advantages which he hath to increase Divisions and foment Jealousies with the Reports which are made and Reproaches which are cast upon us and the Principles of Christs Kingdome the temptations and faintnesse of some of our dear Friends the backwardnesse of persons and yet forwardnesse of Parties ready to spring up and cause a farther suffering to the Name of God and Christ and all these in the absence and much through the Defect of this Primitive Practise of Loving INTELLIGENCE mutuall quickning and unanimous understanding undertaking and moving as ONE MAN in the matters of Christ and his Kingdome that concerne all alike And for want of a due knowledge of and faithfull inquiry after the welfare growth establishment and estate of one another round the Nations were it as far as from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum Rom. 15. 19. For after the first pattern we should be continually sending out or receiving in 2 Cor. 8. 23. They are the MESSENGERS of the Churches ver. 19. Chosen to travell with us Phil. 2. 25 30. My Brother and companion in labours and fellow Souldier but your Messenger Acts 15. 26. To send unto you men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Verse 41. And he went through Syria and Silicia confirming the Churches Acts 16 5. And so were the Churches established in the Faith and increased in number daily 24. And as the ultimate the very deep sence which is as a dagger in our very hearts to hear how the Lord is dishonored Christ contemned his Kingdome rejected his Spirit wounded and blasphemed and Sion crumbled into Dust and much more suffering then we say in the highest and weightiest matters of Religion since the vast breaches of Sion hath put us after earnest crying and inquiring upon this practice of Vniting though we be poor unworthy creatures For that the name of our God is dear unto us the Lord knows and we would faine be at least in a way that might more glorifie the Lord and his Christ then we can be or doe by these sad Divisions and confusions Not forgetting the honour which his Name hath had formerly when the Saints were Vnited and in all Ages when united in sufferings as under the Heathen and Popish powers when united in Testimony As the Separates and Puritans against the Prelates and their Hierarchy when united in Service and Actings as in the late Wars without so much as the Least stumbling or offending one another about their Different Forms or Judgements O how sweetly Vnited were they in the Work of Christ and of his People at that Day then might be said Behold how good and Pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together and Vnity Psal. 133. 1. What a Beauty and Glory was then upon the Name of God! yea how was he glorifyed in the eyes of All the Nations and of All the Enemies of his People as Rom. 15. 6. That ye may with one Mind and one Mouth Glorifie God! So Psal. 50. 2. Out of SION the Perfection of Beauty God hath shined So Isa. 60. 1 2. Arise Shine for thy Light is come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee that is upon the Saints so Vnited Whereas whiles Divided the Name of God is Divided rent and torne apieces divers wayes and in sundry Manners to the Exceeding great Reproach of Religion Injury of Christ Decay of Grace and Dishonour of that most Holy Name These are some of those GROUNDS which we goe Upon and are Moved by with a Holy Fear as before the Lord to make a Deliberate and Sober Progresse into so Serious Publick and Necessary a Work as this is Now as we humbly think this is no longer to be Delayed so not rashly to be Vndertaken by Any that have a True Sence of Many Most or of All the aforesaid Incentives Nor can we doe the one or the other without Sin or Guilt In the Sence whereof we doe so heartily Commend it in the Name and Spirit of the Living God to the Christian Concurrence Love Care Practise and Incouragement of the most Cordiall Saints that are sincere Friends of Sion or our Dearly Beloved Brethren Scatter'd abroad in the Severall Cities and Counties of the three Nations that we All alike Deny our selves and so Move with a Sweet Large Indulging Comprehensive Spirit of Grace of Love and of a Sound Mind in the Kingdome of our Lord Jesus for the keeping in the quickning spirit the Growing Light the Christian correspondence and Primitive practises with the Power of Godlinesse and of Religion pure and undefiled amongst the people of God of their severall Formes and Differing Apprehensions Wherefore in a trembling awe and sence before God of their sins that have offended him by delaying Denying Excusing and putting of a Present Duty and that Publick on the ONE HAND Luke 14. 18. 24. Hag. 1. 2. 4. 2 King 12. 6 7. a great sin of this day Mat. 24. 48. 2 Pet. 3. 3. So on the other hand of them and that especially that have provoked him by sudden rash and imprepared falling upon it Eccles. 5. 1. as at Perez Vzzah 1 Chron. 13. 10 12 and Beth shemech 1 Sam. 6. 19. c. doe we Goe Softly as it is said 1 King 21. 27. and fairely Waiting before we are fully fixt to hear what any one hath to say against This or what better EXPEDIENT Then this that we may close with may be found for the UNITITING of All Saints as ONE MAN for the Countenancing Incouraging and Carrying on the Interest and Cause of our Christ in his KINGLY GOVERNMENT amongst us Now conceiving it is the Saints work to fetch home THIS ARK into its placed prepared of God i. e. the Temple opened Rev. 11. 19. And there was seen in his Temple the ARK of his Testament c. in order unto it they must be prepared gathered Vnited Sanctified and put in order that goe about it 1 Chr. 15. 1 2 3 12 13. Sanctifie your selves ye and your Brethren that ye bring up the Ark of the Lord God unto the place that I have prepared for it which we hope to see as a Fruit of the third of the seventh in solemnity set apart And as 2 Chron. 30. 18 19. The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek the Lord God of his Fathers though he be not cleansed according to the Purification of the Sanctuary But that we may hide nothing from them that inquire after our Progresse in this Matter that say as Cant. 1. 7. For why should I be as one that turneth aside by the Flecks of thy Companies and as Cant. 6. 1. That we may seek him with thee as Nehemiah Chap. 2. 18. said Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good so Ezra 7. 9. 8. 18. We shall informe them of the Proposalls Assented to by this Particular Body not being bound up to the letter of them but in the sence waiting
pale for it when they shall finde it was neither Wisdome nor Grace Comfort nor Counsell Conscience nor Kindnesse to Christ nor his Saints no nor yet Good manners to draw back or Demur upon such a SOLEMN INVITATION as this is for the Gathering the Scattered Uniting the Divided and Indearing the Vnited c. from the Quick and the Dead THE INVITATION WHerefore If there be yet left alive any true Grace in the hearts of Professours any true sence of the Crosse Death and Blood of Christ or of the Cries Blood Ashes Bones and Murthers of the Martyrs Any Smart in the heart for SIONS Deaths Dangers Gashes and Wounds given her by her Enemies New and Old in these Nations Also by the Great Divisions Rents Controversies Envyings and Heart burnings amongst BRETHREN of the same Faith Hope and Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus If as the Apostle saith in this matter Phil. 2. 1 2. there be with you anyconsolation in Christ any comfort of Love left if any Fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowells and Mercies If your soules be sensibly toucht with the Dishonour of God and Christ with the Death of his Cause the Dispersion of his Saints the Case of the Jewes and the Promise of the Gentiles and if ye have not sinn'd and consumed away all the Fear of God and Feeling of his heavy Hand upon us but that yet there is a Longing in you after these Things and a Hungring with hearty and pure affections after the Day of Christ and HIM alone to be Exalted and his NAME above every Name If it wound you to the Quick and your heart be melted down with tears and sighes to hear so KILLING Cutting Blasphemies as are every day cast upon the Pure SPIRIT of God KINGDOME PRINCIPLES and Professours of our Lord Jesus And if yee unfainedly without Courtly Complements doe desire to be Faithfull to God to Christ to his Spirit his Truth his Testimony his Kingly Interest and KINGDOME SEERVICE in such a Dismall Day of Rebuke Blasphemy Division and Apostacy as this is or would be Vndefiled and freed from the snares and evills of these Adulterate times If any Value be had of Oaths or Ingagements of Tears Blood and Prayers or the Promises Priviledges and Practises of the Gospell and if any true endeavour and sincerity be left to Act for and finde out the Light the Liberty of the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOME and a clear PATH for every one without offence to one another and with a sweet contentment Peace Union Love and good Order to walk in after ALL these Confusions Combustions thick darknesses and Losse upon us O then let us without faile or further let hindrance or Excuse for one Moment UNITE as ONE MAN in All our Quarters and Habitations of these three Nations And as we shall be able to give up our Accounts with comfort at the Coming of our KING JESUS to perfect this his Blessed work begun by his Word and Spirit 2 Thes. 2. 1. at the GREAT GATHERING TOGETHER of All Let us gladly accept this INVITATION of Vniting and Reviving PHILADELPHIA of what Forme and judgement soever we be and take the very Next Oppertunity unto it Knowing how Amiable Desirable and indeed Practicable it is now through grace made amongst us and as it were THE MATTER pointed at by the Finger of God himselfe unto us in and by All these trying tearing and Mount-Perazim Dispensations which we have been Exercised under of late years Isa. 28. 21. Seeing not onely so much Comfort and Christian Benefit to All But even our Ability Stability Livelinesse Patience in tribulation conquest over temptations vigour of love Quickning Spirit and power of Grace and Godlinesse Readinesse of Obedience union of affections Resolution and joynt-motion of Actions for Christ and his Kingdome yea and the very BEING of the Churches of Christ and Religion it selfe seems so much to depend upon it Notwithstanding all that hath been said When we consider what the Day is that we live in how full of Vnbeliefe Ignorance Impudence Apostacy Contention Covetuousnesse and Persecution of the power and Purity of godlinesse Selfe-seeking and all the sins of the LAST TIMES mentioned 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6. 1 Tims 4 12. 2 Pet. 2. 12. of which our Saviour hath foretold us Mat. 24. we must confesse then We must expect as little fruite or effect from some and those it may be Eminent Professours too as if we spake to and powred our teares and prayers upon Posts Pillars Stones LUMPS of earth Bars of Iron Rocks and Flints or at best Bruite Beasts For as Luke 18. 8. Neverthelesse when the Son of man commeth shall he find faith on the earth That is say some when he comes with his Recovering Grace and Spirit when the times of Restitution begin and of Refreshing first enter in Acts 3. 19. 21. that is at the time of the END when he comes with a recovering and a Restoring of us into the FIRST STATE that he put HIS Saints into and with the DISCOVERIES and tenders of a more excellent WAY and Communion of Saints then we are in Shall he then find FAITH amongst men to beleive him to receive him at that day Will it then be said againe as at the first John 1. 11 12. He came unto his owne and his own received him not but as many as received him to them gave he the Right or Priviledge There be Many sorts that will not receive him in this tender of Recovering grace As the Proud 1 Cor. 1. 26. So the Ignorant John 20. 9 10. the selfe-Wise the disputer of this world the striver about words and vaine questions the worldly and selfe-seeking Professours Hag. 12. 4. and the times-servers and the envious man Acts 13. 4 5. the Magnifyer of Formes or persons one above and against another the Vnbeleever and diffident the Fearfull and amazed or that are absolutely at a LOSSE the heart that is full of any Lust to be satisfied With the pride of life and of gifts and parts and the selfe-Justifier and exalter the men that are given up to strong delusions and to beleeve lyes and those that have somewhat else to set up instead or elfe an Invention to put aside this All these will keepe off from if not oppose this hopefull and blessed worke of UNITING And we doe expect it harder to reduce one Erroneous and rivetted then to Reform or convert an open sinner but as one saies If one should defer his studies of any Art or Science till the writers and Professours thereof did fully and unitedly consent If one should vow not to come at London till All the clocks doe strike together so If one should stay from this Duty till All that seeme and say they are agreed about it he may stay long enough and never come to it at last Therefore for those Deare and precious ones that do with the FIRST begin to
A REVIVING WORD FROM THE Quick and the Dead to the Scatter'd Dust of SION OR A Breathing of the Spirit of Life in a Few Dry Bones that begin to Rise and Rattle In and about this City of LONDON BY A Solemn DECLARATION FOR An IMMEDIATE UNITING of ALL SAINTS into ONE BODY upon the Growing Principles of Grace and Kingdome of our Lord Jesus in every Administration thereof SHEWING The Grounds of it Progresse in it Proposalls for it Motives to it And our yearning Invitation throughout the three Nations about this Pacificatory Primitive-like Enterprise To put us ALL as one Man into a Posture meet to Meet our Lord Jesus at his second coming in All the DEGREES and SERVICES thereof Hosea 6. 2 3. After two Dayes he will revive us in the third Day he will raise us up and We shall live in his sight Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as Morning and he shall come to us as the rain as the latter and as the former Raine 2 Chron. 30. 12. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them One Heart 2 Chron. 11. 16. And after them out of All the Tribes such as set their hearts to seek the Lord came to Jerusalem LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle near the West end of Pauls 1657. A DECLARATION FOR UNITING-WORK OR Severall Judgements of the People of God that are agreed with one heart and as one man in the KINGDOME-WORK and Witnesse of our Lord Jesus patiently and piously waiting for the full Redemption of Sion and coming of Christ in the Exercise of his KINGLY GOVERNMENT AFTER divers years Patience and Expectation with continued cries to the MOST HIGH for help and light we are made deeply and to our very soules sensible of the great Reproach upon Religion the Dispersion and scattering of Saints of all Formes as well as out up and down in their holes and corners in these Nations and of the great disorder thereby amongst them as well as of the great Advantage which the Enemies of Christ and of his Kingdome have had by the weaknesses distances diversity of tongues and divisions of the People of God at this day who notwithstanding are of one heart faith and spirit in the maine And this chiefly in an undue lifting up of persons principles or judgements in a magnifying of Formes and Apprehensions one against another and not in a consistency together and in a management of the things of Christ partially or by parties and Factions and not joyntly to the great offence of good men prejudice and reproach of the Principles Cause and Name of Christ and his Kingdome Wherefore after Solemn seeking of the face of God crying and inquiring into his mind by Christ to know what Israel hath to doe lamenting and resenting the sad estate of Sion with the present condition of hundreds in and about this City of of the dust of Sion hurried and huffed about with divers winds of doctrines judgements and temptations to their great endangering and decaying of the power of Godlinesse and Brotherly love We have been we hope by a sweet and Fatherly hand of grace or clear Sanctuary-light at last and as a Return of the word of God and prayers lead into this knowledge and practice now incumbing and lead up into some serious Resolution or full purpose of heart for an Uniting together who are scattered ones in and about this City of London in a Religious or Christian body in imitation of the primitive spirit Act. 1. 14. to cleave unto the Lord and one to another these dividing and back sliding times Acts 11. 23. in the matters of our Faith worship of our God Kingdome and Cause of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Nor are we as we think without weighty moving Arguments or pressing grounds as in our own soules arising from the Crosse of Christ who in his own flesh hath abolished the enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances Ephes. 2. 14 15 16. that he might reconcile all Jew and Gentile in one body having slaine the enmity so in the sight of all other sound Christians indulging us in and inducing them and all of us to this Primitive Gospel-practice or blessed work of Vniting and Consolidating throughout these Nations Some of which are as follow 1. The paralell of our present Condition these last three years with the dispersed Disciples in the three dayes of Christs sufferings Mark 14. 50. John 20. 10 Now what they did for the preservation of the Gospel and Religion in the Power purity and Spirituality thereof are we to doe But they Vnited or gathered together into one body out of their divers places and homes which the persecution had scattered them into for the preservation of the Gospell Luke 24. 33. John 20. 19. Acts 1. 4. that they did so is evident to all at the third day or time of the end That we must doe so is as clear a consequent whether it be the time of the end or no for this is a RULE to us in ordinary cases that which Saints have before done and the holy Spirit hath commended are we to doe that follow after in the like case besides Psal. 102 13 14. the Favouring of Sion begins by the gathering up of her Scattered and despised stones a poor scattered peeled people Isa. 51. 3. Saying This is ZION whom no man seeketh after Jer. 30. 17. 2. The GREAT PROMISE of the Father Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. John 15. 26. Or The pouring out of the Spirit Joel 2. 28. which we waite for Now look in what Posture Christ put his Disciples for the pouring out of the holy Ghost in the first fruits are we his Disciples to wait in for the holy Ghost the latter fruits or the latter raine But in this way of Vniting Gathering and imbodying did he bid them waite for the First-fruits Mat. 28. 10 16. Luke 24. 49. Acts 1. 4. which accordingly they did Acts 1. 14 15. 2. 1 2. and so doe we Besides Ezek. 37. 7 8. the word of prophesie must FIRST gather and unite the dry bones bone to bone before they rise and this with substance sinews and nourishment then to them in that posture comes the great Promise of the Spirit Ezek. 37. 9. and life to set them on their feet v. 10. so v. 14. 17. and not before For should the Great Promise come before every one would desire it for himselfe and for the magnifying of his own FORME particular body Judgement or Division more then for the Publick work of Christ and of all sorts or then for maintaining the power of godlinesse and Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace amongst all men 3. The Great and constant expectations which we have of the opening of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony Rev. 15. 5. which hath been so long shut up in the purity
no Fellowship with Eph. 5. 11. 2 Chron. 11. 16. Hos. 4. 15. 8. The Fearfull shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience 1 Tim. 1. 19. that hath been made amongst Professours at this day wherein since the SHIP hath been broken into pieces and Fitters so Many have sunk and been drowned in sins and pleasures and worldly lusts and those that doe as yet remaine alive are in very desperate danger of the like destiny upon their severall planks and peeces whether they be Presbiterian Independent Baptized or others And therefore according to Acts 2. 40 Save your selves from this untoward Generation to save our selves as much as in us lies from this great perill wherein so many are fallen before our eyes we rather get off from the severall pieces or our particular Forms since this shipwracke wherein every one is Scrambling to get most for himselfe and Few for the the publick good of all and doe goe aboard upon this bottome or ONE WAY of Christ and SHIP wherein is contained all the particular Formes and Judgements the Safety and Liberty of them All Knowing that if we be all united to save the SHIP every ones Cabbin will be safe and in the preservation of the whole or the power of Godlinesse amongst all is contained the good and safety of every individuall and particular 9. The present Divisions Factions and Distractions in particular Congregations and Formes keeping up their rigidity as a partition-wall between Saints and Saints doe call aloud for this Vniting-work and way of Christ for the building up again of all these wast places and breaches of Syon Isa. 49. 17. till which the things of Christ are and will be carried on by Parties Hurries and Factions Schismes and confusions of tongues too much of Babylon some crying up Paul and some Apollo some Cephas stopping the progresse of the Gospell setting up particular Interests for the Publick lifting up other Names for Gods Name hindring the sweetnesse of Saints Communion and darkning the Excellency and derogating from the Majesty and power of the truths of Christ and his Kingdome eating out the power of Godlinesse with controversies and keeping under the growth thereof with oppositions and enmity as it was of old between Jew and Gentile Circumcision and Uncircumcision which Enmity now appears among Professours of different opinions in their unkind carriages one to another bitter speeches and invective censures nick-names and provocations ready to cast out one another threatning slâ—ghting betraying wronging and devouring of one another Which their Teachers have not discovered so as to turne away their Captivity Lam. 2. 14. But because this Jewish rigidity and enmity heightned and reared up in Ordinances Formes and Commandments is so far abolished by the death of Christ Eph. 2. 15 16. that both Jew and Gentile though ever so different in Judgement must make up one body and did BOTH continue in one and the same Church in Primitive times 1 Cor. 12. 13. in the free Exercise of their own Faith and Light Rom. 14. 4 5. We dare not deny the death of Christ and the benefit of his Crosse in this matter by keeping up the enmity grudging or division amongst them that differ in their Judgements or Formes of worship but rather from the power and effect of it in our own hearts which hath slaine not onely the enmity against God but we hope of one against another that our Love to one another may be the Love of God that dwelleth in us 1 John 4. We doe UNITE as made ONE by the Crosse fellow-Citizens together with all Saints upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets fitly framed and growing up together Eph. 2. 19 20 21. through the Spirit that every one may be fully perswaded in his own mind Rom. 14. 5. pressing after one and the same perfection and whereto he hath already attained so to walk Phil. 3. 15 16. to keep in his own path without justling one another Joel 2. 8. eating of his own bread Isa. 4. 1. and sitting under his own vine with quiet comfort and safety Micah 4. 4. 5. 10. The CONFEDERACY or Conspiracy of the Enemies of Christ and his people which is very strong and twisted at this day The Scales of Leviathan are shut together as with a close SEALE and if they be at variance amongst themselves we see the present way of making them ONE is by a Crosse and crafty complication of Interests or joynt-opposition of Christ and his Kingdome HEROD and PILATE made Friends against Christ Ephraim and Manasseth against Judah REZIN and PEKAH and Ephraim too against Jerusalem yea Gebal Ammon Amaleeke and the Philistines with them that dwell at Tyre Prov. 1. 14. Come say they cast in thy lot among us and let us have ONE purse And if they agree in opposing it is time for us to agree in exposing All we have and are for Christ and his People Acts 4. 27. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus whom thou hast anoynted both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and people of Israel were gathered together'd together then verse 32 The MVLTITVDE of them that believed were of ONE HEART and of ONE SOVLE neither said any of them that ought th things which he posessed was his own 11. For that as they must be a Particular and a Distinct People from others Numb. 23. 9. Prov. 14. 7. So a Peculiar and Conjunct People with themselves that are after the first pattern and fit for Christs Kingdome service Like Nehemiah 9. 2. The seed of Israel who separated themselves from all strangers and stood and confessed their sins Nehem. 10. 28. and then ver. 29. they CLAVE to one another So Chap. 13. 3. and Acts 19. 9. Perswading the things concerning the Kingdome of God but when divers were hardned and spake evill of that WAY he departed from them and SEPARATED the Disciples A visible and pure segregation and aggregation going hand in hand to make up the Forme of this COLLECTIVE Body every particular member judgement and measure being put into its proper place seat and Joynt in the body 1 Cor. 12. 11 12 14 20. for service 12. For that every particular Church is to bear by institution the IMAGE and parts of the whole Church of Christ and therein hath all the priviledges of it Now the whole Church consists not of this or that sort or size of Saints or of those of this or that Forme this or that judgement but of all sorts of Saints of all judgements and under all Administrations this is called the Church of the First-born Heb. 12. 23. the Mount Sion ver. 22. Which the Hebrewes were come up unto in their Communion not in any one Forme or Judgement whither Presbiterian Independent Baptist c. for they are the Churches of the Latter-horne rather But the First-borne comprehends Abraham Isaac Jacob Prophets Apostles and Saints in All Ages of all Judgements
one cannot understand another at this day but wherein every one may be edified and understood in his owne language Acts 2. 6. whether Jews or Gentiles Elamites Medes Parthians c. vers. 9. 10. 11. to his astonishment vers. 8. 12. every one in his own tongue so every one in his own way Judgement and Administration wherein one can well understand another in this Vnity besides at Babell Gen. 11. the confusion of tongues hindred the Building but at Jerusalem Acts 2. the Diversity of tongues helpt it like Joshuahs entrance into many Nations at once Josh. 10. 11. 20. 23. in dispersing the Gospel of the Kingdome at once into all Nations in their owne languages and so now by this UNITING into all Saints or sorts of the people of God in their owne Formes and Judgements at once this body consisting of all sorts of members in their owne joynts and places So that though there be Diversities yet but one spirit and differences of Administration yet the same Lord 1 Cor. 12. 4. 5. to the 15. and every one in his gifts places and opperation to profit withall This is the Ministry that we waite for which will speake to every one in his own language and understanding by the power of the holy Ghost Acts. 15. 36. Let us goe againe and visit our brethren in every City where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they doe 18. For the exercise of Justice and Righteousnesse Lawes and Government amongst our selves in outward matters according to the word spirit and teaching of God and the power and lawes left by Christ to his Church and people 1 Cor. 6. 1. 2. Dare any of you having a matter against another goe to law before the unjust and not before the Saints Doe yee not know the Saints shall judge the world c. Now seeing we find so little Conscience or Justice from men of the world it concerns us to be the more carefull For Psal. 122. 3 4 5. In Jerusalem are the THRONES and thither the Tribes goe up 19. That we may be in a better way of Sympathizing and participating with one another in distresses and persecutions to comfort and communicate one to another freely 1 Cor. 12. 26. Rom. 12. 15. Heb. 13. 3. Joh. 3. 17 18. Heb. 13. 16. and that there be no lacke to any one member or Fellow Citizen of this Zion and that this be more like to the first patterne in the like cases then yet appeares amongst professours Acts 4. 34. Neither was there any amongst them that lacked for as many as were possessours of Lands sould them and brought the prices of the things that were sould 20. For that the Great increase Growing and Flowing in of the latter dayes is into such a WAY and state of Zion wherein all Saints are united Jer. 50. 4. 5. Come let us JOYNE our selves Isa. 2. 2. 54. 2. Enlarge the place of thy tents 49. 17. Make hast lift up thine eyes round about and behold how All GATHER together or unite or come to thee vers. 20 21. The place is too strait for me give me place that I may dwell who hath begotten me all these Isa. 60. 7. The flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee then vers. 8. Who are these that fly as a cloud and as doves to the windowes Thus was it at the first patterne Acts 2. 41. 47. 4. 4. 5. 14 15. And beleevers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and woemen But so long as Religion is rent into such parties Factions and confusion we can expect but little conversion to the Faith incouragement or coming in either of Jews or Gentiles to these disorders and Divisions on judging censuring excommunicating another for their different Measures of faith At which Abomination both Jewes Turkes and Gentiles have been amazed and astonished for they have been far more serious unanimous and devout in their superstitions and Idolatry yea lesse injurious and more charitable one to another 21. That there may be found amongst us more sincerity simplicity and singlenesse of heart one to another about the things of Christ Whereas now in these Divisions and breaches one Brother betraies another denyes and delivers up another and as the Prophet sayes Micah 7. 5. Trust ye not in a friend put ye not confidence in a guide but in this VNITING As Acts 2. 46. They dedicate their bread with gladnesse and SINGLENES OF HEART 22. That our motions sufferings actings and contendings for Christ may be joynt and with one consent Our joynt-groanings for the name of God making as it were but one sound Our conjunct tears but one stream conjunct desires but one prayer conjunct complaints but one Theam conjunct praising but one Melody conjunct gifts but one Ministry And thus we hope to have more joynt-prayers amongst the Saints whereas now one is praying up and Another down Joynt praising Joynt witnessing and joynt-feeling or bearing the lot of the whole Hebr. 10. 23 32 33 34. Jude 3. whereas now as some take off others lay on load upon the suffering ones Joynt holding up and maintaining the truth Joynt-refusing of Subjection with all Gospell opposition to persons and things under what names soever that are against the Lord Jesus and his Kingdome Yea a Joynt-standing up for and justifying of the Name Interest and Cause of Christ and his People from Calumnies and injuries with Joynt-acting and engaging as the Lord shall call us to it for the Truth Liberty and Priviledges purchased for us by the blood of Christ Gal. 5. 1. Zeph. 3. 9. That they may all call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one consent keeping up the most PUBLICK SPIRIT for Christ and his Kingdome in ONE and ALL Canticles 7. 1. The JOYNTS of thy thyghes are like JEWELLS the worke of the hands of a cunning workeman 23. Till then we neither understand one another at home nor are we understood abroad nor indeed doe we well understand our selves Now it is necessary as it was the Primitive practice for a Right understanding to be made and maintained in the WHOLE BODY and throughout the Nation amongst the Saints of the same Faith Hope Sufferings and Expectations with us And therefore in order to such a clear intelligence and correspondence with all the Saints and People of God in these Nations by Messengers Letters and such like wayes allowed in the word of God unto which we doe hereby Solemnly invite our Friends and Brethren from all parts for mutuall good we are in this Way Being very sensible of the great inconveniences and injuries which arise to the people of God and publick Cause of Christ the manifest stumblings offences and prejudices in the hearts of many precious ones the various subtleties and wayes of Sathan and of his Instruments to keep us unknown to and un-owned by each other and the Great
rattle by this Word of Prophecy Ezek. 37. Bone to bone and sinnew to sinnew and are gathering strength together with us in this worke that stagger not at the promise through unbeleese no more then Abraham did Rom. 4. 18 19 Who considered not this body now DEAD when he was about a hundred yeares old nor yet the deadnesse of Sarah's wombe Not considering so as to stagger the deadnesse of others nor as yet of our owne hearts knowing he is faithfull that hath promised Heb. 10. 24. and therefore holding fast without WAVERING These these shall drink of the brookes that are in the WAY Psal. 110. 7. and butter and hony shall they eate Isa. 7. 22. the Emannell Food vers. 15. that they may know how to chuse the good and refuse the evill Yea and as Mat. 13. 15 16 17. When Others eares are dull of hearing their eyes closed and hearts grown grosse and foggy with the flesh shall it be said But blessed are your eyes for they see and your eares for they heare Verily I say unto you many Prophets and righteous men have delivered to see those things which yee see and have not seene them and to heare those things which yee heare and have not heard them Wherefore our strong cryes and strugling prayers to the God of the Primitive Saints and Churches are for YOU and your spirituall growth with All the increasings of God! that ye may be out of your severall heaps and Formes so full of confusion whither Presbyterean Independent Baptized Sabbat Seekers or others that are Saints by calling and hold the foundation with us and would be orderly jointed gathered knit Joynted And All the whole building FITLY FRAMED and growing up together into ONE TEMPLE and one Tabernacle ONE Vine ONE Kingdome and City COMPACT An habitation for the Lord through the Spirit Ephes. 2. 21 22 ifit were but to make the wayes of Godlinesse more Amiable desireable delectable profitable safe and sweet unto us so UNITED But if after all this others can find in their hard hearts to stand off from us and withstand so hopefull and so noble and so necessary an ENTRANCE so holy so sweet and so good a MOTION so powerfull and so yearning an INVITATION from Christ and his Spirit Sion and Saints ALIVE and DEAD or so naturall and indeed unavoidable a Duty as this is We must leave it at their DOORE from this Day forward with All the Evils that shall ensue from the neglect hereof and them Also to that Day of Christ that in despight of all opposers shall perfect this Worke and raise up all the crums shreds and dust of Sion into ONE and yet for our parts blessing our God for opening our eyes and helping us hitherto to make an Essay we are we hope in his grace Resolved as bound in duty and clearly satisfied every one of us and as God shall enable us to proceed and waite upon him in this way for the Great promise and the Great coming as confirmed in the Faith and confident in the Lord and assured in his might and grace that he will own us eminently and visibly in as in his owne way and Will as in the present WORK for Christ and his Kingdome which consists of all these subjects to the praise of that rich grace that hath brought us together And if Any doe question it or say with Nathaniel John 1. 46. Can any good come out of Nazareth we need say no more but COME and SEE But to conclude this SOLEMN CALL to all the Scattered ones in the three Nations in so humble loving and indeared Faithfulnesse to you Our Brethren and Countrimen having stammered out a Few of our thoughts of heart What can We SAY or SIGH more in this this Matter but leave our tears prayers and invitations unto it at your Feet that the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem would affect and move your hearts to wellcome it that comes unto you in the Name of the Lord Luke 19. 38. OREMEMBER how much the NAME of God and the very BEING of Religion is in danger and concerned in these Divisions Remember the Crosse and wounds of Christ which are set afresh bleeding by these Divisions and Dispersions Remember the Comfortable state of poore SION Sick at the very heart and ready to dye Oh Remember what a Name ye once have had in this Nation for profession and the Power of Godlinesse and now how it stinkes and what a SHAME ye are in all the world a SCORNE and a by word a hissing and Astonishment even to very Heathens O Remember not only how sew are converted but ah alas how many are confirmed in their wicked and false Wayes till this UNITING be even to the Papists Turks Atheists and prophane ones by the Abominations of Professours in England what a HEAD and HEART this last and lamentable APOSTACY hath hereby and what O what guilt of blood is brought upon these Nations Remember besides the Confusion of Tongues and Cup of Babylon which is given most to drinke of And whereby so many are fox't and enchanted that they doe they know not what And what Mercinary divelish and politick principles are assumed by Professours and Preachers at this day and what Persecution and Oppressions are upon Consciences O Remember how the Churches are some of them defiled Growth of grace hindred Worship polluted the fences of Separation pulled np the tender grapes spoiled Members and Teachers rent and torne from us and imprisoned at pleasure And yet Remember whilst there is life there is hope and O how wonderfully God hath appeared Prayers have been answered Brethren delivered Religion revived promises and engagements performed the Kingdome of Christ exilted and poore sinking Zion saved and God known to be their God even in the MIDDEST OF HIS PEOPLE when they were thus UNITED But now If so be your Consciences be seared your sences stopped your Foreheads brazened and your hearts hardned that nothing will move you neither in heaven nor on earth neither the LIVE nor the GRAVE if you care not what become of the Great name of God! the Cause of Christ his Gospel his Kingdome his Spirit his Churches his Servants his word and Ordinances in the purity of them If you think it not matter to see your Brethrens blood in the streets and their bodyes broyling and frying at the stake againe and think that Savour is the best and that smoke the sweetest If ye dare stand still and look on the other side Obad. 7. 11 12. in this day of strong and TWISTED CONFEDERACY and of casting Lots upon Jerusalem and of violence done to Jacob and of your Brethrens calamity without Remorse or Moving If ye dare to crucifie Christ afresh and tread his BLOOD under foot to cast out his Kingdome from amongst you and kill the hopes and expectations ye have had and we yet have of HIS DAY and REIGNE If ye dare to quit the Ground
whereon ye have powred out so many tears prayers streams of blood and loud Appeals into the ears and heart of Heaven And dare to faint before the Answer come If ye dare to keep up or not cast out the Bone of contention and the Reproach upon the Wayes of God by suffering the world or Any without Remorse to brand it for Dissembling Delusion most Hideous Hypocrisie mear state-Policy and Basenesse by the occasions lately given them and will doe nothing for the Recovery of them Or if ye dare to be at Defiance with the Judgements of the Lord that are at hand And to contemn and be carelesse of Christ and his second coming and can venture the CURSE thereof so as not to be in a posture meet to receive him when he comes If ye dare to stand at a distance from one another and dare abandon conscience and the communion of Saints If ye dare deny the Power for the Forme or oppose it with the Forme And dare Answer to the most high God for all the injuries that shall befall SION or the People of God after this through the Divisions Rents and confusions and the Neglect of this great indubitable and indispensible Duty of UNITING Or if ye dare to take upon you and yours the guilt of all the sins of these times and the evills of all these Heart-burnings hatred Envies Malice Persecutions and oppositions the present Worke Truth and Saints of Christ meet with And dare slight quench resist or despight the Holy-Ghost having so little of the Fear of the true and dreadfull God and dreadfull day in your hearts or eyes O if you dare or can doe All these things and wilfully reject this Grace or this Errand unto you and from hence forward say Pray have me EXCVSED or I cannot come I have some other businesse Then then tremble and Fear before the Lord Least all the EVILLS that arise from the Neglect hereof doe lie at your doores And we doubt not but the voice of JEHOVAH or the Lord himselfe will ere long speak so Roaringly out of SION Joel 3. 16. and Rousingly by his DISPENSATIONS as will make your hearts to Ake and your ears to tingle your knees to tremble and joynts to smite and your tongues to say O WHAT WRETCHES what wretches were we that we durst have been so bold and resolved to resist yea persist in this Disobedience and Despight to so Great and Good a Worke and all this that we might loll on in our security and stupidity But on the Contrary If conscience be awakened understanding inlightned and by the word and otherwayes ye be convinced that this is your Work If your hearts be affected your Affections hereby whetted and your Spirits Moved with us at the Sobs sighes and groans of poor Sion whom no man layeth to heart as he ought If you have but Rags for her wounds Balsome for her sores Handkerchiefs for her tears Cordialls for her Faintings If ye have any Pantings of heart Longings of soul and Workings of spirit after Christ the Redemption of his people the Reigne of his Saints and the Service of his Kingdome If any love unto his Government and Dominion If any Power of Godlinesse If any purity of holinesse If any Separating from and feelingly mourning over the horrid Idols and Evils of these times If any fervent Desires and Well-wishes to Sion in the WHOLE and not to rend or pull her a peices in PARTIES Then we pray and beseech you to Awake Arise and Rouse up upon your feete in this Work without delay whether in Churches or out and let us rather choose to be buried together in Ashes then be as we are Else what can keepe out the Incursions of Enemies and the inundation of temptations Else what will stoppe up the force and Source of Last Pride Ambition Covetuousnesse and Sins that hath broken in so violently upon the CHURCHES Or what can stay the Spirit of Persecution or Oppression upon our Consciences from making us Absolute Slaves and moulding us up to the Will of MAN Or elfe hanging heading chopping and burning our Bodies to Ashes if we refuse What else can keepe out the crafty Combination that is made against us from destroying us Else what can keep the kernell in the shell the power of Religion in the Forme yea in all Formes and Brotherly love ALIVE amongst us but this And what else can represse and repell the USURPING POWER from entring a foot if not a head amongst us on purpose to keepe out the Power and Prerogative of Christ and how else shall we be raised out of that Deadnesse Flatnesse Emptinesse Coldnesse and miserable Slumbring most Professours are rock't into Else what can cure or comfort ZION if her members that have been so miserably racked a sunder be not put into JOYNT and order and EXERCISE again Else what course can be taken to suppresse that eager Growing and Greedy Spirit of devouring one another For Formes judgements or partiall Oppinions Else what can impede that dangerous progresse and promoting of parties and factions venting and ventilating their private and ambiguous thoughts whose Religion lies most in their Opinions and Parties and how can we avoid those Busie Disputers that lay out their time their strength their zeale their knowledge their heat and their Interest and their very hearts about doubtfull Disputations Rom. 14. 1. needlesse Questions that gender strifes 1 Tim. 2 23. 1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. to the distraction of soules disturbance of Saints decay of true grace and heavenly life Whiles the WHOLE BODY becomes distempered and disordered yea and languishing with such unnaturall heats or hecticke Feavers What course can be taken to Recover hundreds out of the Snares of Satan soule imprisonments of spirits of Formes and else what what will become of the deepest heart groanes And grave groanes Faith Prayers and Patience of the choicest Saints that ever the earth bore that have so passionately longed to see such a Day Else how is it possible to avoide those present Noises among Professours in and out of CHURCHES Of sonnding brasse and tinkling Cymballs Else what ah what can we expect but the continuance and and Increase of Confusions Darknesse Disorders Dispensations Misunderstandings and sufferings so as All that we look upon for helpe shall fayle us and for helpers and Deliverers shall prove miserable comforters at last not being able to helpe us or themselves but passing by us and leave us bleeding But in a word What else is or can be our Next worke for all at once for GOD for CHRIST for SAINTS for MEN for the WHOLE NATION and for the WHOLE CREATION Or what can we doe or capacity be in for any thing or indeed Deliverance expect before THIS for as 2 Cor. 10. 6 having in a readynesse to revenge all disobedience when your OBEDIENCE is fulfilled But let that be done FIRST and the Rest followes as the Consequent doth the Antecedent And by this meanes we shall have as
Free Full and Naturall an Accesse to the things we seek for as our hearts can desire But now we leave you oh Brethren and friends of Sion of ALL SORTS and the CALL to you from a poore shrub or BURNING BUSH to betake our selves upon our bended knees again and againe And to beg of God for you who shall engage or PERSWADE JAPHETH to dwell in the tents of Shem that Canaan may be his servant to give you the GRACE to make an immediate ESSAY upon this Duty as Psal. 48. 12 13. Walke about Zion round about her tell the Towers thereof marke ye well her Bulwarks Consider her Palaces that ye may tell it to the Generation that Followes Leaving with you these Sobs and Tears of Sion who hath layn so long in Brine and Blood The 27. day of the 7 month 1657. AGREED to by this BODY UNITED and WAITING as at Jerusalem that according to Acts 1. 15. An hundred and twenty of our Names be Subscribed and Sent out with a SOLEMN INVITATION to this UNITING WORK throughout the three Nations in the NAME of our LORD JESVS who is Coming and of the REST of this BODY UNITED in and about this City of London Who have thorough Grace made some little ENTRANCE into so Great so Hopefull and so Necessary a WORK that we may be put together into a better Capacity for his COMING and KINGDOME in every ADMINISTRATION thereof Even so Amen Isa. 49. 17. Thy Children shall make hast Then Thy Destroyers and them that layd thee wast shall goe forth of thee EDward Edmonds Robert Clark Nicholas Middleton Thomas Broughton Richard Jones Henry Chomley John Whight Thomas Dowsde Richard Tyler John Tyrrel John Allen James Mallery James Frances Walter Harding James Lowd Jon Merrals S Mast William Russel Frances Good John Turner Walter Rand. James Wilkins John Ward Solomon Webster R. Brimsal George Johnson Edward Broomer Thomas Ardree Henry Hedges Edw Graves Edmund Wood Robert Wingreen John Jealous J. Nessonby Richard Smith Thomas Atwood M Pace John Wandall Daniel Rand. Samuel Gossener John King Evan Hewes Edward Glayes Miles Cottis E. Burges Gregory Kirby John Rayment Robert Rogers Gilbert Lockington M. Stowers Thomas Crundal John Thaire Joseph West Thomas Coates S. Freeland Miles Coates John Robon Christopher Craile K. Johnson Edward Squire James Grippe John Thomson John Rogers Clement Plomsted H White Thomas More Nathaniel Bunch Henry Martin Anthony Aires Matthew Grigson A Curtis Thomas Ambler John Crump Richard Bird John Massie Francis Goram Thomas Moreton John Clement William Elwood S. Green S. Rowley Robert Simmons James Gressam Robert Knight S. Lockinton William Chandler John Babycome E. Chambers George Hancock James Doeman Simon Smith A. Prichard John Gardner Joseph Jefferies Edward Hewson Joseph Graves John Bingel E. Sparks Edward Hart. Francis Simson Francis Crane E. Grippe Richard Groeme Francis Moon E. Thurland S. Frances John Crony E. Webster Richard Hodges Michael Dunwell John Ireland E. Rookesby Thomas Taylor H. Pirkins John Loveday Robert Massie A. Rawlings Edward Bowman Walter Simmons Jonathan Renolds c. Acts 1. 15. The number of Names together were about 120. SInce this hath been in the Presse with some Delay we have from Severall Parts in the East South and North of this NATION been already and unexpectedly sent unto to Incourage and Provoke us in this WORK and WAY according to the PROPOSALLS and We should gladly hear from Others There be Errata's which the Reader may easily recover and Correct in his own Understanding as p. 59. l. 21. r. desired to see l. 30. r. orderly joyned p. 60. l. 38. r. Vncomfortable c. FINIS 1. Ground the Paralell of our Present Scattering the last three years with the Disciples the three days of Christs sufferings calls for the same Practise from us 2. Ground is the Great Promise of the Spirit at hand for which Christ put his Disciples into this Posture or way of Uniting The Reason of it 3. The opening of the Tabernacle of the Testimony The Typicall Tabernacle of many in one so is this Wherein is hid the Ark the Manna And it comes to be opened or the Covering-Veile to be taken off when the Holy Camp arises The Inner-Court opened for the open Worship 4. Parity of Circumstances in the Witnesses death Rise and Ascending with our Lords implies a Parity of Duty on us 5. The Executing the judgement must be this way 6. The Constitution of the Primitive Church-state being but one Body of many Formes c. Then one Church in a City 7. The present Apostacy and Adulterating of Churches Their Teachers Viz. Answer to 2d query Their Members Spoyled in their Essentialls 8. The Woefull Shipwrack to the Drowning of Many and Danger of All that yet will keep upon their Planks or Pieces Calls us to get aboard the one Ship 9. The Great Divisions in the Churches and Formes rents and Factions Controversies and Oppositions Envy and Enmity to one another expressed Reason why we dare not keep up such Enunity and divisions 10. The Combination of Enemies of All sorts 11. They must be Distinct Conjunct above any others Every one in in his proper place 12. Every particular Church must bear the Image of the Whole which consists of all sorts in ONE 13. Greater Grouth of Grace Spirituall Nourishment 14. For more Love Concord and indearednesse 15. For a more collective Beauty of Sion How this beauty came to be lost And how it is to be restored 16. For a clearer and more exquisite and inspired Knowledge of Christ and the times and of the things that are to be don about which we are now at so great a losse 17. For that Another as a more Apostle-like and Primitive Ministry in the power of the holy Ghost is to be sent abroad in these last Dayes Difference betwixt the Confusion of Tongues at Babylon and the Diversitie of Tongues at Jerusalem 18. For the Exercise of Righteous Justice 19. For better providing and caring one for Another in all Cases 20 For that the great Increa e and flowing in of others is into this Way Till then look not for any Considerable Conversion of Jewes or Gentiles 21. Sincerity Singlenesse of heart 22. That we may be more joynt in all the things of God 23. For a Right Vnderstanding round the Nation 24. For the Glorifying that God whose Name hath Suffered so 1. That the Scattered ones be gathered into ONE BODY 2. Gathered and Govern'd as a Religious Body after the first Patterne for the Rule of it 3. Kingdome-Saints of All Judgements for Matter 4. Upon the Principles wherein ALL are ONE for Forme 5. With free and equal Exercise of their severall different Judgements in their severall different Meetings for Order Distributively 6. A WEEKLY Meeting of the WHOLE for Edifying Collectively 7. The New Commandement of Brotherly Love indeareduesse in this Body for Law as the Lambs People 8. A Joynt-contending and standing up with the