An account of all the proceedings of the commissioners of both persuasions appointedAn accompt of all the proceedings of the commissioners of both persvvasions appointed

And make not that so necessary, as to force men to i• on such dreadful terms, which the ancient Churches used with diversity, and indifferency, and liberty. We beseech you, show the world some proof, that the ancient Churches did ever use to force, or require Ministers to subscribe to their Liturgies, as having nothing in them contrary to the Word of God, or to swear obedience to their Bishops, before you impose •uch things on Us, while yet you pretend to imitate Antiquity. And have but the moderation towards your Brethren, as in suffering, or at death, or Judgement, you would most approve. Remember how unpleasing the remembrance of such differences about Ceremonies, was to Bishop Ridley, as towards Bishop Hooper, when they were in Prison; and how the Arians fury made the Orthodox gladly to go to the Churches of the Novatians, and meet with them, and join with them in Prayer, and had almost been united with them, in the bond of Concord, if the Novatians in a stiff maintaining of their old Customs, had not utterly refused it: But yet in other matters, they embraced each other with so singular a Benevolence and Love, that they would willingly have dyed for each other, (as Socrates tells us, Hist. lib. 2. cap. 30.) And may we not all here ⟨p. 96⟩see our duty? When Atticus was urged to deny to the Novatians the liberty of their Meetings within the City, he refused it, because they had suffered for the Faith in the Arians persecution, and changed nothing in the Faith, though they separated from the Church; and was so far from violence against dissenters, as that he gave large relief to them that differed from him in Religion, Socrat. Hist. lib. 7. cap. 25. It was the much praised saying of Theodosius to him, that asked him, why he put none to death that wronged him; [I would I could rather make them that are dead, alive] Socrat. l. 7. c. 22. Much more should Christian Bishops be enemies to cruelty, who know that Charity is more essential to Christianity, than this or that Form of Liturgy or Ceremonies is. If you think it unsufferable, that we should have differences about such things, remember that there will be no perfect Unity, till there is perfect Charity and Sanctity; and that destroying one another, and consequently destroying Charity, is an unhappy way to Unity.

And make not that so necessary, as to force men to i• on such dreadful terms, which the ancient Churches used with diversity, and indifferency, and liberty. We beseech you, shew the world some proof, that the ancient Churches did ever use to force, or require Ministers to subscribe to their Lyturgies, as having nothing in them contrary to the Word of God, or to swear obedience to their Bishops, before you impose uch things on Us, while yet you pretend to imitate Antiquity. And have but the moderation towards your Brethren, as in suffering, or at death, or Judgement, you would most approve. Remember how unpleasing the remembrance of such differences about Ceremonies, was to Bishop Ridley, as towards Bishop Hooper, when they were in Prison; and how the Arrians fury made the Orthodox gladly to go to the Churches of the Novatians, and meet with them, and joyn with them in Prayer, and had almost been united with them, in the bond of Concord, if the Novatians in a stiff maintaining of their old Customs, had not utterly refused it: But yet in other matters, they embraced each other with so singular a Benevolence and Love, that they would willingly have dyed for each other, (as Socrates tells us, Hist. lib. 2. cap. 30.) And may we not all here