as they began to lay their sin to their charge they withdrew themselves and came no more to them as we are since informed otherwise they had proceeded further against them cast out of two Churches in Wales upon the same occasion to wit Mr. Jenkin Jones Mr. Powells Churches and likewise as we hear another in England whose Name at present we have forgotten 13 13. Whether that Principle of the Congregation namely Communion with Saints upon the account of union with the Head be not unduly charged as broken by us when it is not intended by so good and righteous a principle that a Brother or Sister should take a liberty thereby as an occasion to the Flesh to walk scandalously among Saints and sinners for that is the corruption and not the true end of it The consideration whereof we think doth lye with such sorrow upon our souls as we may truly say hath wrung tears out of some of our hard hearts We shall not add more at present fearing it may be thought we have been too large in this already onely this that whereas it is said Nothing would content us but the sudden casting out of our Brethren without an orderly process according to the Scripture to which end we had resolved our present withdrawing before we came to the Church We do therefore desire to leave this with you as before the Lord That it was the least in our thoughts so to do for we hoped that truth would have taken so much place as that our brethren would have been admonished of their sin by the Church and so to have withdrawn from them if happily thorow a more narrow search into their hearts hereby the Lord might please out of his Grace to discover this their sin which hath and doth bring so great dishonor to the Name of the Lord though at present as they say unseen to them and in this Work not to have counted them as enemies but admonished them as brethren but so sudden a vote for communion with them lying under so great sin as we judge by what was offered that day did so amaze us that when we came out of London-House we knew not what to do only some of us did then conclude to meet together to enquire what was the mind of the Lord in this thing in which way of seeking to him we have continued to this day Now we hope you will bear with us and put a brotherly interpretation upon any thing therein that may not seem to carry with it that Love Affection and Gentleness which we desire from our hearts should be it not being our intention to justifie our selves in any evil but rather to lye at the Lords and your feet therein yet would gladly be found faithful to the Lord in such a day as this when they that tempt God are delivered and they that work wickedness are set up yea he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey and a snare is laid for him that reproveth in the Gate Thus we humbly leave these our thoughts to your serious consideration hoping that whatever our failings may be yet we shall not want the guidance and direction of his spirit in every way of truth and we also trust That as you are in some measure pressing after that excellent Grace of Love so you may abound therein more and more in knowledge and in all judgement that you may approve things that are excellent in such a day as this being sincere and without offence until the day of Christ being filled with the fruits of Righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God and then it will be our joy and rejoycing to return unto you and in the mean time we judge it our duty to be waiting upon the Lord and you till his mind and Will be further revealed concerning us in whose protection we leave you and remain Dated the first day of the fourth Month 1656. Your poor destitute and mourning Brethren and Sisters in some measure till the Lord restore you to your primitive spirit of Faith Light Love and Zeal for his glory wherein you have been as a Beacon upon the top of a Mountain AFter some solemn waiting upon the Lord this Paper was signed by threescore in number or thereabouts and was intended so to have been given in but was otherwise determined upon for these two Reasons First Because in such an evil day as this we ought not to trust in a Friend no not in a Guide but to keep the door of our mouths from those that lye in our bosome If so then not to trust our hands with those who had so unworthily betrayed the Cause of Christ Secondly It was judged most for the glory of God to go in person all of us being about twelve more then signed it and own the said Paper which would be more authentick and less advantage given against any particular person and therefore an exact Copy was drawn out and carryed unsigned all of us accompanying the Brethren to whom it was chiefly committed unto London-House the next first day after the date thereof when being come a Brother of ours stood up and spake a few Words to this effect That we were here come to present unto them in brotherly love after solemn waiting upon the Lord a Paper containing the evil of those persons amongst them against whom we had been so long contending together with the Grounds and Reasons of our withdrawing to this day which we had the more hastened to give in in regard we were several times urged thereunto by several Brethren sent by their appointment unto us and further desired that liberty might be granted unto one of the Brethren by us intrusted for the reading of it Which was not onely denyed us but much scruple raised by some What Scripture-Warrant we had to give in our dissatisfactions in Writing To which answer was made That we judged it our Gospel-liberty to give it in by writing or otherwise as might be most for the glory of God for by this writing we did give in our joynt Testimony against the present evil with the reasons of our withdrawing which we apprehended could not be so well done by a private brother or brethren in speaking but that we might have had just grounds of exceptions against some things that might be spoken against such brethren Hereupon our Brother Marsh who walks with them said That he thought it was not onely our Gospel-liberty but the Scripture would warrant our practice else Pauls writing to the Corinthians about the incestuous person was not warrantable but if it was then our practice had ground in Scripture and therefore conceived there need be no further discourse about that And by this means was that Scruple in some measure removed and some Way made for the reading of our Paper but not by any one of us which although we judged it a little unreasonable yet for peace sake we condescended thereunto
upon our hearts to have delivered by word of mouth should be done in vvriting as vvell for your sakes as in discharge of our own duty according to the Rule of the Gospel and therefore vve intreat that you will suffer us hereby to plead a little vvith you for truths sake and vve hope it is unfeignedly upon our hearts to lay your great sin before you from some sense of the great dishonour brought unto the Name of the Lord by you and let these lines be patiently read through before you judge you poor unvvorthy brethren and sisters for we can truly say that we disire to mourn and groan in secret for you as well as for our own vveaknesses and this is some part of our joy That in simplicity and godly sincerity many of us have been by the space of two years and upwards endeavouring to get your feet as well as our own out of the Snare of the apostacy of this day having compassion of you as of our own souls for we are in some measure perswaded that some eminent hand of the Lord wil be manifested in due time to distinguish between those that serve him faithfully and those that serve him not In the first place therefore we pray you to consider the six great and scandalous sins laid to the charâ—g of the brethren amongst you wearing the Sword which for brevity sake we shall here onely mention referring you to our paper already given in for a more particular knowledge thereof wherein We desire the Scriptures in the margent may be diligently perused and some remembrance had of vvhat the Lord did inable us to speak from them when our Paper vvas debated in the Church although it is very vvell knovvn so much liberty vvas hardly obtained First Treason against Christ as King and Prophet of his people and King of Nations also for the latter part of the late VVar did run in that Channel Likewise against the faithful and vvell-affected in this Nation whose Liberties and they are made bond-slaves to their brethren though some blood was spilt and treasure spent to obtain it our of the hands of the late Tyrant Secondly Convenant-breaking and false swearing having engaged before the Lord and his People to perform the good promised on the behalf of Christ his People and the Nation vvhich are novv broken in the face of the Sun Thirdly Oppression by Tythes Taxes c. upon the bodyes and consciences of the Lords People and the well-affected the Nation at this day Fourthly Persecution of Saints many of the Lords people having been and some are still imprisoned for their testimony on the behalf of the Lord his Cause and the Nations liberty and therein the Souldiers are altogether active there being no rule not so much as according to the Law of the Land to justifie their practice by Civil Officers Fifthly Maintaining Antichristian Laws Statutes and Customs contrary to former Engagements and Declarations by vvhich the Saints of old have suffered and some do now suffer at this very day Sixthly Hereby the hearts of the righteous are greatly grieved for that brethren at least professing themselves so to be should be active in abetting and supporting so great vvikedness That these sins were plainly proved against our brethren wearing the Svvord novv amongst you is very manifest not onely in general but also in a great measure particularly and therfore shall leave it unto the Lord vvho judgeth righteously Yet vve do hereby humbly admonish them of their evil as being very great and scandalous After this there is laid down several Queries how vve vvere in duty bound to withdraw from them and by the same Rule to admonish and withdraw from your selves as being partakers with them having made your selves m Guilty for they are hereby encouraged to keep their places whereby the Man in Power is encouraged to go on in his apostacy and to judge himself in pretence at least to be in a good condition for when he hath been told That he had not the love of good people as formerly and that many were grieved at his present actions he replyed They were but a few inconsiderable people who were dissatisfied for the greatest part of honest men in the Army and Churches were for him and approved of what he had done which approhensions are begotten by members of Churches and other professors holding places under him for whilest they do so their tongues are tyed that they dare not openly speak their minds though they really apprehend yea and will to some confess That the present state of things are out of course and are not so honest as in the day of their straits they declared they should be Wherefore doth is not concern the Churches to take heed how they encourage those by continuing them among them who abet and uphold the present apostacy lest they become guilty thereof themselves and incur the Lords displeasure for so doing guilty of their iniquity by your vote of communion with them And this vve do in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ who hath commanded us to withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly though herein we would distinguish between such of our Brethren Sisters as do plead for encourage and support them in their evil and others who for want of a true knowledge understanding thereof together with the overawing of some amongst you as we fear are notwithstanding in their degree also become partakers with them in their evil And here desire so far to digress as to answer one objection namely That our brethren the Souldiers desired leave to go off from us before we procceded so far as now we have but we would not To which vve answer That it is to be considered their sins are very scandalous and if so such a practice would be contrary to the Rule directing in such cases That if a brother or brethren offend to admonish them particularly then more publikely as he or they are found to persevere in their sin that if the Lord will they may see their evil and repent and not suffer them to go off without knowledge of their evil for if they should it may prove to the hardening of their hearts and consequently to the ruine of their souls Indeed to have let them gone off would have been much more easie to us and pleasing to the flesh for we did in some measure foresee how hard it would be in this rough path to follow the Lord fully yet we take comfort in this That our Cause is of God and our hearts we trust in the main upright therein Now we shall proceed to give you a short account how the Lord hath led us since our said withdrawing wherin it will be manifest if the Lord give you a spirit of discerning that we have to this day been patiently waiting upon the Lord and you to the end that if it had pleased our heavenly Father it might have put you upon inquiry how far you are become
excusing of them and by his suddain starting such a question of Non-communion without serious consideration whereby many Brethren and Sisters were ensnared as they afterwards confessed and notwithstanding that truth had such hard usage from the beginning almost to that time yet we have since our withdrawing been waiting upon the Lord almost one whole year and half thereby bearing a more particular Testimony against their evil also by admonishing them twice according to the rule of the Gospel but no repentance as we can discern apprearing but rather hardness of heart and their sin every day more and more manifesting it self to the great dishonour of God and reproach of his Name We do therefore hereby declare That we can have no more fellowship and Communion with them then with Heathens and Publicans till the Lord shall give repentance unto life by acknowledging and forsaking their iniquity and do hereby humbly Testifie our separation from the accordingly Secondly That our Brother Sympson whose condition we desire to mourn for yet can but humbly testifie that he hath been for many moneths a secret opposer of those Brethren that prosecuted the cause of Christ against the evils of those Brethren of the Army and every day more and more did and doth stand by maintain and plead for them Nay more he is not afraid nor ashamed to plead for those very evils which he himself hath declared against openly and for which he for sometime suffered very boldly so that we can do no less then declare before the Lord Angels and men that he is now become guilty with the other Apostates to build again the things which he and they formerly destroyed and is become very skilful to cover the iniquity of this day which appeareth to all unbyast persons But least any should think that we had neglected our duty in not admonishing him privately before this publique testimony against him we answer That several Brethren had been with him privately upon that account Moreover we did at another time by several Brethren in the name of the whole apply our selves unto him intending particularly in love and due respects to have opened our hearts concerning his evil but in stead thereof he absolutely refused to give the least entertainment unto us as Brethren and Sisters or to hear any thing we should say unto him upon that account but looked upon us as Heathens and Publicans and thereupon refused so much as to pray with the Brethren who were sent by us Adding hereunto that thorow his pleading for and excusing of them he hath been the Instrumental Cause of this breach and separation and hardning the hearts of the Souldiers when some of them were in some measure convinced of their evil as we thought saying That if it were a sin to have Communion with them let it be charged upon himself and such as were satisfied with them as they should answer it at the day of the Lord Jesus For which and much more if needful at this time to declare We can have no more fellowship with him nor scarce so much as with those Brethren among you that wear the sword whose wickedness we have been so long contending against onely leaving him unto the Lord who can when he pleaseth convince him of his evil and give him grace to do his first works Thirdly That several other Brethren whom we could Name if need require have likewise much abetted excused and pleaded for this iniquity and particularly one of them who was formerly so convinced of the Soldiers evil as being the first person that put pen to paper to draw up Articles against them who said It was true but he thought it would not come to this And therefore we do judge it our duty also humbly to Testifie against them and separate from them as such who are greatly partakers of the Souldiers evil though it is possible that they may be much oversway'd in ther judgements by our Brother Sympson and cannot have Communion with them till such time that the Lord doth convince them of their evil and cause them to return from whence they are fallen and do their first works Fourthly That many other Brethren and Sisters though they have little to plead for the Souldiers as under those sins laid to their charge yet care not for inquiring into truth neither considering that Scripture 1 Cor. 5.6 Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump purge out therefore the old leaven that you may become a new lump But are willing to have their judgements byassed thorow affection to our Brother Sympson and so are willing to stand or fall in his bottom as we have just ground to fear and thereby become partakers of their evill deeds and if the Lord do not in time graciously awaken them out of this drowsie sleepy frame of Spirit we fear they may in time feel the sorrow of that Scripture Isa 9.16 For the Leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroyed And therefore hereby testifie and declare that we cannot hold Communion with them till the Lord shall discover unto them their evil therein Fifthly As for those Brethren and Sisters amongst you that groan and mourn under the sense of those crying abominations that our Brethren the Souldiers with their Abettors are guilty of we do desire to open our hearts to them with all bowels of tenderness and compassion declaring that although we can see no Scripture ground or bottom for their present practise and the rather when the Lord hath enabled their poor unworthy Brethren and Sisters though but a remnant to withdraw and separate from the evil doers whereby the decission is made And that Scripture Psal 26.4 5.6 Seems unto us a plain word of Instruction for them in these words I have not sate with vain persons neither will I go in with dissemblers I will wash my hands in innocency and so will I compass â—â—â—e Altar Whence the Spirit of the Lord seems to hint himself not innocent had he not refused Communion with dissemblers and vain persons without having respect whether they were the greater or the lesser number And how they can call that part of the Body a Church when those they joyn with are onely the disorderly walkers for those who bear the Testimony are withdrawn we do not well understand which is the more considerable when they are commanded to withdraw from every Brother that walks disorderly However we judge it our duty to continue our prayers for them and to spread their condition before the Lord in secret as if it were out own that he would enlighten and inform them in their duty and give them obedient hearts thereunto that the Lord would deliver their feet out of the snare and do hereby intreat exhort and desire them as they tender the glory of God and the comfort of their own Souls in the time of Tryal and Temptation to come out from amongst them and separate
Moreover we should thereby have given occasion to some to have given a Reply to many things which we suppose will hereby be avoided But if any notwithstanding our indeavors shall adventure to blemish the Truth and Cause we do hereby contend for we trust the Lord will give us wisdom to make an humble and sober Reply â—o such persons if need be And therefore for the better clearing of truth to the understanding of the Reader some Marginal Annotations are onely added whereby the matter of fact is proved by the Armies Declarations and Engagements c. whilest they pretended to be faithful to the cause of Christ whereof the Souldiers aforementioned were then and still are Members besides several particulars proved against them all being contained in our first paper and after that comes in our gradial proceedings against them and their Abettors upon their perseverance in so great evill that so it may appear we have walked according to Rule in order to the convincing and recovering of them if the Lord had so pleased We know upon perusall of the subject-matter contained in this Book there will be many infirmities and weaknesses shewing forth themselves therein but we hope the Lord hath given you such bowels of tenderness as to pass them over and rather be eying the drift and scope of what is intended hereby and therefore shall take up no more time in an Epistolary way but leave it unto the blessing of the Lord with this Exhortation to you as well as unto our selves Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity hating even the garment spotted by the flesh that so at the appearing of our Lord Jesus he may say unto us Well done good and faithfull Servants enter you into your Masters Joy Signed in the name and by the appointment of the greater number of the Congregation who have seperated from those now walking with Mr. John Sympson Humphrey Hathorn Caleb Ingold John Seely John Portmans THE Old Leaven purged out OR The Apostacy of this day further opened A true Copy of our first Paper to Mr. SYMPSON and the other part of the Congregation after we were withdrawn upon the account of the Souldiers declaring the grounds and reasons of our withdrawing Dated the first day of the fourth month 1656. Delivered in writing at London-house the next first day after the date hereof by six of our Brethren accompanied with the whole Onely the Marginal Annotations were since added to prove what we have asserted in the body of our papers Dearly beloved Brethren Sisters in our Lord Iesus Christ HAving spent some time together and apart to seek the Lord for counsel and direction since we absented our selves from you having had as we hope some sorrow and grief of heart that we cannot with any comfort partake with you at present of those Ordinances our Lord Jesus hath left his people to be exercised in until his second coming and appearance and we trust have endeavoured in some degree of sincerity to search our own hearts concerning those sins laid to our charge as Vncharitableness Pride Rashness Self-will'dness Arrogancy c. which we must acknowledge to be in as in too great a measure yet doubtless this we may speak to the glory of the free Grace of our Father in Jesus Christ That notwithstanding Satan togegether with the body of sin we carry about us hath had great advantage to blemish that blessed Cause and Interest we have been so long contending for we may we hope declare That in â—â—plicity and godly sincerity this Work hath been managed by us and also that it is out of love to Truth as well as on Truths behalf we are so far engaged It is in the conclusion of our waiting upon and seeking to the Lord much upon our hearts to lay before you the Truth we are so much under a Cloud for that if the Lord will we may find such a fruit of this our seeking to and waiting upon him as will bring most glory to God and comfort to you and us and the provoking the Churches of Christ in this Nation too generally fallen in with the iniquity of this day Dear Brethren and Sisters and longed for in the Lord You very well know how for some years together the Lord hath been risen out of his holy place to punish the Inhabitants of the Earth for their iniquity and notwithstanding those Inhabitants have and do under a form of godliness get into Zion yet so narrow hath the Lord been and still is in his search at this day that the sinners in Zion are afraid for he hath set up his fire in Zion and fornace in Jerusalem and will not leave till he hath throughly purged his floor in which great Work we find that his own people have not been without their refinings in regard of so great filth they carry about them for he saith that he must wash away the filth of the daughter of Zion from the midst thereof and purge away the blood of Jerusalem by a spirit of Judgement and a spirit of Burning that upon all the glory may be a defence The nature of this Work hath been not onely by the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God in the 〈◊〉 of his Servrnts the Prophets but also by the Sword of a man or the material Sword and herein we find the Saints not onely by their prayers but their persons also have been instrumental making good that Word in the Psalms Let the high praises of God be in their â—â—â—ths and a two-edged Sword in their hands to execute upon the Adversaries of his glory the judgments written to binde their * * VVas not the vengeance executed upon the King his Issue Nobles Gentry Clergy and other abettors a manifest return of prayer to the Lords people and in part a fulfilling of that Scripture Yea let the army the souldiers from whom we are separated look ouer their Declarations and Remonstrances c. upon this-account See Abridgm Remonst at Albâ—ns pag 30-31 oâ— Book called The Looking Glass and Decl July 19 1650 pag 46 47 of that Book Decl Aug 1. 1650 p 48 49 50. or in a sheet or paper commonly seen Decl after old Parl was dissolved p. 53 54 in their Speech to the little Part p. 55 56 58 61 62 63 of the aforementioned book and we entreat all the churches of Christ in this city and the three Nations to consider how far they encouraged the army therein whether they did not take up arms for the interest and cause of Christ at the invitation of their Pastors and Elders if not so we are not able to judge upon what account churches as churches should be sent unto to take up the material Sword but if tâ—â—e what means this general silence under falling in with the present power upon the old â—â—ock of Monarchy who not onely have taken the remainder of the great Houses
to them all our Papers containing the sum and substance of what had been done by us as to those from whom vve vvere vvithdrawn that so they might have the clearest knowledge of things as we were able to give them and after some VVeeks we received this return from them viz. That according to our request they had been meeting together and waiting several times upon the Lord that they might be able to give us such advice as they might judge to be of the Lord and that as to what we had already done they did conceive we had been graciously led by the Lord and could not but own and approve of our proceedings hitherto but withall did apprehend before any further proceeding should be by us wherein they were very unanimous namely That we should yet once more make a further tender unto those from whom we were withdrawn about hearing the matter in difference between us as formerly we had done for these following Reasons viz. 1. To the end that those Brethren and Sisters of whom we write so tenderly in our Papers might thereby be brought off from those disorderly persons or else be the more without excuse if after such a tender made though refused they shall yet continue vvith them 2. In case such a debate be granted it is conceived that Truth of the one hand and Iniquity on the other will be thereby discovered and the eyes of many opened to whom the knowledge thereof shall come or else we thereby the more vindicated as to any further proceedings if such a tender should be refused 3. That those Brethren whose advice had been desired will be the more cleared and justified in any further proceedings whether a debate be granted or not 4. That the Messengers of the Churches called in by the other part of the Congregation were so tender as not to proceed without the consent of both parties therefore those brethren whose advice we have desired could do no less then make such a proposal unto us that if possible a debate of the matter in difference my be obtained 5. That though it is believed what is contained in our Papers be true yet by such a debate truth will be made more plain unto those Brethren whose advice we have desired for their further proceeding and justification before others 6. That this VVork being of Concernment unto all the Congregations in the Nation ought therefore to be done with as much consideration as may be in regard the issue of it if done in the spirit of the Lord will be much for his glory and the advantage of his despised and reproached Cause and People at this day After these Reasons laid before us a Brother stood up in the Name of the whole and gave them a kind acknowledgement of their brotherly love That there were any who would own and stand by the truth in such an evil day as this is and for what they had offered concerning another tender to be made unto those from whom we were withdrawn we should consider of it with their Reasons inducing thereto and according as we should be directed by the Lord so we hoped it was in our hearts to preceed and no otherwise And so those Brethren departed after which a little time was spent together and a day concluded upon to seek the Lord by prayer as to what they had offered unto us and accordingly at the time appointed we met and in the conclusion of the day came to this result That it would be much for the glory of God respect being had to the foregoing Reasons to make another tender unto those from whom we were withdrawn and that two brethren be forthwith chosen to acquaint them therewith The substance of the Message delivered to the other part of the Congregation at Allhallovvs the sixteenth day of the fifth Month 1657 by the two Brethren appointed thereunto That they were sent in the Name and by the appointment of the Brethren and Sisters withdrawn from them to present a Message unto them after seeking the Lord as being that which they judge to be his mind and will concerning them and is to this purpose Notwithstanding we had two several times already offered unto them for the further manifestation of truth and clearing up our integrity in the matter and ground of our withdrawing we did hereby once more make this further tender unto them that according to the tenure of our last Paper given in we might according to our Gospel-liberty in this extraordinary case choose on our part men fearing God and working righteousness and faithful to the Cause of Christ in this evill day and such who have hazarded their lives for the same whether in Churches or out to hear the matter in difference between us and they might on their parts take the like liberty if they thought meet there being no command forbidding or injoyning us to send unto Churches onely in matters of Church difference though we conceive it be a very equitable way to send unto Churches did it not appear the generality of Churches are either silent under or complying with the Apostacy of this day and in regard we had already waited about three or four monthes since our first tender in this kinde without any return we judged it meet to offer that we might receive your answer one way or other by this day fortnight And so the two Brethren intrusted with the delivery of the said message came away leaving it to their consideration About twelve dayes after Master Jessey accompanied with Brother Palmer and Brother Marsh brought us an answer to the said Message which is inserted in our next paper it being thought meet to be given in writing that they might the more plainly judge of our Reasons why we could not condescend thereunto and likewise that it might either be a witness for or against us for the time come And is as follows A paper Containing our Reasons why we could not condiscend unto the message brought by Master Jessey accompanied with Brother Palmer and Brother Marsh Dear Brethren and Sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ VPon the 28th of the Last moneth we received a return to our last message by Master Jessey accompanied with brother Palmer and Brother Marsh and was in words to this effect That himself with Master Knowles and Master Barebone were by you acquainted with a message received from us being the same we had formerly delivered And in regard the matter in difference was by you referred to the members of several Churches to do therein as they think meet of whom they were a part they did thereupon give notice to the rest of their Brethren intrusted with this businesse who meeting together came to this result to which they had also received your consent to wit That they thought it but reasonable we should have the liberty of our choice provided those we sent unto be Church-members chosen by the consent of their respective Congregations if so they were to have
many of you Indeed we have ground to fear that many of you are so far become guilty as to call their evil good and our withdrawing from them and you upon this account evil And although we have been now one whole year and half or thereabouts waiting upon you in the Lords way by our withdrawing from you wherein we have been desirous to exercise patience and much long-suffering and as we hope with yearning bowels towards you in some measure willing to have compassion of you as of our own soules left we should also be tempted Likewise a year and half before our withdrawing bearing our Testimony against the evill amongst you so that had there been any heart in you to purge out the old leaven you might have become a new lump unto the Lord in so long time and thereby have been a vessel of honour meet for the Masters use in your generation but notwithstanding their sin hath been so often laid before you by us since as well as before our first withdrawing and having we hope out of love to your soules as well as for the glory of God in discharge of our own duty admonished the Souldiers of their evill and your selves as their Abettors according to the Rule of the Gospel that if it had pleased our heavenly Father you might thereby have been duly humbled under his mighty hand by smiting upon the thigh saying What have I done and each one have considered from whence you are fallen and done your first works Moreover in regard it was imputed to us That we would have none to Judge of or hear the ground of our withdrawing but our selves we did thereupon offer unto you that we were willing others should have the hearing of our Cause or rather the Cause of our Lord Jesus Christ wherein such poor worthlesse wormes as we are ingaged Provided we might have Liberty on our part to choose Persons of known Integrity and Godliness of whose faithfulness to the cause of Christ we might have good ground of Assurance in such an evil day as this is which by your practice you have absolutely denied us and in stead thereof have sent a third time to the several Congregations in and about the City without our consent or approbation that they might by their messengers hear and judge of the Matter in difference between us though they have refused to meddle with it And Oh that the consideration thereof might yet at the last put you upon some serious inquiry what should be the minde and will of the Lord concerning you therein and whether a third denial of this kinde doth not speak that you have so often gone out of the Lords way about that work and have refused susch equal wayes as might tend to the further discovery of truth as we humbly apprehend Likewise about 7. or 8. weeks since after seeking the Lord and receiving advice from such as were faithfull to the cause of Christ in this day we did judge it our duty notwithstanding your refusall to this day yet once more to make the same tender unto you as we had done formerly That the matter in difference might be debated in the presence of a certain number of godly persons one half chosen by you and the rest by us and all of them having equal liberty of speaking as occasion might require To which we received Answer being little less then a plain denial of our tender however we make a speedy reply in writing that our willingness to such a work might appear for answer whereunto we have been about four weeks in expectation but having no return we do discern that the Lord hath shut up your hearts from it which doth the more plainly appear for that we are informed those Members of Churches to whom you have committed the perusal of our last paper did give in their Judgement That our desire therein was but reasonable and ought to be condesscended unto Now we could wish that the sence of your great evil might lie more upon our hearts wherein we would also not be unsensible of our own miscarriages in the management thereof desiring we hope to mourn before the Lord for the same yea we desire not onely in the words but Spirit of the Prophet Jeremiah to say Oh that our heads were water and our eyes a fountain of tears that we might weep night and day for our own sins and iniquities as well as for the great abominations of this time being an open Apostacy from the Cause of Christ and this Nations freedom sealed unto in the late Wars by the Faith Prayers Blond Tea's and Estates of many thousands of whom not a few were Saints whereinto you are so greatly fallen and it is upon the hearts of some of us that if the Lord shall not mercifully yet at the last send his Angel and pull you out from amongst this Apostatizing generation this may probably be your portion That Partaking of their sins you may partake of their Judgements An therefore that we might be remisse in nothing so far as the Lord hath discovered it to be his minde and will unto us It is after seeking of his face for Councel and direction and some searching of our own hearts judged to be our duty to leave this paper with you as our last Testimony against the crying evils and abominations amongst you and cleaved unto by you some more some lesse as is hereafter mentioned First As to our Brethren the Souldiers We humbly declare and testifie in the Name and fear of the Lord who is the searcher of all hearts they do appear unto us very manifestly guilty of those several sins laid to their charge by us as being principall Abetters unto and Supporters of the Apostacy of this day headed by the Person now in Power by whom our Brethen stand and so stiffly contend for as if they would justifie him in all his Oppressions wherein he ariseth and higher to the great reproach of the Gospel The sin we shall onely name being more largely set down in our first paper First Treason having betrayed the Cause and Intrest of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Nations Liberty contended for in the late Wars which did maniselt it self First In pulling down all Antichristian laws Statutes ⋆ Having before proved that there is an Apostacy we now come to shew the rise of it and is as followeth When the War was ended at Worcester the Lords people expected that the good things the Army declared for and promised should be brought forth Also the man in Power and the Army appear'd in words to do so to And do blame and pretend they dissolved the old Parliament for not doing those good things and likewise to call the Little Parliament as men fearing God and Principled to bring them forth as also to Act for the Advancement of Christs Kingdom And go on to say that something was at the door and that we were at the edge and threshold of the
at this day which makes the hearts of the righteous sad whom the Lord would not have fadned and the Enemy great ground to rejoice that so large profession should end in the greatest oppression wickedness that we could have expected from the adversaries of his glory against whom so great a contest hath been by blood for so many years and for our Brethren to own and approve of him who hath so greatly dishonored the Lord by serving him with their Swords in their hands cannot we think free them from being transgressors thereof in a high measure And now we shall humbly lay before you some particular instances from these generals though one would think this were enough to every impartial eye for by how much sin comes to be countenanced c carryed on by a Law by so much it is the more dangerous for particular persons to fall in with it Our Brother Kelzey cannot be freed from having a hand in the v rise of the Government the Cockatrice Egge of this day in regard himself and Coll. u Coll. Kelzey did at Mr. Sapmsons house in Cole-harbour before many brethren more fully confess what was laid to his charge in coming down to the Fleet then is laid down in the paper Moreover at that time he said also That before his coming down to the Fleet he was at a Meeting of the Officers of the Army when the Government was presented to them in writing for their approbation and that he himself did alder something therein and so gave his consent it being his judgement and conscience as he said although when his coming down to the Fleet was first laid to his charge it was denyed by him in these words That he had not directly or indirectly a hand in the rise of the Government whereby he was guilty of a plain untruth onely this is to be remembred That whereas it is said in the paper Coll. Clark was with him when the first came down to the Fleet it was a mistake for it seems he came down alone that time Clark was imployed in December 1653. to come down to the Fleet then riding before Portsmouth brought along with them the Paper of Government in writing with a blank in that Article where the Persons Name who was to be Protector should be inserted when it was also declared that it was thought the Lord General should be the Man but it was not yet determined Likewise since that he hath taken upon him to be a Major General whereby the Nation is divided into Provinces the plain fruit of Monarchical Conquest as if twelve or thirteen years War wherein so much blood both of the Saints and others had been spilt though in pretence for Christ yet indeed to establish the lustful interest of one particular person founded upon a more Tyrannical and Antichristian bottom then the late King who was cut off for his Tyranny Moreover as a Fruit of this our Brothers new degree of honour he hath oppressed several of the Lords People by forcing Taxes from them as from Coll. Rich. †A copy of Coll. Rich his Letter to Kelzey was produced to know the reason of his sending Souldiers to quarter upon him and Kelzey's answer wherein he declared That there they should quarter till the Tax were paid a prisoner for truth of which we have been particular in making it out how long the Souldiers quartered at his house in Kent selling his Corn killing three of his Tenants sheep for Food and last of all distrained which they might have done at first but that they resolved to make the yoke as heavy as they could and not onely so but took between four of five pounds more then the Tax came to Likewise since that Taxes have been forced from Capt. Burcher Capt. Owen and Capt. Price in Canterbury from the first of whom the Souldiers took to the value of thirty shillings to pay for their quarters a day and night as they said and if this be not Oppression we know not what it Also he justifieth the imprisonment of our Brethren by saying 'T is possible they suffer for evil-doing Our Brother Capt. Harrison was Keeper to our Brother Sympson whilest he was a x It is some grief of heart unto us that we should make mention of Mr. Sympson's Name as declined from that spirit of Testimony which was upon him whilest he continued a prisoner prisoner for truth and though he might do it in love yet that will onely excuse the aggravation of the sin and not the sin it self for we are to do no evil that good may come of it yea we are to avoid every appearance of evil and since that the Church took cognizance of our Brothers evil therein and did declare their dislike of that act yet notwithstanding have they received him by their last vote without the least acknowledgement of his sin Our Brother Ducket did in the presence of the Brethren at London-house declare his full approbation of the present Government as if there had been no sin in its first rise and indeed did so justifie the iniquity of this day that the generallity of the Brethren were much dis-satisfied with him Also he declared That he would have none in his troop but such as would engage to be true to the present power which did then much dis-satisfie the Brethren and our Brother Sypmson also since which he hath been in Scotland Our Brother Strange had the custody of our Brother Major General Harrison until we think he was ashamed out of it by some of the Lords servants who came to visit him professing their non-communion with our brother Strange in common eating whilest he was his brothers Jaylor Likewise our brother Strange did ask our brother Speneer in Marybone-Park VVhether the Souldiers had sold their Debentors unto him Brother Spencer answered No he did profess they would not sell them Strange answered Is not their time out if it be cashiere them This our Brother Strange denyed saying If that can be proved you may judge all the rest to be true but it was witnessed to his face at our brother Gardners house Likewise he did declare That he would have none of the congregation in his troop which came to be made known upon this occasion Our brother Hathorne declared to our brother Spencer his desire to ride in the Major Generals Troope whereupon our brother Spencer sent him to the Major General but not having an opportunity to speak with him he less his Errand with brother Strange and coming back to brother Spencer he told him Thou hast undone thy self for Strange hath said he will have none of the Congregation in his Troop which he also denyed with a great deal of cavilling but it was witnessed to his face Our brother Summer being asked what he fought for now he replyed For half Crowns Whether a Saint if called to venture his life onely for money can with comfort lay it down having
them about those Letters Which brought in the third Head to which he spake to this effect That the Letters about which they came were directed to the Church meaning those with whom he walked and if he had written any thing therein contrary to sound dectrine or otherwise he must appeal unto the Church as Paul did from Agrippa to Caesar and if the Church thought meet upon perusal to call him to an account for any thing therein he should be ready to answer it before them but he could not give way to the debating of them by our Brethren for the reasons aforementioned besides he could not in this case bring himself under the judgement of his adversaries or Words to that purpose and thereby also give away the priviledges of the Church into the hands of such whom according to the Rule of the Gospel be must look upon as Heathens and Publicans but if they or any other would come in their own k Mr. Sympson did not mean by coming in our own Name to receive us as Brethren but as Heathens and Publicans Name he should be ready to discourse with them yet herein it was to be weighed whether the Church would give away so much of their priviledge as that any Letters directed to them should be questioned by any person without their consent at least After this our Brother Cary one of the six said It was somewhat strange to him that he could so considently assert an untruth to wit That we should lye under the Admonition of the Church when there was never any Admonition from those Brethren and Sisters from whom we were withdrawn much less from the Church Which the said Brother further made out thus That himself with some other Brethren were appointed in the Name of the Whole to go to the other part of the Congregation from whom We were withdrawn who went to Allhallows and met with a considerable number of those Brethren in the Vestrey to know of them Whether those Words spoken by Mr. Sympson that day our Paper was debated to wit That the Holy Spirit had set a mark upon us for such as had made division were the sense of the whole with them To which they answered It was not theirs and Mr. Sympson also said They were his own words After this our Brother Cary was silent and then our Brothers Marsh Shrimpton and Powell being present as aforsaid said They never remembred any such Admonition Mr. Sympson said It was so which he endeavoured to make out thus That the Brethren who were entrusted with the Government of the Church did agree that we should be admonished as having sinned in leaving the Congregation and turning out backs upon the Ordinances of Christ and that they had committed it to him to declare the same which he did at that time when brought in our paper containing the grounds of our withdrawing through at that time we were not admitted to read them the Church not disowning of it he looked upon it as an admonition of the Church After this other of our Brethren spake in few Words to this purpose That they were come as brethren and they hoped in much love and singleness of heart to discourse with him and to have laid down wherein we judged he had missed of the Will of God and declined the Cause of our Lord Christ comparing the present frame of heart he is in with what it was when he lay a prisoner in Windsor Castle when they could not but look upon him as having an excellent spirit for Christ but since he did refuse they would turn unto the Lord who would hear and mourn for him And so those Brethren departed returning the said account unto us Being thus unkindly yea may We not say unchristianly entertained by Mr. Sympson We still continued vvaiting upon the Lord in our estate of vvithdrawing our spirits being grieved by this carriage of his And after some time seeking the Lord and enquiring into his mind and Will We came to this conclusion as a present duty lying before us That in regard We did find no repentance in the Souldiers but rather hardness of heart as also Mr. Sympson hardened in his evil in excusing and abetting of them vvhich encouraged others to do the like and the rest vvho vvere some vvhat sensible of the evil amongst them much darkned in their understandings by reason thereof We should unanimously go unto them and lay before the Souldiers their ovvn evil and the evil of the rest as abetting of them in their degree and to admonish them in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ vvith as much brotherly love as the Lord should help us And that We might have the greater avve of the Lord upon our souls and be more orderly in this Work vve did agree to send unto the Brethren hereafter mentioned to intreat them in brotherly love and for the glory of God to accompany us as Witnesses therein vvhich was accordingly done and persons chosen from amongst us to speak unto them The Names of the brethren sent unto are these Mr. Cann Mr. Clark Col. Danvers Mr. Bland Mr. Barbone Mr. Waters Mr. Squibb Mr. Luxford Mr. Barret Mr. Ireten Having given notice to the other part of the Congregation the VVeek before our coming That vve intended upon the next first day after to come offer something to them All these brethren except Mr. Barbone who vvas not vvell being members of other Congregations and Societies came according to our request and accompanyed us to Lodon house upon the said first day of the VVeek in the Afternoon vvhere being come the said brethren vvere not vvillingly admitted but after our coming in vvith them one of our brethren stood up to acquaint them with the occasion of our coming at this time but Mr. Sympson and two or three more speaking together very confusedly cryed out No no we should not speake except those Brethren that came along with us would depart To which answer was made That we desired their company to testifie to the Truth of vvhat we had to say And then the brother vvhich spake first would have gone on but several of them cryed out together very confusedly as before to which vve replyed That having sought the Lord therein before our coming we could not give way thereunto but since they did refuse to hear vve vvould depart And in a short time after vve sent them the substance in VVriting of vvhat was then intended to be spoken A Copy whereof is as follows Dear Brethren and Sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ SInce your unkindness towards us the last l We mean that time wherein we intended to deliver this Admonicion by word of mouth and had testified thereunto according to the Rule of the Gospel Math. 18 16 17. time we vvere with you after some seeking unto the Lord vvhat might be our duty yet further this is gathered to be his mind and vvill That the substance of what was then
within a fortnight after by messengers of our own the answer to their message should be here inserted but being contain'd in our next Paper we shall here omit it Now the Reason why our Answer was given in writing was for that those our brethren who declared the same verbally brought return unto us That they desired it should be so pretending that they did not understand it or rather as we may say it not suting with their desire they would not understand it but however upon this report unto us by those brethren who were sent in our Name some from amongst us were appointed to draw it up in VVriting and present it to the whole for their approbation which vvas accordingly done but the same day it should have been brought in to us vve received another message from the other part of the Congregation vvhich should be here inserted but it being also contained in our next Paper vvith our Ansvver thereunto vve shall purposely omit it and refer the READER to the same Our Answer about sending to the Churches in the the City to hear the matter in difference between us Together with another Message from the other part of the Congregation wherein they desire us to joyne with them in keeping a day of fasting and prayer with our Answer thereunto Dear Brethren and Sisters in our Lord Iesus Christ UNderstanding by the brethren who were sent in our Name unto you to give a return unto your last Message that our Answer was very ill resented and because it was not in full compliance with and according to your expectation they were not suffered to speak out what was upon their hearts without much interruption by some amongst you as it hath been customary for the most part since our withdrawing from you which We cannot but look upon as arbitrary amongst men much more unsavoury among Saints though you seldom received such unkindness from us as we can remember and not onely so but We our selves are looked upon as such who act in hypocrisie which We hope the Lord hath will preseve us from for such shall be sure to finde the weight of his indignation at this day Isaiah 33.14 The consideration whereof together with that invitation We received from some amongst you not opposed by any hath engaged us to send the same in Writing that so there might be no mistakes or still interpretations of what was then spoken or advantage taken through our weakness to blemish so blessed a Cause and we trust that upon looking back into our own hearts there is found a root of uprightness in the management thereof and that it is not wilfully in our hearts to speak or act hypocritically whatever some amongst you do says or apprehend But before we come to the Answer it self being the chief drift and scope of these lines we humbly apprehend it necessary to lay before you the several Reasons last given in when without our consent desired you were pleased in the Name of the Church to send for several brethren to determine and udge of the matter in difference between us The Reasons as they were laid dovvn in this Paper being already inserted in the foregoing Leaf vve do here purposely omit them as being a needless repetition These Reasons you very wel knovv the Lord did make so convincing to those brethren vvho came at your request that upon knovvledg thereof they absolutely refused to meddle therein til such time as you had advised with us or the least asked our consent Now We hoped that before you had made any further progress you would have laid before the Lord those r The Readen may remember that in pag. 22. several Brethren of other Churches were sent for by them to hear the matter in difference which they resused till our first Paper given in was debated in the Church likewise the other time mentioned in this Paper which are the two disappointments spoken of two disappointments you had received and in a due fence thereof enquired into his mind and will but instead thereof at the same time without so much as the leastlying low before his face the same did forth with send your Messengers unto us to know whether we would join with you in sending to the several Churches for hearing of the matter in difference Who were some what pressing upon us to have a present return one way or other which We durst not adventure upon for two Reasons First in respect of our own weakness and insufficiency being poor foolish creatures Secondly In respect of the weight of such a Work not being to be done without solemn seeking to the Lord that being the Way he hath appointed to lead advise and instruct his people about any business they are dark in and accordingly We did send Answer by your Messengers to that effect The next first day being a full meeting of the Congregation withdrawn from you We did spread your desire before the Lord and sought of him a right Way how far We might comply with you therein and in the close of the day after much discourse course about it judging likewise that We had the Mind and Will of God came to this result That before We could give a direct answer to you desire that you would be pleased to give us your positive judgement Whether those Brethren of the Army were guilty of those sins laid to their charge by us or no which We have often desired intreated and sent to you about but could not obtain it to this day as is expressed in our fourth Reason before mentioned to which We then received this return That you were not in a capacity to answer us therein because you were divided into three parts some judging they were under those sins others that they were not and a third party could not tell whether they were or not This Answer thus returned with some other circumstances not considerable here to be inserted We did spread it before the Lord together with your former desire and in the end came to this conclusion That We were wholly dis-satisfied with your Answer to our last request apprehending it somewhat strange that you should be unanimous in revoting communion with them after so plain proof of their sin laid to their charge especially some of them and yet not be united in your judgments whether they were under those sins or not And though We might hereupon wave any return to your desire till We had your plain answer thereunto yet least it should be judged that We were unwilling or fearful the Cause of Christ We are engaged in should have the hearing amongst other brethren We did thereupon for the Name and Honour of God and clearing up our integrity herein and for the further manifestation of truth with a due saving to those two Admonitions already given conclude That We were and are very willing and shall rejoice therein for Truths sake to comply with your desire with this limitation That We
might according to our Christian liberty in this extraordinary case choose on our part faithful Brethren many of which had hazarded their lives for the Name and Cause of our Lord Jesus Christ so openly betrayed at this day against whom We trust there shall be no just grounds of exceptions as to their lives and conversations and you may proceed to send unto the Churches on your part as you shall think meet Now least the objection you made when the Brethren were last with you by our appointment to wit That by this Answer we do wave that our sleves which we have pressed upon you about sending to the neighbouring Congregations when we were not willing to join therein Which we do plainly deny for we never moved it unto you much less pressed it upon you but your proceeding herein hath been your ovvn voluntary act without us though indeed we excepted against your practice as it was by yourselves without our consent therewith also apprehending your present estate to be no less then the plain fruit of open backsliding from the Cause of our Lord Jesus Christ though we desire to mention it with fear and trembling and due respect unto some amongst you as not so guilty herein as others are likewise we have ground to fear that most of the Churches of Christ in this City are more or less tainted with the sore Apostacy of this day not that we delight in such reflections but desire to speak it with humility grief and sorrow of heart and should be glad there vvere no just ground for such a jealousie This pre-considered it seems more obliging unto you to follow that practice then unto us at this time and may excuse the formality of the practice on our pare and the rather when you proceeded in such a VVork not onely without the consent but without so much as a tender thereof unto your brethren and sisters joyntly concerned therein until this last time which was not so much of your selves as seemingly necessitated thereunto by those Brethren of other Churches who refused to advise you in or hear any thing of the matter in difference till at least you had asked our consent and approbation thereof and therein you may please to remember the stress of their refusal did lye to heare ought you had to say and if so we humbly apprehend it will take off that scandal of hypocrisie and changedness of mind laid to our charge by some amongst you Thus having given you a brief account of our last Message together with what hath passed between us and you since our last Paper was given in having therein unfeignedly and in all plainness opened our hearts unto you we shall not add more onely desiring That in case you do not think meet to receive our tender herein but proceed as formerly yon have done that then you will favour us so far or rather the Truth as to let this Paper be read unto the Brethren you shall send for before any proceeding be afterward the other two in their order as your intention was the last time the Messengers of other Churches were with you Intending here to conclude not having ought considerable to add some of our Brethren inform us of a Message received from you the last sixth day was a seven night to be communicated to us in words to this purpose That you did think meet to offer unto us that there might be a day of solemn fasting and prayer unto the Lord wherein you desire our conjunction the chief end of the duty being upon these three accounts First That both you and we might be deepely humbled before the Lord and be made sensible of all our evils and miscaerriages especially as they do relate to the present difference between you and us Secondly To enquire of the Lord a right way what you and we ought to do for the healing of it Thirdly That if there were any other thing we bought necessary to be put in we had our freedom to add thereto The consideration whereof hath put us upon a further enlargement in writing by way of answer and to which we desire to give this humble Reply That as to the VVork of humiliation it self and a day to be appointed in order thereunto we do fully approve of as being not onely a Gospel Ordinance but also incumbent on the Lords People in this day of sore affliction and time of Jacobs Trouble not onely as it may relate to our miscarriages evils committed since our first withdrawing wherein we desire to acknowledge before the Lord and you that herein we have ground sufficient to lie low before him and cover our Faces with shame in the sence thereof so far as it may not eclipse the riches of Grace in our Lord Jesus Christ but also in respect of the crying evils through the backsliding of professors under so great light which we fear doth fore-run some sore judgement upon this Nation in general and upon professors in particular but how to join with you as the case now stands between us we can see no Scripture-bottom or rational ground for the same it being pre-supposed first That you have amongst you those that are guilty of gross and scandalous sins upon which account We are withdrawn from you Secondly that you have not onely voted communion with such persons notwithstanding their sins but by a second Vote and continued practice justifie them in their evil and so many of you are become greatly partakers with them of their evil deeds and the rest also though less guilty Thirdly That you have so far own'd and approved of them as to forget their evil and charge us your poor brethren and sisters with making a rent and division for doing our duty when they indeed are the persons from whom the offence first came and some chief among you as greatly guilty as they by pleading for and excusing of them and so properly to be charged with making a rent and division in the Church Fourthly You have endeavoured to carry it on against us so as to take upon you the power of the Church without us and thereby would have proceeded to admonish us son making air out as you say in the Church had not the Lord wonderfully frustrated you in all your endeavours that Way though We should have rejoiced therein being comfortably satisfied that it would have been for his Namesake because We are contending for truth against the great iniquity among you and so the persons offending with their Abettors though the greater number to be admonished and withdrawn from by the lesser which if true then the power of the Church resides in the Lesser number and this in effect is no more then according to the practice of all the Congregational Churches in their withdrawing from the Parochial Churches Dear Brethren and Sisters these things are plain and true and therefore bear with us for We have yet longings of heart after you and desire to