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
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
10. 29. 2. 3. our great Law being Love to all Saints Besides to this End doth our Lord come againe that he may perfect this kind of Communion John 14. 3. Epi. 1. 10. 2 Thes. 2. 1. That those who have wept and watcht pray'd and walkt together in Life and Grace may sing triumph rejoyce and reigne together in Life and Glory Those that have kept together in the Danger may continue together in the Deliverance but unto the Scribes and Pharises Luke 13. â—8 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome i. e. that Kingdome which comprehends all Saints and you your selves THRVST OVT for v. 29. They shall come from the East West North and South and shall sit down in this Kingdome Wherefore up O ye WISE VIRGINS all at once that waite for the Coming of the Bridegroom get up and be ready trim your Lamps fill your Vessells hear the dismall cry of Midnight he comes he comes hasts hasts like a Roe ore these Mountains of Bether or Division to Gather All into ONE out of their Wildernesse-holes and Differences occasion'd by externall observations and Formes Wherefore up AWAKE Awake Awake and put on Strength O Sion in these Three Nations for the Day doth break and the shadows flee and the Primitive Community is coming forth to be reduced and revived Therefore up O Wise ones Mat. 25. 7. whiles the Foolish are gone to buy in mercenary wayes that we may be All in one ready to enter into the Marriage v. 10. even so AMEN Thus farre for Motives In the Next place to leave out nothing that we know of that may carry Conviction or Light to our Friends in the Nation we shall Answer the Most Considerable Queries and Objections that we can meet with 1. Query WHat doe ye mean by Gospel-order or Temple-state after the first pattern Answ. We have before expressed that in the Grounds but to be more particular both in the Negative and Positive we answer 1. Not a known Mixture but a more thorough Separation from all false wayes worships persons and things that pollute 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. Eph. 5. 11. Acts 2. 40. Save your selves from this untoward Generation The Work of Cleansing the SANCTUARY being a Work of Degrees Ezek. 43. 20 23. 44. 7 8 9 10 11. Dan. 8. 14. Zech. 14. 21. 2. Not an idle carelesse overly Communion no more then an uncomfortable distance or disjunction one from another but a most accurate close aggregating Uniting and Cleaving of those so Separated and of the Dispersed ones to the Lord and one to another upon the Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in All the ADMINISTRATIONS and Parts thereof with a full and constant Purpose of heart and participation of Ordinances Rom. 14. 4 5. 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. 7 13 27. Eph. 2. 21 22. Acts 9. 26 11. 23. 3. Not a narrow censuring rigid beggerly but a large Loving growing and comprehensive Spirit of Christ and his Kingdome to actuate us from him alone as our Head expatiating and putting forth its selfe after the first Pattern both to Jew and Gentile Bond and Free Rich and Poor Strong and Weak yea to Saints and to All men and to All creatures in their kind and proportion 1 Cor. 10. 32 33. 9. 19 20 21 22. I am made ALL THINGS to ALL MEN that I might by ALL MEANS save some 4. Not a magnifying Imposing or stating the Church in any ONE FORME opinion or observation but a faithfull keeping to and constant crying up of the power of godlinesse grace and Onenesse of Christ Jesus with Religion pure and undefiled with brotherly love and the principles of the Kingdome amongst Saints of all Formes and Judgements 1 Cor. 7. 19. Gal. 5. 6. Col. 3. 11. Rom. 14 5 6 7. 5. Not a disordering keeping or putting out of Different Saints or members but such a Communion of Saints as keeps up a Due Order wise and well-location and use of all Sorts of members in the Body and in thier proper joynts and places for service and Imployment 1 Cor. 12. 21 22. 17. For if the whole were of one forme were an eye where were the hearing Or were an eare where were the smelling c. Ephes. 4. 16. from whom the body fitly JOYNED together 6. Not a Party-growing but a comely and kindly increase with the increases of God! of the WHOLE together and a dayly fetching in of sweet Sutable nourishment to the WHOLE BODY by the Joynts Col. 2. 19. Ephes. 4. 16. this we mean by Gospel-order after the 1. Patterne Qu 2. Whether do ye think that the Gospel or Temple-state hath not yet been found amongst us If NOT we must declare against the best of the Churches doctrinally and practically but if SO then how can this beare away the name after the 1 pattern Answ 1 Although we need not reflect to what hath been but to what IS obvious yet we dare not deny but that we heartily honour and owne those separate Churches that retain their first PRINCIPLES in purity grace power and holiness that are in the Vnity Love sound Doctrine Discipline and communion of the Saints Yet 2. We never thought them to be Perfect but growing up to Perfection and so a getting out of the Wildernesse by Degrees now this is one Degree and growth further as we suppose and so more up unto the primitive State viz. uniting and orderly placeing of all sorts of Saints in one Body So That 3. We doe not call for a separation from such Churches as retaine the purity of their matter Forme and Principles of Communion but rather for a COMMUNION and an ASSOCIATION with them in the severall Cities and Counties of these NATIONS and for an UNITING or embodying of the scattered persecuted and dispersed or disjoyned ones in and about this CITY in a word to chast Churches for communion and growth up into a purer state To Choice Members for union and growth into a more excellent publick spirit To scattered ones for embodying out of the present evils into the approaching GOOD so that UNITY in things Necessary LIBERTY in thing Unnecessary CHARITY Godlinesse Sincerity in things Different and Indifferent we desire to see 4. For all this and albeit we deny not but the Gospel and Temple hath been found amongst us in more purity and light then in other places yet we must professe we cannot see it So according to the primitive pattern or Church of the first-born to state a Church in any one single forme opinion or Judgement whatsoever whether Indep Presb Bapt or any other as in the comprehensive power of faith and New Testament godlinesse in all their Formes knowing that Saints of all these and severall other Formes may be and are true members of the Church of Christ 5.
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
practices now this was their Rule Gal. 6. 15 16. Neither Circumcision nor Vncircumsion but the New-Creature and as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and by this Rule they denyed Controversies and stated affaires Gal. 2. 7 8 9. to the Liberty of all Saints 2. Under the Consideration of Apostles men so immediately inspired and guided by an infallible Spirit for the first Planting of the Gospel in All Nations we have them not our Examples nor the same Rule to walk by as Acts 15. 28. 25. it seemeth good to the holy Ghost and to us nor dare we pretend to it our Rule being more ordinary and revealed to us in the holy Scriptures and from the practise of all Primitive Churches But 3. As Members and Ministers or Servants of the Church under that Consideration we and they have All but one and the same Rule for practice and that which they so did are we to do likewise 1 Cor. 4. 16 17. 11. 1. Phil. 3. 17. 1 Thes. 1. 6. 2. 14. 2 Thes. 3. 9. but under that consideration were they in this kind of Communion of Saints giving this christian Liberty to Jew and Gentile one and another of different judgements in matters doubtfull and Disputable wherein one Saint might differ from another and yet hold together in the BODY orderly in due and proper places and joynts Rom. 14. 1 Cor. 12. 27 28 29. So Phil. 3. 16. Neverthelesse whereto we have already attained let us walk by the same Rule let us mind the same things Brethren be ye followers together of me in this and mark them which walk as ye have us for an Example Now in this comprehensive Communion we have them for Example and that not as Apostles but as Members of the Body and Ministers of the Church Having cleared our way thorough these Objections some perhaps may say Ob. 7. We hear indeed of a Designe to rend and destroy Churches of Christ that some have Ans. 1. We are none of them nor doth this offer the least injury to any of the true Churches of Christ such as keep up the Communion of Saints with purity 2. We are so far from Breaking them that our Work is to make up the Breaches of Sion and more to Unite them in the true Principles of Separation from false worships and wayes of Sin and in the things of Christs Kingdome 3. We doe acknowledge them though now so many of them are setled on their Lees and rivited in their Formes to have been honourable in their Day and Times as the Presbit against the Prelat and so was the Indep and so hath been the Baptist but it seems to as now that there is no Honour in setting up one Forme against another or of one truth against another or of one gift against another or one grace against another or one person or one party against another nor yet conduceable to the service of Christ at this Day but all Saints to be in a consistency together This seems more after the mind of God Whereby we doe no more destroy them that are sound in Faith under what Forme soever then the Gospel doth destroy Law which doth not destroy but perfect it and put it into it's right place and use and Spirit 4. This is not to rend but reforme and refine them or to fetch them out more pure from defilement and Sin 5. If we offend Any it must be either those that are Degenerated or those that take offence without cause or else those that are imprisoned and bound up in their own private Spirits and Formes For what is it we are about but to let us out of bondage Gal. 2. 4. into the true liberty of the Spirit and into the due and proper exercise of the Forme or judgement for the Publick Good as well as for our own Private Object 8. Such as think it the time may fall to this worke but we doe not think it the TIME OF THE END nor the OPENING OF THE TEMPLE c. Answ 1. If it be not so yet this of Vniting Communion withall Saints and brotherly love is our bounden duty at all times and never more need to be Practised then now 2. And yet there be more Arguments for it then against it and the Signes of those times or of the time of the end are apparent to All that are judicious and observe 3. But if all the GROUNDS we have given be not clear to ALL for we expect it not yet all may be to some and some to All yea so many to every one as will leave him without excuse when Christ comes that now clocks into Vnion Love and Harmony amongst all Saints as a Hen clocks her Chickens Object 9. We doubt you will have breaches and Divisions too in that Vniting Body as well as in others Answ 1. It is not so likely as among those that are embodyed in any One forme Because to keepe up their Vniformity they must be strict and rigid which frets the Members and wounds the most spirituall of them And many times this Causes Parties and so Breaches in the Body Besides through there Defect of this Rule they cannot admit Different judgements to have their Places and Freedome of exercise which they conceive is there Right and Due but this we doe being not bound up to any one Particular Forme So that it is Narrownesse and Rigidity which causes contention and Breaches and not this sweete equall brotherly and primitive-like latitude or Christian Liberty given to all Saints in their proper places where they are profitable and most edifying Because without this they justly think that injury is done them but with this there is None for All are well-pleased with their own Places and joynts 2. Not so soone when we are orderly and duely compacted together and put into place as when a Body is divided or indeed of it's selfe but a party a faction a piece or a forme of Saints communion As Psal. 122. 3. Jerusalem is a City COMPACT then ver. 8. For my brethrens and companions sake will I now say Peace be within thy Walls that is to say when so Vnited and compacted because Parties and Factions cause the Breaches and not such a compacting as this is Eph. 2. 21. 4. 4. wherein we have the Bond of peace 3. If so be Divisions should arise as they did in the primitive times 1 Cor. 1. 10. 11. 18. we shall be in much better Capacity and have more help to deale with them this way as they did in the Primitive times Rom. 16. 17 18. 14. 19. Ephes. 4. 3. 1 Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 16 c. that they may never rise up unto a BREACH But if they should rise up to a BREACH which may be possible yet of this we ate well assured and resolved that the Thing will stand viz. the Vniting
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