ie so deeply rooted by
continuance of time not loosed of the Branches, and the _stumpe of the
root left in the Earth, with a band of iron and brasse_, but pluckt up by
the roots; We do confesse that the Carpenters, though prepared have a hard
task, requiring time to hew it down, and root it up: And when we call to
minde how much the Service-Book hath been cryed up as the only way of GODS
Worship, how many thereby have had their wealth, and how difficult it is
to forgoe the accustomed way; We admire the power and wisdom of the good
GOD who hath prospered you in your way, and led you this length, through
so many straits, and over so many difficulties in so troublous a time.

We do for our part not only admit and allow, but most heartily and gladly
embrace the Directory of Worship, as a common Rule for the Kirks of GOD in
the three Kingdoms, now more straitly and firmly united by the solemne
League and Covenant; And we do all in one voice blesse the Lord, who hath
put it in the hearts, first, of the Reverend, Learned, and Pious Assembly
of Divines and then, of the Honourable Houses of Parliament. To agree upon
such a Directory as doth remove what is none of Christs, and preserve the
purity of all his Ordinances, together with Uniformity and Peace in the
Kirk. Only we have thought necessary, to declare and make known, That the
Clause in the Directory for the administration of the Lords Supper, which
appointeth the Table to be so placed that the Communicants may orderly sit
about it, or at it, is not to be interpreted as if in the judgement of
this Kirk it were indifferent for any of the Communicants not to come to
and receive at the Table; or as if we did approve the distributing of the
Elements by the Ministers to each Communicant, & not by the Communicants
among themselves: In which particulars, we still conceive and believe the
order & practice of our own Kirk, To be most agreeable & sutable to the
Word of GOD, the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the nature of that
Heavenly Feast and Table. Neverthelesse, in other particulars we have
resolved, and do agree, to do as ye have desired us in your Letter, That
is, not to be tenacious of old Customs, though lawfull in themselves, and
not condemned in this Directory, but to lay them aside for the nearer
Uniformitie with the Kirk of England, now nearer and dearer to us than
ever before; A Blessing so much esteemed, and so earnestly longed for
among us, that rather than it fa