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

FIRST REGISTER : LETTER TO L. PRESIDENT 199
ready and courteous accepting thereof we acknowledge
ourselves bound thankfully to remember), and of late
addresse hath been made by many ministers from severall
parts of the nation to the Councill, in behalf of the Govern¬
ment of the Church, that the judicatures thereof may not
be impeded to act in matters ecclesiasticall according as
hath been allowed them by the lawes of the land, and
that the usurpation intended by some among ourselves
may not be countenanced nor assisted, so we have made
bold to recommend those things more particularly to your
Lordship’s serious thoughts and care, being encouraged
hereunto,* not only by your Lordship’s favourable con-
descendencie in admitting us to propound our case freely
to you, but also by the experience we have found of your
tenderness towards us, evidenced by such wise moderation
in managing affairs relating to us, as hath prevented much
distresse and confusion that probably wee might other-
wayes have been brought into through mistakings. Wee
shall not need insist in repeting the things which the body
of the ministrie in the land do desire, they being sufficiently
expressed in the forementioned information and petition.
Only we beg leave humbly to represent to your Lordship
the equity and justice of these desires in behalf of the
government of the Church, it being not only grounded
upon God’s Holy Word, but ratified and established also
by the lawes of the land in the beginnings of the Reforma¬
tion, and since after great suffering and expense re-estab-
lished and confirmed to the refreshment of all the godly
who groaned under the usurpation and tyrannic of prelats.
This doth appear from many Acts of Parliament, some
whereof we have pointed at in the inclosed paper, which
wee humbly intreat may be looked upon and considered.
And albeit any ecclesiastick government in the Church
for ordering its spiritual affairs, distinct from the civill
government, be ordinarily lookt upon with an evill eye,
yet, as this government is of Christ’s institution and
appointment as King and Head of His Owne Church, and
committed by Him to His Owne Church officers, so it
is nowayes prejudicial! to the civill government or any