the daughter of their people Now to such I have these following directions to propose Though you do not think it convenient to engage your selves in the controversies of the times as they tend to estrange the hearts and alienate the affections of good People one from another yet to engage your selves in a controversy against controversies managing of it with a spirit of love and tenderness which may so much tend in the fruits of it to the endearing and uniting of the hearts of Saints one to another that may be worth your engaging in If you observe what is said page 32 33 34 35 36. you will there see how all the servants of God in all ages contended against the contentions in the Church and laboured to preserve union amongst Saints as the main duty And therefore in the first place I would begg of you to stir up your own hearts with all the Saints near you to be much in prayer for this mercy set special times apart to meet together to wrestle with the Lord about it this is a difficult and a great work and prayer hath done many such all those late great mercies that God hath bestowed upon his People in these Nations which they are now so unable to agree about the dividing of were all by many gracious and eminent instruments received and acknowledged to be the returns of Prayer I shall close this request with Joels exhortation Chap. 2.17 Let the Priests the Ministers of the Lord weep between the Porch and the Altar and let them say Spare thy People O Lord and give not thy heritage to reproach that the Heathen should use a by-word against them wherefore should they say among the People Where is their God 2. Give up your selves to study and propagate this truth for among the multitude of books that this day hath produced I have found few though I have diligently enquired and sought for them of this subject And had I not been wearied with long delayed expectation I should not durst to have made an Essay upon this work but I hope if it be of no other use it may serve to provoke some of you to lay your hand to this plough least such unskilful ones as my self is should spoile a good cause by badly managing it 3. Set upon some beginnings in Gospel-fellowship upon this Gospel principle I am perswaded the Lord would prosper and blesse it against this Spirit of division as the house of David against Sauls it shal grow stronger and stronger and the other weaker and weaker the Lord seems to be withdrawing his good spirit of his quickening sanctifying comforting grace from the People with whom the spirit of division is most predominate even pouring upon the head of dividers what he threatned to back-sliders Prov. 14.14 even to fill them with their own wayes that they are even wearied with the multitude of their divisions and contentions and such as are sincerely sensible thereof are ready to cry out with David Psal 120.6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace unto whom your feet will be beautiful that bring good tydings that publish peace Esay 52.7 when they shall observe by your Order and spirituall concord how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity as Psal 133.1 If you have already the charge of a particular Church labour to instruct them in this precious truth which when they have received endeavour to manifest it and make it known to all the Godly round about that you are in charity and desire to be in fellowship with them and all the godly or visible Beleevers in the World But if you be not engaged to any particular Church at present then make known your judgment to al that feares God near unto you and press them to their dutys to congregate themselves together and to have fellowship one with another in all Ordinances so farr as the Lord hath enlightned them therein which when obtained proceed as before Object But in case the Churches or at least a great part of them over whom the Lord hath set us be so averse to this truth that the promoting of it among them may hazard a breach betwixt us or at least a division in the Churche show should we then walk in the prosecution of this duty Answ Either such an aversness must proceed from a conscientious godly fear that some other truth of Christ they have received may be prejudiced thereby Otherwise from a contentious unruly frame of spirit not being able to bear the sincere and savory advice and instruction of those the Lord hath set over them If from the former a great deal of tenderness and Christian patience ought to be exercised toward them and endeavours used to satisfie them that your main aim and intendment in promoting this duty is to take away the cause from whence all grievances of that hand come and to provide that an equal provision of Liberty and opportunity may be to all conscientiously professing or practising any controverted point without the least discouragement or restraint which is as much as any sober mind can desire If from the latter lesse weight is to be put upon it saith Paul if any man seem to be contentious we have no such custom neither the Churhes of God 1 Cor. 11.16 And so to Titus There are many unruly and vain talkers whose mouths must be stopped Titus 1.10 11. Rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith vers 13. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority let no man despise thee Chapter 2.15 when Christians contain not themselves within the bounds of a sober gracious spirit whether the matter they strive about be truth or error their pride passion unruliness ought to be reproved But if in case they all should agree to dissent in this matter and will retain their former rule of separation yet if they be willing to allow that liberty to others that they desire to enjoy themselves separate not from them but the rather abide with them as with a Church of Christ that most needs your help For Christians much more ministers should not somuch consider where they may walk to enjoy most comfort and Christian liberty c. but rather where they may be most serviceable to the Lord and the weak diseased of his People for the whole need not the Physitian But though I do judge you ought to condiscend to the weakness of your Brethren and to walk with all Christian and brotherly affection towards them yet not herein with Peter Gal. 2.12 13. to dissemble the truth or to suffer any of the same society to be imposed on by them but your selves withall like-minded to manifest your charity towards and desire of fellowship with all the Saints on earth and as your occasions give you opportunity to evidence your principle by your practice Object But in case the Church with whom wee walk should be so offended as
and David my Servant shall be King over them and they all shal have one Shepherd so Zech. 14.9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one But more particularly 1. This glorious union of Gods Church would renew its strength that though now in its divided shattered state it shews it self like Israel scattered abroad throughout all the Land of Egypt to gather stubble Exod. 5.12 in which state every Petty task-master of Pharcah can exercise Tyranny over them veâ—s 14. but if once united they would then be in the sight of their enemies as Israel gathered together was in the plains of Moab terrible for their enemies to look upon Numb 22.3 their beholders then instead of cursing of them would say How goodly are thy tents O Jacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel Numbers 24.5 He hath as it were the strength of an Vnicorn he shall eat up the Nations his enemies and shall break their bones and pierce them through with his arrows verse 8. The Church in its united State is like a City with walls and bulwarks Isa 26.1 In that day shall this song be sung in the Land of Judah We have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks Beautifull as Tirzah comly as Jerusalem Terrible as an Army with Baxners Cant. 6.4 10. 2. The renewing of the Churches unity would renew its purity when there shall be One Lord and his Name One Zach. 14.9 Every Pot in Judah and Jerusalem shall be holy unto the Lord verse 21. The way of the Lord shall then be called the way of holiness Isay 35.8 compared with the 9th The Gates of the holy City might then be shut that there should no more pass through the uncircumcised and unclean 3. The Churches unity would repair its reputation and esteem the precious sons of Sion more precious then fine gold how are they esteemed as earthen Pitchers in their scattered divided State Lam. 4.2 The Church may then truly complain how is the gold become dim the most fine gold changed the stones of the Sanctuary are poured out on the top of every street verse 1. they are despised as the Common pibbles of the Brook every vile abject every mean base vile-spirited man can look uppon precious Saints if but branded with a nicknamed Religion as a meaner creature then himself of which the Church complains Psal 44.11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat and hast scattered us among the heathen and from thence in the 13th verse complains thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours and a scorn and derision to them that are round about us thou makest us a by-word among the heathen and a shaking of the head among the people But when Sion comes to be a City with Walls and Towers Psal 48.12 13. then Beautifull for stituation the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion verse 2. then the abjects and base people shall be so far from scorning her and shaking the head at her That loe Kings when assembled and pass by together shall see her they shall marvel and be troubled and haste away fear shall take hold upon them and pain as on a woman in travel verses 4 5 6. 4. The renewing the unity of the Church will renew the growth and increase of the Church it is a sad and just complaint of many of the godly in these dayes that converting work ceaseth we are spending all upon the old Stock Why what hinders as a second cause so much as our divisions I am perswaded that never since the ascention of him that ascended up on high to give gifts unto men and the cessation of extraordinary gifts there hath been such a measure of spiritual gifts given forth as this day affoords never more painfull Labourers sent into Gods harvest nor more able faithfull Pastors and Teachers given to his Churches of all perswasions for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ Ephes 4.11 12. But this overflowing spirit of Division like a sweeping rain in harvest carries all the fruit away or like the frosts in spring nips all in the bud This spirit may well be reckoned as the chief of those little foxes that spoils the vines for our vines have tender grapes as Cant. 2.15 for no sooner is a soul brought to a sense of his lost estate by nature and begins to enquire after Christ to say with the Jaylor What shall I do but forthwith it meets with from this spirit such a multitude of needless or at lest unseasonable questions and doubts in its minde about some of the points in controversie that dissolves all its beginnings of heart-work into head-work that most of Christs new born babes at this day instead of desiring the sincere milk of the word to grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 will at first begin to drink wine and feed on strong meat which they being not able to digest fall into spiritual surfeits from whence proceed spiritual loathings of heavenly things spiritual sicknesses and diseases of all sorts which so many poor Professors at this day lie languishing under whereas if once the Lord should unite his people upon the principles of visible grace all would then be joyntly concerned chiefly to propagate those principles of grace and godliness upon which they were united and though most of the points in controversie might remain of weight upon the hearts of all that sincerely hold them to be faithfull to their consciences in walking up in the practice of them yet there would be an holy tenderness of troubling the heads of young Converts or weak Christians with unreasonable scruples but each sober mind would take the Apostles advice Rom. 14.1 Him that is weak in the faith receive you but not to doubtfull disputations And with the Apostle Peter would exhort them to add to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindeness and to brotherly kindness charity 2 Pet. 1.5 6 7. and to tell them if these things be in them and abound they shall neither be barren nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ verse 8. That the unity of Gods people in principles of visible grace and godliness would much tend to the encrease and growth of Gods Church therefore in the glorious day of the Churches Vnion Isa 60. when violence shall no more be heard in the land nor wasting nor destruction within thy borders but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation and thy gates praise verse 18. Then shall Kings come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising verse 3. then shall the Abundance of the Sea be Converted unto thee verse 5. It shall be then said who are these that flye like a Cloud and as the Doves to the Windows verse 8. The Sons also
of them that afflicted thee shall come bending to thee and All they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet and They shall call thee the City of the Lord the Sion of the holy one of Israel verse 14. That whereas in thy divided disunited State thou hast been forsaken and haâ—ed so that no man went through thee I will make thee an eternal excellency a joy of many generations verse 15. the whole Chapter is spent in seting forth the mighty encrease of Gods Church in the day of its Vnity 5. The renewing of the Churches unity would abundantly tend to renew its joy and comfort The ransomed of the Lord shall then return and come to Sion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Isa 35.10 compared with the 8. and 9. verses which speaks of the Churches Unity So Psal 48.1 Let mount Sion rejoyce let the Daughter of Judah be glad c. compared with the 12. and 13. verses which speaks of Unity if for the divisions of Reuben there were such great searchings of heart surely for the healing of the divisions of Reuben there must flow in great Comfort and Joy of heart and therefore saith David who had great experience of the evil of divisions among Gods people the sense he had thereof made him cry out Psal 133. How good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to live together in unity It s like the precious ointment upon the head that runs down upon the beard even Aarons beard that went down to the skirts of his garments as the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the mountain of Sion c. He could not think of things excellent enough to compare the sweetness and comfortableness of union unto I might further proceed upon this Head as to the encrease of the Peace and all other outward prosperitie with the encrease of all spirituall graces both in the enjoyment and exercise of them but I shall leave the rest to the Readers enlargement and close up this head with this following Argument That that mercy which would prepare the way for and bring in with it such a multitude of other precious mercies must needs be it self a glorious mercy and of all other mercies inferior to it to be laboured after and prayed for But such is the mercy of the Saints union as before Therefore it ought of all mercies inferior to it to be prayed and laboured for I shall now proceed to the answering of such Objections as I can remember to have met with or have ground to beleeve will be made against the several forementioned heads and arguments drawn from them which I have deferred for this place rather then to annex them to the head or argument they may most properly oppose in regard several of them are so general that they will include the several particulars that might be made against each part thereby avoiding prolixity Now the persons from whom the ensuing objections may be expected must be either from such as do erre in the extream against my first proposition in not approving of a separation betwixt Beleevers and Unbeleevers or visibly gracious and visibly ungracious persons or otherwise from such as do erre in the extream against my second generall position of the duty of all true Beleevers and Churches separated from the World c. to walk together in the performances of all Religious worship and services without separating or dividing from one another Which two sorts of persons will include the contrary-minded to this truth in both extreams And being desirous to avoid all names of distinction that might be offensive earnestly wishing that those Nicknames of division among Saints might be like those names of Baalâ—m Hos 2.17 taken out of our mouths that the old good names of Beleevers and Unbeleevers or godly and Ungodly might be again revived I shall state the objections in a general way leaving the reader to choose such as are his own and consider the Answers to them as to himself accordingly for I judge there will be several objections that would be joyntly made by persons of several perswasions and from several Principles which to answer to distinctly would be a meanes to multiply many words to the same thing Object 1. We do admitt all true Beleevers and holy gracious persons to have a right to all Gods Ordinances and to be admitted as true members of his Church But they which only seem to be such and are poysoned with Errours and Delusions with which they would infect the flock of Christ thâ—se we only reject and speak against as Schismaticks and Hereticks c. Answ Such as the Errours and delusions may be your rejection may be just but the generality of Christians so rejected and stigmatized with nick-names by you are not of that sort but generally holds the foundation points of Doctrine and substance of Religion with you the difference lying in things very controversal Now in the purest times of the Church there were believers tainted with divers errors of a dangerous nature who yet were not rejected as incommunicable nor reproached with the odious names of Schismaticks c. by the rest of their brethren though several of them erred in points of great weight as denying Justification by Faith without the works of the Law against whom Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans and Galatians the chief scope of which Epistles being to prove the erroneousness and danger of those Doctrines with which you may observe the Ephesians Colossians and Philippians were also tainted which error as it was held by those Christians I judge was of a more dangerous tendency then the generality of those controversies Christians in these dayes usually separate upon and in the Church of the Colossians there were several deluded with Philosophical errors and Heathenish opinions and customs as worshipping of Angels c. Col. 2.8 compared with the 16 17 18 19 verses And further what sad errors and schisms was the Church of Corinth infected with there were contentions strifes and vain janglings 1 Cor. 1.10 and 3.3 4. contradiction and contempt of their Ministers 1 Cor. 1.12 even of Paul himself whom God had used as the instrument of their conversion 1 Cor. 11.12 2 Cor. 10.1 10. given to vexatious Law suits to the shame of the truth among the heathen chap. 6. verses 1 2. and abusing of their Christian liberty to the hazzard of the destruction of the Faith of their brethren chapter 8. Errors in the administration and receiving of the Lords Supper even to the prophaning that holy Ordinance Chap. 11. Yet the Apostle in all he wrote against these great errors and miscarriages gives not a word of Command or direction to the more sober and sound to separate from those corrupted nor cast them out of the Church nor to esteem them as Schismaticks c. but labours by sound
avoid that disadvantage to the truth pleaded for my weak handling of it may administer and content my self with some few more general Objections and so conclude with some directions to such whose hearts are groaning under the Divisions of Saints Object Though this comfortable State of the Churches unity in Gospel-worship be a desirable thing yet it it not possible to be attained untill the glorious estate of the Church the time of fulfiling those promises of unity quoted by you pag. 56.57 and therefore to labour to attanie to impossibilities in an uncomfortable work Answ The same objection might have been made in the Apostles time and in the primitive State of the Church and yet you find they pressed and laboured after the Churches unitie and so far prevailed as we never heard of more universal Churches Christ had on earth but one though in that Church several different opinions about several weighty points yet they preserved an union in Church-state and did not unchurch nor unsaint one another untill these latter days wherein the Spirit of division hath been in its raigne and strength And there is as much reason to object against all our endeavours after all other graces and spiritual attainments because the perfection and fulness of them is reserved for that glorious day for until then our knowledge will be but darkly as through a glasse 1 Cor. 13.9.12 but then we shall know as we are known we shall then see face to face vers 12. then shall knowledge cover the earth as waters do the Sea Esay 11.19 we shall all then know the Lord from the least to the greatest Jer. 31.34 And so holiness and purity is now very imperfect We are now all the Sons of God but it doth not yet appear what we shall be but when he shall appear we shall be like him 1 John 3.2 the way of the Lord shal then be called the way of holiness the unclean shall not pass over it Isa 35.8 In that day there shall be upon the bells of the Horses holiness to the Lord Zach. 14.20 then shall Terusalem be holy there shall no stranger pass through her any more Joel 3.17 Yet I hope none will object from these Scriptures knowledge and holiness is reserved for the glorious state of the Church and therefore why do ye press to an encrease of it until the fulfilling of those glorious promises Therefore though the perfection of the Saints union be reserved for the last and glorious times of the Church yet the labouring after the measure of the present day is to not be omitted but rather to be laboured for as a mercy that must forerun many other precious mercies the Saints seem at this day to be in expectation of that I may say in this case as was said of our Saviour Mat. 13.58 Mar. 6.5 he could not do many mighty works among them because of their unbelief so the Lord cannot do many works amongst us because of our divisions and therefore we should esteem the unity of the Saints a mercy that would make way for abundance of other mercies for those glorious promises relating to the glorious estate of Christs Church in the latter dayes are to be fulfilled to all the Saints whether of Paul Apollo or Cephas And therefore Isaiah stirs up all Gods people to gladness and rejoycing at that day Isa 66. 10. Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her All ye that love her rejoyce with joy with her all ye that mourn for her That ye may suck and be satisfied with the brests of her consolation that ye may milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her glory And so Isa 4.5 The Lord shal create upon every dwelling place of mount Sion and upon her assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the burning of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence So Zach. 14.5 And the Lord my God shall come and All the Saints with thee And so the generality of those precious promises relating to the last and glorious state of the Church doth hold forth an universality of peace purity and glory to the whole Church to all Saints which the divided State of the Church is uncapable of receiving and therefore such whose souls long for the day of the Churches glory should take heed that therein they do not hurry the Saints besides or beyond the means of its present Unity for the obstructing the latter is an eminent means to hinder the former and such as will defer the work of the Saints Unity prest for untill that glorious day shall never have an oppotunity of casting their Mite into that Treasury for the Vnity of that day shall stand in no need of their help The Lord alone shall be exhalted as the Vniter of his Church in that day there shall then be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the Sun for the Lord God shall give them light Reu. 22.5 It would be taken for a very strange answer from a Physitian to a sick person that desired his help that when he was well he would come cure him since the whole needs no Physitian but those that are sick which Answer agrees much with this Objection Which I have been the larger in answering in regard I have often met with it from the most moderate against this Gospel union who though they have seemed to be convinced of the duty yet would quiet their consciences in the neglect of their uttermost endeavour to obtain it from the consideration that it was not to be expected until the last and glorious times That until there was an unity of knowledge and judgement there could be no unity in Church-fellowship alledging that Scripture How can two walk together unless they be agreed which Scripture others of like tendency are evidently mistaken when applied in this case for such an agreement as to have no difference of understanding among Saints and that in considerable weighty points was never yet on earth yet Gods Church hath preserved its unity And therefore it is to be considered that the union we are capable of attaining unto and ought to press after in this day of our imperfection is not to proceed from the perfection of our understanding in the same things but from the exercise of grace one towards another whiles thus differing to which purpose the Lord hath supplyed his people with several special graces which are chiefly applicable in this special duty and there fore ye may observe that generally exhortations to union as the end do provoke to the exercise of such graces as are proper thereunto as the means as for instance Ephes 4.1 2 3. That ye walk worthy of the vocation whereunto ye called are with all lowliness and meekness with long suffering forbearing one another in love verse 2. And further let all bitterness wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice
affection and no judgement others all judgement and no affection some have zeal but want knowledge others have knowledge but want zeal whereas light and heat goes together if grace be of a true growth Now this time of unevenness in thy graces will much disinable thee for uniting work for herein thou wilt be like the foolish Physitian who hath but one sort of medicines for all diseases and constitutions whereas that which cures some kills others and therefore Job's friends though good men applying the wrong plaister to his sore he esteems them to be Physitians of no value Job 13.4 How forcible are right words saith he but what doth your Arguments reprove that is words rightly applied sutable to the condition of the person or people unto whom they are spoke and seasonable to the time and place occasion therefore saith Isaiah Chap. 50.4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season c. so the wise man Prov. 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver and as an earing of gold an ornament of fine gold so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear Now until thou hast a spiritual judgment as well as spiritual affections thou wilt not be capable of Understanding the season of a duty nor the right way of performing and applying it 8. Be most consciencious and diligent in performing that duty in order to this good work that is most properly thy own unto which thou art most clearly call'd by that place or condition Providence hath set thee in either in Church or Commonwealth and thy abilities and gifts in such thy place do most fit thee for the want of a due regard thereto amongst Christians hath greatly encreased and promoted their Divisions for order of Place is necessary to union and harmony in all things whether natural Civil or Spiritual for what a confusion in nature would it be for the hands to be performing the work of the feet or the feet the hands or the eye to usurp the office of the ear or the ear of the eye which Metaphor the Apostle makes use of in 1 Cor. 12. to teach the divided Corinthians that order of Place was necessary to union of Saints which he proves first in regard all had not the same gifts verses 8 9 10 11. 2 in regard all had not the same Place or office verse 28 29. God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healing helps of governments diversities of tongues are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers are all workers of miracles c. wherein he doth not only preserve distinction but also degree of place which he doth not say himself set in the Church though that might have been of sufficient Authority but God hath set them in his Church least the Ringleaders of Division in that Church should have broken the Order under pretence of the insufficiency of the Authority it were appointed by and so the same Apostle observing the inclination of the same People to be expecting changes in their outward condition after they profest the Christian Religion answers several particular Cases 1 Epistle Chap 7. And least any others from the like temptation or mistake should not think themselves concerned in those Answers he layes down some general Rules or precepts to answer all Objections against this truth as verse 20. Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called and so verse 24. Brethren let every man wherein he is called therein abide with God therefore of all duties labour to be performing those dutyes thy present place and calling requires at thy hands in Order to the union of Saints and when the Lord of the harvest finds thee like a good and faithful Servant faithfully improving thy few Talents he will trust thee with many Talents Matt. 25.23 And therefore I shall speak a word to the Ministers of the Gospel by whom I intend not those carnal scandalous dumb dogs who seldom open their mouths unless it be to bark at the precious flock of Christ for to expect better from them would be to expect grapes of Thorns and figs of thistles but I mean such as are gracious holy men solemnly set apart to serve the Lord in that work of what judgment or perswasion soever as to the present contoversies among the Godly who are not only to be fellow-Labourers but Master-builders in this work of Saints union And it is my opinion they have had the first and chiefest hand in Saints Divisions so it is my earnest prayers they might be owned and fitted by the Lord in the first and chief place in this work of Saints union Now that which I shall propose to them is First that you Labour to be sensible of the sad effects of those sad Divisions that have been amongst your selves and from thence those unbrotherly untender and uncharitable carriages in your publick writings and speakings one towards another that I am assured many private Christians of the same perswasions with you have been grieved and ashamed to read and hear though the generality of Christians are too apt to be pleased most with such of their teachers as are most vehement against those contrary minded to them and from thence hath that general overflowing spirit of division and dissentions which we now complain of received its life and nourishment That the Lord hath cause to complain as in Isa 4.12 O my people they which lead thee caused thee to erre and destroy the way of thy paths if the leaders of the people go before them in a froward contentious uncharitable spirit towards one another in matters wherein they differ no marvel if the generality of their followers tread on each others heels in that crooked path Therefore if no other Argument be prevailing let the consideration of the sad divided condition of Gods Church and people produced by your example affect your hearts that you cannot with that comfort and authority repeat that exhortation to the Saints under your charge that Paul gave to the Church of Philippi Chap. 3 having in the 15 and 16. verses exhorted them to union and directed them how to preserve it he exhorts in verse 17 Brethren be ye followers together of me and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample so he exhorts Timothy Chap. 4. after he had spent the former part of the Chapter in Instructions to him concerning the Errors and Divisions that were in his Flock he then exhorts him verse 12. But be thou an example of the Beleevers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity and so Peter in his first Epistle Chap. 5.3 he exhorts the elders that were among them not to be as lords over Gods heritage but to be examples to the Flock I am far from saying that none of Gods Ministers at
truly say of this spirit of Division as Ahab said of Micaiah 1 Kings 22.8 It doth never speak good of me that is of Christians differing in judgement to one another It will not want its Spies at every Christian meeting or Sermon to gather up all offensive dividing expressions and passages and carry them up and down as fuell to the fire of contention that if ye observe it there is not the least secret mis-carriage among Christians but shall be known talked of and stretched out to the utmost by others contrary-minded to them But Christ wants his Intelligencers to publish and tell of those expressions and passages which would tend to unite and endear differing Christians one to another and if any out of a desire to beget love amongst Saints should take upon them that Office they would find it a very unthankful one where this spirit of Division hath found entertainment though there it is most needed and therefore until ye open the door of a free participation of gifts and graces among Saints expect no union And as this principle of confining the Church c. within our own limits thus nourishes dividing practices and hinders a free communication of gifts and graces so it tends to beget and nourish the saddest of inward delusions of heart that Christians can be possest with tending to the Corruption of our best duties to God and to make all our solemne sacrifices have an ill savour before him as 1. It confines our petitions and the desires of our hearts in prayer to a few of Gods people excluding the rest for no further then our principles carry us to own Gods Church and people to extend can our petitions to the Lord for his Church and people intend nay hereby sometimes our prayers becomes opposite to Gods designes of mercy to his people when they appeare before him at the throne of grace in opposition to one another and justifying where he condemnes and condemning where he justifies it would make a considerate heart tremble to appeare before him that knows all hearts in Prayer and there to repeat such general petitions as these Doe good in thy good pleasure unto Sion build thou the walls of Jerusalem Psal 51.18 and in their hearts exclude the generality of the Lords people or to utter such complaints as these Let them all be confounded and turned backe that hate Sion c. Psal 129.5 and intend hereby amongst others such as are gracious persons differing-minded to them only for opposing some controverted point of Doctrine or practice which they have received and maintaine as carnally as the other opposeth it I say thus to do is to provoke the Lord against us all by engaging him as much as lyeth in us in our carnal contentions and divisions that the Lord hath just cause to take up that complaint against us Psal 50.20.21 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother thou slaunderest thine own mothers sonne these things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thy selfe but I will reprove thee and set them in Order before thine eyes This is very neere kinne to the sin of that evill Servant Mat. 18.31 whom when his Lord had forgiven him many Talents to take his fellow servant by the throate for one And as it thus misguides the heart in prayer so in prayses this contraction in our hearts of the extent of God Church will tend to put us upon rejoycing and praysing when we should weepe and mourne and put us upon mourning when we should rejoyce how hath this ungratefull principle robbed the Lord of the glory due unto his name for all the great mercies he hath bestowed upon us in these Nations of late years which before this spirit of division overspread us had weight upon our hearts that the people of the Lord did then seem to say with the Church Psal 126.1 When the Lord turned againe the captivity of Sion we were like them that dreame then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongues with singing then said they among the heathen the Lord hath done great things for them the Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad but now we have cause to complaine with the Church Lam 5.15 the joy of our heart is turned into mourning the Crown is fallen from our head woe unto us that we have sinned now little but murmuring and complaining is heard in our streets what we yet want seemes to make all wee possess not worth being thankfull for As this confineing Principle byasses our hearts in prayer and praise so it tends to put us upon a wrestling and misapplying the precious promises and precepts of Christ in the Scripture to misguide our obedience to God and duty towards our brethren for all we exclude out of the pale of the Church we therby exclude from an interest in the promises they are thereby made as far as it is in our power Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the Covenant and promises and also thereby we excuse our selves of all those special dutyes we owe to one another as Christian Brethren that ye shal receive it as an Ordinary answer from some Christians if ye press them to Christian duty towards such as are not of the same fellowship with them what have we to do with them that are without but I am well assured that will not be admitted for a good answer at the last day to the Lord. And thus I shall conclude what I have to say to Gods Ministers as to their part in this work of Saints union hoping the Lord will stir up the hearts of some of them to set their shouldiers to it that that precious promise of the Lord to his Church Esay 60.17 18. may be fulfilled in them I will make thine Officers peace c. violence shall no more be heard in thy Land wasting and destruction within thy borders but thou shalt call thy walls salvation and thy Gates praise FINIS Books Printed and are to be sold by Giles Calvert at the black-spread Eagle at the West-end of St. Pauls REnodaeus his dispensatory containing the whole body of Physick discovering the natures and Properties and vertues of Vegetals Minerals and Animals in folio The History of Diodorus Siculus containing all that which is most memorable and of greatest Antiquity in the first ages of the World until the war of Troy in folio Doctor Pordages Innocencie appearing through the Dark Mists of pretended guilt in folio Cornelius Aggrippa his occult Philosophy in 3 Books in quarto Henry Laurence Lord President his book Entituled Our Communion and War with Angels in quarto Christopher Goad his Sermons Entituled Refreshing Drops and Scorching Vials in quarto William Dells works in quarto Samuel Gorton his Exposition on the fifth Chapter of James in quarto Samuel Hartlibs of Bees and Silkworms in quarto Cotton his Book called the Bloody Tenet of Persecution for cause of conscience in quarto Doctor Gells Sermon Entituled Noahs Flood returning in quarto A Taste of the Spirit of God and of this world by Robert Bacon in quarto Several Pieces of Christopher Blackwood now publick Teacher in Ireland in quarto Jacob Behem his Signatura Rerum or Signature of all things in quarto His Epistles explaining many things written in his other Books in quarto Of Election and Predestination in quarto His Book Entituled Aurora or the day-spring lately printed in quarto Several Pieces of Jsaac Penington Junior in quarto Biggs of the vanity of the Craft of Physick or a new Dispensatory in quarto Averies Scriptures Prophesies in quarto An Apology or Plea for two Treatises against Infant Baptisme by John Tombs in quarto William Sedgwicks his leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the Nation in quarto Collier his Pulpit-guard routed in quarto His Font-guard routed in quarto Simon Hendon his key of Scripture Prophesies in quarto Mr. Parker his Answer to the Assembly in large octavo Several pieces of Thomas Collier in large octavo Tillom on the eleventh Chapter of the Revelations in large octavo Henry Laurence Lord President his Book of Baptisme in large octavo Cobs Sermons entituled the Straight-Gate in large octavo Several Peeces of H. N. in octavo namely Prophecy of the Spirit of Love Revelatio dei or the Revelation of God Introduction to the Glass of Righteousness Evangelium Regni a joyfull message of the kingdome Spiritual Tabernacle The first Exhortation The Apology for the service of Love all in octavo Samuell Hartlibs Chymicall addresses in octavo Several Peices of Joshua Spriggs in octavo Several Peices of Jerrad Winstanley in octavo The Marrow of Moderne Divinity in octavo Thomas Butler his little Bible of the Man or the book of God opened in Man in octavo Crooked Paths made streight or the ways of God made known in lost sinners by A. Yeomans in octavo Simmons Saints like Christ in octavo William Sedgwick his Eleven sermons Intituled some Flashes of Lightnings of the Son of Man in octavo A Word of Peace from the Prince of Peace by J. Hatch in octavo Mysteries unvailed wherein the Doctrine of Redemption by Christ is handled by Robert Gardner in octavo Edward Hide Junior his book of the Mystery of Christ in us in octavo Purnels Weaver Shuttle in octavo His good tidings for Sinners great Joy for Saints in octavo Biscos Glorious Mysteries in octavo The confession and Fame of the Rosie Crosse by English Philalethes in octavo Several Peeces of Joseph Salmon in octavo Peytons History of the Rise Raign and Ruine of the house of Stuarts in octavo Larkhams Sermons in octavo Bacons Catechisme in twelves Corporations vindicated in their fundamentall Liberties by Charles Hotham in twelves Iohn Saltmarsh his book of Free Grace in twelves And his book Intituled Sparkles of Glory or some beames of the morning Starr in twelves Dawnings of Light in twelves
GOSPEL-SEPARATION Separated from its Abuses OR THE Saints Guide IN GOSPEL-FELLOWSHIP WHEREBY They may be directed not onely to preserve the Purity but withall the Unity of GOSPEL-WORSHIP By a well-wisher to Sions Purity and Unity R. L. Mercy and Truth have met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other Psal 85.10 Therefore love the Truth and Peace Zach. 8.19 Imprimatur JOSEPH CARYL LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black Spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1657. TO HIS EXCELLENCY Charls Fleetwood Esq Lord Deputy of IRELAND My Lord THough the Truth asserted by this little Treatise have but few Friends amongst whom you deserve to be numbered in the first rank yet is it able to plead its own cause for where-ever its absence is there wants no Arguments to prove the worth of its presence for as the Puritie of the Gospel may be esteemed in the mystical Body of Christ as its life blood so its Unity may be next esteemed as its health and strength and life without health is but a lingring death but I am perswaded I need not spend time to beget in you a love to this Truth you have evidenced the sincerity of your love thereto and therein I hope have tasted of that fruit of righteousness which is sown in peace of them that make peace Jam. 3.18 The reason why Contention and division have been more natural to Gods people then union in all ages is because it is more naturally suitable to their unregenerate part therefore those duties and graces that most crosse the lusts of the flesh must necessarily be attended with most difficulty and opposition but to ballance that they are also attended with proportionable inward comfort and peace and therefore my Lord though imposing oppressing principles and spirits do cry out against you as the injurious Israelites did against Moses Exod. 2.14 yet cease not to plead with them Ye are Brethren why do ye wrong one another though it may cost you dear at the present yet consider the Lord that made it up to him is able to do so to you Among the rest of those excellent principles the Lord hath born an approving testimony unto in the day of his glorious power none have been attended with more signal evidences of his presence with and delight in then this pleaded for Most disowned instruments that have tendred their service to the Lord in the Work of this Generation have profest and declared a love to Gods ways and people but therein have confined their care affection to a part if not the least spiritual part of them which the Lord took so unkindly at their hands that he visibly removed the Tabernacle of his presence from among them and chose the same people despised and slighted by them to be the instruments of his praise and glory in the great work he hath done for his people in these Nations And easie it is to demonstrate if it were not too large a discourse for an Epistle that as those persons so singularly owned by the Lord have declined abated in this principle so hath the Lord withdrawn from them and left them to that destraction and miserable confusion they are at this day involved in as if the Lord should say if you withdraw your equal respect and affection from any of my people I will withdraw mine from you And do but well weigh and consider the visible principles and frame of spirit of such persons who are vehemently driving on the interest of some part of Gods people under some peculiar notion they have received of the truth or work of the Generation in opposition to the rest that are not like-minded And ye may observe a visible inconsistency in their principles and practices to the obtaining or securing the very things they pretend for That my Lord it is not onely your praise but your mercy that your heart is kept in an even frame towards all the Lords people in this day in which so many eminent Professors are through temptation and stumbling blocks laid in their way by the weakness and frailties of some of the Lords people growing weary and faint in their minds as to the stedfast practice of and impartial respect to Saints as such and to be good in bad times is the best testimony of goodness from a good principle Therefore as your discouragements and opposition encrease labor to encrease in your confidence and diligence though you may have War without you may have Peace within And of all dangers be most watchful against heart-risings and alienation of affection towards such who are contrary-minded to you herein that is the stone many at this day are stumbling on They measure out their respect and affection to Saints proportionably to that respect and affection they or their principles receive from them whereas the cheif excellency of this principle above others lieth in this difference that it can extend respect to others upon the account of duty to Christ though disrespect on the account of different opinion be returned to them again for uniting principles must be attended with the exercise of uniting Graces if they intend to be successful in uniting work That the Lord may guide you in all your streights support you under all your burthens and render into your bosom plentiful returns of all that kindness you have shewn unto and weaknesses you have over-looked in his people for his Image sake upon them is the earnest prayer of the most unworthy of Your Excellencies sincere Servants in Ireland RICH. LAWRENCE The Author to the Churches of Christ in the Dominions of England c. To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1.1 And to all the faithful in Christ Jesus with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord Grace and Peace be multiplied Beloved in the Lord HEre is a Treatise presented to your view which stands in much need of your favourable consideration as to the weakness and imperfection in the writing thereof but if you can overlook them the Truth endeavored to be held out thereby is worth your studying and enquiring after It is a Truth that hath many Hangers-on but few faithful Servants many Gospel Merchants have been trading for this goodly Pearl but few have been willing to go to the price of it they have had Peace in their mouthes but War in their hearts like those Micah speaks of chap 3.5 They bite with their teeth and cry peace but if thou wouldest obtain the precious unity of Saints thou must not onely seek peace but pursue it Psal 34.14 not stand still and call it to thee but follow after the things that make for peace Rom. 14.19 If the peace of God once rule in thy heart it will guide thy feet into this way of peace this work of peace will surely attend thy soul with the comforts and joy of peace nay the Lord himself shall give you peace always
by all means as in 2 Thess 3.16 If thou wouldest have thy soul prosper Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that so love her nay if thou wouldest have Sion prosper say Peace be within thy wals and then prosperitie shall be within her Pallaces and therefore for thy brethren and companions sake say Peace be within thee and because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good as in Psal 122.6 7 8 9. If after you have perused this Discourse you shall observe there are many considerable Objections against the thing prest unspoken to that I admit I do not expect these few weak Lines should answer all Objections in a controversie of this weight neither do I judge my self able to answer them but am assured there are well wishers to this Truth that are able to proceed Therefore if these Lines may but tend to awaken and stir up the people of God to enquire after this Truth and to allow that the laboring after Saints Union is not only a Dutie but a great and weighty Duty and to be numbered in the first Rank of Christian Duties I have my aim for that would prepare the hearts of Saints for Unity and make the work of removing obstructions and resolving particular cases much more easie For many of Gods people do already and more will be daily discerning the inconsistency of the principles they walk by to Gospel-prosperity unity doth as naturally fore-run Glory to Christs Church as health doth strength or light heat Therefore the main design of Satan at this day is to prevent Gospel-Glory by obstructing Gospel-Unity but the more the spirit of strife and division struggles against this work let it provoke you the more to set to all your strength to promote it the Lord doth not onely require that his people should be faithful unto but valiant for the Truth upon earth Shall Quakers and such like rigid censorious dividing principled people compass sea and land and consume their estates to make common purses in order to the promoting and carrying on their ridiculous principles of division and confusion and shall those who pretend the Espousing the universal interest of Saints as such be Ephraim-like a silly Dove without heart as their diligence and painfulness do now upbraid us so I fear it will in the great day rise up in judgment against us It was good Mr. Burroughs complaint in his time when the spirit of division was but in its infancy That there were many would cry Loe the Thief but who stopt him So saints are many at this day will bemoan such divisions and make sad complaints of it one to another when they meet but how few have set themselves to study and propagate uniting principles which I trust the Lord will set upon the hearts of some who he hath so eminently principled and qualified for the work that the friends of this precious Truth may not have cause above all the rest of Truths Favorites to complain with the Prophet in its behalf There is none to guide her among all the Sons whom she hath brought forth neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons which she hath brought up Isa 51.18 Nay is there not rather cause for this Truth to take up the Lords complaint Isa 1.2 I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me This Principle hath been dealt withal by some of its Favourites as Saul dealt with David who honoured and imbraced him in his camp and hated and banished him his Court yet blessed be the Lord there are some Jonathaas to stand up and say What evil hath he done whose souls are knit to this principle as the soul of Jonathan was to David who will not be afraid to answer imposing and dividing principles as Moses answered Pharoah Exod. 10.9 We will go with our young and with our old with our Sons and with our Daughters with our Flocks and with our Herds will we go for we must hold a Feast unto the Lord. Pharoah would have put off Moses with the liberty and freedom of some part of Gods people Go you that are men to serve the Lord saith he ver 11. No saith Moses Church deliverances from bondage opression must be universal deliverances otherwise how should we hold a feast to the Lord can part of us rejoyce in our Liberties as long as other part is under bondage and oppression No we must either all go together or all stay together all rejoyce together or all mourn together therefore we will not leave a hoof behind us ver 26. Now this spirit in Moses is the true nature of this Gospel-principle it will not own any deliverance from oppression and imposition of conscience contrived and proposed by men to answer the design of Gods deliverance to his people untill it include the common Gospel Liberty due to all Saints and that in all their necessary concernments though it may out of tenderness with David 1 Sam. 30.10 leave some of the weak and feeble behind in the work of War and danger yet all must have an equal share of the spoil whether the Sons of Belial will or no as in ver 24. It 's the faithfullest and impartiallest Steward to trust with the Saints common stock that can be found on earth there shall be no cause of complaint so far as its power reacheth every one of Sions children shall have an equal share of those common mercies and priviledges their Heavenly Father appoints for them And therefore whatsoever opinion or way thou art of consisting with sobriety and holiness this principle if thou dost promote it will take equal care and make equal provision for thy Christian liberty and encouragement that if thou beest a favourer of Saints prosperity labor to be acquainted with this common friend of theirs it will teach thee how to observe and own the shining beauty of grace in Saints through the darkest cloud of those common errors and mistakes that the opposite principle renders them so unlovely and deformed one to another by And let not the homely and mean attire this Truth salutes thee in make it less acceptable if the Author had had better it should not have worn so bad but Beauty is Beauty though clothed in rags The ensuing Discourse is rather intended to tell thee there is such a Principle accommodated with such excellent Qualifications and to provoke thee to enquire after it and endeavor acquaintance with it then to give the an exact description of it But I shall submit what follows to thy favorable censure and close with the words of Paul to the Philippians c. 2. v. 1 to 6. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies Fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through