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

Whereas on the other hand in the judgement of the Opposers they are by some held sinful, and unlawful in themselves, by others very inconvenient and unsuitable to the simplicity of Gospel-Worship, and by all of them very grievous and burdensome, and therefore not at all fit to be put in balance with the Peace of the Church, which is more likely to be promoted by their removal, than continuance: Considering also how tender our Lord and Saviour himself is of weak Brethren, declaring it much better for a man to have a mill-stone hanged about his neck, and be cast into the depth of the Sea, than to offend one of his little ones: And how the Apostle Paul (who had as great a Legislative Power in the Church, as any under Christ) held himself obliged by that Common Rule of Charity, not to lay a stumbling block, or an occasion of offence before a weak Brother, choosing rather not to eat flesh whiles the world stands (though in it self a thing lawful) then offend his Brother for whom Christ died: We cannot but desire that these Ceremonies may not be imposed on them, who judge such Impositions a Violation of the Royalty of Christ, and an impeachment of his Laws as in insufficient, and are under the holy awe of that which is written, Deut. 12. 32. (What thing soever I command you, observe to do it) Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it) but that there may be either a total abolition of them, or at least such a liberty, that those who are unsatisfied concerning their lawfulness or expediency, may not be compelled to the practice of them, or subscription to them. But may be permitted to enjoy their Ministerial Function, and Communion with the Church without them.

Whereas on the other hand in the judgement of the Opposers they are by some held sinful, and unlawful in themselves, by others very inconvenient and unsuitable to the simplicity of Gospel-Worship, and by all of them very grievous and burthensome, and therefore not at all fit to bee put in ballance with the Peace of the Church, which is more likely to be promoted by their removal, than continuance: Considering also how tender our Lord and Saviour himself is of weak Brethren, declaring it much better for a man to have a mill-stone hanged about his neck, and bee cast into the depth of the Sea, than to offend one of his little ones: And how the Apostle Paul (who had as great a Legislative Power in the Church, as any under Christ) held himself obliged by that Common Rule of Charity, not to lay a stumbling block, or an occasion of offence before a weak Brother, chusing rather not to eat flesh whiles the world stands (though in it self a thing lawful) then offend his Brother for whom Christ died: Wee cannot but desire that these Ceremonies may not be imposed on them, who judge such Impositions a Violation of the Royalty of Christ, and an impeachment of his Laws as in insufficient, and are under the holy awe of that which is written,