Two papers of proposals concerning the discipline and ceremonies of the Church of England…

4. How unsatisfactory it must be to the conscience of a Bishop or Synod, to cut off a man as impenitent, upon the bare report of a Minister, before they have upon full admonition proved him impenitent themselves, especially when too many Ministers are (to say nothing of a passion that may cause partial accusation) unable so to manage a reproof and exhortation, as is necessary to work on the consciences of the People, and to convict Resisters of flat Impenitency.

4. How unsatisfactory it must be to the conscience of a Bishop or Synod, to cut off a man as impenitent, upon the bare report of a Minister, before they have upon full admonition proved him impenitent themselves, especially when too many Ministers are (to say nothing of a passion that may cause partial accusation) unable so to manage a reproof and exhortation, as is necessary to work on the consciences of the People, and to convict Resisters of flat Impentiencie.

5. What abundance of work the Bishop will have (besides constant preaching, which will require time for preparation) visiting the several Churches, confirming all the souls in so many hundred Parishes (which alone is more than any one man can do aright, if he had nothing else to do) Ordaining, Instituting and Examining the persons so far as to satisfy a tender conscience (that takes not all on trust from others, and is but the executor of others Judgments:) These and much more, with a care of Church-building, Lands, and his own Affairs and Family, and sicknesses, and necessary absence sometimes, will make this great additional work (which must be constantly performed for so many hundred Parishes) to be impossible.

5. What abundance of work the Bishop will have (besides constant preaching, which will require time for preparation) visiting the several Churches, confirming all the souls in so many hundred Parishes (which alone is more than any one man can do aright, if he had nothing else to do) Ordaining, Instituting and Examining the persons so far as to satisfie a tender conscience (that takes not all on trust from others, and is but the executor of others Judgments:) These and much more, with a care of Church-building, Lands, and his own Affairs and Family, and sicknesses, and necessary absence sometimes, will make this great additional work (which must be constantly performed for so many hundred Parishes) to be impossible.