CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS TO DISSUADE MEN FROM FURTHER GATHERING OF CHURCHES in this present juncture of Time. Subscribed by divers Divines of the Assembly, hereafter mentioned. Imprimatur pro Radulpho Smith. Decemb. 23. 1643. John White. Tudor rose Scottish thistle French fleur-de-lis depiction of Irish harp LONDON, Printed for Ralph Smith at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill near the Exchange. Dec: 28 CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS TO Dissuade men from further gathering of Churches in this present juncture of time. ALthough we do not deem ourselves worthy at all to heal any of the bleeding wounds in this distressed Kingdom, Yet when we consider, that beside the raging of the sword devouring us every where, our miseries are increased by the several ways of Brethren, and that many of those we dear love in the Lord, are at this time entering themselves into Church-societies; we could not but in our tender love to the public good, and also out of Christian prudence, present unto their serious thoughts these considerations. First, That although it be the duty of all the servants of Christ, to keep themselves always pure from corruption in Religion, and to endeavour in an orderly way, the Reformation of it; Yet is it an undoubted Maxim, that it belongs to Christian Magistrates in an especial manner to be authorizers of, and Ministers of the Gospel to be Leaders in, such Reformation. 2 That while they are doing this work, it is the duty of all people to pray for them, encourage them, join with them, and wait upon them. 3. That at this time God hath inclined the hearts of the Honourable Houses of Parliament to engage themselves herein, and they have called an Assembly of Divines to assist them; and required them to make the Word their only rule, and to endeavour the nearest conformity to the best reformed Churches: at which work they now are, and through God's mercy have made some comfortable beginning according to that rule. 4. That now all the power of Satan and Antichrist is combining by all possible means to destroy the Parliament, and to cause this work of God to cease; Nothing can be more destructive to the friends of the cause of Religion, then to be divided amongst themselves; a thing which the enemy's desire and endeavour to breed and foment by all possible means. 5. That it is not to be doubted, but the counsels of the Assembly of Divines, and the care of the Parliament will be, not only to reform and set up Religion throughout the Nation, but will concur to preserve whatever shall appear to be the rights of particular Congregations, according to the Word; and to bear with such whose Consciences cannot in all things conform to the public Rule, so fare as the word of God would have them borne withal. 6. That therefore all Ministers and people be earnestly entreated to forbear for a convenient time the joining of themselves into Church-societies of any kind whatsoever, until they see whether the right Rule will not be commended to them in this orderly way. 7. And the rather because that although the hand of God be heavy upon us in other respects, yet through his goodness those yokes are broken which we hitherto groaned under in regard of corruption in Religion, we enjoying more liberty to serve God according to his word, then at any time in England since the beginning of the Reformation. 8. That while men are in expectation that a way according to their consciences may be approved or allowed of by the Magistrates, it is unfit and will be uncomfortable, before hand to provoke by setting up their own. 9 And lastly, that if after all their waiting, the right rule should not be delivered unto them, and they then called to suffer (which we hope will never be) for doing what shall appear to be their duty, they shall have the more peace with God, and their consciences, while they shall witness with them that to prevent occasions of divisions they abstained not only from what was sinful, but even from what was by them judged to be lawful whilst unseasonable. William Twisse. Tho. Goodwin. John White. Oliver Bowles. Stephen Martial. Philip Nye. Charles Herle. Anthony Tuchney. Jo. Arrowsmith. William Bridge. Thomas Young. William Carter. Herbert Palmer. Sidrach Simpson. William Greenhill. Jer. Burroughes. Richard Heyricke. Joseph Carrill. Thomas Hill. Thomas Wilson. Jer. Whitakers. FINIS.