for the ruine and
destruction of the reformed Religion, and all the Professours thereof. In
all which they shall do that which will be pleasing to God, whose cause it
is, and likewise safe and advantageous to their own Church and Kingdome,
who cannot securely enjoy the great blessings of Religion, Peace, and
Libertie in that Kingdome, if this Church and Kingdome, by the prevailing
violence of that partie, shall bee brought to ruine and destruction.

_Jo. Browne_, Cleric. Parliamentorum.
_Henr. Elsynge_, Cler. Parliamentorum.

_A Letter from some Brethren of the Ministerie in the Kirk of_ England,
_to the Assembly._

_Reverend and beloved;_

The experience which we have had of your forwardnesse in receiving, and
faithfulnesse in weighing our former addresses, hath given us abundant
encouragement to take hold upon this present opportunitie of breathing out
something of our sorrowes, which your love and our necessity, command us
to represent to your consideration and compassion. Much we know we may
commit to the wisedome and fidelity of our Brethren these messengers, to
impart unto you concerning our miserable condition, and unto them shall
leave the most. Your own Nationall, but specially Christian interest, will
not permit you to hide your eyes from the bleeding condition of your poor
distressed Brethren in England, should neither Letters, nor Messengers be
sent unto you; But Messengers coming, we should at once neglect our
selves, should we not thus a little ease our burdened hearts, by pouring
them out into your bosomes, and seem ungrateful to you, of whose
readinesse to suffer with us, and do for us, we have had so great & ample
testimonies.

Surely if ever a poor Nation were upon the edge of a most desperate
precipice, if ever a poor Church were ready to be swallowed up by Satan
and his Instruments, we are that Nation, we are that Church. And in both
respects by so much the more miserable, by how much, we expected not a
Preservation onely, but an augmentation also, of happinesse in the one,
and glory in the other. We looked for Peace, but no good came, and for a
time of healing, and behold trouble! Our GOD who in his former Judgements
was a moth & rottenesse (and yet had of late begun to send us health and
cure) is now turned into a Lion to us: and threatens to rend the very
cawle of our hearts: From above he hath sent a fire into our bones, and it
prevails against us; From our own bowels he hath called f