be
sins against the laws of Christ; and so far as they can find iniquity in
the foresaid offences, may provide by ecclesiastic constitutions for the
future, that the like compliances with the like contrivances of usurping
enemies, may never again be allowed, under pain of church censures, to
prevent and preclude all fears of divisions, to be occasioned by the
like defections, in time coming. And as we offer and promise, so far as
we are, or may be convinced, to confess our offences, any manner of way
that church-judicatories shall appoint; so, for the satisfaction of all
concerned in the late differences, and removal of offences, given or
taken, we desire and expect, that such failings in the above specified
particulars, or others, be laid to heart by all sorts of ministers and
preachers, as they are convinced of, or after search, may be discovered
to them by this reverend assembly: And that these, among the sins of the
land, be set down in order as causes of a public fast, upon some week
day, through all the meetings of Presbyterians within this kingdom; and
that the sins of the people be intermixed among these causes. Further,

As we humbly conceive, it would prove a very proper and promising
expedient, for promoving, preserving and propagating reformation; for
settling and keeping order and union; for preventing and precluding
innovation or corruptions; for discovering and discouraging apostates or
schismatics, malignants or sectaries, and excluding them from access to
do further hurt; so we hope, we shall be approven and seconded by many
in this reverend Assembly, in craving the renewing of the covenants,
either both the national and solemn league, with accommodations to our
times, or one made up of both, with additions or explications, suiting
our present case and day, with a solemn acknowledgment of the public
breaches, and engagement to the duties of the covenants: Humbly moving,
that none be forced to swear or subscribe the same, or so much as
admitted to it, except they be such, as may be judged, in charity, to
have a competent knowledge, and sense of the sins and duties thereof.

In fine, Though we will not take upon us, to propose the time or the way
of purging out the episcopal clergy, yet we cannot and dare not forbear,
to plead and obtest that they may not be continued, nor kept in the
churches whereinto they have intruded; nor re-admitted that are, or may
be laid aside, until they give approvable evidence