A pious and seasonable persvvasive to the sonnes of Zion soveraignely usefull for composing their unbrotherly devisions. By a Lover of the Truth, and all those that live godly in Christ Jesus.

1647

A PIOUS AND SEASONABLE PERSWASIVE TO THE SONNES OF ZION Soveraignely usefull for Composing their Unbrotherly Devisions.

PHILLIP. 3. 15, 16.‘LEt us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded: and if in any thing yea be otherwise minded, God shall reveale even this unto you.’‘Neverthelesse, whereto wee have already attained, let us walke by the same rule, let us minde the same thing.’Rom. 15. 1.‘Wee then that are strong, ought to beare the infirmities of the weake and not to please our selves.’1 Cor. 8. 9.‘But take h [...]ede, lest by any meanes this Liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weake.’‘11. ver. And through thy knowledge shall the weake brother perish for whom Christ died.’‘12. ver. But when ye sinne so against the brethren, and wound th [...]ir weake Conscience, ye sinne against Christ.’1 Cor. 12. 4. 5.‘Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit.’‘5. ver. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.’Ioh. 13. 34.‘A new Commandement, I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’‘15. ver. By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if you have love one to another.’1 Thess. 4. 9.‘For ye your selves are taught of God to love one another.’Ephes. 5. 1. 2.‘Be ye therefore followers of God as deare Children: and walke in love as Christ hath loved u [...], and hath given himselfe for us.’1 Joh. 3. 11.‘For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.’1 Pet. 2. 1.‘Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and evill speakings.’1 Joh. 4. 7.‘Let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God.’‘Ver. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is Love.’

a godly desenting Brother a godly Brother of the Presbyterian way The right hand of fellowship A Romish Prelat an English Iesuit Let not the world divide those whom Christ hath Ioyned

WHEREAS it is very apparent that one chiefe cause of the distempers, fears, and dangers, wherewith these three Kingdomes are tossed, as in a storme, ariseth from the unkinde jealousies, misprisions, and mutuall distances of good men differing in their judgements, whereby their hearts and affections also are much alienated from each other; It is earnestly intreated that all those to whom the prosperity of Gods Cause, the establishment of Truth and Peace, and the welfare of Zion is precious and desireable, would for time to come lay aside all unnecessary disputes about matters of controversie, (a thing extremely prejudiciall to the present indevours after a thorow-Reformation) and in their occasionall meetings and visits, wholly apply themselves to Practicall Discourses of Jesus Christ, and whatsoever may tend to holinesse, or Spirituall Edification; Never taking leave of each other, if opportunity of time and place will permit (though it be but for a quarter of an houre, or lesse) without pouring out their hearts in some solemne petitions to God. The matter of which Petitions principally may be such as these, Viz. The Victory of Truth, The imbracing of it with Love, Christs own method in suppressing Errors, Union among Saints, Sincerity of Hearts, Faithfulnesse to publique Interests, peaceable Subjection to the Civill Magistrate, a conscience void of offence towards God and man, Love to godlinesse wheresoever found, Subduing of passions, Meeknesse of Spirit, Improvement of Graces, Exemplary Holinesse, Heavenly conversation, Dying to the World, Living to Christ, and by all these a sweet conformity to the will of God revealed in his Word; If such a spirit as this be diffused abroad, we shall hope to see in our Dayes a binding up our wounds, an healing our Breaches, a composing our Differences, a strengthning our hands against the common Enemy, a setling these miserable Kingdomes in Peace, a preservation of our Gospel, a facillitating of difficulties in all Blessed undertakings, and an Hastening of Jesus Christ into the Glory and Splendour of his Kingdome, Amen.

By a Lover of the Truth, and all those that live godly in Christ Jesus.

LONDON Printed for HENRY OVERTON, 1647.

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