A Letter of the Presbyterian ministers in the city of London presented the first…

6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion, inevitably divide one Kingdom from another, and unhappily make Factions and Parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant; of which evil Offices, whosoever shall be found guilty, are reputed in the words of the Covenant,^(q) Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Instruments, to be discovered, that they may be brought to public trial, and receive condigne punishment, Art. 4. and 5.

6. This will palpably hinder the Reformation of Religion, inevitably divide one Kingdome from another, and unhappily make Factions and Parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant; of which evil Offices, whosoever shall be found guilty, are reputed in the words of the Covenant,^(q) Incendiaries, Malignants, or evil Instruments, to be discovered, that they may be brought to publick tryal, and receive condigne punishment, Art. 4. and 5.

1. (q)The Toleration of deformity, even in little matters, sometimes causeth Factions and Parties amongst the people. Let us have a care we be not Incendiaries, or evil Instruments for Sacrilegious Spirits to work by, ill-affected as well to Presbytery as Episcopacy.

These are some of the many considerations which make deep impression upon our Spirits against that great Diana of Independents, and all the Sectaries so much cried up by them in these distracted times, viz. A Toleration, a Toleration. And however, none should have more rejoiced then our selves in the establishment of a Brotherly, Peaceable, and Christian Accommodation: yet this being utterly rejected by them, we cannot dissemble how upon the fore-mentioned grounds, we detest and abhor the much endeavoured Toleration, Our bowels, our bowels, are stirred within us, and we could even drown our selves in tears, when we call to mind how long and sharp a travel this Kingdom hath been in for many years together, to bring forth that blessed fruit of a pure and perfect Reformation; and now at last after all our pangs and dolours, and expectations, this real and through Reformation, is in danger of being strangled in the Birth by a lawless Toleration, that strives to be brought forth before it.