against Popery then I began to doubt some wrong thing was at work in me also and that I was not well informed And then I began more narrowly to mind and observe the Spirits on both sides and in the Light and Measure of Gods Wisdom given to me to search to the Root of the Matter laying aside personal charges and discharges and was satisfied So the Lord will by degrees enlighten and satisfie all whose hearts in Simplicity are singly bent to honour him and will keep them from wandering either to the right hand or the left The left hand Tryalls viz. Persecutions of open Enemies to bring you back to weak disanull'd Forms and Elements I do not much fear The right hand Snares take most These are laid by such as pretend to be in the right way for God for Christ for Scripture yea for the Doctrin of our Day The Light within And here the Enemy of your Peace and Vnity has crept in under a specious pretence against Forms Orders and Impositions to divide and lay wast by opposing good Order and Government But dear Friends know there was never any gathering of People though into the Power of Godliness but they had also a form or Order though many have had the form without the Power It 's true the form to the Power may be valued but as the shell to the Kernell Yet we know the shell is servicable in its place and therefore not to be neglected or spoiled The leaves of the tree of life have a service though not so much as the fruit Stand fast therefore in the living Power and form of Godliness which you are already convinced of And if any thing as yet be hid from you the Lord in due time will reveal it if you keep Faithful quiet meek and tender under your own Do nothing in bare Imitation I know it will hardly stand a Tryal for a little profit much less a Fiery Tryal Wait to feel a real service for God in what you do There is no insignificant needless things in the house of God though some things may seem to be so at the first Veiw to many as they did to me Hence arises the great cry against Innovations that is making new orders forms and changes But though the design in this Cry is to reproach Truth Yet Wisdom ever was and will be justified of her Children They know that the Spirit of the Lord may now as well as formerly make Circumstances of Order and Government suitable to the present Occasions and Services of Truth And Submision to these things cannot properly be called Submisions to men there lies the Common mistake but to the Spirit of the Lord in them And this is Christs Spiritual Government or Government by his Spirit over the Spirits of his People Here is no ruling by outward force and violence but by an inward power and Authority which the Lord gives to some according to his own Will as it is written some to be Apostles some Prophets some Teachers some helps and Governments Helpers in Governing and all for edifying the Body of Christ Eph. 4.12 1 Cor. 12. Were this Government well understood all would be contented in their Places the Lord hath set them in all whisperings and evil surmisings would cease There would be an universal bearing one anothers Burdens and so fulfilling the Law of Christ Little Children it arises in me to remind you of what is written 1 John 2.19 That such as go from us are not off us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us I can never believe such have a right Spirit renewed within them that prefer not Jerusalem above their chief Joy Psal 137.6 If they had had but any true sence of the publique Scandals of open Enemies of the private mournings and heart-breaking Sorrows of their dear tender Friends of the stumbling Block in the way of Friends sober inquiring People all which certainly follows and fallsheavv upon Seperation they durst never have acted and Printed what I have read Away with all Pretenders to Truth that are not tender of its Honor. But what is the Substance if any of you should inquire of all these Ont-cries and Complaints In short men are exalted and women are exalted In true Love I desire every such Complainers to search narrowly into himself to see if there be nothing in him that thinks it self not high enough esteemed and therefore pecks at others Surely no Professor of our blessed self denying Principle dare like Herostrotus fire a Temple to get a Name Yet formerly I as little thought such as threw down Lordly power would have made themselves Lords as some now will be men of War who in derision call others G. F's men of War But how are men and women exalted By meeting apart By having General Meetings to look to the well ordering of things among particular Meetings What hurt can be in all this As to the first consider which Women are most exalted and as it were eclipse the Head-ship of the man Whether those that desire to sit and are taken in to sit in equal power and freedom to speak and act Pro and Con among the men in all Businesses Or those Women who meet by themselves ordering all matters among themselves suitable and proper for them according to the Wisdom of God given to them and all in Submision to and with the consent and unity of the mens Meetings Methinks this very Consideration is enough to satisfie any rational impartial Man And as to the General Meeting What Evil has it done Nay have not Friends generally had great both Spiritual and Temporal Advantages thereby Pure Reason and Scripture teach that the more Counsel the greater safety even as the more Lights gathered together make the greater Light I know no visible thing not liable to corruption but methinks they that disliked this order at first should and would if they had been of a right Spirit have kept their place and proposed another more servicable to Truth and less liable to be tainted and then no doubt others would have felt unity with them But it plainly argues a Contentious Spirit to find fault with what it cannot mend I know the matters pretended to be in Controversy relating to Order are but as mint and Cummin if compared to the great and weighty Concerns of Truth which ought especially to be done yet the other not to be left undone In Math. 23.23 Judgment Mercy and Faith are recorded for the weighty things of the law Now put these to tryal How can he say he is for Judgment that dispises the Judgment of his Brethren assembled in the Power and Wisdom of God to give it How is he for mercy that for a thing indifferent according to his own Opinion will Sacrifice Truth it self and expose all its Friends to the rage of an Ignorant violent Enemy What Faith is that which would live in a latitude to temporize with all
A SALUTATION TO THE CHURCH OF GOD The Spouse of CHRIST Coming out of the Wilderness leaning upon Her BELOVED And more particularly to the Young and Tender Members of Her Body By one who travels in Spirit for the Preservation of Peace and Love and Unity among the Children of God William Loddington LONDON Printed for Tho. Cooke MDCLXXXII A Salutation to the Church of God the Spouse of Christ coming out of the Wilderness leaning upon Her Beloved Righteous Houshold of God built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner stone The Lord thy God which hath gathered thee from the barren Mountains and fitly framed thee into an holy Building hath in free Love and mercy been pleased Blessed be his name to let me see in my latter dayes a glimps of thy Beauty and to tast of thy Heavenly bread and living Water sealed up from impure Hearts and inclosed as a Garden from the wild Beasts of the Forrests THis Morning being the 4 of the 2 Mo. in the year 1682. even by break of day The sence of my Mercies and thy Sorrows and Exercises O Woman cloathed with the Sun came so powerfully within me that they kindled a Desire to salute thee and thy tender Children on this wise before I put off this my Earthly Tabernacle which in course of nature cannot be long But as I write an inward kind of shame and dejectedness arises from the thought of my former unkindness to thee and would as it were cloud the Light and stop my Spirit from this manifestation of my Love Not that I ever openly persecuted thee in railing Words or violent Actions No I may rather say I was as many now are among the Number of thy more subtil and dangerous opposers who under pretence of Gospel Ordinances Christs Commands and Scripture Examples do the more hurt and grieve thy Spirit more than a profane Enemy I verily thought in my young Zeal for God thirty years ago that I might have done some things against thee for I feared then thy chief and Principal Members were Deceivers I could not relish their Doctrine of beating swords into Plow shares and Pikes into pruning Hooks in that day But I obtained mercy because I disputed and argued Ignorantly against thee being covered with that vail which is this day over the Hearts of many in reading the Writings of Christ and his Apostles as it was over the Hearts of many of old in reading Moses and the Prophets But the Lord thy God glory to his name hath rent much of the vail and in mercy given mea sence of another kind of war-fare and other Weapons which would the Beast-like Nature and carnal Spirit incurably Now I feel thy Wisdom and my own Weakness thy Wisdom or rather the Wisdom given thee from aboye is first pure and can by no means defend or contend for any unjust or unholy thing for profit Honour or affections sake It is also peacable loving and kind even to its Enemies not rendring Evil for Evil but Blessing for railings O little flock Thou art easy to be entreated Some of thy own professed Friends know it to be true How tender have I seen thee in admonishing intreating and reproving when an airy conceited unruly Spirit has entred them O thou beloved of the Lord Thou art beautiful within And thy order is comly wrought by the heavenly Wisdom and not of Fragments and shreads of mans Invention How do thy envious and subtile Adversaries fret and chafe to see thee travelling in good order even as an Army with Banners Yea there is a fear seizeth them to see thee walk wisely 1 Sam. 18.15 Hence arise so many endeavours so many devises to disorder thy Camp and so to weaken thy Hands in thy Spiritual Warfare Sometimes profane high Spirits assault and carry away thy outward Substance abuse thy Friends and Imprison them often unto Death But when this roaring Lyon sees he cannot hurt thee then he craftily transforms himself into an Angel of Light And here I feel my Heart and Life concern'd for thy young and tender Babes whose years in this World as well as in Truth have been but few These are in greater danger than those of full Age who by reason of use have their sences exercised to discern both good and evil Heb. 5.14 These are soonest allured with fine Words especially when spoken by such as call themselves the Christian Friends and can be as bold as Hannaniah Jer. 28.3 saying Thus saith the Lord God of Israel when he saies no such matter and under pretence of breaking the Yoke of Babilon in a heat endeavour to break off the Yoke of Christ thy Husband Dear young Sons and Daughters of New Jerusalem now coming down from God out of Heaven having no need of Sun or Moon for the Lord God is the Light thereof keep to this Light and it will keep you within the walls of this holy City I know there is a deceitful voice abroad calling you out while it bids you look within promising Liberty it self being a Servant of corruption crying out against you Elder Brethren and Sisters sometimes as Babel Builders it self being in my understanding but a Painted Virgin Daughter of Babilon Isa 47.1 And sometimes as Apostates while it self is introducing an Apostacy from the first Principles of Truth seeking to limit the holy one of Israel under colour of keeping to that which first convinced you It may not be unservicable to tell you my own experiences of Gods Love in this very particular I had fell into the Snare if the Lord had not stay'd me Let high Spirits esteem it a reproach to acknowledge any weakness There is great peace in doing it Psal 32.3 Provided it be not done for any fear or favour of Man but in a true sence of mercy in the deliverance When I first heard Some among us of no mean gifts as I thought and for whom I had more than common affection cry out against Impositions Innovations and formalities I confess it made a great impression upon me having an old fixed Zeal in me against all Persecution for Conscience sake So the Testimonies against Forms Persecution generally springing from dead Forms was so taking and pleasant that I did not in the least mistrust any such Snake as Anarchy lay hid under these flowers of Truth wherefore in true affection to a true Christian Liberty I writ to some Friends among whom I observed some things that I mistrusted had a tendency to Imposition and I worded it high with them to prevent all Appearances of that Evil. And though I can truly say this was the utmost of my Intention yet some began to fear I was running into Separation and Confusion But I was in peace mistrusting Nothing till I felt a wrong Spirit catching at it and about to make a further use of it yea and applying in Print unknown to me some things against Friends which I had writ
to have more names than the Fathers written upon its Fore-head Pure Nature will not suffer any Vine to bring forth the Fruit or Leaf of a Bramble O the great abuse this day of that precious Priviledge Liberty of Conscience How many of an evil Conscience will talk fluently for its Liberty How many strain it for advantage as if they would have it signifie to be of any Religion and therefore are fierce against any visible Gesture or Form that may distinguish them from others crying out Imposition Formality Ceremony Human Inventions mans Orders c. In tender Love I desire some would but Consider how short they fall of the Judgment and Reason of men of more inferiour Principles than what they pretend to Hear what the Author of A seasonable Discourse against Popery saies Printed by H. Broom page 35. What conversation can there be with these men speaking of the Jusuits who are under no obligations of Society no Character of notice or distinction who at the same time are Priests and Hectors Casuists and Artificers Presbyters Ana-baptists Quakers and why not Episcopalians too Theists Atheists and amidst all these very good Catholicks Let any sober man saies he judge what kind of Religion this is in it self and how fit to be encouraged and submitted to Thus dear young Friends you may see how this kind of liberty is condemned by rational men as unfit for Society among them much more among you Lord God of purity Peace and Heavenly Order preserve you that we may all strive together and not assunder for the Faith and sound form of the Gospel Phil. 1.27 If now any of you should desire to know what I understand by that liberty of Conscience which many and I among them have so zealously contended and deeply suffered for Know in brief That it is a Liberty for every man to try all things as the Apostle exhorteh yet not to be alwayes trying and never satisfied but when he has tryed all then to hold fast that which in his Conscience he finds best without being compelled by any outward force or punishment to joyn or worship with any others And so likewise that every body Society or Congregation of People have the same freedom of their several religious worships and exercises without persecuting one another all living in obedience to the Civil Laws that is such as tend to the welfare of outward Concerns And this is the true just liberty and not a liberty for Members of the same Body or Society to differ from each other in things which destroy their Character and Government among them But seeing I am speaking of liberty let me mind you of two things more First of a plea I often meet with that there are good men and bad of all Religions And so by consequence secretly insinuating they are all alike But I hope you easily perceive the Serpents Poliâ—y in arguing thus for all Religions that it is to make Peoples Consciences pliable to any Religion that may come uppermost or rather indeed to be of no Religion that so they may shun all sufferings upon Religious Accounts Secondly of a Spirit which thinks to justify its liberty by quoting your ancient Friends as Paul did the Athenian Poets for their Authors Acts 17.28 But as the case is different so I trust the effect will be for Paul quoted the Poets for a right end and prevailed with some But these how can they expect to turn you to that which the Author they quote yet living testifies is not the sence of his words nor the intent of his mind to have you turned unto To put a wrong Interpretation upon any mans writings is a very bad sort of Imposition Hold fast the profession of your Faith and form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 which you have received in the faith and Love of Christ Jesus from which some turn away Of whom are Phygellus's that is such as shun the eye or oversight of their Brethren and Hermogenes's that is such as are born of humane Wisdom 2 Tim. 1.15 Mark what a weighty signification is in these very names left upon Record for the Churches And as for the deceased Friends some instance one of them viz. Isaac Pennington I had often conference with I have sometimes objected his own sayings yea and read â—hem over face to face in great affection to vindicate such a Liberty which I then verily â—hought might consist with Good order But I must do him right I never heard him consent or give any Countenance but rather a kind of Indignation would arise against my sence of his words which was the same as some now put upon them But their actions now make it manifest they drive at another end then I intended And I verely believe he felt my Innocency as some others have done even in my opposing them for he did not cease coming to me when opportunity served and when we met and talked of these differences his labour still was that I would lay aside that Wisdom and Reasoning which run me upon those expositions I well remember the very place where once as we were walking and discoursing about Dissenters I fell to pleading for a moderation and compliance with them upon this consideration that I looked upon them and the others to be all as Schollars in Christs School only some werein a higher and others in a lower Class or form But this Comparison he could not relish his very Countenance changed at it and to this purpose he answered That the difference was far otherwise and that there was a Spirit quite contrary to Truth subtily working under their pretences but a tenderness and bowels of love and compasion was in him towards the innocent among them And I say the Truth in Christ I lie not my conscience bearing me witness Glory to thy name O Lord that I have great heaviness and inward sorrow for my loving Friends stil under the like mistake as I was who yet see not the tendency of the dividing Spirits fine devices And when I consider what sweet comfort and Spiritual Refreshment we have had together in the service of the Lord O that life not death Psal 55.15 may seize upon them saith my soul that they may walk in the footsteps of Christs little flock and feed their Kids by his shephards tents For why should ye be O dear Friends as those that are vailed turning aside from the flocks of his Companions Let all thy Children O God of Peace and love dayly more and more witness how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity And how fitly it s compared to the precious Ointment upon Aarons head that ran down to the very skirts of his Garment viz. to every member of the body And to the dew of Hermon that descended to all the mountains of Sion viz the Meetings of Christ for there the Lord commanded and doth command the blessing even Life for ever Psal 133. So tender hearted Friends feel
the sincerity of my Life in this Salutation Despise not my Spiritual youth its fresh with unfeigned love praises to the Lord and I trust will ever be so for a Spiritual Unity without which Truth will not grow My earthly Tabernacle declines apace and hastens to its center but my love to Gods heavenly Building blessed be his Name by his power is enlarged and my Spirit rejoyceth in feeling a Remnant zealous for it and unanimous in promoting it through all oppositions I have seen the fruit of Discord among other Gatherings and what hurt the Spirit of Diotrephes has done among them keep upon your watch little flock hold up your hearts and stand in the unity of the heavenly life and Amaleck can never prevail No Weapon formed against you shall prosper And every thing that would be exalted over you shall fall But you that are willing and obedient even you who in Gods holy Order are equally willing to obey or to rule to rule or to obey as he pleaseth to dispose of you shall eat the good things of his heavenly Land So with this I shall conclude desiring you dear young Friends to beware of running too fast it s a great and common temptation in youth A strong Confidence may spring from the heat of your affection and may press you on to many things yea even to publique Testimony beyond your true Meafure of Life I have known and felt this to be true and have deeply suffered for it Peter himself Fell under such a like Confidence and was convinced that it was a wrong zeal which made him say Though all should be offended yet would not he Math 26.33 But he would say so no more when Christ tried him with a question directly to that purpose John 21.15 But I can tell you by experience how you may know when any motion is beyond your Measure You will certainly feel as when your bodyes are strain'd beyond their natural strength a weakness and flatness or as it were a damp fear or fainting will fall upon your Spirits afterwards especially if by any Friend opposed But the true Birth and life brings with it an inward Evidence of peace and acceptance with the Lord and feeling the inward Recompence of reward not expecting any thing from Man is bold in speaking or acting what it certainly knows to be just and true and having so done is bold and valiant under all opposition against it So the God of love keep you all faithful to your Measure and diligent in your place all performing your Duties to each other in true humility and tenderness according to Scripture So shall the Mountain of the Lords house be established over of all Mountains all Gatherings and all Nations shall flow unto it Isay 2.2 To thy Name blessed powerful God of Glory who hast redeemed us from the Iron furnace from the Law of sin and Death who art now purifying and gathering to thy self a peculiar People to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus be all the pure thanksgivings and holy praises returned for all thy mercies and savours for Evermore One thing more arises let not this come into the hands of such whom you feel sinning wilfully after they have received the knowledge of Truth who like Sanballet and Tobias not only scoff at Gods Building but also do their utmost to hinder it These will turn again and rent both this and you But of some in tenderness scrupling have compassion making a difference And if this should happen to come to the Eyes of any of my old Friends and Brethren under former Dispensations for whom I can truly and heartily say I have as much yea rather more love then ever who perhaps may look somewhat discontentedly upon it as a fruit of Apostacy from what we formerly believed were Gods Ordinances and Appointments let me desire them to consider how they will answer an Episcopal man if he charge them with Apostacy from their Church which they verily believe is established upon as plain Scripture proof as they believe theirs is And let them further consider whether they themselves are of the same Judgment in all things as they were trained up in I have often feared That the very thoughts of being upbraided with Wavering Changing Instability or the like is a strong Snare to hold many in Bondage under weak and unprofitable forms and Elements I wish it have no influence upon Some now standing in opposition to better Things I grant that to be tossed too and fro as many were in former quick National Turns from Popery to Protestancy and back again to Popery is shamefully childish But to press forward and come to clearer manifestations of Christ the Light as the Lord brings them forth by his Power in every age is every mans Duty And if therein he walk faithfully according to his Measure patiently bearing his cross he shall receive the Crown of eternal Life Finally Brethren whatsoever Things are True whatsoever things are Donest whatsoever things are Iust whatsoever things are Pure whatsoever things are Lovly whatsoever things are of Good Report if there be any Vertue if there be any Praise think on these things W. L. THE END