ines in
the Kirk of_ England _assembled at_ Westminster.

_Much Honoured and right Reverend._

Amongst other fruits of this our precious liberty, after such dissipation
by Sword and Pestilence, to meet again, we account it not the least, to
have the opportunity of making a publike Declaration of our earnest
affection to all our brethren of that Nation, and especially your selves
of the Reverend Assembly at _Westminster_. When we were lately in a very
low condition, we may say that our own sufferings and fears, although
imbittered with the sense of the Lords displeasure against our luke
warmneese and unfaithfulnesse; yet they did not so take up our heart, but
that room was left to congratulate with the Lords people there in all
their successes, and to condole with them in all their dangers; And if at
any time any here seemed to be more jealous then godly jealousie would
allow, we know not how it can be imputed to any thing else, but to the
vehemencie of ardent affection, and impatient desire to have our brethren
there and us joyned neerer to Christ, and neerer to one another in all his
Ordinances; and especially is Presbyterial Government, so well warranted
by the Word, and approven by experience of our own and other reformed
Churches; Wherein your long and unwearied endeavours have been blessed
with a large increase, which yet hath proved still a seed unto a further
and more glorious expected harvest. There could not be wished by mortal
men a fairer opportunity then is cast in your laps, being invited and
charged by so high an authority, to give so free and publike a testimony
to those truths, which formerly many of the Lords precious ones by tongue
and pen, by tears and blood have more privately asserted; The smallest of
Christs truths (if it be lawful to call any of them small) is of greater
moment, then all the other businesses that ever have been debated since
the beginning of the world to this day; But the highest of honours and
heaviest of burdens is put upon you, to declare out of the sacred records
of Divine Truth, what is the prerogitive of the Crown and extent of the
Scepter of Jesus Christ, what bounds are to be set between Him ruling in
his House, and powers established by God on Earth, how and by whom his
House is to be governed, and by what wayes a restraint is to be put on
those who would pervert his Truth, and subvert the faith of many. No doubt
mountains of oppositions arise, and gulfs of difficulties