13. February.
[ LVIII] VVE do not yet conceive that the Directory for publick Worship, delivered to us by your Lordships, ought to be enacted, or that it is so likely to procure and preserve the Peace of this Kingdom, as the Liturgy or Common-Prayer-Book alrea∣dy established by Law, against which we have not yet received from your Lordships any Objections; which Liturgy (as the same was compiled by many Learned and Re∣verend Divines, of whom some dyed Martyrs for the Protestant Religion) we conceive to be an Excellent Form for the Worship of God, and hath been generally so held through∣out this Kingdom till within these two or three years at the most. And therefore since there are no Inconveniences pretended to arise from the Book of Common-Prayer to which we conceive the Directory is not more liable, and since there is nothing commen∣dable in the Directory which is not already in the Book of Common-Prayer, we con∣ceive it much better and more conducing to the Peace of this Kingdom, still to observe the said Form, with such Dispensations as we have expressed in our first Paper now pre∣sented to your Lordships: and if there shall be any Alterations proposed by your Lord∣ships of such particulars in the Book of Common-Prayer as good men are scrupled at, we shall willingly endeavour to give your Lordships satisfaction in those particulars; but as yet can make no further or other Answer than we have already done; but shall be ready to receive such Objections as your Lordships shall think fit to make against the Book of Common-Prayer, and your Reasons for introducing the Directory. And for the Proposition concerning Church-Government, annexed to your first Paper, we have no Information how that Government shall be constituted in particular, or what Juris∣diction shall be established, or by whom it shall be granted, or upon whom it shall de∣pend. And therein also we desire further Information from your Lordships.