Unity, truth and REASON.  
Presented in all Humility Petition-wise to the Honourable, the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses for the Commons House of PARLIAMENT.  
By some moderate ●nd Peace-desiring Ministers, for the more 〈…〉 and certain reconciling of the C●●●ch d 〈…〉 s.  
LONDON.  
Printed for Thomas underhill, in the year, 1641.   

To the READER.  
IT was not at first intended that this following Discourse presented Petition-wise should fly so pub likely: but such modesty and truth withal are both so evenly expressed, that the eyes of envy, malice, and uncharitableness (which usually are most quick upon actions of this nature) cannot take just advantage, as far as we can apprehend. We therefore on the behalf of ourselves and others, do humbly crave, that what is here presented with a dexterous intention may not have a sinister acception.   

TO THE honourable the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses for the Commons House of Parliament.  
Humbly representeth,  
THAT episcopacy is a frame anciently raised out of the pastoral place, built up with Chancellors, Deans, Arch-Deacons, Commissaries, Surrogates, officials, Apparitors, &c. And further finished with their Consistories, High-Commission, Oath Ex Officio, Books of Canons, old and new, Books of Recreation and Liberty, Ceremonies, and manifold Innovations enlarged, especially in latter times by violent and intemperate Spirits, which have pursued many of the best lived of the Ministry and People, with too much heat, insomuch that many choice Men have been wormed out, the most scandalous cherished, Doctrine adulterated; the fire of zeal quenched, tyranny exercised, especially over the Consciences of their Brethren; Primitive Discipline defaced, the judgements of many engaged for episcopacy Jure divino; Civil wars encouraged (the most dangerous and hazardous undertaking of a State.) In the mean time the Prelates not sufficiently sensible of the dishonour of our gracious sovereign, and security of these happy and Illustrious kingdoms. Nay, besides all this, many of the late church-governors have also complied too much with the Popish Faction, and drawn (quantum in illis) the odium of the late disturbances upon his majesty (let them pretend what they please) and dishonour upon the Protestant Religion, in the eyes of the Romish party, and the whole world by their tongues, pens and endeavours.  
May it therefore please this Honourable House to take episcopal Government into your grave and serious Consideration. And if it may stand with the ways and customs of this Honourable House, That our Petition may be presented to the House of the Lords, and finally to his most excellent majesty.  
1. First, that a speedy survey may be taken of this old-ruinous and decayed building by a Commission ad inquirendum, concerning the truth of the numerous Complaints from all parts of this kingdom. When God visited Sodom in Judgement, he first sent his Angels to inquire of the truth of the crimes thereof.  
2. If upon just and exact trial the whole building from the foundation to the highest part of the superstructure, prove sound, God forbid any moderate spirit should desire the alteration of a Government so long established: but if (in toto composito) there be an universal dissolution and weakness of all parts, that then the old decayed frame may be taken down; and such a new model propounded as may most nearly agree with the Word, the Apostles, and Primitive times: with the Assistance of a select Company of grave pious-learned and Orthodox Divines, in nature of a national Synod, which may be chosen by your singular care and wisdom, gathered out of all parts of the kingdom, and authorised for that purpose. And in case it may stand with the pleasure of his Majesty, and this High and Honourable Court of Parliament, that some Scots and Irish Divines may be also admitted to such Assembly, which may happily tend, not only to mutual information of themselves, but to a more firm obligation of all members in these Churches in civil or ecclesiastical affairs under our most gracious sovereign as Supreme Governor unto a more firm union and obedience.  
Notwithstanding all this, it is not the desire of your Petitioners, with the sons of Zebedee, that fire should come down from heaven and destroy this frame of Government; neither any illegal or precipitant violence should demolish it; such reverence do we owe to the memory of those industrious-pious-learned Bishops, which have sometimes sealed the testimony of the Gospel with their blood. And to our happy Princes (whose Names are ever blessed with us) who have yielded all Princely indulgence unto episcopal dignities. Only thus far do your Petitioners humbly sue, for as much as there is such a considerable number of grievances and complainants, through the whole kingdom, (as may appear by the numerous Petitions and Remonstrances to this Honourable House,) That in the mean time whilst a Commission issues out for a more full discovery of Corruptions in ecclesiastical Government and Ministers, notoriously scandalous, the abovenamed ecclesiastical Assembly be called, and episcopal governors allowed a fair and legal trial by Ministers, men of their own Order (as Lords are tried by their Peers) but impartial, and not engaged by the dignities and preferments of the times.  
And if it may not savour of sauciness, or too high presumption, May it please this Honourable House, to require the episcopal party to assign some of their own choice to answer in such a well constituted Assembly, and to give liberty to the presbyterial Disciplinaries, as in Scotland, or them of the pastoral and more Independent way, as in New England, to come in and oppose, only give leave we beseech you that the Word may be the moderator in this national Synod. And if we may not be thought to presume upon this intelligent and Religious House, we humbly sue, First, that in such a well disposed Assembly, the Doctrine of the Church may be cleared and explain.  
Secondly, the Discipline questioned. First by what tenure episcopacy holds, whether Jure Divino, vel Ecclesiastico? If Divino, it must necessarily stand for ever. Secondly, if Ecclesiastico whether it be not alterable according to Corruptions attending it, or the varying Constitutions of particular Churches, or the like considerable Circumstances?  
3. If alterable, whether this Government may safely be altered in this Church of England?  
4. If it may be altered, what Government can be propounded more nearly agreeing to the Word, and more fit for these times?  
5. Whether Christ left any certain and necessary Discipline to be observed in his Church for ever?  
6. Whether Examples, which have not grounds on express Rules, or necessary Consequences out of those Commands do bind the Conscience to subjection, as to an Ordinance of Christ's?  
7. Whether it be not fit for Christians rather to follow the Examples of Christ, his Apostles, or the purer times for precedents, than the more degenerate and corrupt times of the world?  
When these or the like Questions are well discussed and decided, The confirmation of such Acts of Assembly as shall be then determined, we submit unto the wisdom of this Honourable House.  
In the mean time most noble Patriots, suffer not the glory of our Church to set under a cloud. We have betrusted you with ourselves, and all ours, fail us not in the main, (viz) in the matters of Religion, neither Doctrine not Discipline.  
Begin we beseech you where your forefathers left, in the days of King Edward the 6th. Let the noble blood of your Ancestors which runs in your veins induce you to perfect the glorious beginnings of your renowned Predecessors. Never think the commonwealth can be well healed, unless the Church be also Cured. Did not our sufferings in the Church lead the way to yours in the civil State? If you conceive your work is fully ended, when the commonwealth's grievances are removed: God himself will not take it well at your hands to leave Zion weeping, and none comforting her. You have come on nobly and like religious Patriots, in giving fair hopes of easing the distressed part of the Church: Go on like yourselves, and the God of Heaven prosper you. Let not golden Balls turn you out of the way: Neither Syrenian music, nor Crocodile tears of the degenerate part of the Tribe of Levi captivate your judgements. You have the whole Nation engaged to be Servants unto the King for ever in a stricter bond, if you his great council of State, according to his trust in you, see Religion freed from the complaints and grievances of it. It is true, Episcopal Governors, with their nearest friends, think it scorn to come to trial of their title. We are not ignorant of many of their choicest Arguments: but if you please with patience to survey them, you shall find they have studied fallacies more than demonstrations. It is true, they pretend 1. the Word: 2. Antiquity. 3. Reference to our Laws. 4. Order. 5. Suppression of Errors, schisms, and Heresies. 6. Encouragement to Learning. 7. Conformity of episcopal Government unto monarchy. All specious pretences we confess, like the Grapes and fruits of Sodom: but if you touch them they fall to Ashes.  
First, the Word, no better plea in the world, nor stronger Argument, if the pontificial side would show but one express Command or necessary inference for episcopacy over the clergy (it is our meaning) to be a constant and standing office in the Church: we should think ourselves deserved to lose our ears, liberty, life and all, for speaking against a Law of God's own making. But whilst the great Clerks of the kingdom in this multa dicunt, nihil probant. We must desire this Government (but in an ecclesiastical assembly) may go to the question.  
Secondly, Antiquity, a plea which would well have served in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah for keeping up the High Places, because they had continued from the days of Solomon or afore. If this Argument were sufficient, the Reformers in the days of Edward the 6. and Queen Elizabeth of famous memory should have stayed their hands from taking away such ancient Ceremonies as had continued many hundred years.  
Upon this ground an old ruinous House which is rotten from the foundation, to the highest part of the superstructure should not be pulled down; upon the like ground old Vines, where the humidum radical is quite gone, and fruit ceases, should not be plucked up, nor others planted in their room.  
The brazen Serpent was at the first erected upon better warrant than ever episcopacy, yet when it grew worm-eaten with corruption of Antiquity, Hezekiah made bold to take it down, and the fact is fronted with the name of zeal unto Immortality.  
Thirdly, Reference to our Laws, It is true, episcopacy is too truly and too much interwoven with the Statutes of this kingdom; Not that episcopacy strengthens the Laws, but the Laws episcopacy. So that it seems no necessary Argument for this dignity standing Statu quo nunc, but rather serves for a good caution that in the taking down of this old frame, the Statutes of the Land suffer no violence, which we doubt not but by the wisdom of this Honourable House, may be well contrived.  
Fourthly, Order, a great deal of reason for it, if Order do not violate that eternal and indispensable Rule of charity, unto which the episcopal Government hath done much violence, by their Pride and Tyranny over the Consciences of their Brethren. In such case we desire the Word, Christian Liberty and Charity may be preferred afore any pretended Order in the the world.  
Fiftly, Suppressing of schisms, Errors, and Heresies; we deny not but when episcopacy was first raised and instituted in the Church, there was such a politic intention, but Where is the success? Have not Corruptions, schisms, Errors, if not Heresies, more grown under the shadow of episcopacy, then under any other Reformed Protestant Church in the world?  
Let the Remonstrance of the Ministers speak unto this, together with the Numerous Complaints from all parts of the kingdom. It is not to be denied, but as these Weeds, so much precious corn hath grown within the bounds of episcopal Government, not that we must thank the smiles and indulgence of the pontificial party, but their frowns, brow-beatings, and manifold oppressions, or rather God himself, who multiplied the Israelites under Pharaoh's Tyranny and Cruelty.  
Sixtly, Encouragement to Learning, Give loser's leave to speak, let the inferior clergy of the kingdom (as they are usually called) come in, and speak what they usually feel in their own experience; Doth not the burden and heat of the day lie upon poor Parsons, Vicars, Lecturers, and Curates? What encouragement to Learning, whilst a few Bishops, Deans, Arch-Deacons, &c. swallow up the best and riches● part of ecclesiastical maintenance, taking little or no pains, in feeding the souls of the people, studying only lawsuits; how to rise higher in the world, and to sow dissension betwixt kingdoms, Princes, and their Subjects, when the inferior clergy in the mean time must sit below the salt, gather up the crumbs from under episcopal Tables, and account it favour enough to have a nod from a Bishop; nay happily less than that, an hollow-hearted leave or Licence to use a Pulpit in his diocese.  
Seaventhly, A Conformity of episcopal Government unto monarchy. We confess the conformity is too much and too near. For Kings send out Writs in their own Names (as it is fit they should) so do Bishops. King's Rule and Command, so do Bishops: yet this Conformity in Government unto monarchy, cannot induce our Charity to think they (at least many of them) can cordially affect Supreme Government whilst so many in latter times have complied so much with the Pope in all papal usages, the great enemy to all Kingly Government. How can we judge, but if opportunity served, they would fall in with the Pope in matter of supremacy, as in other his Traditions; Besides our Bishops in late days have cast the odium of all unacceptable Commands upon the King, a point of Bishopcraft we confess, but never used by faithful Statesmen to their Princes, since the beginning of the world, till these our days. Whereas, we (though the lowest of the Tribe of Levi) dare protest unto this Honourable Assembly, we could be contented to wipe off with our blood the least aspersion upon the honour of our most gracious sovereign, whom we sincerely value above all Princes of the world.  
But now most noble Senators, mistake not, we beseech you, the candour and ingenuity of our intentions, we do account it an inexpiable fault to prescribe unto you that must prescribe Laws to us; only we prostrate what we have propounded in all humility at your feet, wherein we have both expressed our grievances and Petitions. Notwithstanding all abovesaid, we are not so fallen out with episcopal Government: but if it seems good to his Majesty, and this High and Honourable Court of Parliament to continue it, we can (as formerly) sit down under the shadow of it▪ if the Authority of it be sufficiently cleared by a well constituted Church Assembly, whereunto we should willingly subject, as a way of the Church (anciently used) in such difficulties; only, in case it be thought meet upon advice by your singular wisdoms to continue episcopal Government in the Church; be pleased that the sting thereof be taken away: we mean the High-Commission burdensome and superfluous Officers, the unnecessary Ceremonies and subscriptions, according to their Canons, which they have only used as snares and nets to catch the Innocent and faithful in the Land; And the scandalous Ministers removed, the spots and blemishes of the ecclesiastical State. But in case such a Church Synod, or Assembly, do find a presbyterial, or pastoral, and independent Jurisdiction to be more nearly agreeing unto the Word, and more fit for the present Constitution of our Churches, May it then please you to encourage that way which comes next to the mind and will of God, and suits best with the present state of times.  
So that finally, the sum of all we sue for, is, that Justice may be eminently done unto all sides, and truth (with leave of his majesty, as Supreme) may by the best Reason hew out its way in a Church Assembly or Synod, unto peace and unity; not that we any way suspect your candour or integrity, with whom we have trusted both ourselves and all ours: But because the premised Considerations do chiefly fall under ecclesiastical cognizance, it would be most satisfactory (under correction of more sublime judgements) to the minds of all men, and no way derogatory to the honour of his majesty, or this High and Honourable Court of Parliament. If such of the ministry as have not violated their Consciences, nor stained their garments, but men of good temper, Piety, Learning, and consulting heads should be authorised to advise in the matters of the Church both Doctrine and Discipline.  
Pardon we beseech you, our rudeness, and brokenness of our expressions, Truth is never so amiable as when she goes in her plainest garb. Honour us so far as not to take us for the giddy Sons of Apollo who would set the whole world on fire. We abhor the intemperance of such spirits. And do humbly desire that all Pamphlets may be stayed from the press, which take upon them (afore their time) to propound models and new forms of Government till a well Constituted Church Assembly have fully discussed the main questions now in controversy. So shall you honour God Almighty, bring out the Truth more fully, which is now overclouded and obscured; perform the Trust which his majesty hath put in you; happily unite more firmly these Churches of England, Scotland and Ireland. Make our State admired in the eyes of foreign Churches, pull down the proud and mighty from their Seats, and exalt the humble and meek. And by such happy satisfaction in all ecclesiastical ways, you shall engage the Church to pray more fervently for the happiness of our Illustrious King, and this flourishing Common wealth.  
Which God grant, Amen.  
FINIS.