A REVIVING WORD FROM THE Quick and the Dead to the Scatter'd Dust of SION OR A Breathing of the Spirit of Life in a Few Dry Bones that begin to Rise and Rattle In and about this City of LONDON BY A Solemn DECLARATION FOR An IMMEDIATE UNITING of ALL SAINTS into ONE BODY upon the Growing Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in every Administration thereof SHEWING The Grounds of it Progresse in it Proposalls for it Motives to it And our yearning Invitation throughout the three Nations about this Pacificatory Primitive-like Enterprise To put us ALL as one Man into a Posture meet to Meet our Lord Jesus at his second coming in All the DEGREES and SERVICES thereof Hosea 6. 2 3. After two Dayes he will revive us in the third Day he will raise us up and We shall live in his sight Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as Morning and he shall come to us as the rain as the latter and as the former Raine 2 Chron. 30. 12. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them One Heart 2 Chron. 11. 16. And after them out of All the Tribes such as set their hearts to seek the Lord came to Jerusalem LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle near the West end of Pauls 1657. A DECLARATION FOR UNITING-WORK OR Severall Judgements of the People of God that are agreed with one heart and as one man in the KINGDOME-WORK and Witnesse of our Lord Jesus patiently and piously waiting for the full Redemption of Sion and coming of Christ in the Exercise of his KINGLY GOVERNMENT AFTER divers years Patience and Expectation with continued cries to the MOST HIGH for help and light we are made deeply and to our very soules sensible of the great Reproach upon Religion the Dispersion and scattering of Saints of all Formes as well as out up and down in their holes and corners in these Nations and of the great disorder thereby amongst them as well as of the great Advantage which the Enemies of Christ and of his Kingdome have had by the weaknesses distances diversity of tongues and divisions of the People of God at this day who notwithstanding are of one heart faith and spirit in the maine And this chiefly in an undue lifting up of persons principles or judgements in a magnifying of Formes and Apprehensions one against another and not in a consistency together and in a management of the things of Christ partially or by parties and Factions and not joyntly to the great offence of good men prejudice and reproach of the Principles Cause and Name of Christ and his Kingdome Wherefore after Solemn seeking of the face of God crying and inquiring into his mind by Christ to know what Israel hath to doe lamenting and resenting the sad estate of Sion with the present condition of hundreds in and about this City of of the dust of Sion hurried and huffed about with divers winds of doctrines judgements and temptations to their great endangering and decaying of the power of Godlinesse and Brotherly love We have been we hope by a sweet and Fatherly hand of grace or clear Sanctuary-light at last and as a Return of the word of God and prayers lead into this knowledge and practice now incumbing and lead up into some serious Resolution or full purpose of heart for an Uniting together who are scattered ones in and about this City of London in a Religious or Christian body in imitation of the primitive spirit Act. 1. 14. to cleave unto the Lord and one to another these dividing and back sliding times Acts 11. 23. in the matters of our Faith worship of our God Kingdome and Cause of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Nor are we as we think without weighty moving Arguments or pressing grounds as in our own soules arising from the Crosse of Christ who in his own flesh hath abolished the enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Ephes. 2. 14 15 16. that he might reconcile all Jew and Gentile in one body having slaine the enmity so in the sight of all other sound Christians indulging us in and inducing them and all of us to this Primitive Gospel-practice or blessed work of Vniting and Consolidating throughout these Nations Some of which are as follow 1. The paralell of our present Condition these last three years with the dispersed Disciples in the three dayes of Christs sufferings Mark 14. 50. John 20. 10 Now what they did for the preservation of the Gospel and Religion in the Power purity and Spirituality thereof are we to doe But they Vnited or gathered together into one body out of their divers places and homes which the persecution had scattered them into for the preservation of the Gospell Luke 24. 33. John 20. 19. Acts 1. 4. that they did so is evident to all at the third day or time of the end That we must doe so is as clear a consequent whether it be the time of the end or no for this is a RULE to us in ordinary cases that which Saints have before done and the holy Spirit hath commended are we to doe that follow after in the like case besides Psal. 102 13 14. the Favouring of Sion begins by the gathering up of her Scattered and despised stones a poor scattered peeled people Isa. 51. 3. Saying This is ZION whom no man seeketh after Jer. 30. 17. 2. The GREAT PROMISE of the Father Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. John 15. 26. Or The pouring out of the Spirit Joel 2. 28. which we waite for Now look in what Posture Christ put his Disciples for the pouring out of the holy Ghost in the first fruits are we his Disciples to wait in for the holy Ghost the latter fruits or the latter raine But in this way of Vniting Gathering and imbodying did he bid them waite for the First-fruits Mat. 28. 10 16. Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. which accordingly they did Acts 1. 14 15. 2. 1 2. and so doe we Besides Ezek. 37. 7 8. the word of prophesie must FIRST gather and unite the dry bones bone to bone before they rise and this with substance sinews and nourishment then to them in that posture comes the great Promise of the Spirit Ezek. 37. 9. and life to set them on their feet v. 10. so v. 14. 17. and not before For should the Great Promise come before every one would desire it for himselfe and for the magnifying of his own FORME particular body Judgement or Division more then for the Publick work of Christ and of all sorts or then for maintaining the power of godlinesse and Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace amongst all men 3. The Great and constant expectations which we have of the opening of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony Rev. 15. 5. which hath been so long shut up in the purity
Rom. 12. 15. Gal. 6. 2. Acts 20. 35. Heb. 13. 3. 9. In the AFFAIRES of Christ his Kingdome this Body his People and the Nations freely to give up our selves to the Lord and his Christ and one to another according to Gods word the FATHERS will and the SONS worke and the HOLY SPIRITS working quickning and Inabling of us Freely and Chearfully to Communicate in things Spirituall and Temporall 1 John 3. 17 18. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. 2 Cor. 9. 5 6. Rom. 12. 13. Heb. 13. 16. 1 Tim 6. 17. Gal. 6 10. Jude 20. 1 Cor. 12. 9. and condescending to the meanest service we may be called to or put upon agreeing with our Faith Light and Consciences for the Vse of Christ and this whole Body James 2 1 2 3. Mat. 20. 26. Rom. 12. 16. John 13. 12 13 14 15 16. 10. An Exact and Exemplary Conversation in all MANNER OF HOLINES Humility and Grace to the powerfull Conviction of them WITHOUT as well as profit and comfort of them WITHIN Psal. 24. 3. Mat. 5. 16. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Tit. 2. 11 12. Eph. 4. 21 22 23 24. 1 Pet. 2. 12. with vigilant Care over one another Heb. 3. 12 13 12. 15 17. Col. 4. 6. Mat. 18. 15 16 17. 1 Thes. 5. 14. Rom. 5 15. untill we be APPARENTLY a People dwelling ALONE not wicked nor mixed among the Nations Numb. 23. 9. John 15. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 Eph 5. 11. Hos. 4. 15 Rev. 14. 7. c. Note that the 5 Prop nor any other be interpreted as making this one Body many but ONE particular Church having many Meetings upon different matters and occasions and at allowed times for accomodating themselves and holding Communion with the Philadelphian Churches And besides all that hath been said set in our hearts to promote this so Blessed and Necessary a Work of Uniting among Christians whether in this or any other way that will answer the End thereof upon the Kingly account of Christ We cannot but acquaint you with some of our and your present MOTIVES unto it desiring the Lord to make them as irresistable and powerfull by his Spirit on your hearts as they are on ours 1. THat the greatest Advance which the Scriptures mention of the Name or Kingdome of God in the world hath ever been begun by this WORK OF UNITING first and this that is to be in the last dayes is not onely foretold to begin so in the expresse and plaine Letter or Prophecy both of the old and New Testament but of the type as of Egypt and Babylon The First Work which Moses set afoot after his leaving Tharoahs Court was this of UNITING Acts 7. 25 26. For he supposed his Brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them but they understood not And the next day he shewed himselfe unto them as they strove and would have set them at ONE againe saying Sirs ye are Brethren And this before the plagues came upon Egypt So before the VIALS be poured out upon mysticall Egypt Rev. 11. 8. we must be UNITED and Brethren forbear striving This was the First work upon proclaiming Liberty from Babylon for those who were of one heart Ezra 2. Zerubbabell and the Remnant so Hag. 1. 14 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabell and the spirit of Joshua and the spirit of all the Remnant together and they came and did worke as Zech. 3. 8. Hear now O Joshua thou and thy Fellows and then follows I will bring forth my Servant the BRANCH This was the FIRST WORK viz UNITING and gatherin into ONE that our Lord Jesus and his Apostles put the first planting of the Gospel upon Acts 1. 4. 8. 14 15. whence arose that SEED that hath since sowed the whole Christian world so called and so must it be before the flying Gospel Rev. 14. 8. or Gospel of the Kingdome be preached throughout the habitable world Mat. 24. 14. And so it is foretold to be the great and First work that the Spirit of Eliah which goes before the great and notable day of the Lord or coming of Christ doth put us upon viz. UNITING Mal. 4. 6. And he shall turne the hearts of the Fathers to the Children and the hearts of the Children to their Fathers and then RESTORING of all things as at First follows Mat. 17. 11. Elias truly shall First come to restore all things Wherefore if Moses Zerubbabell Christ and his Apostles or the Spirit of Eliah if they be may heard and their Examples had in esteem amongst us this is an undeniable duty now upon us the First worke and the first step that we can take to purpose out of Egyt Babylon and the earthly Jerusalem into the reall Advance of the great work of God name and Kingdome of Christ on earth 2. Besides consider hereto the Call of Christ as it was to his Dispersed ones at his Resurrection of a Risen Christ behold he is risen though you see him not it is the Lord said John to Peter Job 21. 7. and he leapt into the Sea to him Isa. 60. 1. The Light is come and the glory of the Lord is RISEN after a death and a sore one after the three days of a CHRIST who dyed for the Collective body and is Risen to the Collective Body the blood of the New Testament shed for MANY not for this or that Forme or sort onely but for the MANY united into one Body calls aloud to this Practice and kind of Communion So that if there be any consolation in Christ any Bowells any mercies any true sence of that Love which was in him to us stronger then Death and which many waters could not quench and raised him from the Grave Let us hear him as Risen from the Dead whose First word from thence is Goe quickly and tell them I AM RISSEN And bid them that is together come and meet me Mat. 28. and there they shall see me Oh then what sayest thou canst thou hear him call so and not come Doth he not now say as Cant. 2. 10 13. Rise up my Love my faire one and come away againe vers. 14. and yet againe vers. 13. Ob let me see thee vers. 10. and Cant. 4. 8. Come with me from Lebanon my sister my spouse with me from Lebanon c. And can we find in our hard hearts to stay behind or not to stir now God forbid 3. Add hereto the consent and concurrence of all Saints in all ages who have lived and and dyed in the Faith and hope of this that All Saints should be gathered INTO ONE in the Dispensation of the fulness of times Eph 1. 10. and of the new Jerusalem and Kingdome state that consists of such a Collective Body Rev. 21. Should Paul Peter James John Apostles Prophets or Saints from Abraham to this day Arise from the dead the whole Classes of them would call us into this UNITING
power Spirit life and Excellency of worship and of Ordinances as Hezekiah opened the doors of the Temple 2 Chron. 29. 4 7. and as it was in the Primitive times by this blessed Way and Worke at least and at first in some little degree more then it hath been known since the Rise of the BEAST Rev. 11. 1 2 6. Or since the Gentiles have trod the holy City under foot and the wildernessing of the woman Rev. 12. 6. For as the Tabernacle made of many united looped and tacked together in one Exod. 26. 6 11. as Judg. 21. 11. it is said They were knit together as one man having respect to the Tabernacleunion called the Tabernacle of the witnesse Acts 7. 44. and the Temple 1 Sam. 1. 9. 3. 3. Psal. 27. 4. 138. 2. was a type of this which is therefore called the Tabernacle of the Testimony So herein also as it was there in the Figure is hid the ARK Rev. 11. 19 and the heavenly Manna Rev. 2. 17. from the sight of men till the time come for the holy Camp Rev. 11. 2. to set forward and then is taken away the Covering-veile or the shutting up of the Tabernacle as Exod. 40. 3. 26. 14. which upon moving forward to the land of Promise was opened and uncovered Numb. 4. 5. So must this Tabernacle of Saints so united and knit as one man be opened and the covering or veile spread over hitherto Isa. 25. 7. be taken off as they move to the things promised in the last days And as the inner Court Ezek. 46. 1. was shut up the six dayes but when the evening of the sixth day came and the SABBATH approached it was to be set open for the open and Publick worship and Ordinances So doe we with grounded perswasions expect the opening of THIS inner-Court Rev. 11. 1. hitherto shut up in this evening of the great SABBATHISME or REST approaching in the New Jerusalem Rev. 20. 21. 4. The Parity of the Order and circumstances of the Witnesses sufferings Rev. 11. Rising and Ascending with our Lords suffering Rise and Ascention signifies to us a Parity of duty upon the Disciples of Christ at this day with those of that day The Witnesses bodies are said to lie in the street of that City where our Lord was crucified implying the parity viz. slaine by the highest sort of Professours who say they are Jewes and are not Rev. 2. extant in the world so was our Lord Their bodies not put in graves nor was our Lords in the earth but in a stone a new tomb cut out of a Rock where never any man lay before of him it is said After three dayes I will rise againe Mat. 27. 63. and of the Witnesses Rev. 11. 11. All his lying dead were the Disciples dispersed complaining and scattered so All the time of the witnesses and many are now complaining as Luke 24. 21. At his rising fear and terrour fell on them that saw it Mat. 28 4. so at the witnesses Rev. 11. 11. At his Resurrection at the very first Few saw it or would belive it Luke 24. 37. but rather were affrighted at it Luke 24. 11 41. being ignorant of the manner of his Rise Joh. 20. 9. And so are we at the Witnesses Rise Rev. 11. 13. which is as we think obvious to Few at the first step thereof But from that instant of time as the Disciples work was uniting and embodying before Jesus ascended in a cloud So doe we from the parity apprehend it the Duty of the Disciples now every where that have been dispersed before we shall see the witnesses ascended up in a cloud i. e. more visibly to All for then their enemies beheld them Rev. 11. 12 13. and the Earthquake came and the REMNANT were affrighted and gave Glory to God 5. The Executing the vengeance upon BABYLON The pouring out of the Vial-worke or THIRD WOE is out of this Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony Rev. 15. 5 8. 16. 1. and not out of any One Forme Judgement or sort of men whatsoever Hence when the Judgement comes All sorts of Gods people are called to rejoyce in it whether Apostles or Prophets as in the vengeance of them all Rev. 18. 20. though under different Administrations 6. The Constitution of the Primitive Church-state which was not in this or that Forme but in the Power of godlinesse and Christian Principles making up one Body under different and many Gifts Measures Judgements and Administrations 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 11 12 13. 1 Cor. 10. 17. Rom. 14. 4 5. without Names and Distinctions as now are calls upon us to this practice And for that in the Primitive times we read but of one Church in a City were it ever so large as at Jerusalem Antioch Rome Colosse Phillippi c. which was of great conduce to Love and Vnity so Titus 1. 5. And ordaine Elders in every City as I had appointed For although at Jerusalem were many thousands Acts 2. 41. 4 4. it is probable as many as in all the particular Churches of London yet they were not many Churches as in this City that occasion much the Divisions and breaches of Sion but One Not that we bind up our communion so strictly for that is explained in answer to the second query onely we doe humbly judge it would be better ONE in a City then many as now are 7. The Consideration of the present Deflouring Defilement and Defection of many if not most of the Particular Congregations for we see them with sorrow of heart so far corrupted from their first purity deviated from their first principles of separating from all that is unclean 2 Cor. 6. 17 18. and of uniting upon their formerly professed or INDEPENDENT Principles that in most parts round the Nation they are become rather DEPENDENT upon them in power Participant with them in Apostacy and Communicant or consociate with them in Sin and with those very things persons and principles which they were once separated from as inconsistent with the Churches of Christ The TEACHERS of severall of them falling in with Parishes Tythes Parish-Clergy and Parish-worship And the Members of them with the uncleannesses evills and abominations of the times oftending persecuting or casting out them that keep constant to their first principles and purity being not onely tainted mixed and infected but Many of them so notoriously degenerated in the Essence viz. Matter Forme End Rule or Congregationall Principles that we cannot with comfort walk with them or keep our garments clean amongst them The matter of some of them being Goalers Persecutors Opposers of the Truth Notorious time-servers or such as hold places take profits from the sins of the times that strengthen the hands of the wicked that make the hearts of the righteous sad self-seekers covetous Boasters Hypocrites Apostates and such as we are bid to turn away from 1 Tim. 4. and to have
one cannot understand another at this day but wherein every one may be edified and understood in his owne language Acts 2. 6. whether Jews or Gentiles Elamites Medes Parthians c. vers. 9. 10. 11. to his astonishment vers. 8. 12. every one in his own tongue so every one in his own way Judgement and Administration wherein one can well understand another in this Vnity besides at Babell Gen. 11. the confusion of tongues hindred the Building but at Jerusalem Acts 2. the Diversity of tongues helpt it like Joshuahs entrance into many Nations at once Josh. 10. 11. 20. 23. in dispersing the Gospel of the Kingdome at once into all Nations in their owne languages and so now by this UNITING into all Saints or sorts of the people of God in their owne Formes and Judgements at once this body consisting of all sorts of members in their owne joynts and places So that though there be Diversities yet but one spirit and differences of Administration yet the same Lord 1 Cor. 12. 4. 5. to the 15. and every one in his gifts places and opperation to profit withall This is the Ministry that we waite for which will speake to every one in his own language and understanding by the power of the holy Ghost Acts. 15. 36. Let us goe againe and visit our brethren in every City where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they doe 18. For the exercise of Justice and Righteousnesse Lawes and Government amongst our selves in outward matters according to the word spirit and teaching of God and the power and lawes left by Christ to his Church and people 1 Cor. 6. 1. 2. Dare any of you having a matter against another goe to law before the unjust and not before the Saints Doe yee not know the Saints shall judge the world c. Now seeing we find so little Conscience or Justice from men of the world it concerns us to be the more carefull For Psal. 122. 3 4 5. In Jerusalem are the THRONES and thither the Tribes goe up 19. That we may be in a better way of Sympathizing and participating with one another in distresses and persecutions to comfort and communicate one to another freely 1 Cor. 12. 26. Rom. 12. 15. Heb. 13. 3. Joh. 3. 17 18. Heb. 13. 16. and that there be no lacke to any one member or Fellow Citizen of this Zion and that this be more like to the first patterne in the like cases then yet appeares amongst professours Acts 4. 34. Neither was there any amongst them that lacked for as many as were possessours of Lands sould them and brought the prices of the things that were sould 20. For that the Great increase Growing and Flowing in of the latter dayes is into such a WAY and state of Zion wherein all Saints are united Jer. 50. 4. 5. Come let us JOYNE our selves Isa. 2. 2. 54. 2. Enlarge the place of thy tents 49. 17. Make hast lift up thine eyes round about and behold how All GATHER together or unite or come to thee vers. 20 21. The place is too strait for me give me place that I may dwell who hath begotten me all these Isa. 60. 7. The flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee then vers. 8. Who are these that fly as a cloud and as doves to the windowes Thus was it at the first patterne Acts 2. 41. 47. 4. 4. 5. 14 15. And beleevers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and woemen But so long as Religion is rent into such parties Factions and confusion we can expect but little conversion to the Faith incouragement or coming in either of Jews or Gentiles to these disorders and Divisions on judging censuring excommunicating another for their different Measures of faith At which Abomination both Jewes Turkes and Gentiles have been amazed and astonished for they have been far more serious unanimous and devout in their superstitions and Idolatry yea lesse injurious and more charitable one to another 21. That there may be found amongst us more sincerity simplicity and singlenesse of heart one to another about the things of Christ Whereas now in these Divisions and breaches one Brother betraies another denyes and delivers up another and as the Prophet sayes Micah 7. 5. Trust ye not in a friend put ye not confidence in a guide but in this VNITING As Acts 2. 46. They dedicate their bread with gladnesse and SINGLENES OF HEART 22. That our motions sufferings actings and contendings for Christ may be joynt and with one consent Our joynt-groanings for the name of God making as it were but one sound Our conjunct tears but one stream conjunct desires but one prayer conjunct complaints but one Theam conjunct praising but one Melody conjunct gifts but one Ministry And thus we hope to have more joynt-prayers amongst the Saints whereas now one is praying up and Another down Joynt praising Joynt witnessing and joynt-feeling or bearing the lot of the whole Hebr. 10. 23 32 33 34. Jude 3. whereas now as some take off others lay on load upon the suffering ones Joynt holding up and maintaining the truth Joynt-refusing of Subjection with all Gospell opposition to persons and things under what names soever that are against the Lord Jesus and his Kingdome Yea a Joynt-standing up for and justifying of the Name Interest and Cause of Christ and his People from Calumnies and injuries with Joynt-acting and engaging as the Lord shall call us to it for the Truth Liberty and Priviledges purchased for us by the blood of Christ Gal. 5. 1. Zeph. 3. 9. That they may all call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent keeping up the most PUBLICK SPIRIT for Christ and his Kingdome in ONE and ALL Canticles 7. 1. The JOYNTS of thy thyghes are like JEWELLS the worke of the hands of a cunning workeman 23. Till then we neither understand one another at home nor are we understood abroad nor indeed doe we well understand our selves Now it is necessary as it was the Primitive practice for a Right understanding to be made and maintained in the WHOLE BODY and throughout the Nation amongst the Saints of the same Faith Hope Sufferings and Expectations with us And therefore in order to such a clear intelligence and correspondence with all the Saints and People of God in these Nations by Messengers Letters and such like wayes allowed in the word of God unto which we doe hereby Solemnly invite our Friends and Brethren from all parts for mutuall good we are in this Way Being very sensible of the great inconveniences and injuries which arise to the people of God and publick Cause of Christ the manifest stumblings offences and prejudices in the hearts of many precious ones the various subtleties and wayes of Sathan and of his Instruments to keep us unknown to and un-owned by each other and the Great
upon Jehovah-Elohim the Lord our Light for more Light and inlargement from his holy Influences upon us and others as the Effect of this hopefull Essay which we in this way are in a Capacity to drink up as greedily as the Earth drinketh in the Raine The Proposalls for Propagating the great Work of Vniting in and about this City of London which we are stirred up unto by the Word and Spirit of God by the Call of Christ and of his Servants by many most pregnant and speciall Grounds to it Reasons for it and Benefits by it both unto the Lord our Jesus to our selves and others as unto the Present Worke and Duty Incumbent upon us being so convinced in our Faith and Consciences 1. THAT the SCATTERED ONES the Disciples of Christ who keep their garments Clean Rev. 3. 4. and Close Rev. 16. 15. from defiling at this day who wait with us for the Kingdome and second coming of our Lord Jesus and are of the same Faith and hope with us Eph. 4. 4. Satisfied in each other upon the account of Godlinesse and in Close walking with God though now dispersed in and about this City be all UNITED and Gathered together into ONE BODY 2 That this ONE BODY be knit together as a Religious Body upon Principles of Grace and of the Kingdome of Christ Gathered and Governed in a Gospel or Christian Order after the pattern in Acts 1. 14 15 the Primitive Constitution Titus 1. 5. and the Promise of Restitution Acts 15. 15. Rev. 15. 5. Isa. 58. 12. and 60. 15. c. and of opening of the TABERNACLE of the Testimony into the Primitive purity of Worship Waiting for the pouring out of the Spirit and Contending together for the truth with ONE ACCORD as one man Jude 3. 3. That this Body for MATTER consists of such as we can judge faithfull followers of the Lamb Rev. 14. 1. 17. 15. Called and Chosen Cleaving to the Cause of Christ and Controversie now up against the BEAST and his Followers though otherwise they be of different Formes Judgements and Apprehensions 1 Cor. 12. 4 5. 12 13 14. Rom. 14. 2. Phil. 3. 16. Weake and strong bond and free more or lesse honourable Ver. 22 23 24. Holding fast the bond of peace in the unity of the SPIRIT without any Schisme rent or divisions in this Body Eph. 4. 4. 1 Cor. 12. 13. 25. 4. That this Body not sat downe or Consolidated in any One Forme or Judgement what ever wherein one Saint may or doe differ from another doe sit down and knit together iu the POWER OF GODLINES 1 Tim. 6. 3. or life grace and light of all Formes and Judgements upon the account of the New-Creature-onenesse in Christ Jesus Gal. 6. 15. 2. Cor. 5. 17. and upon such Principles wherein we all Agree as ONE MAN and of one Mind for Christ his Kingdome-worke in every Administration of his Kingdome and for the Leavening of the whole Lump 1 Pet. 3. 8. 2 Cor. 13. 11. Rom. 15. 5. 5. That the Members and Particular branches of this ONE BODY have the Free Full and Intire Exercise of their different Judgements and practises in their own particular and different Congregations or Meetings of those Judgments with as great Freedome of their Ordinances wherein one differeth from another as any particular Church now hath onely holding together as Branches of this one Body or PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH of Christ in All Ordinances wherein All Agree keeping their places without the Least molesting or offending one another or the Peace Unity of the Church about different matters medling with those things in the maine Body as are without Controversie to the edifying of the whole and according to the Principles and Points wherein we are all Agreed as ONE MAN Acts 2. 46 47. Rom. 14. 1. 1 Cor. 1. 10. 11. 17 18. 2. Tim. 2. 16. 17. 1 Tim. 6. 5. Titus 3. 9. Eph. 4. 29. And if any PARTICULAR CHURCHES or Members of them as such upon those Principles and Points doe joyne with us that we hoâ—d our Communion with them without the least intrenchment upon or injury to them in their Priviledges or Power which they Exercise as Churches in their own Bodies in Any or all the Ordinances of Christ or Affaires of their own Bodies Isa. 65 10. Zech. 2. 11. Acts 15. 32. 6. 5. Gal. 1. 2. 1 Cor. 16. 11. Rev. 1. 4. 11. 20. 22. 16. 6. That there be a Weekly Church-meeting of this whole UNITED BODY for praying Prophecying preparing and provoking one another waiting for the coming down of the holy Spirit the great things that shall shortly come to passe and the second Appearance of our Lord Jesus with all the things that concern the day of Christ upon us Heb. 10. 24 25 Acts 14. 27. Mat. 3. 16. And for the Edifying of All in the things we are united upon Gathering in of Sinners and dispersed ones or the DVST OF ZION Psal. 102. 13 14. Maintaining a Correspondencie and Clear Intelligence with the Kingdome-Saints in the Nations Isa. 14. 32. as they did in Primitive times by Letters and Messengers Acts 15 22. Phil. 2. 19. 25. 1 Cor. 16. 3. and all the like ways that we can agree in to carry on the KINGDOM-WORK and Government of Christ amongst us 7. That there be a most Indeared and Affectionate Love to one another like that which Christ bare to his Church Joh. 13. 34 35 15. 12. Eph. 5. 2. 1 Thes. 4. 9 1 John 2. 4. 21. Rom. 12. 10. 13. 8. called Love unfained 1 Pet 1. 22. and without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. Avoiding diligently all Causes and Causers of Division in this body Rom. 16. 17 18. Mat. 24 23. Acts 20. 29 30 31. Rev. 2. 14 15 16. and keeping carefully and constantly this BLESSED UNITY and LOVE both in the PARTICULAR and in the GENERALL Phil. 2. 1 2 3. Rom. 14. 19. 1 Cor. 6. 5. Acts 4. 32. Mutually and Tenderly bearing with each others Failings and Infirmities with meeknesse patience pitty piety and sweet brotherly Assistance not upbraiding censuring nor provoking of one another Ep. 4. 32. Ro. 14. 13 15. 1. Gal. 6. 1. Col. 3. 12 13 14. 1 Joh. 3. 16. 8. An earnest JOYNT-STRIVING and Joynt-Contending in all Lawfull and just wayes by doing or suffering for the Truth Faith Purity Power of Godlinesse Light Life Liberty Priviledges and Kingdome of Christ Jesus Jude 3. Heb. 12. 3 4. Gal. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 7. 23. 1 Pet. 3. 15. Every one chearfully and unanimously undergoing the LOT OF THIS BODY in Adversity and Prosperity Heb. 10. 23. to the end Acts 12. 5. 7. Mat. 13. 20 21. And a Tender Sympathizing or participiating one with another in all estates tryalls and conditions except sin and not to DRAW BACK upon any Occasion or Temptation whatsoever the Lord helping us 1 John 2. 19 20. 2 Tim. 4 10. 16 1 Cor 19. 26.
As it was in JACOBS LADDER some up and some down So that That which disagrees with other kinds of bodyes best agrees with this For we see a Necessity a harmony and a serviceablenesse too of All sorts of Saints and of all the differencies of Administrations 1 Cor. 12. 5. in this Body so as that we could be no more without the Presbyterian Saint in order then without the Independent nor the Independent then without the Seekers in order and unity nor without the seeking and inward waiting Saint then without the Baptized c. Knowing that ALL SORTS have their Places or JOYNTS in the body and are Necessary to some work or other and unto the perfection of this ONE BODY 9. Consider the most EXCELLENT MATTER of the Latter house of the Lord whose glory is to exceed the former Hag. 2. 9. is reserved for this Way or state of the Church in the latter dayes Mal. 3. 17. I will make up my JEWELS Cant. 7. 1. Thy JOYNTS are JEWELS Isa. 54. 7. With great mercyes will I GATHER thee as Ezek. 34. 22 23 Oh thou afflicted tossed with tempests vers. 11 12. I will lay thy STONES with faire colours thy foundations with Saphires I will make thy windows of Aggats thy gates of CARBVVNCLES and all thy borders of pleasant STONES c. Thus Rev. 21. 17. made of the most precious stones in the Breast-plate Exodus 28. 15. full of hidden virtues and varieties in harmony 10. So the Running Locomotive and more Apostle-like MINISTRY or the flying Gospel that is coming forth must as we conceive arise in this manner viz. from Saints so Vnited and rallyed upon Mount-Zion Rev. 14. 1. and then ver. 6. I saw an Angel FLIE in the midst of heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to EVERY NATION Tongue and Kindred i. e. with a Commission like to that given to the Apostles Mark 16. 15. Mat. 28. 19. Then and thence the seaven THUNDERS sealed up to the time of the end will begin there Oracles to rattle and breake open with the little stone or Thunder bolt Rev. 10. 4. 7. as appeareth in the 17 Gr Yea then and thence will the TRUMPET blow which is made of ONE PIECE and of the WHOLE PIECE too as Numb. 10. 2. before which the Camp cannot move the Cherubims are also of one piece When the Disciples were in this Way Acts 1. 15. The number of whose names were about 120. how quickly did the number of Labourers increase Yea upon Luthers resolute promotion of Reformation when the good people United how many Seeds men of a sudden rose and supplied the rooms of them that were Sacrificed in the Flames Yea when the Puritans united And doe we think that the Lord will not now arise in a rouzing Ministry and Harvest men at this Day and raise some up in the room of them that have apostatized 11. Consider the Infinite Danger and Damage of Jacob through these Divisions and Crumblings of Sion for Jer. 10. 25. They have eaten up Jacob and devoured him and made his habitation Desolate Eaten him up by Violence Zeph. 3. 3. Dan. 7. 19. Breaking their very bones Jer. 10. 17. Micah 3. 3. Who eat up the flesh of my People and break their bones and chop them in pieces for the POT So also they have eaten him up by cankring and corrupting of Professors by Temptations Preferments or Time-serving Doctrines 2 Tim. 2. 17. Their word doth eat as doth a Gangrene O how is the praying wrastling and prevailing Spirit eaten up the power and life of Godlinesse eaten up the excellency and sweetnesse of Jacob eaten up through Divisions Animosities and Devourings of One Another Jer. 50. 7. All that found them have Devoured them Therefore Amos 7. 2. By whom shall Jacob arise for he is small small indeed and weak indeed Now as the Ivy is so weak of its selfe that it is ready to lay hold upon any thing that it can run up by or that comes next are those that seek more the Magnifying of their own Particular Forme or Externall Observation then Union with Christ Communion with all Saints or Interest of the Faith and Publick Cause by this Vniting 12. Furthermore we may consider that as All Saints doe in a Manner own it so All Saints must for the Matter fall to it at last before Great be the day of Jezreel Hos. 1. 11. Eph. 1. 10. and if so be we cannot be won to it we must be whip'd to it as Ridley and Hooper were as one said why we shall meet where Luther and Zuinglius are well agreed and if we cannot be intreated we may be necessitated to it at last Gal. 2. 7. 9 so Jer. 50. 4. In those dayes the Children of Israel shall come they and the children of Judah together going weeping They shall ask the Way to Sion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us JOYN our selves c. and this must be before the Ruine of Babylon v. 9 10. Joseph and his Brethren must together again and then we shall see a better day 13. Another Motive might be the Stability and Duration of this State whatsoever become of this Body or our persons This Foundation in Christ will stand untill his coming down in the Glory of his Father of himselfe and of his holy Angels Isa. 33. 20. Thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet Habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be TAKEN DOWN not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed Isa. 60. 15. with 58. 12. Call'd the Foundation of Many Generations which no other Foundation can be whether of the Presbyterian Indep Baptist or any other Forme but this whereon Jew and Greeke Bond and Free are all one in Christ Gal. 3. 28. And this the People of God have built upon in All Ages and Generations 1 Cor. 3. 11. Eph. 2. 20. Christ himselfe being the Chiefe-Corner-stone which Corner-stone is to Vnite those that stand like Two walls at a distance in whom All the Building fitly framed groweth up Yea upon this Foundation must the New Jerusalem stand viz. the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Rev. 21. 14 19. and there are the twelve gates to let in Saints of all sides Wherefore let us consider now from this Day and upward even from the Day that the Foundation of the Lords Temple is laid Consider it Hag. 2. 18. 14. Lastly Let us seriously perpend the Nearnesse and Approach of Christ second coming which being so hard by will render our Disobedience at this day the more unexcusable and culpable yea liable and open to the Anathema Maranatha or CURSE of his second coming 2 Thes. 1. 8. Mal. 4. 6. which we conceive as far transcends the CURSE of his first Coming upon the Disobedient Jewes who would not be gather'd or Vnited though he clockt for them as a Hen for Chickens as that CURSE did the Curse of Disobedience to Moses and his Law Heb.
10. 29. 2. 3. our great Law being Love to all Saints Besides to this End doth our Lord come againe that he may perfect this kind of Communion John 14. 3. Epi. 1. 10. 2 Thes. 2. 1. That those who have wept and watcht pray'd and walkt together in Life and Grace may sing triumph rejoyce and reigne together in Life and Glory Those that have kept together in the Danger may continue together in the Deliverance but unto the Scribes and Pharises Luke 13. â—8 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdome i. e. that Kingdome which comprehends all Saints and you your selves THRVST OVT for v. 29. They shall come from the East West North and South and shall sit down in this Kingdome Wherefore up O ye WISE VIRGINS all at once that waite for the Coming of the Bridegroom get up and be ready trim your Lamps fill your Vessells hear the dismall cry of Midnight he comes he comes hasts hasts like a Roe ore these Mountains of Bether or Division to Gather All into ONE out of their Wildernesse-holes and Differences occasion'd by externall observations and Formes Wherefore up AWAKE Awake Awake and put on Strength O Sion in these Three Nations for the Day doth break and the shadows flee and the Primitive Community is coming forth to be reduced and revived Therefore up O Wise ones Mat. 25. 7. whiles the Foolish are gone to buy in mercenary wayes that we may be All in one ready to enter into the Marriage v. 10. even so AMEN Thus farre for Motives In the Next place to leave out nothing that we know of that may carry Conviction or Light to our Friends in the Nation we shall Answer the Most Considerable Queries and Objections that we can meet with 1. Query WHat doe ye mean by Gospel-order or Temple-state after the first pattern Answ. We have before expressed that in the Grounds but to be more particular both in the Negative and Positive we answer 1. Not a known Mixture but a more thorough Separation from all false wayes worships persons and things that pollute 2 Cor. 6. 16 17. Eph. 5. 11. Acts 2. 40. Save your selves from this untoward Generation The Work of Cleansing the SANCTUARY being a Work of Degrees Ezek. 43. 20 23. 44. 7 8 9 10 11. Dan. 8. 14. Zech. 14. 21. 2. Not an idle carelesse overly Communion no more then an uncomfortable distance or disjunction one from another but a most accurate close aggregating Uniting and Cleaving of those so Separated and of the Dispersed ones to the Lord and one to another upon the Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in All the ADMINISTRATIONS and Parts thereof with a full and constant Purpose of heart and participation of Ordinances Rom. 14. 4 5. 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. 7 13 27. Eph. 2. 21 22. Acts 9. 26 11. 23. 3. Not a narrow censuring rigid beggerly but a large Loving growing and comprehensive Spirit of Christ and his Kingdome to actuate us from him alone as our Head expatiating and putting forth its selfe after the first Pattern both to Jew and Gentile Bond and Free Rich and Poor Strong and Weak yea to Saints and to All men and to All creatures in their kind and proportion 1 Cor. 10. 32 33. 9. 19 20 21 22. I am made ALL THINGS to ALL MEN that I might by ALL MEANS save some 4. Not a magnifying Imposing or stating the Church in any ONE FORME opinion or observation but a faithfull keeping to and constant crying up of the power of godlinesse grace and Onenesse of Christ Jesus with Religion pure and undefiled with brotherly love and the principles of the Kingdome amongst Saints of all Formes and Judgements 1 Cor. 7. 19. Gal. 5. 6. Col. 3. 11. Rom. 14 5 6 7. 5. Not a disordering keeping or putting out of Different Saints or members but such a Communion of Saints as keeps up a Due Order wise and well-location and use of all Sorts of members in the Body and in thier proper joynts and places for service and Imployment 1 Cor. 12. 21 22. 17. For if the whole were of one forme were an eye where were the hearing Or were an eare where were the smelling c. Ephes. 4. 16. from whom the body fitly JOYNED together 6. Not a Party-growing but a comely and kindly increase with the increases of God! of the WHOLE together and a dayly fetching in of sweet Sutable nourishment to the WHOLE BODY by the Joynts Col. 2. 19. Ephes. 4. 16. this we mean by Gospel-order after the 1. Patterne Qu 2. Whether do ye think that the Gospel or Temple-state hath not yet been found amongst us If NOT we must declare against the best of the Churches doctrinally and practically but if SO then how can this beare away the name after the 1 pattern Answ 1 Although we need not reflect to what hath been but to what IS obvious yet we dare not deny but that we heartily honour and owne those separate Churches that retain their first PRINCIPLES in purity grace power and holiness that are in the Vnity Love sound Doctrine Discipline and communion of the Saints Yet 2. We never thought them to be Perfect but growing up to Perfection and so a getting out of the Wildernesse by Degrees now this is one Degree and growth further as we suppose and so more up unto the primitive State viz. uniting and orderly placeing of all sorts of Saints in one Body So That 3. We doe not call for a separation from such Churches as retaine the purity of their matter Forme and Principles of Communion but rather for a COMMUNION and an ASSOCIATION with them in the severall Cities and Counties of these NATIONS and for an UNITING or embodying of the scattered persecuted and dispersed or disjoyned ones in and about this CITY in a word to chast Churches for communion and growth up into a purer state To Choice Members for union and growth into a more excellent publick spirit To scattered ones for embodying out of the present evils into the approaching GOOD so that UNITY in things Necessary LIBERTY in thing Unnecessary CHARITY Godlinesse Sincerity in things Different and Indifferent we desire to see 4. For all this and albeit we deny not but the Gospel and Temple hath been found amongst us in more purity and light then in other places yet we must professe we cannot see it So according to the primitive pattern or Church of the first-born to state a Church in any one single forme opinion or Judgement whatsoever whether Indep Presb Bapt or any other as in the comprehensive power of faith and New Testament godlinesse in all their Formes knowing that Saints of all these and severall other Formes may be and are true members of the Church of Christ 5.
and proper places of service and Exercise one without greiving molesting opposing oppressng or offending another and if the Lord doe give us or others more light in this Matter we would gladly receive it For 4. We must confesse as before that being but upon the Day-break and Dawning of this Businesse those that begin it must needs be short of them that are to succeed upon this Principle and this but in a sence a signe of the Day-opening or antecedanean to somewhat of more Life Loveliness and Lustre that others may be raised up into Yet it is our Duty and done with integrity and we doubt not but will be of great Vse for this season and have a singular Testimony from Heaven Wherefore 5. Have a care we beseech you in the Fear and Dread of the Heart searching God! and be well-advised Least ye reject your Work yea your present Work with the WAY Consider well with what Spirit doe ye reject it is there not prejudice or envy at Persons in it for so Johns Desciples did envy Christs and did not the Pharises so too As the Cardinall said of Reformation The Thing is good but that Luther a Raschall Frier should be the Man to put it upon us this is intollerable Or is there not offence at eminent ones holding off as John 7. 48 49. Have any of the Chiefe ones followed him onely this Ignorant people So 1 Cor. 1. 26. For ye see your calling Brethren how not many wise not many noble c. So Acts 28. 22. It is every where spoken against Or doe ye not decline the thing it selfe to delay and put that off and so pretend offence at the Way of it Or have ye in truth found out a more Excellent Way unto it then Declare it or else take heed how you reject this for God will not be Mocked Luke 14. 18. They all with one consent began to make Excuse I pray sayes the first have me Excused v. 29. and have me Excused They have good words Excuse us to our Lord we like the Thing he invites us too very well and we are for it and are Friends but yet we must be Excused Wherefore if it be our Duty to Vnite what mean we to dally or delay They that have refused the first step have not had the honour or the happinesse of the next As the Scribes and Pharises that would not goe with John could not goe with Jesus And if it be onely because thou waitest for a better Way possibly it may be revealed to this poor praying enquiring Body as well and as soon as unto Others be we ever so unlikely in your eyes and this we know that we are in this matter one step nearer to it then they that omit this their known Duty and thereby the great Commandment of Love Besides as Johns Disciples were one step nearer to Christ and his Call then the Jews were so they heard and had the first call to the next step who had taken that John 1. 37 38 39 40. And therefore we dare not omit our present Work or first step but rather take it in the Way to the Next and to that which is more Noble Wherefore if thou darest to put off this in pretence thou hast a better Way let us see thee then at this Work in thy Way or thou sinnest yet the more and so we leave it to thy conscience There is not one Objection more or Query that we can hear of materiall unlesse it be that the Angells and our Lord himself bid Mary call the Brethren together Mat. 28. Joh. 20. but to that we say We are not now under the Ministry of Angells but a more sure Word of Prophecy 2 Pet. 1. 19. and a more Excellent Ministry Heb. 8. 6. Nor have we need of an Angell to tell us that which the word and Spirit of God with the clear Practice of All the Primitive Saints doe put us upon Luke 16. 31. If they hear not the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the Dead And yet to this we have the common call from the Saints Dead as well as Alive The Spirit which calls is Christs Vice-roy represents his Person supplies his Place offers his Power and is sent us in his stead untill he comes he is his Pleny-Potentiary to help and enable us as effectually in this matter as if our Lord in his own person were present with us And thus the Voyce that said to Jairus his Daughter Arise and to Lazarus Come forth we hope we have heard and felt in the Spirit and divine Nature of it inviting quickning and raising us as from the Dead to this Duty Yea he that saith Who is he that darkneth Counsell without Knowledge Job 38. 2. hath said unto us Goe thorough Goe thorough prepare your Way cast ye up cast up the high way Gather out the stones lift ye up a Standard Behold the Lord hath proclaimed it to the End of the World c. Isa. 62. 10 11 12. Cant. 3. 10. Isa. 40. 3. which End of the world is now upon us And thus in our poor measure having cleared or rather the Lord for us by a Light above us sweetly lead us as by the hand through these Objections we hope to the Satisfaction and contentment of many an honest heart which Sathan would have laid to have stumbled the Weak and blockt up the Way Now what Remaines brethren what remaines but that every one who is of a willing heart and Separate from the Defilements of these DAYES doe without Delay in their severall Cities and Countries set upon this WORK and present his Offering be it but a little Goats-haire to this Tabernacle-service Exod. 35. 21 26. And All the Women whose heart stird them up spun Goatshaire v. 29. Every man and every Woman whose heart made them willing to bring for ALL MANNER OF WORK not for one sort of Work onely Wherefore stop here a little Reader to Remember or Revise what hath been said upon this Subject Read them over againe and yet againe and then say Are they Truths or no Are they Arguments or not Doe the Motives move Are the Grounds good any of them What sayest thou Is it Duty to UNITE or not and is 't not of flat Necessity If thou sayst NO Certainly thou contradictest thine own conscience but if YEA then weigh but our words with the same Affections and Yearnings of Bowells over the Blood Wounds Shreds and Deaths and Dust of poor unpittied SION which some think incurable that they are SENT OUT unto you though some of them may be deemed Weak some Dubious Unseasonable and Unacceptable it may be yet sure we are so much hath been said and might be to the Proof Profit Verity Excellency Expectation Promise Priviledges Nature Nobility and Necessity of this Work at this juncture of time too as may leave you and others that will reject it one Day Speechlesse and
pale for it when they shall finde it was neither Wisdome nor Grace Comfort nor Counsell Conscience nor Kindnesse to Christ nor his Saints no nor yet Good manners to draw back or Demur upon such a SOLEMN INVITATION as this is for the Gathering the Scattered Uniting the Divided and Indearing the Vnited c. from the Quick and the Dead THE INVITATION WHerefore If there be yet left alive any true Grace in the hearts of Professours any true sence of the Crosse Death and Blood of Christ or of the Cries Blood Ashes Bones and Murthers of the Martyrs Any Smart in the heart for SIONS Deaths Dangers Gashes and Wounds given her by her Enemies New and Old in these Nations Also by the Great Divisions Rents Controversies Envyings and Heart burnings amongst BRETHREN of the same Faith Hope and Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus If as the Apostle saith in this matter Phil. 2. 1 2. there be with you anyconsolation in Christ any comfort of Love left if any Fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowells and Mercies If your soules be sensibly toucht with the Dishonour of God and Christ with the Death of his Cause the Dispersion of his Saints the Case of the Jewes and the Promise of the Gentiles and if ye have not sinn'd and consumed away all the Fear of God and Feeling of his heavy Hand upon us but that yet there is a Longing in you after these Things and a Hungring with hearty and pure affections after the Day of Christ and HIM alone to be Exalted and his NAME above every Name If it wound you to the Quick and your heart be melted down with tears and sighes to hear so KILLING Cutting Blasphemies as are every day cast upon the Pure SPIRIT of God KINGDOME PRINCIPLES and Professours of our Lord Jesus And if yee unfainedly without Courtly Complements doe desire to be Faithfull to God to Christ to his Spirit his Truth his Testimony his Kingly Interest and KINGDOME SEERVICE in such a Dismall Day of Rebuke Blasphemy Division and Apostacy as this is or would be Vndefiled and freed from the snares and evills of these Adulterate times If any Value be had of Oaths or Ingagements of Tears Blood and Prayers or the Promises Priviledges and Practises of the Gospell and if any true endeavour and sincerity be left to Act for and finde out the Light the Liberty of the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOME and a clear PATH for every one without offence to one another and with a sweet contentment Peace Union Love and good Order to walk in after ALL these Confusions Combustions thick darknesses and Losse upon us O then let us without faile or further let hindrance or Excuse for one Moment UNITE as ONE MAN in All our Quarters and Habitations of these three Nations And as we shall be able to give up our Accounts with comfort at the Coming of our KING JESUS to perfect this his Blessed work begun by his Word and Spirit 2 Thes. 2. 1. at the GREAT GATHERING TOGETHER of All Let us gladly accept this INVITATION of Vniting and Reviving PHILADELPHIA of what Forme and judgement soever we be and take the very Next Oppertunity unto it Knowing how Amiable Desirable and indeed Practicable it is now through grace made amongst us and as it were THE MATTER pointed at by the Finger of God himselfe unto us in and by All these trying tearing and Mount-Perazim Dispensations which we have been Exercised under of late years Isa. 28. 21. Seeing not onely so much Comfort and Christian Benefit to All But even our Ability Stability Livelinesse Patience in tribulation conquest over temptations vigour of love Quickning Spirit and power of Grace and Godlinesse Readinesse of Obedience union of affections Resolution and joynt-motion of Actions for Christ and his Kingdome yea and the very BEING of the Churches of Christ and Religion it selfe seems so much to depend upon it Notwithstanding all that hath been said When we consider what the Day is that we live in how full of Vnbeliefe Ignorance Impudence Apostacy Contention Covetuousnesse and Persecution of the power and Purity of godlinesse Selfe-seeking and all the sins of the LAST TIMES mentioned 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tims 4 12. 2 Pet. 2. 12. of which our Saviour hath foretold us Mat. 24. we must confesse then We must expect as little fruite or effect from some and those it may be Eminent Professours too as if we spake to and powred our teares and prayers upon Posts Pillars Stones LUMPS of earth Bars of Iron Rocks and Flints or at best Bruite Beasts For as Luke 18. 8. Neverthelesse when the Son of man commeth shall he find faith on the earth That is say some when he comes with his Recovering Grace and Spirit when the times of Restitution begin and of Refreshing first enter in Acts 3. 19. 21. that is at the time of the END when he comes with a recovering and a Restoring of us into the FIRST STATE that he put HIS Saints into and with the DISCOVERIES and tenders of a more excellent WAY and Communion of Saints then we are in Shall he then find FAITH amongst men to beleive him to receive him at that day Will it then be said againe as at the first John 1. 11 12. He came unto his owne and his own received him not but as many as received him to them gave he the Right or Priviledge There be Many sorts that will not receive him in this tender of Recovering grace As the Proud 1 Cor. 1. 26. So the Ignorant John 20. 9 10. the selfe-Wise the disputer of this world the striver about words and vaine questions the worldly and selfe-seeking Professours Hag. 12. 4. and the times-servers and the envious man Acts 13. 4 5. the Magnifyer of Formes or persons one above and against another the Vnbeleever and diffident the Fearfull and amazed or that are absolutely at a LOSSE the heart that is full of any Lust to be satisfied With the pride of life and of gifts and parts and the selfe-Justifier and exalter the men that are given up to strong delusions and to beleeve lyes and those that have somewhat else to set up instead or elfe an Invention to put aside this All these will keepe off from if not oppose this hopefull and blessed worke of UNITING And we doe expect it harder to reduce one Erroneous and rivetted then to Reform or convert an open sinner but as one saies If one should defer his studies of any Art or Science till the writers and Professours thereof did fully and unitedly consent If one should vow not to come at London till All the clocks doe strike together so If one should stay from this Duty till All that seeme and say they are agreed about it he may stay long enough and never come to it at last Therefore for those Deare and precious ones that do with the FIRST begin to
whereon ye have powred out so many tears prayers streams of blood and loud Appeals into the ears and heart of Heaven And dare to faint before the Answer come If ye dare to keep up or not cast out the Bone of contention and the Reproach upon the Wayes of God by suffering the world or Any without Remorse to brand it for Dissembling Delusion most Hideous Hypocrisie mear state-Policy and Basenesse by the occasions lately given them and will doe nothing for the Recovery of them Or if ye dare to be at Defiance with the Judgements of the Lord that are at hand And to contemn and be carelesse of Christ and his second coming and can venture the CURSE thereof so as not to be in a posture meet to receive him when he comes If ye dare to stand at a distance from one another and dare abandon conscience and the communion of Saints If ye dare deny the Power for the Forme or oppose it with the Forme And dare Answer to the most high God for all the injuries that shall befall SION or the People of God after this through the Divisions Rents and confusions and the Neglect of this great indubitable and indispensible Duty of UNITING Or if ye dare to take upon you and yours the guilt of all the sins of these times and the evills of all these Heart-burnings hatred Envies Malice Persecutions and oppositions the present Worke Truth and Saints of Christ meet with And dare slight quench resist or despight the Holy-Ghost having so little of the Fear of the true and dreadfull God and dreadfull day in your hearts or eyes O if you dare or can doe All these things and wilfully reject this Grace or this Errand unto you and from hence forward say Pray have me EXCVSED or I cannot come I have some other businesse Then then tremble and Fear before the Lord Least all the EVILLS that arise from the Neglect hereof doe lie at your doores And we doubt not but the voice of JEHOVAH or the Lord himselfe will ere long speak so Roaringly out of SION Joel 3. 16. and Rousingly by his DISPENSATIONS as will make your hearts to Ake and your ears to tingle your knees to tremble and joynts to smite and your tongues to say O WHAT WRETCHES what wretches were we that we durst have been so bold and resolved to resist yea persist in this Disobedience and Despight to so Great and Good a Worke and all this that we might loll on in our security and stupidity But on the Contrary If conscience be awakened understanding inlightned and by the word and otherwayes ye be convinced that this is your Work If your hearts be affected your Affections hereby whetted and your Spirits Moved with us at the Sobs sighes and groans of poor Sion whom no man layeth to heart as he ought If you have but Rags for her wounds Balsome for her sores Handkerchiefs for her tears Cordialls for her Faintings If ye have any Pantings of heart Longings of soul and Workings of spirit after Christ the Redemption of his people the Reigne of his Saints and the Service of his Kingdome If any love unto his Government and Dominion If any Power of Godlinesse If any purity of holinesse If any Separating from and feelingly mourning over the horrid Idols and Evils of these times If any fervent Desires and Well-wishes to Sion in the WHOLE and not to rend or pull her a peices in PARTIES Then we pray and beseech you to Awake Arise and Rouse up upon your feete in this Work without delay whether in Churches or out and let us rather choose to be buried together in Ashes then be as we are Else what can keepe out the Incursions of Enemies and the inundation of temptations Else what will stoppe up the force and Source of Last Pride Ambition Covetuousnesse and Sins that hath broken in so violently upon the CHURCHES Or what can stay the Spirit of Persecution or Oppression upon our Consciences from making us Absolute Slaves and moulding us up to the Will of MAN Or elfe hanging heading chopping and burning our Bodies to Ashes if we refuse What else can keepe out the crafty Combination that is made against us from destroying us Else what can keep the kernell in the shell the power of Religion in the Forme yea in all Formes and Brotherly love ALIVE amongst us but this And what else can represse and repell the USURPING POWER from entring a foot if not a head amongst us on purpose to keepe out the Power and Prerogative of Christ and how else shall we be raised out of that Deadnesse Flatnesse Emptinesse Coldnesse and miserable Slumbring most Professours are rock't into Else what can cure or comfort ZION if her members that have been so miserably racked a sunder be not put into JOYNT and order and EXERCISE again Else what course can be taken to suppresse that eager Growing and Greedy Spirit of devouring one another For Formes judgements or partiall Oppinions Else what can impede that dangerous progresse and promoting of parties and factions venting and ventilating their private and ambiguous thoughts whose Religion lies most in their Opinions and Parties and how can we avoid those Busie Disputers that lay out their time their strength their zeale their knowledge their heat and their Interest and their very hearts about doubtfull Disputations Rom. 14. 1. needlesse Questions that gender strifes 1 Tim. 2 23. 1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. to the distraction of soules disturbance of Saints decay of true grace and heavenly life Whiles the WHOLE BODY becomes distempered and disordered yea and languishing with such unnaturall heats or hecticke Feavers What course can be taken to Recover hundreds out of the Snares of Satan soule imprisonments of spirits of Formes and else what what will become of the deepest heart groanes And grave groanes Faith Prayers and Patience of the choicest Saints that ever the earth bore that have so passionately longed to see such a Day Else how is it possible to avoide those present Noises among Professours in and out of CHURCHES Of sonnding brasse and tinkling Cymballs Else what ah what can we expect but the continuance and and Increase of Confusions Darknesse Disorders Dispensations Misunderstandings and sufferings so as All that we look upon for helpe shall fayle us and for helpers and Deliverers shall prove miserable comforters at last not being able to helpe us or themselves but passing by us and leave us bleeding But in a word What else is or can be our Next worke for all at once for GOD for CHRIST for SAINTS for MEN for the WHOLE NATION and for the WHOLE CREATION Or what can we doe or capacity be in for any thing or indeed Deliverance expect before THIS for as 2 Cor. 10. 6 having in a readynesse to revenge all disobedience when your OBEDIENCE is fulfilled But let that be done FIRST and the Rest followes as the Consequent doth the Antecedent And by this meanes we shall have as