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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
lord_n	aaron_n	act_n	power_n	23	3	4.1611	3	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A52476	Three choice and profitable sermons upon severall texts of Scripture viz. Jer. 30. 17, John 14. 3, Heb. 8. 5 : the first of them being the last sermon which he preached at the court of election at Boston, the second was the last which he preached on the Lords-Day, the third was the last which he preached on his weekly-lecture-day : wherein (beside many other excellent and seasonable truths) is shewed, the Lords soveraignty over, and care for his church and people, in order to both their militant and triumphant condition, and their fidelity and good affection towards himself / by that reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Norton ...	Norton, John, 1606-1663.; Norton, John, 1606-1663. Copy of the letter returned by the ministers of New-England to Mr. John Dury about his pacification.	1664 (1664)	Wing N1324; ESTC R40050	44,511	76

ver 23. Gen. 46. when Joseph received Jacob and his Brethren after so long an absence judge what a contentment there was Jacob fell upon Josephs neck and Joseph fell upon Iacobs neck but their embraces are not to be mentioned with the embraces of Christ and the Soul Do good that when you dye the good you have done may receive you into everlasting habitations Your works shall follow you It was the speech of one * Ambrose I have not so lived as that I am ashamed to live any longer nor am I afraid to dye Labour so to live as you may be useful in the body and so as you may not be ashamed to go out of the body but may say as Iohn did who was an old man and a Disciple I come quickly Even so come Lord Iesus come quickly THE EVANGELICAL WORSHIPPER Subjecting to the Prescription and Soveraignty of Scripture-patern BEING THE THIRD SERMON AND Preached on the LECTURE-DAY APRIL II. 1663. Heb. 8.5 Who serve unto the Example and shadow of Heavenly things as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle for see saith he that thou make all things according to the patern shewed to thee in the Mount THis Verse illustrates the Argument mentioned in the foregoing words from an adjunct or accident accompanying the Legal Priest-hood The Argument there used to prove that the Priest-hood of Christ excelled that priest-hood which was after the Order of Aaron was because they which were of that Priesthood ministred on Earth but Christ ministreth in Heaven He was a Minister of the true Tabernacle while he was on Earth and he still officiates in his Priestly Office now he is in Heaven the Tabernacle which they ministred in was upon the Earth and was made of earthly things and it was a figure or shadow of heavenly things he declares that that Tabernacle was a worldly Tabernacle or Sanctuary 1. From the quality of it it was onely a shadow or example of heavenly things and it was a type but Christ was a Minister of the true Tabernacle 2. It is declared from the certainty of it for He saith this But how doth that appear It appears from a Divine Testimony For see saith he that thou make all things according to the Patern shewed to thee in the Mount For the opening of the words First we are to consider what these heavenly things are They are called in Chap. 9.11 Good things to come In a word it means Christ with all his Benefits these are the Heavenly things that the other were but Shadows of Therefore it is truely said that the Ceremonial Law holds forth Christ i. e. it makes known the Gospel being rightly understood but after a Legal dispensation Secondly it was a shadow of good things i. e. it was a patern that did shadow out Heavenly things God shewed Moses a Patern or Type in a Vision according to which the Tabernacle was to be framed and Moses acts accordingly The word translated Patern intends as much as a likeness or example or a figure As for the Divine Testimony you may see it in Exodus 25.9 According to all that I shew thee after the patern of the Tabernacle and the patern of all the instruments thereof even so shall ye make it And in Chap. 39. this testimony is often given that All things were done as the Lord had commanded Moses But Christ was the Minister of another Tabernacle i. e. of his Body the true Tabernacle Doct. Great care must be hads in matters of Divine Worship or Divine Administrations that all things proceed according to the Prescript Word of God Or That all things be exactly corresponding to the Prescript of Gods Word Hebrews 7.14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Iudah of which Tribe Moses spake nothing concerning the Priesthood The Apostle thinks he argueth well and conclusively That Christ was not of the Levitical Order because nothing was spoken concerning it of that Tribe This is a good Argument in Divinity to say That there is nothing in Gods Word why you should act such or such a thing it is not enough to say that there is nothing expresly against it the truth is there is enough against it if there be nothing for it The Tribe of Iudah must not meddle with the matters of the Priesthood Why so because Moses spake nothing of them in that respect and in Exod. 25.9 Moses himself was to act nothing that he found not in the Patern Exod. 26.30 And thou shalt rear up the Tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the Mount He must act nothing that he doth not finde in the Patern It is true David for some just cause made some alteration in the Worship of God for the state of Temple-worship compared with Tabernacle-worship did call for a change But how did David proceed in it 1 Chron. 28.19 All this saith David the Lord made me uncenstand in writing by his hand upon me even all the works of this patern He made no alteration in Gods Worship but it was also by a Patern given to him by God And for Solomon you finde that David gave him the Patern ver 11. to build the Temple according thereunto And relating to Gospel-times the time of the Messias you have an eminent text in Ezek. 43.10 11. Thou Son of man shew the house to the House of Israel that they may be ashamed of their iniquities and let them measure the patern and if they be ashamed of all that they have done shew them the form of the house and the fashion and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the forms thereof c. Reas 1. Because it is the acknowledgement of the Prerogative of Jesus Christ I mean that he alone hath the honour to institute Divine Worship He in truth was the Author of the Tabernacle of the Temple and yet he was the Tabernacle and the Temple i. e. the true Tabernacle and Temple The power of the Keyes i. e. the instituted Worship under the Gospel you shall finde Christ is the maker and disposer of those Keyes Mat. 16.19 It is not for man to make a Key to open Heaven be will never be able to pick that lock Ye shall reverence my Sanctuary saith God Levit. 26.2 and why so I am that Lord make a pause here i. e. it 's no less then the Attribute of his Lordship that is demonstrated in the matters of his Worship as for instance Korah was very near unto the Priesthood Numb 16.1 and yet inferiour to the Priesthood and it may be that was some temptation to him to be so near it and yet inferiour to it but he must not offer Incense Numb 16.40 but the Priests which are the Sons of Aaron may Why may not Korah the reason is I am the Lord I will have this act to be matter of Divine Worship and not another and I will have

look after his Out-casts and care for us being Out-casts for the Truth Let it appear that we are such Out-casts to whom the calamity and temptations of Out-casts are sanctified Out-casts healed Out-casts that care for the truth and then Out-casts on which God will bring the blessing of his own people If this plaister findeth acceptance with you you shall finde esteem and acceptance and favour from God and man Let us all labour so to carry it as that we may have this Rejoycing of a good Conscience to sweeten that bottle full of tears shed in your Out-cast condition in this wilderness viz. That we came into it not onely with a Spirit testifying according to the Scriptures against the Inventions of men but also that we do come up unto the Institutions of Christ that as we have departed from Inventions Humane so we may not be found to be or here continue opposers against Institutions Divine that we are not negligent of but faithful to that Order of the Gospel which we are Out-casts for THE BELIEVERS CONSOLATION In the Remembrance of his Heavenly Mansion prepared for him by CHRIST BEING THE SECOND SERMON AND Preached on the LORDS-DAY MARCH XXIX 1663. John 14.3 And if I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my self that where I am there you may be also THis Verse and the former holds forth a double Consolation to support the Disciples against the suffering which they were to conflict with either In the way of Truth or For the way of Truth This Verse holds forth the second Argument of Consolation the former you have in the second Verse it is taken from the Place they were to be taken to after Death And this Argument in this Verse is taken from the Company they shall have in that place and that is his Personal Presence his full and clear Presence Where I am there you shall be also Now this Argument of Consolation is described 1. From the Scope of Christ in preparing such a place for them and it was that he and they might be there together I go to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also 2. It is declared from the Time when they must expect their being taken to Christ and that is when he comes again I will come again and receive you to my self 3. It is declared from the Efficient of it the Undertaker of this and that is Himself I will come again and receive you to my self To open the words thus resolved 1. Touching the Presence of Christ and Believers together That where I am there you may be also you must understand this of his Presence emphatically so called of his Presence in the place of Blessedness In thy Presence is fulness of joy Psal 16.11 There is a double Presence of Christ but he means here his Presence in Glory where we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 I said this Argument of their Consolation was declared from the Scope of it I go to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also it was one great end of his being a Fore-runner Secondly he should fail of his Fidelity and Ability if there should be a disappointment 2. From the Time When I come again Christs coming is either his last Coming or his coming by Death Of his last coming you reade 1 Thess 4.18 Of his coming by Death you reade Luke 23.43 To day thou shalt be with me in Paradice Now the Soul goes to Christ when He comes to us by Death at his last coming both Soul and Body shall be together with him 3. This Argument of Consolation is described by the Efficient of it or Undertaker I will receive you to my self We may doubt how our Souls when we dye shall come to Heaven why saith Christ I will come and receive you to my self They therefore say properly when they dye that say Into thy hands I commend my Spirit Psal 31.5 it is a proper saying so to speaks Acts 7.59 Lord Jesus receive my Spirit It is a blessed thing to commit our Souls by Faith to Christ when they go out of the Body He comes by the ministry of his Angels or otherwise as he please I will come again and receive you to my self You may remember the words of Steven he dying called upon God and said Lord Jesus receive my Spirit we receive Christ and we receive the Spirit of Christ Now to as many as received him to them gave he power c. Joh. 1.12 Christ receives our Spirits then If we receive his Spirit now he will receive our Spirits then I will receive you to my self Doct. That the effectual Remembrance that at Death Christ will receive our Souls unto Himself is a Soveraign Preservative to quiet our Souls throughout all the Sufferings we meet with either In the way of Truth and For the way of Truth during this life You shall finde in Iob 19.25 saith he I know that my Redeemer liveth He might say I know my Estate is gone and I see that my Friends are gone and my Children be gone and my Health and Strength is gone and the Grave is ready for me but what stayes Iobs heart now I know that my Redeemer lives This is a living truth for a dying man I know that my Redeemer lives and that he shall stand in the latter day upon the earth and I shall see him c. This was now In the way of Truth for you cannot say that Iob was persecuted For the way of Truth But you shall finde in a way of suffering for the way of Truth Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ Having passed through many troubles I would be out of the body and freed from the body of death I desire to depart and to be with Christ 2 Cor. 5.8 We are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. You must either be absent from the body or absent from the Lord it is an hard thing to be absent from the body but not comparatively We desire rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord We shall meet the Lord and shall ever be with the Lord. What is the use of this 1 Thess 4 18. Comfort one another with these words what are these Comforts They are nothing but Promises Promises rightly applied these are the Comforts of the holy Ghost they hold forth more good then the affliction doth evil If you would comfort one another bring out the Promise that is comfortable and seasonable Comfort one another with what with these words for in them the Comforter doth come and apply comfort Reas 1. Because hereby we are made fit for this rest fit to be with Christ that is by our trouble by this remembrance Mixing this remembrance with our trouble doth fit us for this place 2 Cor. 5.5 He that worketh us

this man to act and not another I am the Lord. Might not any man take a little perfume and sprinkle it on the coals No God will institute what acts and what persons he pleaseth I have heard I think some say that any man may administer Baptism or the Lords Supper and I say it may be a Childe is able to do it what then But we must remember what God saith I am the Lord and he will be owned in his Institutions Vzzah was a good man yet he may not touch the Ark why not I am the Lord 2 Sam. 6. It is one of the holy Institutions of God Ye shall all reverence my Sanctuary Hence it is that to the holy things of God reverence is a great part of duty and if this or that be Gods Worship remember Gods Lordship is in his own Institutions and he will make a difference as he pleaseth not that Aaron or Moses are better then others in themselves they may be worse but God will have his Lordship appear in these his holy things Therfore it is that we must be conscientious in our reverence of the holy things of God even in regard of bodily reverence by comely gestures for our bodyes are the Lords 1 Cor. 6. Hence Sitting is not a Prayer-gesture it is true if there be great weakness or infirmity of body c. that may give an excuse for the Lord will have mercy in case rather then Sacrifice And therefore also it is that Christ stood up when he read the word Luk. 4.16 and in Nch. 8.5 they stood up at the hearing of the Word read We should shew reverence at the holy things of God because they are his Institutions and he is the Lord. Reas 2. Because in Divine Worship we acknowledge God to be our Soveraign Lord and that we owe unto him absolute Subjection and Obedience and we acknowledge our selves to be his absolute Subjects The act of Worship is an acknowledgement both of his Soveraignty and of our meanness Who am I that am but dust and ashes that I should take upon me to speak unto the Lord Gen. 18. In acts of Worship we must exalt Christ and depress man Many in these dayes are against Forms but in the mean time let us not forget Worship For Israel to wait upon a Rock was a despicable thing to the Nations to see so many thousands come and stand about the Rock was strange but that Rock was Christ this is nothing else but the acknowledgement of God who will be known in his own way And this let me say Christ himself that was not onely Man but God attended the Ordinances while he was here on earth and so did his Apostles this is to shew the disevangelical spirit of those that do object against external Worship Reas 3. Because Divine external Worship is a means of conferring heavenly things The Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven open or shut Heaven Mat. 16.19 Naaman must know if he be cured whence the Cure comes be must acknowledge the Waters of Iordan and he must acknowledge the Prophet God could have cured him without either but he was not pleased so to do You feed your Hens and Chickens but you throw their meat upon the ground and make them take it from thence so God feeds us with heavenly food but we must receive it in a lowly manner You can have no Faith to expect Gods blessing in any way but his own any Institutions so farre as they are Humane you cannot have Faith for Gods blessing to go with them Instructions 1. The Ceremonial Law understood teacheth Christ the truths of Christ are laid up under the types of the Ceremonial Law When you reade the Ceremonial Law if you understood it you would see Christ through it as for instance Heb. 9. the Tabernacle was a figure of Christs Body and so was the Vail Heb. 10.20 when they went into the first Court they remembred the Incarnation of the Messias and so when they looked on the Vail c. they who looked on these types whose eyes were opened they saw Christ Reade Lev. 16.15 compared with Heb. 9.24 26. As Christ shed his blood and so entred into Heaven so the High-priest slew the Sacrifice and then entred into the holy of holies And the efficacy of the Merit of Christ was figured in the incense this is to let us see how clearly we are taught the same truths above what they of old were comparing our times with theirs Instr 2. It is the part of those who are Conscientious to keep themselves unto Scripture-bounds in holy or Church-administrations 2 Cor. 10.13 the Apostle would have them walk by a line it relates to the Graecian exercises to which the Apostle doth delight to allude it comes to one with that which the Apostle doth elsewhere say viz. 2 Tim. 2.5 He that striveth is not Crowned except he strive lawfully There is a line of motion to regulate all administrations especially Church-administrations there is a line that doth regulate the Eldership and a line also to regulate the Brotherhood so that all Church administrations are to be carried on according to that line This was Moses his charge See thou make all things according to the patern and do you think there is not as much Conscience to be made of it now under the Gospel to make all things according to the patern as in the dayes of the Legal dispensation 1 Cor. 14.40 Let all things be done according to Order the case may be so that though a thing be done that is for the matter of it good there may yet be more hurt in the disorder of it then there is good in the doing of it If we exercise our own Notions and Apprehensions in matters of Worship this is Will-worship Mat. 15.9 In vain do they Worship me teaching for Dectrines the traditions of men Mark the opposition Me and Men can mens traditions be an act of Divine Worship No it s but Will-worship Col. 2.23 there may be that which is plausible to man yet it 's but Will-worship there may be parts and excellencies but if they are out of place it is that which God will not bear with Exod. 20.25 He that lifts up his tool upon mine Altar hath pollutedit it is enough to pollute it because it is a mans tool we must not turn to the right hand nor to the left but keep our way right on The Corinthians turned to the left hand when they would not Excommunicate the incestuous person and they turned to the right hand when they would not receive him in being a penitent it was an errour on the right hand in Peter when he would not have Christ suffer but a fearful scandalous one You shall not adde thereto nor take therefrom saith the Lord Deut. 4.2 12.32 neither Elders nor Brethren must take upon them that which belongs not to them nor the Council take that which belongeth not to it nor the Magistrates what

to be fetched from Divine Writ and not to be framed after our own pleasure The Rules of Sacred Society are certain beyond which or short of which it is not in our power to extend or withhold the Right-hand of Brother-hood Whoever having attained these shall acknowledg them and having acknowledged them shall walk according unto them so holding Communion with sinners as he doth not in the least communicate with their sins so as he is wanting neither to the Truth nor himself nor his Brethren him we deservedly esteem both as a Guide and Pillar of the Church will we or nill we we are Brethren and seeing we are Brethren let us acknowledge our selves what we are namely Brethren in the Lord. A day would scarce suffice to rehearse how many and how great incitements do call for and require this To account the weak in Faith for none is indeed it self a greater weakness The name of Brethren is sweet it is matter of great delight to be such indeed But it is much to be lamented that those who are so should not be acknowledged to be so So to stand for Truth that by too tenacious insisting upon Doctrine we make no reckoning of the Rights of Society is to be carried with the study of Parties not of the Truth and to undertake the Patronage of an Opinion rather because it is our own then because it is true Sounder Philosophy determines that the excellency of Union is to be esteemed according to the dignity of the Cause We here pass over in silence the conspiring together of the waters and dry land to make one Globe as also that of the frame of the Heavenly and the Earthly Globe to make one Sphere of the World There may be found an heap of Miracles in the quiet gathering the living creatures into the Ark and their abiding in it where the most savage of them laid aside their savageness being ready to acknowledge Noah for their Lord not much otherwise then Adam in giving Names unto them where might be seen the Wolfe standing amongst the Sheep neither do the Flocks seem affraid of the great Lyons These are indeed very great things but yet if they be compared with the Myst cal Union shining forth in one of the very least of Christs Members there would want words to express how great the distance is To proceed therefore if the Union of a very few Believers be of so great moment of how great account should be the Uniting of all Protestants in the Faith But let us here pause a while and not think much to weigh this matter a little more seriously and we shall finde unless we are much deceived this very Union about which we are treating if it be without hypocrifie and deceit but as the very off-spring and image of the Hypostatical Union and onely next unto it on Earth as to the kinde and like unto which there will not be found any in Heaven no not when Angelical Nature remained in its perfection We do believe indeed and not out of a vain conceit That this Agreement is a bright Looking-glass made of the Blood of the Lamb wherein Jesus himself the Prince of so great a Peace clearly shines forth in passing through which also he doth irradiate the World with its brightness while it stedfastly beholds this clear Looking-glass and by irradiating ingenerates Faith therein In which respect we need not fear to affirm That the perpetual conjunction of all Mankinde established by the Bond of the first Covenant would be by infinite degrees exceeded by it That they all may be one as thou Father in me and I in thee that the world may know that thou hast sent me Joh. 17.21 If the possibility of such a Peace should appear we could not do much in the pursuing the necessity thereof Notwithstanding if we may have leave that this Necessity may be fastned in our mindes as they say with the strongest Nayle before we leave this Exhortatory part of our Discourse we think meet for a Conclusion to adorn and strengthen it with the Sayings of some Famous men tending much unto Peace At Marpurg Luther long since professed That he would not yield this Praise to the Adverse Party that they should be more studious of Concord and Peace then himself From whence arose that famous Concord of Marpurg We finde also Calvin thus expressing himself that he might compose mindes and allay so great Commotions at a time when Contention was grown much too hot But I desire you to consider first How great a man Luther is and in what great Gifts he doth excell and with how great Courage and Constancy of Minde with how great Dexterity with how great Efficacy of Learning he hath hitherto endeavoured to put to stight the Kingdome of Antichrist and propagate the Doctrine of Salvation I have been often wont to say That if he should call me Devil a thousand times that I would yet give him that honour as to acknowledge him the eminent Servant of God But our Davenant most severest of all If the Schismes of Churches might be taken away as without doubt they may I would rather have a Mill-stone hanged about my neck and be cast into the Sea then either hinder a Work so acceptable unto God and so necessary to avoid Scandals or not promote it with my whole heart and all my utmost Endeavours Epiphanius would not that Christians should have any By-name Let the Nick-name of Zuinglians and Calvinists then cease the Marks rather of Faction then of Brotherly Vnion What should we have to do with Luther What should we have to do with Calvin We Profess the Gospel we Believe the Gospel Bellarmine somewhere hath a Catalogue of a great many Kingdomes that fell off from the Papacy whose defection from the Mystery of Iniquity if it hath troubled the Cardinals of Rome how much more would their Uniting together in the Mystery of Piety be a terrour to the Roman Party When the truly holy League shall wholly stand for the Lamb when Humane Endeavours and Dissensions being laid aside they shall onely intend that one thing to afford their mutual help for the promoting of Religion when they shall unanimously carry on the war of the Lord against the Whore as if they were indued with the very Spirit of the Revelation when they shall be called neither English nor Dutch nor Swedes nor Danes but onely Christians If Poets Writings any truth contain Ages fierce Wars shall never more maintain But it is not in our power most excellent Dury to adde our counsel either to the beginning or the preserving this Agreement You are not ignorant that we are Exiles Britains altogether divided from the rest of Europe wherefore we are less fit to perform this Task Neither are we so unsensible of our own weakness as not readily to confess our inability for so great a Service nor is there need seeing we must thankfully acknowledge and own that this office hath

been abundantly performed both by Strangers as well as by our own Countrymen We may here call to minde and not without some sacred sympathy those Blessed Soules Melancthon and Pareus now amongst the Blessed the one no less famous amongst the Reformed then the other amongst the Evangelicks The first of whom going towards Haganoa with sighing uttered these words In Synods hitherto we lived have And now in them return unto the grave The other seriously meditating on the controversie of the Encharist brake forth into these words I am weary with disputing Thus if these men might be Judges we ought rather Pray then Dispute and study how to Live then to Contend And perhaps the Divines of either part after they have been wearied and broken in their Spirits with daily and continual Contentions will more readily accept of the Counsels of Peace which hitherto have been less acceptable while the Sense of Anger remained fresh After by long use they have been taught they may prefer the waters of the Pacifick Sea before those of Meribah Nor need we say That those Honoured Persons and Brethren will perhaps more kindly entertain the Counsels of Peace seeing there are we know not how many Sayings Writings Deeds of Princes Churches and Universities openly testifying That eminent men of both Orders and that not of the lowest Rank have not onely received but taken Counsel together and engaged their helping hand as need shall require from which beginnings it is but meet to hope the best God is able to make them workers of Peace whom he hath given to be Seekers of Peace If otherwise such eminent endeavours shall not want their reward in heaven and their honour in Israel These are piously Heroick Enterprises which as they do oblige all good men so are they to be admired of them Their Praises how great or how little soever as the present age is not altogether silent about them so will posterity declare the rest and perhaps the unknown parts of the World We give thanks unto the Father of Lights with all our hearts who hath put this Work into the minde of Dury savouring of a Spirit more then Humane and hath added also suitable Courage to the promoting so Pious and Apostolical a matter which Task whosoever shall effect if we may be Judges will deserve a more then ordinary Triumphant Statue and whose Monument will so far excel the Trophees of Achilles as if they were not worthy to be mentioned in the same day However the issue of the matter fall yet it is a great deal to have attempted in a great Design Seek the Peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee We give thanks unto the God of Peace who would not suffer the labours of his servant endeavouring after peace to be undertaken altogether without success Therefore most worthy Sir go on in this your strength resting on the prophecy for the desired Concord That it shall be in it 's own appointed time The power which have obeyed the Roman Harlot shall hate her make her naked and burn her with fire For God hath put it into the hearts of the Kings that they should fulfil his will It doth not become those that have a meet understanding of things to doubt of their Agreement in the Faith who are to burn to Ashes the Metropolis of the last Head of the Beast as an enemy to the Faith The Discord of the Kings detaines the Whore on her throne and keeps the Woman in the Wilderness while they are contending amongst themselves It makes all Priamus his house rejoyce And other Trojans to lift up their voice But this their sacred Concord the renowned Sons of Sion cannot but look upon as a forerunner of the Destruction of Rome now at the very doors and accordingly with their daily and most ardent prayers breathe after hope and long for the same Lastly we give thanks to Mr. Dury into whose heart it came to remember Joseph separate from his Brethren at so great a distance both by Sea and Land and who hath vouchsafed with so comfortable a message to visit us poor wretches clothed in Sackcloth for our warfare yet as we trust the Sackcloth of the Gospel who hath not refused to put New-England as a part of the skirt of Aaron's garment upon which hath descended some of the precious Oil into the Catalogue of the so much famed Agreement And who hath by his Letter exhorting unto such Agreement given us an occasion to bring in this Testimony such as it is for our brotherly Communion with the whole company of Protestants professing the Faith of Christ Jesus For we must ingenuously confess that then when all things were quiet and no threatning signes of warre appeared seeing we could not be permitted by the Bishops at that time prevailing to perform the Office of the Ministry in Publick nor yet to enjoy the holy Ordinances without Subscription and Conformity as they were wont to speak nor without the mixture of Humane Inventions with Divine Institutions we chose rather to depart into the remote and unknown Coasts of the Earth for the sake of a purer worship then to lye down under the Hierarchy in the abundance of all things but with the prejudice of Conscience But that in flying from our Country we should renounce communion with such Churches as profess the Gospel is a thing which we confidently and solemnly deny Certainly so far as concerns our selves in whatever Assemblies amongst us the whole Company of them that profess the Gospel the Fundamentals of Doctrine and Essentials of Order are maintained although in many niceties of controversal Divinity they are at less Agreement with us we do hereby make it manifest which yet we would alwayes have understood so as the least part of Truth according to the nature of that Reverence which ought exactly to be yielded thereunto may be preserved that we do acknowledge them all and every one for Brethren and that we shall be ready to give unto them the right hands of fellowship in the Lord if in other things they be peaceable and walk orderly We humbly beseech the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in whose lips is onely power to perswade that he would enlighten Princes Divines and even all who are rightly called Christians from the name of Christ with the lively splendour of such an Agreement and draw them with a Soul-moving Energie to the divine Love of himself As for that which concerns your self the sweetest Follower of Peace We should account it an heinous crime to be wanting unto you in our Prayers to the very God of Peace That he would so preserve your Life your Course and your Work that you may bring unto a Conclusion your so eminent undertaking with so many sighs labours sweatings dangers and with so great charges hitherto carried on if otherwise and that it seem good to the great Determiner of things before this come to pass to advance him that hath been a follower of peace on Earth to the state of a Blessed Saint in Heaven That then he would raise up other Duryes who may bring the work so happily begun to its desired end Your most observant Brethren in Christ The Ministers of the Churches and Preachers of the Word Militant for the Faith of Jesus in New-England John Wilson Pastor of Boston John Norton Teacher of the same John Mayo Pastor of New-Boston Richard Mather Teacher of Dorchester John Allin Pastor of Dedham John Eliot Teacher of Rexbury Samuel Danforth Pastor of the same William Thomson Pastor of Braintry Henry Flint Teacher of the same Thomas Thatcher Teacher of Weymouth Peter Hubbard Pastor of Hingham John Miller Pastor of Yarmouth John Wilson junior Pastor of Medfield Zechariah Symmes Pastor of Charlstown Thomas Shepard Peacher of the same Samuel Stone Teacher of Hartford Jonathan Mitchel Pastor of Cambridge John Sherman Pastor of Watertown Edmund Brown Pastor of Sudbury Edward Bulkly Pastor of Concord Thomas Carter Pastor of Woborne Samuel Haugh Pastor of Reding John Fiske Pastor of Chelmsford John Reyner Teacher of Dover Ezekiel Regers Pastor of Rowly Samuel Philips Teacher of the same Samuel Whiting Pastor of Lyn. John Higginson Pastor of Salem Thomas Cobbet Pastor of Ipswich William Hubbard Teacher of the same Francis Dane Teacher of Andover William Worcester Pastor of Salisbury John Ward Pastor of Haverhil Timothy Dalton Teacher of Hampton Seaborn Cotton of the same Joseph Emerson Pastor of York Michael Wigglesworth Pastor of Maldon William Walton Minister of the Word Ralph Smith Minister of the Word Charles Chauncy President of Harvard Colledge Gershom Bulkly Fellows of the said Colledge Thomas Graves Fellows of the said Colledge Zech. Symmes Fellows of the said Colledge Zech. Brigden Fellows of the said Colledge FINIS