THE DECLARATION OF THE Philadelphian Society OF ENGLAND, EASTER-DAY, 1699. Addressed to the Catholick Church Representative and Diffusive.

§. 1. TO the Bishops and Presbyters of the Catholick Church, and to all Or­ders, Ranks and Degrees of the same, elected by God the Father, and called out of the World, being sanctified by his Spirit: And in particular to the Churches, whether Established or Dispersed within these three Kingdoms, of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and yet more peculiarly to that of this Kingdom, and to all Religious Societies therein, however they may be nominated and distinguished, either separa­ted from it, or holding Communion with it: But in a most special manner, to as many as either here or abroad, do truly believe, and wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Majesty of his Father: The Philadel­phian Society, founded for the Propagation of Apostolical Faith and Love, wisheth the increase of Grace, Peace and Truth.

Fathers, Brethren and Friends,

§. 2. GOD having appeared in these latter Days, to excite and raise up many Persons in all Nations, both Secretly and Publickly, after diverse and sundry manners, to prepare the Way of his dear Son; unto whom he hath given by an Oath, the utmost ends of the Earth for his Inheritance: Be it known unto you, that he hath Excited and Commanded us by his Spirit, which is the Testimony of his Son, to bear an open and publick Wit­ness at this time for his Kingdom. Which Kingdom is not of this World, nor after the manner of the Nations; But is of Hea­ven, and from Heaven, and after the man­ner of the Saints in Bliss; who are ever doing their Father's Will, and follow­ing [Page] the LAMB, who is their Light, whi­thersoever he goeth. And that this Kingdom may come quickly, according to the Oath and Covenant of the Everlasting Father, and that the Will of our God and Lord be obeyed with the same Universality, Perpetuity and Alacrity, even here upon the Earth, as it is in Heaven, to the San­ctification of his Name, The LORD our Righteousness; and even to a visible Inscrip­tion of it on all his Disciples: So that it may indeed be Exalted above every Name under Heaven, and every Knee made to bow down to it; we think it our bounden Duty, by all Ways and Mediums, by all Methods, Expedients and Enterprises, according to the Pattern of the Holy Ancients; with continued Labours, Watchings and Supplications, to promote, advance and carry on the Interest of the same.

§. 3. And therefore we cannot but ex­hort and encourage one another, and as many as with us do look for such things, to walk in all Holy Conversation and God­liness, to keep the Works of the Son of GOD unto the end, and to hold fast the Word of his Patience, until he come: Be­ing diligent that we may be found of him in Peace and in Love, without Spot, and blameless, as was the Primitive Church of PHILADELPHIA. Wherefore, being mindful of the Words which were spoken before by the Holy Prophets, and of the Commandment of the Lord and Saviour, blessed for ever: As often as we do meet together for this end, we do after this manner. And as at all Times, and in all Places, we account it our highest Duty thus to do, without any Partiality or Ac­ceptance of Persons: So especially, when we are assembled in the Spirit of the LORD, that our Loyns may not he at any time ungirt, or our Lamps extinct, and without Oil: For when the Bride­groom cometh, it will then be too late to go to buy it; and the little Door, which is already begun to be opened, will then be shut up.

Fathers and Brethren,

§. 4. Marvel not that this is a little Door, and that there is but a little visible Strength as yet: Since God, even our God, hath chosen the small things of this World to confound the great, and the foolish things to confound the wise; and that not once only, but always. As for our selves, we could have been very well contented, had it been the Will of our Father in Heaven, not to have appeared as we have done; but to have enjoyed rather in pri­vate (as some of You do) the Satisfaction of those great and august Truths, which we now confess before the whole World. It would have been far more easie for us, and would not have exposed us to so ma­ny Evils; but our Wills, which are in themselves most contrary, we have learn'd by his Spirit assisting us, to submit to his Holy and most Adorable Will.

§. 5. But notwithstanding this our more publick appearance at present, we do not hereby intend to recede from what we have formerly declared in the Reasons for the Foundation and Promotion of this Society; but do earnestly desire to keep still, and maintain the Communion of Saints invio­lable, in the Band of the Holy Catholick Church.

§. 6. And for as much as it is found ne­cessary, in order to such a near and inti­mate Communication with one another, as is required for the effectual Prosecuting the Great and Holy Design before us, the In­terest of Christendom, and the Good of all Mankind, to initiate and admit Persons in­to our Society; (for that otherwise we could not be said to be a Society) we would [Page] not herein, that ye should misunderstand us, as if we were by this, setting up for a new Sect, and a divided Church; our solemn Protestations to the contrary, not­withstanding. For we have acted in this matter, and shall continue to act, accord­ing [...] those most Catholick Principles, which all the Churches of Christ, that ever were or are, may justifie us in: We think it not our proper Business to meddle with the Controversies, that are at this day in Christendom; but to pray and wait for that Holy Spirit, which alone can determine them, and lead into all divine Truth. The Principles of the Christian Religion we believe to be plain and easie, familiar and obvious, to that degree, that he that runneth may read them, in the sacred Wri­tings of the New Testament: But the My­steries of the same, we believe none can truly understand as they ought (nor even put in Practice thoroughly, the Principles themselves) but such as are Spiritual; that is, Initiated by the Spirit of JESUS, into the Knowledge of them, Experimentally, Essentially and Fundamentally. All wrang­ling therefore about these, from the Spirit only of Reason, or the natural Man, we cannot approve as a means for the Establishing the Unity of Faith, in the deep and recondite things of God; but do think this method most incongruous and ineffectual, as it hath hitherto shewed it self to be.

§. 7. All the Precepts and Institutions of our Blessed Master, we, according to their very fullest and utmost Latitude, accept, and intirely submit to. The House of our Society we have founded upon his Sermon on the Mount: Whence, though the Rain hath indeed descended, and the Floods came, and the Winds have blown, and beat upon this our House and Esta­blishment, yet it falleth not: Neither can it fall, for that it is founded by the Eternal Wisdom it self upon a Rock; which Rock is Christ, in the Manifestation of his Spirit and Power.

§. 8. Wherefore the Foundation there­of, which formerly hath been declared; being as the Hill of Zion, that cannot be moved, and the entrance thereof as the Door of DAVID, which is never to be shut in the Church of Philadelphia: We have boldness to Address in this Manner unto you, Men and Brethren; yea, unto you Fathers and Elders, even as many as are Separated and Sanctified, in all the Churches throughout EUROPE (and wheresoever else this our Declaration may be carried) for an Holy Ministration and Calling. And we entreat you, by the Bowels of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, whom we all profess to honour, and to follow, as our Leader; that ye would lay aside all Prejudices against one another; all un­certain Traditions of Men, all Dispute [...] about Words, and all Impositions of Un­intelligible Mysteries (though true in them­selves) and that ye would be pleased to make a Candid Allowance for the Power of Education in some, of Constitution in others; and of the different Apprehensi­on of things (more or less) in all; and thence love one another as Brethren, and as CHRIST hath loved you, whereby ye may be able to demonstrate your selves to be built (together with us) upon Him: He being the Chief Corner-Stone of this House of BROTHERLY LOVE. Therefore stir up, we beg and [...] you, this most Excellent Gift; which is no less than the Band of Perfection in th [...] Body of the Church, and the First Bor [...] of the Love of God: So will a true Phi­ladelphian Society be spread over the whole Earth, and the Kingdoms of the Nations become the Kingdom of the Prince of Peace

[Page] §. 9. For the Divisions of Christendom, our Souls do mourn, and hence we cannot but cry out; Sirs, ye are Brethren, why do ye Wrong one to another? And again, we say unto you all, and every one, how good and pleasant is it for Brethren to dwell together in Unity! Consider then, we pray you, of the things that make for Catholick Peace, and for the Establishment of the new Jeru­salem, the City and Kingdom of Peace, that so all such as have erred and are de­ceived, may be brought into the Way of Truth and Love, being made one Fold un­der one Shepherd, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord. Yea, we doubt not, Honoured and Beloved, that ye will consider of these things: And many among you will blow the Trumpet of the Lord, and sound an Alarm in the holy Congregation; to give Notice that the Lord cometh, and that his Kingdom is at Hand, to them that wait for it, and love his Appearance. And as the same Design may be carryed on after differerent Manners, and we have been called to this particular Manner; so we also hope and believe, that it shall be car­ryed on by you after various and sundry Methods, suitable to your several Stations and Calls, and according to the manifold Ministration and Dispensation of the same Spirit.

§. 10. Now, Beloved in the Lord, say not, that the Time is not come, as some of you have declared. For the Time verily cometh, but the Hour thereof no Man knoweth. Therefore we watch, and would awaken others to watch with us, knowing that the Promise is not afar off. The Time indeed is not come, as some under­stand it, neither is at Hand. But if Noah arose up, and preached Repentance, an Hundred and Twenty Years before the Completion of what he expected; if Isaiah preached in like manner, an Hundred and seventy Years, before it came to pass, con­cerning the Call and Anointing of the great CYRUS; and if the Prophet of Bethel preached and prophesied above Three Hundred Years before, concerning the great Reformation under Josias: It is not at all to be wondred at, if before so great and glorious a Reformation (or rather Transformation) of the Church, as is This, which is now expected, there be sent forth some Fore-runners, Messengers, and Heralds, to give Warning of the same to the World. This we do: And we know, that our Time is now; and that our Calling shall not be in vain.

§. 11. Whosoever then shall be offend­ed at us, or at our Proceedings, without due Examination of them; we shall not be mov'd on our Parts, only with a Con­cern for their Good.

We have the Answer of a good Con­science before GOD, both in acting and suffering for his Names Sake; and if in any thing of lesser Moment, there hath been a Mistake committed, at any time, we shall be glad to rectifie the same, so soon as it shall be made known. If any better Expedients can be produced for the promoting of the Interest before specified, let not any with-hold them. However, we dare not consult with Flesh and Blood, in this Matter: But all things that we can do, we are ready to do: For that we may make strait the Way of our Lord, the KING : We go forth at this Time, in his Name, to make Proclamation to the World, having received a Foretast of the Powers of the approaching New State. We are indeed, but as a Voice in the Wilder­ness; the Church of mystical Israel, being not yet come out of the Wilderness: But [Page] let not this be rejected; for by it, shall the Axe be laid to the Root of the Tree. And when this Voice shall cease, then shall the Voice of the Bridegroom be heard: Blessed are they that hear the former Voice; for they shall not be afraid to hear the latter.

Men, Brethren, and Fathers,

§. 12. In order to a freer Prosecution of the Designs of this Society, it hath pleased God to grant us the Protection of the Ci­vil Government: Against which, our Principles are no wise Prejudicial, but most advantagious to it, when they are understood. For it is certain, that the Blessings of the Heaven above, and of the Earth beneath, will be given by God to those wise Princes and Magistrates, who shall promote the righteous and peaceable Kingdom of CHRIST, and pay him the Kiss of Homage, which He requireth; that so they may be, as the Light of the Morning, when the Sun riseth, even a Morning without Clouds: And as the tender Grass out of the Earth, by the clear shining (of the Sun) after Rain. And we do believe, that the Time is at Hand, when the Mountains shall bring Peace, and the little Hills Righteous­ness unto the People. And then will it be understood, what it is to Reign By the Grace of God.

§. 13. But at this, Satan is extreamly enraged, seeing that his Kingdom draweth near to a Period. And therefore, by all manner of subtile Insinuations, and even by Violence, where he is not chained up, he is working incessantly to put a Stop to the breaking forth of the Golden Age of Peace and Righteousness which we Pro­claim. Hence many of our Brethren, in other Countries, have been, and are de­spitefully used, who are as shining Lamps in a crooked and stupid Generation, t [...] turn many to the Wisdom of the Just Persons of the strictest Holiness, and Great­est Modesty, have not been exempted from being exposed on one Hand, to a jealous and exasperated Magistracy, and on the other Hand, to a furious and bigotted Vulgar. From hence are Imprisonments, Confiscations and Exile, for the Cause of the Testimony of JESUS, and of his Reign in Spirit, as well in Protestant as in Roman Catholick Countries. From hence also we think, are all those bitter Disputes about the Limitation of our Love [...] God (the Substance of all true Religion) which are carried on at this Day, with most ex­tream Violence, by Persons of greatest Eminence : And all the present Controver­sies about the accessory Part of Christianity, to the Exclusion or Neglect of an inward Principle of divine Life in the Soul, which is also a Principle of divine Light and Love.

§. 14. And now, it having pleased God to put an Hook into the Nose of this Levi [...] ­than, in this Kingdom especially, it is no Wonder he teareth and rageth the more, not being able to bear the Brightness of that high Spiritual Dispensation, which is beginning here to break out, and is decla [...] by weak Instruments elected for this purpose.

And therefore, since our first publick Appearance, he hath been ever busie to in­spire some of his Agents, to raise Tumults against the Publishers of the approaching New Kingdom; and even to curse and blaspheme where we have been met toge­ther to bless God.

But, besides, these open, his Clandestine Designs are the more dangerous. A­gainst both of which, we have been hi­therto preserved by the Grace of Almighty God. And he is able, we know, to car­ry us through far greater Difficulties: As [Page 6] he hath done our Fore-fathers. Whom we also believe to be no less willing, than able to assist us, and as many as are engaged in this Honourable Service.

§. 15. Whence, by the Evidence of Faith, we are assured, that he will not be wanting to give his extraordinary Atte­stations, as in the Days of old, so soon as the Fullness of Time shall be wholly come; and according as his Wisdom shall see expe­dient to raise up likewise, and inspire some great Prince, to carry on this Blessed Work. And in the mean while, we shall rest in this, that our Leader is more than and Hundred Constantines: And that since He hath seen fit to employ us in a Prepara­tory Work, however secret and hidden, his Measures may be for the present, yet all shall be accomplished in the End, to the Surprize and Praise of the whole Farth▪

This Declaration was first published in London, at a publick Meeting of our So­ciety, upon Easter-Sunday, which was held in Lori­mers Hall; and now print­ed by a general Order.

An Additional DECLARATION. In the Name of GOD, Amen.

IT has been the Method of the Philadel­phian Society in general, both here and in other Countries, to Enjoy and Com­municate what they have received in a more private manner; as two or three should meet together in Unity: Notwith­standing it hath pleased God of late to Im­pel and Constrain some of us, on account of the near approach of the Kingdom of Christ, to go forth and Proclaim it openly, which we have done now for almost these two Years: and lately in a more publick manner; whereby the Alarm has been suf­ficiently given and a free offer made by God of a Renew'd Dispensation of his Grace and Spirit: which has been general­ly despised and Rejected, and the Messen­gers thereof despightfully intreated. All stumbling at the Stumbling-Block, the weak and contemptible beginnings of the Philadelphian State; through the gradual opening of the Holy Powers at this day, and being accompanied with many weak­nesses of the Instruments : Together with the great latitude of Charity and Liberty it has gone forth in; and the Contrariety of its manner to that of the present Forms and Establishments of Human Wisdom, Tradition and Custom. We have done our part; and would willingly have per­sisted [Page] [...] all we [...] the Testimony of the Lord [...]d of his Kingdom. And now Provi­dence having outwardly cast in a Preven­tion of our Meeting longer at the place where the foregoing Declaration was first Publish't, and given us pre-intimation of what we are further to do: Forasmuch, as [...] all were to be Admonish'd and Warn'd of the approaching day; but all are not fit to receive the Mysteries of the Kingdom, and to concur in so Spiritual a Service: Therefore at present we are to be less Publick; yet not wholly Private; but more Retired from such great Con­course of the promiscuous Multitude: to whom it hath pleased God that the Pearls of the Kingdom should be Offered, chief­ly for the sake of some few among them that would know the Value of 'em; but not forc'd upon them when Rejected and Trampled on. And now we leave it to Him, to take what other Methods he sees necessary to prepare his way, Endeavour­ing as much as possible, to gather only a Select Company, of such as are in Unity with us, or have been excited to a Seri­ous enquiry into these Matters, and give them a more quiet Opportunity of serving God with us; and more advantagious for the freer opening and spreading of the Powers of the Holy Spirit among us: and shall stand ready to give all Satisfaction and Information we can concerning these Di­vine things to any that shall come and de­sire it of us. And we doubt not but there will be experienced herein a Blessing of God more than ordinary both by us and all that shall come to us in good will, and [...] due Preparation to receive it: And that [...] the Key of David shall successively open, [...] true Philadelphian Body will be made up. [...] And hence we do intreat all that are [...]hristians indeed, and in the Bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, the first-born of th [...] Brethren, we do earnestly beseech them not to take any offence at a Name; For tho we esteem none so proper as that of Christian to express a Disciple of the Blessed JESUS, and one Anointed with the Spirit; yet since besides this Old Name, so many other Names have been introduced, through the great Decay of Christian Charity, and even almost to the utter Destruction of it: This appears the most fit to revive the same, and to denote that Spirit of Universal Love toward all that are of the same Offspring, which is the true Characteristick of that Religion which is Holy and Undefiled. Whence we Hope and Believe, that to them that are found in this Spirit this Name will not be displeasing, which as we bear, so they have a Right to bear; which is to U­nite, and not to Divide; and which is an Old Name, and yet a New Name, as that Commandment whereon it is grounded, is both an Old Commandment and a New Commandment; yea, which in some sense may be said (as to the Substance of it at least) to be the New Name given by Christ to the Angel of the Church bearing the outward Name hereof; and even design'd and appropriated by the Holy Spirit to that blessed State of the Church, which is Typi­fied by this of Philadelphia, as a Name of pure Love, freed from the oppressions of its Suffering State, and invested with Pow­er and Dominion. Thus Answering to Christ its Head, who after his Resurrection assumes a New Name agreeable to the change of his Condition, from a State of Suffering and Dying Love, to that of Love Triumphant in its Kingdom of Power and Glory. So that indeed it is not a Name Invented and newly taken up to serve a pre­sent Design, as is generally supposed, but a Name which belongs to such as stand in Relation to this future Glorious Church: [Page] and [...] waiting for it; and experiencing aleady in some Degree the Power of it: Which also has been Adapted to this State even by the Learned Writers themselves in several A­ges.

Wherefore seeing it was never intended for a new Wall of Partition to separate Chrstian from Christian; If these are for Paul, and others for Cephas, we will accord­ing to the Truth of This Name, love them both as our Brethren; and we can do no otherwise if we are for Christ. In whom Paul is one with Cephas, and Apollo one with both: Yea, in whom all are One, that are Christians, not after the Letter, but after the Spirit; whose Baptism is inwardly of the Heart, and whose Faith worketh by Love; Which Covereth all things, Believ­eth all things, Hopeth all things, and En­dureth all things, working in them accord­ing to the effectual Operation of This Name which he has been pleas'd to shed abroad into their Souls, as a most precious Oint­ [...] [...] not can testifie: To the [...] who was anointed above his Fello [...] [...] the universal Spirit of Charity, [...] in this sacred Name. By which, as [...] they were Marked in the Forehead, it [...] be known by all, Men, who are his Di [...] ples. Now, being made Partakers here by rich Grace, in some Measure, we can not rest till others of our Brethren, wi [...] are yet Strangers to it, do also come [...] participate of the same; together with th [...] Name of the City of our God, the City o [...] Peace, which is the Mother of all th [...] Faithful: And which we believe, will descend out of Heaven from GOD, [...] crown the Earth, in the last Days, wit [...] the unfadable Blessings of Love and Peace [...] when all they that hear the Voice, whic [...] is now gone out, and keep the Word of h [...] Son's Patience, will be made Pillars in hi [...] Temple, and will shine as fixt Stars i [...] the Firmament of the new He [...] vens.

Given the 14th of May, being the Day of the Opening of the Meeting of this Society in a more retired place.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THeosophical Transactions, by the Philadelphian Society, consisting of Memoirs, Conf [...] rences, Letters, Dissertations, Inquiries, &c. For the Advancement of Piety and Div [...] Philosophy. Numb. I. II. III. IV. V. Price 4 s. 6 d.

The State of the Philadelphian Society, or the Grounds of their Proceeding consid [...] [...] price 6 d. [...]

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