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
power Spirit life and Excellency of worship and of Ordinances as Hezekiah opened the doors of the Temple 2 Chron. 29. 4 7. and as it was in the Primitive times by this blessed Way and Worke at least and at first in some little degree more then it hath been known since the Rise of the BEAST Rev. 11. 1 2 6. Or since the Gentiles have trod the holy City under foot and the wildernessing of the woman Rev. 12. 6. For as the Tabernacle made of many united looped and tacked together in one Exod. 26. 6 11. as Judg. 21. 11. it is said They were knit together as one man having respect to the Tabernacleunion called the Tabernacle of the witnesse Acts 7. 44. and the Temple 1 Sam. 1. 9. 3. 3. Psal. 27. 4. 138. 2. was a type of this which is therefore called the Tabernacle of the Testimony So herein also as it was there in the Figure is hid the ARK Rev. 11. 19 and the heavenly Manna Rev. 2. 17. from the sight of men till the time come for the holy Camp Rev. 11. 2. to set forward and then is taken away the Covering-veile or the shutting up of the Tabernacle as Exod. 40. 3. 26. 14. which upon moving forward to the land of Promise was opened and uncovered Numb. 4. 5. So must this Tabernacle of Saints so united and knit as one man be opened and the covering or veile spread over hitherto Isa. 25. 7. be taken off as they move to the things promised in the last days And as the inner Court Ezek. 46. 1. was shut up the six dayes but when the evening of the sixth day came and the SABBATH approached it was to be set open for the open and Publick worship and Ordinances So doe we with grounded perswasions expect the opening of THIS inner-Court Rev. 11. 1. hitherto shut up in this evening of the great SABBATHISME or REST approaching in the New Jerusalem Rev. 20. 21. 4. The Parity of the Order and circumstances of the Witnesses sufferings Rev. 11. Rising and Ascending with our Lords suffering Rise and Ascention signifies to us a Parity of duty upon the Disciples of Christ at this day with those of that day The Witnesses bodies are said to lie in the street of that City where our Lord was crucified implying the parity viz. slaine by the highest sort of Professours who say they are Jewes and are not Rev. 2. extant in the world so was our Lord Their bodies not put in graves nor was our Lords in the earth but in a stone a new tomb cut out of a Rock where never any man lay before of him it is said After three dayes I will rise againe Mat. 27. 63. and of the Witnesses Rev. 11. 11. All his lying dead were the Disciples dispersed complaining and scattered so All the time of the witnesses and many are now complaining as Luke 24. 21. At his rising fear and terrour fell on them that saw it Mat. 28 4. so at the witnesses Rev. 11. 11. At his Resurrection at the very first Few saw it or would belive it Luke 24. 37. but rather were affrighted at it Luke 24. 11 41. being ignorant of the manner of his Rise Joh. 20. 9. And so are we at the Witnesses Rise Rev. 11. 13. which is as we think obvious to Few at the first step thereof But from that instant of time as the Disciples work was uniting and embodying before Jesus ascended in a cloud So doe we from the parity apprehend it the Duty of the Disciples now every where that have been dispersed before we shall see the witnesses ascended up in a cloud i. e. more visibly to All for then their enemies beheld them Rev. 11. 12 13. and the Earthquake came and the REMNANT were affrighted and gave Glory to God 5. The Executing the vengeance upon BABYLON The pouring out of the Vial-worke or THIRD WOE is out of this Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony Rev. 15. 5 8. 16. 1. and not out of any One Forme Judgement or sort of men whatsoever Hence when the Judgement comes All sorts of Gods people are called to rejoyce in it whether Apostles or Prophets as in the vengeance of them all Rev. 18. 20. though under different Administrations 6. The Constitution of the Primitive Church-state which was not in this or that Forme but in the Power of godlinesse and Christian Principles making up one Body under different and many Gifts Measures Judgements and Administrations 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 11 12 13. 1 Cor. 10. 17. Rom. 14. 4 5. without Names and Distinctions as now are calls upon us to this practice And for that in the Primitive times we read but of one Church in a City were it ever so large as at Jerusalem Antioch Rome Colosse Phillippi c. which was of great conduce to Love and Vnity so Titus 1. 5. And ordaine Elders in every City as I had appointed For although at Jerusalem were many thousands Acts 2. 41. 4 4. it is probable as many as in all the particular Churches of London yet they were not many Churches as in this City that occasion much the Divisions and breaches of Sion but One Not that we bind up our communion so strictly for that is explained in answer to the second query onely we doe humbly judge it would be better ONE in a City then many as now are 7. The Consideration of the present Deflouring Defilement and Defection of many if not most of the Particular Congregations for we see them with sorrow of heart so far corrupted from their first purity deviated from their first principles of separating from all that is unclean 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. and of uniting upon their formerly professed or INDEPENDENT Principles that in most parts round the Nation they are become rather DEPENDENT upon them in power Participant with them in Apostacy and Communicant or consociate with them in Sin and with those very things persons and principles which they were once separated from as inconsistent with the Churches of Christ The TEACHERS of severall of them falling in with Parishes Tythes Parish-Clergy and Parish-worship And the Members of them with the uncleannesses evills and abominations of the times oftending persecuting or casting out them that keep constant to their first principles and purity being not onely tainted mixed and infected but Many of them so notoriously degenerated in the Essence viz. Matter Forme End Rule or Congregationall Principles that we cannot with comfort walk with them or keep our garments clean amongst them The matter of some of them being Goalers Persecutors Opposers of the Truth Notorious time-servers or such as hold places take profits from the sins of the times that strengthen the hands of the wicked that make the hearts of the righteous sad self-seekers covetous Boasters Hypocrites Apostates and such as we are bid to turn away from 1 Tim. 4. and to have
As a Particular member by it selfe considered may be and is called the Temple of the holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6. 15. 19. without the injury to the Body whereof he is a part which in another sense or collectively is called the TEMPLE 2 Cor. 6. 16. 1 Cor. 3. 16. So may a particular body sat down in this or that Judgement and yet in another sense and we humbly think with much more sutablenesse does this particular Church or Collective body stated as before expressed beare the name of the Temple too Rev. 11. 1 2. Cor. 6. 16 17. or Gospel-Order after the first pattern 1 Cor. 12. 13. 17. Phil. 3. 15. Rom. 14. 14 5. 12. 45. Now the reason of this Analogy is because this holds a most excellent consistency Symmetry Harmony need and Vsefulnesse of every particular body of this or that forme as well as a particular Church does or ought to doe with every particular member of that body whether of this or that Judgement keeping up a necessary serviceablenesse to the Lord and one another in All and in every one in their proper joynts and places which is most like to the Primitive state and is a Constitution more after the Institution of the Gospell then a sitting down in any one Forme This is no other then the House of God! said Jacob Gen. 28. 17. which is that why where he saw the Ladder and some goe up and some goe down and some one way and some another and the Lord a top of all at the Head of all and all serving him their severall wayes as 1 Cor. 12. 5. There be Differences of administrations and yet but One Lord In this heavenly harmony and melody if we might but find it of different members and motions O how sweet would be the Vision 6. Lastly but as for those particular Churches so called that are corrupted have lost their Forme and Matter that are let loose and doe let their members range in the World and the Lusts thereof that persecute or oppose the Truth Cast out or kill the life and Grace of the sound Members not admitting Communion with Different Saints nor keeping up of Brotherly love that are thus gangrened both in Substance and Circumstances so defiled so deformed and degenerated we doe not we dare not hold Communion with or own them for the Faithfull Spouse after the first pattern Now these are they and no other that we doe doctrinally and practically declare against and withdraw from So that by this Time we trust every one can answer himselfe in the second part of the QUERY viz. How this doth bear the Name from the Rest viz. that are Apostatized 1. In the Truth of that which they have but the Name and Title of 2. In the Spirit and Life of that which they keep up but the Forme and Letter of 3. In the Harmony of the diffring Members and Meetings in their own joynts and places in that New-Jerusalem-like Order of Communion with all Saints which they have either rejected or else were never well acquainted with For as we believe All were not rightly constituted Churches that were called so or went by that Name So we deny not but this or that particular Church or some that once we might have owned may foulely Fall Fade Decay and die as we durst not hold Communion with and yet we not question but a true Temple-state may be found amongst us too growing up towards perfection Besides in the End and Rule we may be said to bear that NAME from them without reflecting upon those Churches that maintain the Purity of Matter and Forme Rule and End Extent and Priviledges of the Kingdome of Christ whom we with all our hearts doe own and are ONE with in Spirit and Communion Qu 3. But can any be said to be ONE CHVRCH or Gospel-Body and yet more then One or how can any be members of two Bodies and doth not this way you are in looke too like an VNIVERSAL-CHVRCH and smell of that straine for you have many meetings and so many Bodies Answ. Here be many Queries in one which in order we answer 1. We doe not say nor can any that we are more then ONE though ONE that hath many Members and so meetings as occasion requires 1 Cor. 12. 13. 27. but more fully to that presently 2. One may be a member of two Bodies in a two sold consideration very well as a member of a Naturall Body may be also a member of a Politicall-Body and of a Polit may be also of a Religious Body yea and so of two Religious Bodies in a twofold consideration as a member of a Particular Church is also member of the universal and may also be a member of a BODY united upon Kingdome-Principles and services or on other matters But 3. This was very frequent and in Constant practice in the Primitive times to be of One Church as a member by union and of another by Communion and so Paul had communion with all Churches and at Corinth 1 Cor. 5 4 5. and yet a member admitted of the Church at Jerusalem Thus may members of other Churches be also members of this Body and walk with this in Communion and yet hold their places too in their own particular bodies As a member of a mans body holds its place there and yet as a member of all mankind hath a Publick motion too as well as a Particular 4. That there be no mistake in the FORMAL PART of this Vniting-Worke we have declared our selves to be but one Particular Body after the 1 Pattern at Jerusalem and holding a Communion with all Saints in order Jew or Gentile bond or free of this or that opinion that understandingly desire it Object 1. But visible Saint ship and visible Church-state are not All one and many may be Saints or memberrs of Christs mysticall body that are not joyned to any visible Church Acts 5. 13 14. Answ 1. We grant they are not one in state and yet the true Chuâ—ch-state is the Câ—mmunion of Saints and according to the institution hath joynts and places for all sorts of Saints received Rom. 14. whole Chapt and 12. 4 5. 1 Cor. 12. 2. We confesse also that some may be Saints that are not of any Particular Church nor desire it but the Query is whether any Saints inlightned of good life and seeking Communion with us are to be put by 3. We are to be such a Body as holds a Communion and good intelligence even with them also in the Spirit yea and in some cases so far as can be consistent with the power of godlinesse and wherein wee agree c. more visibly too Luke 10. 1. Acts 5. 13 14. for the publick good Yea 4. Our Communion spiritually is to be so large as Comprehends Saints in an Invisible Way and in the Power as well as in a Visible Way and in the Forme being all Members
of the mystery of Godlinesse which is without controversie Object 2. But the mysticall Church consisting of the elect in Christ Angels and men alive and dead borne and unborne c. cannot be properly â—alled Church-state instituted by Christ in the Gospel being constituted from Eternity in Gods Decree c. Answ. Yet the visible Church in Communion with them with Angels and Spirits of just men made perfect i. e. in a most sweete secret and invisible way is of Gospel institution Heb. 12. 22 23. Ephes 2. 19 20 21. and this is all that we affirm that our Communion must be of such a Nature and comprehensivenesse of Spirit as should not onely admit an Onenesse with them in Spirit but a walking with them on earth were they all alive amongst us under their diverse Administrations forms gifts and apprehensions Object 3. Some hold that the Church at Jerusalem was made up of many particular Churches and this you make your pattern Answ. Not in that sense nor do we hold so but we hold the Church at Jerusalem was but one particular Church having diverse sorts of Members and Meetings at some times and so it is our patterne and not as an universall visible Church for that we deny the universall Church being partly visible and partly invisible comprehending all times places and sorts in heaven and earth Answ 2. It is a great mistake to think the particular meetings of this Body are particular Churches for any one Church may have at some times severall meetings about several matters as Acts 12. 5. 12. 17. 20. 20. Gal. 2. 2 3. and yet be but one particular Church So it is here Notwithstanding in another consideration it seemes to some with as good Analogy and Property of speech consonancy and consistency of truth and Rule as now any Particular Church what ever may be called One and yet the members in particular or the families be many may the meetings too be many and it be said The Church that is at their house Rom. 16. 5. 1 Cor. 16. 19 Col. 4. 15. and the Church which is which meets at his house So Phile 2. So those of Caesars houshold yet in this sense that we speak they were but members of the Church So those that met in Maries house Act. 12. 5. 12. yet were but members of the Church at Jerusalem Now the reason is because two or three together in Christs name or the faithfull of some one Family or a meeting of brethren may be called a Church in one respect and not as they stand related in another Phil. 4. 22. and thus may we be said to be but ONE COLLECTIVELY and yet MORE THEN One if every meeting must be so interpreted DISTRIBUTIVELY wherein one may differ and be in his joynt from Another Though for our parts we cannot Understand it so as of many but of one BODY as 1 Cor. 12. 25. but now are they MANY and many sort of members yet but ONE BODY As SION may have many Gates wherein might be severall Assemblies as of one sort that sat in one gate and another sort in Another and yet be but ONE SION Psal. 84. 2. As the BODY hath many joynts members Arteries Sinewes Veines wherein every one Member from joynt to joynt may be lookt upon as distinct and yet as conjunct or a member of the WHOLE yet makes but one BODY Rom. 12. 4. As a CITY Psal. 122. 3 4. 46. 4. hath many houses Trades Streets Corporations and Societies wherein every one in it's own bounds may be called in a sense a Body yet makes but one City compact As an Army with Banners Cant 6. 4. 10. wherein every Company Regiment Colour Brigade and Wing is as it were an Army by it selfe yet makes but one in all as a Kingdome Joh 18. 36. Heb. 12. 28. Mat. 21. 43. may have many Families Cities Villages Shires Countries c. wherein every one by it's selfe may be said to be a little Kingdome and yet are all but one Kingdome And as Heaven Mal. 13. 11. 24. 31. wherein every firmament Element Planet Star and Constellation make up but one Heaven So is it with a true Church of Christ which is called a Body a City an Army a Kingdome and a Heaven in Scripture So the new Jerusalem Rev. 21. 14. may be said to have twelve Foundations and in them the name of the twelve Apostles and the Lamb every particular member of different Sate vers. 19 20. as the Jasper and Saphire and Calcedony c. to be upon his own and proper Foundation wherein one differ from another as Paul from Peter c. and yet in another sense All have but one foundation 1 Gor. 3. 11. For other foundation can none lay then that which is Jesus Christ So that if any do understand us distributively as of MANY because of our severall meetings members or branches yet they must conclude us collectively All to be but ONE BODY or Church at last Object 4. But then you are like an Vniversall visible Church Answ 1. No no more then every particular Church was in the Primitive times who had their many meetings and different members as well as we 2. There is no such Church as we know of as universall VISIBLE But 3. That there is an universall Church we beleeve and that every particular Church of Christ should be as like to the Vniversall in Integrals and Parts as the Child is like the Parent or the Daughter the Mother we also beleeve and therefore the nearer and liker we are to the universal Church or mother of us All Gal. 4. 26. in Spirit grace and communion with All Saints visible and invisible the more thankâ—full are we to the Lord whose workmanship we are in Christ Jesus And yet we are but a poor despised Dust a particular visible Church that would faine look like the choice one of her Mother Cant. 6. 9. far short yet pressing after a more Likenesse indeed to the Vniversall consisting of All Saints Jew and Gentile past present and to come and more of the Nature and Spirit of the New Jerusalem But we believe that others are to follow after us and in this Principle too prefer'd before us whose shoes we are not worthy to untie We know not what Influences and Tendencies this may have thereto Obj. 5. But we fear you have no pattern from the Primitive times for such different and sundry Meetings besides the publick of the whole together were that clear we could be satisfied Answ 1. If there had not been left us a plain and direct Example for it as we find in some circumstances yet God hath left his Wisdome with the Church Eph. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 2. 7. a wisdome that is from above James 3. 17. in such Cases as tend to keep up good order Edifying and Discipline in the Body Rom. 14. 19.
and proper places of service and Exercise one without greiving molesting opposing oppressng or offending another and if the Lord doe give us or others more light in this Matter we would gladly receive it For 4. We must confesse as before that being but upon the Day-break and Dawning of this Businesse those that begin it must needs be short of them that are to succeed upon this Principle and this but in a sence a signe of the Day-opening or antecedanean to somewhat of more Life Loveliness and Lustre that others may be raised up into Yet it is our Duty and done with integrity and we doubt not but will be of great Vse for this season and have a singular Testimony from Heaven Wherefore 5. Have a care we beseech you in the Fear and Dread of the Heart searching God! and be well-advised Least ye reject your Work yea your present Work with the WAY Consider well with what Spirit doe ye reject it is there not prejudice or envy at Persons in it for so Johns Desciples did envy Christs and did not the Pharises so too As the Cardinall said of Reformation The Thing is good but that Luther a Raschall Frier should be the Man to put it upon us this is intollerable Or is there not offence at eminent ones holding off as John 7. 48 49. Have any of the Chiefe ones followed him onely this Ignorant people So 1 Cor. 1. 26. For ye see your calling Brethren how not many wise not many noble c. So Acts 28. 22. It is every where spoken against Or doe ye not decline the thing it selfe to delay and put that off and so pretend offence at the Way of it Or have ye in truth found out a more Excellent Way unto it then Declare it or else take heed how you reject this for God will not be Mocked Luke 14. 18. They all with one consent began to make Excuse I pray sayes the first have me Excused v. 29. and have me Excused They have good words Excuse us to our Lord we like the Thing he invites us too very well and we are for it and are Friends but yet we must be Excused Wherefore if it be our Duty to Vnite what mean we to dally or delay They that have refused the first step have not had the honour or the happinesse of the next As the Scribes and Pharises that would not goe with John could not goe with Jesus And if it be onely because thou waitest for a better Way possibly it may be revealed to this poor praying enquiring Body as well and as soon as unto Others be we ever so unlikely in your eyes and this we know that we are in this matter one step nearer to it then they that omit this their known Duty and thereby the great Commandment of Love Besides as Johns Disciples were one step nearer to Christ and his Call then the Jews were so they heard and had the first call to the next step who had taken that John 1. 37 38 39 40. And therefore we dare not omit our present Work or first step but rather take it in the Way to the Next and to that which is more Noble Wherefore if thou darest to put off this in pretence thou hast a better Way let us see thee then at this Work in thy Way or thou sinnest yet the more and so we leave it to thy conscience There is not one Objection more or Query that we can hear of materiall unlesse it be that the Angells and our Lord himself bid Mary call the Brethren together Mat. 28. Joh. 20. but to that we say We are not now under the Ministry of Angells but a more sure Word of Prophecy 2 Pet. 1. 19. and a more Excellent Ministry Heb. 8. 6. Nor have we need of an Angell to tell us that which the word and Spirit of God with the clear Practice of All the Primitive Saints doe put us upon Luke 16. 31. If they hear not the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the Dead And yet to this we have the common call from the Saints Dead as well as Alive The Spirit which calls is Christs Vice-roy represents his Person supplies his Place offers his Power and is sent us in his stead untill he comes he is his Pleny-Potentiary to help and enable us as effectually in this matter as if our Lord in his own person were present with us And thus the Voyce that said to Jairus his Daughter Arise and to Lazarus Come forth we hope we have heard and felt in the Spirit and divine Nature of it inviting quickning and raising us as from the Dead to this Duty Yea he that saith Who is he that darkneth Counsell without Knowledge Job 38. 2. hath said unto us Goe thorough Goe thorough prepare your Way cast ye up cast up the high way Gather out the stones lift ye up a Standard Behold the Lord hath proclaimed it to the End of the World c. Isa. 62. 10 11 12. Cant. 3. 10. Isa. 40. 3. which End of the world is now upon us And thus in our poor measure having cleared or rather the Lord for us by a Light above us sweetly lead us as by the hand through these Objections we hope to the Satisfaction and contentment of many an honest heart which Sathan would have laid to have stumbled the Weak and blockt up the Way Now what Remaines brethren what remaines but that every one who is of a willing heart and Separate from the Defilements of these DAYES doe without Delay in their severall Cities and Countries set upon this WORK and present his Offering be it but a little Goats-haire to this Tabernacle-service Exod. 35. 21 26. And All the Women whose heart stird them up spun Goatshaire v. 29. Every man and every Woman whose heart made them willing to bring for ALL MANNER OF WORK not for one sort of Work onely Wherefore stop here a little Reader to Remember or Revise what hath been said upon this Subject Read them over againe and yet againe and then say Are they Truths or no Are they Arguments or not Doe the Motives move Are the Grounds good any of them What sayest thou Is it Duty to UNITE or not and is 't not of flat Necessity If thou sayst NO Certainly thou contradictest thine own conscience but if YEA then weigh but our words with the same Affections and Yearnings of Bowells over the Blood Wounds Shreds and Deaths and Dust of poor unpittied SION which some think incurable that they are SENT OUT unto you though some of them may be deemed Weak some Dubious Unseasonable and Unacceptable it may be yet sure we are so much hath been said and might be to the Proof Profit Verity Excellency Expectation Promise Priviledges Nature Nobility and Necessity of this Work at this juncture of time too as may leave you and others that will reject it one Day Speechlesse and
rattle by this Word of Prophecy Ezek. 37. Bone to bone and sinnew to sinnew and are gathering strength together with us in this worke that stagger not at the promise through unbeleese no more then Abraham did Rom. 4. 18 19 Who considered not this body now DEAD when he was about a hundred yeares old nor yet the deadnesse of Sarah's wombe Not considering so as to stagger the deadnesse of others nor as yet of our owne hearts knowing he is faithfull that hath promised Heb. 10. 24. and therefore holding fast without WAVERING These these shall drink of the brookes that are in the WAY Psal. 110. 7. and butter and hony shall they eate Isa. 7. 22. the Emannell Food vers. 15. that they may know how to chuse the good and refuse the evill Yea and as Mat. 13. 15 16 17. When Others eares are dull of hearing their eyes closed and hearts grown grosse and foggy with the flesh shall it be said But blessed are your eyes for they see and your eares for they heare Verily I say unto you many Prophets and righteous men have delivered to see those things which yee see and have not seene them and to heare those things which yee heare and have not heard them Wherefore our strong cryes and strugling prayers to the God of the Primitive Saints and Churches are for YOU and your spirituall growth with All the increasings of God! that ye may be out of your severall heaps and Formes so full of confusion whither Presbyterean Independent Baptized Sabbat Seekers or others that are Saints by calling and hold the foundation with us and would be orderly jointed gathered knit Joynted And All the whole building FITLY FRAMED and growing up together into ONE TEMPLE and one Tabernacle ONE Vine ONE Kingdome and City COMPACT An habitation for the Lord through the Spirit Ephes. 2. 21 22 ifit were but to make the wayes of Godlinesse more Amiable desireable delectable profitable safe and sweet unto us so UNITED But if after all this others can find in their hard hearts to stand off from us and withstand so hopefull and so noble and so necessary an ENTRANCE so holy so sweet and so good a MOTION so powerfull and so yearning an INVITATION from Christ and his Spirit Sion and Saints ALIVE and DEAD or so naturall and indeed unavoidable a Duty as this is We must leave it at their DOORE from this Day forward with All the Evils that shall ensue from the neglect hereof and them Also to that Day of Christ that in despight of all opposers shall perfect this Worke and raise up all the crums shreds and dust of Sion into ONE and yet for our parts blessing our God for opening our eyes and helping us hitherto to make an Essay we are we hope in his grace Resolved as bound in duty and clearly satisfied every one of us and as God shall enable us to proceed and waite upon him in this way for the Great promise and the Great coming as confirmed in the Faith and confident in the Lord and assured in his might and grace that he will own us eminently and visibly in as in his owne way and Will as in the present WORK for Christ and his Kingdome which consists of all these subjects to the praise of that rich grace that hath brought us together And if Any doe question it or say with Nathaniel John 1. 46. Can any good come out of Nazareth we need say no more but COME and SEE But to conclude this SOLEMN CALL to all the Scattered ones in the three Nations in so humble loving and indeared Faithfulnesse to you Our Brethren and Countrimen having stammered out a Few of our thoughts of heart What can We SAY or SIGH more in this this Matter but leave our tears prayers and invitations unto it at your Feet that the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem would affect and move your hearts to wellcome it that comes unto you in the Name of the Lord Luke 19. 38. OREMEMBER how much the NAME of God and the very BEING of Religion is in danger and concerned in these Divisions Remember the Crosse and wounds of Christ which are set afresh bleeding by these Divisions and Dispersions Remember the Comfortable state of poore SION Sick at the very heart and ready to dye Oh Remember what a Name ye once have had in this Nation for profession and the Power of Godlinesse and now how it stinkes and what a SHAME ye are in all the world a SCORNE and a by word a hissing and Astonishment even to very Heathens O Remember not only how sew are converted but ah alas how many are confirmed in their wicked and false Wayes till this UNITING be even to the Papists Turks Atheists and prophane ones by the Abominations of Professours in England what a HEAD and HEART this last and lamentable APOSTACY hath hereby and what O what guilt of blood is brought upon these Nations Remember besides the Confusion of Tongues and Cup of Babylon which is given most to drinke of And whereby so many are fox't and enchanted that they doe they know not what And what Mercinary divelish and politick principles are assumed by Professours and Preachers at this day and what Persecution and Oppressions are upon Consciences O Remember how the Churches are some of them defiled Growth of grace hindred Worship polluted the fences of Separation pulled np the tender grapes spoiled Members and Teachers rent and torne from us and imprisoned at pleasure And yet Remember whilst there is life there is hope and O how wonderfully God hath appeared Prayers have been answered Brethren delivered Religion revived promises and engagements performed the Kingdome of Christ exilted and poore sinking Zion saved and God known to be their God even in the MIDDEST OF HIS PEOPLE when they were thus UNITED But now If so be your Consciences be seared your sences stopped your Foreheads brazened and your hearts hardned that nothing will move you neither in heaven nor on earth neither the LIVE nor the GRAVE if you care not what become of the Great name of God! the Cause of Christ his Gospel his Kingdome his Spirit his Churches his Servants his word and Ordinances in the purity of them If you think it not matter to see your Brethrens blood in the streets and their bodyes broyling and frying at the stake againe and think that Savour is the best and that smoke the sweetest If ye dare stand still and look on the other side Obad. 7. 11 12. in this day of strong and TWISTED CONFEDERACY and of casting Lots upon Jerusalem and of violence done to Jacob and of your Brethrens calamity without Remorse or Moving If ye dare to crucifie Christ afresh and tread his BLOOD under foot to cast out his Kingdome from amongst you and kill the hopes and expectations ye have had and we yet have of HIS DAY and REIGNE If ye dare to quit the Ground
Free Full and Naturall an Accesse to the things we seek for as our hearts can desire But now we leave you oh Brethren and friends of Sion of ALL SORTS and the CALL to you from a poore shrub or BURNING BUSH to betake our selves upon our bended knees again and againe And to beg of God for you who shall engage or PERSWADE JAPHETH to dwell in the tents of Shem that Canaan may be his servant to give you the GRACE to make an immediate ESSAY upon this Duty as Psal. 48. 12 13. Walke about Zion round about her tell the Towers thereof marke ye well her Bulwarks Consider her Palaces that ye may tell it to the Generation that Followes Leaving with you these Sobs and Tears of Sion who hath layn so long in Brine and Blood The 27. day of the 7 month 1657. AGREED to by this BODY UNITED and WAITING as at Jerusalem that according to Acts 1. 15. An hundred and twenty of our Names be Subscribed and Sent out with a SOLEMN INVITATION to this UNITING WORK throughout the three Nations in the NAME of our LORD JESVS who is Coming and of the REST of this BODY UNITED in and about this City of London Who have thorough Grace made some little ENTRANCE into so Great so Hopefull and so Necessary a WORK that we may be put together into a better Capacity for his COMING and KINGDOME in every ADMINISTRATION thereof Even so Amen Isa. 49. 17. Thy Children shall make hast Then Thy Destroyers and them that layd thee wast shall goe forth of thee EDward Edmonds Robert Clark Nicholas Middleton Thomas Broughton Richard Jones Henry Chomley John Whight Thomas Dowsde Richard Tyler John Tyrrel John Allen James Mallery James Frances Walter Harding James Lowd Jon Merrals S Mast William Russel Frances Good John Turner Walter Rand. James Wilkins John Ward Solomon Webster R. Brimsal George Johnson Edward Broomer Thomas Ardree Henry Hedges Edw Graves Edmund Wood Robert Wingreen John Jealous J. Nessonby Richard Smith Thomas Atwood M Pace John Wandall Daniel Rand. Samuel Gossener John King Evan Hewes Edward Glayes Miles Cottis E. Burges Gregory Kirby John Rayment Robert Rogers Gilbert Lockington M. Stowers Thomas Crundal John Thaire Joseph West Thomas Coates S. Freeland Miles Coates John Robon Christopher Craile K. Johnson Edward Squire James Grippe John Thomson John Rogers Clement Plomsted H White Thomas More Nathaniel Bunch Henry Martin Anthony Aires Matthew Grigson A Curtis Thomas Ambler John Crump Richard Bird John Massie Francis Goram Thomas Moreton John Clement William Elwood S. Green S. Rowley Robert Simmons James Gressam Robert Knight S. Lockinton William Chandler John Babycome E. Chambers George Hancock James Doeman Simon Smith A. Prichard John Gardner Joseph Jefferies Edward Hewson Joseph Graves John Bingel E. Sparks Edward Hart. Francis Simson Francis Crane E. Grippe Richard Groeme Francis Moon E. Thurland S. Frances John Crony E. Webster Richard Hodges Michael Dunwell John Ireland E. Rookesby Thomas Taylor H. Pirkins John Loveday Robert Massie A. Rawlings Edward Bowman Walter Simmons Jonathan Renolds c. Acts 1. 15. The number of Names together were about 120. SInce this hath been in the Presse with some Delay we have from Severall Parts in the East South and North of this NATION been already and unexpectedly sent unto to Incourage and Provoke us in this WORK and WAY according to the PROPOSALLS and We should gladly hear from Others There be Errata's which the Reader may easily recover and Correct in his own Understanding as p. 59. l. 21. r. desired to see l. 30. r. orderly joyned p. 60. l. 38. r. Vncomfortable c. FINIS 1. Ground the Paralell of our Present Scattering the last three years with the Disciples the three days of Christs sufferings calls for the same Practise from us 2. Ground is the Great Promise of the Spirit at hand for which Christ put his Disciples into this Posture or way of Uniting The Reason of it 3. The opening of the Tabernacle of the Testimony The Typicall Tabernacle of many in one so is this Wherein is hid the Ark the Manna And it comes to be opened or the Covering-Veile to be taken off when the Holy Camp arises The Inner-Court opened for the open Worship 4. Parity of Circumstances in the Witnesses death Rise and Ascending with our Lords implies a Parity of Duty on us 5. The Executing the judgement must be this way 6. The Constitution of the Primitive Church-state being but one Body of many Formes c. Then one Church in a City 7. The present Apostacy and Adulterating of Churches Their Teachers Viz. Answer to 2d query Their Members Spoyled in their Essentialls 8. The Woefull Shipwrack to the Drowning of Many and Danger of All that yet will keep upon their Planks or Pieces Calls us to get aboard the one Ship 9. The Great Divisions in the Churches and Formes rents and Factions Controversies and Oppositions Envy and Enmity to one another expressed Reason why we dare not keep up such Enunity and divisions 10. The Combination of Enemies of All sorts 11. They must be Distinct Conjunct above any others Every one in in his proper place 12. Every particular Church must bear the Image of the Whole which consists of all sorts in ONE 13. Greater Grouth of Grace Spirituall Nourishment 14. For more Love Concord and indearednesse 15. For a more collective Beauty of Sion How this beauty came to be lost And how it is to be restored 16. For a clearer and more exquisite and inspired Knowledge of Christ and the times and of the things that are to be don about which we are now at so great a losse 17. For that Another as a more Apostle-like and Primitive Ministry in the power of the holy Ghost is to be sent abroad in these last Dayes Difference betwixt the Confusion of Tongues at Babylon and the Diversitie of Tongues at Jerusalem 18. For the Exercise of Righteous Justice 19. For better providing and caring one for Another in all Cases 20 For that the great Increa e and flowing in of others is into this Way Till then look not for any Considerable Conversion of Jewes or Gentiles 21. Sincerity Singlenesse of heart 22. That we may be more joynt in all the things of God 23. For a Right Vnderstanding round the Nation 24. For the Glorifying that God whose Name hath Suffered so 1. That the Scattered ones be gathered into ONE BODY 2. Gathered and Govern'd as a Religious Body after the first Patterne for the Rule of it 3. Kingdome-Saints of All Judgements for Matter 4. Upon the Principles wherein ALL are ONE for Forme 5. With free and equal Exercise of their severall different Judgements in their severall different Meetings for Order Distributively 6. A WEEKLY Meeting of the WHOLE for Edifying Collectively 7. The New Commandement of Brotherly Love indeareduesse in this Body for Law as the Lambs People 8. A Joynt-contending and standing up with the
Lamb for Testimony aâ— a Resâ—lved People 9. To Give our Selves All up to the Lord and one Another in Christs and his Kingdomes Service for Readinesse as a Willing People 10. An Exact Life and Conversation amongst all for example as an Holy People 1 Motive to this Vniting is that it ever began the great Work of God In Aegypt In Babylon And in Jeruselem in the Apostles Days And in the last Days by the Spirit of Eliah 2 Motive the Call of Christ from the Grave 3 Motive is the Consent and Vote of all Saints alive Dead in this they all Vnite 4 Motive it is Christs Gathering-time that is upon us 5 Motive it is his Visiting time too The Communion of Saints is not in this or that Forme but such a Communion as holds in heaven and in earth as to the Spirit of it 6. Mot is the Deepes and Sea of knowledge c. by this meanes The benefit of the Deeps above the Shallowes The Promise of the Deeps 7 Motive to be All called by One Name and yet every one in his own PATH 8 Motive in this Way there is a NECESSARY USE of diverse and Different Members and B anches How this Body differs from others in the order of it 9 Motive the most excellent and Vsefull matter whether we ever see it or no! and as unworthy as we are must be found in this WAY at last 10 Motive The most Excellent Ministry that is to be till the second coming of Christ must arise this Way The flying Gospell The seaven Thunders The Trumpet of one piece 11 Motive is the Danger of Jacob to be utterly destroyed in this Nation How Eaten up 12. All Saints must to it at last 13. This will abide when other wayes sale 14 Motive Least the Anathema Maranatha our highest Curse which is the Curse of his second coming be upon the Disobedient 1 Query Ansn 1. Not a mixture but a thorough Separation 2. Not an overly Fellowship but a close and cleaving Aggregation upon Kingdom Principles 3. Not a Narrow rigid but a Large Comprehensive Spirit 4. Not a stating it in any one Forme but in the Power of Faith and Godlinesse 5. Not a disordering or displaceing but a due ordering and well placeing of different Saints in their proper Joyntts 6. Not a party growing but an Increase of of the WHOLE together 2 Query Answ. 1. We think it hath been we do own them that retain it in Purity 2. Yet not perfect but rising 3. And are for Communion with them Vnion of All and Embodying of scatte red ones 4. Yet we see them not so acording to the Primitive patterne 5. We deny not but they may be called the Temple also 6. We dare not but deny Communion with the Apostate Churches and with no others Answ. How this doth bear the Name from them Answer 1. We say not so nor are we so 2 One may be of two bodies 3. Of two lodies or Churches one by way of Admission as a proper Member and the other by way of Communion 4. The formall Consideration consists with a particular Body 1 Object 1 True Chuâ—ch hath a place for all Saints 2. And are not to be put by that they doe desire it 3. But have a spiritual Intelligence with all 4. In an invisible Way of communion also 2. Object â— Answer The Church-Communion of Gospel-institution admits all Saâ—nts Prophets Apostles Martyrs and â—ow 3 Object â— Answer Not our patterne as an universall but particular visible Church 2 A great mistake to think particular meetings are particular Churches Yet in what sense some will so interpret How they may be said to be Many and yet but ONE As Sion as a Body as a City as an Army as a Kingdome as a Heaven as a New Jerusalem 4 Object 1 Answer No more like an universall Church 2. Then every particular in primitive times 3. The nearer to it and to the Nature of it the better Others that must succeed must exceed upon this Principle 5 Object Ans. 1. Wisdome leftwith the Church for the Wel-being thereof 3. The Word of Prophecy is many in one 3. A plaine Pattern for it 1. Collectively altogether 2. Distributively or in severall places and meetings And then Organically as there is need A. 1. In their severall Meetings Ordinances 2. Those wherein One differs from another in the different Meetings 6 Object A. 1. One and the same Rule for the Church 2. Not as Apostles 3. But as Members and Ministers 7 Object Ans. 1. No injury to Churches 2. But to make up the Breaches 3. And to put all Formes into their right use and place 4. Not to rend but reforme and refine them 5. Who can be offended at this Object 8. Ans 1. A duty at all times 2. Signes of the Time of the End 3. If that Ground be not clear to thee yet manyare Object 9. Ans. 1. Breaches not so likely this Way wherein every one hath his right and Due 2. Not so soon in a Body Compacted well Coâ—â—â—â—ed as in a Bâ—dy paâ—â—â—fyed and made a Faction or a sâ—â—â— or but a pâ—â—ce of Communion of Saints 3. We are better able to crush and kill Divisions â— If breaches should arise yet the THING will stand and that rejoyces our hearts what â—â—â— become our Persoâ—s Object 10. Ans. 1. Vniformity not in Primitive times kept up and why Object 11. Ans. 1. The first patterne is before Act. 2. 41. 2. That relates to Converts this to Disciples 3. No primitive Church stated in One Form or judgment 4. All Churches gathered and govern'd by this Rule of Communion with all Saints and of liberty to all orderly and in their Places Object 12. Ans. 1. Take the fruites with the Tree and upon the Tree 2. Take your own Way So it be according to the Patterne and the Worke 3. It must be a Way sutable to every one for service and exercise 4. We cannot be expected to be so Perfect at day-breake as at Noon day 5. Yet have a care every one of you now you doe reject this Way An Expostulation Refuse the first step and lose the second All Objections we can meet with most easily Answer'd The Spirits Office is to enable us Our Way to it is most Clear To the Reader and his conscience The Invitaâ—ion to all the godly People in the three Natâ—ons The Exhortation grounded The wonderfull evils of these Times amongst Professours make us looke for little from some Who they are that will not accept this Call The benefit of them that accept this Call and Invitation with the First Our Cries and Prayers Our full purpose of Heart if the Lord helpe us The Conclusion To all our Brethren and Country men A Remembrance A Remembrance A Challenge On the contrary an Expostulation