Though I have little hope (when I consider the uncircumcision of mine own lips, Exod. 6.12.) that you will hearken to my voice, who hath not hearkened to the body of the whole Church of Christ with you, and the testimony, and judgement of so many Elders and Brethren of other Churches, yet I trust my labour will be accepted of the Lord; and who can tell but that he may bless it to you also, if (by his help) I endeavour to show you the sandiness of those grounds, out of which you have banished yours from the fellowship of all the Churches in these Countries▪ Let not any prejudice against my person (I beseech you) forestall either your affection or judgement, as if I had hastened forward the sentence of your civill banishment; for what was done by the Magistrates, in that kind, was neither done by my counsel nor consent, although I dare not deny the sentence passed to be righteous in the eyes of God, who hath said that he that with-holdeth the Corn (which is the staff of life) from the people, the multitude shall curse him, Prov. 11.26. how much more shall they separate such from them as do with-hold and separate them from the Ordinances, or the Ordinances from them (which are in Christ the bread ⟨p. 2⟩of life.) And yet it may be they passed that sentence against you not upon that ground, but for ought I know, upon your other corrupt doctrines, which tend to the disturbance both of civill and holy peace, as may appear by that answer which was sent to the Brethren of the Church of Salem, and to your self. And to sp•ake freely what I think, were in soul in your souls stead, I should think it a work of mercy of God to banish me from the civill society of such a Common wealth, when I could not enjoy holy fellowship with any Church of God amongst them without sin. What should the Daughter of Zion do in Babel? why should she not hasten to flee from thence? Zach. 2.6, 7.
THough I have little hope (when I consider the uncircumcision of mine owne lips, Exod. 6.12.) that you will hearken to my voyce, who hath not hearkened to the body of the whole Church of Christ with you, and the testimony, and judgement of so many Elders and Brethren of other Churches, yet I trust my labour will be accepted of the Lord; and who can tell but that he may blesse it to you also, if (by his helpe) I indevour to shew you the sandinesse of those grounds, out of which you have banished yours from the fellowship of all the Churches in these Countries▪ Let not any pr•judice against my person (I beseech you) forestall either your affection or judgement, as if I had hastened forward the sentence of your civill banishment; for what was done by the Magistrates, in that kinde, was neither done by my counsell nor consent, although I dare not deny the sentence passed to be righteous in the eyes of God, who hath said that he that with-holdeth the Corne (which is the staffe of life) from the people, the multitude shall curse him, Prov. 11.26. how much more shall they separate such from them as doe with-hold and separate them from the Ordinances, or the Ordinances from them (which are in Christ the bread ⟨p. 2⟩of life.) And yet it may be they passed that sentence against you not upon that ground, but for ought I know, upon your other corrupt doctrines, which tend to the disturbance both of civill and holy peace, as may appeare by that answer which was sent to the Brethren of the Church of Salem, and to your selfe. And to sp•ake freely what I thinke, were in soule in your soules stead, I should thinke it a worke of mercy of God to banish me from the civill society of such a Common wealth, when I could not injoy holy fellowship with any Church of God amongst them without sin. What should the Daughter of Zion doe in Babell? why should she not hasten to flee from thence? Zach. 2.6, 7.
