A DECLARATION BY Congregationall Societies in, and about the Citie of LON­DON, as well, &c:

IT is no new thing for the people of God, to be through malice miſ-repreſented by ſome, and through weakneſſe miſ-apprehended by others, as touchching the principles of their profeſſion, and opinions about matters of Religion. And it can­not be denyed, but that the erroneous opinions and irregular practices of ſome particular perſons making profeſſi­on of the ſame way, and paſſing under the ſame denomination with the ſervants of God themſelves, have from time to time mini­ſtred occaſion to the ignorant and weake to miſ-conceive, and op­portunity and advantage to the malicious to miſhape the ſtate and temper of the judgments & wayes of the generality of people fea­ring God, and walking before him in•…uth with all their hearts.

4And in as much as we finde it in theſe our dayes to be the policie of adverſaries, to cloath us in the skins of Savage beaſts, that is to father ſuch opinions, and faſten ſuch imputations upon us to engage the world againſt us, and to provoke all men to fall upon us, as, in which if there were matter of truth anſwerable to pre­tence, would indeed render us unworthy the ſociety of men. And for as much alſo as there are ſome ſad examples in the Land, of the vanity and wickedneſſe of ſomemen, who, having profeſſed the ſame way of worſhiping God, & been called by the ſame name with our ſelves, have ſo farre fallen from the grace of God and the princi­ples of their profeſſion, as not onely to doe things inconvenient and unworthy the name of Chriſtians, yea of men, but alſo to juſtifie themſelves therein as well-doers, to the great reproach of the Goſ­pell, the breaking of our hearts, and the offence of the world be­fore whom they have laid the ſtumbling blocke of their iniquity; 'wee cannot but judge, that, both in relation to the Goſpell it ſelfe, (the honour of which is in great part involved in the innocency and ho­nour of thoſe people that hold it out unto the world, and accor­dingly ſuffers in their reproaches) as likewiſe in relation to men of the world, ſtrangers to God, who harden themſelves againſt the way of God and his ſervants upon the fore-mentioned occaſion (the undeceiving and enlightning of whom lyes upon us as a duty to be endeavoured:) yea and in relation to our owne innocency and integrity, the which we are bound to vindicate on this be­halfe: a neceſſity lyes upon us to doe ſome act, by which the truth and reallity of our judgements and principles touching thoſe things, wherein we ſo undeſervedly ſuffer in the thoughts of men, may be brought out into an open light, to be beheld and known of all men; which then (we doubt not) will be found to bee no­thing leſſe, then what many have fancied them to be.

We are very ſenſible that ſome men have even filled the world with the noyſe of their out-cryes againſt us, as if wee were the ad­vocates of all licentious liberty, diſorder and confuſion; but, how unjuſtly, will one day appeare to their ſhame.

What li­berty is pleaded for.It is true, we have aſſerted that as belonging unto men, which in ſome reſpect and conſideration may be called a liberty. But what liberty? Not a liberty to harme any man in word or deed:5 nor a liberty for any man to be corrupt, vaine, looſe or inordi­nate in judgment, or converſation: for ſuch a liberty as this can doe no man good. And God that knowes our hearts knowes that we deſire not any liberty for any, but in order to the good of all.

We have indeed thought this but reaſonable; That while men behave themſelves peaceably and juſtly as touching civill conver­ſation, making no encroachments upon the Civill power, nor any breaches upon the names and reputations, the eſtates or bodies of men, nor doing things inconſiſtent with morall prin­ciples; they ſhould not ſuffer in their names, bodies, or eſtates from the hands of the Civill Magiſtrate, or any other men who­ſoever, meerely for what they conſcientiouſly do, in things per­taining to the worſhip of God.

And when we ſo ſay; wee doe not all exempt from correction any ſuch offences or miſcarriages of men, as are about matters meerely Eccleſiaſticall, and which are committed againſt the po­wer and Scepter of Chriſts Kingdome onely: provided it be by power and meanes ſuitable to the nature of ſuch tranſgreſſions. The which power and meanes, wee conceive to be the Word of God and Divine Cenſures: which as they are proper in kinde to correct and cure ſuch inordinacies and delinquencies as theſe; ſo are they mighty in power and efficacy to effectuate the ſame. Being able through God (who hath appointed them for that pur­poſe) to pull downe ſtrong holds, to caſt downe imaginations, and every high thing that exalts it ſelfe againſt the knowledge of God, to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chriſt, and to re­venge all diſobedience, &c. ^ee2 Cor. 10.4,5,6.

And God who hath made nothing in vaine, having once found one kinde of meanes fit for his hand to accompliſh his end by, is not wont to conſtitute another for the ſame purpoſe. Up­on which principle of truth the Apoſtle builds a great aſſertion, accompanied with an aſſeveration. For (ſaith hee) if there had beene a law given which could have given life, verily righ­teouſneſſe6ſhould have beene by the Law. ^ffGal. 3.21.If the Law had beene given by God for that end, that men might bee juſti­fied by it, hee would then never have inſtituted another way and meanes, ſuch as is that which is by faith, for the ſame pur­poſe. And therefore wee conceive, that with the ſame reaſon and truth it may bee aſſerted, that if God hath inſtituted and made a ſpirituall power, ſpirituall engines and inſtruments, both proper and effectuall remedies againſt ſuch evills as oppoſe a ſpirituall power and ſtate only (the affirmative whereof is be­fore proved) then hee hath not ſuperadded another power and meanes, and that of an inferiour nature, ſuch as is that which is but ſecular, for the ſame end.

And as there is both ſuiteableneſſe of proportion,•nd ſuffi­ciency of ſtrength in the Evangelicall and ſpirituall power to heale ſuch diſtempers in men as theſe are, ſo wee conceive the Civill power to bee deficient in both. For that being in its na­ture only ſuch as it is in denomination, viz. ſecular or world­ly;^dd1 Pet. 2.13. the direct and proper operations and effects of it, are not like to bee ſpirituall. Becauſe all proper effects are at moſt but commenſurable to the nature and being of their cauſes. That which is born of the fleſh is fleſh^eeJohn 3.6. (ſath our Saviour) that is, it is but fleſh; of a nature and condition anſwering its cauſe produ­cing it. And therefore the innate and intrinſicall property of the powers and authorities of this world being terrene, and cal­culated only for the affaires thereof; we conceive they are not to act but within their owne proper ſpheare: or if they ſhall at­tempt to doe otherwiſe, miſcarriage and diſappointment in the undertaking, is the beſt that can rationally bee expected.

And as it would be no leſſe then an uſurpation for a State Ec­•…ſticall, to impoſe lawes upon a State Civill, and to•…er­•…•…ive power therein; ſo likewiſe (not to ſay what〈…〉doe in recommending to the people the things〈…〉irregularity for a State〈…〉Eccleſiaſticall and Spiri­tuall7ſo as to exerciſe a coerſive and worldly hower there­in, by inflicting a worldly and corporall puniſhmant on men for a non-obſervation of them.

But as the Apoſtles, when they preached the Doctrine of Juſtification by faith alone, excluding the workes of the Law, as having no part nor fellowſhip in that mat­ter; were cryed out upon as deſtroyers of the Law, though in other reſpects, and ſuch as were proper to the Law, they were the great aſſertors of it: even ſo while wee doe but goe about by way of debate and argument, to keepe and preſerve the Civill power within its due and proper bounds, diſtinct, and unconfounded with that power which is quire of another nature; wee are exclaimed a­gainſt by ſome (who have the boldneſſe to affirme, or the weakeneſſe to believe) as if wee were enemies to all Magiſtracy and Governement, or as if we intended to throw downe thoſe hedges that are ſet about mens e­ſtates, and to lay both the one and the other common: Though the truth is, wee have been, and reſolve to bee as faithfull aſſertors, and zealous maintainers, to our power, both of Magiſtracy, and government, and of the Liberty of mens perſons, and propriety of their e­ſtates, (to ſpeake without vanity) as any other men who­ſoever.

Magiſtracy neceſſary.And therefore wee declare in the firſt place, That man being fallen from that uprightneſſe and perfection, in which at firſt hee was created, and being now ſo farre from being commanded by principles of love, goodneſſe, meekeneſſe, mercy, ſobriety, and equity, as that hee is filled with luſtfull inclinations, and diſpoſitions to For­nication, Adultery, drunkenneſſe, extortion, fraud, revi­ling, theſe, murther, witchcraf•…, perjury, and to defile himſelfe with man-kinde, together with many other lamen­table diſtempers, unto the truth wherof both the word of6〈1 page duplicate〉7〈1 page duplicate〉8God, and daily experience will abundantly witneſſe: We cannot but apprehend an abſolute neceſſity, both of Go­vernours, and Government, to bridle and reſtraine men from falling foule one upon another, and from doing things deſtructive, not onely to the honour, and rights, but even to the ſafety and beings of others. ^dd1 Tim. 1.9, 10.For whilſt thoſe noyſome luſts doe rage, and raigne in men; what other thing can be Imagined ſufficient to guard the per­ſons, the honour and eſtates of men from ſuffering vio­lence, but the ſword of the Magiſtrate? And therefore, looke what neceſſitie there is for men to enjoy themſelves in ſafety, and honour, the ſame neceſſity there is of Laws and Governours.

And as Magiſtracy and government in generall is the Ordinance of God, which he in love to the world hath ap­pointed for the good of men^eeRom. 13.1,2.4.. And as we doe not diſ­approve any forme of Civill government which hath a di­rect tendancie and ſubordination to its proper end; ſo we doe freely acknowledge, that a Kingly government, boun­ded by juſt and wholſome Lawes, is both allowed by God, and a good accommodation unto men. ^ffPet. 2.13,14. 2 Sam. 23.3.

And however it be a thing very deſirable to have ſuch to bee governours, as feare the Lord, in as much as to­gether with their morall principles, they are under the ſolemne engagement of Chriſtianity to execute Judgement and Juſtice, and faithfully to diſcharge their truſt; and will be more readie to protect godly men (who generally are the hatred of world) and to propagate the Goſpell in their territories, then other men will be: yet whatever the Magiſtrate is in point of Religion, he is to be reve­renced and obeyed in all thoſe commands of his, which doe not intrench upon, or riſe up in oppoſition to the commands of God, or fall croſſe to the common intereſt of men, the maintenace whereof is his charge.

7And in as much as variety of actions, and unanimity in en­deavours, are neceſſary in the management of publique affaires, And ſince every man is not a like qualified for the ſame acti­on, nor hath that diſcretion and propenſion of his owne ac­cord to fall into that place which is moſt proper for him; and ſince alſo there is ſo much darkneſſe remaining in the mindes of men, as to make them ſubject to call evill, good, and good, evill; and ſo much pride in their hearts, as to make their owne wills a Law not unto themſelves onely, but unto others alſo; it cannot but be very prejudiciall to humane ſociety, and the promotion of the good of Commonwealths, Cities, Armies, or families, to admit of a parity, or all to be equall in power. Becauſe there being (in this caſe) a Liberty for every man to follow the dictates of his own underſtanding, and to act as he pleaſeth in reference to the Publique, what can be expected but diſorders, confuſions, jealouſies, ſactions, yea Civill warres themſelves? For as mens appreheſinons of the common inte­reſt, but eſpecially their opinions of the conducibleneſſe of means thereunto, are (almoſt infinitely) various, and contra­dictious to each other: ſo is it naturall for them to indulge their owne opinions, and violently to purſue, even unto blood, their own meanes, which ſeeme only to themſelves to be ſuch; and that in oppoſition to thoſe means, which in the eye of wi­ſer men, and in themſelves, are ſuch, indeed. And therfore we cannot but conclude, that the ranging of men into ſeverall and ſubordinate ranks and degrees, is a thing neceſſary for the common good of men, as being the onely meanes to re­move obſtructions, and to preſerve order, and agreement in all agitations tending thereunto.

Of. Pro­priety.Touching propriety wee further declare, that however the wants and neceſſities of men, are a call from God to thoſe that have wherewithall in their hands to miniſter to them and re­lieve them in their need; and that where the love of God dwels richly in the ſoule it doth enlarge the heart of men in compaſ­ſion, and their hands in bounty towards their brethren in di­ſtreſſe, who are as their owne fleſh, yet certainly, for any man to urge ſuch a community amongſt men in the good things of this life as neceſſary, which diſſolves mens propriety in them;8 is not only a cutting off from men one of thoſe gracious op­portunities which God hath put into their hands, of expreſſing the good worke of God upon their hearts, and of diſplaying the power and glory of his grace, but it is alſo, a rendering the Scriptures (the honour and authority whereof, is more deare and precious to us then our lives. ) in many places; to bee but ſo many words written in vaine. For men by refreſhing the bowells of the hungry, cloathing the naked, harbouring the ſtranger, &c. doe not only declare, that the love of God dwells in•…em;^kkJohn〈…〉 that is, a benevolent diſpoſition towards men in miſe­ry, anſwering that tender, compa•ſionate and bountifull diſpo­ſition that is in God towards miſerable men, but they doe God hereby an eſpeciall ſervice in relieving ſuch, the care, and maintenance of whom, he hath peculiarly taken upon himſelfe. In which reſpects among•t others, that ſaying of our Savi­our is verified, It is a more bleſſed thing to give than to receive,^mmAct 20 35. But if all things were common unto all, there would be no place left for any ſuch difference as is between giving and re­ceiving, or if there were, both the one and the other would turne to the ſame account. But what ever account other men make of ſuch opportunities by which they may at once both bleſſe the world, and bleſſe themſelves, comfort men and pleaſe God, expreſſe the grace of God to others, and en­dear it to themſelves; certainly, they are, and ought to be pre­cious in our eyes: and therefore that opinion which would ad­null them, cannot but bee caſt out of our judgements and thoughts as an unclean thing.

And when that Commandment (for ſo it is interpretatively) went forth unto Chriſtian men, to provide for their own, eſpecially thoſe of their own houſholds; for that end amongſt others; that the Church might not be burdened with them. ^oo1 Tim. 5 8, 16.Undoubtedly, either there was a difference between the Churches ſtocke and that which particular perſons did poſſeſſe, or elſe the Apoſtle muſt needs ſpeak very impertinently, the later of which to aſſert, were to blaſpheme that Spirit by which he wrote.

When Solemon ſaith, The diligent hand maketh rich,^ppProv. 10 24. and drowſi­neſſe ſhall cloathe a man with ragges;^qqProv. 23.21. queſtionleſſe his Proverbe was more than Paradox, if both the diligent and ſlothfull were to inherit an equal portion.

9In a word, if this conceit of community ſhould ſtand, the difference between poore and rich, borrowing and lending, buying and ſelling, communicating and receiving, would all fall, upon the foundation, of which notwithſtanding, God hath built many injunctions of duty unto men.

And as for that inſtance and example of thoſe Primitive Chriſtians, among whom it is ſaid, that all things were common,^rrActs 2.31. and that not any man ſaid, that the things which he poſſeſſed were his own,^ſſActs 4.35. it is (as wee conceive) to bee underſtood thus, The ſenſe of that bleſſedneſſe which was come upon them by the be­liefe of the joyfull meſſage of ſalvation, preached to them, was ſo great, vigorous and ſtrong, and did ſo dilate and enlarge their hearts in good will both towards God and Man, that the good things of this world which they poſſeſſed were very little eſteemed by them: and therefore they parted with them as freely to their brethren that had need, as men uſe to part with thoſe things which are not their own; their parti­cular propriety and intereſt in them, was not ſo conſidered and in ſt•…d on as any wiſe to binde their hands from diſperſing or ſcattering abroad, the tokens of that love and great con­tent under which they then were. And if more of this temper of heart, and bounty of hand were in the world, than now is to be found among•t us, it were not a thing to be declared againſt, but to be rejoyced at by Chriſtians. But though theſe Chriſtians acted ſo, as if they had had no intereſt, or pro­priety in their Eſtates, yet certainly a propriety they had, nor was this propriety diſſolved meerly by their becomming Chri­ſtians, as appeares plainly by what was ſpoken by the Apoſtle Peter to Ananias, who was in pretence one of thoſe bountifull Benefactours afore mentioned.

For the Apoſtle in reproving him for his diſſmulation, in pretending to dedicate to common uſe the whole price of his poſſeſſion, being ſold, when as hee reſerved part thereof unto himſelfe: ſaith thus unto him, Whilest it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was ſold, was it not in thine owne power? ^ttActs. 5.4.By which double interrogation the Apoſtle doth emphatically grant and affirme a particular and diſtinct right which hee, and ſo conſequently thoſe other Benefactors had to their poſ­ſeſſions,10 both before they had ſold them and after, unleſſe they had paſſed the ſame away by a voluntary act of donation or free gift.

If therefore God hath built up a wall of ſeperation between the eſtates of men and men, the affirmative whereof ſufficiently appeares by many acts of his will, then farre be it from us who profeſſe our ſelves to be his ſervants, that we ſhould indevour to throw it downe.

And in as much as thoſe Apoſtolicall Churches themſelves recorded in the Scriptures, in which the glory and power of the Goſpell ruled, were not altogether free from ſuch perſons as turned the grace of God into wantonneſſe,^uuJude 2. and that abuſed their liberty in the Goſpell to the gratifying of the fleſh,^wwGal 5.13. we cannot promiſe the world that they ſhall never finde any ſuch amongſt us. For whilſt there are temptations without and corruptions within that expoſe men to the danger of falling; and that all men that profeſſe ſtrictneſſe in Religion are not ſo vigilent and wiſe as to ſtand upon their guard, it cannot bee but that offences will come. ^xxMat. 18.7.

And though ſome who are willing to picke a quarrell with Religious men, if elevated above the ſphere of their owne acti­vity, and are glad when they meet with any thing in their lives and wayes as will comport with, and ſmile upon that evill opinion they have of them: Yet we could wiſh, that all who pretend to wiſdome, ingenuity and honeſty, would not be ſo injurious to God and Religion, as to charge perſonall and par­ticular errors and practices, ſuch as ſavour of the fleſh, and tend to obſcure and darken the beauty of holineſſe, either upon the Generallity of the ſervants of God, or upon the grounds and principles of their profeſſion, but that they would put ſuch a difference herein, as becomes men of ſobriety and truth, to doe.

Of Poly­gamie.And therefore, if any ſcurrilous perſons ſhall of purpoſe to blemiſh Religion, and to make themſelves glad with lyes, give it out as if we intended to inlarge and extend wedlock by Law eſtabliſhed in this Land (in which proviſion is made that no man ſhall have above one wife at one time) beyond its due limits, or that we gave any quarter in our judgments to ſuch an11 opinion as favors plurality of wives: or if any who have been looked upon as profeſſors of religion have ſo fearfully falne as to break through bounds not only of Religion, but alſo of mo­rality, and to defile themſelves with thoſe that are not their wives, & to cover their ſhame ſhal go about to plead the lawful­nes of polygamy; we earneſtly deſire, that all men may do both us & that way of Religion which we profeſs in the world that right, as not in the leaſt to charge either the one or the other therewith, as if we were any partrons thereof. For we do with great zeale and deteſtation of ſoule declare and prote•t againſt the folly and filthineſſe of ſuch perſons, and of any ſuch opi­nion as is that now laſt mentioned, as being contrary to the Scriptures of truth.

For though God, having the reſidue of the Spirit, could in the day of creation as eaſily have made more women then that one which he did create for one man (as the Prophet Malachy obſerves,)^yyMal. 2.15. yet his pleaſure was to make but one, to the end there might he a godly ſeed, or a ſeed of God, that is, a ſeed propa­gated according to Gods inſtitution and appointment.

And therefore our Saviour referring to the firſt inſtitution of marriage for correction of ſome corruptions and abuſes of men about marriage, ſaith, Have yee not read, that hee which made them at the beginning, made them male and female? for this cauſe ſhall a man leave father and mother, and ſhall cleave to his wife, and they twaine (not they three or they foure, but they twaine) ſhall bee one fleſh. ^zzMat. 19.3.5.Anſwerably the Apoſtles advice is, for the avoyding of fornication, that every man ſhould have his owne wife, (not wives) and every woman her owne husband, (not husbands.) ^aa1 Cor. 7.2.

And when the Apoſtle gives thoſe cautions concerning ſuch who were to be choſen into the office of a Biſhop or Deacon, viz. that they ſhould be men that had but one wife, as well as men that were not given to wine, nor ſtrikers, nor greedy of filthy lucre;^bb1 Tim. 3.2,3. Tit. 1.6. undoubtedly, he accounted the one as well as the other a blot and matter of diſhonour, otherwiſe he would never have put it in the number of thoſe things whereof he made matter of exception in the election of ſuch Officers.

And when our Lord Jeſus Chriſt (who is Truth it ſelfe) ut­red this grave ſaying,^ccMatth. 16.9. Whoſoever ſhall put away his wife, except it12be for fornication, and ſhall marry another, committeth adultery, he had not ſaid true but upon this ſuppoſition, that a man commits whoredom with what ever woman he ſhall marry over and be­ſides that one wife unto which he hath firſt joyned himſelfe, the bands of that Conjunction not being diſſolved. For other­wiſe his putting away a former wife injuriouſly could no wiſe diſable him from marrying a later. For can a mans doing one unlawfull act make him uncapable of doing another act that's lawfull? And therefore as all other words of the lips of Jeſus Chriſt, which continually dropp'd wiſedom and grace, are dear and precious to us, ſo theſe alſo have taken hold of our hearts ſo, as to cauſe us to abominate the very opinion, and how much more the practice of Polygamy, as ri•ing up in oppoſition againſt them!

Thus having ſhaken off thoſe Vipers of calumnie and re­proach, which ſome unworthily have laboured to faſten upon us: and having cleared our own innocency both before Angels and men, as touching thoſe things whereof either in whole or in part we have been either accuſed or ſuſpected by malevolent men: our hope is, that all men (except thoſe that have ioyned themſelves in a confederacie with Hell, and have ſtrucke hands with the Devil, as being reſolved with him to accuſe the brethren) into whoſe hands this ingenuous and ſolemn Declaration of our ſelves ſhall come, will both perceive and believe, that wee are no friends or favourers either of thoſe unrighteous wayes againſt which we have now declared more particularly, or of any other thing that is contrary to wholeſome Doctrine. ^dd1 Tim. 1.10.

For ſo farre are we from patronizing or tolerating any thing of this nature, that our earneſt deſire is, that the Magi­ſtrate into whoſe hand the ſword of juſtice is put, may draw it out impartially againſt all thoſe whether pretenders, or not pretenders to any ſtrictneſſe in Religion, that doe in word or deed diſturbe the Civil peace of the Land, in doing or ſpeaking things deſtructive to the honour, ſafety or intereſts of men, in body, name or goods.

And our unfained deſire likewiſe is, that wee with all other men, and all other men with us, may by pureneſſe, by knowledge, by long-ſuffering, by kindneſſe, by the Holy Ghoſt, by love unfained, by the13word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteouſneſſe, on the right hand and on the left^ee2 Cor. 6.6.7. oppoſe and contend againſt all un­righteouſneſſe of men, and what ever in them, either in opini­on or converſation riſes up againſt the honour of the Coſpell, and the well-being of men. That ſo the civill and externall peace of men may by the ſword of the Magiſtrate be ſecured on the one hand, and their ſpirituall and internall peace effected, maintained and defended by the ſword of the Spirit on the o­ther hand, from ſuffering by the hands of thoſe fleſhly luſts, crooked and perverſe imaginations which war againſt the ſoule. ^ff1 Pet. 11.

The high and honourable advancement of which peace of men in both kinds, ſhall through the helpe of the moſt High, be the ſubject matter of our ſtudies, labours and prayers, du­ring our pilgrimage on earth, that God in all things may bee glorified through Jeſus Chriſt; to whom be praiſe in all the Churches of the Saints. Amen.