1670                         95

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 To the church of Christ w^ch is at Rowley both Elder & brethren

   grace & peace be with you.[94]

Reverend & beloved in the lord it is the portion that the God of all wis-

=dome hath allotted this poor church to pass over the greatest part of o^r

time in this wildernesse in great divisions & contentions which cannot

but occasion much purturbation of Spirit amongst our selves, & many

thoughts of heart in o^r sister churches round about us : That we above

all others should thus unquietly pass the Days of our pilgrimage

Living noe other time but the present moment that pass over us w^ch

may be called ours : And the voyce of God still sounding in our

hears to day if you will hear his voyce then harden not your

hearts[95] : And we being Conscious that an Estate of Division & con

tention in the Church of Christ is an inlett to much sin & Evill

occurrences ; & that such customes are not to be allowed in the

Church of Christ : And yet we are commanded to contend for

the fayth once given to the Saints, wherby we doe confess that

contentions against truth & against [----] Rule are onely ffor

      (=bidden