four hands clasped 
ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΟΝ a poem Wherein is persuaded the composing of the differences of all the faithful in Christ Iesus under what form soever whether episcopal Presbyterian congregational or Antipedobaptist.  
by An unworthy Seruant of the Lord who desires the peace of the Churches of Christ and of these nations.  
4. Ephe. 3.4.5.6.  
LONDON. Printed for Luke fawn at the Parrett in Paules Church-yard, 1656.  
R Gaywood fecit Londini:    

A Poem.  
IS it a subject needs a pen to writ  
Down Arguments, For brethren to Unite?  
Surely it should not; for what can befall  
Thats more uncomely or unnatural  
Then high contests, amongst so near Relations,  
Yet what more common now in our three Nations? 
James 3. 16. Gen. 25. 24.   
Who may not hear this daily sad complaint,  
Ith' mouths of almost every knowing Saint?  
Each crying out upon the sad Divisions,  
Whisperings, and unbrotherly misprisions;  
Sly and unchristian, subtle underminings,  
Murm'rings, and censorious repinings,  
High animosities, and sharp contests,  
Which spread themselves, and as infectious pests  
Threaten destruction to our Christian state  
Ah! wo is me, 'tis an unhappy fate.  
At such a time, when Gebal, Ammon, and  
Accursed Amaleck together Band: 
Psal. 83. 5, 6, 7   
When Edom and the out-cast Ismaelites  
The Hagariens, and th'incestuous Moabites;  
Tyrus and Ashur join to work our harm,  
And to Lots children are become an arm;  
All plot together, and deep counsels lay,  
How they the Churches of King Jesus may  
Bring unto utter dissolution,  
And not to leave one in a Nation.  
It's their endeavours wholly to enthrall  
Your states, your lives, your consciences and all:  
Let's cast an eye on that which unto us  
Is most apparent and conspicuous,  
And by the foots impression you may see  
What the whole body probably will be.  
Is not a War begun, stated indeed,  
Betwixt the Dragon and the Womans seed?  
The Dragon rages, and were't in his power,  
Full soon would he the Womans child devour; 
Rev. 12. 4.   
And if our God prevent not, without doubt  
Men do resolve to root the Gospel out.  
What was the quarrel when in Ireland they  
designed the deaths of thousands in one day?  
And in what manner did they there proceed,  
Who can repeat it, and his heart not bleed?  
Never did any former Age device  
More bloody and unheard of cruelties  
Then they contrived in their hellish rage,  
And in the pursuit spared not Sex, nor Age;  
Nor would they ground for execution want,  
'Twas crime enough to be called Protestant.  
There cruelties were equally the same  
To those, who were but Protestants in name;  
Such cruelties as with black hell durst vie,  
And out-brave Sathans cursed ingeny.  
How this design goes on, you may discern  
By sad Angrogne, and the Vale Lucerne.  
Where they would ruin to Religion bring,  
And root it up there, where it first did spring.  
Those Poor of lions styled heretofore,  
How do the lions now devour the poor?  
And th'old Waldenses off-spring are now come  
Into a new succeeding martyrdom.  
Give leave a short digression to make,  
And that I may myself and you awake,  
Some part of their late troubles to rehearse; 
Rev. 13. 17.   
Were they not first forbidden all commerce?  
Next, contrary to the Law of Nations,  
They driven them from their ancient habitations,  
And in the late past year of fifty three  
They were invaded by a great Army;  
But the wise and All-seeing God made vain  
That cursed design, by an unusual rain:  
He that so oft deliverance had shown  
In former times, did yet their quarrel own.  
Unto their Prince they humbly then appeald  
To get their ancient Rights confirmed and sealed:  
Which they got done, and though it cost them large,  
Yet were they forced to bear a further charge  
Of th' Armies pay, late raised for to destroy them,  
And quartered yet amongst them to annoy them,  
But by agreement should have been disbanded:  
Lucerns inhabitants were then commanded  
To go to Mass, or else to quit the place  
Of their abode, and that in three dayes space,  
Contrary to th' concessions of their Prince,  
declared, and twice confirmed in their defence,  
And they not summoned nor admitted to  
pled for themselves; would Infidels thus do?  
S. Martins and peruse from the same powers  
Had liberty but four and twenty hours  
On the same terms, and whosoe're refused,  
Were in a most inhuman manner used:  
Their houses plundered were, then set on burning,  
So to prevent them ever from returning.  
All they who could bear arms enjoined were,  
Strictly upon a set day to appear.  
And being met, an Oath of secrecy  
Was given them, that the design might be  
The better covered, prisoners were set free;  
All malefactors had their liberty,  
And ban sht Rogues unto return invited.  
Their number thus grown great, and thus united,  
Pardon of sin as a reward was set,  
And whatsoever plunder they could get;  
In hope their souls to save and purses fill,  
These Butchers do resolve to slay and kill:  
A marquis of that country was to head them,  
And on this horrid enterprise to led them.  
Who like a true Son of Romes Church, was willing  
To hasten on that blessed work of killing:  
But found that nature had prepared a wall  
For their defence, against th'unnaturall;  
So that he then resolved, what could not be  
attained by force, he would by treachery  
Closely attempt, and seek to bring about.  
And for that end, this smooth design found out:  
He straightway sendeth for the Deputies  
Of several Cities, and to them applys;  
And by a solemn oath unto them given, 
Angrogne Villar Boby.   
With eyes lift up, and hands stretched out to heaven,  
He promiseth, That if they would give leave  
To each place but for three dayes to receive  
Of Horse and Foot onely one Regiment,  
They should receive no harm, or detriment.  
These harmless souls, unto deceit not used,  
Were by his guiles more easily abused.  
" Well meaning men are ever least suspicious  
" And so more easily wronged by the vicious.  
They took his oath, not fearing ill intents  
And gave way to receive those Regiments;  
Who were no sooner in, but they made way  
For their whole Army; and thus did betray  
Those sons of Peace, keeping nor Oath, nor Word,  
But presently put all to fire and sword;  
They spared not any, whomsoev'r they found,  
Lucerns seven Churches they burnt to the ground.  
Many fled to the Mountaines for their lives,  
Mothers with Infants, Husbands with their Wives,  
With hopes their cruelties to have eschewed,  
But poor sad souls, they quickly were pursued  
And soon ore taken by that cursed brood,  
Who as soon had their hands imbrew'd in blood,  
Nothing but sights of sadness could be seen,  
The earth discoloured from its fair grass green  
Into sad purple, or a bloody read,  
Was all with mangled bodies over-spread.  
The lightsome sky was into darkness turned  
By smoke of houses, and of Churches burned.  
If you look to the Woods, there you might see  
The entrails of a man, word round a three;  
Which first were fastened, then he forced about,  
until that they and life were both spun out.  
Go on a little further, you might meet  
With many poor souls hanging by the feet.  
Some torn in pieces, others slashed and cut,  
Then fault and powder into their wounds put;  
And as if not enough to increase their pain,  
They caused their shirts to be put on again;  
And after fired them, some they naked stripped,  
And causing them first to be sorely whipped,  
They by the head and feet together bound  
Were tumbled from high rocks unto the ground.  
Some groaning out their souls for help, did pray,  
But 'twas in vain; here a poor Infant lay  
Close to his mother, who had one bare breast  
Which while she gave it, both were laid to rest.  
Here might you see some mothers lying under  
The lymbs of their dead children torn a sunder  
By the rude Souldiers, who in barbarous sort  
Struck at each other with those lymbs in sport.  
Which having done, they joined them each to other,  
And laid them across i'th arms oth dying Mother.  
Other with child, through fear miscarried,  
And lay with their but half-born children dead.  
Others lay struggling under dying pains  
Besmeared with their Infants blood, and brains:  
Here lay an Infant crawling; there another  
Sucking the breast of its late murdered Mother.  
Virgins were ravished, who did after die  
Under unheard of barbrous cruelty.  
In many places there was to be found  
Bodies by sharp-stakes fastened to the ground.  
Here lay an Arm, there Legs, and there a Head;  
Here Bodies, Bowels, Brains, here some half dead.  
Others by companies together flying,  
Breathless and weary, running, scritching, crying:  
Whose doleful clamours oft redoubled were,  
By echoes from the Rocks, which seemed to bear  
Compassion to them under misery,  
rendering them groan for groan, and cry for cry.  
Both one and th' other went up to his Ears 
Psal. 56. 8.   
Who knows the sighs, and bottles up the tears  
Of his oppressed ones, and at last will bring  
Their Persecutors to a reckoning. 
Psal. 12. 5.   
Grave Peter Symont, he whose life had  told  
A hundred years, his Wife almost as old.  
Being full ninety five; their wedlock-bands  
Were cut asunder by those bloody hands.  
Both old and young in this days slaughter fell,  
But few escaped their miseries to tell.  
And of those few, several did death embrace,  
Rather then they'd be present at the Mass.  
Others were willing to give all away  
If that they might their consciences enjoy.  
But that not granted, shows all this was done  
Only in hatred to Religion.  
None were more faithful to their Prince then they,  
For their Religion taught them to obey. 
Rom. 13. 1. 1 Pet. 2. 13.   
This short Narration evidently shows  
What measure we may look for from such foes,  
If ever God should punish the discords  
Amongst ourselves, by making them our Lords.  
Helvetia's troubles, which are yet on foot  
You'l find come from one, and the self-same root:  
And the pretence which unto peace they make,  
Is only that they may advantage take.  
Which if once got, believe't you'l quickly find,  
They'l change their posture, but not change their mind.  
Look further on, you'l soon have in your eye  
The persecutions now in Germany.  
Romes black-spread Eagle, like a bide of prey,  
Did lately drive the harmless Doves away:  
Who from their homes unjustly banished,  
Hoping of shelter, into Poland fled:  
But quickly were driven thence, with them the Jews.  
May not that be one means, which God may use  
To call them in? when they shall find and see  
They're both cast out by the same enemy?  
And may not God of shelter there deprive them,  
At once, that so he may together drive them?  
And that he one and the same trouble sends  
On both at once, thereby to make them friends?  
Pray for the time when as those poor dispersed  
Shall look up to him, whom they sometimes peirc't. 
Zach. 12. 10.   
And with a bitter lamentation mourn  
For their unkindness: But I shall return  
To Poland, where Comenius eyes beholded  
Sad Lesna's Story, hard to be paralleled.  
This hel-bred maxim to their practise sticks,  
Faith is not to be kept with heretics;  
So they call Protestants; and 'twill appear  
Tis their design to rout them every where.  
At Colen they are warnd from their abode,  
Because they make not Flora of their God.  
But as twas carried there, a small pretence  
Would seem sufficient ground to drive them thence.  
I need not tell you what sad things are done  
Under the bloody Inquisition;  
Nor that theres subtle Emissaries sent  
Throughout the world, to Isle and Continent.  
That if Religion peep up in the earth,  
They may destroy it in the very birth.  
In Scotland they their work full closely ply,  
And haye subverted many a Family:  
There where the Bishops could not get a foot,  
We plainly see the jesuits can do't.  
'Tis thus abroad: at home they do combine  
By new-found stratagems, to undermine  
Our Laws, our Liberties, Religion, State;  
Witness their subtle actings here of late:  
The Locusts like unto the Divel's Apes,  
Have put themselves under all Forms and Shapes: 
Rev. 9. 3.   
Like Sampsons Foxes, several ways they turn,  
But carry Firebrands in their tails, to burn; 
judge. 15. 4.   
They plot, contrive, and labour for to sow  
Cursed dissensions whatsoe'er they go:  
Their colleges are emptied, and 'tis done  
To Preach and Pray y'into confusion;  
Under high shows of holiness, these youths 
1 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 3   
Would cheat you out of Fundamental Truths, 
judas 4.   
And satan find out ways, apt to deceive  
Even th'Elect, if God would give him leave: 
Mat. 24. 24.   
Under one specious form there closely lurks 
Mark 13. 22. james 2. 10. Gal. 3. 3.   
Th' uncomfortable Covenant of Works.  
Under another you may find the ill  
Of the up-lifting Doctrine of Free-will;  
Which when received, naturally makes place  
For that heart-sadning thought, falling from grace.  
Others you have who to Election go,  
And would that blessed foundation overthrow. 
2 Tim. 2. 9.   
Some do set up th'Ordinances too high,  
Others lay them too low, and down do cry  
Even those which Christ commanded should remain,  
And be of use, until he come again.  
Some would set up that Kingdom by the sword, 
Mat. 28. 19, 20:   
Which must be set up by the Spirit and Word. 
Zac. 4. 6.   
Some say, Lo, here is Christ, some say, Lo there. 
Matth. 24. 23.   
Look to the bottom, Is Christ any where?  
Thus to our grief it cannot be denied  
But many precious souls are lead aside.  
Our duty is to pray for the time, when  
The Spirit of God shall bring them in again. 
1 joh. 5. 16.   
But each discerning man may see with ease  
The Jesuits subtle actings in all these:  
Whom Satan their grand master, doth engage  
To stifle and fore-stal in every age  
Those Truths which God intends to bring to view,  
Each age( through mercy) having something new.  
Which Satan seeing now will come to light,  
Raiseth a dust to hid them from our sight:  
His agents to all corners he dispatcheth,  
Who by their sophistry, and cunning, hatcheth  
A brood of Errors, unto truth so like,  
That at their very being they do strike.  
Pictures and medals commonly are sold, 
Gal. 3. 1.   
And oft at such rate, as I dare be bold  
To say, it is not fully half their worth;  
Which is a subtle way to sand them forth.  
How many thousand books late printed be,  
Some of remote, others flat Popery?  
And for the most part such are sooner vented,  
Then any Books of our Religion printed.  
Thus of Christs precious Truths they seek to out you,  
Then Brethren, is't not time to look about you?  
When as you find at home by secret fraud,  
And by professed hostility abroad:  
They are even restless, seeking to devour,  
And certainly if it were in their power,  
They would not leave a Saint of God alive.  
Consider then, Is this a time to strive?  
And though to work their ends, they may declare  
That such, and such forms, they intend to spare:  
Believe it friends, you'l never find it so,  
Their cruelties will no distinction know.  
Then give me leave to speak a word or two,  
First to my own heart, and then next to you;  
And not to any one Form, but to all,  
For this disease is Epidemical.  
Where is that brotherly affection, where,  
That should enable us in love to bear 
Rom. 15. 1.   
With one another, and to suffer long?  
Are we not rather ready to do wrong, 
Gal. 6. 2.   
Each one to bite, and to devour his brother?  
Take heed we ben't consumed each by other.  
And truly we may fear no better thing 
Gal. 5. 15.   
Will from the root of our Divisions spring.  
Whom do you gratify? whom do you please?  
Not God the Father, he's the God of peace.  
Not Jesus Christ, who is your elder brother, 
Phil. 4. 9.   
He died to reconcile you each to other.  
Do you not grieve the holy spirit of love? 
Eph. 2. 16, Eph. 4. 30.   
Ah! Brethren, this, this is not from above;  
For where envy and strife are, there doth lurk  
Confusion, and every evil work.  
They who the cause of your divisions hit,  
Say ' itis not from Jesus, but the Jesuit.  
T is they, and such as they you gratify,  
The friends of Satan, your grand enemy.  
Your sad divisions makes the devil sport,  
Yet doth he rage; we hope his time is short.  
Men watch and wish, and hope for such an hour 
Rev. 12. 12.   
When you divided shall yourselves devour.  
And they design in War you to embroil,  
Whilst they lie watching to divide the spoil.  
Pray let's consider, is there ought can be  
A ground sufficient for our enmity?  
Sin is most loathsome in the great Gods eye,  
Suppose thy Brother's fallen, and yet doth lie  
( As thou hast cause to fear) in that sad state,  
Thou mayst his sin, but not his person hate;  
If through thy weakness thy dislike should be  
From outward failing, or deformity.  
Remember we are promised such a day 
Zach. 3. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 5.   
When imperfections shall be done away.  
And who now carries what might make him loathed  
Shall be with glory and perfection clothed.  
Or dost thou something in thy Brother see,  
Makes thee suspect him for hypocrisy?  
Better loose love upon ten Hypocrites,  
Then keep from one poor Christian what befits  
Thee for to give him, and what is his due  
How poor soever, if sincere and true.  
Suppose thy Brother very mean, and poor,  
If so, thou shouldst not love him less, but more,  
And let this be one Argument to move thee,  
For ought thou know'st he'l fit in Heaven above thee  
Are thy gifts more then his? yes, we confess.  
Are not his graces more, corruptions less?  
Is he advanced far above thee here?  
If both do well; his love thou needst not fear.  
And love will still be doing good to all.  
Tell me good Brother, what hurt did befall  
The Church of God, when Joseph was preferred?  
Have ye not of good Nehemiah heard,  
Of Ezra, Daniel, and of Hester too?  
How worthily they in their age did do?  
That God will give ours hearts, lets hope, and pray,  
In good to act their parts, as well as they.  
And if they fail then to employ their powers  
For public good, 'twill be their sin, not ours.  
Hast thou got knowledge in some mysteries  
Which are as yet hide from thy Brethrens eyes?  
They have that portion which the wise God gave them  
And not their knowledge, but their faith will save them. 
1 Cor. 4. 7.   
And if they walk up unto what they know,  
They go beyond thee, if thou do not so.  
Tis certain my dear Brethren, we do err,  
When Form above the matter we prefer.  
Nor shall we faithfully our duty do,  
If we with Faith respect not Order too.  
Or is it so thou seest thy brother lie,  
Under some failing or infirmity?  
I prithee Brother let thy love be shown  
To him, but till thou findest out one hath none:  
Or put case, the condition may be such  
That in your judgments ye do differ much.  
And that in such things, as at the first sight  
May seem a sober spirit to affright.  
If that the life, and conversation render  
Thy Brother such, whose conscience is tender.  
If you by love and Scripture Argument  
Can change his judgement, it may give content.  
If by coercive power youle force him in  
And that way set, him unto you to win.  
Such power o'er conscience, true, Christ hath to do with  
But Cudgels are not Instruments to woe with,  
But we alas! in this sad posture stand  
I am of Paul faith one, another and  
I of Apollo am, of Cephas I:  
Then, saith another brother who stands by  
And I of Christ; it cannot be denied  
'Twas Christ alone was for us crucified:  
But is it probable that Christ may be  
Head of those Members that so disagree?  
And is our difference in the main so much,  
As it should cause our distance to be such?  
And hath not Christ accepted some of those 
Rom. 14. 3.   
Whom we( and but for form sake) use as foes.  
But look in all the forms amongst us known  
And say in which God hath not some his own.  
Are they Episcopal? grant it; what then?  
Cranmer and Ridley, were not they good men?  
And holy Hooper, with a many more  
Such blessed souls wh ' are gone to Heaven before:  
But they are Presbyterians; what were they  
Of whom so great a number in one day  
Were silenced by King James at Hampton-Court?  
Were they not holy men of good report?  
And are there not still many in our days,  
Godly, wise, sober men, deserving praise?  
But they are independents, well be it so,  
Have you not heard, now many years ago  
Of learned Ainsworth, and grave Robinson,  
Whose Works still praise them, though themselves are gone.  
And of what judgement have you heard they were,  
Who rather then they would submit to bear  
The Antichristian Yoke, made their retreats  
Into a sourness, and place of straits?  
Others for the same cause departed hence  
Beyond the Seas, unto their great expense.  
Be thankful for them, and do both this right,  
God help them both to search, and sand forth light.  
Many of those,( whose memories are blessed)  
finished their course abroad, and are at rest.  
Others returned again, of whose true worth  
I need not speak, their Works may hold it forth.  
And some stayed here, who were by grace preserved  
And faithfully their generation served.  
But there are Anabaptists; so some call them,  
wel ' not dispute the name, all good befall them.  
Good Brother let thy charity advance  
To give them adhering of an Ordinance.  
And for what else most hold, you need not fear them.  
However, 'tis not Christian like to jeer them.  
What though some weak ones in the water fall?  
Be modest Brother, do not censure all.  
Look but amongst them with impartial eyes,  
You'll find ther's many godly, sober, wise.  
And if the Lord continue truth and peace,  
'Tis probable their number will increase.  
John Leydens Tale, which serves at every turn  
Hath been so much abused its threadbare worn.  
That which is truth, it must not be denied,  
But 'tis not truth, when falsely it's applied.  
Have many of them failings, do not boast,  
Look in all Forms, and tell me who hathmost. 
James 3. 2.   
Take any Form wherein there is none sin,  
I'll take up that, and leave what I am in.  
Lets bear one with another, and all pray  
Causes of difference may be washed away: 
Eph. 4. 2, 3.   
For any other, who do Christ profess,  
And pled for free-grace, and for holiness.  
If that their walking answerable be,  
I can love them, and beg they will love me:  
And as we all desire much sin to shun  
Lay by this Cain-like disposition. 
1 Joh. 3. 12.   
And let it be our labour to increase,  
Oneness of spirit, in the bond of peace.  
Hath not God laid a strong foundation 
Eph. 4. 3.   
For us to couch in unity upon?  
Are we not One in things spiritual?  
All of One spiritual body, having all  
One head, One spirit of life, all the same hope,  
For to attain One end? is't not the scope  
Of every One to serve the self same Lord,  
According to One Rule, his blessed Word?  
Have we not all One way of union  
With Jesus Christ, which is by faith alone?  
Do we not all profess subjection  
Unto One God, to whose protection,  
We solely give ourselves? Are we not all  
Members of that One body mystical,  
Whereof the Lord Christ Jesus is the Head,  
And by One Spirit all animated  
As by One soul? And we do all agree,  
That all the gifts Christ gives us ought to be 
1 Cor. 3. 22.   
employed for common good: And have not we  
One Baptism, one new birth, and also One  
And the same means for our salvation?  
Have we not all the self same enemies? 
1 Pet. 5. 8.   
All the same dangers? Are not all these ties?  
Do not the same out-stretched Arms enfold us?  
Shall not at last, One and the same Heaven hold us?  
In all things wherein natural Brethren  
Partake, you do the like as spiritual men.  
Your Father is the same, the God of love, 
2 Cor. 13. 11.   
Your Mother is Jerusalem from above: 
Gal. 4. 26.   
The Word and Spirit, that spiritual seed  
By which you are begot, and which doth feed  
You every day unto your souls advance:  
Your'e all begot to one inheritance,  
The Heavenly Canaan, Paradise above, 
1 Pet. 4.   
Be brethren then as in these, so in love.  
Of all professions and relations,  
Ther's none have stronger obligations  
To mutual love, and charity, then you,  
Withold not from each other what is due. 
1 Joh. 1. 6.   
Do you not claim to have communion,  
With God the Father, and with Christ his Son,  
In, by, and through the blessed spirit of grace?  
Doth not God dwell in you, as in his place  
Of habitation; Would you have God  
In an unquiet house make his abode?  
Surely he will not but the Scripture tells  
If we love one another, God then dwells 
1 joh. 4. 12.   
In us, and we in him; How is the blessed  
Who entertainment gives to such a Guest?  
He needs not fear the terrors of the night;  
For he that loves his brother, dwells in light. 
1 Joh. 2. 10.   
We all pretend to love God, and we know  
Men cry, he should not live, that doth not so.  
He that his love to th' brethren denies,  
And saith he loveth God, surely he lies, 
1 Joh. 4. 20.   
For these two certainly imply each other  
If reconciled to God, then to thy brother.  
Were there no other Arguments to move,  
And stir us up, our brethren to love:  
This One, tis Gods command that we should do it. 
1 Joh. 3. 11.   
Is ground sufficient to engage us to it.  
But did not Jesus Christ our Heavenly friend,  
Lay down his life 'mongst others, for this end?  
And when the time drew near he was to die,  
With what request did he his Father ply?  
What was the theme his tongue did beat upon?  
Father I will that all mine may be one,  
As thou, and I are one, let them agree  
As having me in them, and I in thee:  
And ere his faith did give in his Amen,  
He begs ore and ore, once and again. 
Joh. 13. 35, 36.   
What our dear Saviours heart was so much in.  
If our heart slight it, sure twill be our sin.  
O! let not our unthankfulness be such,  
To undervalue such a friend so much.  
Let one effect of his sad suffering be  
To work a holy Ingenuity  
In all our souls; and that it may do thus,  
Let our faith view him, crucified for us.  
Imagine then, dear hearts, that you were cying  
Your blessed Lord, and Saviour Jesus dying,  
Calling aloud, my dear ones come, draw near,  
And my last dying Exhortation hear.  
My dear bought souls, for whose eternal good,  
I now part freely with my life and blood.  
My body was the Randezvouz I set,  
Where you, and all your differences met.  
I did you all into one body gather,  
That I might reconcile you to my Father.  
Also my offering intended was  
A Sacrifice of peace to bring to pass:  
And mutual reconciliation  
Between yourselves, and not with God alone.  
I bore his wrath, that you might be set free.  
Your enmities and strifes were laid on me:  
They're all nayld to my across, and lo I die,  
My Fathers wrath 'gainst them to pacify.  
And that I may by this my painful suffering,  
Become unto my Father, your peace-offering.  
O! be not guilty of a double murder,  
You have slain me, and will you go on further?  
And by your deadly feuds hold up that strife,  
The which to reconcile, cost me my life:  
Beware ye do not wilfully despise  
This my peace-offering, and this Sacrifice.  
Which full acceptance with my Father hath,  
Least you incur his anger, and his wrath.  
But show yourselves his children to be,  
By loving one another, even as he  
Hath given command, by which you shall fulfil  
My new Commandment, and this my last Will.  
My peace I leave with you; Brethren Adieu, 
Joh. 13. 34.   
Love one another, as I have loved you.  
For pardon for his Murthrers he had cried,  
Now gave his spirit up to God, and dyed.  
Ah! Brethren, Brethren, 'twas a dismal strife  
Had force to bring to death the Lord of life.  
Should not a friends last words pierce to the quick?  
What should be more persuading rhetoric?  
Come then dear brethren, close with him in death,  
And suck into your souls this his last breath;  
Let it your living enmities quiter smother,  
But breath in love to him, and one another.  
And love will make you lovely in Gods eyes,  
And terrible unto your enemies. 
Cant. 6. 4.   
This being granted, your true interest then  
Lies much in loving of the Bretheren:  
And surely Brethren you will find it best  
To strengthen and preserve that interest.  
An aged Father drawing near his end,  
Lying on's death-bed, for his sons did sand:  
Who coming to him, found him very weak,  
Scarcely possessing strength enough to speak.  
His breath nere gon, much then he could not say,  
But striven to show them, where their interest lay.  
Casting his eyes about, he there espied  
A bunch of shafts, which were together tied:  
The which he gave his eldest for to break,  
Who tried his strength, but found himself too weak.  
He bid the others try, from great to less,  
Which they all did, but with the like success.  
When they at his command their strength had shown  
He took them out of their hands in his own:  
And with his trembling fingers he them severed,  
Which done, he quickly them in pieces shivered.  
Though very weak himself: and 'twas no wonder  
They lost their strength, when they were tane asunder.  
Behold my Sons( quoth he) your interest lies  
In keeping close together; So he dies.  
So Brethren our true interest will be  
In keeping and upholding Unity.  
Amongst onr selves, our numbers are but small  
Our enemies are numerous; and withall  
They are enraged, and we soon should know it,  
If God should give them liberty to show it;  
Though for the present they should have despite  
One to the other, yet they'l soon unite.  
And though Manasses now do Ephraim eat,  
And Ephraim doth Manasses make his meat:  
Yet if but once they find it in their power,  
They'l quickly join poor Judah to devour.  
Come brethren then, let's strive to lay aside  
All envious lustings, and all swelling pride.  
Which cause contention, and let us unite  
And join in one; Twin-brethren should not fight.  
Will not contentions, if kept up by us,  
Cause Sion cry, alas; why am I thus?  
And by the way, my brethren let us note,  
The rageful Souldiers would not tear Christs Coat. 
joh. 19. 42.   
The Canaanite and Perizite yet dwell  
Amongst us, and to one another tell  
Our failings, with all aggravations, then 
Gen. 13. 7. 8.   
Lets not fall out, for we are brethren.  
Meek Moses tells us, in a book he wrote  
How he rebuk't him, who his fellow smote. 
Exod. 2. 13.   
And did not God, remembering Edoms ire 
Amos 1. 11.   
Against his brother, bring devouring fire?  
How can we think God will let us alone  
If we uphold such sad contention?  
Th' all-seeing God observeth every frown, 
Gen. 4. 6.   
And will ask why your countenance is cast down.  
God certainly loves every child of his:  
Satan as surely hates each one that is  
Begot and born of God. Here's good and evil;  
Will you take part with God, or with the devil?  
choose which you will, but Lord grant I, and mine,  
May daily grow in love to thee, and thine.  
We owe love to our enemies, who abuse us,  
And unto them who with despite do use us. 
Mat. 5. 44.   
How much more then are we engagd to show.  
Love unto those to whom ourselves we owe?  
David who was a Prophet, and a King  
Commends love for a good and pleasant thing. 
Psal. 134.   
And by the Spirit of God commands as fit  
We should pursue and follow after it.  
And 'tis a truth which cannot be denied, 
Psal. 34. 14:   
Who hates his brother doth in death in abide.  
And do we not declare by our sad strife, 
1 Joh. 3. 19.   
We are not as yet past from death to life?  
Look how much short in spiritual love you fall,  
So much we fail in life spiritual.  
But by true love to th' brethren thou hast  
Assurance, thou from death to life art past.  
And true affection to the Saints will be 
1 Joh. 3. 19.   
A certain token of Gods love to thee.  
For these two certainly imply each other  
If reconciled to God, then to thy Brother.  
Love is Christs badge, and 'tis the Livery 
Joh. 13. 35.   
By which all his Disciples known should be.  
Love suffers long, and it doth not envy,  
Vaunts not itself, it is not puffed up high, 
1 Cor. 13.   
Unseemingly doth not itself behave.  
Seeks not her own, then not anothers crave.  
It is not soon provok't, thinketh not ill;  
It joys not in iniquity, but still  
Rejoiceth in the truth, all things it beareth,  
Hopeth all things, and all things it endureth:  
Unto all duties else it lends a worth,  
No action will be good where love's left forth.  
On multitude of sin love casts a veil,  
And it will last when other graces fail;  
For when we shall be taken up above,  
Though faith may cease, we shall increase our love.  
O precious grace! would you increase your store,  
Then use it, and tis certain you'l have more.  
The love of Christ was efficacious  
To reconcile th' offended God and us.  
And should it not be as effectual  
To work the same effect upon us all?  
If we be cause of one anothers grief,  
Under discomforts, who shall give relief?  
If our unkindness make each other sad,  
In our discomforts, who shall make us glad?  
If we stop ear to all, who then will hear us?  
If we make sad our Brethren, who shall cheer us?  
Put case thy Brother greatly hath offended,  
For give him freely, and the quarrel's ended.  
If he confess his fault, and pardon crave,  
Think, he that forgives, shall forgiveness have.  
Did God ten thousand Talents thee remit,  
And wilt not thou thy brother ten pence quit.  
Doth not th' Apostle teach us how that we  
To one another should like minded be? 
2 Phil 2. 1. 5. 6.   
Have the same love, and be of one accord  
And of one mind with Jesus Christ our Lord.  
Be pitiful, be courteous, be tender.  
And ill, for ill take heed we do not render.  
Are you not hastening home to your abode  
Unto your Father, good old Jacobs God?  
Suppose you heard your brother Jesius say. 
Gen. 45. 24.   
As Joseph, Brethren fall not out by th' way.  
And certainly what ere your difference be,  
While here on earth, in Heaven you must agree.  
Lets be exhorted then my brethren dear,  
T' enjoy that part of Heaven, while we are here.  
Consider friends then what's fit to be done,  
Unite both hearts and hands and become one.  
Let all unkindnesses be quiter forgot,  
Join all four hands, and knit a true loves knot.  
Join, join in one, and let your prayers join,  
And in a Heavenly Harmony combine.  
So to the glorious ears of him ascend,  
Who is Almighty, and whose power can bend  
Our stubborn hearts, humble, and bring them lower.  
Prayers made in faith and love, have mighty power,  
And so prevailing with the God of might,  
What ever things are wrong, 'twill set them right, 
Isa. 11. 6. 65. 25.   
Pray for those halcyon days we hope t'inherit,  
When being taught and ruled by the spirit.  
The Wolf, the Lamb, the Leopard, and the Kid,  
Shall play together, and together feed.  
Young Calves shall sport with Lions, and not dread them,  
And be so tame, a little child shall led them.  
The Cow and Bear shall feed each other by;  
Their differing young ones, shall together lie.  
The Lions like the Oxen straw shall eat,  
And be content with what earth yields for meat.  
The sucking child shall on the asps hole play,  
The weaned child its tender hand shall lay  
Without dread on the Cockatrices den.  
I'th holy Mountain none shall do hurt then.  
All troubles 'mongst the Saints shall then be stilled,  
And th' earth with knowledge of the Lord be filled.  
The envy then of Ephraim shall depart,  
And Judah's enemies shall surely smart,  
And be cut off, all mischief then shall cease,  
Men shall be harmless, and there shall be peace:  
Beg then of God with knowledge to enrich us,  
And by his spirit so to guide and teach us,  
That though our dispositions different be,  
And judgments are in some things contrary  
Yet we may that blessed exhortation heed  
To walk together so far as agreed.  
Then shall our Bow in mighty strength abide,  
And Jacobs God shall surely through the side  
Of all our foes direct our nimble swords,  
Till they shall bow and fall, and take the cords  
Of his severer Law, and Discipline,  
And hand in hand with joy return'd combine  
To serve our God, and early kiss his Son,  
Crowding to have divine protection.  
From all that wrath, which shall alas! surround  
Such as rebellious to our King are found.  
FINIS.