A REVIVING WORD FROM THE Quick and the Dead to the Scatter'd Dust of SION OR A Breathing of the Spirit of Life in a Few Dry Bones that begin to Rise and Rattle In and about this City of LONDON BY A Solemn DECLARATION FOR An IMMEDIATE UNITING of ALL SAINTS into ONE BODY upon the Growing Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in every Administration thereof SHEWING The Grounds of it Progresse in it Proposalls for it Motives to it And our yearning Invitation throughout the three Nations about this Pacificatory Primitive-like Enterprise To put us ALL as one Man into a Posture meet to Meet our Lord Jesus at his second coming in All the DEGREES and SERVICES thereof Hosea 6. 2 3. After two Dayes he will revive us in the third Day he will raise us up and We shall live in his sight Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as Morning and he shall come to us as the rain as the latter and as the former Raine 2 Chron. 30. 12. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them One Heart 2 Chron. 11. 16. And after them out of All the Tribes such as set their hearts to seek the Lord came to Jerusalem LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle near the West end of Pauls 1657. A DECLARATION FOR UNITING-WORK OR Severall Judgements of the People of God that are agreed with one heart and as one man in the KINGDOME-WORK and Witnesse of our Lord Jesus patiently and piously waiting for the full Redemption of Sion and coming of Christ in the Exercise of his KINGLY GOVERNMENT AFTER divers years Patience and Expectation with continued cries to the MOST HIGH for help and light we are made deeply and to our very soules sensible of the great Reproach upon Religion the Dispersion and scattering of Saints of all Formes as well as out up and down in their holes and corners in these Nations and of the great disorder thereby amongst them as well as of the great Advantage which the Enemies of Christ and of his Kingdome have had by the weaknesses distances diversity of tongues and divisions of the People of God at this day who notwithstanding are of one heart faith and spirit in the maine And this chiefly in an undue lifting up of persons principles or judgements in a magnifying of Formes and Apprehensions one against another and not in a consistency together and in a management of the things of Christ partially or by parties and Factions and not joyntly to the great offence of good men prejudice and reproach of the Principles Cause and Name of Christ and his Kingdome Wherefore after Solemn seeking of the face of God crying and inquiring into his mind by Christ to know what Israel hath to doe lamenting and resenting the sad estate of Sion with the present condition of hundreds in and about this City of of the dust of Sion hurried and huffed about with divers winds of doctrines judgements and temptations to their great endangering and decaying of the power of Godlinesse and Brotherly love We have been we hope by a sweet and Fatherly hand of grace or clear Sanctuary-light at last and as a Return of the word of God and prayers lead into this knowledge and practice now incumbing and lead up into some serious Resolution or full purpose of heart for an Uniting together who are scattered ones in and about this City of London in a Religious or Christian body in imitation of the primitive spirit Act. 1. 14. to cleave unto the Lord and one to another these dividing and back sliding times Acts 11. 23. in the matters of our Faith worship of our God Kingdome and Cause of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Nor are we as we think without weighty moving Arguments or pressing grounds as in our own soules arising from the Crosse of Christ who in his own flesh hath abolished the enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Ephes. 2. 14 15 16. that he might reconcile all Jew and Gentile in one body having slaine the enmity so in the sight of all other sound Christians indulging us in and inducing them and all of us to this Primitive Gospel-practice or blessed work of Vniting and Consolidating throughout these Nations Some of which are as follow 1. The paralell of our present Condition these last three years with the dispersed Disciples in the three dayes of Christs sufferings Mark 14. 50. John 20. 10 Now what they did for the preservation of the Gospel and Religion in the Power purity and Spirituality thereof are we to doe But they Vnited or gathered together into one body out of their divers places and homes which the persecution had scattered them into for the preservation of the Gospell Luke 24. 33. John 20. 19. Acts 1. 4. that they did so is evident to all at the third day or time of the end That we must doe so is as clear a consequent whether it be the time of the end or no for this is a RULE to us in ordinary cases that which Saints have before done and the holy Spirit hath commended are we to doe that follow after in the like case besides Psal. 102 13 14. the Favouring of Sion begins by the gathering up of her Scattered and despised stones a poor scattered peeled people Isa. 51. 3. Saying This is ZION whom no man seeketh after Jer. 30. 17. 2. The GREAT PROMISE of the Father Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. John 15. 26. Or The pouring out of the Spirit Joel 2. 28. which we waite for Now look in what Posture Christ put his Disciples for the pouring out of the holy Ghost in the first fruits are we his Disciples to wait in for the holy Ghost the latter fruits or the latter raine But in this way of Vniting Gathering and imbodying did he bid them waite for the First-fruits Mat. 28. 10 16. Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. which accordingly they did Acts 1. 14 15. 2. 1 2. and so doe we Besides Ezek. 37. 7 8. the word of prophesie must FIRST gather and unite the dry bones bone to bone before they rise and this with substance sinews and nourishment then to them in that posture comes the great Promise of the Spirit Ezek. 37. 9. and life to set them on their feet v. 10. so v. 14. 17. and not before For should the Great Promise come before every one would desire it for himselfe and for the magnifying of his own FORME particular body Judgement or Division more then for the Publick work of Christ and of all sorts or then for maintaining the power of godlinesse and Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace amongst all men 3. The Great and constant expectations which we have of the opening of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony Rev. 15. 5. which hath been so long shut up in the purity
Principles Formes and Practices Whereof are the Patriarchs and All the holy Men of old Peter Paul James John Policarpe Ignatius Justin Martir Chrysostome Wickliffe Waldus Luther and Zuinglius Calvin Oecolampadius and Corolostadius Beza Bullinger and Pareus Tindall Lambert Frith and Bilney Bradford Hooper Ridley Rogers Latimer Philpot and Alice Driver Hawks and Taylor Baines and Glover Brightman Cartwright Ames and Ainsworth Preston Perkins Brown and Sibs with Fenner Hooker Cotten Archer Burroughs Bolton and myriads more of Saints besides of all their severall Sorts of Judgements making up the Church of the First-borne Whereof we would bear an Image as near as may be as the Daughter that is like the Mother Zech. 9. 9. O Daughter of Jerusalem Zeph. 3. 14. Mica 4. 8. Gal. 4. 26 Now this Church shuts out none of the Saints though differing but sets them in in their proper places and that after the first Institution which is not of members of one or two kind or Forme onely but of MANY as 1 Cor. 10 17. The Blood of the New Testament was shed for MANY as his one Collective body And thus Eph. 4. 4 5. There is ONE BODY one Spirit one Hope c. Besides the Promise of restoring the Foundation of Many Generations Isa. 58. 12. is not upon this or that Forme but the New-Jerusalem-Foundation Rev. 21. 14 19 20. Eph. 2 20 21 whereon All are built whether Patriarchs Prophets Apostles or Christians of all sorts making up the Whole Church And after this Constitution are we in this Body and Vniting-worke large enough to receive not onely all Sorts of Saints alive but dead of all ages were they now alive as Heb. 12. 22 23. But ye are come to the Spirits of just men made perfect yea the Holy Angels too as our Sweet Associates in the Spirit of our Communion or rather Assistants and Ministring Spirits Heb. 1. 14. 12. 22. But ye are come unto Mount Sion and to an innumerable Company of Angels As EZRA wrote long since of the Last dayes saying Vnto whom I will give for Leaders Abraham Isaac and Jacob Amos Hosea Micab Joel Obadiah Nahum Habakkah Zephany Haggai Zachary and Malachy Which if true agrees with Rev. 11. 11. The SPIRIT of LIFE at the Rise of the two Witnesses which shall set them and Us upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles and so into the same Spirit 13. For a Greater Increase and Grouth of Grace Eph. 2. 21. which is much killed and cooled by these Divisions to strengthen the Things that remaine and are ready to die Rev. 3. and more mutually to discharge our obligations each to other and to All Saints in this City compact Psal. 122. 1 2. of Watching Admonishing Prophecying and Assisting one another Mat. 18. 15. 1 Thes. 5. 14. 4. 18. 2 Thes. 3. 15. c. Seeing the Sweetest best and Spiritualest Nourishment comes in at the JOYNTS of the Body so as the VINE John 15. is nourished by the joynts too and the best Flowers doe grow out of joynts Hence if any be OUT OF JOYNT ye which are Spiriturall RESTORE or put into joynt again Gal. 6. 2. Eph. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. From whence all the BODY by JOYNTS and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the Increase of God and in this sence was it Acts 4. 33. That great GRACE was upon them All For this we are deeply sensible of in these Dividing times and Party Professions and Religions now up that we are apter to set a work each others Corruption and private spirit then grace or the Publick Spirit Wherefore as the labouring Bees doe bring all into ONE HIVE we hope it shall appear that the Manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERY ONE of us of what judgement soever TO PROFIT withall in this one Body that is to bring every one into one Bank or Stock of Grace for the Publick and common grouth or Good of All 1 Cor. 12. 7. 2 Pet. 3. 18. Eph. 4. 7. Therefore to every one of us is given GRACE according to the measure of the gift of Christ 14. For a more Primitivelike-Love Concord and Indearednesse one to another then what we see amongst Professours as Acts 1. 14. 4. 32. 1 Thes 4. 9. And that to All Saints Col. 1. 4. Not onely ready to lay down our Lives with the Brethren but for the Brethren after the Will of God and Witnesse of Jesus 1 John 3. 16. 1 Pet. 1. 22. O it is Admirable to read but more to receive that Love which was among the Primitive Saints without respect to Judgements or Persons how often they ventur'd their Lives one for Another Like EPAPHRODITVS Phil. 2. 30. Who for the WORK of Christ was nigh VNTO DEATH not REGARDING HIS LIFE to supply YOVR LACK So Col. 1. 24. In my Sufferings FOR YOV And Phil. 1. 7 14. yea Rom. 16. 6. Who have for MY LIFE laid down their OWN NECKS Gal. 4. 15. Ye would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them me Yea how would they run to the Racks and Theaters and worst of Tortures if they heard but of any Brother ingaged for his Life Owning one another Justifying Visiting Rejoycing in and embracing one Another in the midst of the most horrid and exquisite Sufferings to the Admiration of HEATHENS Amazement of TIRANTS and mutuall encouragement of ONE ANOTHER Insomuch as those that saw them would wonder and say Ah see how Dearly they Love one another as the Jewes said of Christ John 11. 36. Behold how he loved him Nothing being able to quench such Love not Famine Plague nor Sword to keep them asunder as the Histories shew Much like our English-woman-Martir in Q Maries dayes that rejoyet at her heart to have her Foot in the same Hole of the Stocks where PHILPOT was before her Now untill this UNITING be we must look for Little of this Love but grieving discontent biting beating of one another and devouring rather One Party opposing Appearing against nick naming exasperating and exploding the other And thus it will and must be unlesse by this Blessed Worke there be an END put through the Crosse of Christ and his power to the Enmity and Discord which causes this Wherefore Phil. 2. 1 2. Let nothing be done through Strife or Vaine-glory 15. That more Amiablenesse and Beuty may appear in the Saints in Zion and in the Principles of the Kingdome by a Collective Body of Beauty then now does among the Dispersed DVST and STONES among them that are not fully separate from the mixture them that lie in HOLES or in HEAPS among the Durt for so her Beauty lies in the Dust Lam. 2. 14 15. but the Promise is of making her the Praise and BEAUTY of the Whole earth Isa. 62. 7. Psal. 50. 2. 48. 2. of giving her BEAUTY for Ashes Isa. 52. 1. 61. 3. and of making her Renown to goe forth among the Heathen
advantages which he hath to increase Divisions and foment Jealousies with the Reports which are made and Reproaches which are cast upon us and the Principles of Christs Kingdome the temptations and faintnesse of some of our dear Friends the backwardnesse of persons and yet forwardnesse of Parties ready to spring up and cause a farther suffering to the Name of God and Christ and all these in the absence and much through the Defect of this Primitive Practise of Loving INTELLIGENCE mutuall quickning and unanimous understanding undertaking and moving as ONE MAN in the matters of Christ and his Kingdome that concerne all alike And for want of a due knowledge of and faithfull inquiry after the welfare growth establishment and estate of one another round the Nations were it as far as from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum Rom. 15. 19. For after the first pattern we should be continually sending out or receiving in 2 Cor. 8. 23. They are the MESSENGERS of the Churches ver. 19. Chosen to travell with us Phil. 2. 25 30. My Brother and companion in labours and fellow Souldier but your Messenger Acts 15. 26. To send unto you men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Verse 41. And he went through Syria and Silicia confirming the Churches Acts 16 5. And so were the Churches established in the Faith and increased in number daily 24. And as the ultimate the very deep sence which is as a dagger in our very hearts to hear how the Lord is dishonored Christ contemned his Kingdome rejected his Spirit wounded and blasphemed and Sion crumbled into Dust and much more suffering then we say in the highest and weightiest matters of Religion since the vast breaches of Sion hath put us after earnest crying and inquiring upon this practice of Vniting though we be poor unworthy creatures For that the name of our God is dear unto us the Lord knows and we would faine be at least in a way that might more glorifie the Lord and his Christ then we can be or doe by these sad Divisions and confusions Not forgetting the honour which his Name hath had formerly when the Saints were Vnited and in all Ages when united in sufferings as under the Heathen and Popish powers when united in Testimony As the Separates and Puritans against the Prelates and their Hierarchy when united in Service and Actings as in the late Wars without so much as the Least stumbling or offending one another about their Different Forms or Judgements O how sweetly Vnited were they in the Work of Christ and of his People at that Day then might be said Behold how good and Pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together and Vnity Psal. 133. 1. What a Beauty and Glory was then upon the Name of God! yea how was he glorifyed in the eyes of All the Nations and of All the Enemies of his People as Rom. 15. 6. That ye may with one Mind and one Mouth Glorifie God! So Psal. 50. 2. Out of SION the Perfection of Beauty God hath shined So Isa. 60. 1 2. Arise Shine for thy Light is come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee that is upon the Saints so Vnited Whereas whiles Divided the Name of God is Divided rent and torne apieces divers wayes and in sundry Manners to the Exceeding great Reproach of Religion Injury of Christ Decay of Grace and Dishonour of that most Holy Name These are some of those GROUNDS which we goe Upon and are Moved by with a Holy Fear as before the Lord to make a Deliberate and Sober Progresse into so Serious Publick and Necessary a Work as this is Now as we humbly think this is no longer to be Delayed so not rashly to be Vndertaken by Any that have a True Sence of Many Most or of All the aforesaid Incentives Nor can we doe the one or the other without Sin or Guilt In the Sence whereof we doe so heartily Commend it in the Name and Spirit of the Living God to the Christian Concurrence Love Care Practise and Incouragement of the most Cordiall Saints that are sincere Friends of Sion or our Dearly Beloved Brethren Scatter'd abroad in the Severall Cities and Counties of the three Nations that we All alike Deny our selves and so Move with a Sweet Large Indulging Comprehensive Spirit of Grace of Love and of a Sound Mind in the Kingdome of our Lord Jesus for the keeping in the quickning spirit the Growing Light the Christian correspondence and Primitive practises with the Power of Godlinesse and of Religion pure and undefiled amongst the people of God of their severall Formes and Differing Apprehensions Wherefore in a trembling awe and sence before God of their sins that have offended him by delaying Denying Excusing and putting of a Present Duty and that Publick on the ONE HAND Luke 14. 18. 24. Hag. 1. 2. 4. 2 King 12. 6 7. a great sin of this day Mat. 24. 48. 2 Pet. 3. 3. So on the other hand of them and that especially that have provoked him by sudden rash and imprepared falling upon it Eccles. 5. 1. as at Perez Vzzah 1 Chron. 13. 10 12 and Beth shemech 1 Sam. 6. 19. c. doe we Goe Softly as it is said 1 King 21. 27. and fairely Waiting before we are fully fixt to hear what any one hath to say against This or what better EXPEDIENT Then this that we may close with may be found for the UNITITING of All Saints as ONE MAN for the Countenancing Incouraging and Carrying on the Interest and Cause of our Christ in his KINGLY GOVERNMENT amongst us Now conceiving it is the Saints work to fetch home THIS ARK into its placed prepared of God i. e. the Temple opened Rev. 11. 19. And there was seen in his Temple the ARK of his Testament c. in order unto it they must be prepared gathered Vnited Sanctified and put in order that goe about it 1 Chr. 15. 1 2 3 12 13. Sanctifie your selves ye and your Brethren that ye bring up the Ark of the Lord God unto the place that I have prepared for it which we hope to see as a Fruit of the third of the seventh in solemnity set apart And as 2 Chron. 30. 18 19. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek the Lord God of his Fathers though he be not cleansed according to the Purification of the Sanctuary But that we may hide nothing from them that inquire after our Progresse in this Matter that say as Cant. 1. 7. For why should I be as one that turneth aside by the Flecks of thy Companies and as Cant. 6. 1. That we may seek him with thee as Nehemiah Chap. 2. 18. said Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good so Ezra 7. 9. 8. 18. We shall informe them of the Proposalls Assented to by this Particular Body not being bound up to the letter of them but in the sence waiting
Rom. 12. 15. Gal. 6. 2. Acts 20. 35. Heb. 13. 3. 9. In the AFFAIRES of Christ his Kingdome this Body his People and the Nations freely to give up our selves to the Lord and his Christ and one to another according to Gods word the FATHERS will and the SONS worke and the HOLY SPIRITS working quickning and Inabling of us Freely and Chearfully to Communicate in things Spirituall and Temporall 1 John 3. 17 18. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. 2 Cor. 9. 5 6. Rom. 12. 13. Heb. 13. 16. 1 Tim 6. 17. Gal. 6 10. Jude 20. 1 Cor. 12. 9. and condescending to the meanest service we may be called to or put upon agreeing with our Faith Light and Consciences for the Vse of Christ and this whole Body James 2 1 2 3. Mat. 20. 26. Rom. 12. 16. John 13. 12 13 14 15 16. 10. An Exact and Exemplary Conversation in all MANNER OF HOLINES Humility and Grace to the powerfull Conviction of them WITHOUT as well as profit and comfort of them WITHIN Psal. 24. 3. Mat. 5. 16. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Tit. 2. 11 12. Eph. 4. 21 22 23 24. 1 Pet. 2. 12. with vigilant Care over one another Heb. 3. 12 13 12. 15 17. Col. 4. 6. Mat. 18. 15 16 17. 1 Thes. 5. 14. Rom. 5 15. untill we be APPARENTLY a People dwelling ALONE not wicked nor mixed among the Nations Numb. 23. 9. John 15. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 Eph 5. 11. Hos. 4. 15 Rev. 14. 7. c. Note that the 5 Prop nor any other be interpreted as making this one Body many but ONE particular Church having many Meetings upon different matters and occasions and at allowed times for accomodating themselves and holding Communion with the Philadelphian Churches And besides all that hath been said set in our hearts to promote this so Blessed and Necessary a Work of Uniting among Christians whether in this or any other way that will answer the End thereof upon the Kingly account of Christ We cannot but acquaint you with some of our and your present MOTIVES unto it desiring the Lord to make them as irresistable and powerfull by his Spirit on your hearts as they are on ours 1. THat the greatest Advance which the Scriptures mention of the Name or Kingdome of God in the world hath ever been begun by this WORK OF UNITING first and this that is to be in the last dayes is not onely foretold to begin so in the expresse and plaine Letter or Prophecy both of the old and New Testament but of the type as of Egypt and Babylon The First Work which Moses set afoot after his leaving Tharoahs Court was this of UNITING Acts 7. 25 26. For he supposed his Brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them but they understood not And the next day he shewed himselfe unto them as they strove and would have set them at ONE againe saying Sirs ye are Brethren And this before the plagues came upon Egypt So before the VIALS be poured out upon mysticall Egypt Rev. 11. 8. we must be UNITED and Brethren forbear striving This was the First work upon proclaiming Liberty from Babylon for those who were of one heart Ezra 2. Zerubbabell and the Remnant so Hag. 1. 14 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabell and the spirit of Joshua and the spirit of all the Remnant together and they came and did worke as Zech. 3. 8. Hear now O Joshua thou and thy Fellows and then follows I will bring forth my Servant the BRANCH This was the FIRST WORK viz UNITING and gatherin into ONE that our Lord Jesus and his Apostles put the first planting of the Gospel upon Acts 1. 4. 8. 14 15. whence arose that SEED that hath since sowed the whole Christian world so called and so must it be before the flying Gospel Rev. 14. 8. or Gospel of the Kingdome be preached throughout the habitable world Mat. 24. 14. And so it is foretold to be the great and First work that the Spirit of Eliah which goes before the great and notable day of the Lord or coming of Christ doth put us upon viz. UNITING Mal. 4. 6. And he shall turne the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to their Fathers and then RESTORING of all things as at First follows Mat. 17. 11. Elias truly shall First come to restore all things Wherefore if Moses Zerubbabell Christ and his Apostles or the Spirit of Eliah if they be may heard and their Examples had in esteem amongst us this is an undeniable duty now upon us the First worke and the first step that we can take to purpose out of Egyt Babylon and the earthly Jerusalem into the reall Advance of the great work of God name and Kingdome of Christ on earth 2. Besides consider hereto the Call of Christ as it was to his Dispersed ones at his Resurrection of a Risen Christ behold he is risen though you see him not it is the Lord said John to Peter Job 21. 7. and he leapt into the Sea to him Isa. 60. 1. The Light is come and the glory of the Lord is RISEN after a death and a sore one after the three days of a CHRIST who dyed for the Collective body and is Risen to the Collective Body the blood of the New Testament shed for MANY not for this or that Forme or sort onely but for the MANY united into one Body calls aloud to this Practice and kind of Communion So that if there be any consolation in Christ any Bowells any mercies any true sence of that Love which was in him to us stronger then Death and which many waters could not quench and raised him from the Grave Let us hear him as Risen from the Dead whose First word from thence is Goe quickly and tell them I AM RISSEN And bid them that is together come and meet me Mat. 28. and there they shall see me Oh then what sayest thou canst thou hear him call so and not come Doth he not now say as Cant. 2. 10 13. Rise up my Love my faire one and come away againe vers. 14. and yet againe vers. 13. Ob let me see thee vers. 10. and Cant. 4. 8. Come with me from Lebanon my sister my spouse with me from Lebanon c. And can we find in our hard hearts to stay behind or not to stir now God forbid 3. Add hereto the consent and concurrence of all Saints in all ages who have lived and and dyed in the Faith and hope of this that All Saints should be gathered INTO ONE in the Dispensation of the fulness of times Eph 1. 10. and of the new Jerusalem and Kingdome state that consists of such a Collective Body Rev. 21. Should Paul Peter James John Apostles Prophets or Saints from Abraham to this day Arise from the dead the whole Classes of them would call us into this UNITING
upon Jehovah-Elohim the Lord our Light for more Light and inlargement from his holy Influences upon us and others as the Effect of this hopefull Essay which we in this way are in a Capacity to drink up as greedily as the Earth drinketh in the Raine The Proposalls for Propagating the great Work of Vniting in and about this City of London which we are stirred up unto by the Word and Spirit of God by the Call of Christ and of his Servants by many most pregnant and speciall Grounds to it Reasons for it and Benefits by it both unto the Lord our Jesus to our selves and others as unto the Present Worke and Duty Incumbent upon us being so convinced in our Faith and Consciences 1. THAT the SCATTERED ONES the Disciples of Christ who keep their garments Clean Rev. 3. 4. and Close Rev. 16. 15. from defiling at this day who wait with us for the Kingdome and second coming of our Lord Jesus and are of the same Faith and hope with us Eph. 4. 4. Satisfied in each other upon the account of Godlinesse and in Close walking with God though now dispersed in and about this City be all UNITED and Gathered together into ONE BODY 2 That this ONE BODY be knit together as a Religious Body upon Principles of Grace and of the Kingdome of Christ Gathered and Governed in a Gospel or Christian Order after the pattern in Acts 1. 14 15 the Primitive Constitution Titus 1. 5. and the Promise of Restitution Acts 15. 15. Rev. 15. 5. Isa. 58. 12. and 60. 15. c. and of opening of the TABERNACLE of the Testimony into the Primitive purity of Worship Waiting for the pouring out of the Spirit and Contending together for the truth with ONE ACCORD as one man Jude 3. 3. That this Body for MATTER consists of such as we can judge faithfull followers of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 17. 15. Called and Chosen Cleaving to the Cause of Christ and Controversie now up against the BEAST and his Followers though otherwise they be of different Formes Judgements and Apprehensions 1 Cor. 12. 4 5. 12 13 14. Rom. 14. 2. Phil. 3. 16. Weake and strong bond and free more or lesse honourable Ver. 22 23 24. Holding fast the bond of peace in the unity of the SPIRIT without any Schisme rent or divisions in this Body Eph. 4. 4. 1 Cor. 12. 13. 25. 4. That this Body not sat downe or Consolidated in any One Forme or Judgement what ever wherein one Saint may or doe differ from another doe sit down and knit together iu the POWER OF GODLINES 1 Tim. 6. 3. or life grace and light of all Formes and Judgements upon the account of the New-Creature-onenesse in Christ Jesus Gal. 6. 15. 2. Cor. 5. 17. and upon such Principles wherein we all Agree as ONE MAN and of one Mind for Christ his Kingdome-worke in every Administration of his Kingdome and for the Leavening of the whole Lump 1 Pet. 3. 8. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Rom. 15. 5. 5. That the Members and Particular branches of this ONE BODY have the Free Full and Intire Exercise of their different Judgements and practises in their own particular and different Congregations or Meetings of those Judgments with as great Freedome of their Ordinances wherein one differeth from another as any particular Church now hath onely holding together as Branches of this one Body or PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH of Christ in All Ordinances wherein All Agree keeping their places without the Least molesting or offending one another or the Peace Unity of the Church about different matters medling with those things in the maine Body as are without Controversie to the edifying of the whole and according to the Principles and Points wherein we are all Agreed as ONE MAN Acts 2. 46 47. Rom. 14. 1. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 11. 17 18. 2. Tim. 2. 16. 17. 1 Tim. 6. 5. Titus 3. 9. Eph. 4. 29. And if any PARTICULAR CHURCHES or Members of them as such upon those Principles and Points doe joyne with us that we hoâ—d our Communion with them without the least intrenchment upon or injury to them in their Priviledges or Power which they Exercise as Churches in their own Bodies in Any or all the Ordinances of Christ or Affaires of their own Bodies Isa. 65 10. Zech. 2. 11. Acts 15. 32. 6. 5. Gal. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 16. 11. Rev. 1. 4. 11. 20. 22. 16. 6. That there be a Weekly Church-meeting of this whole UNITED BODY for praying Prophecying preparing and provoking one another waiting for the coming down of the holy Spirit the great things that shall shortly come to passe and the second Appearance of our Lord Jesus with all the things that concern the day of Christ upon us Heb. 10. 24 25 Acts 14. 27. Mat. 3. 16. And for the Edifying of All in the things we are united upon Gathering in of Sinners and dispersed ones or the DVST OF ZION Psal. 102. 13 14. Maintaining a Correspondencie and Clear Intelligence with the Kingdome-Saints in the Nations Isa. 14. 32. as they did in Primitive times by Letters and Messengers Acts 15 22. Phil. 2. 19. 25. 1 Cor. 16. 3. and all the like ways that we can agree in to carry on the KINGDOM-WORK and Government of Christ amongst us 7. That there be a most Indeared and Affectionate Love to one another like that which Christ bare to his Church Joh. 13. 34 35 15. 12. Eph. 5. 2. 1 Thes. 4. 9 1 John 2. 4. 21. Rom. 12. 10. 13. 8. called Love unfained 1 Pet 1. 22. and without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. Avoiding diligently all Causes and Causers of Division in this body Rom. 16. 17 18. Mat. 24 23. Acts 20. 29 30 31. Rev. 2. 14 15 16. and keeping carefully and constantly this BLESSED UNITY and LOVE both in the PARTICULAR and in the GENERALL Phil. 2. 1 2 3. Rom. 14. 19. 1 Cor. 6. 5. Acts 4. 32. Mutually and Tenderly bearing with each others Failings and Infirmities with meeknesse patience pitty piety and sweet brotherly Assistance not upbraiding censuring nor provoking of one another Ep. 4. 32. Ro. 14. 13 15. 1. Gal. 6. 1. Col. 3. 12 13 14. 1 Joh. 3. 16. 8. An earnest JOYNT-STRIVING and Joynt-Contending in all Lawfull and just wayes by doing or suffering for the Truth Faith Purity Power of Godlinesse Light Life Liberty Priviledges and Kingdome of Christ Jesus Jude 3. Heb. 12. 3 4. Gal. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 7. 23. 1 Pet. 3. 15. Every one chearfully and unanimously undergoing the LOT OF THIS BODY in Adversity and Prosperity Heb. 10. 23. to the end Acts 12. 5. 7. Mat. 13. 20 21. And a Tender Sympathizing or participiating one with another in all estates tryalls and conditions except sin and not to DRAW BACK upon any Occasion or Temptation whatsoever the Lord helping us 1 John 2. 19 20. 2 Tim. 4 10. 16 1 Cor 19. 26.
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.
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
whereon ye have powred out so many tears prayers streams of blood and loud Appeals into the ears and heart of Heaven And dare to faint before the Answer come If ye dare to keep up or not cast out the Bone of contention and the Reproach upon the Wayes of God by suffering the world or Any without Remorse to brand it for Dissembling Delusion most Hideous Hypocrisie mear state-Policy and Basenesse by the occasions lately given them and will doe nothing for the Recovery of them Or if ye dare to be at Defiance with the Judgements of the Lord that are at hand And to contemn and be carelesse of Christ and his second coming and can venture the CURSE thereof so as not to be in a posture meet to receive him when he comes If ye dare to stand at a distance from one another and dare abandon conscience and the communion of Saints If ye dare deny the Power for the Forme or oppose it with the Forme And dare Answer to the most high God for all the injuries that shall befall SION or the People of God after this through the Divisions Rents and confusions and the Neglect of this great indubitable and indispensible Duty of UNITING Or if ye dare to take upon you and yours the guilt of all the sins of these times and the evills of all these Heart-burnings hatred Envies Malice Persecutions and oppositions the present Worke Truth and Saints of Christ meet with And dare slight quench resist or despight the Holy-Ghost having so little of the Fear of the true and dreadfull God and dreadfull day in your hearts or eyes O if you dare or can doe All these things and wilfully reject this Grace or this Errand unto you and from hence forward say Pray have me EXCVSED or I cannot come I have some other businesse Then then tremble and Fear before the Lord Least all the EVILLS that arise from the Neglect hereof doe lie at your doores And we doubt not but the voice of JEHOVAH or the Lord himselfe will ere long speak so Roaringly out of SION Joel 3. 16. and Rousingly by his DISPENSATIONS as will make your hearts to Ake and your ears to tingle your knees to tremble and joynts to smite and your tongues to say O WHAT WRETCHES what wretches were we that we durst have been so bold and resolved to resist yea persist in this Disobedience and Despight to so Great and Good a Worke and all this that we might loll on in our security and stupidity But on the Contrary If conscience be awakened understanding inlightned and by the word and otherwayes ye be convinced that this is your Work If your hearts be affected your Affections hereby whetted and your Spirits Moved with us at the Sobs sighes and groans of poor Sion whom no man layeth to heart as he ought If you have but Rags for her wounds Balsome for her sores Handkerchiefs for her tears Cordialls for her Faintings If ye have any Pantings of heart Longings of soul and Workings of spirit after Christ the Redemption of his people the Reigne of his Saints and the Service of his Kingdome If any love unto his Government and Dominion If any Power of Godlinesse If any purity of holinesse If any Separating from and feelingly mourning over the horrid Idols and Evils of these times If any fervent Desires and Well-wishes to Sion in the WHOLE and not to rend or pull her a peices in PARTIES Then we pray and beseech you to Awake Arise and Rouse up upon your feete in this Work without delay whether in Churches or out and let us rather choose to be buried together in Ashes then be as we are Else what can keepe out the Incursions of Enemies and the inundation of temptations Else what will stoppe up the force and Source of Last Pride Ambition Covetuousnesse and Sins that hath broken in so violently upon the CHURCHES Or what can stay the Spirit of Persecution or Oppression upon our Consciences from making us Absolute Slaves and moulding us up to the Will of MAN Or elfe hanging heading chopping and burning our Bodies to Ashes if we refuse What else can keepe out the crafty Combination that is made against us from destroying us Else what can keep the kernell in the shell the power of Religion in the Forme yea in all Formes and Brotherly love ALIVE amongst us but this And what else can represse and repell the USURPING POWER from entring a foot if not a head amongst us on purpose to keepe out the Power and Prerogative of Christ and how else shall we be raised out of that Deadnesse Flatnesse Emptinesse Coldnesse and miserable Slumbring most Professours are rock't into Else what can cure or comfort ZION if her members that have been so miserably racked a sunder be not put into JOYNT and order and EXERCISE again Else what course can be taken to suppresse that eager Growing and Greedy Spirit of devouring one another For Formes judgements or partiall Oppinions Else what can impede that dangerous progresse and promoting of parties and factions venting and ventilating their private and ambiguous thoughts whose Religion lies most in their Opinions and Parties and how can we avoid those Busie Disputers that lay out their time their strength their zeale their knowledge their heat and their Interest and their very hearts about doubtfull Disputations Rom. 14. 1. needlesse Questions that gender strifes 1 Tim. 2 23. 1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. to the distraction of soules disturbance of Saints decay of true grace and heavenly life Whiles the WHOLE BODY becomes distempered and disordered yea and languishing with such unnaturall heats or hecticke Feavers What course can be taken to Recover hundreds out of the Snares of Satan soule imprisonments of spirits of Formes and else what what will become of the deepest heart groanes And grave groanes Faith Prayers and Patience of the choicest Saints that ever the earth bore that have so passionately longed to see such a Day Else how is it possible to avoide those present Noises among Professours in and out of CHURCHES Of sonnding brasse and tinkling Cymballs Else what ah what can we expect but the continuance and and Increase of Confusions Darknesse Disorders Dispensations Misunderstandings and sufferings so as All that we look upon for helpe shall fayle us and for helpers and Deliverers shall prove miserable comforters at last not being able to helpe us or themselves but passing by us and leave us bleeding But in a word What else is or can be our Next worke for all at once for GOD for CHRIST for SAINTS for MEN for the WHOLE NATION and for the WHOLE CREATION Or what can we doe or capacity be in for any thing or indeed Deliverance expect before THIS for as 2 Cor. 10. 6 having in a readynesse to revenge all disobedience when your OBEDIENCE is fulfilled But let that be done FIRST and the Rest followes as the Consequent doth the Antecedent And by this meanes we shall have as