The Humble Proposals of Owen, Goodwin, Nye, Simpson, and Others
That persons of godliness and gifts, in the universities and elsewhere, though not ordained, may be admitted to preach the Gospel, being approved when they are called thereunto.
That no person shall be admitted to trial and approbation, unless he bring a testimonial of his piety, and soundness in the faith, under the hands of six godly ministers and Christians, gathered together for that end and purpose, to whom he is personally known; of which number two at the least to be ministers.
That a certain number of persons, ministers, and others of eminency, and known ability and godliness, be appointed to sit in every county, to examine, judge, and approve all such persons, as being to preach the Gospel, have received testimony as above. And in case there shall not be found a competent number of such persons in the same county, that others of one or more neighbor counties be adjoined to them.
That care be taken for the removing the residue of the ministers who are ignorant, scandalous, non-resident, or disturbers of the public peace; and of all schoolmasters who shall be found popish, scandalous, or dis-affected to the government of the Commonwealth.
That to this end a number of persons, ministers and others of eminent piety, zeal, faithfulness, ability and prudence, be appointed by authority of Parliament to go through the nation, to enquire after, examine, judge of, and eject all such persons as shall be found unfit for the ministry, or teaching of schools, being such as above described.
That for the expediting this work, these persons may be assigned in several companies, or committees, to the six circuits of the nation, to reside in each of the counties for such a convenient space of time as shall be requisite, until the work be done; and calling to their assistance in their respective circuits, such godly and able ministers, and others, in each of the counties where they shall reside, to assist them in this work, as they shall think fit.
That these persons so sent and commissioned, may be empowered, before they shall depart out of each county, to return, and to represent to the Parliament the names of fit and sufficient persons, ministers, and others to be appointed and approved of, such as shall be called to preach the Gospel in such counties, and in the mean time, the persons so commissioned as aforesaid, shall have power while they reside in each county, to examine, judge, and approve of such persons, as having a call to preach the Gospel in such counties, shall upon such testimonial as aforesaid, offer themselves to such examination.
That it be proposed, that the Parliament be pleased to take some speedy and effectual course, either by empowering the persons in the several counties to be appointed for trial and approbation of such persons as shall be called to preach the Gospel there, or in such other way as they shall think fit, for the uniting and dividing of parishes in the several counties and cities within this Commonwealth, in reference to the preaching of the Gospel there; saving the civil rights and privileges of each parish.
That all ministers so sent forth and established, be enjoined and required to attend the solemn worship of God, in prayer, reading, and preaching the Word, catechizing, and expounding the Scriptures, as occasion shall require, visiting the sick, and instructing from house to house, residing among the people to whom they are sent, and using all care and diligence by all ways and means to win souls to Christ.
That it is desired, that no persons be required to receive the Sacrament, further than their light shall lead them to. Nor no person sent forth to preach, and already placed, or which shall be placed in any parish within this nation, be compelled to administer the Sacrament to any, but such as he shall approve of, as fit for the same.
That a law may be provided, that all persons whatever within this nation be required to attend the public preaching of the Gospel every Lord's day, in places commonly allowed, and usually called churches, except such persons as through scruple of conscience do abstain from those assemblies.
That whereas divers persons are unsatisfied to come to the public places of hearing the Word, upon this account, that those places were dedicated and consecrated: that the Parliament will be pleased to declare, that such places are made use of, and continued, only for the better conveniency of persons meeting for the public worship of God, and upon no other consideration.
That all persons dissenting from the doctrine and way of worship owned by the State, or consenting thereunto, and yet not having advantage or opportunity of some of the public meeting-places commonly called churches, be required to meet (if they have any constant meetings) in places publicly known, and to give notice to some magistrate of such their place of ordinary meetings.
That this honorable committee be desired to propose to the Parliament, that such who do not receive, but oppose those principles of Christian religion, without acknowledgement whereof the Scriptures do clearly and plainly affirm that salvation is not to be obtained, as those formerly complained of by the ministers; may not be suffered to preach or promulgate any thing in opposition to such principles.
And further, that the Parliament be humbly desired to take some speedy and effectual course for the utter suppressing of that abominable cheat of judicial astrology, whereby the minds of multitudes are corrupted, and turned aside from depending upon the providence of God, to put their trust in the lies of men, and delusions of Satan.
