A26983:17
A petition for peace with the reformation of the liturgy, as it was presented…
A petition for peace with the reformation of the liturgy, as it was presented to the right reverend bishops, by the divines appointed by His Majesties commission to treat with them about the alteration of it.
London printed : s.n., MDCLXI 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. And we beseech you consider when you should promote the joy and thankfulness of His Majesties Subjects for his happy Restoration, whether it be equal and seasonable to bring upon so many of them so great calamities as the change of able, faithful Ministers, for such as they cannot comfortably commit the conduct of their souls to, and the depriving them of the Liberty of the Public Worship; calamities far greater than the mere loss of all their worldly substance can amount to: In a day of Common Joy to bring this causelessly on so many of His Majesties Subjects, and to force them to lye down in heart-breaking-sorrows, as being almost as far undone, as Man can do it; this is not a due requital of the Lord for so great deliverances: Especially considering, that if it were never so certain, that it is the sin of the Ministers that dare not be Re-ordained, or conform; its hard that so many thousand innocent people should suffer even in their souls for the faults of others.
3. And wee beseech you consider when you should promote the joy and thankfulness of His Majesties Subjects for his happy Restauration, whether it bee equal and seasonable to bring upon so many of them so great calamities as the change of able, faithful Ministers, for such as they cannot comfortably commit the conduct of their souls to, and the depriving them of the Liberty of the Publick Worship; calamities far greater than the meer loss of all their worldly substance can amount to: In a day of Common Joy to bring this causelesly on so many of His Majesties Subjects, and to force them to lye down in heart-breaking-sorrows, as being almost as far undone, as Man can doe it; this is not a due requital of the Lord for so great deliverances: Especially considering, that if it were never so certain, that it is the sin of the Ministers that dare not bee Re-ordained, or conform; its hard that so many thousand innocent people should suffer even in their souls for the faults of others.
4. And if we thought it would not be mis-interpreted, we would here remember you, how great and considerable a part of the three Nations they are, that must either incur these sufferings, or condole them that undergo them; and how great a grief it will be to His Majesty, to see his grieved subjects; and how great a joy it will be to him, to have their hearty thanks and prayers, and see them live in prosperity, peace and comfort under his most happy Government.