Five disputations of church-government and worship

To his Highness RICHARD Lord Protector OF THE Common-wealth of England, Scotland and Ireland.

SIR,

These Papers are ambitious of accompanying those against Popery into your Highness presence, for the tender of their service, and that upon the same account. The Controversies here decided, are those that have had a hand in most of the great transactions that of late years have here past; and that still have a hand in the differences that hinder our desired peace. I ⟨image 3⟩observe that the Nation generally rejoiceth in your peaceable entrance upon the Government. And are affected with indignation, if they hear but any rumours that troublesome persons would disturb their hopes. And many are persuaded that you have been strangely kept, from participating in any of our late bloody contentions, that God might make you an Healer of our breaches, and employ you in that Temple•work, which David himself might not be honoured with, though it was in his mind, because he had shed blood abundantly, and made great wars, 1 Chron. 22.7, 8. I perceive also that some settlement of Church-affairs will be expected from you by the most. And therefore it concerneth all our welfare that you be well acquainted with the state of those differences, about which all will expect your judgement. For my own part I think not that matters are half so far out of order in the Churches, as most discontented men imagine: But yet I know there is much to be mended, wherein both God and most good men expect you should contribute a considerable part. Some think there is no settlement in the Church, till they are in the saddle, and all their Brethren are become their servants, and do them obeisance. And alas, we have those that take it for no settlement, till they have the sword in their own hands, or have engaged you to use it at their discretion, and may again fill the Prisons or other Lands, with their Brethren that are far better then themselves Those I mean that in their writings so glory that their predecessors hanged the Puritans, and lament that of late they were but silenced, as being a less effectual means. Some would have no other settlement then we have, or else would have Licentiousness settled by a Law, and have unlimited Liberty in Religion. Doubtless these are conscious what it is that they have