Just measures in an epistle of peace & love to such professors of truth as are under any dissatisfaction about the present order practis'd in the church of Christ / by a lover of the truth and them, G.P.
         Penn, William, 1644-1718.
      
       
         
           1692
        
      
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             Just measures in an epistle of peace & love to such professors of truth as are under any dissatisfaction about the present order practis'd in the church of Christ / by a lover of the truth and them, G.P.
             Penn, William, 1644-1718.
          
           [2], 21 p.
           
             Printed by Tho. Northcott ...,
             London :
             1692.
          
           
             Attributed to Penn by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Society of Friends -- Pastoral letters and charges.
           Christian life.
        
      
    
     
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             Just
             Measures
          
           ,
           IN
           AN
           EPISTLE
           ,
           OF
           PEACE
           &
           LOVE
           TO
           Such
           Professors
           of
           Truth
           as
           are
           under
           any
           Dissatisfaction
           about
           the
           present
           Order
           practis'd
           in
           the
           CHURCH
           of
           CHRIST
           .
        
         
           By
           a
           Lover
           of
           the
           Truth
           and
           Them
           ,
           
             G.
             P.
          
           
        
         
           COL
           .
           iii.
           15.
           
        
         
           And
           let
           the
           Peace
           of
           God
           rule
           in
           your
           Hearts
           ,
           to
           the
           which
           also
           ye
           are
           called
           in
           one
           Body
           ;
           and
           be
           ye
           thankful
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           
             Printed
             for
          
           Tho.
           Northcott
           ,
           in
           George
           yard
           in
           Lumbard-street
           ,
           1692.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           Just
           Measures
           IN
           AN
           EPISTLE
           OF
           PEACE
           &
           LOVE
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           
             Friends
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           ,
           with
           a
           deep
           Sense
           and
           Sorrow
           ,
           often
           beheld
           the
           Distance
           and
           Dissatisfaction
           you
           are
           under
           in
           reference
           to
           your
           ancient
           and
           faithful
           Brethren
           and
           that
           Fellowship
           ,
           which
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           was
           once
           very
           dear
           and
           valuable
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           I
           would
           have
           the
           Charity
           to
           hope
           ,
           is
           what
           many
           of
           you
           desire
           still
           :
           And
           ,
           for
           your
           
           sakes
           that
           would
           not
           willingly
           think
           amiss
           ,
           nor
           differ
           ,
           nor
           divide
           from
           those
           that
           otherwise
           you
           have
           an
           Esteem
           for
           and
           are
           in
           Judgment
           one
           with
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Worship
           and
           
             Doctrines
             of
             Truth
          
           ;
           I
           desire
           to
           open
           my
           Mind
           ,
           both
           with
           tenderness
           and
           plainness
           ;
           and
           if
           what
           I
           say
           has
           the
           Voice
           and
           Matter
           of
           Peace
           and
           Love
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           helpful
           to
           you
           ,
           in
           closing
           with
           your
           Brethren
           again
           ,
           I
           shall
           greatly
           rejoice
           :
           In
           which
           ,
           know
           this
           ,
           I
           seek
           you
           not
           in
           the
           words
           of
           
             Man's
             Wisdom
          
           ,
           nor
           to
           raise
           Controversie
           ,
           nor
           for
           Victory
           ,
           nor
           any
           
             By
             ends
          
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           that
           
             precious
             Fellowship
          
           and
           
             seamless
             Garment
          
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Truth
           cloathed
           us
           all
           in
           the
           beginning
           ,
           and
           with
           which
           it
           will
           cloath
           and
           comfort
           all
           its
           faithful
           Servants
           and
           true
           Friends
           to
           the
           end
           .
           
             1st
             .
             I
             shall
             begin
             with
             the
             Difference
             ,
             and
             what
             you
             have
             both
             in
             Conferrence
             and
             Writing
             alledged
             for
             the
             Ground
             of
             your
             Dissatisfaction
             and
             Dissent
             :
          
           Next
           ,
           
             I
             shall
             consider
             the
             Nature
             and
             Merit
             of
             it
          
           ;
           and
           last
           of
           all
           ,
           
             give
             my
             sence
             upon
             the
             whole
             matter
             ,
             in
             order
             to
             a
             better
             understanding
             for
             the
             future
             .
          
        
         
           That
           there
           is
           a
           Difference
           ,
           is
           but
           too
           plain
           ,
           for
           it
           has
           in
           some
           parts
           proceeded
           
           to
           a
           Separation
           ,
           as
           well
           to
           places
           of
           Worship
           as
           in
           matters
           of
           Discipline
           .
           The
           Ground
           of
           this
           Dissatisfaction
           ,
           upon
           which
           so
           great
           a
           Distance
           has
           been
           raised
           ,
           you
           say
           is
           ,
           
             Requiring
             your
             Complyance
             with
             some
             Practices
             relating
             to
             Discipline
             ,
          
           particularly
           Womens
           
             meetings
             and
             coming
          
           twice
           
             before
             Men
             and
             Womens
             meetings
             about
             Marriages
             ,
             before
             they
             are
             admitted
             to
             be
             solemnized
             among
             us
          
           ;
           some
           of
           you
           thinking
           ,
           
             that
             there
             is
             no
             Service
             for
          
           Womens
           
             meetings
             at
             all
          
           ;
           others
           ,
           
             no
             Service
             in
             their
             being
          
           distinct
           
             from
             Mens
             meetings
          
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           
             no
             necessity
             for
             either
             ,
             and
             therefore
             no
             necessary
             Complyance
             to
             be
             required
             and
             insisted
             upon
             ,
             but
             every
             one
             left
             to
             their
             liberty
             in
             Christ
             ,
             lest
             Imposition
             and
             Formality
             should
             prevail
             among
             us
             ,
             as
             they
             have
             done
             in
             other
             Religious
             Societies
             .
          
           In
           this
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           I
           have
           truly
           and
           fairly
           stated
           the
           Case
           on
           your
           part
           ,
           and
           given
           your
           Objection
           to
           our
           Practice
           ,
           and
           the
           reason
           why
           you
           dissent
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           Now
           Friends
           ,
           I
           shall
           consider
           the
           nature
           and
           merit
           of
           this
           Dissatisfaction
           and
           Dissent
           ,
           wherein
           I
           beseech
           your
           Attention
           ,
           Patience
           ,
           and
           Candour
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           find
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           clear
           of
           the
           Imposition
           
           and
           Formality
           you
           object
           or
           fear
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           find
           that
           you
           have
           any
           just
           cause
           to
           fear
           ,
           in
           general
           ,
           an
           infringement
           on
           your
           Christian
           Liberty
           ,
           since
           it
           has
           been
           ,
           and
           is
           most
           sincerely
           declared
           by
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           chiefly
           concerned
           in
           the
           good
           Order
           and
           Service
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           no
           thought
           or
           design
           of
           imposing
           any
           thing
           upon
           the
           Consciences
           of
           Friends
           ;
           or
           ,
           that
           Friends
           ought
           to
           have
           now
           any
           more
           than
           at
           the
           beginning
           ,
           any
           other
           reason
           or
           Measure
           of
           Complyance
           or
           Conformity
           in
           Matters
           relating
           to
           God
           ,
           than
           the
           
             conviction
             of
             the
             Light
             and
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             in
             every
             Conscience
             .
          
           But
           there
           is
           this
           distinction
           to
           be
           considered
           well
           of
           ,
           That
           the
           matters
           in
           Difference
           are
           not
           such
           as
           require
           such
           an
           Exercise
           and
           Conviction
           of
           Conscience
           as
           is
           pleaded
           ,
           because
           they
           relate
           not
           to
           Faith
           or
           Worship
           .
           Did
           they
           require
           Faith
           ,
           or
           did
           they
           appertain
           to
           Worship
           ,
           as
           if
           you
           were
           obliged
           to
           worship
           God
           only
           in
           such
           a
           
             Place
             ,
             Time
             ,
             Gesture
             ,
             Raiment
             ,
             with
             such
             words
             and
             forms
             of
             Speech
             ,
             &c.
          
           which
           has
           been
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Dissenters
           from
           the
           
             National
             Church
          
           ,
           your
           Objection
           and
           Plea
           were
           good
           :
           But
           this
           about
           which
           your
           Dissatisfaction
           
           arises
           ,
           is
           purely
           
             Discipline
             in
             Government
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             Worship
             ;
             Formality
             in
             Order
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             Religion
             :
          
           It
           is
           about
           methods
           of
           regulating
           our selves
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           civil
           or
           outward
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           a
           Society
           ;
           how
           we
           may
           avoid
           Disorder
           ,
           and
           preserve
           the
           Credit
           of
           our
           Society
           from
           Censure
           and
           Scandal
           .
        
         
           For
           instance
           ,
           
             To
             keep
             the
             necessitous
          
           ;
           as
           
             Poor
             ,
             Aged
             ,
             Sick
          
           ,
           and
           
             Orphans
             :
             To
             reconcile
             Differences
             :
             To
             take
             care
             of
             Births
             ,
             Marriages
             ,
             and
             Burials
             :
          
           In
           fine
           ,
           
             to
             prevent
             ,
             rebuke
             and
             restore
             disorderly
             walkers
             .
          
           To
           all
           which
           ,
           I
           conceive
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           need
           of
           an
           Act
           of
           Faith
           ,
           or
           other
           Exercise
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           than
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           exhorts
           ,
           
             to
             be
             ready
             to
             every
             good
             word
             and
             work
             :
          
           I
           mean
           ,
           here
           is
           nothing
           required
           to
           be
           believed
           as
           an
           
             Article
             of
             Faith
          
           ;
           here
           is
           ,
           no
           Novelty
           or
           Formality
           in
           Worship
           introduc'd
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           proposed
           as
           an
           End
           or
           Service
           for
           our
           Men
           and
           Womens
           meetings
           ,
           that
           can
           reasonably
           admit
           of
           the
           raising
           of
           such
           a
           Scruple
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           since
           the
           things
           proposed
           are
           Duties
           that
           all
           civil
           Societies
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Church-fellowships
           ,
           agree
           in
           ,
           as
           requisite
           to
           the
           support
           of
           the
           Reputation
           of
           Fellowships
           and
           Societies
           .
        
         
         
           Now
           this
           being
           the
           great
           and
           
             true
             End
             ,
             Vse
          
           ,
           and
           Service
           of
           our
           Men
           and
           
             Womens
             meetings
          
           ,
           and
           that
           't
           is
           the
           End
           that
           always
           denotes
           and
           constitutes
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           means
           ,
           it
           cannot
           justly
           be
           thought
           to
           be
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           Imposition
           and
           Formality
           ,
           as
           the
           words
           are
           commonly
           taken
           in
           an
           i●l
           sence
           ▪
           to
           expect
           t●e
           compliance
           of
           Members
           of
           a
           Society
           ,
           to
           such
           Methods
           of
           Order
           as
           the
           Elders
           thereof
           have
           exhorted
           to
           ,
           and
           the
           generality
           of
           the
           People
           have
           embraced
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           most
           considerable
           part
           of
           those
           that
           dissent
           ,
           declare
           they
           dissent
           from
           ,
           rather
           for
           fear
           of
           suffering
           an
           Enfringement
           of
           their
           Christian
           Liberty
           ,
           than
           any
           dislike
           to
           the
           Practice
           it self
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           this
           cannot
           be
           called
           or
           accounted
           such
           an
           Imposition
           upon
           Conscience
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           
             Expedients
             of
             Order
          
           and
           
             Methods
             of
             Rule
          
           about
           things
           universally
           agreed
           upon
           .
           The
           thing
           will
           not
           bear
           the
           word
           ;
           for
           instance
           ,
           Because
           I
           may
           say
           it
           is
           against
           my
           Conscience
           to
           confess
           to
           such
           an
           Article
           or
           Doctrin
           of
           Faith
           ,
           or
           to
           worship
           God
           after
           such
           a
           prescribed
           form
           ,
           that
           therefore
           it
           would
           sound
           reasonable
           for
           me
           to
           say
           
             it
             is
             against
             my
             Conscience
             to
             submit
             to
             the
             Council
             of
             the
             Church
             for
             ending
             of
             Differences
             ;
             
             and
             it
             is
             against
             my
             Conscience
             ,
             after
             having
             once
             told
             the
             Brethren
             I
             intend
             to
             marry
             such
             a
             Woman
             ,
             to
             come
             again
             a
             fortnight
             ,
             or
             a
             month
             after
             ,
             to
             ask
             if
             they
             have
             informed
             themselves
             of
             mine
             and
             the
             Womans
             clearness
             ,
             both
             towards
             Parents
             and
             other
             persons
             ,
             before
             we
             solemnize
             it
             .
          
           Surely
           this
           would
           look
           to
           reasonable
           people
           an
           over-tender
           or
           an
           over-righteous
           ,
           or
           rather
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           an
           over-free
           and
           
             large
             Conscience
          
           ,
           that
           would
           scruple
           ,
           at
           twice
           or
           thrice
           publishing
           the
           Banns
           ,
           to
           prevent
           undutifulness
           to
           Parents
           and
           injury
           to
           Pre-engagements
           ,
           when
           those
           ,
           we
           profess
           to
           exceed
           ,
           require
           in
           their
           Communion
           that
           it
           be
           thrice
           done
           .
           In
           like
           manner
           it
           would
           look
           very
           strange
           in
           me
           to
           call
           a
           Church-care
           of
           circumspect
           walking
           up
           to
           the
           religious
           Principles
           of
           the
           Society
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           voluntarily
           embraced
           ,
           an
           
             imposing
             or
             over-driving
             of
             me
          
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           object
           ,
           
             Why
             must
             we
             go
             before
             Women
             ,
          
           and
           
             why
             Women
             apart
             from
             Men
          
           ?
           This
           still
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           can
           be
           no
           Imposition
           ,
           as
           is
           before
           expressed
           ,
           because
           
             it
             is
             no
             Matter
             of
             Faith
             ,
             nor
             Practice
             of
             Worship
             ,
          
           but
           a
           referring
           still
           to
           our
           
             external
             Order
             of
             Life
          
           ;
           And
           we
           say
           ,
           Women
           as
           well
           as
           Men
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           concerned
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           part
           of
           
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           the
           common
           Banus
           that
           are
           published
           in
           Churches
           (
           so
           called
           )
           or
           Markets
           ,
           exclude
           not
           Women
           to
           make
           their
           Exception
           any
           more
           than
           
             Men.
             But
             why
             Women
             apart
          
           ,
           say
           you
           ?
           We
           think
           for
           a
           very
           good
           reason
           ;
           the
           Church
           encreaseth
           ,
           which
           encreases
           the
           Business
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           Women
           ,
           whose
           bashfulness
           will
           not
           permit
           them
           to
           say
           or
           do
           much
           as
           to
           Church-affairs
           before
           the
           Men
           ,
           when
           by
           themselves
           ,
           may
           exercise
           their
           Gifts
           of
           Wisdom
           and
           Understanding
           in
           a
           discreet
           care
           for
           their
           own
           Sex
           ,
           at
           least
           ;
           which
           makes
           up
           not
           the
           least
           part
           of
           the
           Business
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           this
           while
           the
           Men
           are
           upon
           their
           proper
           business
           also
           .
           So
           that
           as
           Men
           and
           Women
           make
           up
           the
           Church
           ,
           Men
           and
           Women
           make
           up
           the
           business
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           very
           reasonable
           they
           should
           be
           
             Helpers
             together
          
           ,
           in
           doing
           the
           Church's
           business
           .
           This
           way
           Women
           are
           made
           useful
           and
           serviceable
           in
           and
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           were
           the
           
             Holy
             Women
          
           of
           old
           ,
           that
           were
           so
           much
           commanded
           by
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           for
           Deaconnesses
           indeed
           .
           And
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           before
           ,
           their
           businesses
           being
           hereby
           distinct
           ,
           
             two
             businesses
             are
             doing
             at
             one
             and
             the
             same
             
             time
             ,
          
           and
           consequently
           ,
           there
           must
           needs
           be
           a
           greater
           dispatch
           ;
           which
           in
           Country
           places
           ,
           and
           Winter
           Seasons
           ,
           where
           Friends
           come
           Ten
           or
           
             Fifteen
             miles
          
           to
           Meetings
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           very
           convenient
           and
           comfortable
           .
           I
           may
           add
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           divers
           things
           that
           seem
           peculiar
           to
           Women
           ,
           that
           were
           not
           fit
           for
           Men
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           Men
           did
           and
           would
           find
           themselves
           often
           at
           a
           loss
           ,
           which
           renders
           their
           distinct
           Meetings
           farther
           convenient
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           the
           Reasons
           and
           Motives
           to
           the
           present
           Practice
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           without
           enfringing
           Christian
           Liberty
           ,
           
             by
             compelling
             Conscience
             to
             any
             matter
             of
             Faith
             or
             Practice
             ,
             relating
             to
             Worship
          
           ;
           we
           meaning
           by
           our
           whole
           Order
           and
           Government
           ,
           no
           other
           thing
           than
           a
           
             careful
             Eye
             and
             Check
             upon
             Practice
          
           ;
           an
           
             Expediency
             against
             Irregularity
             in
             Conversation
          
           ,
           whether
           towards
           them
           that
           are
           without
           ,
           or
           those
           that
           are
           within
           the
           same
           Communion
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           strong
           will
           submit
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           weak
           .
        
         
           My
           own
           sence
           upon
           this
           whole
           matter
           is
           ,
           That
           
             a
             misapprehending
             the
             Intention
             of
             the
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             an
             undistinguishing
             zeal
             against
             Impositions
             on
             the
             one
             hand
             ,
             and
             a
             
             fear
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             that
             those
             who
             so
             mistook
             and
             misrendered
             ,
             the
             design
             of
             the
             Brethren
             ,
             were
             either
             high-minded
             and
             unruly
             ,
             or
             prone
             to
             undue
             liberty
             ,
             or
             that
             they
             not
             being
             the
             first
             promoters
             of
             this
             Disciplin
             in
             Government
             ,
             detracted
             from
             them
             that
             were
             ,
             and
             so
             would
             lessen
             the
             Credit
             and
             Authority
             of
             their
             Endeavours
             ,
             with
             such
             as
             were
             peculiar
             Favourers
             ;
             and
             that
             ,
             in
             fine
             ,
             their
             Dissent
             tended
             to
             the
             breach
             of
             Brotherly
             Love
             and
             Vnity
             in
             the
             Church
             .
          
           I
           say
           ,
           my
           sence
           is
           ,
           That
           this
           on
           each
           side
           ,
           
             with
             the
             heats
             that
             followed
             ,
             perhaps
             much
             worse
             than
             the
             thing
             it self
             ,
          
           gave
           life
           to
           the
           Division
           that
           those
           that
           fear
           the
           Lord
           have
           truly
           mourned
           for
           .
           And
           since
           I
           have
           hinted
           the
           Heats
           that
           may
           have
           attended
           the
           management
           of
           this
           Difference
           ,
           be
           not
           offended
           that
           I
           say
           ,
           the
           Difference
           ,
           
             through
             those
             Heats
          
           ,
           is
           now
           more
           
             in
             Spirit
             than
             Fact
          
           ,
           in
           Mind
           than
           Matter
           :
           It
           is
           come
           in
           Fact
           to
           this
           ;
           
             Whether
             the
             care
             of
             Conversation
             should
             belong
             to
          
           Women
           
             as
             well
             as
          
           Men
           ,
           
             especially
             relating
             to
             their
             own
             Sex
             ,
             the
          
           Women
           
             being
             so
             great
             a
             part
             of
             the
             Church
             :
          
           And
           over
           this
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           you
           are
           got
           for
           the
           most
           part
           .
           2.
           
           
             Whether
             the
          
           Women
           
             may
             meet
             separately
             from
             the
          
           Men
           ?
           
           And
           for
           answer
           to
           this
           ,
           be
           pleased
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           your
           own
           unavoidable
           Concessions
           :
           
             You
             allow
             Meetings
             of
             Care
             in
             general
             ,
             and
             do
             not
             deny
          
           Women
           
             absolutely
             their
             share
             among
             the
          
           Men
           ,
           
             and
             that
             particular
             Members
             must
             be
             accountable
             to
             the
             Society
             they
             are
             of
             ,
             in
             point
             of
             Conversation
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Rules
             embraced
             by
             the
             said
             Society
             .
          
           I
           say
           ,
           you
           own
           the
           end
           ,
           you
           allow
           the
           means
           ,
           you
           referr
           the
           choice
           of
           your
           means
           to
           the
           Society
           ,
           and
           you
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           we
           ,
           expect
           a
           compliance
           with
           those
           Rules
           .
           Then
           the
           Question
           is
           ,
           
             Whether
             infact
          
           Womens
           
             meetings
             be
             a
             part
             of
             that
             Discipline
             the
             Church
             admits
             of
             ?
          
           And
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           does
           ,
           generally
           speaking
           ,
           receive
           and
           practise
           it
           ,
           with
           satisfaction
           and
           advantage
           .
           I
           would
           therefore
           beseech
           you
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           to
           ponder
           in
           your
           minds
           ,
           upon
           what
           a
           narrow
           point
           your
           Distance
           stands
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           main
           and
           tender
           point
           is
           allowed
           you
           ,
           
             viz.
             Conscience
             is
             free
          
           ,
           and
           unconcern'd
           in
           the
           Question
           ;
           and
           the
           visible
           Ground
           of
           Distance
           being
           so
           small
           ,
           weigh
           with
           your selves
           by
           what
           has
           been
           ,
           what
           may
           be
           the
           consequence
           of
           this
           lamentable
           Breach
           .
        
         
         
           I
           am
           as
           much
           for
           Liberty
           as
           any
           man
           ;
           I
           ever
           was
           so
           ,
           and
           hope
           I
           ever
           shall
           be
           for
           it
           ;
           but
           we
           must
           refer
           it
           to
           a
           proper
           Object
           ,
           or
           we
           shall
           abuse
           what
           we
           do
           so
           much
           prize
           ,
           and
           pervert
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           Priviledges
           we
           can
           pretend
           to
           .
           I
           do
           not
           mean
           ,
           by
           the
           Liberty
           we
           are
           to
           resign
           to
           the
           Benefit
           of
           Society
           ,
           That
           which
           is
           private
           or
           personal
           ;
           no
           ,
           this
           does
           not
           enter
           into
           private
           or
           personal
           Liberty
           ,
           concerning
           which
           ,
           the
           Apostles
           taught
           us
           to
           bear
           ,
           and
           not
           offend
           one
           another
           ;
           as
           about
           Meats
           and
           Drinks
           :
           I
           may
           add
           Clothes
           ,
           Houses
           ,
           Trades
           ,
           &c.
           so
           as
           there
           be
           no
           Excess
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           every
           where
           wrong
           :
           These
           things
           regard
           not
           Society
           ,
           but
           a
           man's
           self
           ,
           and
           his
           private
           Liberty
           alone
           .
           What
           is
           it
           to
           the
           Society
           ,
           what
           or
           when
           I
           eat
           ,
           what
           sort
           of
           Clothing
           I
           wear
           ,
           or
           House
           I
           live
           in
           ,
           or
           Trade
           I
           will
           be
           of
           ,
           so
           as
           Excess
           or
           Uncomeliness
           be
           avoided
           ?
           This
           is
           still
           in
           my
           own
           power
           ,
           and
           many
           like
           things
           ,
           hard
           to
           be
           numbred
           ,
           about
           which
           Society
           is
           not
           in
           the
           least
           concerned
           ,
           nor
           in
           which
           any
           Member
           of
           it
           is
           interrupted
           ,
           or
           called
           in
           question
           .
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           we
           do
           also
           all
           agree
           ,
           that
           
           Faith
           must
           not
           be
           forced
           nor
           Worship
           constrained
           ,
           for
           that
           grates
           upon
           Conscience
           ,
           which
           God
           only
           can
           effectually
           enlighten
           or
           rightly
           perswade
           .
           But
           that
           bears
           not
           upon
           our
           Question
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           before
           ;
           for
           the
           compliance
           desired
           in
           it
           is
           about
           Order
           ,
           not
           Faith
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           about
           Worship
           ,
           but
           Conversation
           ,
           in
           which
           if
           you
           submit
           your
           Liberty
           ,
           it
           is
           for
           the
           Good
           of
           Society
           ,
           and
           you
           have
           the
           Returns
           of
           in
           the
           Benefit
           and
           Comfort
           thereof
           .
           Do
           you
           serve
           or
           take
           care
           of
           others
           ,
           that
           before
           were
           free
           of
           that
           Engagement
           ?
           Others
           also
           are
           tryed
           by
           the
           same
           Rules
           ,
           to
           serve
           and
           be
           concerned
           for
           you
           ,
           that
           formerly
           owed
           you
           no
           obligation
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           are
           under
           the
           Notice
           and
           Reproof
           of
           others
           ,
           as
           to
           your
           personal
           Conduct
           ,
           they
           are
           equally
           under
           yours
           upon
           occasion
           ;
           so
           that
           you
           lose
           nothing
           but
           what
           you
           get
           ,
           nor
           give
           nothing
           but
           what
           you
           receive
           again
           ,
           and
           to
           a
           right
           Spirit
           and
           a
           good
           Mind
           this
           mutual
           Service
           will
           appear
           reasonable
           ,
           christian
           ,
           and
           requisite
           .
           And
           as
           in
           no
           Age
           the
           Resister
           and
           Gainsayers
           of
           Care
           and
           Order
           ,
           in
           any
           of
           the
           Lord
           's
           eminent
           Servants
           ,
           have
           passed
           without
           the
           mark
           of
           
           God's
           Rebuke
           ;
           so
           those
           that
           have
           contested
           and
           opposed
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           in
           his
           faithful
           Servants
           ,
           have
           ever
           failed
           of
           their
           Purpose
           ,
           and
           been
           finally
           manifested
           to
           have
           been
           lead
           by
           a
           wrong
           Spirit
           .
           And
           as
           observable
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           those
           by
           whom
           the
           Lord
           has
           eminently
           appeared
           ,
           and
           who
           were
           the
           first
           Instruments
           of
           his
           several
           Dispensations
           to
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           have
           alwaies
           exercised
           that
           Authority
           among
           the
           People
           they
           have
           gathered
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           constantly
           preserved
           from
           falling
           away
           ,
           though
           some
           or
           other
           have
           rise
           against
           them
           with
           that
           clamour
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           set
           up
           themselves
           ,
           and
           were
           gone
           from
           what
           they
           taught
           or
           were
           ,
           and
           took
           too
           much
           upon
           them
           .
           But
           ,
           what
           have
           they
           all
           come
           to
           ?
           Read
           and
           Judge
           .
        
         
           Nor
           was
           it
           ever
           heard
           of
           in
           the
           Dealings
           of
           GOD
           with
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           ,
           that
           he
           varied
           or
           changed
           his
           Dispensations
           in
           the
           Life-time
           of
           the
           Instruments
           of
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           some
           have
           been
           ready
           to
           imagine
           ,
           nor
           yet
           in
           that
           Age
           in
           which
           he
           has
           brought
           them
           forth
           :
           Which
           engages
           me
           to
           beseech
           you
           ,
           in
           the
           Bowels
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           Christ
           our
           
           only
           Root
           of
           Life
           and
           Light
           ,
           and
           Love
           and
           Peace
           ,
           that
           you
           be
           like
           minded
           with
           your
           Friends
           and
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           see
           that
           the
           Life
           and
           the
           Fellowship
           of
           the
           Truth
           be
           preserved
           in
           the
           enjoyment
           and
           practice
           of
           Fellowship
           ;
           which
           will
           be
           ,
           if
           the
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           first
           made
           us
           love
           one
           another
           ,
           be
           kept
           in
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           a
           sovereign
           Antidote
           against
           all
           the
           Poyson
           of
           Discontent
           ,
           evil
           Jealousie
           ,
           and
           the
           Divisions
           that
           are
           wont
           to
           follow
           .
           And
           instead
           of
           reproaching
           our
           Elders
           and
           Brethren
           ,
           whom
           God
           has
           honoured
           ,
           and
           whom
           we
           have
           honoured
           ,
           and
           could
           have
           laid
           down
           our
           Lives
           for
           ,
           and
           who
           know
           nothing
           by
           themselves
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           are
           as
           true
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           in
           as
           good
           a
           condition
           in
           the
           Truth
           as
           ever
           they
           were
           ,
           and
           have
           done
           ,
           and
           intended
           in
           what
           they
           have
           done
           ,
           as
           much
           the
           Benefit
           of
           the
           Lord's
           People
           I
           say
           ,
           instead
           of
           reproaching
           them
           with
           
             Vsurping
             Authority
          
           ,
           and
           
             taking
             too
             much
             upon
             them
          
           ,
           let
           us
           consider
           ,
           that
           those
           whom
           we
           have
           received
           with
           so
           much
           reverent
           Love
           ,
           and
           as
           worthy
           of
           double
           Honour
           in
           the
           greater
           things
           ,
           are
           not
           
           unworthy
           to
           be
           heard
           and
           followed
           by
           us
           in
           lesser
           matters
           :
           Let
           us
           regard
           and
           value
           their
           Care
           ,
           and
           love
           them
           for
           it
           .
           So
           true
           is
           that
           Saying
           among
           Men
           ,
           
             That
             is
             well
             spoken
             which
             is
             well
             taken
             ,
          
           that
           the
           Bent
           and
           Purpose
           of
           a
           Man's
           Spirit
           is
           that
           which
           gives
           the
           Just
           reason
           of
           acceptance
           or
           rejection
           .
        
         
           You
           have
           ,
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           judged
           too
           much
           after
           an
           
             outward
             appearance
          
           ,
           and
           ,
           you
           may
           see
           ,
           not
           truly
           there
           neither
           .
           
             Open
             therefore
             your
             Hearts
             ,
             your
             Souls
             ,
             and
             Spirits
             ,
          
           and
           taste
           with
           the
           divine
           sense
           of
           the
           tender
           and
           meek
           Truth
           ,
           the
           aim
           and
           end
           of
           Brethren
           :
           Herein
           be
           a
           little
           more
           truly
           free
           and
           universal
           in
           your
           Minds
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           perceive
           this
           Care
           has
           a
           large
           and
           a
           long
           Prospect
           for
           Good.
           The
           due
           exercise
           of
           your
           spiritual
           Senses
           will
           answer
           all
           your
           Objections
           ,
           and
           satisfie
           every
           upright
           Soul
           among
           you
           ;
           but
           if
           you
           
             look
             out
             ,
             mistake
             Liberty
             ,
             mistake
             Imposition
             ,
             mistake
             Formality
             ,
          
           mistake
           the
           nature
           and
           end
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           the
           Intention
           of
           your
           ancient
           Friends
           and
           Brethren
           in
           them
           ,
           you
           will
           judge
           carnally
           ,
           and
           be
           ready
           to
           think
           as
           it
           outward
           Rule
           and
           Lordliness
           were
           aimed
           at
           ,
           and
           a
           departing
           from
           the
           
           Truth
           ,
           even
           whilst
           our
           Care
           ,
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           is
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           young
           ,
           the
           weak
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           may
           be
           careless
           ,
           and
           ready
           to
           
             fall
             asleep
          
           ;
           for
           such
           some
           yet
           are
           ,
           and
           such
           are
           yet
           like
           to
           be
           ;
           and
           for
           their
           sakes
           a
           Discipline
           ,
           as
           to
           Conversation
           ,
           must
           be
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           that
           there
           are
           natural
           Infirmities
           ,
           as
           
             Sickness
             Age
             ,
             &c.
          
           that
           unavoidably
           call
           for
           it
           .
           Nor
           did
           or
           can
           ever
           any
           Community
           subsist
           without
           it
           ;
           and
           the
           Heats
           ,
           Prejudice
           ,
           and
           Rents
           that
           have
           arisen
           about
           the
           How
           or
           Manner
           of
           it
           ,
           shew
           the
           Opposition
           not
           to
           be
           right
           ,
           nor
           of
           a
           good
           tendency
           ;
           the
           end
           of
           that
           Order
           ,
           in
           the
           Minds
           and
           Hands
           of
           those
           from
           whence
           we
           joyfully
           received
           the
           Testimony
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           being
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           Good
           of
           his
           People
           ,
           as
           a
           
             Primitive
             Christian
             Society
          
           .
        
         
           To
           conclude
           ;
           As
           this
           is
           not
           a
           
             Plea
             for
             Imposition
          
           nor
           
             Forms
             of
             Worship
          
           ,
           but
           
             Forms
             of
             Discipline
          
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Government
           and
           Behaviour
           of
           our selves
           in
           our
           Converse
           both
           with
           those
           that
           are
           without
           
           and
           those
           that
           are
           within
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           is
           no
           visible
           Communion
           or
           Society
           in
           this
           World
           of
           Bodies
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           subject
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           must
           in
           some
           sort
           subsist
           by
           them
           ;
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           that
           we
           ,
           as
           becomes
           a
           reasonable
           and
           modest
           People
           ,
           and
           as
           
             dear
             Children
          
           ,
           may
           be
           of
           
             one
             Heart
          
           ,
           and
           
             one
             mind
          
           ,
           and
           walk
           together
           as
           those
           that
           have
           been
           Partakers
           of
           
             one
             Life
          
           ,
           and
           that
           have
           drank
           into
           
             one
             Spirit
          
           ;
           for
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           comely
           thing
           to
           see
           Brethren
           walk
           together
           in
           Love.
           
        
         
           O
           Friends
           ,
           let
           us
           labour
           against
           
             secret
             Animosities
             ,
             watchings
             for
             Evil
             ,
             Detractation
             ,
          
           the
           Sin
           that
           flung
           the
           Angels
           out
           of
           their
           Heavenly
           Station
           :
           Let
           us
           see
           to
           our
           own
           Spirits
           ,
           how
           they
           are
           ,
           if
           
             meek
             ,
             lowly
             ,
             humble
             ,
             tender
             ,
          
           by
           which
           the
           true
           and
           preserving
           Judgment
           is
           only
           known
           and
           felt
           ;
           or
           ,
           if
           not
           
             high
             ,
             fierce
             ,
             hard
          
           ,
           and
           prejudiced
           ;
           for
           a
           man
           may
           come
           to
           lose
           a
           good
           frame
           of
           Spirit
           upon
           very
           Trifles
           .
           It
           is
           not
           alwaies
           what
           the
           Matter
           is
           the
           Dispute
           arises
           upon
           ,
           but
           
             how
             far
             the
             thing
             
             is
             espoused
             ,
          
           and
           what
           place
           a
           man
           suffers
           it
           to
           have
           in
           his
           Mind
           :
           If
           Jealousie
           ,
           Reputation
           ,
           Revenge
           ,
           or
           Contradiction
           prevail
           ,
           Division
           must
           follow
           :
           Some
           are
           apt
           to
           resent
           things
           too
           soon
           ,
           and
           carry
           it
           too
           far
           ,
           even
           to
           Obstinacy
           ,
           through
           the
           Workings
           of
           the
           Evil
           One
           in
           a
           Mystery
           ;
           so
           that
           though
           the
           pretence
           of
           the
           Quarrel
           may
           be
           some
           Fact
           or
           other
           ,
           yet
           that
           has
           the
           least
           share
           oftentimes
           in
           the
           Difference
           ,
           it
           being
           enflamed
           and
           encreased
           by
           the
           
             mysterious
             workings
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Strife
             and
             Variance
             in
             the
             Mind
             ,
          
           according
           to
           an
           old
           Saying
           ,
           
             The
             greatest
             Feuds
             oftentimes
             arise
             from
             the
             slightest
             Causes
             .
          
           Let
           me
           beseech
           and
           prevail
           with
           you
           to
           read
           and
           weigh
           the
           Bent
           and
           Force
           of
           the
           Apostle's
           Spirit
           in
           Rom.
           12.
           also
           14.
           19.
           
           &
           15.
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           and
           especially
           16.
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19
           ,
           20
           Verse
           .
           Likewise
           .
           1
           Cor.
           14.
           32
           ,
           33.
           weighty
           places
           indeed
           .
           2
           Cor.
           13.
           
           Ephes
           .
           4.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4.
           
           Phil.
           3.
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18.
           ch
           .
           4.
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           Col.
           3.
           12
           ,
           14
           ,
           15
           ,
           16.
           1
           
           Thes
           .
           5.
           12
           ,
           13
           ,
           14.
           2
           
           Thes
           .
           3.
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
           He
           often
           commands
           Order
           and
           Obedience
           
           to
           the
           Apostolick
           Tradition
           in
           this
           Epistle
           ,
           Tit.
           1.
           15.
           ch
           .
           2.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6
           ,
           7.
           
           Heb.
           13.
           1.
           
           And
           ,
           
             1
             Pet.
          
           4.
           8.
           
           All
           which
           
             exhort
             to
             Peace
             ,
             Brotherly
             Kindness
             ,
             to
             be
             of
             one
             mind
             ,
             to
             study
             one
             thing
             .
             O
             follow
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             Peace
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             contend
             ,
             dispute
             ,
             and
             strive
             one
             with
             another
             .
          
           A
           blessed
           Doctrin
           ,
           and
           it
           has
           a
           blessed
           Reward
           .
           The
           Lord
           God
           Almighty
           dispose
           your
           Minds
           ,
           
             my
             Friends
          
           ,
           to
           a
           tender
           returning
           state
           ,
           and
           frighten
           not
           your selves
           with
           Designs
           (
           of
           the
           Brethren
           )
           that
           
             have
             no
             Being
             ,
             but
             in
             Jealousie
             and
             Misapprehension
             :
          
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           lay
           down
           every
           Mark
           or
           Ensign
           of
           Difference
           or
           Separation
           ,
           and
           behold
           our
           Arms
           as
           open
           as
           ever
           ,
           to
           receive
           you
           ,
           and
           
             let
             your
             Heart
             be
             as
             our
             Heart
             ,
          
           and
           then
           our
           Meetings
           your
           Meetings
           :
           Let
           the
           Fear
           and
           Awe
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           the
           becoming
           love
           of
           his
           precious
           Truth
           ,
           
             which
             is
          
           Christ
           
             in
             us
             ,
             the
             Hope
             of
             our
             Glory
             ,
          
           who
           gave
           himself
           for
           us
           ,
           to
           redeem
           us
           from
           the
           Enmity
           ,
           Death
           ,
           and
           Curse
           Disobedience
           had
           laid
           us
           under
           ,
           melt
           and
           cement
           us
           as
           one
           
           lump
           ;
           Flesh
           of
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           Bone
           of
           Bone
           ;
           so
           shall
           our
           Joy
           exceed
           our
           Sorrow
           ,
           and
           Tears
           be
           wiped
           from
           our
           Eyes
           on
           this
           occasion
           ;
           and
           GOD
           our
           exceeding
           Great
           and
           Glorious
           Rewarder
           ,
           be
           our
           Crown
           ,
           Portion
           ,
           and
           Diadem
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           
             Yours
             ,
             In
             and
             for
             the
             Truth
             ,
             G.
             P.