Series 3 > Register of the consultations of the ministers of Edinburgh and some other brethren of the ministry > Volume 1

FIRST REGISTER: QUERIES
95
Queries proponed by the Brethren for the Assemblies
upon the Overtures given in by the Dissenters
November 12, 1654.
Because in the overture for union represented to us by
our Brethren, there are some things darke and dubious to
our apprehension, so that we may happly mistake our
Brethren’s sense and intention therein, therefore, for avoid¬
ing such mistakes and unprofitablie in spending of time that
may be thereby occasioned, wee desire to be cleered in
these particulars following, for a right understanding of
our Brethren’s meaning, wherein being cleered, wee shall
by the Lord’s Grace delyver our mynd to them upon the
articles of the overtures, declaring what we cannot agree
unto, and what we may and will yeeld (being resolved herein
to condiscend as far as in justice and conscience we can
possibly) for obtaining the so much desired union, and shall
shew ourselves ready to confeir with them in a brotherly
way upon all.
1. Concerning the matter, the preface,—I. Wee desire to
know the extent of these matters contraverted, which are
made the object of the liberty desired to be allowed.
And, 1, in relation to the time past, if under these be
comprehended not only the principall contraverted matters
upon which our sad distraction began, viz., the westerne
Remonstrances, the publick resolutions, and the authority
of the two late Generali Assemblies, but also all such
matters wherein differences have been fallen or run upon
since that time; 2, for time to come, if they shall be
stretched furth unto all such matters as haply may be
contraverted amongst us hereafter. II. If the liberty of
practise desired to be allowed in these matters contra¬
verted, be mutuall or not, for exampill, if it importeth
liberty on their part to declare and reason by preaching,
writeing, etc., for the matters of the remonstrance and
against the public resolutions and the authority of these
Assemblies, and the same liberty be not also reserved to