A TESTIMONY OF THE Ministers in the County of Stafford TO THE Truth of Jesus Christ, AND TO The Solemn League and Covenant, As also Against the Errors, Heresies, and Blasphemies of these times, and the Toleration of them.  
Sent up to the Ministers within the Province of London, Subscribers of the First TESTIMONY.  
LONDON, Printed by John Macock, for George Calvert, at the sign of the Half-Moon in Watling-streete, near Austine's Gate. 1648.   

A TESTIMONY OF THE Ministers in the County of Stafford TO THE Truth of Jesus Christ, AND TO The Solemn League and Covenant.  
HAving seriously read the Testimony to the Truth of Jesus Christ, and to the Solemn League and Covenant, as also against the sundry Blasphemies, Heresies, and Errors of these times, which the Ministers of the Province of London have put forth to public view, and that in such a juncture of time, wherein blasphemous Heresies, and dangerous Schisms did much abound; the Patrons of them proudly insulting, and industriously acting for a Toleration of them, we rejoiced much in it, and blessed God for their holy boldness, and religious Zeal in this common Cause; and since divers other Provinces have published their pious Testimonies to the Truth, and their abhorrency of the spreading Errors; lest we the Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the County of Stafford, should lie under the imputation of betraying the common Faith, through our silence and neglect of concurrence with our Brethren, having the same engagements lying upon us, as upon them; we being Ministers of the Gospel, having lifted up our hand to the most high God; having humbled our souls in that Solemn day appointed by the authority of Parliament, tendering the welfare of our people's souls: And lastly, lest that the diligence of the Adversaries of the Truth, in promoting their pernicious Doctrines both by their tongues and pens should condemn our negligence. We therefore, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do declare and testify to all the Churches of Christ, to all our Brethren in the Ministry, and to all that unfeignedly love the Truth of Jesus Christ.  
First, That the sound and elaborate Confession of Faith, which the Assembly of Divines (convened by Authority of Parliament,) have presented to the Honourable Houses, is so consonant to the Truth contained in the Scriptures, that we do give our full Consent unto the whole, and to each part thereof.  
Secondly, That we do from our very souls abhor, all the Errors, which (to the provoking of God to wrath against this Kingdom, to the great shame of this Church, once famous for the maintenance of the Truth, and to the grief of all the godly) are lately sprung up grown high, and spread far amongst us, as Antiscripturism, Socinianism, Anabaptism, Arminianism, Antinominianism, Q●aerism, Erastianism, and whatsoever is contrary to sound Doctrine.  
Thirdly, That an Universal Toleration so much pleaded for, and earnestly desired by the Sectaries is most sinful, destructive, both to truth and godliness, and in its own nature the mother of all confusion, both in Church and State; wherefore we cannot but bless God, that he hath stirred up the Honourable Houses of Parliament to publish an Ordinance for the punishing of divers Heresies, and gross Errors; praying, That all Magistrates in their several places would be faithful and diligent in the execution of the said Ordinance.  
Fourthly, Because there cannot be a better dam to prevent the overflowing of all Blasphemies, Heresies, Errors, Schisms, and Profaneness, than such a form of Church-Government which is agreeable to the Word of God. We declare, that we are so fully convinced that that form of Church-Government tendered by the Assembly to the Honourable Houses of Parliament, for their civil sanction is so agreeable to the Word of God, that we can and shall readily subject ourselves unto it, when it shall please God to stir up the hearts of those in whose power it is to authorise the same. And because there are some who are of eminent worth, and piety dissenting from us in this particular; we hearty desire, that there may be a sweet Accommodation between us and them, which we conceive would be feasible, did they abate of their love to their yet unproved opinion: and had they an higher esteem of peace and unity; especially since they cannot be ignorant, how God hath blasted their Congregational way, with Sects, Schisms, Separations; and Subseparations, to their shame, our grief, and the woeful disturbance of the whole Kingdom.  
Fiftly, and Lastly, Since God hath visited persons and Nations with exemplary Judgements for Covenant-breaking, which we also in this Kingdom may justly fear, because of our guiltiness in that respect; the Solemn League and Covenant being not only violated by most, but decried by some, and unworthily compared to an Almanac out of date; by which means some in Scotland take advantage to pretend a just ground of waging War against us, (which God in his mercy avert;) We therefore declare, that it is as obligatory upon us now, as at the first taking of the same, and are resolved through God's gracious assistance to endeavour a sincere observance of it in all particulars all the days of our lives; we knowing that it is not in the power of any to absolve us from it, or to impose any other sense then what is in the plain and literal expression of it. And we hope God will enable us to be as ready to witness a good Confession of the Truth, being thereunto called, with our dearest blood, as now to profess it by the signing of this with our hands.  

John Taylor Minister of God's Word at Checkley.  
Nicholas Paeston Pastor of Kingswinford.  
Ithiel Smart Minister of God's Word at Womborne.  
Thomas Burdall Minister of God's Word at Walsall.  
Joseph Sound Minister of God's Word.  
John Jackson Pastor of Madely.  
Robert Dowley Minister of God's Word at Elford.  
George Cross Pastor of Clifton Camville.  
William Brooks Assistant to the Pastor of Clifton Camvile.  
Richard Bell Minister of God's Word in Stafford.  
Samson Newton Minister of Chebsey.  
Thomas Lightfoot Pastor of Uttoxator.  
Thomas alsop Minister of the Gospel at Chedle.  
William Langley Minister of the Gospel at Elaston.  
Deliverance Phynihouse Minister of God's Word at Leigh.  
john Smith Minister of Audley.  
Alexand. Hoce. Rector de Dreycott en lee Moores.  
Zachariah Crafton Minister of Newcastle Underline.  
Isaac Kaeling Minister of God's Word at Wolstanton.  
Charles Win Minister of the Gospel at Penne.  
Edward Barton Minister of the Gospel at Wodensbury.  
Richard Bourne Minister of God's Word at Cannocke.  
john Bould Pastor of Alrewas.  
Philip Sharp Preacher of God's Word at Bromley Regis.  
Roger Linch Minister of God's Word at Norton juxta Cannock.  
Edward Nevil Minister of God's Word at Standon.  
Nathaniel Hind Minister of God's Word at Penckridg  
john Dolman Minister of jesus Christ at Brewood.  
William jenning's Minist. of God's Word at Church-Eaton  
Henry Stubbe Rector of Bloore.  
Francis Bowyer Minister of Leek.  
Ro. Ward, Minister of Horton.  
Christopher Turnor de Grindon.  
Gavin Hamilton Minister of Alstonfield.  
Thomas Mounteneys Minister of ●lon.  
john Bowyer Minister of Biddulph.  
Francis Storre Schoolmaster at Walsall.  
Samuel Frankland Schoolmaster at Lichfeild.    

Imprimatur James Cranford. July 14. 1648.  
FINIS.