n (as also, the excellent assistance and great
furtherance of your Reverend Commissioners in this great Work; which now,
through GODS goodnesse, is very near to a period also).

In pursuit whereof, we made a strict survey and scrutinie of every
Proposition, that we might finde it agreeable to, and warranted by the
Word of God, in a method of our own; without resting upon any particular
modell or frame whatsoever already constituted: What we have performed,
and how farre we have proceeded therein, we leave to the information of
your Reverend Commissioners, who have been eye and ear witnesses of all
that hath past, and we doubt not but you will shortly receive a
satisfactory answer from hence, so soon as it shall be passed in the
Honourable Houses of Parliament.

And now, Right Honourable, and right Reverend Brethren, let it not seem
grievous that we have this long delayed the satisfying of your earnest and
just expectation: It is the Lot of Jerusalem, to have her Wals built in
troublous times, when there are many adversaries. Nor let it offend, that
(albeit we acknowledge the many, great, and inestimable expressions of
your love zeal, and helpfulnesse unto us every way in the day of our
distresse, to be beyond all that we can in words acknowledge) we professe
plainly to you, That we do most unwillingly part with those our Reverend
and dear Fellow-labourers, your Commissioners, whom now you have called
home, to render an account of their imployment here; which hath been so
managed both by them and the rest of their Honourable and Reverend
Colleagues, as deserveth many thanks, and all Honourable acknowledgement,
not onely from us, but from you also.

Give us leave to adde, that the long experience we have had of the great
sufficiency, integrity, and usefulnesse of them all, in the great Work of
Christ our common Lord and Master, inforceth us (next to our greatest
sute, continuance of your fervent prayers) to be earnest suiters, not
onely for the continuance of these excellent helpers, Mr. _Alex
Henderson_, and Mr. _Sam. Rutherfurd_, yet remaining with us, but also for
the speedy return hither of our Reverend Brethren that are now going
hence, for the perfecting of that Work which yet remains. And this sute we
trust, you will the rather grant, because of the great and joint
concernment of both Churches and Kingdoms in these matters.

Now the spirit of wisdom and of all grace rest upon you in all your great
consultations,