power Spirit life and Excellency of worship and of Ordinances as Hezekiah opened the doors of the Temple 2 Chron. 29. 4 7. and as it was in the Primitive times by this blessed Way and Worke at least and at first in some little degree more then it hath been known since the Rise of the BEAST Rev. 11. 1 2 6. Or since the Gentiles have trod the holy City under foot and the wildernessing of the woman Rev. 12. 6. For as the Tabernacle made of many united looped and tacked together in one Exod. 26. 6 11. as Judg. 21. 11. it is said They were knit together as one man having respect to the Tabernacleunion called the Tabernacle of the witnesse Acts 7. 44. and the Temple 1 Sam. 1. 9. 3. 3. Psal. 27. 4. 138. 2. was a type of this which is therefore called the Tabernacle of the Testimony So herein also as it was there in the Figure is hid the ARK Rev. 11. 19 and the heavenly Manna Rev. 2. 17. from the sight of men till the time come for the holy Camp Rev. 11. 2. to set forward and then is taken away the Covering-veile or the shutting up of the Tabernacle as Exod. 40. 3. 26. 14. which upon moving forward to the land of Promise was opened and uncovered Numb. 4. 5. So must this Tabernacle of Saints so united and knit as one man be opened and the covering or veile spread over hitherto Isa. 25. 7. be taken off as they move to the things promised in the last days And as the inner Court Ezek. 46. 1. was shut up the six dayes but when the evening of the sixth day came and the SABBATH approached it was to be set open for the open and Publick worship and Ordinances So doe we with grounded perswasions expect the opening of THIS inner-Court Rev. 11. 1. hitherto shut up in this evening of the great SABBATHISME or REST approaching in the New Jerusalem Rev. 20. 21. 4. The Parity of the Order and circumstances of the Witnesses sufferings Rev. 11. Rising and Ascending with our Lords suffering Rise and Ascention signifies to us a Parity of duty upon the Disciples of Christ at this day with those of that day The Witnesses bodies are said to lie in the street of that City where our Lord was crucified implying the parity viz. slaine by the highest sort of Professours who say they are Jewes and are not Rev. 2. extant in the world so was our Lord Their bodies not put in graves nor was our Lords in the earth but in a stone a new tomb cut out of a Rock where never any man lay before of him it is said After three dayes I will rise againe Mat. 27. 63. and of the Witnesses Rev. 11. 11. All his lying dead were the Disciples dispersed complaining and scattered so All the time of the witnesses and many are now complaining as Luke 24. 21. At his rising fear and terrour fell on them that saw it Mat. 28 4. so at the witnesses Rev. 11. 11. At his Resurrection at the very first Few saw it or would belive it Luke 24. 37. but rather were affrighted at it Luke 24. 11 41. being ignorant of the manner of his Rise Joh. 20. 9. And so are we at the Witnesses Rise Rev. 11. 13. which is as we think obvious to Few at the first step thereof But from that instant of time as the Disciples work was uniting and embodying before Jesus ascended in a cloud So doe we from the parity apprehend it the Duty of the Disciples now every where that have been dispersed before we shall see the witnesses ascended up in a cloud i. e. more visibly to All for then their enemies beheld them Rev. 11. 12 13. and the Earthquake came and the REMNANT were affrighted and gave Glory to God 5. The Executing the vengeance upon BABYLON The pouring out of the Vial-worke or THIRD WOE is out of this Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony Rev. 15. 5 8. 16. 1. and not out of any One Forme Judgement or sort of men whatsoever Hence when the Judgement comes All sorts of Gods people are called to rejoyce in it whether Apostles or Prophets as in the vengeance of them all Rev. 18. 20. though under different Administrations 6. The Constitution of the Primitive Church-state which was not in this or that Forme but in the Power of godlinesse and Christian Principles making up one Body under different and many Gifts Measures Judgements and Administrations 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 11 12 13. 1 Cor. 10. 17. Rom. 14. 4 5. without Names and Distinctions as now are calls upon us to this practice And for that in the Primitive times we read but of one Church in a City were it ever so large as at Jerusalem Antioch Rome Colosse Phillippi c. which was of great conduce to Love and Vnity so Titus 1. 5. And ordaine Elders in every City as I had appointed For although at Jerusalem were many thousands Acts 2. 41. 4 4. it is probable as many as in all the particular Churches of London yet they were not many Churches as in this City that occasion much the Divisions and breaches of Sion but One Not that we bind up our communion so strictly for that is explained in answer to the second query onely we doe humbly judge it would be better ONE in a City then many as now are 7. The Consideration of the present Deflouring Defilement and Defection of many if not most of the Particular Congregations for we see them with sorrow of heart so far corrupted from their first purity deviated from their first principles of separating from all that is unclean 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. and of uniting upon their formerly professed or INDEPENDENT Principles that in most parts round the Nation they are become rather DEPENDENT upon them in power Participant with them in Apostacy and Communicant or consociate with them in Sin and with those very things persons and principles which they were once separated from as inconsistent with the Churches of Christ The TEACHERS of severall of them falling in with Parishes Tythes Parish-Clergy and Parish-worship And the Members of them with the uncleannesses evills and abominations of the times oftending persecuting or casting out them that keep constant to their first principles and purity being not onely tainted mixed and infected but Many of them so notoriously degenerated in the Essence viz. Matter Forme End Rule or Congregationall Principles that we cannot with comfort walk with them or keep our garments clean amongst them The matter of some of them being Goalers Persecutors Opposers of the Truth Notorious time-servers or such as hold places take profits from the sins of the times that strengthen the hands of the wicked that make the hearts of the righteous sad self-seekers covetous Boasters Hypocrites Apostates and such as we are bid to turn away from 1 Tim. 4. and to have
10. 29. 2. 3. our great Law being Love to all Saints Besides to this End doth our Lord come againe that he may perfect this kind of Communion John 14. 3. Epi. 1. 10. 2 Thes. 2. 1. That those who have wept and watcht pray'd and walkt together in Life and Grace may sing triumph rejoyce and reigne together in Life and Glory Those that have kept together in the Danger may continue together in the Deliverance but unto the Scribes and Pharises Luke 13. â—8 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome i. e. that Kingdome which comprehends all Saints and you your selves THRVST OVT for v. 29. They shall come from the East West North and South and shall sit down in this Kingdome Wherefore up O ye WISE VIRGINS all at once that waite for the Coming of the Bridegroom get up and be ready trim your Lamps fill your Vessells hear the dismall cry of Midnight he comes he comes hasts hasts like a Roe ore these Mountains of Bether or Division to Gather All into ONE out of their Wildernesse-holes and Differences occasion'd by externall observations and Formes Wherefore up AWAKE Awake Awake and put on Strength O Sion in these Three Nations for the Day doth break and the shadows flee and the Primitive Community is coming forth to be reduced and revived Therefore up O Wise ones Mat. 25. 7. whiles the Foolish are gone to buy in mercenary wayes that we may be All in one ready to enter into the Marriage v. 10. even so AMEN Thus farre for Motives In the Next place to leave out nothing that we know of that may carry Conviction or Light to our Friends in the Nation we shall Answer the Most Considerable Queries and Objections that we can meet with 1. Query WHat doe ye mean by Gospel-order or Temple-state after the first pattern Answ. We have before expressed that in the Grounds but to be more particular both in the Negative and Positive we answer 1. Not a known Mixture but a more thorough Separation from all false wayes worships persons and things that pollute 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. Eph. 5. 11. Acts 2. 40. Save your selves from this untoward Generation The Work of Cleansing the SANCTUARY being a Work of Degrees Ezek. 43. 20 23. 44. 7 8 9 10 11. Dan. 8. 14. Zech. 14. 21. 2. Not an idle carelesse overly Communion no more then an uncomfortable distance or disjunction one from another but a most accurate close aggregating Uniting and Cleaving of those so Separated and of the Dispersed ones to the Lord and one to another upon the Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in All the ADMINISTRATIONS and Parts thereof with a full and constant Purpose of heart and participation of Ordinances Rom. 14. 4 5. 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. 7 13 27. Eph. 2. 21 22. Acts 9. 26 11. 23. 3. Not a narrow censuring rigid beggerly but a large Loving growing and comprehensive Spirit of Christ and his Kingdome to actuate us from him alone as our Head expatiating and putting forth its selfe after the first Pattern both to Jew and Gentile Bond and Free Rich and Poor Strong and Weak yea to Saints and to All men and to All creatures in their kind and proportion 1 Cor. 10. 32 33. 9. 19 20 21 22. I am made ALL THINGS to ALL MEN that I might by ALL MEANS save some 4. Not a magnifying Imposing or stating the Church in any ONE FORME opinion or observation but a faithfull keeping to and constant crying up of the power of godlinesse grace and Onenesse of Christ Jesus with Religion pure and undefiled with brotherly love and the principles of the Kingdome amongst Saints of all Formes and Judgements 1 Cor. 7. 19. Gal. 5. 6. Col. 3. 11. Rom. 14 5 6 7. 5. Not a disordering keeping or putting out of Different Saints or members but such a Communion of Saints as keeps up a Due Order wise and well-location and use of all Sorts of members in the Body and in thier proper joynts and places for service and Imployment 1 Cor. 12. 21 22. 17. For if the whole were of one forme were an eye where were the hearing Or were an eare where were the smelling c. Ephes. 4. 16. from whom the body fitly JOYNED together 6. Not a Party-growing but a comely and kindly increase with the increases of God! of the WHOLE together and a dayly fetching in of sweet Sutable nourishment to the WHOLE BODY by the Joynts Col. 2. 19. Ephes. 4. 16. this we mean by Gospel-order after the 1. Patterne Qu 2. Whether do ye think that the Gospel or Temple-state hath not yet been found amongst us If NOT we must declare against the best of the Churches doctrinally and practically but if SO then how can this beare away the name after the 1 pattern Answ 1 Although we need not reflect to what hath been but to what IS obvious yet we dare not deny but that we heartily honour and owne those separate Churches that retain their first PRINCIPLES in purity grace power and holiness that are in the Vnity Love sound Doctrine Discipline and communion of the Saints Yet 2. We never thought them to be Perfect but growing up to Perfection and so a getting out of the Wildernesse by Degrees now this is one Degree and growth further as we suppose and so more up unto the primitive State viz. uniting and orderly placeing of all sorts of Saints in one Body So That 3. We doe not call for a separation from such Churches as retaine the purity of their matter Forme and Principles of Communion but rather for a COMMUNION and an ASSOCIATION with them in the severall Cities and Counties of these NATIONS and for an UNITING or embodying of the scattered persecuted and dispersed or disjoyned ones in and about this CITY in a word to chast Churches for communion and growth up into a purer state To Choice Members for union and growth into a more excellent publick spirit To scattered ones for embodying out of the present evils into the approaching GOOD so that UNITY in things Necessary LIBERTY in thing Unnecessary CHARITY Godlinesse Sincerity in things Different and Indifferent we desire to see 4. For all this and albeit we deny not but the Gospel and Temple hath been found amongst us in more purity and light then in other places yet we must professe we cannot see it So according to the primitive pattern or Church of the first-born to state a Church in any one single forme opinion or Judgement whatsoever whether Indep Presb Bapt or any other as in the comprehensive power of faith and New Testament godlinesse in all their Formes knowing that Saints of all these and severall other Formes may be and are true members of the Church of Christ 5.
of the mystery of Godlinesse which is without controversie Object 2. But the mysticall Church consisting of the elect in Christ Angels and men alive and dead borne and unborne c. cannot be properly â—alled Church-state instituted by Christ in the Gospel being constituted from Eternity in Gods Decree c. Answ. Yet the visible Church in Communion with them with Angels and Spirits of just men made perfect i. e. in a most sweete secret and invisible way is of Gospel institution Heb. 12. 22 23. Ephes 2. 19 20 21. and this is all that we affirm that our Communion must be of such a Nature and comprehensivenesse of Spirit as should not onely admit an Onenesse with them in Spirit but a walking with them on earth were they all alive amongst us under their diverse Administrations forms gifts and apprehensions Object 3. Some hold that the Church at Jerusalem was made up of many particular Churches and this you make your pattern Answ. Not in that sense nor do we hold so but we hold the Church at Jerusalem was but one particular Church having diverse sorts of Members and Meetings at some times and so it is our patterne and not as an universall visible Church for that we deny the universall Church being partly visible and partly invisible comprehending all times places and sorts in heaven and earth Answ 2. It is a great mistake to think the particular meetings of this Body are particular Churches for any one Church may have at some times severall meetings about several matters as Acts 12. 5. 12. 17. 20. 20. Gal. 2. 2 3. and yet be but one particular Church So it is here Notwithstanding in another consideration it seemes to some with as good Analogy and Property of speech consonancy and consistency of truth and Rule as now any Particular Church what ever may be called One and yet the members in particular or the families be many may the meetings too be many and it be said The Church that is at their house Rom. 16. 5. 1 Cor. 16. 19 Col. 4. 15. and the Church which is which meets at his house So Phile 2. So those of Caesars houshold yet in this sense that we speak they were but members of the Church So those that met in Maries house Act. 12. 5. 12. yet were but members of the Church at Jerusalem Now the reason is because two or three together in Christs name or the faithfull of some one Family or a meeting of brethren may be called a Church in one respect and not as they stand related in another Phil. 4. 22. and thus may we be said to be but ONE COLLECTIVELY and yet MORE THEN One if every meeting must be so interpreted DISTRIBUTIVELY wherein one may differ and be in his joynt from Another Though for our parts we cannot Understand it so as of many but of one BODY as 1 Cor. 12. 25. but now are they MANY and many sort of members yet but ONE BODY As SION may have many Gates wherein might be severall Assemblies as of one sort that sat in one gate and another sort in Another and yet be but ONE SION Psal. 84. 2. As the BODY hath many joynts members Arteries Sinewes Veines wherein every one Member from joynt to joynt may be lookt upon as distinct and yet as conjunct or a member of the WHOLE yet makes but one BODY Rom. 12. 4. As a CITY Psal. 122. 3 4. 46. 4. hath many houses Trades Streets Corporations and Societies wherein every one in it's own bounds may be called in a sense a Body yet makes but one City compact As an Army with Banners Cant 6. 4. 10. wherein every Company Regiment Colour Brigade and Wing is as it were an Army by it selfe yet makes but one in all as a Kingdome Joh 18. 36. Heb. 12. 28. Mat. 21. 43. may have many Families Cities Villages Shires Countries c. wherein every one by it's selfe may be said to be a little Kingdome and yet are all but one Kingdome And as Heaven Mal. 13. 11. 24. 31. wherein every firmament Element Planet Star and Constellation make up but one Heaven So is it with a true Church of Christ which is called a Body a City an Army a Kingdome and a Heaven in Scripture So the new Jerusalem Rev. 21. 14. may be said to have twelve Foundations and in them the name of the twelve Apostles and the Lamb every particular member of different Sate vers. 19 20. as the Jasper and Saphire and Calcedony c. to be upon his own and proper Foundation wherein one differ from another as Paul from Peter c. and yet in another sense All have but one foundation 1 Gor. 3. 11. For other foundation can none lay then that which is Jesus Christ So that if any do understand us distributively as of MANY because of our severall meetings members or branches yet they must conclude us collectively All to be but ONE BODY or Church at last Object 4. But then you are like an Vniversall visible Church Answ 1. No no more then every particular Church was in the Primitive times who had their many meetings and different members as well as we 2. There is no such Church as we know of as universall VISIBLE But 3. That there is an universall Church we beleeve and that every particular Church of Christ should be as like to the Vniversall in Integrals and Parts as the Child is like the Parent or the Daughter the Mother we also beleeve and therefore the nearer and liker we are to the universal Church or mother of us All Gal. 4. 26. in Spirit grace and communion with All Saints visible and invisible the more thankâ—full are we to the Lord whose workmanship we are in Christ Jesus And yet we are but a poor despised Dust a particular visible Church that would faine look like the choice one of her Mother Cant. 6. 9. far short yet pressing after a more Likenesse indeed to the Vniversall consisting of All Saints Jew and Gentile past present and to come and more of the Nature and Spirit of the New Jerusalem But we believe that others are to follow after us and in this Principle too prefer'd before us whose shoes we are not worthy to untie We know not what Influences and Tendencies this may have thereto Obj. 5. But we fear you have no pattern from the Primitive times for such different and sundry Meetings besides the publick of the whole together were that clear we could be satisfied Answ 1. If there had not been left us a plain and direct Example for it as we find in some circumstances yet God hath left his Wisdome with the Church Eph. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 2. 7. a wisdome that is from above James 3. 17. in such Cases as tend to keep up good order Edifying and Discipline in the Body Rom. 14. 19.
rattle by this Word of Prophecy Ezek. 37. Bone to bone and sinnew to sinnew and are gathering strength together with us in this worke that stagger not at the promise through unbeleese no more then Abraham did Rom. 4. 18 19 Who considered not this body now DEAD when he was about a hundred yeares old nor yet the deadnesse of Sarah's wombe Not considering so as to stagger the deadnesse of others nor as yet of our owne hearts knowing he is faithfull that hath promised Heb. 10. 24. and therefore holding fast without WAVERING These these shall drink of the brookes that are in the WAY Psal. 110. 7. and butter and hony shall they eate Isa. 7. 22. the Emannell Food vers. 15. that they may know how to chuse the good and refuse the evill Yea and as Mat. 13. 15 16 17. When Others eares are dull of hearing their eyes closed and hearts grown grosse and foggy with the flesh shall it be said But blessed are your eyes for they see and your eares for they heare Verily I say unto you many Prophets and righteous men have delivered to see those things which yee see and have not seene them and to heare those things which yee heare and have not heard them Wherefore our strong cryes and strugling prayers to the God of the Primitive Saints and Churches are for YOU and your spirituall growth with All the increasings of God! that ye may be out of your severall heaps and Formes so full of confusion whither Presbyterean Independent Baptized Sabbat Seekers or others that are Saints by calling and hold the foundation with us and would be orderly jointed gathered knit Joynted And All the whole building FITLY FRAMED and growing up together into ONE TEMPLE and one Tabernacle ONE Vine ONE Kingdome and City COMPACT An habitation for the Lord through the Spirit Ephes. 2. 21 22 ifit were but to make the wayes of Godlinesse more Amiable desireable delectable profitable safe and sweet unto us so UNITED But if after all this others can find in their hard hearts to stand off from us and withstand so hopefull and so noble and so necessary an ENTRANCE so holy so sweet and so good a MOTION so powerfull and so yearning an INVITATION from Christ and his Spirit Sion and Saints ALIVE and DEAD or so naturall and indeed unavoidable a Duty as this is We must leave it at their DOORE from this Day forward with All the Evils that shall ensue from the neglect hereof and them Also to that Day of Christ that in despight of all opposers shall perfect this Worke and raise up all the crums shreds and dust of Sion into ONE and yet for our parts blessing our God for opening our eyes and helping us hitherto to make an Essay we are we hope in his grace Resolved as bound in duty and clearly satisfied every one of us and as God shall enable us to proceed and waite upon him in this way for the Great promise and the Great coming as confirmed in the Faith and confident in the Lord and assured in his might and grace that he will own us eminently and visibly in as in his owne way and Will as in the present WORK for Christ and his Kingdome which consists of all these subjects to the praise of that rich grace that hath brought us together And if Any doe question it or say with Nathaniel John 1. 46. Can any good come out of Nazareth we need say no more but COME and SEE But to conclude this SOLEMN CALL to all the Scattered ones in the three Nations in so humble loving and indeared Faithfulnesse to you Our Brethren and Countrimen having stammered out a Few of our thoughts of heart What can We SAY or SIGH more in this this Matter but leave our tears prayers and invitations unto it at your Feet that the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem would affect and move your hearts to wellcome it that comes unto you in the Name of the Lord Luke 19. 38. OREMEMBER how much the NAME of God and the very BEING of Religion is in danger and concerned in these Divisions Remember the Crosse and wounds of Christ which are set afresh bleeding by these Divisions and Dispersions Remember the Comfortable state of poore SION Sick at the very heart and ready to dye Oh Remember what a Name ye once have had in this Nation for profession and the Power of Godlinesse and now how it stinkes and what a SHAME ye are in all the world a SCORNE and a by word a hissing and Astonishment even to very Heathens O Remember not only how sew are converted but ah alas how many are confirmed in their wicked and false Wayes till this UNITING be even to the Papists Turks Atheists and prophane ones by the Abominations of Professours in England what a HEAD and HEART this last and lamentable APOSTACY hath hereby and what O what guilt of blood is brought upon these Nations Remember besides the Confusion of Tongues and Cup of Babylon which is given most to drinke of And whereby so many are fox't and enchanted that they doe they know not what And what Mercinary divelish and politick principles are assumed by Professours and Preachers at this day and what Persecution and Oppressions are upon Consciences O Remember how the Churches are some of them defiled Growth of grace hindred Worship polluted the fences of Separation pulled np the tender grapes spoiled Members and Teachers rent and torne from us and imprisoned at pleasure And yet Remember whilst there is life there is hope and O how wonderfully God hath appeared Prayers have been answered Brethren delivered Religion revived promises and engagements performed the Kingdome of Christ exilted and poore sinking Zion saved and God known to be their God even in the MIDDEST OF HIS PEOPLE when they were thus UNITED But now If so be your Consciences be seared your sences stopped your Foreheads brazened and your hearts hardned that nothing will move you neither in heaven nor on earth neither the LIVE nor the GRAVE if you care not what become of the Great name of God! the Cause of Christ his Gospel his Kingdome his Spirit his Churches his Servants his word and Ordinances in the purity of them If you think it not matter to see your Brethrens blood in the streets and their bodyes broyling and frying at the stake againe and think that Savour is the best and that smoke the sweetest If ye dare stand still and look on the other side Obad. 7. 11 12. in this day of strong and TWISTED CONFEDERACY and of casting Lots upon Jerusalem and of violence done to Jacob and of your Brethrens calamity without Remorse or Moving If ye dare to crucifie Christ afresh and tread his BLOOD under foot to cast out his Kingdome from amongst you and kill the hopes and expectations ye have had and we yet have of HIS DAY and REIGNE If ye dare to quit the Ground