d, to be set up in the roome thereof: One of which (amongst
others) is of some Brethren that hold the whole power of
Church-government, & all Acts thereunto appertaining (as Election,
Ordination, and Deposition of Officers, with Admission, Excommunication &
Absolution of Members) are by divine Ordinance _in foro externo_, to be
decreed by the most voices, in, and of every particular Congregation,
which (say they) is the utmost bound of a particular Church: endued with
power of Government, & only some Formalities of solemne execution to be
reserved to the Officers (as servants of the saids Church) if they have
any, or if none, then to be performed by some other members, not in
office, whom the said Church shal appoint thereunto, And that every of the
said particular Congregations (whether they consists of few or many
Members, and be furnished with Offices or not) lawfull: may & ought to
transact, determine & execute all matters pertaining to the government of
themselves amongst & within themselves without any authoritative (though
not consulatory) concurrence or interposition of any other persons or
Churches whatsoever, condemning all imperative and decisive power of
Classes, or compound Presbyteries and Synods, as a meere usurpation. Now
because we conceive that your judgement in this case may conduce much by
the blessing of God, to the settling of this question amongst us;
Therefore we doe earnestly intreat the same at your hands, and that so
much the rather, because we sometimes hear from those of the aforesaid
judgement, that some famous and eminent Brethren, even amongst your
selves, doe somewhat encline unto an approbation of that way of
government. Thus humbly craving pardon for our boldnesse, leaving the
matter to your grave considerations, and expecting answer at your
convenient leasure, We commit you, and the successe of this your meeting,
to the blessing of the Almighty, in whom we shall ever remain.

_London, 12 Ju'y. 1641._

_Your faithfull Brethren to serve you in all offices of love._

_The Assemblies Answer to the English Ministers Letter._

_Right reverend and dearly beloved Brethren in our Lord and common Saviour
Jesus Christ._

Wee the Ministers and Elders met together in this Nationall Assembly, were
not a little refreshed and comforted by the good report which we heard of
you, and others of our Brethren of the Kirk of _England_, by some of our
Ministers, who by the good providence of our Lo