The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

IT is now about eighteen years since you and many others were appointed by his Majesties commission with divers of us who desired some Reformation of the Church Discipline and worship, to consider what Alterations of the Liturgy were necessary ⟨image 3⟩and expedient for the satisfaction of tender consciences, and the restoring and continuance of peace and Unity to the Churches under his Majesties protection and government. His Majesties Gracious Declaration about Ecclesiastical Affairs, had before showed so much of his Wisdom and care to attain this Unity, as we thought had almost done the cure; the differences about Church Government and most of the rest being thereby as we hoped fairly ended: As (with the help of the Reverend Dr. Sparrow now Bishop of Norwich, and Dr. Pierson now Bishop of Chester) you maintained that no Alteration was necessary to these ends, so I with others endeavoured to prove the contrary: But since, the said Declaration being dead, such Alterations were made as greatly increased our Impossibility of Conforming: we never treated with you for Presbyterian Government, or Independent, but for Unity and peace; Nor did we herein offer you any worse than Arch-bishop Ushers Form of the Primitive Episcopal Government, (which I had declared my judgement of before in print); And I never heard of the name of Episcopal Presbyterians, or Presbyterian Archbishops till of late. And we thankfully accepted much less than that Form, as granted in his Majesties foresaid Declaration. As I doubt not but you still ⟨image 3⟩think that your way was best for the healing of the Church and Land; so I know that I have greatly incurred both your displeasures for what I have said and done against your way. One of you showed it in a Printed Letter long ago, which when I had answered I cast that aside for Peace, (believing that the opening of so many mistakes in matter of fact, would not be easily born:) The other of you since told me, that he would Petition authority that we might be compelled to give our Reasons; as if we kept up a Schism and would not tell why! I rejoiced at the motion, and offered to beg leave on my knees to do it. Since then your Mr. Walton in his Life of Bishop Sanderson hath called me by name to remember our debate aforesaid. I know not of any two men living, that I am now more obliged to give an account to of my continued dissent, than unto you.

IT is now about eighteen years since you and many others were appointed by his Majesties commission with divers of us who desired some Reformation of the Church Discipline and worship, to consider what Alterations of the Liturgy were necessary