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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41581	Of laying on of hands Heb. 6. 2. Or, a discourse containing these 4. chapters. 1. Of the several ends of laying on of hands, in the New Testament. 2. What laying on of hands, is not, and cannot be meant. Heb. 6. 2. 3. What laying on of hands, is and must be meant there. 4. That the laying on of hands, practised by some in these days, on all baptized believers, was never instituted, commanded, nor practised at all, by Jesus Christ, or his apostles in all the New Testament.	Gosnold, John, 1625?-1678.	1656 (1656)	Wing G1311B; ESTC R223702	12,054	16

Baptisme and in their own sence there is none fit for Baptisme that is not thereupon fitly qualified for this their imposition nor do they ever stay till they are further qualified for this ceremony and therefore the Apostles would in vaine have exhorted them to Lay Hands suddenly on no man But that this was for Officers the most amongst themselves that I have wet withall do confesse We might yet further adde if need were that this Laying on of Hands for office was injoyned and commanded by the holy Spirit Act. 13. 2 3. but now they cannot shew where the other Layings on of Hands was in the least enjoyned commanded by the Holy Spirit Therefore we conclude againe it must be Laying on of Hands for Officers which the Apostle here calls a Doctrine 3. Againe this Laying on of Hands this Church of the Hebrews had practised amongst them Act. 6. 6. they Laid their Hands upon the Deacons to assigne them to their office But none of the other Layings on of Hands was practised amongst them as we find Now it cannot rationally be supposed that the Apostle writing to the Hebrews should call that a principle c. which they were not acquainted with but rather that Laying on of Hands which they were under the practice of and therefore it must be this Laying on of Hands for Officers Heb. 6. 2. 4. Besides this Laying on of Hands only remains in force the other two not capable to be practised nor have been for many hundred years It must therefore necessarily follow to be this Laying on of Hands which is still in force because called a part of the Foundation Heb. 6. 1. Now a Foundation must always be the same of constant standing use to the whole building 5. This Laying on of Hands only concerns the whole Church which is necessary a Principle should do We have already shewed you how the other do not concern the whole but this does in regard every member is bound to live under the Government of the Church and to be obedient to their Officers to whom the Rule and care of the whole Church is committed And therefore this must be the Principle c. Heb. 6. 2. Having thus sufficiently proved what Laying on of Hands is here meant Heb. 6. 2. We shall now further shew you what is here meant by this phrase of Laying on of Hands that is to say The Government of the Church which was put into the Hands of men appointed thereunto by this Ceremony of Laying on of Hands The very Order of the Principles as they are laid down Heb. 6. 1 2. further confirm this Therefore leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ or the beginning words of Christ let us go on unto perfection not laying again the Foundation of Repentance from dead works and of Faith towards God of the Doctrine of Baptisms and of Laying on of Hands and of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal Judgement For as the next thing to be done after Faith and Repentance is to be Baptized so the next thing after baptism is to be added to the Church Act. 2. 38. 41 42. 47. the Officers whereof were always appointed by the Laying on of Hands And this was the constant practice of the Primitive times And as in these six Principles the two first viz. Repentance and Faith and the two last viz. the Resurrection and eternal Judgement are absolutely necessary unto salvation So the two middlemost viz. Baptism and Laying on of Hands are necessary to a right and orderly Church constitution and progression Baptism to admit into the Church and this Ceremony of Laying on of Hands noting the Ministery and Government of the Church when come in We take leave yet to add that this is the Judgment of most moderne and later writers on the Text that we have met with We shall instance only some few in English Wilsons Christian Dictionary Dr. Gouge in his late large comment on this Epistle Trap upon the place saith That by this phrase of Laying on of Hands is meant the Ministery and Government of the Church And Cartwright upon the Rhemist-Testament on this Text and else where in his Harmony saith That he which denies Church Government denies a Principle of the Christian Religion Now that there might be Government and order in the Church Officers were appointed thereunto by Laying on of Hands The very light of Nature and common Experience teacheth that Government is a principle in all Constitutions whether of Nation Family or the like without which all would suddenly be out of order for Anarchy hath alwaies been the fore-runner of confusion if not of utter dissolution So of a house without a Foundation there can be no building Hence the Metaphor in the Text Not laying again the Foundation Implying that as a Foundation is to the building to support and uphold it so necessary is Government in the Church Hence it is that the Apostles alwaies appointed Elders in every Church in every City Acts 14. 23. Tit. 1. 5. and these Elders were ordained by Laying on of Hands as before CHAP. IIII. That the Laying on of Hands practised by some in these days on all Baptized Believers was never Instituted Commanded or Practised by Christ or his Apostles in all the New Testament HEre indeed lies the stress of the Controversy which chiefly occasioned me to write these few Lines that we might undeceive and reduce such as are already under the vanity of this practise and to prevent others from owning of and submitting to such a Scripture-less thing as this is which some who know not what they say nor whereof they affirm call an Ordinance of Christ though without any the least word or warrant for it in all the New Testament of our Lord Certainly this hath been a received Principle we have of late years taken up and must continue to go by if Christs Disciples That we must introduce nothing into the worship of Christ but what we have an express Word for from that great Prophet in his New Testament See Acts 3. 22 23. For this very cause we have all along separated from the Bishops the Church of England and shall we now return again God forbid Now that which hath not one word of Institution or command for it in all the New Testament is no Ordinance of Christ but Will-worship and Superstition Superstition signifying something more then appointed But this Laying on of Hands on all Baptized Persons hath not one word of Institution or command for it in all the New Testament Therefore no Ordinance of Christ but Will-worship and Superstition That there is no Institution or Command for it in all the New Testament appears because the greatest Contenders and sticklers for this practice did never yet alledge any one place that does in the least prove any such thing if there had been any certainly they would have produced them They themselves instance but two places where the words

OF Laying on of Hands Heb. 6. 2. OR A DISCOURSE Containing these 4. Chapters 1. Of the several Ends of Laying on of Hands in the New Testament 2. What Laying on of Hands is not and cannot be meant Heb. 6. 2. 3. What Laying on of Hands is and must be meant there 4. That the Laying on of Hands practised by some in these days on all Baptized Believers was never Instituted Commanded nor practised at all by Jesus Christ or his Apostles in all the New Testament Mark 7. 7 8 9. In vain do they worship me teaching for Doctrines the Commandements of men For laying aside the Commandment of God ye hold the Tradition of men Ye reject the Commandment of God that ye may keep your own Traditions Col. 2. 8. Beware lest any man spoil you through vain deceit after the Tradition of men and not after Christ LONDON Printed by John Streater 1656. CHAP. I. Of the several Ends of Laying on of Hands in the New Testament FOr the better understanding of this great Controversy of late raised about Laying on of Hands We shall first consider the several Ends of Laying on of Hands practised in the New Testament Upon search we finde this Rice or Ceremony was used upon a threefold Account or to a threefold End 1. For Healing or recovering the sick 2. For ministring or giving the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit 3. For Ordaining and appointing of Officers 1. For Healing or recovering the sick Mark 16. 18. They shall Lay Hands on the sick and they shall recover Acts. 28. 8. The father of Publius lay sick c. and Paul laid his Hands on him and healed him 2. For ministring or giving the Holy Spirit To this end Peter and John Laid their Hands on them at Samaria Acts 8. 17 18 19. Then laid they their Hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit And when Simon saw that through Laying on of the Apostles Hands the Holy Spirit was given c. And that hereby is meant the extraordinary Gifts of the holy ly Spirit nothing is more evident For Verse 12. it is said they Believed Verse 14. that they had received the Word of God Verse 16. that they were Baptized All which could not be unless they had already received the ordinary measures of the Spirit Further it is yet more evident from the Text it self for after all this it is said They received the Holy Spirit by Laying on of Hands ver. 17. And that before this the Holy Spirit was fallen upon none of them ver. 15 16 A phrase peculiar to the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Spirit See Acts 10. 44. and 11. 15. It is yet further evident for the Falling of the Holy Spirit on them was so visible that Simon saw it ver. 18. And thereupon ver. 19. he saith Give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay Hands he may receive the Holy Spirit And that they Laid their Hands to this end the Text is as expresse ver. 17. They laid their Hands and they received the Holy Spirit And ver. 18. through Laying on of Hands the Holy Spirit was given So that you see clearly they laid on their Hands to give the extraordinary or miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit But say some the words of Simon ver. 18. 19. are reproved by Peter ver. 20 21. To which we answer Simon is not reproved for what he had asserted that he had seen for that was true But that he would have purchased this gift and power with money Herein lay his wickedness Because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money ver. 20. Upon this account also Paul laid his Hands on the twelve men at Ephesus Act. 19. 6. And when Paul had laid his Hands upon them the Holy Spirit came on them and they spake with Tongues and prophecied And that by the Holy Spirit here is meant the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit is clear because ver. 2. it is said they believed Now none can believe without the Holy Spirit 1 Cor. 12. 3. But most clear in the Text it self for the Holy Spirit came so on them that they immediatly thereupon spake with Tongues and prophesied A phrase noting the highest measures of the Spirit that ever were attained yea the Baptism of the Spirit Act. 2. 4. and 10. 44 45 46. 3. For Ordaining or appointing of Officers To this end Timothy had hands laid on him by the Presbytery or Eldership 1 Tim. 4. 14. and that this was for the Ministry the whole context proveth from Ver. 11. to the end So also 2 Epist. 1. 6. is to be understood Paul being one of the Presbytery and there also about the Text Ministeriall gifts are spoken of If any object from these two places that there is a gift spoken of that Timothy received by laying on of Hands To this we Answer that we verily perswade our selves that none who rightly come into this office in sincerity and conscience to God and in love and duty to his Church but may confidently expect the blessing of God to the increase of their gifts and experience doth abundantly restifie to the truth of this We further find upon enquiry that all the standing Officers in the New Testament were set apart unto their Ministery by this Rite or Ceremony 1. Messengers Thus Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Church Act. 13. 2 3. As they ministred to the Lord the holy Spirit said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the worke whereunto I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away Thus you see the Messengers of the Churches were appointed to their work by Laying on of Hands 2. Elders or over-seers 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay Hands suddenly on no man And that this was spoken in reference to Elders the whole context before prooveth from Ver. 17. where the Apostle treats expresly of Elders Ver. 17. Let the Elders c Vers 19. Against an Elder c and then in Ver. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man viz. Elders before spoken of That is ordaine no man an Elder suddenly or rashly or too hastily without some due tryall and consideration had of his gifts fitnesse and qualifications set downe 1 Tim. 3. beginning and Tit. 1. 5 6. c. 3. Deacons Thus the 7 Deacons were appointed to their worke Act. 6. 3 5 6. in expresse termes Thus you see all the New Testament-Officers were appointed by Laying on of Hands And this shall suffice for the first Chapter to shew the severall Ends of laying on of Hands in the New Testament CHAP. II. Which of these Layings on of Hands is not and cannot be meant Heb. 6. 2. BEfore we resolve this Question we readily acknowledge that A Laying on of Hands is a Principle of Religion and a part of the Foundation of the Christian building Heb. 5. 12. 6. 1 2. Why else seemed it good to the holy Spirit

by this Pen-man to put and reckon it amongst such Principles of the Christian Religion as Repentance Faith Baptisme the Resurrection and eternall Judgment and these granted by all under the least profession of Christianity to be Foundation-Doctrines This being premised we notwithstanding deny that it is either laying on of Hands for Healing the sick or for giving the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit much lesse the laying on of Hands practised by some in these days as you may further see in Chap. 4. I. Here cannot be meant laying on of Hands for healing or recovering the sick and that for these reasons 1. Because the gift or power of healing by laying on of Hands is ceased Now that cannot be a Principle c which is not in force in all ages nor any man capable to practise it At the first promise of giving this power it was accompanied only with miraculous gifts Mar. 16. 17 18. In my name shall they cast out Devills they shall speake with new Tongues they shall take up Serpents and if they drinke any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay Hands on the sick and they shall recover Now how dangerous and destructive a principle is this that miracles should be of the essence of Religion as Principles are and yet no power to practise them 2. As it is necessary a foundation-Principle should continue and be in force in all ages so it is necessary also it should concerne the whole Church and every member thereof as a Foundation doth the whole and every part of the Building to support and uphold it Admit then this power were now in force how would the healing of any one particular member concerne the whole body as a principle c. Therefore we conclude that Laying on of Hands for recovering the sick cannot be that Principle c Heb. 6. II. The Laying on of Hands for giving the extraordinary gifts of the holy Spirit cannot be meant here and that for these reasons 1. Because as before this power of giving the extraordinary gifts of the holy Spirit is now ceased As appears by the practice of it at this day for although so many have had hands laid upon them to this end yet these extraordinary gifts have never followed to any one of them but both they and the administrators are and remaine as other men Yet to call this a Principle c what were this but to grant that one of the Foundation-stones of the Christian Building were now lost And if but a part of the Foundation faile how tortering must the whole building stand and will soone decay and come to nothing And it is well known that a principle in all Arts and sciences is of constant and standing Use 2. That this laying on of Hands cannot be the principle Heb. 6. because this Laying on of Hands is there called a Doctrine Ver. 1 2. But that laying on of Hands to give the holy Spirit was never once taught in all the New Testament no not by them that practised it 3. If this laying on of Hands were the principle Then this very Church of the Hebrews the first constituted Church in the New Testament after Christs Ascension this Church being the same with that Act. 1 2 had wanted a principle in Religion which were very absurd to imagine for they themselves had not Laying on of Hands to this end Act. 8. being the first place that ever it was practised and sure in all matters about worship the written word must be our Rule and to the Scriptures silence we must give consent according to that Proverb Where God hath not a mouth to speake we must not have an Ear to hear Besides that they had not Laying on of Hands to this end is evident because they received the extraordinary gifts of the holy Spirit without it Act. 2. Vers 1 2 3 4 5 c. Therefore we conclude that neither of these two Layings on of Hands can be meant in Heb. 6. 9. CHAP. III. What Laying on of Hands is and must be meant Heb. 6. 2. FOr the better resolving this Question we must take notice that it is Laying on of Hands here in the singular number {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} c therefore can be but one Laying on of Hands that is called here a Principle c and not more as some would have it for then it should be Layings on of Hands in the plural number As in the same place when the Apostle would understand more Baptisms then one he saith The doctrine of Baptisms in the plurall number This being considered we must remember what went before that it is neither Laying on of Hands for healing the sick nor for giving the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit Then it must be Laying on of Hands for ordaining of Officers Which will more clearly appeare by this Argument It must be Laying on of Hands either for healing the sick or for giving the extraordinary gifts of the holy Spirit or for Ordaining of Officers But neither for healing the sick nor for giving the extraordinary gifts of the holy Spirit Therefore for ordaining of Officers For the first Proposition That it must be for one of these three Ends because there is no other Laying on of Hands upon any other account in all the New Testament For the second Proposition that it is neither for healing the sick nor for giving the holy Spirit hath beene already proved Chap. 2. Therefore it follows it must be Laying on of Hands for appointing of Officers And this shall suffice for the first Argument 2. That Laying on of Hands for Officers is here meant will further appeare because this Laying on of Hands is called a Doctrine ver. 1. and therefore must be a Laying on of Hands which is some-where else taught But the other Layings on of Hands were never once taught But this Laying on of Hands was taught viz. by the Apostle Paul 1 Tim. 5 22. Lay Hands suddenly on no man that is Admit none rashly or too hastily into office and that this concernes Officers see before Chap. 1. In this verse there are two things taught one expressed the other necessarily implied that which is expressed is that Timothy should not suddenly Lay Hands on any man that which is implyed is that it was to be done if advisedly If not to be done at all it were frivolous to say it should not be done suddenly Thus you see the Apostle Paul teacheth this Laying on of Hands which in Heb. 6. he calls a Doctrine Now lest any should say that this laying on of Hands concernes all Baptized believers we therefore shall enmind them that from their own principle and practice this cannot be because they Lay Hands on all their disciples immediately upon their Baptisme and therefore leave no roome for this word suddenly in the Apostles exhortation and it is sore against their wills if they may not Lay their Hands suddenly upon

are found besides Heb. 6. viz. Acts 8. Act. 19. with which they have raised such a dust that hath indeed blinded the eys of some honest well-minded people and by good words and fair speeches have deceived the hearts of the simple But to lay this dust which they have raised and to discover the but pretences they have made We shall first consider their fore-mentioned Allegations in the General and then view them more particularly First neither any one nor all of these places have the least word of Institution or Command in them Nor one syllable of proof brought from them that this should be done to all Baptized persons Besides the Ends of Laying on of Hands in these days is a different thing from the Ends in these Texts all which will more appear in the particular view of them which is the second thing propounded to speak to And first for Heb. 6. 2. Neither the Subjects nor the Ends are particularly mentioned and expressed in this place and therefore we must go to other Scriptures to find out what Laying on of Hands is most agreeable to this Text as we do in the case of Baptism in the same place The Text neither telling us who should have Hands laid on them not to what End neither is the word All in it as was before noted we have already proved 〈◊〉 from other Texts and clear Arguments that this Laying on of Hands is to another End See Chap. 3. The two other places they bring we put them both together because they are of the same nature are Acts 8. 14. 17. where Peter and John Laid their Hands on them at Samaria and Acts 19. 6. where Paul Laid his Hands on the twelve at Ephesus That the Laying on of Hands in these Texts was for the giving of the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Spirit we have already proved Chap. 1. There is not one word of Command here requiring us to do as they have done They Laying on their Hands as moved thereunto by the Holy Spirit having received power to minister the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit as appears because those Gifts did immediatly follow their Laying on of Hands We have also before proved that the power of giving these Gifts being ceased the Rite and Ceremony as to this End ought to cease also and cannot but presumptuously be practised at this day the gifts never following much lesse reckoned for a principle in Religion But these gifts did both times immediatly follow in the Acts. The gifts now being neither found in the Minister norfollowing the Administration Have we not as good ground to adventure the Laying on of Hands miraculously to heale the sick having I am sure as good a warrant and may hope to speed as successfully Besides these two places they have not another to pretend to where the words are found As for that place Act. 9. 17. where Paul had Hands Laid on him from their own confession this will not serve their turne for it was before his Baptisme verse 18. and it was for the receiving of his sight as well as for his being filled with the holy Spirit if not principally for the recovering of his sight see ver. 12. Only we will note in generall that this Laying on of Hands to extraordinary or miraculous ends had not at all respect to Baptisme for it was as well before Baptisme as after it as in this case before us Nor do we think it needfull to make answer to those Texts brought in by some of them for number but not for weight as Eph. 2 20. we are built upon the Foundation c and Heb. 3. 14. we are made pertakers of Christ if we hold the beginning c And 2 Epist. of John 9 10. whosoever transgre●●●th and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ c and such like Texts as these are where they can find the word beginning Doctrine or Foundation We cannot but judge the very recitall of these Texts a sufficient confutation to any man that hath his reason in his head And wish with all our hearts they might not incurre that severe censure of the Apostle of Handling the word of God deceitfully 2 Cor. 2. 17. and 4. 2. And thus we doubt not but all unprejudiced and unbiassed people considering what we have said will see they have no footing in the Scripture which must be our Rule and Directory for our whole worship for this their Laying on of Hands much lesse to make it a principle of Religion and so as they do a Boundary of Communion The truth is they themselves are so much at a losse in this matter that they agree not about the end They make more Ends of their one Laying on of Hands then of the several kinds of Layings on of Hands in the New-Testament Some for one end and some for another and so proceed to a third and a fourth end as if God indeed had sent among them the confusion of Tongues instead of speaking with Tongues and the miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit Some would have Hands Laid on for the obtaining of the extraordinary gifts of the holy Spirit in imitation of Act. 8. and Act. 19. to this we have once and againe spoken Some would have Laying on of Hands for Confirmation as they call it and though they shrowd themselves under the forementioned Scriptures yet to speak truth their best argument is the Common Prayer book and some of them have beene so ingenuous to confesse as much and have very much boasted and gloried in this one inartificiall unconcluding Argument for the Scripture owns them not all in this case Doctor Gouge on Heb. 6. saith that though Laying on of Hands were anciently practised by the Fathers to this end yet it is not expresly set down in Scripture But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord we have beene better taught in these last daies then to own any thing in the worship of Christ from their Tradition or Authority unlesse also grounded on the word of God What is this practice then but setting our posts by Gods posts and bringing in a Tradition of men instead of an Appointment of Christ A third sort there are who practise this Laying on of Hands as a meanes to receive more of the Holy Spirit and that in the ordinary measures of it I confesse here they say well if they could make the least proofe of such an End from the Holy Scriptures This fair Pretext to obtaine more of the Spirit hath beguiled many a poore weake unstable soul We professe our selves so farre one with them in this thing that we cannot Judge him a Christian nor worthy to be accounted Christs Disciple that would not use all meanes appointed by God to obtaine more of the Holy Spirit we are so sensible of the daily need of more of the supplies of the Spirit and could they but shew one place where ever Laying on of Hands was practised upon all Baptized

Believers upon such an Accompt we would in great measure suddenly become their Proselytes But in this matter by their leave we are as confident as the silence of Scriptures can make us that there is not any one Text in all the New Testament that doth in the least justifie and warrant such a practice This is to appoint a means that was never of Gods Institution and therefore in the Use of it cannot expect his blessing but rather Who hath required this at your Hands Let experience testifie how much more of the Holy Spirit they have received then others of their Brethren who were never under this practice It hath not been our observation alone and with greife of heart we speake it could wish it were otherwise that instead of the Holy Spirit a strange Spirit another Spirit hath generally followed this practice so just it is with God to give over persons to their own Spirit when they introduce a tradition of their own for a commandement of God and pretend the Spirit for it And who is so ignorant that knows not what a strange rigid censoriousnesse hath possest the hearts and tongues of most of this way as if indeed they had received by Laying on of Hands another Spirit instead of the Holy Spirit of God Witnesse the saying of some of them that we are not yet babs in Christ have forbid some their houses who were instrumental in their conversion because they are not under this ceremony denying communion with their Brethren who in their own consciences are every way equall to them in Gifts and Holinesse and hold the same Faith and Doctrine of the Gospell and are of the same order and practise with them excepting this matter yea and have proceeded so farre as to excommunicate some for no other cause but this And as I was writing this one told me before good witnesse he was dealing with and in danger of Excommunication for this very thing Read these very men in Isa. 66. 5. Your Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my namessake said Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appeare to your joy and they shall be ashamed There is yet a fourth End proposed by some viz. That they are now waiting for the same Gifts of the Holy Spirit that were then given and therefore continue the Ceremony as a means to obtain them This is but little different from the first End But to this we answer 1. That there was never any Laying on of Hands practised in all the New Testament under the waiting or in the expectation of the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Spirit as a means to obtain them but as was said before was never practised by any till they had first received power from on high and these Gifts immediatly followed thereupon 2. When the Gift or power is restored then let the practice of the Ceremony be restored also For as when the power ceased the Rite by right ceased also so the Ceremony ought not to be practised till the power be again received for what is this else but to set a seal to a blanck And whether this Power shall be restored again or no is not our Enquiry at this time But when the Gift then the Rite otherwise we should restore an empty Form without its Power Again as they cannot agree among themselves about the End so neither about other Circumstances herein Some of them would have the Administrator to be only Messengers Others would have Elders also Though the Truth is that Laying on of Hands which they would have the Standard of this their practise was only administred by Messengers Peter and John Acts 8. Paul Acts 19. the only persons Ministering in this kind in all the New Testament However they can agree well enough in this as Pilate and Herod to crucifie Christ so they to deal hardly with if not to excommunicate their Brethren We willingly pass by other incongruities which they commit not worth taking notice of As the necessity they put of two being the Administrators of this work when as Paul alone Acts 19. did it And yet but once more practised in all the New Testament viz. Acts 8. We hope by this time we have said enough to all impartial men who are not carried otherwaies more by Will and prejudice then by Scripture and Reason For those that are already under this practice we hope they will consider what hath been here delivered in all humility of mind as those that have spoken the words of truth and soberness our Consciences bearing us witness in the Holy Spirit aiming at nothing more than the truth of the Gospel and the peace of the Churches We pray that your own names and credit may not lye at stake in this matter a temptation too incident to flesh and blood and we trust the same God that hath carried out many of you very far in the waies of self-denial will teach and help you at this turn also to judge it no dishonour to recede from error how long soever embraced and to take up truth when e're you find it Our bowels yearn towards you and we are sad at heart when we think of the sad account some of you have to give in this particular either for dividing from Churches where you have had sweet communion together with your Brethren or for dividing of Churches or at least keeping them from uniting together and all this upon no better an account then I may say a meer empty Form and Ceremony We will only say this This will be your loss in the day of our Lord Jesus which is shortly coming Our heart is enlarged towards you but we shall leave you to judge of this as God shall direct you in your most retired and serious thoughts Only we have this to adde that we had not set Pen to Paper had there not beene such a violent imposition upon the Churches of your Imposition of Hands as to make it essentiall to Communion The blessing of the Almighty goe along with it that as we have sowen He will by his good Spirit be pleased to water and we shall expect a plentifull Harvest for we can assure our hearts That we are not as many which corrupt or deale deceitfully with the word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God speak we in Christ FINIS We hope you will fear the Wo written against them that add to the word of God ●●●●cially in the worship of Christ See Deut. 4. 2. 12. 32. Rev. 22. 18. Prov. 3● 6. Add not thou unto his words lest he reprove thee and thou be found a 〈◊〉