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The Letter Calling for the
1689 General Assembly
(This material is taken from Joseph Ivimey's, History of the English
Baptists, Vol. 1: Pg. 478-480).
The following is a copy of [the letter] sent to the church at Luppitt,
in Devonshire, the place where the present church at Upottery then met.
London, July 22, 1689.
To the Church of Christ in Luppitt, kind Salutations.
"WE the elders and ministering brethren of the churches
in and about London, being several times assembled together to consider
of the present state of the baptized congregations, not only in this city,
but also in the country, cannot but first of all, adore the divine wisdom
and goodness of Almighty God, in respect of his late most gracious providence,
for our deliverance from that dismal dispensation, which threatened us
from the continual and unwearied attempts and designs of the enemy of our
sacred religion and civil liberties; by which means our sinking and drooping
spirits are again revived, and our earnest hopes and long expectations
raised, and afresh quickened, in respect of the more full and perfect deliverance
of the church of God, and his more glorious appearance, for the accomplishing
of those gracious promises and prophecies contained in the holy scripture
relating to the latter days.
"But in the second place, we cannot but bewail the present condition
our churches seem to be in; fearing that much of that former strength,
life, and vigour, which attended us is much gone; and in many places the
interest of our Lord Jesus Christ seems to be much neglected which is in
our hands, and the congregation to languish, and our beauty to fade away
(which thing, we have some ground to judge, you cannot but be sensible
of as well as we); and from hence we have been put upon most mature and
serious considerations of such things that may be the cause thereof, and
amongst others are come to this result: That the great neglect of the present
ministry is one thing, together with that general unconcernedness there
generally seems to be, of giving fit and proper encouragement for the raising
up an able and honourable ministry for the time to come; with many other
things which, we hope, we are not left wholly in the dark about, which
we find we are not in a capacity to prevent and cure (as instruments in
the hand of God, and his blessing attending our christian endeavours) unless
we can obtain a general meeting here in London of two principal brethren
(of every church of the same faith with us) in every county respectively.
We do therefore humbly intreat and beseech you, that you would be pleased
to appoint two of your brethren (one of the ministry, and one principal
brother of your congregation with him) as your messengers; and send them
up to meet with the rest of the elders and and [sic.] brethren of the churches
in London, on the 3rd of September next; and then we hope to consider such
things that may much tend to the honour of God, and further the peace,
well-being, establishment at present, as also the future comfort of the
churches. We hope you will readily, notwithstanding the charge, comply
with our pious and christian desire herein; and in the mean time, to signify
your intentions forthwith in a letter; which we would have you direct to
our reverend and well beloved brethren, Mr. H. Knowles, or Mr. W. Kiffin.
This is all at present from us, your brethren and labourers in God's vineyard,
who greet you well in our Lord Jesus Christ, and subscribe ourselves your
servants in the gospel.
"Brother Kiffin lives in White's alley, Little Moorfields."
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