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
Ministers p. 140 ERRATA PAge 7 l. 1. r Iohn 17.3 p. 17. l. 8. r. which p. 26. l. 24. for the r. that p. 44. l. 12. for care r. Core p. 60. l. 19. r. unseasonable p. 66. l. 21. r. quoted p. 32. 33. 34. p. 72. last line for peace r. place p. 85. l. 16. r. p. 68. p. 98. l. 8. r. aflictions p. 101. l. 10. for time r. kinde p. 104. l. 11. r. as it is p. 116. l. 11. r. p. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35 p. 119. l. 1. for which r. such GOSPEL-SEPARATION SEPARATED From its Abuses Wherein is asserted the Duty of Gods Churches separating from the World AS it is a Principle in Moral Philosophy that vertue is usualy found in mediums and Vice in extreams so may it be admitted in a great measure that Divine truth is found in mediums Errous in extreams For the Lord was not in the Wind nor in the Earthquake nor in the Fire but in the still small voyce 1 Kings 19.11 12. And therefore the way of truth in Scripture is held forth to be the strait-way Psal 5.8 Isai 40.3 4. and 42 1â— Matth. 3.3 in opposition to the crooked ways of Errour Psal 125.5 Prov. 2.15 Therefore they that would walk in the strait-path of truth and peace must take heed they avoid the Errours of the right hand as well as the left Deut. 5.32 Josh â— 7 2 Kings 22.2 Prov. 4 27. Jsai 30.21 all which Scriptures evidence to us that there is danger of running into Errour of both hands which many Christians not duely considering have runne into sad extreams like those people Amos mentions that fled from a Lyon and a Bear hath met them Amos 5.19 And as this sad evill of extreamity hath had its influence over most controversal points at this day amongst the rigid sticklers for them so in especiall manner hath it produced sad effects in the point of separation wherein as on the one hand several professing Christ not duely weighing the bounds the Lord hath set in distinguishing the Precious from the Vile have opened the door of the Church too wide so many others under pretence of separating the sheep from the Goats do shut the door too close and reject those that God hath chosen and keep such sheep out of Christs fold as have his own mark upon them And he that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are an abomination unto the Lord Pro. 17 15. And therefore that the truth may be found out in this weighty case I shall make an enquiry after the rule of Christ in Church-separation from the world shal therein occasionally discusse the several principles and practices which those that erre in the extreams of either hand are stumbling in that betwixt both the straite and narrow yet sweet and pleasant path of puritie and unitie may be found out and walked in And for the more distinct handling of this matter that the truth I plead for may be as well discerned as the Errour pleaded against I shall state these two general Positions First That it hath been in all ages wherein God hath had a visible Church on earth a duty required by the Lord from such his Church and People to separate themselves in matters of his worship from all the rest of the Nations and People of the world For proof read Exod. 19.6 compared with 1 Kings 8.53 so Ezra 10.11 and 6.21 Exod. 23.16 Lev. 20.23 24 25 26. so Neh. 9 2. and 13.3 Rom. 1.1 2 Cor. 6.1 Secondly That it hath been also required by the Lord as an equal duty from his Church and People so separated to walk together in the practice of all those dutyes of worship and service required at their hands without dividing or separating from one another Deut. 5.1.3 and 18.6 and 1 Kings 8.55.62 1 Chron. 13.5 6 7 8. and 28.21 and 2 Chron. 30.1 and 35.3 Ezra 10.5 Psal 31.23 24. In which Scriptures consider the word ALL Israel and ALL Saints and so Eph. 4. to the 14. Cant. 6.9 Psal 133. Hosea 10 1 2. Rom. 16.17 and 1 Cor. 1.10 and 3.3 and 11.18 But these two Positions thus generally stated I judge will be agreed unto by most if not all sober Christians and therefore I shall spend no time in the demonstration of them in this place but referr the Reader to the Scriptures quoted and to what shall be spoken in the ensuing discourse to the several particulars relating to them And first I desire you to note if the first Position be true then the difference amongst Christians about separation is rather about the manner or extent then the thing for that the church of God in the world should be a separated People from the the World in matters of Gods worship would be ridiculous to deny Therefore the difficulty lieth in a right distinguishing betwixt the World and the Church wherein some would have that part of the World called the Christian World to be the universall Catholique Church and only the Nations of the Jews Turks Pagans c. to be the World but I hope the most vehement against separation among the reformed Churches will not admit this extent if they should it would be a difficult thing for them to clear themselves from those brands of Separatists and Schismaticks cast upon them by the Papists which if they do not they then assent that a separation may be lawfull from a People makeing an outward profession of the Christian Religion But say others when there is not only an outward profession of the Christian Religion but also a competent knowledge of the Doctrine of the Gospel and a suteable life and conversation thereto there are the bounds of the true Church but the terms of this Qualification will admit of so much difficulty in their explanation that the generality of Christians will be as far to seek for their satisfaction in this point as before For first some will interpret that term of a competent knowledge of the doctrine of the Gospel to be a bare ability through education to answer to questions given them in a Catechism which a child of six or Seaven years of age is usually more capable of and expert in then persons of grown yeares which if that be admitted then repentance from dead works and faith towards God Heb. 6.1 with all other Gospel qualifications attending the work of conversion and regeneration may be spared as to Church fellowship on earth But as various as men opinions are in the several points of Religion at this day in controversy so various are their explanations of a competent knowledge of the principles of Religion each makeing those points wherein they differ from others in and separate upon part of those points of Doctrine which the knowledge of is necessary to a Church-member the discussing of all which would take a Treatise by it self Then for the other term of a suitable conversation that will admit of as
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