Doctrine and holy example to convince them of their errors and withall presseth them to unity and warns them against their divisions as the worst of their errors as it is evident from those Scriptures quoted From whence I argue That if the Apostles and infallible penmen of Scriptures who were able to judge of matters of controversie without mistake did for the Churches peace sake permit persons holding and maintaining many great and dangerous errors to abide in the Church and there own them as fellow-Brethren whilest they manifested visible sanctitie in the main and retained the substance of true Faith and that in the most pure time of the Church when the erroneous persons could not receive those errors by tradition and education from Christian Ancestors or Teachers Then much more ought the Ministers of the Gospel and with them all Gods people now being themselves fallible in judgement and exceedingly disagreeing among themselves about the points in controversie even the able and gracious of them and especially considering the time we live in is but the dawning of the day of Gospel light and knowledge out of a long dark night of Antichristian error and pollution through which many of themselves not long since were groping in the dark about several Gospel truths in which the light of Christ hath since more fully informed them to walk towards one another with all tenderness and charity putting in practice that rule of forbearing one another in love Ephes 4.2 And thereby endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace verse 3. But it is evident the Apostle and holy Pen-men of Scripture did so walk in like cases when there was not the like Reason Therefore Gods Ministers and people ought so to walk now Object 2. Then you are for the permitting of all Errors in the Church for if we must not separate from Errors of this nature what shall we separate from Answ To make a particular discrimination by name of all Errors or to determine the degree of any particular Errors that shall render the erroneous person incommunicable is too hard a task for me to undertake I shall onely propose some general Rules and Cases which the Scriptures seems to countenance and shall submit them to the judgement of judicious Christians First That Churches and Beleevers ought to withdraw from and deny Communion with all such who though they profess the true form of godliness yet deny the power of it Secondly From such who though they make a profession of the power as well as the form of Religion by holding regeneration and visible grace to be necessary qualifications for visible members of Gospel Churches yet when they are so corrupt in judgement that their Errors are first contrary to godliness or secondly inconsistent with true Grace or thirdly destroy the foundation Doctrine of Salvation they ought to be withdrawn from For the first By persons denying the power of godliness I mean such who though professing of and practising the true external Acts of Gods worship as they may be generally professed and practised by the generality of sound Christians yet in their declared principles and conversation disown the inward life and power of it exprest by the visible effects of true Grace as the work of regeneration and being born again Jo 3.3 with all other visible signes of Repentance from dead Works and Faith towards God as Hebr. 6.1 to be necessary qualifications for Gospel-fellowship which may be discerned either by their palpable ignorance as Nicodemus Joh. 3.4 or otherwise by their apparent enmity to or scorn of gracious qualifications in others by deriding the godly as holy brethren and sisters or by the scorning the spirit in its gifts and graces in the Saints Now such though they may profess the form do visibly deny the power of godliness from whom we have an express rule to withdraw 2 Tim. 3.5 From such turn away and from such doubtless the Apostle presseth the Corinthians to separate themselves 2 Cor. 6.14 15 16 17. Be ye not unequally â—â—aked together with unbeleevers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what commmunion hath light with darkness And what concerd hath Christ with Belial or what part hath he that beleeveth with an Infidel And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you 2. Second sort of persons that the Scripture is clear the Churches and Servants of God are to separate from is from persons holding opinions or living in Practises contrary to Godliness I mean such opinions as tends to a denying of God to be a patterne of Life in his revealed communicable qualities manifested by his word and by the Life of Christ who was the express Image of his Father Heb. 1.3 and the lives of his holy Prophets and Apostles concerning which Paul to Timothy gives an express command 1 Tim 6.3 If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesom words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to Godliness c. from such withdraw thy self and further in the first Chapter and 1 verse But thou oh man of God flie these things and follow after Righteousness Godliness c. Nay the same Apostle to Titus makes this the distinguishing Character of the true faith Titus 1.1 Paul a Servant of God according to the faith of Gods Elect and the truth which is according to Godliness So in Titus 2.11 12 verses for the grace of God which bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World and by well considering the scope of those three short Epistles you may plainly observe what the Apostles meaning was by doctrines according to Godliness in all persons of what State of condition soever as in People towards Magistrates 1 Tim 2.1 2 3. Titus 3.1 In Ministers in their places Chap. 3. Chap. 4.6.12 vers 2 Tim. 2.15.24 Chap. 4.2 Titus 1.6 7 8 9. in private Christians towards their Ministers Chap. 5.1 17 18 19. In Servants towards Masters Chap. 6.1 2. Titus 2.9.10 In rich toward the poor Chapter 6.17 18 19 verses In aged men Titus 2 2. In aged women Titus 2 3 4. In young women Titus 2.4 5. In young men vers 6. Teaching us by all those Scriptures with all other of like tendency in the Word of God that then are Opinions to be esteemed contrary to the truth which is according to Godliness when they tend to break the Bonds of natural and Civil relations and to slight the duties of them and fill the Heads and minds of Christians with loose
renew its purity p. 57. 3. Vnity would repaire its reputation and esteem p. 57 58. 4. Vnity would renew its growth and increase p. 59. 60. 5. Vnity would abundantly renew its joy and comfort p. 61. The Argument from the whole p. 62. From whom objections may be expected p. 63. How the objections are stated to the Reader p. 64. 1. Object Against the admission of erroneous persons answered p. 65. And wherein is proved that persons holding greater errors then Generally Saints now separate upon were admitted communion with the Primitive Churches p. 65. 66. Much more reason for Gods Ministers and Churches to permit Erroneous persons into communion now then then p. 67. 2. Object That this Principle admits all Errors and heresies in Gods Church answered p. 67. In which answer is shewn what sort of errors or erroneous persons Gods Churches and people ought to withdraw from p 68. to 77. 3. Object Raised from the 2 Thess 3.6 concerning disorderly walking and disobedience answered from p. 77. to 83. 4. Object Whether the power of Religion can consist without the true form answered p 83. 84 5. Object From the inconsistency of unity with Principles directly opposite one to another answered p. 85. 6. Object Against the too generall stateing the case and not coming to those particular points wherein the difference lies answered p. 86. 7. Object From the unpossibility of Gospell union untill the fulfilling of the glorious promises relating to the later times answered p. 87. Wherein is proved that there is as much reason to deferr our indeavors after the increase of knowledge and purity as after unity p. 87. 88. Vnity must precede Glory to Christs Church p. 88. Division lies as much in the way of Christs glory now as unbelief did formerly in the way of his grace p. 89. The promises of the Churches glory hold forth an universality of peace purity and glory to all Saints p. 89. The union we are capable of attaining is not to proceed from the agreement of our understandings wherein we differ but in the exercise of Grace one towards another while thus differing p. 90. The Lord hath supplyed his Church with speciall uniting graces as the meanes to assist them in this speciall uniting duty as the end p. 91. They that begin the work of Saints union by disputing and reasoning them into the same understanding begin at the wrong end p. 92 93. Saints too apt to be pâ—aring upon each others infirmities p. 94. Object From the prejudice that is in Christians against each others opinions and principles answered p. 95. Directions to such as shall set upon the work of Saints union p. 96. 1. Direction to labour to informe themselves of the worth of the mercy and weight of the duty p. 95. 2. Direction to arme themselves against all discouragements and dificulties they must expect to meet with therein p. 96. 3. To take heed of exercising any of the Spirit of divisions weapons in the Spirit of unions cause p. 96. 97. 4. Labour to obtain a Compassionate tender frame of Spirit p. 97. 5 Set thy affections on those things in Saints wherein the Image of Christ is most visible p. 99. 6. Labor to abound in uniting graces p. 99. 100. 7. Labour to preserve a proportionable growth of of grace in thy soule p. 100. 8. Be most exercised in those duties thy place and abilities most cal thee unto and fit thee for p. 102. 103. Further directions to Gospel Ministers in order to Saints union p. 103. 104 1. To be sensible of the sad effects of the divisions amongst themselves 104. 105. 106. 2. Then to study all holy waies of furthering the worke of union p. 107. 3. To change their sharp censurings and blamings into intreatings and beseechings p. 108. 4. To commend what is good as well as condemn what is evill in those differing from them p 109. 5. To lay no more stress upon the errors reproved then the Scripture doth p. 110. 6. To take heed of so intailing errors one to another as to charge upon persons holding some lesser error with others they detest the thoughts of p. 111. 7. To beware in so opposing errors controversall in some they do not thereby commend errors fundamentall in others p. 112. Christians of all hands are too apt to manifest more indignation against some holy persons for controversall errors differing from them then against visible ungodliness and open prophanness in them that in opinion close with them p. 113. 114. Little helpe to be expected in the work of Saints union from such as have much engaged themselves in the evil of Saints devisions p. 115. Therefore those that have the evill of Saints divisions upon their hearts ought the more to labor for unity p. 116. 1. By being much in prayer together and apart for Saints union p. 116. 2. To study to propagate the principles of this truth p. 117. 3. To set up some beginnings in Gospel fellowship upon this Gospell principle p. 117. 118. Object From the aversness of particular Churches and from thence the danger of further divisions upon the promoting this principle answered p. 118 119 120. Object From the inconsistency of persons not agreeing in judgment to walke together in fellowship without obstructing the mutuall edification of the whole answered p. 121 122. Object From the disadvantage that some controverted despised truths might receive thereby answered p 123. 124. Object From the opposition that may arise from such of the godly as are against all separation answered p. 126 127. Object From the difficulty of walking towards such whose Conversion though hopeful may be very doubtfull answered p. 128. 129. A censorious Spirit and provoking carriage towards any professing Christianity though not visibly gracious is blameable and hurtfull p. 130. What cases may give a dispensation from the present promoting this or any other pretious truth among some people p. 131. What the dross and rubish of Christians principles and spirits are that hinder them from uniting which Gods Ministers should be labouring to remove in order to unity when they can do nothing else towards it p. 132 133. Christians usually more curious about the dish the Lord presents the bread of life to them in then the purity and spirituallness of the bread it selfe p. 134. Vnpossible for Saints ever to come to an union wherein they differ untill they come to a communion in what they are agreed p. 135. The Spirit of division never speakes good of differing Christians one to another p. 136 The Spirit of division confines the hearts of Saints in prayer and praises to a few of Gods people and ofttimes sets them in opposition one to another at the throne of grace p. 137 138. This evil principle leades to a wresting misapplying the pretious promises and precepts of Christ and to misguide us in our obedience to God and duty towards our Bretheren p. 139. What the Author drives at in all he hath spoke to Gospell
GOSPEL-SEPARATION Separated from its Abuses OR THE Saints Guide IN GOSPEL-FELLOWSHIP WHEREBY They may be directed not onely to preserve the Purity but withall the Unity of GOSPEL-WORSHIP By a well-wisher to Sions Purity and Unity R. L. Mercy and Truth have met together Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other Psal 85.10 Therefore love the Truth and Peace Zach. 8.19 Imprimatur JOSEPH CARYL LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black Spread Eagle at the West end of Pauls 1657. TO HIS EXCELLENCY Charls Fleetwood Esq Lord Deputy of IRELAND My Lord THough the Truth asserted by this little Treatise have but few Friends amongst whom you deserve to be numbered in the first rank yet is it able to plead its own cause for where-ever its absence is there wants no Arguments to prove the worth of its presence for as the Puritie of the Gospel may be esteemed in the mystical Body of Christ as its life blood so its Unity may be next esteemed as its health and strength and life without health is but a lingring death but I am perswaded I need not spend time to beget in you a love to this Truth you have evidenced the sincerity of your love thereto and therein I hope have tasted of that fruit of righteousness which is sown in peace of them that make peace Jam. 3.18 The reason why Contention and division have been more natural to Gods people then union in all ages is because it is more naturally suitable to their unregenerate part therefore those duties and graces that most crosse the lusts of the flesh must necessarily be attended with most difficulty and opposition but to ballance that they are also attended with proportionable inward comfort and peace and therefore my Lord though imposing oppressing principles and spirits do cry out against you as the injurious Israelites did against Moses Exod. 2.14 yet cease not to plead with them Ye are Brethren why do ye wrong one another though it may cost you dear at the present yet consider the Lord that made it up to him is able to do so to you Among the rest of those excellent principles the Lord hath born an approving testimony unto in the day of his glorious power none have been attended with more signal evidences of his presence with and delight in then this pleaded for Most disowned instruments that have tendred their service to the Lord in the Work of this Generation have profest and declared a love to Gods ways and people but therein have confined their care affection to a part if not the least spiritual part of them which the Lord took so unkindly at their hands that he visibly removed the Tabernacle of his presence from among them and chose the same people despised and slighted by them to be the instruments of his praise and glory in the great work he hath done for his people in these Nations And easie it is to demonstrate if it were not too large a discourse for an Epistle that as those persons so singularly owned by the Lord have declined abated in this principle so hath the Lord withdrawn from them and left them to that destraction and miserable confusion they are at this day involved in as if the Lord should say if you withdraw your equal respect and affection from any of my people I will withdraw mine from you And do but well weigh and consider the visible principles and frame of spirit of such persons who are vehemently driving on the interest of some part of Gods people under some peculiar notion they have received of the truth or work of the Generation in opposition to the rest that are not like-minded And ye may observe a visible inconsistency in their principles and practices to the obtaining or securing the very things they pretend for That my Lord it is not onely your praise but your mercy that your heart is kept in an even frame towards all the Lords people in this day in which so many eminent Professors are through temptation and stumbling blocks laid in their way by the weakness and frailties of some of the Lords people growing weary and faint in their minds as to the stedfast practice of and impartial respect to Saints as such and to be good in bad times is the best testimony of goodness from a good principle Therefore as your discouragements and opposition encrease labor to encrease in your confidence and diligence though you may have War without you may have Peace within And of all dangers be most watchful against heart-risings and alienation of affection towards such who are contrary-minded to you herein that is the stone many at this day are stumbling on They measure out their respect and affection to Saints proportionably to that respect and affection they or their principles receive from them whereas the cheif excellency of this principle above others lieth in this difference that it can extend respect to others upon the account of duty to Christ though disrespect on the account of different opinion be returned to them again for uniting principles must be attended with the exercise of uniting Graces if they intend to be successful in uniting work That the Lord may guide you in all your streights support you under all your burthens and render into your bosom plentiful returns of all that kindness you have shewn unto and weaknesses you have over-looked in his people for his Image sake upon them is the earnest prayer of the most unworthy of Your Excellencies sincere Servants in Ireland RICH. LAWRENCE The Author to the Churches of Christ in the Dominions of England c. To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1.1 And to all the faithful in Christ Jesus with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord Grace and Peace be multiplied Beloved in the Lord HEre is a Treatise presented to your view which stands in much need of your favourable consideration as to the weakness and imperfection in the writing thereof but if you can overlook them the Truth endeavored to be held out thereby is worth your studying and enquiring after It is a Truth that hath many Hangers-on but few faithful Servants many Gospel Merchants have been trading for this goodly Pearl but few have been willing to go to the price of it they have had Peace in their mouthes but War in their hearts like those Micah speaks of chap 3.5 They bite with their teeth and cry peace but if thou wouldest obtain the precious unity of Saints thou must not onely seek peace but pursue it Psal 34.14 not stand still and call it to thee but follow after the things that make for peace Rom. 14.19 If the peace of God once rule in thy heart it will guide thy feet into this way of peace this work of peace will surely attend thy soul with the comforts and joy of peace nay the Lord himself shall give you peace always
by all means as in 2 Thess 3.16 If thou wouldest have thy soul prosper Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that so love her nay if thou wouldest have Sion prosper say Peace be within thy wals and then prosperitie shall be within her Pallaces and therefore for thy brethren and companions sake say Peace be within thee and because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good as in Psal 122.6 7 8 9. If after you have perused this Discourse you shall observe there are many considerable Objections against the thing prest unspoken to that I admit I do not expect these few weak Lines should answer all Objections in a controversie of this weight neither do I judge my self able to answer them but am assured there are well wishers to this Truth that are able to proceed Therefore if these Lines may but tend to awaken and stir up the people of God to enquire after this Truth and to allow that the laboring after Saints Union is not only a Dutie but a great and weighty Duty and to be numbered in the first Rank of Christian Duties I have my aim for that would prepare the hearts of Saints for Unity and make the work of removing obstructions and resolving particular cases much more easie For many of Gods people do already and more will be daily discerning the inconsistency of the principles they walk by to Gospel-prosperity unity doth as naturally fore-run Glory to Christs Church as health doth strength or light heat Therefore the main design of Satan at this day is to prevent Gospel-Glory by obstructing Gospel-Unity but the more the spirit of strife and division struggles against this work let it provoke you the more to set to all your strength to promote it the Lord doth not onely require that his people should be faithful unto but valiant for the Truth upon earth Shall Quakers and such like rigid censorious dividing principled people compass sea and land and consume their estates to make common purses in order to the promoting and carrying on their ridiculous principles of division and confusion and shall those who pretend the Espousing the universal interest of Saints as such be Ephraim-like a silly Dove without heart as their diligence and painfulness do now upbraid us so I fear it will in the great day rise up in judgment against us It was good Mr. Burroughs complaint in his time when the spirit of division was but in its infancy That there were many would cry Loe the Thief but who stopt him So saints are many at this day will bemoan such divisions and make sad complaints of it one to another when they meet but how few have set themselves to study and propagate uniting principles which I trust the Lord will set upon the hearts of some who he hath so eminently principled and qualified for the work that the friends of this precious Truth may not have cause above all the rest of Truths Favorites to complain with the Prophet in its behalf There is none to guide her among all the Sons whom she hath brought forth neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons which she hath brought up Isa 51.18 Nay is there not rather cause for this Truth to take up the Lords complaint Isa 1.2 I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me This Principle hath been dealt withal by some of its Favourites as Saul dealt with David who honoured and imbraced him in his camp and hated and banished him his Court yet blessed be the Lord there are some Jonathaas to stand up and say What evil hath he done whose souls are knit to this principle as the soul of Jonathan was to David who will not be afraid to answer imposing and dividing principles as Moses answered Pharoah Exod. 10.9 We will go with our young and with our old with our Sons and with our Daughters with our Flocks and with our Herds will we go for we must hold a Feast unto the Lord. Pharoah would have put off Moses with the liberty and freedom of some part of Gods people Go you that are men to serve the Lord saith he ver 11. No saith Moses Church deliverances from bondage opression must be universal deliverances otherwise how should we hold a feast to the Lord can part of us rejoyce in our Liberties as long as other part is under bondage and oppression No we must either all go together or all stay together all rejoyce together or all mourn together therefore we will not leave a hoof behind us ver 26. Now this spirit in Moses is the true nature of this Gospel-principle it will not own any deliverance from oppression and imposition of conscience contrived and proposed by men to answer the design of Gods deliverance to his people untill it include the common Gospel Liberty due to all Saints and that in all their necessary concernments though it may out of tenderness with David 1 Sam. 30.10 leave some of the weak and feeble behind in the work of War and danger yet all must have an equal share of the spoil whether the Sons of Belial will or no as in ver 24. It 's the faithfullest and impartiallest Steward to trust with the Saints common stock that can be found on earth there shall be no cause of complaint so far as its power reacheth every one of Sions children shall have an equal share of those common mercies and priviledges their Heavenly Father appoints for them And therefore whatsoever opinion or way thou art of consisting with sobriety and holiness this principle if thou dost promote it will take equal care and make equal provision for thy Christian liberty and encouragement that if thou beest a favourer of Saints prosperity labor to be acquainted with this common friend of theirs it will teach thee how to observe and own the shining beauty of grace in Saints through the darkest cloud of those common errors and mistakes that the opposite principle renders them so unlovely and deformed one to another by And let not the homely and mean attire this Truth salutes thee in make it less acceptable if the Author had had better it should not have worn so bad but Beauty is Beauty though clothed in rags The ensuing Discourse is rather intended to tell thee there is such a Principle accommodated with such excellent Qualifications and to provoke thee to enquire after it and endeavor acquaintance with it then to give the an exact description of it But I shall submit what follows to thy favorable censure and close with the words of Paul to the Philippians c. 2. v. 1 to 6. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies Fulfil ye my joy that ye be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through
strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better then themselves Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others Let this mind be in you which was also in Chrst Jesus In whom I rest Your Friend and Brother in the Unity and Purity of the Gospel R. LAWRENCE THE CONTENTS TRuth seldom found in extreams p. 1. Searchers after truth must suspect danger of erring on each hand p. 1. 2. As the door of the Church may be opened too wide so it may be shut too close p. 2. That since God hath had a Church on earth its separation from the World and unity in its self have been required by him as an equal duty p. 3. All the Reformed Churches justifie separation p. 4. The General notion of a competent knowledge and suitable conversation are to intricate and uncertain rules to be the visible bounds of Gods visible Church p. 5 6 The Lord hath alwayes preserved to his Church a visible undisputable bound betwixt them and the World p. 6. 7 8. Circumcision and Abrahams seed in the Type and Antitype was foreordained established to be the infallible and everlasting bounds of Gods visible Church on earth p. 8 9. It continued so unquestionable untill Christ came who only changed the Type for the Antitype p. 9 10. Believers ought to make the same use of the Antitype under the Gospel the Type served for under the Law p. 10 11. The Antitype of Circumcision and Abrahams seed is visible Grace and Holiness p. 11. Which Paul affirms to be the visible bound of Gods Church and mark of Gods children to Rome and Galatia c. p. 11 12. Antichrist set up his Kingdom by laying waste these Gospel Bounds and Christians open the door to all division and confusion by not repairing them p. 13. 14. Gods Church must not only be a City of righteousness but a City with Walls p. 15. All Churches of Saints ought to own one another as true Churches of Christ and fellow members of his body p. 16. Seven General Heads from whence the arguments to prove the duty of Saints union as such are drawn p. 17 18. 1. From the choyce and approbation of the Father p. 19. Prooving that such as the Father hath manifested his visible Choyce and approbation of to be his Children beleevers ought to admit and chuse to be their Brethren p 9 Christ and all Saints have but one Father for which cause he was not ashamed of their infirmities p. 20. 21. 2. General head is from the choyce and approbation of God the Son p. 22. Christ a perfect Emblem of union in his person p. 22. Christ had no helper in his work nor no partner in his relations to his Church that Gods designe of union in him might be visible p. 22. Christs chiefe designe in assuming our nature was a work of union p. 23. Christ walked by uniting Principles prest uniting dutyes and commended uniting Graces most to his People p. 23 24. Christ owned all visible gracious persons to be members of his body therefore ought all Saints to own them so p. 25. The 3 sort of Arguments is drawn from the visible choice and approbation of the holy Spirit p. 26. The most infallible rule to chuse Church-members by is to follow the track of the Spirits choyce p. 27. The sanctifying effects of the spirit in Saints ought to be admitted as sufficient testimony of the Spirits choyce p. 27. No beleevers without some visible mark of the Spirits choyce p. 28. Prooved that this choyce of the spirit instates a Beleever in all Gospel relations and Priviledges both in the Kingdom of grace and glory p. 29. The 4 general head from whence arguments are drawn is from the visible choyce and approbation of the infallible servants of God in all ages p. 30. They made the choyce of the Father Son and Spirit their choyce p. 30. They laid more weight upon the duty and mercy of the Churches union then upon most others dutyes and mercyes p. 31. Paul laid more to heart and endeavored more to preserve the Churches union then all other errors to reform p. 32 33 34. The Argument for Saints union from the whole p. 35. The 5 generall Head from whence Arguments are taken is from the several Metaphors and Similitudes the Church is compared unto in Scripture p. 35. 1. From that of Beleevers being Gods Children and thereby of his Family the housholder of faith p. 36 37. 2. From that of the membership of the same body which relation is inconsistent without union p. 38 39. The 6 general Head is from the sad consequences and effects of our present divisions p 40. Division is usually the forerunner of destruction the former preparing the way for the latter p. 40. Directions to be observed in heart searchings for the cause and cure of Saints divisions p. 41 42 43. The spirit of division sometime imployes our graces as well as our Corruptions to divide by p 42. Knowledge and Zeal much imployod at this day by the spirit of division in dividing work p 42. 43. The sad effects and consequences of our divisions p. 44. 1. They have obstructed and hindred reformation p. 44. 2 They have opened the door and let in upon us that overflowing flood of Errors heresies and blasphemies which many Professors among us are carried away with p. 45. And the continuation of them will make that disease uncurable p. 46. They have been the cause of that great decay in the life and power of Religion amongst us p. 46. They have rendered the power and life of godlyness contemptible in the eyes of Formalists and the carnal multitude p. 47. 5. They have rendered the power and purity of Religion and the professors of it unacceptable in the eyes of authority and several persons in eminent place p. 48 49. 6. They have brought scorn and contempt upon the glorious cause of God in these Nations and have stained the glorious presence of God with his People that had once stained the pride of all the Glory of the World p. 50 51. They have been the cause of the removal of many eminent worthy Instruments from their Publick Stations therby made way for others no wayes spirited nor principled for the places they stand in p. 52. 8. They furnish wicked Magistrates and Ministers with plausible excuses in the exercise of their oppressing persecuting principles p. 53. 9. It is from this spirit of division so many eminent gracious persons in Authority are disabled from doing that good in their places they have otherwaies an opportunity for p. 53 54. The argument for union from the whole p. 55. The 7 General head from whence arguments for Saints union is drawn is from the evident and great good it would be attended with to Gods Church p. 55. 56. 1. Vnity would renew its strength and make it terrible to its enemies p. 56. 57. 2. Vnity would
Notions of carnall liberty which the Apostle calls perverse disputings of men of Corrupt minds destitute of the truth 1 Tim. 6.5 and doating about questions and strife of words whereof cometh envy Strife raylings evill surmizings vers 4. which he again presseth them to avoid as prophane vaine bablings vers 20th Now from such the Word of God is clear though they walk with never such a shew of holiness and profession of spiritualness they ought to be avoyed and withdraw from as ungodly persons 3. Third sort of persons I judge Churches and Saints ought to separate and withdraw from are persons so corrupt in Judgement and tainted with such gross impious Errours in opinions as are evidently inconsistent with true grace such was Hymeneus Alexander and Philetus mentioned 1 Tim. 1.2 compared with 2 Tim. 2.17 who had made Shipwrack of faith and a good conscience such doth the Apostle mean by an Heretick Titus 3.10 Such opinions the Apostle cals the Error of the wicked 2 Pet. 3.17 which implies more then a wicked Errour which a holy Christian through weakness or temptation may be drawn into as Peter and Barnabas was Gal. 2.11 12 13 14. vers such are said to erre from the Faith 1 Tim. 6.10 which is more then to erre in the Faith for those Errours were contrary to the graces of Righteousness Godliness Faith Love Patience Meekness c. which the Apostle in the next verse exhorts Timothy to follow in his flight from the foresaid Errours Such are said to erre from the truth James 5. 19. viz. the Body and substance of saving truth for he that converts such a sinner from the errour of his way shall save a Soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins vers 20. which clearly implyes the erring from the truth in that peace is meant such an erring as putts the Erroneous person out of a saveable state they are said to live in Error 1 Pet. 2.18 which is more then to have Error live in them In which Chapter he fully describes what sort of erroneous persons he there means from the tenth verse to the end John calls it the Spirit of Error 1 John 4.6 by which he means more then an errring spirit Jude calls such sensual separatists Jude 19. such as had no appearance of the grace of God in them but were ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the onely Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ the whole Epistle is spent to describe those sort of Separatists now from such sort of Erroneous persons as these are mentioned and fully described least we should mistake doubtless the Church of God and Saints ought to separate from and reject 4. The fourth sort of Erroneous persons which I judge holy Churches and Saints ought to separate from are such as err in fundamentals or foundation points of Religion holding opinions that lay the Ax to the Root of the Tree of Life Now as these sorts of Errors are most dangerous to be permitted so they are most difficult to single out for though it be a thing out of doubt that there are foundation Doctrines which the Church of God ought to prefer in order to its Beeing before its Peace and Vnity yet it remains very doubtfull whether several of those precious and substantial truths that are highly to be prized and much contended for and are by several godly and sound Christians esteemed foundation points be so or no that is so to be esteemed foundations as the persons not beleeving them or holding Error contrary to them and are otherwise in the main gratious be thereby made incommunicable But as in the former cases so in this I shall decline coming to particulars as a work above my capacity and shal onely tender my thoughts in some few general Rules and so leave it to them who are more able to add 1. First I judge that Errors against the foundation points of Religion must be of such a nature and tendency as do strike at the very root of Saving-Grace and tend to unstate the the person holding them from a possibility of Salvation he living and dying therein for so Paul argues 1 Cor. 15.14 concerning the resurrection of the dead If Christ be not risen then is our preaching Vain and our faith is also Vain And also verse 17.18 And if Christ be not raised your Faith is Vain ye are yet in your Sins Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished 2. I judge they must be Errors contrary to the general tendency and scope of Scripture and to the Doctrines of Salvation plainly and evidently therein exprest which all true Beleevers concur and agree in And therefore saith the Apostle if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 2 Cor. 3.3 and so chapter 11.3 But I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your mindes should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ For if he that cometh preacheth Another Jesus whom we have not preached or if ye receive Another Spirit which ye have not received or Another Gospel which ye have not excepted c. ye might well bear with him And so Gal. 1.6 7 8. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that hath called you into the grace of Christ unto Another Gospel Which is not Another but there be some which trouble you and would pervert the Gospel of Christ But though we or an Angel from Heaven preach another Gospel unto you then that which we have preached let him be accursed Now it is evident that that bringing in another Gospel was a joyning Circumcision and the works of the Law with Faith in Christ in Justification contrary to the very Essence of Gospel Faith as they held it Object Why how did they hold it did not you before number this among one of the Errors Paul permitted in the Church of Rome c. and prest the Church to union without separating from it Answ They held it rigidly imposing it upon others as of necessity to Salvation chap. 2.14 and 6.12 For where the same Error was held more moderately as we observe before in the Church of Rome and Corinth c. the Apostles deals milder with it there he saith Circumcision is nothing nor uncircumcision is nothing 1 Cor. 7.19 Is any man called being circumcised let him not be uncircumcised verse 8. But when they come to hold it imposingly and positively as in this verse he then changeth his voice then O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth c. Chap. 3.1 2 3 4. then Behold I Paul say unto you that if ye be circumcised Christ shall Profit you Nothing For I testifie again to Every Man that is circumcised Christ is become of None Effect unto you Chap. 5.2 3 4. So that the manner of holding an Error alters the case of its fundamentalness much It was Peters
avoid that disadvantage to the truth pleaded for my weak handling of it may administer and content my self with some few more general Objections and so conclude with some directions to such whose hearts are groaning under the Divisions of Saints Object Though this comfortable State of the Churches unity in Gospel-worship be a desirable thing yet it it not possible to be attained untill the glorious estate of the Church the time of fulfiling those promises of unity quoted by you pag. 56.57 and therefore to labour to attanie to impossibilities in an uncomfortable work Answ The same objection might have been made in the Apostles time and in the primitive State of the Church and yet you find they pressed and laboured after the Churches unitie and so far prevailed as we never heard of more universal Churches Christ had on earth but one though in that Church several different opinions about several weighty points yet they preserved an union in Church-state and did not unchurch nor unsaint one another untill these latter days wherein the Spirit of division hath been in its raigne and strength And there is as much reason to object against all our endeavours after all other graces and spiritual attainments because the perfection and fulness of them is reserved for that glorious day for until then our knowledge will be but darkly as through a glasse 1 Cor. 13.9.12 but then we shall know as we are known we shall then see face to face vers 12. then shall knowledge cover the earth as waters do the Sea Esay 11.19 we shall all then know the Lord from the least to the greatest Jer. 31.34 And so holiness and purity is now very imperfect We are now all the Sons of God but it doth not yet appear what we shall be but when he shall appear we shall be like him 1 John 3.2 the way of the Lord shal then be called the way of holiness the unclean shall not pass over it Isa 35.8 In that day there shall be upon the bells of the Horses holiness to the Lord Zach. 14.20 then shall Terusalem be holy there shall no stranger pass through her any more Joel 3.17 Yet I hope none will object from these Scriptures knowledge and holiness is reserved for the glorious state of the Church and therefore why do ye press to an encrease of it until the fulfilling of those glorious promises Therefore though the perfection of the Saints union be reserved for the last and glorious times of the Church yet the labouring after the measure of the present day is to not be omitted but rather to be laboured for as a mercy that must forerun many other precious mercies the Saints seem at this day to be in expectation of that I may say in this case as was said of our Saviour Mat. 13.58 Mar. 6.5 he could not do many mighty works among them because of their unbelief so the Lord cannot do many works amongst us because of our divisions and therefore we should esteem the unity of the Saints a mercy that would make way for abundance of other mercies for those glorious promises relating to the glorious estate of Christs Church in the latter dayes are to be fulfilled to all the Saints whether of Paul Apollo or Cephas And therefore Isaiah stirs up all Gods people to gladness and rejoycing at that day Isa 66. 10. Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem and be glad with her All ye that love her rejoyce with joy with her all ye that mourn for her That ye may suck and be satisfied with the brests of her consolation that ye may milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her glory And so Isa 4.5 The Lord shal create upon every dwelling place of mount Sion and upon her assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the burning of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence So Zach. 14.5 And the Lord my God shall come and All the Saints with thee And so the generality of those precious promises relating to the last and glorious state of the Church doth hold forth an universality of peace purity and glory to the whole Church to all Saints which the divided State of the Church is uncapable of receiving and therefore such whose souls long for the day of the Churches glory should take heed that therein they do not hurry the Saints besides or beyond the means of its present Unity for the obstructing the latter is an eminent means to hinder the former and such as will defer the work of the Saints Unity prest for untill that glorious day shall never have an oppotunity of casting their Mite into that Treasury for the Vnity of that day shall stand in no need of their help The Lord alone shall be exhalted as the Vniter of his Church in that day there shall then be no night there and they need no candle neither light of the Sun for the Lord God shall give them light Reu. 22.5 It would be taken for a very strange answer from a Physitian to a sick person that desired his help that when he was well he would come cure him since the whole needs no Physitian but those that are sick which Answer agrees much with this Objection Which I have been the larger in answering in regard I have often met with it from the most moderate against this Gospel union who though they have seemed to be convinced of the duty yet would quiet their consciences in the neglect of their uttermost endeavour to obtain it from the consideration that it was not to be expected until the last and glorious times That until there was an unity of knowledge and judgement there could be no unity in Church-fellowship alledging that Scripture How can two walk together unless they be agreed which Scripture others of like tendency are evidently mistaken when applied in this case for such an agreement as to have no difference of understanding among Saints and that in considerable weighty points was never yet on earth yet Gods Church hath preserved its unity And therefore it is to be considered that the union we are capable of attaining unto and ought to press after in this day of our imperfection is not to proceed from the perfection of our understanding in the same things but from the exercise of grace one towards another whiles thus differing to which purpose the Lord hath supplyed his people with several special graces which are chiefly applicable in this special duty and there fore ye may observe that generally exhortations to union as the end do provoke to the exercise of such graces as are proper thereunto as the means as for instance Ephes 4.1 2 3. That ye walk worthy of the vocation whereunto ye called are with all lowliness and meekness with long suffering forbearing one another in love verse 2. And further let all bitterness wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice
its uncharitable censoriousness and that 's the air it breaths in and therefore you may observe with what people soever this spirit is predominate they esteem not of any that own the same points with them wherin they differ from others unless they be sticklers for them they dare not lay more weight or place more religion in a controverted truth then their conscience tells them the Scripture doth they do little less then deny it in some mens opinions 3. As thou must expect opposition and discouragements and oughtest to be armed against them so take heed thou dost not imploy any of the carnal weapons of the spirit of division in the spirit of unions cause some men will oppose the spirit of division by a dividing spirit that is exercising the same carnal contention and proud wrath with uncharitable censoriousness c. against divisions as dividing spirits promote them by now this comes under Jobs reproof Chapter 13.7 Will ye speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him if we had no better Physicians then these we might tell the Church with Jeremiah Chap. 30.13 thy bruise is incurable and thy wound is grievous thou hast none to plead thy cause that thou mayest be bound up thou hast no healing medicines And therefore Paul being sensible how apt the best Church-healers are to apply the wrong plaister he gives to Timothy a special direction 2 Tim 2.24 The servant of the Lord must not Strive but be Gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in meekness instructing those those that oppose themselves if God peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledging of the truth I must say the contrary spirit in healers hath added much inflamation and thereby corruption to our wound 4. Labor to obtain a compassionate tender frame of spirrit even towards those whom thou art least in love with upon the account of their Errors in judgement If Christians would mourn and sigh more in the sense of Saints divisions and delusions and fret and rage less our healing would not seem to be so far of as it doth There is a kinde of religious hard-heartedness and cruelty overspread the hearts of many Christians in these dayes that we have cause to complain with the Church Lam. 4.5 Even the Sea monsters draw out the brest they give suck to their young ones the daughter of my people is become cruel like the Ostriges in the wilderness Christians can as easily and with as little reluctancy hear or speak evil of others that are gracious if they be but judged erroneous by them as carnal malicious persons can do of one another nay some be ready and zealous to stir up the rude carnal multitude against others and even take contentment in each others afflections Oh! where is the bowels of good Jeremiah that lived in a day when he could say of his people They be all Adulterers an Assembly of treacherous men they bend their tongue like a bowe for lies Chap. 9.2 3. and yet he cries out Oh that my head were waters and mine eyes a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people and so Isaiah he mentions the Sins of Gods people to be very great Chapter 22.8 9 10 13. And yet when he considers their suffering verse 4. he cries out Look away from me I will weep bitterly labour not to comfort me because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people But the like bowels and compassion in Gods people towards one another is not found which until the Lord afford thee thou wilt be very unfit for healing work 5. Labour to set thy affections on those things or qualifications in Saints which most lively and evidently demonstrate the powerfull work of Grace in them and the sincerity of their Love to Christ many Christians will more esteem of their own image in their brethren then Christs their closing with them in judgement in some particular controverted opinion will answer the defect of a great deal of more precious grace when much grace in another will not answer the defect of their differing in that opinion it is an easie matter to love them that love us the worst of men can do that Luke 6.32 but Paul sets us a pattern of another manner of Love 2 Cor. 12.15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you though the more abundantly I love you the less I am beloved it was this love in Paul that enabled him to bear all those hard measures from the Corinthians to labor for their union and peace whilest they made war against him Now without this Love that will cover a multitude of infirmities thou wilt never be able to receive this truth in the love of it nor to bear with patience all those discouragements thou wilt meet withall in this work 6. Labour to abound in all other uniting graces which the Apostle mentions Col. 3.12 he having spoken of the union of Saints verse 11. he then comes to commend as a means to fit them for it verse 12. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercy kindness humbleness of minde meekness long-suffering forbearing one another forgiving one another if any man hath a quarrel or complaint against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye and above all things put on Charity which is the bond of perfectness and let the peace of God rule in your hearts unto which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankfull let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom c. It is the want of putting on and exercising of these graces that hinders Saints from Gospel union more then all their different understanding doth for if all men were of one minde in the things wherein they differ the want of these uniting graces and living in the exercise of the contrary dividing vices would doubtless disunite and divide the people of God from one another for I am afraid there is little of that union among Saints at this day even among those of the same judgement that deserves the name of Gospel union either from the nature grounds or degree of it but generally a kinde of an outside heartless formal union that the very union of carnal people in carnal things seems to be more strongly founded which proceeds clearly from the want of the enjoying and exercising those precious graces for Christians united upon the Account of opinions are onely united in the head but Gospel-union upon the account of visible grace would be an uniting of hearts together such was the union the Saints enjoyed Acts 4.32 And the multitude of them that beleeved were of one heart ane of one soul 7. Labour to preserve a proportionable growth of grace in the soul all grace in the exercise of it must preserve an harmony otherwise it will sound like an Instrument out of tune some Christians seem to be all
hardened in their unbelief and impiety they presently stand up with the Pharisee in the Temple and cry out Thanks be to God I am not as other men are not as this false worshipper or Formalist nor that Heretick or Schismatick c. then they think they are religious enough for a great deal of the Religion of this day dissolves into negatives men are better able to tell you what they are not then what they are in Religion 6. In your labouring against Errors take heed of false accusations of charging persons tainted with one or some Errors with many others of a dangerous tendency which they profess a detestation against this evil practice hath much tended to Division and establishing some persons in their Errors they hold for when they have heard that point wherein they are said to be deluded opposed and spoke against by a slanderous tongue and uncharitable spirit they have concluded it to be a truth from the Error and evil of the spirit opposing it and have been so much moved to observe false witnesses to rise up against them who laid to their charge things that they knew not Errors that their souls abhor that they never heeded the Arguments against the chief point in controversie but are hereby further prejudiced against the truth prest upon them by the falsehood and slanderousness of the mouth pleading for it concluding the same fountain cannot send forth both sweet water and bitter and hereby this erroneous way of opposing Error doth serve some of the main designs of the father of Error and Lyes for next to the corrupting of the judgement he endeavours in order to lock them up in Error to incense their hearts and prejudice them in their affections against the truth and the professors of it which this untruth-like spirit and carriage of the pretended friends of truth doth exceedingly promote 7. In your opposing Errors controversal and of lesser moment take heed you thereby give not countenance and encouragement to Errors more weighty and fundamental least whiles you are pulling a mote out of the eyes of some you do thereby put a beam into the eyes of others some on the one hand so rigidly opposing Error in those of the separation that they harden and confirm others erring against the main truths of the new birth and regeneration setling poor carnal people upon the Lees of their formal profession and outward priviledges in the neglect of sanctifying grace and spiritual qualifications whereby thousands of poor souls are led blindfold to perdition yet made beleeve they are the onely Orthodox true Christians because they are free from some lesser controversal Errors some holy persons may be infected with when in the mean time they are ignorant of the main points of salvation and void of the very power and life of godliness yet by this sinfull daubing of some Preachers with untempered morter are perswaded of themselves Laodicean like that they are rich and have need of nothing and knows not that they are wretched and miserable poor blinde and naked the blood of whose souls will be required at such Preachers hands by the Lord Ezek. 33.8 9. Solomon saith Him that saith to the wicked thou art righteous him shall the people curse and if so then surely him will not the righteous God bless he who would not have his childrens bread cast to Dogs would much less have Dogs accounted Children whilst his Children are accounted Dogs which is a crying sin at this day amongst some such as would be loth not to be accounted godly Ministers who ye shall observe carry themselves towards some poor Christians in their Parishes who differ from them as towards the worst of men and in their Pulpits are more vehement and harsh against them then against the most prophane impious persons and practices and in the mean while administer the precious sealing Ordinances of the Gospel to a mixt multitude many if not most of which being ignorant scandalous and prophane persons common scoffers at Religion common swearers drunkards Sabbath-breakers c. yet all those saving some general admonitions against sin and general exhortations to duty shall be spoke of and to and walked towards as the Church of Christ and people of God and if there be some more sober person or persons who are free from the fore-mentioned scandals and have attained to some Historical knowledge of Religion and close but with them in the way of worship they are for especially if by their estate or interest they be able to serve their designs why such men must be esteemed of and cried up for eminent godly men when as to any inward sanctifying work of grace in their hearts there is no more appearance of it then there was of Gospel in Paul when he was Saul the persecutor or of the work of regeneration in Nicodemus when he came to Christ by night Now what is this less then justifying the wicked for a reward and taking away the righteousness of the righteous from him Isa 5.23 And the same sort of evil is to be discerned though not in so great a measure in them that are rigidly for separation and particular opinions many of them will be ready to have a huge good opinion and shew a singular respect to persons that favour them in their particular perswasions though otherwise loose notional frothy persons void of any savour or power of Godliness and in the mean time have a slight esteem of persons both sober and gratious that differ from them against whom they will be ready to take up an evil report and joyn with carnal loose people in reproaching them whereby the mindes of such carnal Incendiaries are setled in a loose frothy notional frame against the gravity and purity of Religion now these practises of all hands though they may be vailed under pretences of zeal for Truth against Error or for purity of worship against the Traditions and customs of men yet they are impious and evil in themselves besides exceeding prejudicial and destructive both to the purity and unity of Gods people and ought to be avoided and witnessed against as the worst sort of ungodliness in godly persons But though I could not omit the giving these cautions to all that pretend a Love to Jerusalem's Peace yet little is my expectation as to the furtherance of this blessed work from such as have engaged themselves far in these carnal contendings for spiritual things for evils clothed with good and plausible pretences are not easily reclaimed therefore I shall direct my self chiefly in what I have further to say to Gospel Ministers to those few names in Sardis that have not defiled their garments with these contentious dividing practices for many there are I hope that for the Divisions of Reuben have great thoughts of heart whose souls long for Sions Peace who with Jeremiah could wish their heads were waters and their eyes fountains of tears that they might weep day and night for the slain of
the daughter of their people Now to such I have these following directions to propose Though you do not think it convenient to engage your selves in the controversies of the times as they tend to estrange the hearts and alienate the affections of good People one from another yet to engage your selves in a controversy against controversies managing of it with a spirit of love and tenderness which may so much tend in the fruits of it to the endearing and uniting of the hearts of Saints one to another that may be worth your engaging in If you observe what is said page 32 33 34 35 36. you will there see how all the servants of God in all ages contended against the contentions in the Church and laboured to preserve union amongst Saints as the main duty And therefore in the first place I would begg of you to stir up your own hearts with all the Saints near you to be much in prayer for this mercy set special times apart to meet together to wrestle with the Lord about it this is a difficult and a great work and prayer hath done many such all those late great mercies that God hath bestowed upon his People in these Nations which they are now so unable to agree about the dividing of were all by many gracious and eminent instruments received and acknowledged to be the returns of Prayer I shall close this request with Joels exhortation Chap. 2.17 Let the Priests the Ministers of the Lord weep between the Porch and the Altar and let them say Spare thy People O Lord and give not thy heritage to reproach that the Heathen should use a by-word against them wherefore should they say among the People Where is their God 2. Give up your selves to study and propagate this truth for among the multitude of books that this day hath produced I have found few though I have diligently enquired and sought for them of this subject And had I not been wearied with long delayed expectation I should not durst to have made an Essay upon this work but I hope if it be of no other use it may serve to provoke some of you to lay your hand to this plough least such unskilful ones as my self is should spoile a good cause by badly managing it 3. Set upon some beginnings in Gospel-fellowship upon this Gospel principle I am perswaded the Lord would prosper and blesse it against this Spirit of division as the house of David against Sauls it shal grow stronger and stronger and the other weaker and weaker the Lord seems to be withdrawing his good spirit of his quickening sanctifying comforting grace from the People with whom the spirit of division is most predominate even pouring upon the head of dividers what he threatned to back-sliders Prov. 14.14 even to fill them with their own wayes that they are even wearied with the multitude of their divisions and contentions and such as are sincerely sensible thereof are ready to cry out with David Psal 120.6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace unto whom your feet will be beautiful that bring good tydings that publish peace Esay 52.7 when they shall observe by your Order and spirituall concord how good and pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity as Psal 133.1 If you have already the charge of a particular Church labour to instruct them in this precious truth which when they have received endeavour to manifest it and make it known to all the Godly round about that you are in charity and desire to be in fellowship with them and all the godly or visible Beleevers in the World But if you be not engaged to any particular Church at present then make known your judgment to al that feares God near unto you and press them to their dutys to congregate themselves together and to have fellowship one with another in all Ordinances so farr as the Lord hath enlightned them therein which when obtained proceed as before Object But in case the Churches or at least a great part of them over whom the Lord hath set us be so averse to this truth that the promoting of it among them may hazard a breach betwixt us or at least a division in the Churche show should we then walk in the prosecution of this duty Answ Either such an aversness must proceed from a conscientious godly fear that some other truth of Christ they have received may be prejudiced thereby Otherwise from a contentious unruly frame of spirit not being able to bear the sincere and savory advice and instruction of those the Lord hath set over them If from the former a great deal of tenderness and Christian patience ought to be exercised toward them and endeavours used to satisfie them that your main aim and intendment in promoting this duty is to take away the cause from whence all grievances of that hand come and to provide that an equal provision of Liberty and opportunity may be to all conscientiously professing or practising any controverted point without the least discouragement or restraint which is as much as any sober mind can desire If from the latter lesse weight is to be put upon it saith Paul if any man seem to be contentious we have no such custom neither the Churhes of God 1 Cor. 11.16 And so to Titus There are many unruly and vain talkers whose mouths must be stopped Titus 1.10 11. Rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith vers 13. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority let no man despise thee Chapter 2.15 when Christians contain not themselves within the bounds of a sober gracious spirit whether the matter they strive about be truth or error their pride passion unruliness ought to be reproved But if in case they all should agree to dissent in this matter and will retain their former rule of separation yet if they be willing to allow that liberty to others that they desire to enjoy themselves separate not from them but the rather abide with them as with a Church of Christ that most needs your help For Christians much more ministers should not somuch consider where they may walk to enjoy most comfort and Christian liberty c. but rather where they may be most serviceable to the Lord and the weak diseased of his People for the whole need not the Physitian But though I do judge you ought to condiscend to the weakness of your Brethren and to walk with all Christian and brotherly affection towards them yet not herein with Peter Gal. 2.12 13. to dissemble the truth or to suffer any of the same society to be imposed on by them but your selves withall like-minded to manifest your charity towards and desire of fellowship with all the Saints on earth and as your occasions give you opportunity to evidence your principle by your practice Object But in case the Church with whom wee walk should be so offended as
they should proceed against us and withdraw from us upon this Account Answ Having as before walked with all tenderness and unblamableness towards them let not that offend you that is their Sin so to abuse an Ordinance of God it is not yours the fear of this punishment kept many a beleeving Jew from publiquely owning the Gospel John 12.42 Neverthelesse among the chief rulers also many beleeved on him but bicause of the Pharisees durst not confesse him least they should be put out of the Synagogue so John 9.22 Acts. 22.19 Object But would not this be a meanes to foment and encrease a great deal of contention and strife in every particular Church for where congregations do consist of persons so different-minded each enjoying an equall liberty of professing and practising their different perswasions this must necessarily tend to a frequent begetting disputes and controversies amongst them whereby the mutual edification and comfort of the whole would be endangered Answ Without doubt the different perswasions of Christians walking together in the same fellowship will be attended with many difficulties and hazards which the mercy of unity of understanding would remove but put them all in the ballance with the fore-mentioned evils which their dividing and separating from one another as at present is attended with and then judge which is the greatest for where a necessity of evill is upon us one in competition with the other it is our duty to admit the least that which least dishonors God and tends least to the ruine and desolation of his Church and people and sure I need not bring the evils attending each of these cases in competition to find out which is the greatest but when you find such Errors or Erroneous persons singled out the admitting of whom into the Church of God or giving the right hand of fellowship unto would be attended with equall evill either as to Gods dishonour or to the damage of his Church that our present Divisions are attended with then and not else I judge you ought to assent thereto But if once union of Saints had that weight upon our hearts which it ought to have I do not judge differences of judgement amongst Members of the same Church could be so inconsistent to its Peace and Edification For 1. The Church must allow an equal liberty to all controversal points either in doctrine or practice and withal must provide an equal rule to limit and restrain the extreams of unseasonable unsober and troublesom promotions of them or oppositions to them of each hand so that the mutual edification and comfortable walking of the whole in the practice of those main duties wherein there is a mutual agreement may not be interrupted for God is not the Author of confusion saith the Apostle but of Peace in all Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14.33 And James doth not say Where difference of understanding is but where envying and strife is there is confusion every evil work and therefore do but make an equal provision against carnal contentions and disorderly promotions of controverted points and then the holding them or sober preaching and practising of them could not be inconsistent to union in the same Church Object But would not this be a means to prejudice and block up the way of some despised controverted truths which much the least part of the people of God have received and the generality is very much prejudiced against And this way would subject the Saints professing them to the united Church power of such as oppose them and thereby bring such truths of God and the professors of them under great discouragements and contempt Answ Whatsoever the rule of Christ directs us unto in order to the promoting controverted despised truths is the best way to promote them howsoever to our reason it may not seem so to be and when we lay our hands to any part of Gods work we must be careful to keep our feet in the way of his pathes and though controversies and differences of understanding have been in all ages in the Church yet produce one Instance out of Gods Word to justifie Separation thereupon before you plead for the practice of it but this Union would not at all tend to the prejudice of any particular truth that may be at present under reproach amongst the generality of Christians for nothing more tends to the damage of an opposed despised truth then the reproach and dishonour brought upon it by weak self-conceited sticklers for it whose unseasonable and unsober contending for it doth so much offend and stumble the contrary minded that they take a prejudice against the truth for the promoters sake whereas were Saints united in Church Order there might be special times and places appointed for the most able and sober of each different perswasion to hold forth their grounds for their judgement either Doctrinally by way of Preaching or otherwise by a sober and Christian conference betwixt such as the brethren of each different perswasion should make choice of where all might have liberty to be present and to make their sober Objections against what should be delivered as they see cause and this might be done without the least disturbance of the peace and with mutual edification of the whole as a Church which would also exceedingly tend to remove those discouragements on the one hand which lye in the way of despised Truths and those encouragements on the other hand that are given by our divisions to several applauded Errors For when the Judgment of any person made him neither more nor lesse esteemed nor advantaged Christians would then receive or reject controverted points singly to answer a good Conscience towards God in obedience to his will made known to them whereby doubtless Truth would much prevail against Error for a sincere sober Conscience no ways byassed seldome miscarries in its judgement And so in our present divided confused state several controverted Truths may suffer much prejudice by the many Errors they are accompanied with in the Professors of them and oft-times so inter-woven and intangled in their practice that such as may have a desire to professe the Truth are discouraged and kept off thereby whereas this Union upon Gospel principles removes all that and leaves every Truth single and pure without any addition or detraction thou mayest then take up such a trampled on pearl though it be found among Swine and adde it to the Bracelet of thy former graces or duties without wallowing with them in the mire to enjoy it or perform it Object But there are many whom we judge godly both Ministers and private Christians that will be opposite to us in this work upon the account of our separation from the carnal multitude and visible unbelievers they admitting a bare profession of the Christian Religion with some other additional qualifications not evidencing conversion nor visible grace to be the rule of Church-membership c. now how should we walk towards them Answ