A LETTER OF THE MINISTERS of the City of LONDON, Presented the first of Ian. 1645. to the Reverend Assembly of DIVINES Sitting at Westminster by Authority of Parliament, AGAINST TOLERATION.  
LONDON, Printed for SAMUEL GELLIBRANE at the B●●sen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard, 1645.   

To our Reverend, Learned, and Religious Brethren the Prolocutor and the rest of the Divines assembled and now sitting at Westminster by Authority of Parliament, these present.  
Reverend and beloved Brethren,  
WEe are exceedingly apprehensive of the desire-ablenesse of the Churches peace, and of the pleasantness of Brethrens unity, knowing that when peace is set upon its proper basis, viz. righteousness and Truth, it is one of the best possessions, both delectable and profitable; like Aarons ointment, and the due of Hermon. It is true, by reason of different lights and different sights among Brethren, there may be dissenting in opinion; yet why should there be any separating from Church-communion? The Churches coat may be of divers colours, yet why should there be any rent in it? Have we not a touchstone of truth, the good word of God; and when all things are examined by that word, then that which is best may be held fast; but first they must be known and then examined afterward. If our dissenting Brethren after so many importunate entreaties, would have been persuaded( either in zeal to the truth, or in sincere love to the Churches peace and unity among Brethren, or in respect to their own reputation by faire and ingenuous dealing, or in conscience to their promise made with the Ministers of London now five years since, or any such like reasonable consideration) at last to have given us a full narrative of their opinions, and grounds of their separation, wee are persuaded they would not have stood at such a distance from us as now they do; But they choose rather to walk by their own private lights then to glow-worm themselves to us their most affectionate Brethren, and to set themselves in an untrodden way of their own, rather then to wait what our covenanted Reformation, according to the word of God and examples of the best Reformed Churches would bring forth. But the offence doth not end here, it is much that our Brethren should separate from the Church, but that they should endeavour to get a warrant to authorize their separation from it, and to have liberty( by drawing members out of it) to weaken and diminish it, till( so far as lies in them) they have brought it to nothing; this we think to be plainly unlawful, yet this we understand is their present design and endeavour. Wherefore( Reverend Brethren) having had such large experience of your zeal of Gods glory, your care of his afflicted Church, your earnest endeavours to promote the complete Reformation of it, and of your ready concurrence with us in the improvement of any means that might be found conducible to this end; we are bold to hint unto you these our ensuing Reasons against the Toleration of Independency in this Church.  
I The desires and endeavours of Independents for a Toleration are at this time extremely unseasonable and praeproperous: for,  
1. The Reformation of Religion is not yet perfected and settled among us according to our Covenant. And why may not the Reformation be raised up at last to such purity and perfection that truly tender Consciences may receive abundant satisfaction for ought that yet appears?  
2. It is not yet known what the government of the Independents is, neither would they ever yet vouchsafe to let the world know what they hold in that point, though some of their party have been too forward to challenge the London Petitioners as lead with blind obedience, and pinning their souls upon the Priests sleeve, for desiring an establishment of the Government of Christ, before there was any model of it extant.  
3. Wee can hardly bee persuaded, that the Independents themselves( after all the stirs they have made amongst us) are as yet fully resolved about their own way wherewith they would bee concluded, seeing they publish not their model( though they are nimble enough in publishing other things) and they profess Reserves, and New lights, for which they will( no doubt) expect the like toleration, and so in infinitum. It were more seasonable to move for toleration when once they are positively determined how far they mean to go, and where they mean to stay.  
II Their desires and endeavours are unreasonable and unequal in divers regards.  
1. Partly because no such toleration hath hitherto been established( so far as we know) in any Christian State by the civill Magistrate.  
2. Partly because some of them have solemnly professed that they cannot suffer Presbytery, and answerable hereunto is their practise in those places where Independency prevails.  
3. And partly because to grant to them and not to other Sectaries who are free born as well as they, and have done as good service as they to the public( as they use to pled) will be counted injustice and great partiality; but to grant it unto all will scarce be cleared from great impiety.  
III Independency is a schism, for  
1. Independents do depart from our Churches, being true Churches, and so acknowledged by themselves.  
2. They draw and seduce our members from our Congregations.  
3. They erect separate Congregations under a separate and undiscovered government.  
4. They refuse communion with our Churches in the Sacraments.  
5. Their Ministers refuse to preach among us as Officers.  
6. Their members, if at any time they join with us in hearing the word and prayer, yet they do it not as with the ministerial word and prayer, nor as acts of Church-communion.  
Now wee judge that no Schism is to be tolerated in the Church, 
† schisms  〈◇〉, 1 Cor. 1.10. 1 Cor. 12.25. 
* Divisions  〈◇〉 Rom. ●. 17. with 1 Cor. 3.3. Gal. 5.20.  
IV Many mischiefs will inevitably follow upon this Toleration, and that both to Church and Commonwealth.  
First, To the Church, as,  
1 causeless and ●●just revolts from our Ministry and Congregations.  
2 Our peoples mindes will be troubled, and in danger to be subverted, as Acts 15.24.  
3 Bitter heart burnings among brethren will be fomented and perpetuated to posterity.  
4 The godly painful and Orthodox Ministry will be discouraged and despised.  
5 The life and power of godliness will be eaten out by frivolous disputes and vain janglings.  
6 The whole course of Religion in private families will be interrupted and undermined.  
7 reciprocal duties between persons of nearest and dearest relations will be extremely violated.  
8 The whole work of Reformation especially in discipline and Government will be retarded, disturbed, and in danger of being made utterly frustrate and voided, whilst every person shall have liberty upon every trivial discontent at Presybyteriall Government and Churches to revolt from us and list themselves in separated Congregations.  
9. All other Sects and heresies in the kingdom will be encouraged to endeavour the like toleration.  
10. All other Sects and Heresies in the kingdom will safeguard and shelter themselves under the wings of Independency, and some of the Independents in their books have openly avowed, that they pled for liberty of conscience as well for others as themselves.  
11. And the whole Church of England in short time will be swallowed up with distraction and confusion, but God is not the Author of confusion but of peace, 1 Cor. 14.33.  
Secondly, To the Common-Wealth. For,  
1. All these mischiefs in the Church will have their proportionable influence upon the Common-Wealth.  
2. The kingdom will be woefully weakened by scandals and Divisions, so that the enemies of it both domestical and foreign will be encouraged to plot and practise against it.  
3. It is much to be doubted, lest the power of the Magistrate, should not onely bee weakened, but even utterly overthrown, considering the principles and practices of Independents, together with their compliance with other Sectaries, sufficiently known to be Anti-Magistraticall.  
V. Such a Toleration is utterly repugnant and inconsistent with that solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion, which not onely both Houses of Parliament, but also persons of all sorts in both kingdoms of England and Scotland, have subscribed and with hands lifted up to the most high God have sworn: Which Covenant likewise both you, and we, and those that most earnestly pursue the establishment of this Toleration, have made,( or should have made) in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts, with a true intertion to perform the same as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. For  
1. This is opposite to the Reformation of Religion according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Churches, Article 1.  
2. It is destructive to the three kingdoms nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion and Government, which might lead us and our posterity after us as brethren to live in faith and love, Art. 1.  
3. It is plainly contrary to that extirpation of Schism, and whatsoever shall bee found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the power of godliness, which we have sworn sincerely, really, and constantly to endeavour without respect of persons, Art. 2.  
4. Hereby we shall be involved in the guilt of other mens sins, and thereby be endangered to receive of their plagues, Art. 2.  
5. It seems utterly impossible( if such a toleration should be granted) that the Lord should be one, and his name one in the three kingdoms, Art. 2.  
6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion; Inevitably divide one kingdom from another, and unhappily make factions and parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant, of which evil offices whosoever shall be found guilty, are reputed in the words of the Covenant, Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil instruments, to be discovered, that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condign punishment, Art. 4. and 5.  
These are some of the many considerations which make deep impression upon our Spirits against that great Diana of Inde●endents, and all the Sectaries so much cried up by them in these distracted times, viz. A Toleration, A Toleration. And however, none should have more rejoiced then ourselves in the establishment of a brotherly, peaceable and Christian Accommodation: yet this being utterly rejected by them, wee cannot dissemble how upon the forementioned grounds, wee detest and abhor the much endeavoured Toleration. Our bowels, our bowels are stirred within us, and we could even drown ourselves in tears, when we call to mind how long and sharp a travel this kingdom hath been in for many yeares together to bring forth that blessed fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation, and now at last after all our pangs and dolours and expectations, this real and through Reformation, is in danger of being strangled in the birth by a lawless Toleration that strives to be brought forth before it.  
Wherefore( Reverend and beloved Brethren) we could not satisfy ourselves till wee had made some discovery of our thoughts unto you about this matter, not that we can harbour the lest jealousy of your zeal, fidelity, or industry in the opposing and extirpating of such a root of gull and bitterness as Toleration is and will be, both in present and future ages; but that we may what lies in us endeavour mutually to strengthen one anothers resolutions against the present growing evils, and that our consciences may not smite us another day for sinful silence, or sluggish deficiency in any point of duty tending to the glory of Christ, honour of the truth, peace of the Church perfection of Reformation, performance of our Covenant, and benefit of present and succeeding generations.  
Subscribed by us your affectionate brethren and Fellow-labourers in the work of the ministry, to whom truth and peace is very precious. From Sion Coll. London Decemb. 18. 1645.  
FINIS.