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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41790	A sigh for peace, or, The cause of division discovered wherein the great Gospel promise of the Holy Ghost, and the doctrine of prayer with imposition of hands, as the way ordained of God to seek for it, is asserted and vindicated, as the interest and duty of Christs disciples in general : in answer to a book intituled A search for schism / by Tho. Grantham ...	Grantham, Thomas, 1634-1692.	1671 (1671)	Wing G1548; ESTC R39437	69,616	172

or Congr●●tions of Christ as are free from these corrup●ions I will descend to those grounds which ●re more familiar to us and then see how it ●ay reach the case depending between the ●earchers and their Brethren And first from Acts 15. 2. It appeareth that ●here was not only great disputation but dissention also in the Primitive Churches about matters of Doctrine which word dissention doth imply the discontinuance o● communion between Paul Ba●n●bas with those which did adhere to them and that part of the Church which were zealous for Circumcision and the Law And yet we do not finde that they did one unchurch another but used the most effectual means tha● might be to put an end to the strife And very remarkable it is that though the Assembly a● Jerusalem did plainly determine the point o● Doctrine yet did they forbear their censure against the persons who erred in that case 〈◊〉 chusing to exercise all Longanimity rather then severity knowing that their power was given more for Edification● then for destroying any mans attainments in the paths of Christianity Howbeit when this lenity would not effect th● Reformation of the ill manners of those corrupters or depravers of the Gospel then di● the Apostle lay greater weight upon them wh● would not cease to trouble the Churches Gal. 5. 12. Nor is there any reason to doubt but that the Judaizers had generally been held at some distance in point of Communion or privileges in the Churches before Paul wrote to the Gallatians For seeing that Epistle written by Paul Si●vanus and Timotheus did impower the Church at Thessalonica to note such as dis●beyed it with a note of di●inction from the rest of the Christians who conform'd themselves to its directions Then doubtless that Epistle Acts 15. written in the ●ame of the great Assembly at Jerusalem did every way as much impower all Churches to put ●he like note of distinction upon all that did not ●hey the same which note of distinction howso●ver it might lie as a bar against their present Communion yet did it not destroy their Bre●her-hood 2 Thes 3. 14 15. So that it is further evident that a people ●ay be esteemed Brethren in Christ or a Church 〈◊〉 Christ and yet justly be denyed communion ●●th other Churches or Brethren in Christ For ●he matter in short lyeth thus As a Brother is 〈◊〉 member in respect of that Congregation or ●hurch to which he is immediately related ●o a particular Congregation is but a member in respect of the Church universal As therefore a man may be called a Christian Brother and yet justly for some cause be denyed present communion with his fellow Brethren So a Congregation may be accounted a Church of Christ and yet justly be denyed communion by her Sister Churches and chiefly when she is such a Church as causes divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which the Primitive Churches received from the Apostles All which being considered may well serve to satisfie our Brethren that we commit no absurdity in refusing to communicate with them though we grant them the Appellation of the Church of Christ and Brethren in particular as before we have said Having shewed that al● manner of Divisions which happen in the Church are not properly against her they being after a sort rather nec●ssary for her Reformation then to bring he● to desolation when corruption in Doctrin● or manners have made in vasions upon he● Though it must needs be granted that eve● those divisions are accidentally against th● Church and that as for other causes so chiefly for that they are a scandal to the World and a stumbling to weak Christians It behoveth that we briefly shew what we mean by divisions which are properly against the Church and they are such as these 1. When both parties contending strive to set up some sinful thing or their own devices 2. When they divide about that which is not necessary but indifferent only 3. When the point in question is not so much the thing sought for as revenge upon the persons against whom the controversie is held Those and such like tend only to the ruine of Churches having no tendency at all to Edification The first of these shewed it self among the Corinthians when they strove to set up men some this man and others that and this in opposition one unto another 1 Cor. 1. 12. Which folly hath been the overthrow of Congregations where mens persons have been admi●ed and truth neglected The second is rebuked Rom. 14. But why dost thou judge thy Brother or set at nought thy Brother meaning for things indifferent Therefore who art thou that judgest another mans Servant to his own Master he stands or falls yea he shall be holden up for God is able to make him stand The third is detected Gal. 5. 15. for whatsoever the question was this was their sin they did bite one another Thus men may hold the truth in unrighteousness and without Charity preach Christ meerely of envy to add thereby some affliction to the bonds of their brethren Those kind of divisions in the ages bordering upon the Apostles became the Heathens sport and the Christians shame upon their ●pen Theaters Let us therefore now return to consider the Nature of that distemper which hath befallen our body about the fourth principle of Christ his Doctrine Heb. 6. 2. The Searchers have declared it to be the sin of Schism and the part distempered to be only the Congregations under the practice of Laying on of Hands as is evident from the whole Contexture of their search and the directon of the Epistle prefixed to it as if there were nothing amiss in this matter on their part who if I may so speak have made and defended a Schism in the principles of the Doctrine of our Lord and there withall divided themselves from a principle thereof And this word SCHISM is taken by the Searchers not in a mild sense such as wherein it may be taken by propriety of Speech to signifie division in some lower consideration as the word is translated 1 Cor. 1. 10. But they have hoysed it in their application of it to the Congregations professing the fourth principle to the most extream signification even that of Sedition yea to such a degree as if we unchurched all Churches but our selves As if it were a light matter to brand all those Churches for Schismaticks But they should have considered that bare abstaining from communion chiefly at the Table of the Lord which is all that hath been done generally if so much have been done and that upon such immergent occasion as hath at least in the time of hot contention been given for it is far from being sufficient to bear them out in this their rash charge against their Brethren Seeing our Saviour himself puts a bar for coming to the Altar while differences between Brother and Brother only remains undecided which being duly

A Sigh for Peace OR The Cause of Division Discovered WHEREIN The great Gospel Promise of the Holy Ghost and the Doctrine of Prayer with Imposition of hands as the way ordained of God to seek for it Is asserted and vindicated as the Interest and Duty of Christs Disciples in general In Answer to a Book Intituled A Search for Schism By Tho. Grantham a Servant of Christ Gal. 5. 7 8 9. Ye did run well who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth This perswasion cometh not of him that calleth you A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump I have confidence in you through the Lord that you will be none otherwise minded but he that troubleth you shall bear his burthen whosoever he be Wherefore love the Truth and Peace Zech. 8. 19. Printed for the Author 1671. The Epistle Dedicatory To the Church of Christ in London with the General Assembly of Messengers Elders and Brethren occasionally meeting together to consider of the Affairs of the Churches of Christ Salutation c. Brethren WHen I consider how much it is your desire and the desire of the Churches in general that brotherly concord peace and truth might possess the room of all our divisions in affection judgment and practise and particularly in the fourth principle of Christianity And how many Prayers are daily made to God for so great a Blessing And that hopeful way we lately seem'd to be in to lay hold of the thing which hath been so long desired And therewithal that most unhappy obstruction of our hopes as ye know arising from one who should rather have been a restorer of the antient path which many have forsaken and so a healer of the breach which hath been made by its being neglected Who being in reputation for Wisdome having therewithal great opportunity and I am perswaded really intended to do the Church of Christ much good Even then by a little solly following his own Councels doubtless through Satans malice who envied our good hath made himself and his enterprises obnoxious and our wound more grievous I say when I considered these things I could not pass them over without a Sigh even this which here I present unto you saying in my heart Why hath the Lord done this Which was no sooner conceived but I was immediately satisfied that the Lord was jealous for his holy way which had been gr●sly prophaned by an hypocritical conformity thereunto And true for ever is that word Hosea 14. ult All the wayes of the Lord are right and the Just shall walk therein But the Transgressor shall fall therein And certainly as our Brethrens resusing to seek the Lord after the due order at the first so this prodigious hypocrisie at the last may too truly be called Perrez Ecclesia at this day Thou Lord art righteous thou knowest the Hearts of the children of men and hast discovered the hidden things thereof and hast pleaded the cause of thy precious though much abused Truth Even so Lord let our iniquities be ever corrected but yet in mercy forgive us our Trespasses But what shall we say shall we now no more go about this dreadfull work to bring the Ark the fourth principle of Christianity I mean to its proper place in the Churches or rather some irregular Churches to their due reverence unto it If it seem good in the eyes of the Lord let his servants still convene to consider of this matter perhaps we shall find grace in his sight for there is hope that we shall one understand another and with one consent seek and serve the Lord God of our Fore-Fathers And this I am the more induced to believe or hope for from not only the great desire which I yet find to be alive in the hearts of Christians generally that peace in this matter might be upon Israel But also from the great forwardness which I found in the Searchers themselves to consent unto certain Proposals for Peace the first of which is this That it be granted and professed on all sides by the formerly divided parties That that laying on of Hands Heb. 6. 2. is one of the Principles of Christs Doctrine and a part of the foundation This Proposition being considered it may appear that there wants but a step as it were to unity in the truth it self and so to a lasting Peace one with another And methinks it should be no impossible thing for us to agree about the particular service intended Heb. 6. 2. unless a spirit of perversness be mingled amongst us Towards the clearing of which difficulty something is said in the sequel which I desire may be considered Why the Searchers should so much declaim against you as if you unchurched all Church●s but your selves I can see no reason having never understood that you did at any time by any agreement deliver such a Doctrine Nor is it so much your business to meddle with unchurching any body as to keep your selves from corruption in Doctrine and Manners Indeed the point of Communion with those who reject or oppose your Faith and practice in the case depending hath been much debated and resolved in the Negative èspecially touching the Table of the Lord but this is so far from being an Argument that you deny them to be Churches of Christ that it plainly Argues you own them for such but yet such as for their rejecting or opposing some truth of God are therefore uncapable of present communion with those that religiously observe the truth by them rejected and opposed For if you deem them to be no Churches at all what need any debate be had Whether it be orderly or safe to communicate with them at the Lords Table Now that persons may be allowed the Appellation of Christians and so of the Church of Christ and yet as the matter may be circumstanced concerning them ought to be held at some distance in respect of present Communion with other Christians or Churches implies no absurdity but is rather very necessary I hope the ensuing discourse will demonstrate Something also I have said in vindication of the Messengers Office which I perceive to be much questioned by some I confess my self nothing so fit a person to plead this cause as some other However if that which I have done may give occasion to any other to do more or more effectually in this point I shall think my pains well bestowed I commit all that I have said to the blessing of God and the Consideration of his Churches Your Brother and Servant Tho. Grantham To the Authors of the BOOK Intituled A Search for Schism Brethren WHen we consider how God is able to effect good things for his people by contrary wayes even by turning the unkindness of Brethren into means of preservation to the family Gen. 50. 20. we are made even against hope to believe in hope that the product of your doings in your Search and the Epistle prefixed may be good although its procedure in respect

lie in this question we answer further And first By granting that those that are rightly baptized have thereupon a general right to all the priviledges and holy Ordinances in the Church of God and so to the Lords Table among the rest But then secondly we must distinguish between this general right and a regular capacity for the immediate participation of these priviledges The children of Ephraim c. 2. Chron. 30. 18 19 20. had a right to the Passeover in general with the rest of the Israelites because they were Circumcised c. yet sith they were not cleansed according to the Purisication of the Sanctuary they were not in a regular capacity to eat the Passeover with the rest of the Israelites therefore Hezekiah made supplication for them and it was permitted in that strait for they could not do what they would because of the shortness of the time that they should eat the Passeover otherwise then as it was written in the Law but this was an extraordinary case as we have shewed before Again suppose I know that my Brother hath something against me when I am going to the Lords Table this doth not take away my right from the Table of the Lord which I have in general with other Christians only now I am not in a regular capacity to participate And what though those that are baptized according to Christs command have right to the Lords Table as aforesaid yet may they not be preposterous in taking their right for there is an orderly way to partake of our priviledges And we say and have proved that the next step or principle in Christianity to holy Baptism is that we wait upon God in prayer with the Imposition of Hands for the holy Spirit of promise This our Brethren do not only neglect but they oppose it as an humane innovation Upon this not a brother only but the Church hath something against them they refuse to be reconciled unless we allow them in their disobedience at least so far as to leave undone that which is their duty to do hence it appeareth that whatsoever our Brethren may say for themselves in respect of their right to the Lords Table yet we find that in them which ●uts them into an incapacity for their imme●iate participation at least with those Congregations who religiously observe that order ●herein the truths of God are proposed to be ●bserved But here peradventure our Brethren will ●y they do not remember that we have ought a●ai●st them in this case To which it may be ●●swered that makes the case never the bet●●r in respect of them that do know their er●our no more then my Brothers justifying ●imself in his trespass against me doth lessen his ●espass which is so far from that that in truth makes it greater and there is now a necessity ●●at these two be reconciled before they sit ●●●wn at the Lords Table together If yet it should be said we take for granted the ●●ief thing denyed viz. That our Brethren are ●●fenders in the case depending The answer first this objection will help those that 〈◊〉 the Baptism of Repentance against our ●●ethren for denying them communion in ●●eir Congregations as much as it will help 〈◊〉 Brethren against us for though our Bre●●ren say they offend in omitting that part of ●hrists Doctrine yet they deny it 2. Though 〈◊〉 Brethren will needs suppose the case to be doubtful whether what we hold in the case d●●pending be true or no it is out of doubt wit● us and so much the more as by how much ou● Brethren labour to raise new doubts and scruples about it according to that true saying When Black is rightly posited with White Then black 's most dark and white doth shi●● most bright The Searchers insist much upon their offer in order to the accommodating the differen● depending To which I answer had they pe●sisted in that candour and condescending temper which lately some of them pretende● to It is not doubed but the end might ha●● been happy provided that their hearts were 〈◊〉 right according to those pretensions But to 〈◊〉 plain by all that we can as yet understand som● of them were more politick than pious in su●● their endeavours of which let this their Sear●● be an evidence to Pesterity For even when 〈◊〉 were busily endeavouring to answer their co●● descending proposals with the greatest co●plyance which with a good conscience 〈◊〉 could even then comes our Brethren forth wi●● a fire-brand of Schism and Sedition and claps on the backs of our Congregations 〈◊〉 therewithall arms themselves with the 〈◊〉 Clandestine and subtil opposition against the principle under consideration wherewith they have at any time so far as I know as yet advanced themselves against it which yet will make as little for their Credit or the Churches Comfort as their former attempts of this kind have done unless God whose wisdom can bring good out of evil turn it to our advantage for no weap●n formed against the truth shall prosper And though it is true there was some unhappy obstructions of our peace before they Printed their Search so it is as true that the hypocrisie of some of the Searchers was the cause thereof Nor need they make so much of their permitting the Countrey Elders to preach up Laying on of Hands among them when they consider the hot opposition which some of them met with as soon as they had done And it s known from some of the most plain-hearted among them that though we have been desired to preach the Doctrine of Laying on of Hands among them yet it is more to please our humours which our souls abhor then that they have any expectation to see the truth by such preaching Neither is the complaint of our Brethren just at this time how that they or many of them would have submitted to Laying on of Hands did we not prohibit them communion with those with whom they formerly walked For they know that what ever hath been when contention was in the highest about this matter yet there hath been as much forbearance that way of late as could reasonably be desired and this condescention perhaps might still have encreased had you as you promised seaced your opposition against the truth by us professed But now you have revived the whole Controversie in most of the Congregations in England And therefore as the cause of our division at the first was much on their part who divided the principles of Christianity and themselves from a principle there of so the revival and aggravation with the prevention of our concurrance at least in many things will be found at the door of the Searcher when he searcheth well his own Habitation When we consider Pau●s charge to Timothy to withdraw from such as had a form of Godliness denying the power thereof And his command to the Church at Thessalonica to withdraw from every Brother that walketh disorderly we cannot but dislike the

the peace of our Churches Let me now conclude with a free Word to the Brethren of both perswasions And that is to beseech you to consider one another as Brethren and not as Adversaries and as Brethren to put on Charity one towards another and chiefly you that are zealous for the principle under debate the more you walk in the truth the more it concerns you to shew forth your works with meekness of wisdom and to abound in that gift of the Spirit which hopeth and believeth all things which doubtless will teach you to believe this of your Brethren in general that if they saw the truth as you do they would be nothing less zealous for it then your selves and consider in the mean time as they are erroneous in our judgments and certainly erroneous they are so we seem to be to them And though the consequence of their rejecting one principle of Religion do indeed endanger the rest yet let us believe that if they were awar of this they would abhor such an opinion as doth so prejudice the Doctrine of Christ Our Brethren do err it is true but they err with a conscience void of errour because as may be hoped they know not that they err Now Charity suffereth long and is kind is not puffed up against any that zealously serve the Lord though perhaps they err from many of his Precepts Charity is not the companion of that excess of indiscreet zeal which abounds in some men for it knoweth that temperance is as necessary in our zeal as mercy is in judgment violent Spirits seldom or never doth the Church service without disservice And let us consider that the truth we stand for hath no need of our passions to defend it no it s own authority will support it against the strongest opposition therefore let your moderation appear to all men To the Brethren on the other side Let me thus speak beware that you despise not your Brethren especially you that are men of parts because you being taken for Brethren of high degree must now if you own the truth which you have opposed seem to be abased You that have been Instructers of the simple must now learn of Babes or at least such things as pertains to Babes Whereupon if you ask your consciences I am perswaded you or at least some of you have met with such reasonings as once a Wise man met with upon an occasion like to this when he reasoned with his friend after this manner Because others are gone before is it a shame for us to come after or is it not rather a great shame not at all to go after them Aug. Confess l. 8. c 8. And let it be considered how upon the discovery of the right manner of Baptizing for men had forsaken the way of God both in the subject and manner of that Ordinance there was found a kind of necessity for Christians of ancient standing as it were to begin again And yet some then as you now was by no means to be prevailed with but would at least have the way of baptizing left to every mans liberty as you would have the 4th principle and now the Lord hath pleaded that cause when no other endeavour could prevail for those that stumbled at that truth are in a manner wholly extinct in this Nation whilst those that imbraced it are blessed with great encrease And what shall befall you if to your disobedience you shall add pertinacity a little time may determine By that which hath been said you may perceive Brethren how the case stands betwen us gladly would we have communion with you in all Christian priviledges but your willful want as of some may be feared of one principle of Christian Religion and therewithall your endeavours to deprive our Churches of it as is too evident to be denyed puts a stop to that which is so much desired and how it shall be obtain'd is the business for time to determine and O that the set time were come Mean while we must leave the Searchers and their search our selves and our Sigh to him that will cause all the Churches to know that it is he that searcheth the heart and tryeth the Reins and will give to every man according as his work shall be A Defence of the Offices of Apostles and of the continuance thereof in the Church till the end FOr men to strain more at the Word Apostle as some do at the word Bishop then at the work or Office signified thereby is no other thing as I conceive then groundless humility or hypocritical subtilty seeing it is evident that those Titles are as lowly as any that can be given to sute with the matter thereby intended The first signifying a Messenger or one sent the other an Overseer Wherefore that I may avoid this humour I will not fear to call old things by their old names and therefore shall call the Officers of the Church by the same names which the wisdom of God hath given them not to make them proud but rather humbled and to be as a Memento concerning the work which by their Office they stand engaged to do Nor shall we need at this time to say much of the Officers of the Church generally but only of the Office of Apostles or messengers this because some of our Brethren do not only doubt but endeavour to make others doubtful also whether God hath given to his Church ANY Apostles or Messengers to succeed the Primitive Apostles as a constant Ministery in the Church to the end of the World And albeit we say that the Apostles have Successours as well as Bishops c. yet our meaning is not that there are any that succeed them in all respects for there was in the Office of the chief Apostles something ordinary ●nd fixed and something extraordinary and ●emporary the latter was first their immediate ●ission Secondly they ●earned their Doctrine ei●her from the Sacred Lips ●f the Lord Christ or by ●●fallible Revelation and were not taught it ●y man as Timothy and ●ther their successours ●ere Heb. 2. Great sal●ation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard ●im That which we have heard which we have ●●en with our eyes which we have look'd upon and our hands have handled of the word of Life tha● which we have seen and heard declare we unto you 1 John 1. 1 5. But I certifie you Brethren th●● the Gospel which was preached of me was not afte● man for I neither receive● it of man neither was taught it but by the Revelatio● of Jesus Christ Gal. 1. 11. Thirdly They were t● lay a Foundation and t● propose a form of Doctrin● for other Teachers to buil● on and to keep as their pattern and a Standard by which to trie others Doctrine an● Spirits 1 Cor. 3. 10. as a wise Master builde● I have laid the Foundation and another