TO

ALL THAT DESIRE

The lifting up of the Name of the

LORD JESUS in sincerity, the poor despised

Churches of God in London send greeting,

with prayers for their farther increase in the

knowledge of CHRIST JESUS.

WE question not but that it will seem strange to many men, that such as we are frequently termed to be, lying under that calumny and black brand of heretics, and sowers of division as we do, should presume to appear so publicly as now we have done: But yet notwithstanding we may well say, to give answer to such, what David said to his brother, when the Lord’s battle was a fighting, 1 Samuel 29:30. Is there not a cause?

Surely, if ever people had cause to speak for the vindication of the truth of Christ in their hands, we have, that being indeed the main wheel at this time that sets us awork; for had anything by men been transacted against our persons only, we could quietly have sat still, and committed our cause to Him who is a righteous Judge, who will in the great day judge the secrets of all men’s hearts by Jesus Christ: But being it is not only us, but the truth professed by us, we cannot, we dare not but speak; it is no strange thing to any observing man, what sad charges are laid, not only by the world, that know not God, but also by those that think themselves much wronged, if they be not looked upon as the chief worthies of the church of God, and watchmen of the city: But it has fared with us from them, as from the poor spouse seeking her beloved, Ecclesiastes 5:6–7. They finding us out of that common roadway themselves walk, have smote us and taken away our vail, that so we may by them be recommended odious in the eyes of all that behold us, and in the hearts of all that think upon us, which they have done both in pulpit and print, charging us with holding free–will, falling away from grace, denying original sin, disclaiming of magistracy, denying to assist them either in persons or purse in any of their lawful commands, doing acts unseemly in the dispensing the ordinance of baptism, not to be named among Christians: all which charges we disclaim as notoriously untrue, though by reason of these calumnies cast upon us, many that fear God are discouraged and forestalled in harboring a good thought, either of us or what we profess; and many that know not God encouraged, if they can find the place of our meeting, to get together in clusters to stone us, as looking upon us as a people holding such things, as that we are not worthy to live: We have therefore for the clearing of the truth we profess, that it may be at liberty, though we be in bonds, briefly published a Confession of our Faith, as desiring all that fear God, seriously to consider whether (if they compare what we here say and confess in the presence of the Lord Jesus and his saints) men have not with their tongues in pulpit, and pens in print, both spoken and written things that are contrary to truth; but we know our God in his own time will clear our cause, and lift up His Son to make Him the chief cornerstone, though He has been (or now should be) rejected of master builders. And because it may be conceived, that what is here published, may be but the judgement of some one particular congregation, more refined than the rest; We do therefore here subscribe it, some of each body in the name, and by the appointment of seven congregations, who though we be distinct in respect of our particular bodies, for convenience sake, being as many as can well meet together in one place, yet are all one in communion, holding Jesus Christ to be our head and Lord; under whose government we desire alone to walk, in following the Lamb wheresoever He goes; and we believe the Lord will daily cause truth more to appear in the hearts of his saints, and make them ashamed of their folly in the land of their nativity, that so they may with one shoulder, more study to lift up the name of the Lord Jesus, and stand for His appointments and laws; which is the desires and prayers of the condemned churches of Christ in London for all saints.

Subscribed in the names of seven churches in London.

William Kiffin
Thomas Patience
John Spilsbery
George Tipping
Samuel Richardson
Thomas Skippard
Thomas Munday
Thomas Gunne
John Mabbatt
John Webb
Thomas Killcop
Paul Hobson
Thomas Goare
Joseph Phelpes
Edward Heath