mourn and grieve for you that if it were the Will of our heavenly Father you might be recovered out of the Snare and do trust many of you will but in case We should join with you before the least acknowledgement of your evil should not we return to you before you return unto the Lord and so come under the reproof of that Scripture Jer. 15.17 and that also in 2 Cor. 6 17 18. Yea Would it not rather be a grieving of the Spirit and making light of so precious an Ordinance as Prayer is Have We not some sad experience hereof already in that dya of Prayer kept with you when our first Paper was to be debated What contrariety of spirits did then appoar Were We not in the duty deeply judged and censured by one of the chief amongst you when We came to lay the matter in difference before the Lord If so little confort then sure less now Can two pray together except they be agreed We do therefore humbly apprehend before any such conjuction be that you will first inquire into the great evil amongst you and not to eat with such persons but in brotherly love to admonish them and then to waite and see whether the Lord will humble them in the sence thereof if this were done We know that the consequence on your part would be to lye low before the Lord for complying with them to this day and when you shall minifest repentance by such a Work then We should have joy and confort in joyning with you to be further humbled before the Lord and also to lie at the Lords and your feet as to any other thing you should desire of us for his Name sake for We hope it is not in our hearts to be lifted up above our Brethren but onely to be faithful unto the Lord in a day of so great Apostacy Now as to the second thing about seeking to the Lord for a right way what you and we ought to do for the healing of the breach between us This seems to turn the goodness of the Lord upon himself and to forget his loving kindness yea to deny that We have been in a right Way after so much seeking unto and waiting upon him for direction and counsel from time to time yea give us leave to say That we humbly judge the Lord hath led us in a right path to this day and hath made darkness light crooked things straight before as well as since our first withdrawing Moreover wholly to question the ground of our proceedings to this day would be also of great reproach and dishonour to the Name and Cause of our Lord Jesus Christ and pre-declare to any discerning eye that We are returned from whence We vvere withdrawn upon no solid substantial grounds To the third namely That if there were any other thing necessary to be added we might have our freedom This we conceive needs little return respect being had in our answer to the two former propositions Thus desiring a tender construction if it may be of what is here laid down as to your last Message and chiefly to eye the first part as it relates to the choice of persons for clearing of the difference between us We remain Dated the first day of the first Month 1657. Your poor unworthy Brethren Sisters mourning for you yet apprehending that as truth is with us so the Power of the Church rests in us Signed in the Name and by the appointment of the whole none contradicting John Proud Tho Cary Caleb Ingold John Sealey AFter the delivery of this Paper We continued waiting upon the Lord as formerly expecting a return as to the contents of the first part thereof relating to the choice of persons by us and them to hear the matter in difference which many of us did the more earnestly desire not onely for the further manifestation of truth but also to take off that scandal laid by them upon us That we were altogether Judges of our own cause and would not admit of the hearing of it by others but three months time expiring since the delivery of our said Paper or thereabouts and no return given unto us one Way or other it seemed to many of us that their silence was a flat denyal to our render to the first part of our said Paper which put us upon further inquiry into our duty and to that end a day was set apart to seek the Lord for advice and counsl and the greatest part whereof being spend upon that account we then came to enquire of each other what the Lord had set upon our hearts as our further duty and after some discourse about it came to this result That having made so many tenders unto those from whom we were withdrawn with so little effect we had hopes to obtain our reasonable desire from them and therefore judged it our duty to proceed to the work of separation And accordingly some Brethren were chosen out from amongst us to make a draught thereof as the Lord should direct them and yet hereby not to exclude any Message that might come in the mean time from the other part neither to be too sudden about it so that it was about five or six Weeks before the draught of separation was brought in but after it was presented and agreed upon it was questioned by some whether it should yet be given in for some reasons urged by them unto which it was answered by others That they conceived the Lord would be much glorified in the delivering of it in as the unanimous consent of the whole But some again stood up and said That they conceived this would most glorifie God at present to wit that we should revive the tender make in our foregoing Paper notwithstanding their by their practiso to this day But this was opposed again by others judging that it would be little effectual considering how we had been dealt withall from the first day of our withdrawing until now however it was â—udged meet this being our last step towards those from whom we were withdrawn to be very diligent and watchful least Satan should take advantage upon us at the last and the Lord thereby be dishonour to take the advice of some upright and grave brethren who were faithful unto the Lord in this day of apostacy and present our Paper of Separation unto them for advice and counsel so far as the Lord should administer unto them Which was accordingly concluded bernard upon and the Brethren aforementioned to wit Mr. Cann Coll. Danvers Mr. Squibb c who accompanyed us as Witnesses when we gave in our Admonition at London-House were sent unto and upon their Meeting the Paper of Separation was delivered unto them who received it and in brotherly love took the matter into consideration taking their times and seasons of meeting together spreading it several times before the Lord in prayer as we have been credibly informed upon their desire we did also diliver in
ground of our seperation and with-drawing to this day so as that the name of the Lord is greatly reproached thorough these Misreports concerning us it might therefore hereby appear that the cause why we do so is for such sins as are publikely scandalous and sinful that so whatever becomes of our persons the truth may be vindicated Reas 3. That all who fear the Lord in uprightness of heart may consider and see it 's their duty to with-draw and seperate from all such persons For what saith the Apostle Know you not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump Purge out therefore the old leaven c. And may it not be spoken with grief of heart that the lump or generality of the Churches in this day are much leavened with a luke-warm sensual selfish spirit seeking the honor and favor of men for their own advantage rather then setting the Lord before them and approving their hearts to him and indeavouring after the advancement of his glory in the world which comes to pass in a great measure for want of doing their duty to such persons in this particular Reas 4. That if it should please the Lord to call any or all of us further to suffer herein or upon such like account it may appear we suffer for his Name sake and not as evil doers the mouthes of many professors having been already opened in this respect though wee could wish it hath not rather been to palliate and cover over their own Apostacy Reas 5. Because thus saith the Scripture Them that sin to wit in the sight of all men as these have done and that against the light of Nature and Grace rebuke before all that others also may see and fear and do no more so wiâ—kedly for as Jannes and Jambres Korah Dathan and Abiram with their company withstood Moses in the work of GOD in their day so these likewise do resist his cause and truth in our day proceeding from iniquity to iniquity Reas 6. That so such as are unknown to us and have been already engaged in this work of seperation may bee incouraged and not discouraged and may know that whatsoever their afflictions and trialls are thereupon the same are also accomplished in others of their Brethren upon the same account that so from a spirit of love to truth we may be strengthning one anothers hands in so blessed and honorable a work Rea. 7. If Pilate was so sensible of the innocency of Jesus Christ that he could do no less but in the presence of the Court and the whole multitude take water and wash his hands saying these words the better to clear himself from being guilty of his blood I am free from the blood of this just man look ye to it Doth it not much more concern us in such a day as this when our Lord in his members and cause contended for in the late warrs is again crucified afresh put to open shame to take this water of our publike testimony in the presence both of Saints and Sinners and testifie our dislike of and seperation from so great iniquity as also the persons guilty thereof And if our Lord Jesus could charge upon the Jewes all the righteous blood shed from Abel to that day and Peter Act. 3.13 and so Stephen Act. 7.51 52. likewise charge them for retaining their forefathers wicked spirit though they pretended otherwise manifested in denying betraying delivering up and killing of Christ and the Saints who were witnesses to the truth in that day May not wee justly fear that if we should be silent in this day the guilt of their blood which was shed in the late wars as also of the sufferings of the Saints formerly and yet imprisoned for their faithfulness to the despised cause and interest of Christ who did and do offer themselves so willingly may be found upon us when the Lord makes inquisition for the same and we come to be partakers of that judgement which we are perswaded will lye heavie upon all that shall be found guilty more or less Reas 8. Because of the so plain discovery through a generall silence of a Laodicean or luke-warm spirit for Christ in this day which the Lord loaths and threatens to spue out of his mouth But on the contrary commends the Churches of Ephesus and Smyrna c. for their zeal and faithfulness in discovering of and not bearing with sin nor sinners yea the Lord delights in such who offer themselves willingly And the Inhabitants of Meroz are cursed with a bitter curse not because they appeared against Gods cause and people but for standing Neuters and not coming forth when an opportunity was offered to his help against the mighty So in Psal 94.16 there seems to be another plain word of instruction in this case where the Prophet by way of Proclamation hath these vvords Who will rise up for me against the evil doers Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity He doth not say as some say novv Sit still and let God alone for he will finde out wayes and means to do his work in his appointed time himself for he hath power at command why do you trouble your selves more then a great many wiser men No So the Lord seems to speak in this day as once Iohn said Who is on my side who And although such poor creatures as vve are can adde nothing to him yet he loves to see us shevv our good affection and to do vvhat vve are able and he hath so appointed that the foot yea the feet of the poor and the steps viz the indeavours of the needy shall tread down the lofty City And the least of the Flock shall draw them out c. And it may not be forgotten how that the Parliament in the time of the late war as they took notice of Neuters by way of dislike on the one hand so they did very kindly resent the constant good affections of others on the other hand Reas 9. When sin comes to be National First in respect of the sin it self Secondly in respect of the persons committing it being in a National or publike capacity Thirdly And contrary to professed and declared light as the sin of this day is and persisting therein after many admonitions so as that we may truly say of the transgressors of this day as the Spirit of the Lord by Isaiah said of Israel of old Wo to the rebellious children saith the Lord that take counsel but not of me that cover with a covering but not of my spirit that they may add sin to sin that walk to go down to Aegypt and have not asked at my mouth to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharoah and to trust in the shadow of Aegypt c. Now as in verse the eight the Prophet is commanded to go write is before them in a Table and note it in a Book that it may be for
upon our hearts to have delivered by word of mouth should be done in vvriting as vvell for your sakes as in discharge of our own duty according to the Rule of the Gospel and therefore vve intreat that you will suffer us hereby to plead a little vvith you for truths sake and vve hope it is unfeignedly upon our hearts to lay your great sin before you from some sense of the great dishonour brought unto the Name of the Lord by you and let these lines be patiently read through before you judge you poor unvvorthy brethren and sisters for we can truly say that we disire to mourn and groan in secret for you as well as for our own vveaknesses and this is some part of our joy That in simplicity and godly sincerity many of us have been by the space of two years and upwards endeavouring to get your feet as well as our own out of the Snare of the apostacy of this day having compassion of you as of our own souls for we are in some measure perswaded that some eminent hand of the Lord wil be manifested in due time to distinguish between those that serve him faithfully and those that serve him not In the first place therefore we pray you to consider the six great and scandalous sins laid to the charâ—g of the brethren amongst you wearing the Sword which for brevity sake we shall here onely mention referring you to our paper already given in for a more particular knowledge thereof wherein We desire the Scriptures in the margent may be diligently perused and some remembrance had of vvhat the Lord did inable us to speak from them when our Paper vvas debated in the Church although it is very vvell knovvn so much liberty vvas hardly obtained First Treason against Christ as King and Prophet of his people and King of Nations also for the latter part of the late VVar did run in that Channel Likewise against the faithful and vvell-affected in this Nation whose Liberties and they are made bond-slaves to their brethren though some blood was spilt and treasure spent to obtain it our of the hands of the late Tyrant Secondly Convenant-breaking and false swearing having engaged before the Lord and his People to perform the good promised on the behalf of Christ his People and the Nation vvhich are novv broken in the face of the Sun Thirdly Oppression by Tythes Taxes c. upon the bodyes and consciences of the Lords People and the well-affected the Nation at this day Fourthly Persecution of Saints many of the Lords people having been and some are still imprisoned for their testimony on the behalf of the Lord his Cause and the Nations liberty and therein the Souldiers are altogether active there being no rule not so much as according to the Law of the Land to justifie their practice by Civil Officers Fifthly Maintaining Antichristian Laws Statutes and Customs contrary to former Engagements and Declarations by vvhich the Saints of old have suffered and some do now suffer at this very day Sixthly Hereby the hearts of the righteous are greatly grieved for that brethren at least professing themselves so to be should be active in abetting and supporting so great vvikedness That these sins were plainly proved against our brethren wearing the Svvord novv amongst you is very manifest not onely in general but also in a great measure particularly and therfore shall leave it unto the Lord vvho judgeth righteously Yet vve do hereby humbly admonish them of their evil as being very great and scandalous After this there is laid down several Queries how vve vvere in duty bound to withdraw from them and by the same Rule to admonish and withdraw from your selves as being partakers with them having made your selves m Guilty for they are hereby encouraged to keep their places whereby the Man in Power is encouraged to go on in his apostacy and to judge himself in pretence at least to be in a good condition for when he hath been told That he had not the love of good people as formerly and that many were grieved at his present actions he replyed They were but a few inconsiderable people who were dissatisfied for the greatest part of honest men in the Army and Churches were for him and approved of what he had done which approhensions are begotten by members of Churches and other professors holding places under him for whilest they do so their tongues are tyed that they dare not openly speak their minds though they really apprehend yea and will to some confess That the present state of things are out of course and are not so honest as in the day of their straits they declared they should be Wherefore doth is not concern the Churches to take heed how they encourage those by continuing them among them who abet and uphold the present apostacy lest they become guilty thereof themselves and incur the Lords displeasure for so doing guilty of their iniquity by your vote of communion with them And this vve do in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ who hath commanded us to withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly though herein we would distinguish between such of our Brethren Sisters as do plead for encourage and support them in their evil and others who for want of a true knowledge understanding thereof together with the overawing of some amongst you as we fear are notwithstanding in their degree also become partakers with them in their evil And here desire so far to digress as to answer one objection namely That our brethren the Souldiers desired leave to go off from us before we procceded so far as now we have but we would not To which vve answer That it is to be considered their sins are very scandalous and if so such a practice would be contrary to the Rule directing in such cases That if a brother or brethren offend to admonish them particularly then more publikely as he or they are found to persevere in their sin that if the Lord will they may see their evil and repent and not suffer them to go off without knowledge of their evil for if they should it may prove to the hardening of their hearts and consequently to the ruine of their souls Indeed to have let them gone off would have been much more easie to us and pleasing to the flesh for we did in some measure foresee how hard it would be in this rough path to follow the Lord fully yet we take comfort in this That our Cause is of God and our hearts we trust in the main upright therein Now we shall proceed to give you a short account how the Lord hath led us since our said withdrawing wherin it will be manifest if the Lord give you a spirit of discerning that we have to this day been patiently waiting upon the Lord and you to the end that if it had pleased our heavenly Father it might have put you upon inquiry how far you are become
Narrative of the matter in difference which containing many things would require some time to be searching into but before any entrance be made thereupon he desired to know whether any of the other part gone off from them were there if they were he did desire to hear somthing from them in this case did hope that the Pastors Elders there present would be very careful how they did intermiddle therewith for if what he had heard herein were true it was a marvellous good separation upon good grounds or to this effect After this a Brother of ours stood up and spake to this purpose That after solemn waiting upon the Lord several Brethren in the Name of the Whole withdrawn from that part of the Congregation were there present being chosen to present unto them in love and humility the Reasons why We could not admit of their hearing the matter in difference between us but before that they desired the liberty of three Questions if it might be granted and then the Brother which spake kept silence to hear their Answer Upon which Mr. Nye stood up again and said It was but reasonable that we should have our liberty Hereupon the Brother which began stood up and proceeded with the following questions two to the Brethren and Sisters from whom We were withdrawn and one to the Pastors and Elders c. Quest 1. Whether they did look upon us as part of the Congregation To which Mr. Sympson made answer That sure we were for he knew not when we were dealt with to the best of his remembrance Q. 2. We humbly propose to the Pastors Elders and Brethren of the Churches now present Whether they were all of them sent and chosen by their respective Congregations Here there was a great silence but afterwards several of them spake some saying That they were chosen by their respective Congregations others That they were sent unto as particular persons Whereby it was plain there was a disorder in their choice which was in love acknowledged by them Q. 3. Whether the Pastors Elders and Brethren of the respective Congregations then present were invited and sent unto in the name of the whole Church Here several of them were at a stand not knowning well what to say but they generally gave in at the last That they were sent unto in the Name of the Church Which was not so for that themselves in answer to our first question acknowledge us to be a part and what was done in sending for them was without our knowledge or consent After this one of our Brethren stood up and desired liberty to give their Reasons in our Name Why they could not condiscend to the hearing the matter in difference by the Pastors Elders and Brethren of several Congregations then present Which are as follows 1. We conceive it to be contrary to the practice of the Churches of Christ in the New-Testament that brethren of other Churches though chosen by consent of their respective Congregations should hear a Church-controversie without the consent of both parties amongst whom the difference is see Act. 15.1 2 3. the whole Church at Antioch sent to Jerusalem about Circumcision as well those that were against it as those that were for it Upon this Mr. Nye stood up and did acknowledge that there was a plain disorder and miscarriage in their choice every way but desired to know whether notwithstanding such miscarriages the Brethren in our Name had power to enter upon the debate To which one of the brethren spake to this purpose ' That they had several Reasons more to urge and then they should make further answer And liberty being granted the brother who began proceeded to the next reason viz. 2. That it seems contrary to Morality much more of Christianity for members of other Churches to enter into the debate of a Church-difference when that part of the Congregation with whom the difference was did not choose any of them neither had they knowledge of the matter till the other part resolved upon it and had sent their messengers to invite them thereunto To this Mr. Nye stood up and said That it was indeed contrary to the principles of Morality and then was silent whereupon the brother proceeded to the third Reason 3. That We should betray the cause our Lord Jesus Christ to give it up unto the Judgement of the Pastors Elders and Brethren then present First In regard they came not with our consent Secondly For that against some of whom We might have just grounds of exceptions if it were meet to speak of it at this time 4. It seems to us preposterous to enter upon such a Work till We had the result of the whole Congregation about the matter in question or of that part at least from whom We are withdrawn which We have not had though We often intreated and sent to them about it 5. The foregoing Reasons being true we humbly conceive that if a debate of the matter in difference should at this time be admitted we should walk out of Gods way and so not obtain the promised blessing in matters of that nature These Reasons were no sooner given in but the Pastors Elders and Brethren of the several Churches there met together rose up suddenly to goe away which Mr. Sympson observing he asked them before they were gone Whether they would give them no advice in the present business To which Mr. Nye made answer That they were not in a capacity as things stood to give any advice To which Mr. Sympson said What no advice VVhereupon Mr. Nye replyed That the least they could do was to make a tender unto us whether we would joyn with them in sending to the Churches and this was all the advice they could give and so they departed and presently after those brethren sent by us came away also but as they were going one of the other part that sate in the speaking-place asked the brethren sent by us whether they would embrace the advice given To which answer was made That they were no more then six brethren intrusted by us to give in our dislike of what they had done but were not impowred to meddle w th any thing else but if they had any thing to offer they knew our time and place of meeting when and where the whole being present they might if they pleased tender any thing they thought meet so those brethren came away But the same day in the Afternoon being our time of meeting to edefie and build up one another in our most holy faith two brethren came to us from them with the same Message which was received in love and this onely given in answer That we should consider of it and return an answer so soon as conveniently we could And accordingly either the same day on the next first day following we concluded upon a day to spread their Message before the Lord which when done we sent them a return
many of you Indeed we have ground to fear that many of you are so far become guilty as to call their evil good and our withdrawing from them and you upon this account evil And although we have been now one whole year and half or thereabouts waiting upon you in the Lords way by our withdrawing from you wherein we have been desirous to exercise patience and much long-suffering and as we hope with yearning bowels towards you in some measure willing to have compassion of you as of our own soules left we should also be tempted Likewise a year and half before our withdrawing bearing our Testimony against the evill amongst you so that had there been any heart in you to purge out the old leaven you might have become a new lump unto the Lord in so long time and thereby have been a vessel of honour meet for the Masters use in your generation but notwithstanding their sin hath been so often laid before you by us since as well as before our first withdrawing and having we hope out of love to your soules as well as for the glory of God in discharge of our own duty admonished the Souldiers of their evill and your selves as their Abettors according to the Rule of the Gospel that if it had pleased our heavenly Father you might thereby have been duly humbled under his mighty hand by smiting upon the thigh saying What have I done and each one have considered from whence you are fallen and done your first works Moreover in regard it was imputed to us That we would have none to Judge of or hear the ground of our withdrawing but our selves we did thereupon offer unto you that we were willing others should have the hearing of our Cause or rather the Cause of our Lord Jesus Christ wherein such poor worthlesse wormes as we are ingaged Provided we might have Liberty on our part to choose Persons of known Integrity and Godliness of whose faithfulness to the cause of Christ we might have good ground of Assurance in such an evil day as this is which by your practice you have absolutely denied us and in stead thereof have sent a third time to the several Congregations in and about the City without our consent or approbation that they might by their messengers hear and judge of the Matter in difference between us though they have refused to meddle with it And Oh that the consideration thereof might yet at the last put you upon some serious inquiry what should be the minde and will of the Lord concerning you therein and whether a third denial of this kinde doth not speak that you have so often gone out of the Lords way about that work and have refused susch equal wayes as might tend to the further discovery of truth as we humbly apprehend Likewise about 7. or 8. weeks since after seeking the Lord and receiving advice from such as were faithfull to the cause of Christ in this day we did judge it our duty notwithstanding your refusall to this day yet once more to make the same tender unto you as we had done formerly That the matter in difference might be debated in the presence of a certain number of godly persons one half chosen by you and the rest by us and all of them having equal liberty of speaking as occasion might require To which we received Answer being little less then a plain denial of our tender however we make a speedy reply in writing that our willingness to such a work might appear for answer whereunto we have been about four weeks in expectation but having no return we do discern that the Lord hath shut up your hearts from it which doth the more plainly appear for that we are informed those Members of Churches to whom you have committed the perusal of our last paper did give in their Judgement That our desire therein was but reasonable and ought to be condesscended unto Now we could wish that the sence of your great evil might lie more upon our hearts wherein we would also not be unsensible of our own miscarriages in the management thereof desiring we hope to mourn before the Lord for the same yea we desire not onely in the words but Spirit of the Prophet Jeremiah to say Oh that our heads were water and our eyes a fountain of tears that we might weep night and day for our own sins and iniquities as well as for the great abominations of this time being an open Apostacy from the Cause of Christ and this Nations freedom sealed unto in the late Wars by the Faith Prayers Blond Tea's and Estates of many thousands of whom not a few were Saints whereinto you are so greatly fallen and it is upon the hearts of some of us that if the Lord shall not mercifully yet at the last send his Angel and pull you out from amongst this Apostatizing generation this may probably be your portion That Partaking of their sins you may partake of their Judgements An therefore that we might be remisse in nothing so far as the Lord hath discovered it to be his minde and will unto us It is after seeking of his face for Councel and direction and some searching of our own hearts judged to be our duty to leave this paper with you as our last Testimony against the crying evils and abominations amongst you and cleaved unto by you some more some lesse as is hereafter mentioned First As to our Brethren the Souldiers We humbly declare and testifie in the Name and fear of the Lord who is the searcher of all hearts they do appear unto us very manifestly guilty of those several sins laid to their charge by us as being principall Abetters unto and Supporters of the Apostacy of this day headed by the Person now in Power by whom our Brethen stand and so stiffly contend for as if they would justifie him in all his Oppressions wherein he ariseth and higher to the great reproach of the Gospel The sin we shall onely name being more largely set down in our first paper First Treason having betrayed the Cause and Intrest of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Nations Liberty contended for in the late Wars which did maniselt it self First In pulling down all Antichristian laws Statutes ⋆ Having before proved that there is an Apostacy we now come to shew the rise of it and is as followeth When the War was ended at Worcester the Lords people expected that the good things the Army declared for and promised should be brought forth Also the man in Power and the Army appear'd in words to do so to And do blame and pretend they dissolved the old Parliament for not doing those good things and likewise to call the Little Parliament as men fearing God and Principled to bring them forth as also to Act for the Advancement of Christs Kingdom And go on to say that something was at the door and that we were at the edge and threshold of the
the time to come for ever and ever that this is a rebellious people c. so ought we to do the same if we would be found faithful to the Lord his despised Cause People in our day as the Prophet Isaiah was in his the sins and persons committing them in our day being very like the sins and persons guilty thereof in that day And though to bear up a sutable testimony in this day be as irksome unto us as it was to Jeremiah chap. 20.8 9 10. yet when we consider what encouragement he had from the Lord to hold on his way and not to return to them and though they might lay many snares for him he would stand by him and make him as a fenced City and brazen walls against them and be with him to save and deliver him We are comfortably perswaded that he will likewise be with us his poor nothing creatures in this our testimony if we be found faithful herein unto the death as he was For these forementioned Reasons among others that might be given are we encouraged to publish our proceedings from the day of our first withdrawing to the day of our separation being the substance of three years labouring or thereabouts for the Name and Cause of our Lord Jesus and therefore give us leave to contend earnestly for the faith of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus once deliver'd to the Saints and for common Justice and righteousness which hath been sealed unto with so much of the Saints and others blood in the late Wars though now it be very unworthily betrayed not by Enemies but professed Friends many of whom are Brethren in Church-Relation We hope we can as in the presence of the Lord that searcheth all htarts however others may judge of us profess our selves very disirous to follow after those things which makes for peace so far as the shooes of the Gospel will carry us but to have peace with Dishonesty Injustice Unrighteousness Lying Deceit or Oppression c. is contrary to the mind of the Gospel of peace any of which sins should Paul himself been found guilty of were ground sufficient by his own Argument for the Church of Corinth and so by consequence for any other Church to refuse Communion with him therefore to have peace upon this account is to have peace where God would have war and to bring our selves under that wo pronounced against those who call evil good and good evil that put darkness for light and light for darkness c. And if any shall yet blame us for appearing in this publike way give us leave to say unto them as David said unto his brethren when he came into the Camp of Israel What have we now done is there not a cause Adding hereunto also the report gone out amongst many of those from whom we are separated saying That if we could prove any thing against the Souldiers they were ready to do their duty towards them as well ae we Wherefore it is very requisite that others should see the matter of fact and judge whether from the whole we had not just ground for this our withdrawing and separation and we also hope that such among them who are sensible of the evil testified against will bear with us in what we have done therein But if any shall say of us deridingly as Michal said of David How glorious was the King of Israel to day who uncovered himself in the eyes of his servants as one of the vain fellows shamelesly uncovereth himself c. Give us leave for answer to say as David said It is for the Lord otherwise we had rather be silent then displease any much less those whom we dearly love in the Lord. But if this be to be vile we shall yet be more vile we hope in our own sight also and although flesh may in some respects be ready to shew it self in this case yet if all things be duly considered there is little reason for it for where flesh would shew it self it is for some advantage but it seems to us as if there were little fleshly advantage to be reaped by it for flesh naturally loves a good report of all especially among the generallity of professors but do we not hereby yea have we not already lost the good report of men and of Brethren too Again flesh loves the Rulers favour where there is hopes of honor profit or preferment c. But on the contrary do we not hereby hazard our Estates and lives and all But admit that flesh will be shewing it self as we have sufficient cause to fear and as we have experience and may too sadly complain thereof in our own souls in the best and most warrantable Work the Lord may require of us yet this ought not to be matter of discouragement but of caution Pray therefore for us all ye faithful ones in the Work Kingdom and patient expectation of our Lord Jesus to whom this especially is directed and on whose behalf in a great measure this Testimony comes We humbly intreat that you would beg of the Lord that flesh may receive a rebuke every way What temptations we have and do meet withall none knows so well as our selves it being sometimes suggested to us That it were better to lay down our Testimony and venture no further then run the hazard that may follow thereupon but when we think of that Scripture Well done good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful in a little I will make thee Ruler over much enter thou into thy Masters joy c. It is then matter of encouragement to us to persevere therein considering also how easie a thing it is for us to lose the Crown of our Testimony Rev. 3.11 by declining the Cause of Christ we through Grace have been and yet are engaged in although we may not lose the salvation of our own souls which puts us in mind of Barnabas of whom it was said He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost exhorting the Saints at Antioch to cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of heart yet afterwards this good man received a check by joyning with John whose Sirname was Mark who left Paul in the Work at Pamphilia that Paul testifies against him for so doing and afterwards we do not hear of Barnabas in any further Work for Christ as formerly he had been so good it is to stick close to Christ in an Evil day And have we not also this further promise Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keepe thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth It would have been too long and tedious to have inserted the whole matter as it was publikely debated in the whole Congregation drawn from those six scandalous sins laid to the charge of the Souldiers then amongst us
as they began to lay their sin to their charge they withdrew themselves and came no more to them as we are since informed otherwise they had proceeded further against them cast out of two Churches in Wales upon the same occasion to wit Mr. Jenkin Jones Mr. Powells Churches and likewise as we hear another in England whose Name at present we have forgotten 13 13. Whether that Principle of the Congregation namely Communion with Saints upon the account of union with the Head be not unduly charged as broken by us when it is not intended by so good and righteous a principle that a Brother or Sister should take a liberty thereby as an occasion to the Flesh to walk scandalously among Saints and sinners for that is the corruption and not the true end of it The consideration whereof we think doth lye with such sorrow upon our souls as we may truly say hath wrung tears out of some of our hard hearts We shall not add more at present fearing it may be thought we have been too large in this already onely this that whereas it is said Nothing would content us but the sudden casting out of our Brethren without an orderly process according to the Scripture to which end we had resolved our present withdrawing before we came to the Church We do therefore desire to leave this with you as before the Lord That it was the least in our thoughts so to do for we hoped that truth would have taken so much place as that our brethren would have been admonished of their sin by the Church and so to have withdrawn from them if happily thorow a more narrow search into their hearts hereby the Lord might please out of his Grace to discover this their sin which hath and doth bring so great dishonor to the Name of the Lord though at present as they say unseen to them and in this Work not to have counted them as enemies but admonished them as brethren but so sudden a vote for communion with them lying under so great sin as we judge by what was offered that day did so amaze us that when we came out of London-House we knew not what to do only some of us did then conclude to meet together to enquire what was the mind of the Lord in this thing in which way of seeking to him we have continued to this day Now we hope you will bear with us and put a brotherly interpretation upon any thing therein that may not seem to carry with it that Love Affection and Gentleness which we desire from our hearts should be it not being our intention to justifie our selves in any evil but rather to lye at the Lords and your feet therein yet would gladly be found faithful to the Lord in such a day as this when they that tempt God are delivered and they that work wickedness are set up yea he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey and a snare is laid for him that reproveth in the Gate Thus we humbly leave these our thoughts to your serious consideration hoping that whatever our failings may be yet we shall not want the guidance and direction of his spirit in every way of truth and we also trust That as you are in some measure pressing after that excellent Grace of Love so you may abound therein more and more in knowledge and in all judgement that you may approve things that are excellent in such a day as this being sincere and without offence until the day of Christ being filled with the fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God and then it will be our joy and rejoycing to return unto you and in the mean time we judge it our duty to be waiting upon the Lord and you till his mind and Will be further revealed concerning us in whose protection we leave you and remain Dated the first day of the fourth Month 1656. Your poor destitute and mourning Brethren and Sisters in some measure till the Lord restore you to your primitive spirit of Faith Light Love and Zeal for his glory wherein you have been as a Beacon upon the top of a Mountain AFter some solemn waiting upon the Lord this Paper was signed by threescore in number or thereabouts and was intended so to have been given in but was otherwise determined upon for these two Reasons First Because in such an evil day as this we ought not to trust in a Friend no not in a Guide but to keep the door of our mouths from those that lye in our bosome If so then not to trust our hands with those who had so unworthily betrayed the Cause of Christ Secondly It was judged most for the glory of God to go in person all of us being about twelve more then signed it and own the said Paper which would be more authentick and less advantage given against any particular person and therefore an exact Copy was drawn out and carryed unsigned all of us accompanying the Brethren to whom it was chiefly committed unto London-House the next first day after the date thereof when being come a Brother of ours stood up and spake a few Words to this effect That we were here come to present unto them in brotherly love after solemn waiting upon the Lord a Paper containing the evil of those persons amongst them against whom we had been so long contending together with the Grounds and Reasons of our withdrawing to this day which we had the more hastened to give in in regard we were several times urged thereunto by several Brethren sent by their appointment unto us and further desired that liberty might be granted unto one of the Brethren by us intrusted for the reading of it Which was not onely denyed us but much scruple raised by some What Scripture-Warrant we had to give in our dissatisfactions in Writing To which answer was made That we judged it our Gospel-liberty to give it in by writing or otherwise as might be most for the glory of God for by this writing we did give in our joynt Testimony against the present evil with the reasons of our withdrawing which we apprehended could not be so well done by a private brother or brethren in speaking but that we might have had just grounds of exceptions against some things that might be spoken against such brethren Hereupon our Brother Marsh who walks with them said That he thought it was not onely our Gospel-liberty but the Scripture would warrant our practice else Pauls writing to the Corinthians about the incestuous person was not warrantable but if it was then our practice had ground in Scripture and therefore conceived there need be no further discourse about that And by this means was that Scruple in some measure removed and some Way made for the reading of our Paper but not by any one of us which although we judged it a little unreasonable yet for peace sake we condescended thereunto
and accordingly delivered in our Paper which was read by the Brother aforementioned though it was so late before he began that there was hardly time to read it thorough by day-light much less to debate it and open the Scriptures therein however before we departed they made us a promise that We should have full liberty another time to read it our selves deliberately and debate it with the Scriptures laid down for proof of what was there asserted We also promised them to come whensoever they should desire it And so We departed for that time continuing with one accord together in prayer and supplication expecting to hear from them according to promise but contrary hereunto in some Weeks after they sent for several Pastors and Members out of other Congregations without our consent to receive their Advice how to deal with us Their Names are as followeth Mr. Cockayn Mr. Jackson Mr. Roberts Mr. Jessey Mr. Hubbard Mr. Isles Mr. Knowles Mr. Highland Mr. Bradshaw Mr. Jacksen Chir. Mr Woolaston Mr. Barebone Mr. Taylor Having knowledge of this Meeting thorough the report of others We did appoint a time to seek the Lord to consider what might be our duty how far we should appear therein or whether we should appear or not and at last came to this issue That we should appoint several Brethren in the Name of the whole to go unto those Brethren above mentioned when they should meet with the other part of the Congregation and acquaint them with the Grounds and Reasons why we could not own them in the Work they were come about The Reasons are these 1 1. They meaning those from whom we were withdrawn had not performed their promise to us having declared when We were last vvith them That the Paper presented should be debated in the Church according to the Scriptures there inserted Which hath not yet been done though We promised to be with them whensoever they would send for us about it 2 2. We see no rule in Scripture that any Brethren from any Churches or others should be sent for to debate our Paper before it had been debated in the Church amongst us and the Scriptures in the Margent opened 3 3. We conceive it had been meet according to Scripture that We the Brethren and Sisters differing from them should have had cognizance and approbation of the persons so nominated to debate the matter in difference 4 4. Whether they have taken the consent of the h We would not be understood by these two Queries as if we did judge that in extraordinary cales particular Brethren out of Churches might not be sent for without the consent of their respective congregations to determine a Church-difference there being onely one occasional practice by the Church at Antioch to Jerusalem Act. 15 2. But that which we chiefly aim at as by the third and the close of the fifth Query will appear was their sending without our consent in the Name of the church when we our selves were a part likewise there was several persons there against whom we had just exceptions if it had then been meet to speak of it Moreover their case was ordinary not difficult to them for that most of the churches in the city more or less seem to us guilty of the same transgression and therefore we apprehend that such a practice was more binding to them then to us as our case at this time stands otherwise we desire to keepe strictly to every primitive practice that hath any such instructions for us Churches for the choice of those Brethren they have sent for If not What Scripture Rule they have to do so 5 5. Whether such a practise doth not savour of an arbitrary spirit amongst men much more among the Churches of Christ in calling several Brethren without the consent of the Churches to whom they belong which We cannot own lest we should betray the cause of Christ for which we contend into the hands of a few which will be a bad president for other Churches for the time to come The said Queries being laid before the Brethren aforementioned did so prevail with them as they not onely judged it unmeet but did wholly refuse to meddle with the matter in difference as the case then stood declaring It was but reasonable We should have a free debate of our Paper in the Congregation according to promise before any other means be used and so they departed for that time Within a short time after this a day and time was agreed upon between us and the other part of the Congregation from whom we were withdrawn to seek the Lord together and then to proceed to the debate of our Paper though that vvhich provoked them hereunto as We conceive was from the refusal of those Brethren they sent for to meddle therein as the case stood rather then their ovvn voluntary act But the day appointed being come the fore-part of it vvas spent in prayer opening our hearts before the Lord and each other hereby hoping such a spirit might be sound both in them and us as the debate would have been to the glory of God and the discovery of truth on either side but instead thereof so many grating expressions both in prayer and speaking vvere uttered by Mr. Sympson against us as vvas to the grief of most of us and the indisposing of some in a great measure unto the Work We were met about However about two in the Afternoon we proceeded to the debate of our Paper with some reasonable liberty though commonly interrupted by Mr. Sympson who when any thing came close upon the Souldiers would frequently be speaking in excusing of them and condemning us In the close of the day having got through our Paper We desired to have the result of the Congregation Whether by what was laid before them they did not judge the Souldiers to be guilty of those sins laid to their charge by us Whereupon Mr. Sympson stood up and spake in Words to this effect That he looked upon us as such who had made a rent in the Church and that there was a mark set upon us by the Holy Spirit being such as had made i We desire that Scripture Rom. 16.17 18. may be considered where those words spoken by Mr. Sympson are laid down and it will appear the Apostle was speaking of such persons as we are now separated from to wit such as serve not the Lord Jesus but their own bellies May we not truly say That worldy interest and self-advantage hath been the ground and root of this apostacy wherein the Souldiers are chief and to palliate so great wickedness are not good words and fair speeches the cover by which they deceive the hearts of the simple and give us leave humbly to ask what belly-advantage have we thereby Do we not rather hazard all that is near and dear unto us yea we are become the reproach of most professors having much evil laid to our charge through we trust
the like liberty with those chosen by you to speak what might be upon their hearts as to the matter in difference But in case they were not so chosen although they might be Church-members yet they might not have liberty to speak any thing as to the matter in difference yet he said it was very likely that upon our request some liberty might be given in that kinde But in case any chosen by us should not be actuall Church-members though it may be granted for them to hear what was Controverted yet no liberty for them to speak any thing at all Likewise such persons so chosen their names should be given in to you for approbation as to their Principles and Conversations Now the Reasons why we cannot condiscend hereunto are these following 1. As being directly contrary to the end of our message more at large contained in our last paper not having therein exceeded our Gospel-liberty 2. It is altogether needlesse to make choice of persons to hear a matter in controversie and deny them liberty to speak unto it if they have any thing upon their hearts to say 3. To bind us up not onely to Church-members but also in a great measure to the Churches for their choice when it is very plain that the Apostacy of this day hath reached to the generallity of the Churches whereby there are few Zealous in the cause of Christ though many faithful ones in other things is to exalt the form above the power of Godliness 4. That it seemes to us directly contrary to the Principle of the Congregation you so much pretend unto which is To receive Saints as Saints and not as bound up to this or that form 5. To condescend hereunto is to undervalue the Spirit of the Lord breathing in severall of his servants who are not enemies but friends to Church Communion though not formal Church-members by reason of the foulnesse of the waters of the Sanctuary at this day and whom we desire to esteem far better then our selves 6. As there is no command in joyning us to Churches alone in this Case neither is there any against it therefore we humbly conceive our Gospel Liberty cannot be denied us Moreover there is but one example in all the New Testament as we can remember which was in the Church at Autioch sending to the Church at Jerusalem Asts 15. About the matter of Circumcision neither was there any visible Apostacy among the Churches at that day as now is else we conceive that the Church at Antioch would not have sent unto them about it These Reasons being premised and the substance of our last paper relating hereunto considered we do humbly declare That we can in no wise condiscend to a debate upon those conditions received from you neither upon any other terms then is mentioned in our last paper and upon which account we refused at first not that we desire to stand upon terms of advantage for our selves were we not groundedly perswaded the name and cause of Christ we are ingaged in would very much suffer thereby Thus desiring to hear a return from you if a debate of the matter in difference be really intended And that we may have our free choice without any bonds imposed upon us or them we shall chuse provided they be men fearing God and working Righteousness any more then we desire to impose bonds on you or whom you shall chuse for which we shall wait 14. dayes from the date hereof and in case of no return by that time we shall be in no longer expectation thereof We remain Your unworthy Brethren and Sisters mourning and praying for your return yet apprehending that as truth is with us so the power of the Church rests in us Dated the 4. of the 6. Moneth 1657. Signed in the Name and by the Appointment of the whole John Proud Caleb Ingold ACcording to our promise we waited for a return till the expiration of the time mentioned in the said paper but having no Answer neither any intention thereof so far as we could understand but rather an aversness thereunto considering that they had committed our said paper to the perusal of the Pastors and Elders of several Congregations to whom they said they had given up our business and to be directed according to their advice Who upon perusal thereof apprehended our desire and tender therein to be but reasonable Yet was their advice and proposition refused also A coppy of the agreement of the messengers of the Churches met at Allhallowes the II. of the 6. Moneth 1657. At the request of those from whom we are withdrawn about our paper Dated the 4. of the 6. Moneth 1657. 1 1. That Persons of approved Godliness may be endowed with wisdom to advise and to help to heal breaches as well as others 2 2. That the Persons that the dissenting Brethren had chosen which were not Church-members were well approved of for Godliness 3 3. For peace sake which we are to follow after we judge it not unlawfull but convenient that such Godly and approved persons as are mentioned in the last paper Dated the 4. of this Moneth may freely be admitted to hear and advise in the matter propounded with the like number of such as the Church with Mr. Sympson did choose 4 4. Our advice is that the number of Persons so chosen should not be many not exceeding ten of a side at the most Now it being so obvious that they not onely refused our tender but theirs also to whom as on their parts they had committed the matter in difference we judged it our duty to wait no longer upon them being without hope after so many denialls and therefore the Brethren to whom the orderring and managing the affairs of the Congregation was commited were appointed to perfect the draught of Separation intended and present it unto us with all expedition which was accordingly done a Coppy whereof is as followes Our last Testimony or separation from the Souldiers of the Army being guilty to six scandalous sins likewise from Mr. John Sympson their chief Abettor and others with him As also from the rest of those Brethren and Sisters we formerly walked withall whom we desire to mourn for yet as they hold Communion with those scandalous sins and Persons must separate from them IT is we trust some grief and trouble of heart unto your poor unworthy Brethren and Sisters that notwithstanding the Lord hath cast us into dayes of so great light and profession wherein he calleth upon all to repent without excuse or pretence of Ignorance you should to this day not onely hold Communion with but be justifiers of severall persons amongst you that are guilty of such sins as are not commonly named amongst men which is the more considerable in regard they are the sins of the last times into which we are fallen yea your continuance therein seemes to speak unto us as if the custom of sin had taken away the conscience thereof in