testimony they have given forth through the same grace upon them and chuse the greatest of sufferings rather then defile themselves and continue edifying of the Saints and Churches of God in a more private way as they have opportunity I humbly judge they shal be accepted with the Lord as his faithful witnesses and be just fied in the consciences of all serious people especially when the issue of this dispensation shall be made manifest And thus have we stated this case we hope according to Scripture light and leave it with the Lord to make it a blessing to any of his But what doth the Lord call for by way of duty of all his people in a time of retiremeâ—â— 1. To spâ—ak often one to another Mal. 3. It was a time when there was hardly a Priest to speak publickly to them but such as corrupted â—he worship of the Lord Then they that feared the Lord spake often oâ—e to anoâ—her anâ— the Lord bearkened and heaâ—d it and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that seâ—red the Lord and that thought upon his Name They had great thoughts of heart for the Name of their God and they spake no doubt of his dispensation and of the signs of the times and what he call'd for to strengthen settle and comfort one another this is the practice Saints should be serious and conscientious and often in in such a day and so keep up the practice of Ordinances among them 2. To bee found as the mournâ—rs of Zâ—on In the day of Zions breach and Captivity the promise of mercy runs to her mâ—urnâ—rs to the humble and contrite ones Isa 57. 15. 18. with those hee will dwell those hee will revive and heal Hee wiâ—l not câ—ntend always lest their spirit fail but will restore comfort to the mâ—uâ—ners So â—saiah Chap. 61 ver 2 3. And Chapter 60 vers 10. This was Jeremiahs spirit In that day Jeremiah 14 ver 17. let mine eyes run down with tears and let thâ—m not cease for the Virgins Daughter of my pâ—ople is broken with a great breach with a very grievous â—lâ—w Oh that the Lord would give down this Spirit upon his people as we would call for a Spirit of Bravery and Courage which in its season is honorable and hath appeared upon many of the Ministers of Christ so let us call upon one another for this Spirit also to be found mourning apart and together in our retirements for the abominations and blasphemies of the land for our former un profitableness unholiness security formality hypocrisie pride of life divisions frowardness back shdings breach of Vows and Covenants with the Lord self-seekings in the management of the precious cause of the Lord Jesus which now lieth as crucified Oh! do we mourn over it as wel as talk of it 3. Jesus Christ calls to heart-searching In such a day is every one to be retiring into their own hearts and finding out the plague of them Lam. 3. 40. In the day of their captivity then saith the Prophet let us search and try our ways c. Then is every one to be awakening his own heart every soul attending to a renewed repentance and humility to renewed mortification in the spirit that it may be as a day of a new conversion upon all our spirits 4. In such a day Jesus Christ calls his to uniting that we get all our prejudices to be removed and healed though under different measures of light as we are upon the enquiry of our way to Zion after the long night of Antichristian darkness we have many stones in our way and much remaining darkness upon our spirits and the Lord gives out light gradually to his people in the Churches restoration which calls for a mutual forbearance from all that would see the beauty of Zion and press after it and not imposing one upon another much less devouring one another by the way Ah! when our spirits are more melted by the Gospel and we are more in the spirit of the Gospel it shall be so then shall wee know one another as Saints and upon that account have Communion together and not bee bound up to any Form and make it a Law of Communion which is indeed no better then a dreg of christiaâ—ism upon our spirits Union with the Lord Jesus is the ground of fellowship with him and loâ—t shâ—uld be one with another 1. Joh. 1 3 Let us all contend together for the great interest of the â—ospel power of Godliness purity of Worshâ—p as as the great and common interest of all that fear the Lord. 5. In retiring times the Lord calls to much secret duty especially of prayer Cant. 2. 14. Oh my Dove that art in the clefts of the rock c. Jesus Christ behold his Dove in the clifts of the Rock in her retirement as hid from the wrath of her Enemies and there she mourns in a Dove â—ike spirit and the Lord delights to see her face and hear her voice Some have more fully heard what great things single Saints have â—one in prayer for the people of God how they have prevailed with God as Jâ—cob Moses Joshua Samuel David Elijah Isaiah Jeremiah Daniel c. in their several generations who were men of like passions with us Let me alone saith the Lord to one Moses Every praying soul should be so awakened and engaged in this Work at this day as if the whole lay upon his or her shoulders as if his cryes even alone were to prevail for Zion's deliverance Oh my dear Companions in the Kingdome and Patience of Jeius Christ cry mightily and sigh with â—itrerness and unutterable groans pour out your souls as water before the Lord because of the sinne and breach of the people of your God Oh cry for Healing for Zion cry for your Bread those precious Gospelfeedings of which you are bereft cry against Babylon and the Horns that are pouring ouâ— the blood of your Brethren Cry â—or the ruine of the Beasts Kingdom and the exaltation of the Throne of Jesus Christ in the world 'T is said Dan. 7. 13. One like the Son of Man came to the Ancient of Dayes and they brought him near before him Saints by Faith and Prayer do bring the Son of Man near before the Father And then there was given him Dominion Glory and a Kingdom that all People Nations and Languages should serve him ver 14. If such a Spirit be given forth in the entering into our Chambers verily the wind thereof shall put such an Earthquake into the tenth part of the City and the Foundations that are now laying that it shall be like a breach ready to fall swelling out in a high wall whose brâ—aking comeâ—h suddenly aâ— aniâ—stant Isa 30 13. 14. And the Adversaries of the Lord shall not see whence their blow cometh Certainly never did such a praying generation miscarry 6. In retiring times the People of God should walk wâ—sely at such a time when a
man is made an offendor for a word Let us all labour to do all in the Wisdom of Jesus Christ in our walking towards the World in 〈◊〉 assembling in our particular walkings in our silence and in our speaking lest not onely themselves but their Brethren also suffer by their weakness and folly Whoso â—â—lketh wisely shall be delivered Prov. 28. 26. 7. In retiring times Jesus Christ calls for bowels towards the afflâ—ctions and necessities of Brethren this is a special duty of the day some thousands of Families are bereft of their bread while the Lord hath spared to others a full portion not onely in mâ—râ—y to themselves but to be a blessing to their distressed Brethren Blessed be the Lord for what he hath done upon the spirit of his servants in this thing already Aâ— the distress will encrease so should the hearts and bowels of such in whose hand it is be enlarged else let not them think to partake of the day of mercy if they shew no mercy to their Brethren when the present dispensation so eminently calls for it A blast from Heaven wil come forth upon the Estates Families Names Spirits of such professors who with-hold bread from the hungry and cast it not upon the waters in such a day Never was such an opportunity put into the hands of any generations to shew much kindnesse to Christ and his Saints as at this day never such a time to lay up much treasure in Heaven 8. The day calls for resignment to the will of God to suffer or to do according to his good pleasure The Lord hath triumphed in some of his suffering ones who have gloriously overcome by the Blood of the Lamb not loving their lives â—â—to the death 't is possible some others may be called forth in the same way many to prisons and much hardship Oh! let us be resigned up to the will of Jesus Christ to be contented he should glorifiâ— himself upon us which way hee pleaseth Live upon that faithful saying 2 Tim. 2. vâ—r 11 12. If we suffer with him we shall also reâ—gn wâ—th him what more can be â—esired You have the pâ—â—mise of Jesus Christ to be with you in what he calls you to and you have the rich experience of your Brethren of his faithfulness therein who triumphed over death in a spirit of glory that was upon them for the Lords Prisoners even in every Prison of England their hearts are full of the praises of the Lord crying to the amazement of their Persecutors Blessed be the Lord for a Prison let not our Brethren be discouraged for Christ wâ—ll meet them and walk with them there This may quiet the hearts of all Saints and not be troubled in case the Providence of God so dispose of them and yet they are to walk wisely in this not exposing themselvs beyond what they see the Lord clearly calling themto and their own conscience satisfied therein A good Cause a good Call a good Conscience makes a mans sufferings sweet to him A servant of Christ may be in a good Cause and in a good work in a Christian duâ—y yeâ— noâ— have a clear Call at that time and season to it 9. The Lord calls for Cruciâ—iedness to the world a weanedness from all Creature comforts Redemption from all Earthly Interests that their hearts be loosned from them The world was got into the hearts of Professors now it must be cast out and the heart crucified to it if they think to follow the Lamb at this day Let every Believer improve his fellowship with the death of Jesus Christ to this purpose and by Faith realize Christ and heaven and glory and for the heart to feed upon them that the world be not as a weight upon their spirits which hath already drowned ensnared perverted too many and is the very bane of profession if not to the falling short of the Kingdom of God yet as to their own comfort their serving the Lord in their Generation Jesus Christ never much honored a worldly Professor or if so if the world at last â—ook hold of him â— bâ—ast wâ—s upon him 1. In retiring times the Lord calls to waiting a patient waiting I charge you that you sleep not nor awake my Lovâ—till he please saith the Spouse Cant. â— 7. The Soouse was contented to wait for him That word of Esâ—y chap. 52. 12. should be pondered by all that fear the Lord For ye shall not go out in hast nor go by flight for the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your Reâ—eward The word refers to the day of the Captivity they should not go out by hast but see the Lord going before them by some signal providence or other as a call to them to go forth Then the Lord faith he would be their Rereward though the Enemy pursue them they should not be able to harm them the Lord in some Cloud or Pillar of Providence or other will call â—orth his People and they shall hear his voice and follow him Precipitancy is the issue of unbelief men do not hang upon the Arm of the Lord when impatiency carries them to such precipitancy Specially let us take heed to this When the Lord is casting in such Harbingers as fore-runners of his coming by signs and wonders in the Heavenâ— and on the Earth and on the Seas yea it may be by special Visision to some of his Servants and the expectation of Saints generally raised to look for him Oh let us wait for he will bring distresse upon his Enemies that they shall walk as blind men Neither shall their silver nor their Gold be able to deliver them in the Day of the Lords Wrath upon tâ—em Zeph. 1. 17. For behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the Earth for their iniquity and the Earth shall disclose her â—lood Isa 2â— v. last 11. As Saints are patiently to wait so also to take heed that they do not fall asleep I say the Lord delayeth c to let them be girt up as expecting their Lord calls and be ready to follow him wheresoever he goeâ—h c. let them not say in their hearts that the Lord hath forâ—aken his people that he is carrying the gospel from England that it is like to be as in the Boâ—emian day and so be consulting to make haste by flight into other Countrâ—ys unless such whose case may be peâ—uliar verily this would be for a provocation this would be the bitter fruit oâ— unbelief lo the Lord will hide you in your own land and keep you as the apple of his Eye hidâ— thy selfe as it were for a little moment freâ— not against the Lord though you are called off from your publike Assemblies and your Ministers laid as dead Verily the Lord who holdeth his Stars in his right hand will cause them to shine â—orth again and they shall give a more glorious light the Lord will be against the
THE LAMB CALLING HIS Follovvers TO Retirement Being an Humble Enquiry into the duty of Churches Ministers and all that fear the Lord under the present dispensation of God By one that would be found though unworthy the Lords Witness and Servant and of all his SAINTS 1 COR. 4. 5. Judge nothing before the time Printed in the year 1662. TO THE READER THe different apprehensions of the People of God in this day concerning their present duty being cut off from their publick liberties of Worship gave occasion to the ensuing Enquiry some judging it of absolute necessity to assemble openly though they expose themselves or at least their Teachers to the utmost hazard others that Retirement is that which the present dispensation calls for which later this brief Discourse endeavours to prove as justifiable from the Scripture and the practise of the People of God in former Ages but more especially to be the voice of the Lord to his people in the present day in which there is a concurring judgement of many But that Retirement which is first called to namely unto the Lord Jesus himself which is briefly prest in the former part is that which is commended to all as absolutely necessary as ever they expect to be found under his wing at his coming and appearing and Reader hear the call of Jesus Christ therein that thou mayst lay up thy immortal soul with him that when storms are coming upon the World thou mayst be found in thy Sanctuary in thy Chambers of Rest and Safety where they shall not reach thee As to the Case of Retirement from open Assembling it is plainly stated from Scripture evidence as is humbly apprehended wherein if there be not enough said to satisfie a doubting Conscience yet at least there may be sufficient to engage humble and sober minds to a mutual forbearance The duties of all Saints under this Retirement are but briefly hinted because of brevity and in that they have been more at large prest by the Servants of God in the two years of mercy we have enjoyed as the peculiar blessing of this City to the honour of the Lord Jesus the establishment of the Saints in the faith and worship of the Gospel and in the Resurrection of the Cause of the Kingdom of Christ in these Nations the vindicating and asserting whereof hath as is hoped left a gratious and powerful impression and savour upon the Spirits of the Lords people that so they may be found the more quietly submitting to the dispensation of the Lord as blessedly establisht in the forementioned truths and may in those holy principles in which they have been built up continue in a more private way edifying one another in love as those in this their retirement that are waiting for the speedy return of their Lord that when he comes he may find them so doing This you may do as under the wings of the Almighty in a probable security and not hasten your selves into your own sufferings and if the providence of God single out any of you to a suffering testimony in the loss of liberty or goods or to banishment verily you will know the tender heart of Jesus Christ towards you and his faithfulnesse in making up all to you and yours and that in this life a hundred fold Be quiet you Captives of hope for in returning and rest shall ye be saved in quietnesse and confidence shall be your strength And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy Teachers be removed into corners any more but thine EYES SHALL SEE THY TEACHERS Do not think that the Lord is now at the end of twenty years work and that the present dispensation is the last issue of all his glorious providences you have sometime believed that the Exaltation of the Lord Jesus would be the issue of all the shakings the Lord hath made in these Nations and you have as great if not a greater ground to abide in the same Faith as ever Take heed of a bewildred Spirit under the dark providences the Lord is leading us but consider what the Lord hath been doing and what work hath been upon the wheele and by faith labour to look to the end of the Lord and you will be able quietly to wait for him I wish the Case in hand had been stated by an abler hand but finding nothing herein I have found my Spirit often looking for light from the Father of lights drawn out to cast in this mite to the present Generation of the righteous as hoping that the voice of the Lamb is in it in the main scope of it And though it may be in what is hinted about the death of the witnesses I may differ from some of the Lords Servants yet I promise my self their forbearance it being an houre of enquiry and we would be all glad to know the mind of Christ in our day Something more may be offerd to consideration to clear those hints and of the nature of the Kingdom of Christ in this World if the Lord permit Now the blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve all his in this houre of temptation and lead us into his whole Counsel and Will to whose immutable grace I commend thee in the patient waiting for Zions Redemption The 25. of the 5. Month 1662. Resting Thy Brother and Fellow-Servant in the Patience of Christ ESAY 26. 20. Come my People enter thou into thy Chambers and shut thy doors about thee hide thy self as it were for a little moment untill the indignation be overpast THE special Wisdome of the People of God in all Generations under the variety of his dispensations hath been to know what the Lord hath spoken and called his People to under them in the knowledge of which hath been bound up their mercy and peace in every Generation All their miscarriages have been for want of attending hereunto either in a day of peace and outward blessing or in a day of affliction and judgement The safety of this people to whom this word was spoken Enter into thy Chambers c. did lye in the obedience thereof at that day which let us a little more particularly consider This Prophet though many years before the day of it spake of the Captivity of Judah and also of her return and restauration with the blessings that should attend it which restauration he more at large begins to discover at the 14. Chap. For the Lord will have mercy upon Jacob and will yet chuse Israel and set them to their own Land c. Upon which the Prophet having denounced the burden of the Lord against Babylon Chap. 13. threatens all other Nations to the 25. Chap. that but helped in or rejoyed at the day of his Peoples Captivity as Moab and Syria and Egypt and Tyre c. As is more generally exprest ch 17. 12 13 14. Wo to the multitude of many people which make a noise like