Third and last part of the letter
Letter from the people of Bedfordshire to Lord
General Cromwell, and the Council of the army.
May 13th, 1653.
If a brother through weakness speak anything contrary
to any known truth of God (though not intended by him), some other brother of
the church must in love clear up the truth, lest many of the church be laid
under temptation. Let no respect of persons be in your comings-together; when
you are met as a church there's neither rich nor poor, bond nor free in Christ
Jesus. 'Tis, not a good practice to be offering places or seats when those who
are rich come in; especially it is a great evil to take notice of such in time
of prayer or the word; then are bowings and civil observances at such times
not of God. Private wrongs are not presently to be brought unto the church. If
any of the brethren are troubled about externals, let some of the church (let
it not be a church business) pray for and with such parties.
None ought to withdraw from the church if any
brother should walk disorderly, but he that walketh disorderly must bear his
own burden, according to the Scriptures. If any brother should walk disorderly,
he cannot be shut out from any ordinance before church censure. Study among
yourselves what is the nature of fellowship, as the word, prayer, and breaking
of bread; which, whilst few, I judge, seriously consider, there is much falling
short of duty in the churches of Christ. You that are most eminent in profession,
set a pattern for all the rest of the church. Let your faith, love, and zeal, be
very eminent; if any of you cast a dim light, you will do much hurt in the
church. Let there be kept up among you solemn days of prayer and thanksgiving;
and let some time be set apart, to seek God for your seeds, which thing hath
hitherto been omitted. Let your deacons have a constant stock by them, to
supply the necessity of those who are in want.
Truly, brethren, there is utterly a fault among you
that are rich, especially in this thing, 'tis not that little which comes from
you on the first day of the week that will excuse you. I beseech you, be not
found guilty of this sin any longer. He that sows sparingly will reap
sparingly. Be not backward in your gatherings-together; let none of you
willingly stay till part of the meeting become, especially such who should be
examples to the flock. One or two things are omitted about your
comings-together, which I shall here add. I beseech you, forbear sitting in
prayer, except parties be any way disabled; 'tis not a posture which suits with
the majesty of such an ordinance. Would you serve your prince so? In prayer,
let all self-affected expressions be avoided, and all vain repetitions. God
hath not gifted, I judge, every brother to be a mouth to the church. Let such
as have most of the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, shut up all your
comings-together, that ye may go away with your hearts comforted and quickened.
Come together in time, and leave off orderly; for
God is a God of order among his saints. Let none of you give offence to his
brethren in indifferent things, but be subject to one another in love. Be very
careful what gifts you approve of by consent for public service.
Spend much time before the Lord, about choosing a
pastor, for though I suppose he is before you, whom the Lord hath appointed,
yet it will be no disadvantage to you, I hope, if you walk a year or two as you
are before election; and then, if you be all agreed, let him be set apart, according
to the Scriptures. Salute the brethren who walk not in fellowship with you,
with the same love and name of brother or sister as those who do.
Let the promises made to be accomplished in the
latter days, be often urged before the Lord in your comings-together; and
forget not your brethren in bonds. Love him much for the work's sake, who
labours over you in the word and doctrine. Let no man despise his youth. Muzzle
not the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn to you. Search the Scriptures;
let some of them be read to you about this thing. If your teacher at any time
be laid aside, you ought to meet together as a church, and build up one
another. If the members at such a time will go to a public ministry, it must
first be approved of by the church. Farewell; exhort, counsel, support, reprove
one another in love.
Finally, brethren, be all of one mind, walk in love
one to another, even as Christ Jesus hath loved you, and given himself for you.
Search the Scriptures for a supply of those things wherein I am wanting. Now
the God of peace, who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, multiply
his peace upon you, and preserve you to his everlasting kingdom by Jesus
Christ. Stand fast: the Lord is at hand.
That this was written by me, I have set my name to
it, in the presence of two of the brethren of the church.
John Gifford.
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