A message of peace in a letter consolatorie and consiliatory to a neighbor minister for resolution in severall queres, but principally about the use of the liturgie together with a friendly letter sent to Sir Edward Deering about the time of his commitment, by way of answere to his last speech : as also, concerning the liturgie and church-discipline / .

A Copie of the Letter, which was sent to Sir Edward Deering.

SIr, upon my perusall of your last Speech in Parliament, I tooke to my selfe, an humble purpose of signifying to your wor∣thy selfe some animadversions and notes, unto which the seve∣rall particulars of your Speech occasioned me: In the first place I shall be bold to say ingenuously that I heartily am sorry that the bias of your judgement in hoc die after such a Meridian light shining upon us (both from abroad in the reformed Churches, and at home in so ma∣ny judicious, elaborate and learned Treatises formerly and of late) should seeme so much to sway to that side which will certainely expose your late Ho∣nourable esteeme in the heartss of judicious and good men to a great, at ••east diminution and distemper. I humbly conceive very many things in your Speech doe labour of a very great measure of affection: I shall be bold to in∣stance in some few for all. It is surely true that much of late hath beene writ∣ten and said to and fro on both sides about a right administration of Discipline and worship: and truely Sir mee thinks out of that diversitie of what hath beene spoken and written, the Parliament hath a very faire overtùre given them to discover and find out the truth which without it would be of more difficultie to them; It is your owne way in your Parliamentary affaires, and in all Iudicatures concerning Episcopacie, so much hath beene cleerely evin∣ced against it, and nothing of any weight for it, that I shall say nothing at all in that particular: Onely I shall beseech you to consider whether it can pos∣sibly be believed, that amongst any sort of Protestauts, especially the consci∣en••cous party (for the conceit of some giddy silly people is inconsiderable) there be any that do protest against the 3. undoubted signs of a true visible Church. If you meane purity of Doctrine, Sacraments, and Discipline; I know for my part none that are quoad esse at any doubt in the former two, as con∣cerning our Church; and for the latter, I know no man of a right judgement that can acknowledge it for other then such as it is Romish and Antichristian; Sir, I doe not doubt, but that upon search some may be found even amongst us, that deny very Trinitte of Persons and of what number the Arminian Socir••ian and other hellish Popish errors are I know you are not ignorant: But if these or any other of the like nature should now presse into your presence

either in word or writing, I doubt not your name in your Honourable House will shew it selfe in a sodaine suppression of them. Concerning the Liturgie, I shall say nothing, much hath beene judiciously said about it; but I am hear∣tily sorry that such words as these should ever have fallen from the learned lips of Sir EDWARD DEERING; That the Church of England in her publike Prayers, nay her Offe••ture may be as a babbler at all adventure, a brainlesse, stupid, and an ignorant conceit of som••. Sir Edward Dee∣ring, if conceived Prayers be a brainlesse, stupid and ignorant conceit of some, and not most proper to the publike ministration of an able Misistery: I will not Say that noble Lords eyes that lately spake in the House of Peeres on this Subject, but better eyes of multitudes then his or yours doe faile them: Sir, I conceive you are and are not a competent Iudge in this matter: Sir, I heartily wish with you for a Nationall Synod well tempered with Learning and Pietic, that the wavering judgements of unsettled mens winds might be rightly directed about aswell the Doctrine of the Sabbath, as other matters of right worship, and Ecclefiasticall Policie, which by reason of the want of a present, publike competent determination thereof, suffer much in the minde of very many. Sir, I shall now humbly desire but thus much of you, even that what I have written ex animo & amore, may not be taken in any sinister or exasperate sense; Onely I desire you to be pleased to remember that you now stand in a publike designation, of a most considerable trust reposed in you by God and your Countrrey impartially without passion; prejudice or affection, for your part to contribute your best abilities, to make up the hedge, in the thorough Reformation of the Church and Kingdome; that so the Church of England may by your blessed means become that which it never yet was, (the glory of the Reformed Religion) which is the humble and hearty dayly prayer of him who is,

Your unfained wel-wishing Friend. T. R.

Ian. 21. 1642.

Follow Peace with all men and Holines without which no man shall see the Lord; Looking diligently, lest any man fall from the grace of God, lest any root of bitternes springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled,

Hebr. 11.

God of his infinite mercy quench all unkindly heat in all your Honourable Assembly.

FINIS.