whose souls can mingle with none however Godly, but such as in every point concur in Judgement with themselves. For as (we know) Christ's own Heart, and Arms are open to weak Saints; so by his grace, are ours, and ever shall, to conscientious Brethren, as fare as the word allows, though in matter of Discipline they may differ from us, or in other points also, that shake not the foundation of faith, or enervate the power of Holiness. Nor are we such as have been bacl friends to your Excellency and the Army. No (God knoweth) we are of them, that have loved and honoured you, (for what we have seen of God in and upon you,) and have often defended you from the strife of tongues: Ye●, 〈◊〉 ●●●se many prayers and praises, are laid up in Heaven for you. Pardon us therefore (we beseech you) Noble Sirs, if we have been somewhat bold, in this our humble address unto you: for our business concerns our own immortal souls, and our Posterities, yea the very foundations of precious Truth, the least whereof laid in the balance, is more weighty, than the lives of many. It is this we now plead for, and (God will bear us record) it is truly this, and not any private Interest of our own. You are Gentlemen that are tender to consciences, we beg it that you will tender ours, and many thousands more, of the Godly in the Nation, who, (we are confident) might a true estimate be had, are clearly of out minds herein.  
Other things might have been mentioned, referring to Religion, and particularly, that no mention is made of the function of the Ministry; which Christ hath undoubtedly established in the Church, and greatly prospered in his work; which hath been ever mainly opposed by Satan, and is by many in these times. But that Ordinance being so clearly founded by Christ in the Holy Gospel; and hoping that your intentions are more full for that and other things, than your words in that Agreement express, we forbear to insist further thereon.  

In short, these particulars are most considerable.  
1 That Christian Religion is not asserted as a fundamental of our safety. See Agreement, Artic. 9 part. 1. With the form of subscription in the close.  
2 That protection of Errors and Heresies is declared as a fundamental. Artic. 9 part. 2. & 3. with the form of subscription.  
3 That all the declared fundamentals in this Agreement are irrevocably to be established. Artic. 8. limitation. 6.  
4 That the fundamentals, and only they, shall be maintained to the uttermost, as God shall enable. See the form of subscription.  
So that by this Agreement tendered to the People, (we fear) natural Liberty is endeavoured to be set up above divine prescripts, and the ever-binding Laws of God.    

THis Humble Representation was presented to the Lord General his Excellency, upon Thursday the 22 of Febr. 1648 by divers Gentlemen of the Committee, and some Ministers, in the name of many others well affected of the County of Leicester: and was received with Noble Candour; His Excellency promising to take it into consideration, to communicate it to his General Council of Officers, and to endeavour the satisfaction of these and all other well-affected in the Nation.   

Imprimatur,  
job: Downham. Febr. 23. 1648.