seems to be given us for this very purpose 1 Cor. 12. 6 7. again is it not Prophesied we shal be able so to do Joel 2. 1 Thes 4 8. Rom. 8. 16. 1 John 46. 13. Is not this Spirit that thus dwels in us a teaching Spirit as well as a pleading or a preaching Spirit as wel as a praying yea are not we bid to covet and desire that it may be so Minde those Texts wel and give a Sermon on one of them if you dare at White-Hall 1 Cor. 14. 1 5 30. but ye are all of you to shie this way yea I think scarce any of you good men that can freely say as Moses Num. 11. 29. I would all the Lords people were Prophets and with Paul I rejoice that Christ is preached though it be of ill will Phil. 1. 15 15. But you grieve although we preach Christ of good will judge us to be selfish proud and self-conceited the Lord pardon we do and in his presence professe what we do we do in love and obedience though you say in pride the Word of Christ which we preach thus in good will seems to be committed to our care and charge as well as yours Contend earnestly for the faith Jude 3. once delivered to the Saints that is the doctrine of the Scripture which we are to dispute pray and preach up you tell us of Corah Dathan Vzza's staying of the Ark 1 Chron. and would fain frighten us from the Work of God What things the people were forbidden they might not do but what we are commanded we may and must do and we are bid to build up one another pray with and for one another admonish and Prophesie to one another yea all Prophesie one by one 1 Cor. 14. 31. meaning not in an extraordinary way but in an ordinay way of opening Scriptures Prophesies and Promises to one another you tell and fright us with what men were forbidden to do we tell you of what we are bidden and commanded thou shalt not suffer sin upon thy brothers head but come ye and tell us what judgement did befall upon Apolos or Priscilla and Aquilla that preached unto him Acts 18. 26 28. Pray tell us if you can in the next the meaning of this Scripture 1 Cor. 14. 24. But you object and cry out this kinde of Doctrine and if all might preach will fill the Church with Errors from whence comes that Christ is of another mind Math. 22. 29. We are called not you sayes the Preachers to one place and people in an outward way they are so yea some to two or three but that we know no warrant for nor well which flock they are charged withall we are not with any not is it our duty to make it our whole businesse as it is yours and not to write newes make strife accuse us to or the Magistrates to us you say the Priests lips were to preserve knowledge now the Spirit is poured out upon the people breaths in and from the people this is a better help to us then the gift of tongues The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God and that learning cannot 1 Cor. 2. 14. yea this Spirit leads us into all truth when men leads us by many times but here comes in the great one If ye preach ye will baptize in a little while No no we deny that and it may be are not for it as you are or the baptized Churches either more of Mr. Dells judgement the Spirit Baptism but we think some of us thinks so that believers may break bread together though it be most convenient for a Pastor and Preacher in office yea the dead may bury the dead and who will unlesse he be a fat hog or rich Saint yea the best Text in the Bible is scarce good enough for either this in practice you alow and now cryes some we will have no Preachers at all within a little while God forbid we should say so and yet will we bake brew and dresse meat for our selves yet do we not destroy the Trades nor your peculiar calling in all that we stand for nor do we ever intend to set it up more then he the profession of a Lawyer that studieth the Lrwes for the good of himself and some few friends or many for whom he freely pleads now and then but you like not that neither Well we have hinted at our judgement as well as we can in a sheet or two and what have we said to offend you ourself denying godly Pastors truly nothing we should think but now happily we may and yet we will hide our Fathers nakednesse with the mantle of modesty minding our distance you cry out for our affections we for our affliction yea all of us for our Liberty the truth is you rob us and chide us but loosers best may speak you cry out for honour we freely give you double our dutie it is and yours to be diligently in the Word of Christ withholding nothing of his minde from us Acts 20. 27. But however see you be John the Baptists self-denying men John 3 30. and such as give all your glorie to Christ owning his Members and the gifts of his Spirit every where and God will give you honour He that honours me him will my father honour John 12. 26. yea and all the Saints too Again would you honour us now and then in our meetings where we may erre and do what we please for all you we should honour you more in your Pulpits yea this condescension would bring the world to a love and liking of the Saints Assemblings Heb. 10. 25. which now they throw dirt on you not commending them so much as in your Pulpits but revile them too often you cry out of Errors more then needs many times yet too many are we do confesse but to put the Divel Pope Jesuites Anabaptists Antinomians together meaning Gospel Ministers I think as a great Presbyterian Minister lately did in his Prayer then cryed out the Lord confound the designes of them all or worse seems something bitter and why might not liberty be given to object in such a case without offence Sermon being ended you would weigh the more what you sometimes pray and preach yee too often read from a Paper and we grieve the lesse when we hear such kind of things but we will wind up all lest we should offend too much where we love honour Our request is in the name of Christ our Lord and yours that ye would be faithful in this controversal points and iâ— in truth our desires be according to the minde of God as certainly they are for the glory of his Name the exaltation of his Son and Spirit and against sin and Satans Kingdom wicked men divels and the works of darknesse yea if it be against ignorance the mother sin of the Nation whereby souls perish Hos 4 6. and go down to hell every hour in the year one where or
Jonathans was with David froward things are sometimes in our mouths yet our hearts can never be divorc'd nor our affections let go you out of our thoughts no no my Lord far be that ingratitude from us who long since have learned better things and as far be it from you to forget us who were once as deer to you almost as Israel was to Paul for whom he even wisht himself accurst jeapordi'd his life a thousand times hunger cold and perils sure the latter you have done more than ever any did that for us a murmuring people against you and your God whose protection with you the Israel of God under your command was your guard rearguard yea your strength victory in all your mighty battels in every nation Oh that we should do so oh that we should be so unworthy so illy to requit so good a God so good a servant it is our sin let never yours be to revenge or yet be angry with a froward people it was Moses sin you know his punishment far be that from you may you see the deliverance of Sion fully wrought and they as in the land of promise all the priveledges of the Gospel yea this may you see in your dayes and say in the end thereof Let me now thy servant depart in peace so mine eyes have seen thy salvation the salvation of Sion and her deliverance fully wrought and oh that your soul with such expressions may leave this world at once this flattering world whose highest glories joyes and pleasures leaves but sadnesse in the soul of man yea they fill that immortall Jewell with nothing else but shame guilt and sorrow but may your Sun never set in such clouds but like a rain-bow in a hopefull day This is our Prayer and now comes our Petition not for our lives nor our liberties commonly so called but our Christian Priviledge yet not granted to us no nor scarce thought on neither My Lord excuse us we cannot but with hearts grief so speak it care is taken for many things we doubt not the poor the fatherlesse the right of the needy the debts Lawes and Liberties of the Nation as far as this juncture of time will give leave yea further the Gospel and the Preaching of the Gospel by godly sound and able men with the discountenance of all vice and unsoundnesse And yet my Lord is this all far be it from you to think so we look we long we hope for more yea for more than all this and never shall be silent till you or your God and ours hear We look we long for liberty in our selves whilst men have it in their thoughts to crush us for owning Christ too much and yet it is too little yea this is the thing we tend the throne of grace for now whilst we petition you and the godly in your Councel for Liberty in our selves for the word is as fire in our bones the Spirit having long since kindled it we cannot longer now be silent but do claime for this as our undoubted Priviledge Namely the exercise of our Gifts in the open Congregations yea this is so much our duty and a Priviledge that we cannot without guilt sin and shame keep one moment longer silent no no it is too long since we have wrong'd our selves our choycest selves this way and grieved the Spirit to purpose yea we have wrong'd thousands as our selves had our candle been as on a hill which is as underneath a bushell how many souls might we ere this day have enlightned some of which unhappily are in hell complaining of their unhappinesse and our unfaithfulnesse My Lord this is the case and it is plain and clear we are guilty we are guilty in the presence of the LORD yea we confesse before heaven earth men and Angels and all the hoste of both we are guilty and what shall we now do but with ropes about our necks guilt shame and sorrow in our souls now about our work and oh that the the time is so far past and we not aware but the night comes on wherein no man can work for God Christ self or others yet that we may at last be doing to purpose yea for all men My Lord we cry for help and cry we will untill deliverance come by you or else some other way Israel was heard we doubt not but we shall be the like our cause is far better we groan not for outward burdens though some do and that justly too but for the glorious liberty of the Sons of God yea to be set into that by you O my Lord Crumwel now under God our Protector if you shall say the time is not yet come and defer us one moment longer God will lay you by and certainly out of the hearts of his deerest ones and raise up deliverance some other way for the time of Sions deliverance is come will come let men and divels say nay yea the set time is come and the watchmen are on her walls there they see it and the Spirit of Prophesie is in their mouths and they will not keep silent longer you are to guard them that is your Title work and Honour the subjection of Nations without the affections of Gods people is a small thing your greatnesse glory and honour is nothing if while you sit at the stern you guide not the ship for the most to Gods glory the good of his people and souls of all men how much will this tend to both yea to the Nations of which we may with sadnesse say millions perish for want of knowledge thousands have words in their mouths abilities with sincerity in their hearts why should they want incouragement or rather protection by a law for that same purpose for that is all they do desire a small thing for you my Lord to deny to them Let them be tryed and tryed again and again for sincerity soundnesse holinesse and ability in some measure the latter will come on apace when we have this Liberty Protection and Commission to speak in all the schooles of the Prophets and Churches of Christ the national ones In all which we promise by the grace of God whose we are to do nothing against the truth but for it waving all disputes and contentions whatsoever nothing in disdain to our Fathers in Christ but in love to our brethren and sisters especially the little ones yea for their sakes plead we thus and the strangers that knowes not God but you will say they are taught already true my Lord and better then we can do it yet we will not rob them nor unteach them but add a word of our experience in convenient seasons sometimes sooner sometimes later This was practised by your Army to the good of thousands in their marches up and down yea the greatest my Lord you know it well enough the publick exercises are as the bellowes of the Almighty on â—â—s people carried on in the
Church in time wise men would weep to see mad men laugh and as much laugh to hear fools rail for their Ministers and they know not what well curse rail jear and do what you will we are still the same yea such as do truly pity and pray for you though you cannot for your selves nor will not so well as you may the Lord Jesus do both for you and open your eyes to see and loath what you love and love what you lâ—ath especially the people of God some of which you would send for if you were to die with speed fetch them fetch them let them come pray well now you have them do not rail that is divilish nor judge them that is presumption or leave your Churches if they should come there to exercise their Gifts they time and your present meanes of grace will too soon be gone if they speak of their experiences they have learned something if they speak of Christ the love and lovelines of Christ Eph. 2. 4. Cant. 5. 16. then it seems they know him and that it life eternall John If they speak of sin the sinfulnesse of that then it seems they loath it if they speak of you and the way to heaven they would save you from the wayes to hell which we are sure you are in if you loath them for their love to God Christ his Word and your souls one of which is more worth than a thousand worlds and although it be your own proper work and the Ministers to minde that yet are we in conscience bound not to suffer sin upon your heads who would not help an ox out of the pit Mat. 12. 11. if like to perish Much more a soul they that this way set theiâ— helping hands can never be your enemies God forbid that these lamps should be so counted though they be not torches lesser lights may be useful so may the gifts graces of the Saints the Spirit speaketh where it listeth John 3. 8. Hear that where ever it be Would a soul in hell say If I were on earth I would not hear the Saints or should a man for heaven say I wil go no further such such are going too ô Friend if you be going to hell or they be going to heaven hear consider before it be too late time wil never come again nor they nor you from the dead to hear one another now you have Moses the Prophets Luk. â—6 31. so are they whom ye despise if they preach to you the same trutâ—s by the same Spirit the Lord make you wise after wit will do no good nor repentance neither one day you may say O that we had the Saints again their prayers light and Counsels when it is too late A certain man where some of these lay prisoners in the late warres thought of them as some of you now do but he being sick to death cryed night and day fetch the Saints again fetch the Saints again but they were gone long before be the Sun-set or near it you are they dead or dying what will good Sun good death or good Saint stay a little longer Any thing avail No no the night comes and none can work John 9. 3. they for you nor you for your selves Let them preach let them speak let them pray while they may if they be against your sins they are for your souls if they be against your customes the old or the new it is for a better may not time before and after Ministers have done be better spent then it is especially the Lords day and the after part of it but you are afraid your Religion will go down take heed that that be not a form rather than a truth many have the form of godlinesse but deny the power 2 Tim. 3. 5. But the bulk of men deny both in England Lord what should be the cause have our Pastors made us so nusling us up in ignorance My people perish for want of knowledge sayeth the Lord Prov. 29. 28. Hos 4 6. And sayeth Christ If the blinde lead the blinde wo be to both Luk. 6. 39. or have you opposed truth and would not see the light because of your deeds John 3 19. Searching light is a saving light if well improved have your Ministers so preached as certainly many have take heed that you refuse not him that speaks from heaven Heb. 12. 25. by their mouths yea and take heed of winking at what you see or may see in guifted Christians they can tell you from experience in their own language the mercies of a God Eph. 3. 18. the heighth depth breadth and length yea to you the worst of sinners if you will accept it but I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. Yea they can tell you of his Loves the length and strength of that in some measure which is better than life so sayeth David Psal 63. 3. This love and mercy God sends to sinners sometimes by poor weak plain and unworthy men without Latine Phrases therefore thousands do refuse it yea Christ the Bread the Tree Rev. 2. 7. the Well of life Psal 36. 9. is the like with all his Loves loveliness and vertues Luk 6. 19 upon the same account O Christ who almost knowes thee Who almost owns thee the chiefest of ten thousand Cant. 5. 10. which art all in all in life death and eternity Col. 3. 11. Well this King Priest and Prophet can the Saints tell the world of yea by the Spirit in the Word they can open as it were his side and heart give them out his blood to set their souls free from sin death hell and eternall burnings yea they can give a taste of the life and joyes to come 1 Pet. 2. 3. one drop thereof is more worth than the treasures of the world if well considered yea they can breath upon you the holy Ghost my meaning is they by the Spirit in them breathing from them conveyes the words of life to poor sinners many times thousands can seal to this no fires ever kindled one another like this hoâ—y fire the Spirit of love the Dove in Noahs Ark Gen. 8. 8. rest it where it will it ever brings an embleme of peace from the God of peace O that men should refuse this love this Dove this peace an embleme of peace speckled with the blood of Christ because it breatheth not where the world listeth but it self Joh. 3. 8. Well be ye not offended I go not to throw down men nor Ministers no the Lord Jesus keep up them that are good and watch for your souls as they that must give account for in the day of judgement Heb. 13. 17. and throw down all yea all besides and what I say for Ministers who are your Seerâ— Isa 13. 10. Prophets Watchmen Jer. 6. 19. Shepherds Jer. 23. 4. which have the main care of your souls commited Acts 20. 28. to them by Christ when as he sends them to you and not a lesser benefice
Priests Prophets Samuel Moses Aaron David and Daniel now Peter Paul James and John again yet not without the old Spirit the Spirit of his Son God who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in times past by the fathers the Prophets hath in these last times spoken to us by his Son Heb. 1. 1. You the great Saints of England and glory of the world we would intreat you on the knee again and again yea beseech you in the bowels of love yea the God of love and the mercies of that God Rom. 12. 2 for his own and the honour of his and the poor gifted Saints sake that you would all pull off your Crowns of honour for an hour as once the poor fishers did their great bootes to follow Christ else it would have been but slow And you my Lord Protector What if you should begin in this high and low work and give us in your own Person one short and sweet Sermon now at White-Hall as late you did to your own Family we would say King David were on earth again and put in their murmuring no more at your present greatnesse who did a meaner thing in dancing before the Ark of God 2 Sam. 6. 16. My Lord look to the Canopies above and down again to White-Hall yea your self and what are you though so great a Saint more than a worm gnat nothing Isa 41. 14. Yet may you Nothing this way honour him that is what he is and doth what he pleases in heaven and in earth yea in hell amongst and with Saints Angels men and divels yea every living thing as well things that are not winds Seas storm fire hail ice snow yea day and night for they are all his too Psal 74. 16. This one Being and Being of all Beings may you poor Nothing yet preach and our good Lord Jesus who once becaâ—e nothing to serve and make you and us all Kings Priests and Prophets to our God by his blood Rev. 1. 6. Not that above once or twice we desire this work of honour from and for you to preach this God that every moment rides the circle of the heavens Isa 40. 22. upon the mighty wings and Chariots of the windes that drawes or drives the cloudâ— hither and thither yea the Seas where he wills quite from off the earth and flings them down again upon the Prayers of his people when and where he please as lately now when man and beast was mourning yea every senslesse creature dying yea the earth it self yauning wide as if that and all would dye yea dye they would and dye they must at once but God prevented all for his peoples sake and said live again Oh that men would praise his Name and sing again his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136. a Psalm for your soul in secret but a Sermon it is we beg yea one at at least from you my Lord and the Princes among the people yea the Saints of the most high God Dan. 7. 27 shall imitate you all for the honour of the work Nathaniel Pickering Wooslâ—y Sadler and Sir Henry Vane all which and many more could and can pray and Preach bravelie and if all Jacob be but one worm to the God of Jacob 't is no dishonour to these choice bitts of this worm to praise their Maker once or twice at the least in the great Congregations and the Assemblies of the Saints which David hints so often at as his own practice in a soul exalting way of glorie I will praise thee in the Congregation yea in the great Congregation of the people yea among the Gods Psal 111. 1. and 138. 1. I will do it and will not you Gods your selves once at the Prayers of all Saints as Paul speaks in another case God forbid you or any should be ashamed of a good Master and what is it else that some princes stick at Come come it will be an honour one day to come bowing to the Saints and lick the dust of their feet yea the meanest work for Christ and them will be an honour for the greatest Monarchs in the world yea to preach this King of kings that hath this Name written on his thigh The Word of God Rev 19. 13. and 16. Read ye often the sixtie of Isaiah but let us come down from these gods to the people yea to the Saints that may tend it best and most to them we have a word Be as the tree or river in the Paradise of God Rev. 2. 7. Watering and feeding yea feed and water yea that have gifts all the rest yea all the Church of God over which you are made in your own proper places Overseers a high glory so to be Acts 20. 28. but begin at the 17. verse and mark well the whole Chapter The Angels never were but servants to bring newes or carry Saints to their home Heb. 1. 14. and how sweetly did they sing for joy of this glorying in the Work Luk. 29. And what may you say Oh yee dust of Jacob who are all of you together lesse then the least of the mercies of a God Gen. 32. 10. Your God we mean and your work we are at that is to Preach him up sin Satan death and Devils down yea to their own places I mean the sorrowes of the Saints and the works of darknesse all which are to be Preached down and Christ up from the grave of death and hell with the keyes of both in his hand Rev. 1. 18. This Lord and these keyes must you Preach up yea the power now in his hand and in his hand alone over sin Satan curse grave Law men devils Saints and Angels things present and to come yea over all these he is King for ever and hath wholly and solely the power of and over these things souls and consciences of men That is one thing my Brethren you are now called to Preach up by the first born which do call on you from the rising of the light life and love of God now in their souls and therefore do not scruple Oh ye Kings of the East Rev. 16. 12. but come forth as the morning Sun in the glory of your gifts and graces and the Spirit of the Son and Father and Preach up all three the Father in his love Iohn 3. 16. the Son in his merit 1 Tim. 1. 18. yea and the fruits joyes life and power of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22. converting and convincing killing saving damning and destroying powers burning up and burning down like devouring fire in and on the soul the world and all the works of flesh flaming up to the heavens the righteousnesse of men much more pride hypocrâ—sie self and the foolishnesse of and in man every whereas he turns from one form to another resting more than he ought therein Well and who is now free fit and sufficient for this thing but our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3. 5. And he hath appointed for good men every one to
other yea if it be against the Errors of the times which are up and down in every Corner as certainly it is because so contrary to Antichrists doctrine whose Bishope Priests and Clergy could never endure to hear it without spitting at it knowing they must all down yea their gain as Demetrius said if Christ and his Kingdom once get up as undoubtedly it will â—pace Further you this Work which is â—o full of glory and the leading Card to Romes destruction the worlds conversion Jews Turks and â—â—agans much more our neighbour Nations France Spain and others yea this Nation may be as the rising of the Sun to the world the Son of rigteousnesse Mal. 1. 1. who must arise in every place and inherit all Nations let us give him first ours and from hence let him shine gloriously in the gifts and graces of his Spirit yea make the whole â—and an University for the Saints and every Publick place a place to take degrees pray they can already and Preach they would as well might they practise one as well as the other Let the Fountains run freely and from these living ones let the in-dwellings of God flow forth to water dry yea to water empty places which you judge not considerable for the present till Universities be recruited yea filled with the holy Ghost and learning but one of twenty takes not right this way can two universities fill the world at that rate thousands are too little for our own Land what can now and then one doe to supply every barren place and a great one spoil many yea to preach to every Creature Amongst which if but one perish through your withholding labourers that would freely work in the Lords Vineyard you are guilty but if millions perish how and what then Blood will be required here here and the Lord convince you We are not against you all this while nor will we ever be Give us what we do desire for the good of all men yea give us that and we will be your servants upon all occasions be ye sick be ye absent be ye where you will we will preach for you never whilst we live against you in any kind whatsoever For the Lords sake trust and try us once or twice we have the faith of Christians and that we pawn again give us but your help and a little countenance and you shall have all we have heart hand and purse And now we pray again Good Ministers good Fathers for the Lords sake do not slight gifts and graces and the Breathing of the Spirit nor break our hearts with long delay we long to be omnifying Christ magnifying Christ yea to be pouring out his blood to the world yea we would turn him inside out yea we would make the most of Christ and all of Christ all his works in us and all his works without us all his gifts all his graces all his Ordinances as far as we may we would fain be handling ye the love of Christ and the lovelinesse of Christ the sweetnesse of his Person the joyes of his Spirit and greatnesse of his Merit for the worst of sinners that we would be talling yea and our own experiences what of him we know what of him we see feel and enjoy here besides what we hope for 1 Pet. 1. 9. another day when he and we his Members shall meet and appear altogether to give the world one confounding shew we shall never appear till then but then we shall beloved now are we the Sonnes of God but it doth not yet appear what we sha be but when Christ who is our life shal appear we shall appear Col. 3. 4. John 3. 2. with him in glory would we might beg leave to tell the world this and warn them as Noah did we would then save them as Lot was yea we would smite men and save men like Paul and Zacheus strip men and cloath them by the righteousnesse of Christ yea we would perswade men from the wayes of sin by telling them the terrour of the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 11. yea we would fetch men the worst of men from the high waies and hedges and compell them into Christ Luk. 14. 23. Yea dead ones from the grave of sin and make them live again Eph. 2. 1. Yea and as we would raise them up so we would fetch them down from the pinnacle and top of all earthly glories to glory in a crucified Christ like Paul Gal. 6. 14. All this we would do and all this we could do by the grace of God if the Ministers would but let the godly Ministers for the Lords sake stand a little by yea stand away straight or else we will preach you down and pray you down write you down and pull you down headlong by faith and Gods assistance Men Brethren and Fathers hear ye this day what the Spirit saith unto the Churches and harden not your hearts Rev. 2. 7. Heb. 3. 8. Yea if you have an ear hear what Christ saith to the Churches yea to you and your Churches which are neither hot not cold but let us come amongst them or else he and we will spew you all out together Rev. 3. 15 16. Some cry out let us do it straight we have scarce patience for a day but the Spirit waiteth long grieve not yea quench not the Spirit 1 Thes 5. 19 20. Mark that Scripture Oh ye Ministers of England London White-Hall and thereabouts but will none hear and see who is with us like the little Cloud with Elisha 1 Kin. 18. 44. Our chariots are as strong as yours yea more and more numberlesse look if ye can by Faith you may see the day for us and the many thousands with us Cannot you see Scripture and Prophesies just a fulfilling Is the world blinde hear ye the striking of the clocks if you be indeed awaked and aware of the dayes coming on the Lords Day yea the Spirits day wherein he will be a swift witnesse against every thing that opposeth yea he will be a fire and burn up all hay stubble and the buildings of men 1 Cor. 3. 11 12. Your sitting and your standing if it be not for him as well as from him yea if you be against the Spirits coming forth this winde shall blow you hither and thither like the chaff yea your very name away from the earth and presence of his people Watchmen watchmen are you all asleep Hear the Travellers of Sion Jer. 50. 5. call and ask you what it is a clock yea they tell you what it is and how the night is far spent and the day just at hand Yea the Lords day a day of rest to his people but disquiet to the inhabitants of the earth Jer. 50. 30. Yea to them who are at ease in Sion Amos 6. 1 7. Isa 32. 9 and never minde her travails Take heed ye Kings Priests and Prophets improperly so called yea and all ye Rulers of the earth especially ye whom we
differ in nothing in the world but that we would be setting up and converting sinners too thinking it is our duty When thou art converted strengthen thy brother Luk. 22. 32. Oh but from whence then comes your Errours Most from Ministers scandalous not knowing the truth sometimes through falshood and the Ministers fancy they say such a thing and such a thing is abroad and spread them in their Pulpits Errours which the people who are ever heavy in hearing to good and sound truth often catch the badd 't is good in some cases to see and not to see we think it is in this especially not to say we see what we hear from three or four hands every one adding or diminishing through weaknesse or wickednesse but the Errours and erroneous are none of us nor of the settled meeting Christians whose liberty we plead for but rather some giddy headed gadding Christians that runs up and down peeps in here and peeps in there no where out of love but in every place to object and wrangle and make a little way for an old Errour or a whimsie according to the rule of Paul First in love we check him once or twice Tit. 3. 10. if they be not too grosse however they are gone or else ever silent and converted from their sin Yea many times we gain some that are just a going by underpropping them when they lean a little from the truth by neglecting good Ministers hearing bad Our meetings to hear bad Disputes who nor where we neither own nor know nor love these things yea we love nothing but what may tend to the edification of one or another nor will do nothing else in your publick place when we come about a moneth hence some I hope will provide room or matter for us but you shall never come while you breath saith a Formalist one that hath every thing of a Saint but the reall life power gifts joyes and graces and these men will envy this light life and power least other men should expect as much from them because they have past all along under the same names and notions of good and godly men and so we shall be slighted say they and in time loose our esteem for our godlinesse though we have followed them in their very steps truly they that seem to have something and are nothing will in time loose that that is certain To him that hath shall be given and from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which be seemeth to have Mat. 13. 12. But be this far from a good heart so to think be his gifts or graces as small as they will have not the members of the Church their peculiar gifts Are all the Lords people Prophets or have all the gifts of light knowledge grace and power alike No but every one hath as God hath given nor is it requisite it should be so John speakes of babes young men and old 1 John 2. 12 13 14. Every Member need not be an eye nor every Saint a Prophet yet every one is to covet the best gift especially this of Prophesying 1 Cor. 12. 31. or expounding Scripture but he that cannot may be as much humble yea as much usefull in another way therefore let not honest men and humble walking Christians fear the losse of this esteem but subscribe to the Modell Legall men and Pharisees and hypocrites will be offended more than any if every man preach thus It was so in Christs time and after Acts 4. 2. but we stand not for every man but for some able men judged to be so by some that are able so to do What if godly Christians should upon a summons from among themselves or from a Magistrate choose two three or four as the place can afford to be as publick speakers as your Burgesses are chosen one two or three for such a Town and two or three for such a Parish not too many at the first by no meanes better one old speaker then three or four young ones coming on for the present will ye take a fools advice 't is but a hint not a platform or a rule for all that were high presumption Yea to make ones self St. Peter but let me say what we think would do well leave your young speakers coming on to the private we can bear with one anothers weaknesse there and gain â—â— much by one as t'other many times but still for the present able to divide the word batter down sin yea the sinners and raise up the Saints especially the mourners of Sion Isa 40. 1. answer all objections bravely preach bold and humbly put out these first and the other forward as much as may be and hereto we who cannot well tell what to say in this nice point would not be too strait laced in giving leave to any to speak or object a little desiring every mans Light may be held forth most where his life and conversation is known to be good and godly yet we think they may do as Parsons do speak one for another that are well known And what if it were by a kind of Commission we mean the approbation of the Saints thereabouts yea and it would be very good to have as much love leave and liking as may be from others and we hear of many that are free and willing to hear us before or after Sermon every day we hope to gain more and more yea we have gained much already this way And this we add further You that chuse these men improve your Interest with your Minister of the Parish giving him to know who it is what it is when it is and why it is he should speak in the Publick this request of yours his love or liking of the man or mens Spirits may put him himself upon the breaking of the ice and recommending of the work to the people once or twice then the thing is done laughing jeering standing up the Newes and talking of it and all kind of hubbubbs are husht and gone for ever and we have our Liberty without the losse or mischief of an hair to any man living Ministers our hearts hands purses we feast them they sometimes us yea and we will better all their meanes be it Tythes be it what it will be yea we will look to their charge in case of death own them and do for them as our own Brethren yea and a thousand times more in requitall of their love to us and the truth which then they have to purpose manifested to the world round about yea and then every eye shall see that they are not in the least what too many are to prone to think yea and hastily to judge But yet a word more to our setters up in case such a one or more should through weaknesse and the divell which will not be wanting every way to tempt and try fall into any scandalous sin one or more yea or in case he do not but grow proud and
contribute what he hath and yet I know my brethren you have just nothing of your own but a little self-pride and self-covetousnesse earthlinesse and lust anger pride malice emptinesse and fulnesse in your own conceit yea this is all the best of you all have Are not ye stufft with these things hatred and rebuke yea your very hearts as David speakes in another sense and would be seen of men as Christ tells elsewhere being very hypocrites pray preach dispute and Prophesie for nothing else in the world but to get the world because it is a step and stirrup for preferment to be seen of men so to do and glory to the flesh to be counted somebody and a brave Preacher yea almost a Pastor at least a Member and an Officer in the Church of Christ called such a mans Church an ungodly divelish word Who hath a Church but Christ What hath every selfish Saint a Church purchased by his own blood got and brought from the body I know not how No it may be never of it but got into it at a back door or brought in head and shoulders or for company which is best still in the best things But this is stark nought to call any Church of Christ or little peece of his body by the name of this or that or t'other man but be ye what ye will Pastor Preacher Church or no Church Minde what you are in your selves though in Christ we all know you are righteous Col. 2. 10. Yea you especially that are gifted Saints indeed for our eye is still on you and onely you for carrying on this work of Reformation in the world and setting up of Christ in the Popes Chair as it were and if ever he had a pill or a pull this will be one to purpose yea me thinks we see the Rope just about his neck himself hanged up and choaked and the Spirit breathing yea the witnesses which have lyen dead and slain as it were many hundred years or Prophesying in sackcloath at the best are now alive again do not you hear and see them speak pray Preach and Prophesie and their beds green Cant. 1. 16. Fruitfull in their Work successefull in their warre against sin Satan Turk Pope divel divels mates and all the powers of hell Munks Punks Priests Fryars whorish and false worshippers these rogues rovers drovers robbers of the soul of men backs and bellies too Pigmongers whoormongers Applemongers Egg Corn Pease or Baconmongers loving all and better bitts too greedy doggs and Priests that can never bark pray nor preach but are snapping honest men in all hours and companies often on the Ale bench Puffe and tipling elsewhere but the witnesses are up on their leggs again for the King of glory as in the dayes of old And have at away runs the rabble the Kings of the Eall drive these locusts to the West the Divels to their dens and Imps to their dams and Errors to their homes yea all to the Divell most to the Pope many to the Mass-Priest t'other Priest too and his tail lustfull lazy idle simple ignorant wanton loose and vain-glorlous Christians Shakers Quakers and ungodly Ranters some such there be All these and your journey Jobbers hard red faced Clerks Sawers Psalm-men Wardens Pares neither good drunken Readers Sleepers Runners or Baptizers that have alwayes Crosse and Common prayer yea and Godfathers in their Pockets too these are all the long tail of the Priest where these errors like a bag full of catterpillars hang as on an old bush the rising of these Kings Tub-Preachers so call'd fires frights yea burnes bag bush yea the divels nest and all And this is your work mark how Pauls fals the scaffold to the Body all to the ground It is our work and it doth us good to the heart to see how the old idle whoore tumbles yet hang her she will make a brave Hospital and a good piece of Reformation it would be to give her to the Saints for such a kind of use you that are free fit and long for this work yea to be setting up this new Trade as some fools think yea too many good godly choice and precious Saints but take a serious observation though a weak application follow the Jews Temple rent Mat. 27. 51. at the slaying Christ in that was the true worship and true worshippers of God but the worship and worshippers were little lesse then a den of thieves and robbers yea they murdered the Lord of life and glory Acts 7. 52. God teares their worship yea the worshippers in pieces rejecting both by this simile rending the whole Temple in twain yea did he ever since smile on that sinfull selfish people against the appearances of Christ in his own Person and Disciples whom he ever did and doth still love as himself but these zealots in their darknesse doth by the servant as before with the Master one is a Belzebub yea so saith the Scribes Pharisees and Doctors most Temple-men but before this inhumane murther of our Lord Jesus the people cryed Hosanna Hosanna John 12. 13. though after Crucifie Crucifie Mark 15. 13. 14. The Priest leads the people to their sin God rejecteth both they reject the Stone Mat. 21. 42. the Stone rejects the builders Rom. 11. 15. Yea the sacrifice of them all but the Temple then was rent Mind their sin throughly for which this Judgment comes the Person of Christ they loathed the Spirit of Christ is as really now in the members of Christ 2 Cor. 13. 5. As God was in the humane nature of Christ when they hang'd him on a tree this Spirit they cannot come at but how many this day nail this Spirit and the appearances of it yea the very arms and legs of it they crown these appearances with reproaches yea thornes some think they are making such a cap now others see them spit continually in every Sermon I could almost name some that cry for the spear noted ones C. A and others what hath this love and speckled Dove done against these men which good work is it they would now stone him for is it for enlightning the world or filling their hearts with joy which others did with sorrow for convincing men too much of the deeds of darknesse John 16. 8. or distinguishing of the works of holinesse wills and inventions of men all which this Spirit doth must and was to do yea to fill the world with Prophets but take heed ye despise not these little ones Mat. 18. 6. yea erring ones for so they are in the esteem of most men Touch not the anointed of the Lord he hath rebuked Kings for their sakes nor do these Prophets any harm Psal 105. 15. If ever you do know God and men forewarnes you of medling with these or his little Churches which you are too apt to spit at and speak hardly of but the work of God is carried on by these little trees scattered Saints and Churches yea God and his