A Word in Season: OR Motives to Peace, Accommodation, and Unity, 'twixt PRESBYTERIAN AND INDEPENDENT Brethren.  
Drawn from necessity of Duty, necessity of Expediency, and from the Possibility of Achieving.  
CHristian Reader  
whoever thou art that dost cast an eye on these ensuing Motives, thou art desired yea and required (how despicable so ever the penman seem unto thee) in the Name of that Son of peace: and by all thy interest in that spirit of peace, love, and union, not to slight the Motion, nor yet only in a curfory way, to pass thy favourable verdict on it as good, and so to lay it by. But seriously ponder in thine heart the seasonableness of the motion, And necessity of speedy action, towards the within mentioned peace and accommodation; Before that which is now our notorious sin [division] be by the hand of justice, turned into a most eminent plague unto us. Before the fire which we have kindled break forth into a vehement flame, not to be quenched but wi●h the blood of the kindlers: We know how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And as by all the ensuing Motives, so by this also (knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the end:) Thou art entreated to lay by all prejudice against this duty, so much and so many ways pressed upon us; and industriously act towards it with all thy might.  
And if upon perusal of this paper, thou say, You tell us that we all know already, and persuade us unto that we are before willing unto: but tell us something of the way to accomplish.  
It's answered the Author is sufficiently persuaded, that the ways are many and easy enough to find, and that its rather want of will then skill that the work is not done already, and that the difference is not so much in principles as in spirits. And that if the ministry of each were but by the people engaged to confer and consult together, and each for accommodation sake to give way, as much as with safety and good consciences they may, the work would not be long a doing.  
And further. That way is most like to win upon the people that's found out and agreed on by the Ministers of either party, of their own designing to the work; also Ministers are like best to approve and most cordially to engage for it, in persuading with the people.  
Secondly to agree upon the way is the work of both parties together, and not of one alone; each can best tell what will give them satisfaction.  
Thirdly if a way should be propounded and set down in writing it either must be very largely set down with all its circumstances and objections answered; or else the propounder must be at the elbow of each Reader to answer objections, or in stead of helping he might peradventure hinder the work.  
Fourthly, The prescribing a way though excellent, could not accomplish without the former.  
Fifthly, nor would it likely avail much though never so perfect, seeing several persons have several apprehensions, and the same thing seems better to another in another form: Nor is it for the honour of the public to take up the conceptions of a private spirit, another being as Good, and if the result of more public Labours be Better as being more engaging.  
For these and the like Reasons he hath put thee upon the ingageing the Ministry to this so  so blessed a work.  

Motives to Peace, Accommodation, and Unity 'twixt PRESBYTERIAN and INDEPENDENT Brethren; etc.  
FIrst, That we may be like our Father, who is One and undivided, we also must Be and Appear so.  
He seeks Reconciliation with Us, when separated fro● him, and must not we seek Reconciliation with Brethren?  
He loves the United, and will dwell among, and bless them, Psal. 133. 1 Cor. 13.11. He hates discord, and the advancers of it, Pro. 6.16.19.  
Secondly, That we dishonour not Jesus Christ our Master before the world; and occasion not them to say, That either Christ is not in us, and we not Christians, as we profess to be; or else Jesus Christ is not the Son of God; whom the world knows to be a God of peace and union, and knows there is no division in him, John 17.21.23. And so,  
Thirdly, That we make not frustrate the last and earnest prayer of Jesus Christ to his Father for us, Joh. 17.21, 23. That we may be one in Spirit, in word, and in working, as the Father and the Son is one; and hold forth that union to all the world, that the world may know, that Jesus Christ whom we profess is of the Father, and that the father hath sent him.  
Fourthly, That we make not frustrate the glorious design of Jesus Christ, who died, As that he might reconcile Man to God, so also to reconcile man to man; That he might make in himself of twain One, and so making Peace, Ephes. 2.15, 16, etc. Isa. 11. chap.  
Fifthly, That we make not the Command of Jesus Christ of none effect unto us, viz. As I have loved you, That ye love one another, Joh. 13. Have peace one with another, Mark 9.50. Let us follow after the things that make for peace, and whereby we may Edify one another, Rom. 14.19. Seek peace and follow after it, Psal. 34. Be of one mind and live in peace, 1 Cor. 13.11.  
Sixthly, Nor the earnest request or beseeching of Jesus Christ by his Apostle; That we all speak one thing, and that there be no divisions among us, 1 Cor. 1.10.  
Seventhly, That we dishonour not Religion, and the Gospel of Christ, seeing it becomes the Gospel that the professors of it stand fast in One Spirit, and One Mind, striving together for the saith of the Gospel, Phil. 1.27. and the contrary thereof, so much occasions scandal to those without, and staggering to weak brethren, and makes both subject to question, whether Religion be Divine or Humane.  
Eighthly, That we call not our Christianity into question, amongst fellow Christians, and evidence not to them that we are Carnal walking in envyings, strife, and divisions, 1 Cor. 3.3. But that we may give Testimony, that we are their fellow Disciples of Christ, as john 13.35. and beloved of God, as john 17.23. at end.  
Ninthly, For that either we grant one another to be brethren, fellow Members, and to have all drunk into one Spirit: and then how do we dishonour and grieve that spirit of Peace, Love, and Union, by our contrariety thereunto? or else one denies the other party to be such; and then how great, how sad, how sinful, is that Division?  
In regard of God, his Son, his holy Spirit, our Selves, our brethren for that we are Brethren, and the Cananite and the Perosites are in the Land, viz. The eyes of Papists and carnal Protestants are upon us.  
Motives from the expediency: It's expedient and therefore necessary, neither having ground to believe that the State will so establish the One, as not to suffer the other, what inconveniency will ensue without Accommodations.  
Between both, neither will be able to keep their Members in good Order, but all discontented spirits will slight and cast off the yoke, and be gone.  
Nor will that love and sweetness be maintained 'twixt husbands, wives, parents, children, brethren, all relations.  
Nor will that neglect of the Study of things more excellent & more tending to piety, justice and Charity to maintain our pre-ingagements to this or that Discipline, be prevented.  
Nor that making of sides or parties, so prejudicial to States, Churches, and all Christians, be prevented.  
Nor the wicked hopes of our Enemies so throughly disappointed.  
Nor shall we without accommodation & communion, know so well, those that notoriously descent in doctrine and not in Discipline only nor can we prevent the flowing in of errors without control.  
Nor can it be prevented but any party of headstrong persons will make a Church or confederacy at their pleasure, and slight and set at nought all the Churches.  
Nor will (as we may justly fear) envy, clamours, and slanders, by the brethren of each party be laid aside.  
Nor will Royalists and Episcopal Spirits, be so well brought in, but will set up Assemblies of their own Factions, which by Rules of Accommodation may be prevented, and they won to love Religion and the Brethren.  
It's our duty & therefore necessary, its necessary and therefore our duty: and the necessity thereof daily more and more appears to every discerning eye, that sees into the spirits and jealousies of each party, and considers the mischiefs that may ensue: If ye by't and devour one another take heed, etc. Gal. 5.15.  
It's possible to be achieved: for,  
First, our Father hath promised to give one heart and one way, Jer. 32.39. He that made the stick of Judah, & the stick of Ephraim one. Jer. 37.16, 17. Can, yea will unite all his people, and will turn to them a pure language; and they shall serve him with one consent, Zeph. 3 9 And his name shall be one, Zac. 14.9.  
Secondly, Our Lord Christ hath prayed that it should be so, Joh. 17.21.23. and made it one of his last and great requests unto his Father, and left it as a Legacy to Us, john 14.37. and 16.23. and 20.19. It therefore must and will be so.  
Thirdly, Because the Spirit by which we are all sanctified is one and the same, and therefore will be always acting us towards it, and will at last effect it, 1 Cor. 12.13. Made to drink into one Spirit and baptised into one body, and having entrance by one Spirit unto the Father, Eph. 2.18.  
It's possible, for Our Lord Christ is prevalent and cannot fail of obtaining with the Father, and he is able to deliver to us what he hath bequeathed, and God is faithful who hath promised; and righteous to give Jesus Christ what he hath purchased.  
And that sweet and powerful spirit is able and very willing to carry one that glorious design of the Father and the Son, wherein himself also is alike engaged in the hearts of his.  
It's possible, for as great things and very much greater are done among us by the Spirit of the Lord.  
How great things even to the height of admiration hath been (before our eyes) done; By that wonderworking Spirit of providence; and how shall we not expect as great things to be done by the Spirit of the Lord jesus.  
And is not (by exceeding much) the main part of the work by that Spirit already done, in the hearts of God's people of both parties and why should we doubt the less, are we not come nearer and nearer together, both in principles and practice, and why should we doubt the issue.  
So that all the let is in ourselves, our straightness is in our own Bowels: we must be instrumental to our God in this, as in all other great things he hath done among us. At the least we must suffer the influence of that all working Spirit of love, peace, and union, upon our hearts and spirits, and not resist by a contrary spirit, as we too too much (Oh that it might not be truly said for the most part) do.  
If there be therefore any desire to be like our Father, if any love to his presence and blessing (and is there the like power and evidence of especial presence in Ordinances (except by a moderate party) as was wont to be) if any love to the honour of Christ, and to receive the blessed Return of the prayer of Christ, or to carry on the glorious design of Christ, or to obey his commands, or to credit his Gospel, or ourselves his members, or to accommodate his Saints, and disappoint the hopes of his enemies.  
If there be any consolation in Christ, if any Comfort in love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels & mercies; fulfil ye my joy, That ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. In lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves.  
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let the same mind be in you, that was also in Christ jesus, Phil. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.  
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one towards another, according to Christ Jesus.  
That ye may with one mind and on mouth glorify God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 15.5, 6.  
Now whereas some will say, all this is good, it ought to be indeed; but what is it to me or to our party? our consents and desires are towards it, but the other partee dissents and stands at a distance, upon such terms that we cannot, we may not close.  
And others will say all this is good and , but the skill and difficulty is to obtain it.  
Answ. To the former its answered, If they desire and endeavour it as good, what means the bleat which are heard? viz. The hard speeches one of another, discoveries of jealousies and opposition of spirit, one towards another; and deterring of endeavours towards accommodation, peace, and union by Inclination of the vanity of endeavours thereunto.  
At the best where's the discovery of such endeavours as aught to be by either party, expressing what some particular persons, peradventure of their own dispositions have done? what considerable thing hath been by way of condescension done towards accommodation by those that brag most of either party which ought not in duty to be done though there were no such difference in Being?  
Where is that spirit of accommodation that was in holy James and the Elders assembled, Act. 21.18.20? Do not many of us on the contrary drive designs, to go One beyond, and to thwart and circumvent Another?  
To both it's answered, where's the Manifestation of the desires toward it by calling for it, crying it up, and endeavour after it, among all the petitions and petitioners that have appeared? who petitions for this? who (as for other things) joins together in Troops to request men of wisdom, peace and love to communicate counsels, to find out propositions, to present to the Committee of Accommodation?  
And whereas many motions may best take Rise from the earnest desires of the people, where's the endeavours of active men to take the stumbling block and temptation out of the way of Ministers of both parties, who are flesh and blood and have their frailties as others, and may not peradventure be able to break through the disesteem and discountenance of those whose eyes they know will be upon them for evil, if they shall for accommodations sake yield some thing from what they have formerly held forth and maintained, or from what men of great countenance now hold? What great things have been done that (to help in this case) have seemed to take their Rise from the motions of the people? Whereas the Ministers cannot but see a necessity of accommodation in other regards: Oh, that they might see a necessity also, to accommodate the Importunate desires of the people.  
If this therefore be of God, of Christ, and  to Christians, cry it up and with all your might endeavour in it, in a spirit of sincerity, love, meekness, and humility. And the Lord our God shall be with us.  Now I beseech you brethren by the Name of Our Lord jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgement, 1 Cor. 1.10.  
FINIS.   

Imprimatur,  
Joseph Caryl.   

London, Printed by J. Macock, for Giles Calvert, dwelling at the black Spread-eagle at the West end of Paul's. 1646.