wherein they all hold as one Communion of Saints under diversities of gifts administrations and operations 1 Cor. 12. 4 5. and Eph. 4. 14. CHRIST gave Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors Teachers and all for this Worke for the IN-JOYNTING OF THE SAINTS the work of the Ministry and the Edifying of the WHOLE BODY So that this IN JOYNTING-WORK must needs be the VOTE and NOTE of them All 4. Consider also That the Last Time is Christs GATHERING-TIME the gathering and making up his Jewells Mal. 3. 17. Psal. 50. 5. Gather my Saints together unto me those that have made a COVENANT with me by Sacrifice Christs harvest-time too Mat. 13. 30 39. is his gathering-time and so John 12. 52. But that ye also should gather together INTO ONE the children of God which are scattered abroad This is the work of Christ Now not to fall in with this Work of Christ when it is a foot is most dangerous and lamentable as our Saviour sayes Luke 13. 34. O Jerusalem Jerusalem how often would I have gathered you together as a HEN doth GATHER her Chickens i. e. into one brood and ye would not And then follows ver. 35. Behold your house is left unto you desolate or forsaken after this so Mat. 12. 30. He that GATHERETH NOT with mescattereth i. e. doth mischiefe and keeps up Divisions and is against me 5. Besides it is Christs VISITING time too The day-spring from on high hath visited us Luke 1. 7 8. 1. 28. Psalm 65 9. Cant. 6. 11. then when VNITED vers. 9. followes vers. 11. I went down into the Garden of Nuts to see the fruits of the valleyes and to see whether the vines flourished and the Pomegranates budded So that when Christ comes to visit he expects young and old the tender Grapes and Greene Figs Cant. 2 13. as well the grown ones the budding ones as well as others ALTOGETHER Fathers young men and children I John 2. So Zach. 8 3 4. Old men with their staves boyes and girls in the streets All inhabitants together this Visiting time Which is after a long Absence of this spirit and power from on high and according to his solemne promise and engagements knocking at every ones doore inquiring into every ones state examining proving and trying every ones principle profession and Forme at this day As if he should say Abraham where art thou Isaack where art thou ah Lord say they not in the Presbyterian Forme nor in the Independant nor of the Baptized c. but in the VNITY OF THE SPIRIT in the Communion of all SAINTS in the assembly of the First borne in the VNITY Psal. 133. 1. 2. Wherein it is so good to see Brethren dwell together and from whence indeed springs the pure anoynting whereof Aarons was a type that will reach to the very out skirt and where the Lords blessing rests and the dewes fall in the greatest drowth upon poore hearts scattered into their severall formes and waies there are WEE there are the SPIRITS of all the righteous and holy men of old in that COMMVNION may the Saints on earth find us the Saints in Heaven also but if their Communion be in this or that forme only then we who were not of this or that FORME with them are shut out and kept out from their Communion and this is not the COMMVNION OF SAINTS which Christ hath promised to appeare most with at his visiting time which is now upon us and therefore most dangerous to omit this DVTY as Luke 19 44. They shall not leave thee one stone upon another because thou knewest not the time of thy VISITATION 1 Peter 2. 12. Glorifie God in the day of VISITATION 6. By this meanes the SAINTS will live and Lanch into the DEEPS that have hitherto been trifling in the Shallowes and empty things In the deeps of grace in the Deeps of love Faith hope Ephes. 3. 18. in the deeps of knowledge and heavenly-wisdome Rom. 11. 33. When the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Hab. 2. 14. now this is by a CONJVNCTION Collection and an inflowing of all waters into ONE as Gen. 1. 9. this makes the OCEAN whereas hitherto we have been but in little Rivelets and Shallowes like the Disciples Luke 5. 2. mending their nets but when Christ came he said vers 4. Lanch out into the DEEPS Simon and then let down your nets which when they did they caught a Multitude at once whereas before they were toyling and moyling night and day and caught nothing Now our Saviour told Peter he would make him a Fisher of men and signified by this that he must get out of the Little waters and Lanch into the DEEPS which when he did at Jerusalem in this Vniting-worke Acts 1. we find Acts 2. 41. he let down the Net of the Gospel and caught 3000 at one draught now so long as he was upon the Shallowes he caught nothing for untill they were in this way we read not of many Converts nor shall we find it in the Shallowes of our Formes or diversities kept up but in the DEEPS where all run into ONE one Faith one Hope one Life one Light c. For there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad Rivers and deepe streames Isa. 33. 21. In this way we shall have of any other the upper springs and the nether springs Joshua 15. 19. Psal. 87. 7. As the springs of water to a thirsty Land Isa. 35. 7. and 49. 10. and the DEEPE THINGS of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. 7. Hereby we come like the Primitive Saints and Churches to be All called by ONE NAME and not by many names as of Lollards Hugonites Brownists Separates Presbyterians Independents Anabaptists and such like nick-names which the Primitive-times never heard of Nor by the Names of their Teachers or formes or persons as they are now called but all by the NAME OF CHRIST and him ONLY Acts 11. 26. Isa. 4. 1 In that day seaven woemen shall take hold of ONE MAN saying we will eat our OWN bread and wear our OWN apparell onely let us be called by THY NAME to take away our REPROACH Then In that DAY shall the BRANCH be GLORIOVS This will take away the Reproach that is upon us of Formality Pride Barrennesse rigidity Selfe-seeking and indeed divers wayes So Zech. 8. 23. Ten men of all Languages shall take hold of the skirts of him that is a JEW Rom. 2. 21. Saying wee will goe with you for wee have heard that God is with you 8. Besides it is the WAY wherein there is a NECESSARY USE and PLACE of all sorts of Saints to exercise their genuine Gifts in their proper joynts 1 Cor. 12. 6 7 8 9 10 11. as in Hosea 10. 11. Ephraim shall ride Judah shall plow and Jacob shall breake the clods Every one hath his severall Imployment and his severall Place of what Judgement so ever
A REVIVING WORD FROM THE Quick and the Dead to the Scatter'd Dust of SION OR A Breathing of the Spirit of Life in a Few Dry Bones that begin to Rise and Rattle In and about this City of LONDON BY A Solemn DECLARATION FOR An IMMEDIATE UNITING of ALL SAINTS into ONE BODY upon the Growing Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in every Administration thereof SHEWING The Grounds of it Progresse in it Proposalls for it Motives to it And our yearning Invitation throughout the three Nations about this Pacificatory Primitive-like Enterprise To put us ALL as one Man into a Posture meet to Meet our Lord Jesus at his second coming in All the DEGREES and SERVICES thereof Hosea 6. 2 3. After two Dayes he will revive us in the third Day he will raise us up and We shall live in his sight Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as Morning and he shall come to us as the rain as the latter and as the former Raine 2 Chron. 30. 12. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them One Heart 2 Chron. 11. 16. And after them out of All the Tribes such as set their hearts to seek the Lord came to Jerusalem LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle near the West end of Pauls 1657. A DECLARATION FOR UNITING-WORK OR Severall Judgements of the People of God that are agreed with one heart and as one man in the KINGDOME-WORK and Witnesse of our Lord Jesus patiently and piously waiting for the full Redemption of Sion and coming of Christ in the Exercise of his KINGLY GOVERNMENT AFTER divers years Patience and Expectation with continued cries to the MOST HIGH for help and light we are made deeply and to our very soules sensible of the great Reproach upon Religion the Dispersion and scattering of Saints of all Formes as well as out up and down in their holes and corners in these Nations and of the great disorder thereby amongst them as well as of the great Advantage which the Enemies of Christ and of his Kingdome have had by the weaknesses distances diversity of tongues and divisions of the People of God at this day who notwithstanding are of one heart faith and spirit in the maine And this chiefly in an undue lifting up of persons principles or judgements in a magnifying of Formes and Apprehensions one against another and not in a consistency together and in a management of the things of Christ partially or by parties and Factions and not joyntly to the great offence of good men prejudice and reproach of the Principles Cause and Name of Christ and his Kingdome Wherefore after Solemn seeking of the face of God crying and inquiring into his mind by Christ to know what Israel hath to doe lamenting and resenting the sad estate of Sion with the present condition of hundreds in and about this City of of the dust of Sion hurried and huffed about with divers winds of doctrines judgements and temptations to their great endangering and decaying of the power of Godlinesse and Brotherly love We have been we hope by a sweet and Fatherly hand of grace or clear Sanctuary-light at last and as a Return of the word of God and prayers lead into this knowledge and practice now incumbing and lead up into some serious Resolution or full purpose of heart for an Uniting together who are scattered ones in and about this City of London in a Religious or Christian body in imitation of the primitive spirit Act. 1. 14. to cleave unto the Lord and one to another these dividing and back sliding times Acts 11. 23. in the matters of our Faith worship of our God Kingdome and Cause of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Nor are we as we think without weighty moving Arguments or pressing grounds as in our own soules arising from the Crosse of Christ who in his own flesh hath abolished the enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Ephes. 2. 14 15 16. that he might reconcile all Jew and Gentile in one body having slaine the enmity so in the sight of all other sound Christians indulging us in and inducing them and all of us to this Primitive Gospel-practice or blessed work of Vniting and Consolidating throughout these Nations Some of which are as follow 1. The paralell of our present Condition these last three years with the dispersed Disciples in the three dayes of Christs sufferings Mark 14. 50. John 20. 10 Now what they did for the preservation of the Gospel and Religion in the Power purity and Spirituality thereof are we to doe But they Vnited or gathered together into one body out of their divers places and homes which the persecution had scattered them into for the preservation of the Gospell Luke 24. 33. John 20. 19. Acts 1. 4. that they did so is evident to all at the third day or time of the end That we must doe so is as clear a consequent whether it be the time of the end or no for this is a RULE to us in ordinary cases that which Saints have before done and the holy Spirit hath commended are we to doe that follow after in the like case besides Psal. 102 13 14. the Favouring of Sion begins by the gathering up of her Scattered and despised stones a poor scattered peeled people Isa. 51. 3. Saying This is ZION whom no man seeketh after Jer. 30. 17. 2. The GREAT PROMISE of the Father Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. John 15. 26. Or The pouring out of the Spirit Joel 2. 28. which we waite for Now look in what Posture Christ put his Disciples for the pouring out of the holy Ghost in the first fruits are we his Disciples to wait in for the holy Ghost the latter fruits or the latter raine But in this way of Vniting Gathering and imbodying did he bid them waite for the First-fruits Mat. 28. 10 16. Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. which accordingly they did Acts 1. 14 15. 2. 1 2. and so doe we Besides Ezek. 37. 7 8. the word of prophesie must FIRST gather and unite the dry bones bone to bone before they rise and this with substance sinews and nourishment then to them in that posture comes the great Promise of the Spirit Ezek. 37. 9. and life to set them on their feet v. 10. so v. 14. 17. and not before For should the Great Promise come before every one would desire it for himselfe and for the magnifying of his own FORME particular body Judgement or Division more then for the Publick work of Christ and of all sorts or then for maintaining the power of godlinesse and Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace amongst all men 3. The Great and constant expectations which we have of the opening of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony Rev. 15. 5. which hath been so long shut up in the purity
Principles Formes and Practices Whereof are the Patriarchs and All the holy Men of old Peter Paul James John Policarpe Ignatius Justin Martir Chrysostome Wickliffe Waldus Luther and Zuinglius Calvin Oecolampadius and Corolostadius Beza Bullinger and Pareus Tindall Lambert Frith and Bilney Bradford Hooper Ridley Rogers Latimer Philpot and Alice Driver Hawks and Taylor Baines and Glover Brightman Cartwright Ames and Ainsworth Preston Perkins Brown and Sibs with Fenner Hooker Cotten Archer Burroughs Bolton and myriads more of Saints besides of all their severall Sorts of Judgements making up the Church of the First-borne Whereof we would bear an Image as near as may be as the Daughter that is like the Mother Zech. 9. 9. O Daughter of Jerusalem Zeph. 3. 14. Mica 4. 8. Gal. 4. 26 Now this Church shuts out none of the Saints though differing but sets them in in their proper places and that after the first Institution which is not of members of one or two kind or Forme onely but of MANY as 1 Cor. 10 17. The Blood of the New Testament was shed for MANY as his one Collective body And thus Eph. 4. 4 5. There is ONE BODY one Spirit one Hope c. Besides the Promise of restoring the Foundation of Many Generations Isa. 58. 12. is not upon this or that Forme but the New-Jerusalem-Foundation Rev. 21. 14 19 20. Eph. 2 20 21 whereon All are built whether Patriarchs Prophets Apostles or Christians of all sorts making up the Whole Church And after this Constitution are we in this Body and Vniting-worke large enough to receive not onely all Sorts of Saints alive but dead of all ages were they now alive as Heb. 12. 22 23. But ye are come to the Spirits of just men made perfect yea the Holy Angels too as our Sweet Associates in the Spirit of our Communion or rather Assistants and Ministring Spirits Heb. 1. 14. 12. 22. But ye are come unto Mount Sion and to an innumerable Company of Angels As EZRA wrote long since of the Last dayes saying Vnto whom I will give for Leaders Abraham Isaac and Jacob Amos Hosea Micab Joel Obadiah Nahum Habakkah Zephany Haggai Zachary and Malachy Which if true agrees with Rev. 11. 11. The SPIRIT of LIFE at the Rise of the two Witnesses which shall set them and Us upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles and so into the same Spirit 13. For a Greater Increase and Grouth of Grace Eph. 2. 21. which is much killed and cooled by these Divisions to strengthen the Things that remaine and are ready to die Rev. 3. and more mutually to discharge our obligations each to other and to All Saints in this City compact Psal. 122. 1 2. of Watching Admonishing Prophecying and Assisting one another Mat. 18. 15. 1 Thes. 5. 14. 4. 18. 2 Thes. 3. 15. c. Seeing the Sweetest best and Spiritualest Nourishment comes in at the JOYNTS of the Body so as the VINE John 15. is nourished by the joynts too and the best Flowers doe grow out of joynts Hence if any be OUT OF JOYNT ye which are Spiriturall RESTORE or put into joynt again Gal. 6. 2. Eph. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. From whence all the BODY by JOYNTS and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the Increase of God and in this sence was it Acts 4. 33. That great GRACE was upon them All For this we are deeply sensible of in these Dividing times and Party Professions and Religions now up that we are apter to set a work each others Corruption and private spirit then grace or the Publick Spirit Wherefore as the labouring Bees doe bring all into ONE HIVE we hope it shall appear that the Manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERY ONE of us of what judgement soever TO PROFIT withall in this one Body that is to bring every one into one Bank or Stock of Grace for the Publick and common grouth or Good of All 1 Cor. 12. 7. 2 Pet. 3. 18. Eph. 4. 7. Therefore to every one of us is given GRACE according to the measure of the gift of Christ 14. For a more Primitivelike-Love Concord and Indearednesse one to another then what we see amongst Professours as Acts 1. 14. 4. 32. 1 Thes 4. 9. And that to All Saints Col. 1. 4. Not onely ready to lay down our Lives with the Brethren but for the Brethren after the Will of God and Witnesse of Jesus 1 John 3. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 22. O it is Admirable to read but more to receive that Love which was among the Primitive Saints without respect to Judgements or Persons how often they ventur'd their Lives one for Another Like EPAPHRODITVS Phil. 2. 30. Who for the WORK of Christ was nigh VNTO DEATH not REGARDING HIS LIFE to supply YOVR LACK So Col. 1. 24. In my Sufferings FOR YOV And Phil. 1. 7 14. yea Rom. 16. 6. Who have for MY LIFE laid down their OWN NECKS Gal. 4. 15. Ye would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them me Yea how would they run to the Racks and Theaters and worst of Tortures if they heard but of any Brother ingaged for his Life Owning one another Justifying Visiting Rejoycing in and embracing one Another in the midst of the most horrid and exquisite Sufferings to the Admiration of HEATHENS Amazement of TIRANTS and mutuall encouragement of ONE ANOTHER Insomuch as those that saw them would wonder and say Ah see how Dearly they Love one another as the Jewes said of Christ John 11. 36. Behold how he loved him Nothing being able to quench such Love not Famine Plague nor Sword to keep them asunder as the Histories shew Much like our English-woman-Martir in Q Maries dayes that rejoyet at her heart to have her Foot in the same Hole of the Stocks where PHILPOT was before her Now untill this UNITING be we must look for Little of this Love but grieving discontent biting beating of one another and devouring rather One Party opposing Appearing against nick naming exasperating and exploding the other And thus it will and must be unlesse by this Blessed Worke there be an END put through the Crosse of Christ and his power to the Enmity and Discord which causes this Wherefore Phil. 2. 1 2. Let nothing be done through Strife or Vaine-glory 15. That more Amiablenesse and Beuty may appear in the Saints in Zion and in the Principles of the Kingdome by a Collective Body of Beauty then now does among the Dispersed DVST and STONES among them that are not fully separate from the mixture them that lie in HOLES or in HEAPS among the Durt for so her Beauty lies in the Dust Lam. 2. 14 15. but the Promise is of making her the Praise and BEAUTY of the Whole earth Isa. 62. 7. Psal. 50. 2. 48. 2. of giving her BEAUTY for Ashes Isa. 52. 1. 61. 3. and of making her Renown to goe forth among the Heathen
upon Jehovah-Elohim the Lord our Light for more Light and inlargement from his holy Influences upon us and others as the Effect of this hopefull Essay which we in this way are in a Capacity to drink up as greedily as the Earth drinketh in the Raine The Proposalls for Propagating the great Work of Vniting in and about this City of London which we are stirred up unto by the Word and Spirit of God by the Call of Christ and of his Servants by many most pregnant and speciall Grounds to it Reasons for it and Benefits by it both unto the Lord our Jesus to our selves and others as unto the Present Worke and Duty Incumbent upon us being so convinced in our Faith and Consciences 1. THAT the SCATTERED ONES the Disciples of Christ who keep their garments Clean Rev. 3. 4. and Close Rev. 16. 15. from defiling at this day who wait with us for the Kingdome and second coming of our Lord Jesus and are of the same Faith and hope with us Eph. 4. 4. Satisfied in each other upon the account of Godlinesse and in Close walking with God though now dispersed in and about this City be all UNITED and Gathered together into ONE BODY 2 That this ONE BODY be knit together as a Religious Body upon Principles of Grace and of the Kingdome of Christ Gathered and Governed in a Gospel or Christian Order after the pattern in Acts 1. 14 15 the Primitive Constitution Titus 1. 5. and the Promise of Restitution Acts 15. 15. Rev. 15. 5. Isa. 58. 12. and 60. 15. c. and of opening of the TABERNACLE of the Testimony into the Primitive purity of Worship Waiting for the pouring out of the Spirit and Contending together for the truth with ONE ACCORD as one man Jude 3. 3. That this Body for MATTER consists of such as we can judge faithfull followers of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 17. 15. Called and Chosen Cleaving to the Cause of Christ and Controversie now up against the BEAST and his Followers though otherwise they be of different Formes Judgements and Apprehensions 1 Cor. 12. 4 5. 12 13 14. Rom. 14. 2. Phil. 3. 16. Weake and strong bond and free more or lesse honourable Ver. 22 23 24. Holding fast the bond of peace in the unity of the SPIRIT without any Schisme rent or divisions in this Body Eph. 4. 4. 1 Cor. 12. 13. 25. 4. That this Body not sat downe or Consolidated in any One Forme or Judgement what ever wherein one Saint may or doe differ from another doe sit down and knit together iu the POWER OF GODLINES 1 Tim. 6. 3. or life grace and light of all Formes and Judgements upon the account of the New-Creature-onenesse in Christ Jesus Gal. 6. 15. 2. Cor. 5. 17. and upon such Principles wherein we all Agree as ONE MAN and of one Mind for Christ his Kingdome-worke in every Administration of his Kingdome and for the Leavening of the whole Lump 1 Pet. 3. 8. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Rom. 15. 5. 5. That the Members and Particular branches of this ONE BODY have the Free Full and Intire Exercise of their different Judgements and practises in their own particular and different Congregations or Meetings of those Judgments with as great Freedome of their Ordinances wherein one differeth from another as any particular Church now hath onely holding together as Branches of this one Body or PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH of Christ in All Ordinances wherein All Agree keeping their places without the Least molesting or offending one another or the Peace Unity of the Church about different matters medling with those things in the maine Body as are without Controversie to the edifying of the whole and according to the Principles and Points wherein we are all Agreed as ONE MAN Acts 2. 46 47. Rom. 14. 1. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 11. 17 18. 2. Tim. 2. 16. 17. 1 Tim. 6. 5. Titus 3. 9. Eph. 4. 29. And if any PARTICULAR CHURCHES or Members of them as such upon those Principles and Points doe joyne with us that we hoâ—d our Communion with them without the least intrenchment upon or injury to them in their Priviledges or Power which they Exercise as Churches in their own Bodies in Any or all the Ordinances of Christ or Affaires of their own Bodies Isa. 65 10. Zech. 2. 11. Acts 15. 32. 6. 5. Gal. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 16. 11. Rev. 1. 4. 11. 20. 22. 16. 6. That there be a Weekly Church-meeting of this whole UNITED BODY for praying Prophecying preparing and provoking one another waiting for the coming down of the holy Spirit the great things that shall shortly come to passe and the second Appearance of our Lord Jesus with all the things that concern the day of Christ upon us Heb. 10. 24 25 Acts 14. 27. Mat. 3. 16. And for the Edifying of All in the things we are united upon Gathering in of Sinners and dispersed ones or the DVST OF ZION Psal. 102. 13 14. Maintaining a Correspondencie and Clear Intelligence with the Kingdome-Saints in the Nations Isa. 14. 32. as they did in Primitive times by Letters and Messengers Acts 15 22. Phil. 2. 19. 25. 1 Cor. 16. 3. and all the like ways that we can agree in to carry on the KINGDOM-WORK and Government of Christ amongst us 7. That there be a most Indeared and Affectionate Love to one another like that which Christ bare to his Church Joh. 13. 34 35 15. 12. Eph. 5. 2. 1 Thes. 4. 9 1 John 2. 4. 21. Rom. 12. 10. 13. 8. called Love unfained 1 Pet 1. 22. and without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. Avoiding diligently all Causes and Causers of Division in this body Rom. 16. 17 18. Mat. 24 23. Acts 20. 29 30 31. Rev. 2. 14 15 16. and keeping carefully and constantly this BLESSED UNITY and LOVE both in the PARTICULAR and in the GENERALL Phil. 2. 1 2 3. Rom. 14. 19. 1 Cor. 6. 5. Acts 4. 32. Mutually and Tenderly bearing with each others Failings and Infirmities with meeknesse patience pitty piety and sweet brotherly Assistance not upbraiding censuring nor provoking of one another Ep. 4. 32. Ro. 14. 13 15. 1. Gal. 6. 1. Col. 3. 12 13 14. 1 Joh. 3. 16. 8. An earnest JOYNT-STRIVING and Joynt-Contending in all Lawfull and just wayes by doing or suffering for the Truth Faith Purity Power of Godlinesse Light Life Liberty Priviledges and Kingdome of Christ Jesus Jude 3. Heb. 12. 3 4. Gal. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 7. 23. 1 Pet. 3. 15. Every one chearfully and unanimously undergoing the LOT OF THIS BODY in Adversity and Prosperity Heb. 10. 23. to the end Acts 12. 5. 7. Mat. 13. 20 21. And a Tender Sympathizing or participiating one with another in all estates tryalls and conditions except sin and not to DRAW BACK upon any Occasion or Temptation whatsoever the Lord helping us 1 John 2. 19 20. 2 Tim. 4 10. 16 1 Cor 19. 26.
Rom. 12. 15. Gal. 6. 2. Acts 20. 35. Heb. 13. 3. 9. In the AFFAIRES of Christ his Kingdome this Body his People and the Nations freely to give up our selves to the Lord and his Christ and one to another according to Gods word the FATHERS will and the SONS worke and the HOLY SPIRITS working quickning and Inabling of us Freely and Chearfully to Communicate in things Spirituall and Temporall 1 John 3. 17 18. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. 2 Cor. 9. 5 6. Rom. 12. 13. Heb. 13. 16. 1 Tim 6. 17. Gal. 6 10. Jude 20. 1 Cor. 12. 9. and condescending to the meanest service we may be called to or put upon agreeing with our Faith Light and Consciences for the Vse of Christ and this whole Body James 2 1 2 3. Mat. 20. 26. Rom. 12. 16. John 13. 12 13 14 15 16. 10. An Exact and Exemplary Conversation in all MANNER OF HOLINES Humility and Grace to the powerfull Conviction of them WITHOUT as well as profit and comfort of them WITHIN Psal. 24. 3. Mat. 5. 16. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Tit. 2. 11 12. Eph. 4. 21 22 23 24. 1 Pet. 2. 12. with vigilant Care over one another Heb. 3. 12 13 12. 15 17. Col. 4. 6. Mat. 18. 15 16 17. 1 Thes. 5. 14. Rom. 5 15. untill we be APPARENTLY a People dwelling ALONE not wicked nor mixed among the Nations Numb. 23. 9. John 15. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 Eph 5. 11. Hos. 4. 15 Rev. 14. 7. c. Note that the 5 Prop nor any other be interpreted as making this one Body many but ONE particular Church having many Meetings upon different matters and occasions and at allowed times for accomodating themselves and holding Communion with the Philadelphian Churches And besides all that hath been said set in our hearts to promote this so Blessed and Necessary a Work of Uniting among Christians whether in this or any other way that will answer the End thereof upon the Kingly account of Christ We cannot but acquaint you with some of our and your present MOTIVES unto it desiring the Lord to make them as irresistable and powerfull by his Spirit on your hearts as they are on ours 1. THat the greatest Advance which the Scriptures mention of the Name or Kingdome of God in the world hath ever been begun by this WORK OF UNITING first and this that is to be in the last dayes is not onely foretold to begin so in the expresse and plaine Letter or Prophecy both of the old and New Testament but of the type as of Egypt and Babylon The First Work which Moses set afoot after his leaving Tharoahs Court was this of UNITING Acts 7. 25 26. For he supposed his Brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them but they understood not And the next day he shewed himselfe unto them as they strove and would have set them at ONE againe saying Sirs ye are Brethren And this before the plagues came upon Egypt So before the VIALS be poured out upon mysticall Egypt Rev. 11. 8. we must be UNITED and Brethren forbear striving This was the First work upon proclaiming Liberty from Babylon for those who were of one heart Ezra 2. Zerubbabell and the Remnant so Hag. 1. 14 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabell and the spirit of Joshua and the spirit of all the Remnant together and they came and did worke as Zech. 3. 8. Hear now O Joshua thou and thy Fellows and then follows I will bring forth my Servant the BRANCH This was the FIRST WORK viz UNITING and gatherin into ONE that our Lord Jesus and his Apostles put the first planting of the Gospel upon Acts 1. 4. 8. 14 15. whence arose that SEED that hath since sowed the whole Christian world so called and so must it be before the flying Gospel Rev. 14. 8. or Gospel of the Kingdome be preached throughout the habitable world Mat. 24. 14. And so it is foretold to be the great and First work that the Spirit of Eliah which goes before the great and notable day of the Lord or coming of Christ doth put us upon viz. UNITING Mal. 4. 6. And he shall turne the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to their Fathers and then RESTORING of all things as at First follows Mat. 17. 11. Elias truly shall First come to restore all things Wherefore if Moses Zerubbabell Christ and his Apostles or the Spirit of Eliah if they be may heard and their Examples had in esteem amongst us this is an undeniable duty now upon us the First worke and the first step that we can take to purpose out of Egyt Babylon and the earthly Jerusalem into the reall Advance of the great work of God name and Kingdome of Christ on earth 2. Besides consider hereto the Call of Christ as it was to his Dispersed ones at his Resurrection of a Risen Christ behold he is risen though you see him not it is the Lord said John to Peter Job 21. 7. and he leapt into the Sea to him Isa. 60. 1. The Light is come and the glory of the Lord is RISEN after a death and a sore one after the three days of a CHRIST who dyed for the Collective body and is Risen to the Collective Body the blood of the New Testament shed for MANY not for this or that Forme or sort onely but for the MANY united into one Body calls aloud to this Practice and kind of Communion So that if there be any consolation in Christ any Bowells any mercies any true sence of that Love which was in him to us stronger then Death and which many waters could not quench and raised him from the Grave Let us hear him as Risen from the Dead whose First word from thence is Goe quickly and tell them I AM RISSEN And bid them that is together come and meet me Mat. 28. and there they shall see me Oh then what sayest thou canst thou hear him call so and not come Doth he not now say as Cant. 2. 10 13. Rise up my Love my faire one and come away againe vers. 14. and yet againe vers. 13. Ob let me see thee vers. 10. and Cant. 4. 8. Come with me from Lebanon my sister my spouse with me from Lebanon c. And can we find in our hard hearts to stay behind or not to stir now God forbid 3. Add hereto the consent and concurrence of all Saints in all ages who have lived and and dyed in the Faith and hope of this that All Saints should be gathered INTO ONE in the Dispensation of the fulness of times Eph 1. 10. and of the new Jerusalem and Kingdome state that consists of such a Collective Body Rev. 21. Should Paul Peter James John Apostles Prophets or Saints from Abraham to this day Arise from the dead the whole Classes of them would call us into this UNITING
pale for it when they shall finde it was neither Wisdome nor Grace Comfort nor Counsell Conscience nor Kindnesse to Christ nor his Saints no nor yet Good manners to draw back or Demur upon such a SOLEMN INVITATION as this is for the Gathering the Scattered Uniting the Divided and Indearing the Vnited c. from the Quick and the Dead THE INVITATION WHerefore If there be yet left alive any true Grace in the hearts of Professours any true sence of the Crosse Death and Blood of Christ or of the Cries Blood Ashes Bones and Murthers of the Martyrs Any Smart in the heart for SIONS Deaths Dangers Gashes and Wounds given her by her Enemies New and Old in these Nations Also by the Great Divisions Rents Controversies Envyings and Heart burnings amongst BRETHREN of the same Faith Hope and Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus If as the Apostle saith in this matter Phil. 2. 1 2. there be with you anyconsolation in Christ any comfort of Love left if any Fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowells and Mercies If your soules be sensibly toucht with the Dishonour of God and Christ with the Death of his Cause the Dispersion of his Saints the Case of the Jewes and the Promise of the Gentiles and if ye have not sinn'd and consumed away all the Fear of God and Feeling of his heavy Hand upon us but that yet there is a Longing in you after these Things and a Hungring with hearty and pure affections after the Day of Christ and HIM alone to be Exalted and his NAME above every Name If it wound you to the Quick and your heart be melted down with tears and sighes to hear so KILLING Cutting Blasphemies as are every day cast upon the Pure SPIRIT of God KINGDOME PRINCIPLES and Professours of our Lord Jesus And if yee unfainedly without Courtly Complements doe desire to be Faithfull to God to Christ to his Spirit his Truth his Testimony his Kingly Interest and KINGDOME SEERVICE in such a Dismall Day of Rebuke Blasphemy Division and Apostacy as this is or would be Vndefiled and freed from the snares and evills of these Adulterate times If any Value be had of Oaths or Ingagements of Tears Blood and Prayers or the Promises Priviledges and Practises of the Gospell and if any true endeavour and sincerity be left to Act for and finde out the Light the Liberty of the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOME and a clear PATH for every one without offence to one another and with a sweet contentment Peace Union Love and good Order to walk in after ALL these Confusions Combustions thick darknesses and Losse upon us O then let us without faile or further let hindrance or Excuse for one Moment UNITE as ONE MAN in All our Quarters and Habitations of these three Nations And as we shall be able to give up our Accounts with comfort at the Coming of our KING JESUS to perfect this his Blessed work begun by his Word and Spirit 2 Thes. 2. 1. at the GREAT GATHERING TOGETHER of All Let us gladly accept this INVITATION of Vniting and Reviving PHILADELPHIA of what Forme and judgement soever we be and take the very Next Oppertunity unto it Knowing how Amiable Desirable and indeed Practicable it is now through grace made amongst us and as it were THE MATTER pointed at by the Finger of God himselfe unto us in and by All these trying tearing and Mount-Perazim Dispensations which we have been Exercised under of late years Isa. 28. 21. Seeing not onely so much Comfort and Christian Benefit to All But even our Ability Stability Livelinesse Patience in tribulation conquest over temptations vigour of love Quickning Spirit and power of Grace and Godlinesse Readinesse of Obedience union of affections Resolution and joynt-motion of Actions for Christ and his Kingdome yea and the very BEING of the Churches of Christ and Religion it selfe seems so much to depend upon it Notwithstanding all that hath been said When we consider what the Day is that we live in how full of Vnbeliefe Ignorance Impudence Apostacy Contention Covetuousnesse and Persecution of the power and Purity of godlinesse Selfe-seeking and all the sins of the LAST TIMES mentioned 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tims 4 12. 2 Pet. 2. 12. of which our Saviour hath foretold us Mat. 24. we must confesse then We must expect as little fruite or effect from some and those it may be Eminent Professours too as if we spake to and powred our teares and prayers upon Posts Pillars Stones LUMPS of earth Bars of Iron Rocks and Flints or at best Bruite Beasts For as Luke 18. 8. Neverthelesse when the Son of man commeth shall he find faith on the earth That is say some when he comes with his Recovering Grace and Spirit when the times of Restitution begin and of Refreshing first enter in Acts 3. 19. 21. that is at the time of the END when he comes with a recovering and a Restoring of us into the FIRST STATE that he put HIS Saints into and with the DISCOVERIES and tenders of a more excellent WAY and Communion of Saints then we are in Shall he then find FAITH amongst men to beleive him to receive him at that day Will it then be said againe as at the first John 1. 11 12. He came unto his owne and his own received him not but as many as received him to them gave he the Right or Priviledge There be Many sorts that will not receive him in this tender of Recovering grace As the Proud 1 Cor. 1. 26. So the Ignorant John 20. 9 10. the selfe-Wise the disputer of this world the striver about words and vaine questions the worldly and selfe-seeking Professours Hag. 12. 4. and the times-servers and the envious man Acts 13. 4 5. the Magnifyer of Formes or persons one above and against another the Vnbeleever and diffident the Fearfull and amazed or that are absolutely at a LOSSE the heart that is full of any Lust to be satisfied With the pride of life and of gifts and parts and the selfe-Justifier and exalter the men that are given up to strong delusions and to beleeve lyes and those that have somewhat else to set up instead or elfe an Invention to put aside this All these will keepe off from if not oppose this hopefull and blessed worke of UNITING And we doe expect it harder to reduce one Erroneous and rivetted then to Reform or convert an open sinner but as one saies If one should defer his studies of any Art or Science till the writers and Professours thereof did fully and unitedly consent If one should vow not to come at London till All the clocks doe strike together so If one should stay from this Duty till All that seeme and say they are agreed about it he may stay long enough and never come to it at last Therefore for those Deare and precious ones that do with the FIRST begin to