A petition for peace with the reformation of the liturgy, as it was presented…

2. Seeing some hundreds of able, holy, faithful Ministers are of late cast out, and not only very many of their Families in great distress, but (which is of far greater moment) abundance of Congregations in England, Ireland and Wales, are overspread with lamentable ignorance, and are destitute of able, faithful Teachers: And seeing too many that are insufficient, negligent, or scandalous, are over the Flocks (not meaning this as an accusation of any that are not guilty, nor a dishonourable Reflection on any party, much less on the whole Church) we take this opportunity earnestly to beseech you, that you will contribute your endeavours to the Removal of those that are the shame and burdens of the Churches; and to the Restoration of such as may be an honour and blessing to them. And to that end, that it be not imputed to them as their unpardonable Crime, that they were born in an Age and Country which required Ordination by Parochial Pastors, without Diocesans: And that Re-ordination (whether absolute or hypothetical) be not made necessary to the future exercise of their Ministry. But that an Universal Confirmation may be granted of those ordained as aforesaid, they being still responsible for any personal insufficiency or crime. Were these two granted (The Confirmation of the Grants in His Majesties Declaration, with the liberty of the Reformed Liturgy offered you, and the restoring of able, faithful Ministers to a capacity to be serviceable in the Church of God, without forcing them against their consciences to be Re-ordained) how great would be the benefits to this unworthy Nation? How glad would you make the peoples hearts? how thankful should we be (for the cause of Christ, and the souls of men) to those that grant them, and procure them; being conscious that we seek not great things for our selves, or for our ⟨p. 3⟩Brethren; that we are ambitious of no greater wealth or honour, than our daily bread, with such freedom and advantage for the labours of our Ministry, as may most conduce to the success, the increase of holiness and peace;

2. Seeing some hundreds of able, holy, faithful Ministers are of late cast out, and not onely very many of their Families in great distress, but (which is of far greater moment) abundance of Congregations in England, Ireland and Wales, are overspread with lamentable ignorance, and are destitute of able, faithful Teachers: And seeing too many that are insufficient, negligent, or scandalous, are over the Flocks (not meaning this as an accusation of any that are not guilty, nor a dishonourable Reflection on any party, much less on the whole Church) wee take this opportunity earnestly to beseech you, that you will contribute your indeavours to the Removal of those that are the shame and burdens of the Churches; and to the Restauration of such as may bee an honour and blessing to them. And to that end, that it bee not imputed to them as their unpardonable Crime, that they were born in an Age and Country which required Ordination by Parochial Pastors, without Diocesans: And that Re-ordination (whether absolute or hypothetical) bee not made necessary to the future exercise of their Ministry. But that an Universal Confirmation may bee granted of those ordained as aforesaid, they being still responsible for any personal insufficiency or crime. Were these two granted (The Confirmation of the Grants in His Majesties Declaration, with the liberty of the Reformed Liturgy offered you, and the restoring of able, faithful Ministers to a capacity to bee serviceable in the Church of God, without forcing them against their consciences to bee Re-ordained) how great would bee the benefits to this unworthy Nation? How glad would you make the peoples hearts? how thankful should wee bee (for the cause of Christ, and the souls of men) to those that grant them, and procure them; being conscious that wee seek not great things for our selves, or for our