due season order and manner within our respective Relations Thus Gods people are bid to plead with their Mother to contend for the faith to admonish one another with mutual watchfulness c. that they may not be partakers of other mens sins but still keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Christ and his Apostles did so in the Jewish Church though exceedingly corrupt till that ceremonial administration of the Lords gracious Covenant gave way to the Evangelical dispensation thereof 3. The evil that Conscience startles at in the Church is either fundamental or circumstantial as to salvation That evil which destroyes the foundation not holding the Head when obstinately retained after all due convictions renders a Person and Society unfit for Christian Communion deservedly who are to be accordingly dealt with Thus Paul withdrew from the Jews obstinately rejecting Christ and separated the Disciples Thus the reformed Churches did orderly protest against Apostate Rome aad separated from them In this case the Heretical Society is the Schismatick for as in Martyrdom so in Schism it s the cause not the suffering that constitutes it Thus when a rotten member contracts an Heretical Gangrene which makes him fall off or to be cut off from the Church he himself is the Schismatick 4. The circumstantial evil which offends any person in the Church is variously considerable in Doctrine Worship and Discipline according to the weight of that Truth it seems to oppose Some are of far greater moment then others and challenge sutable care and carriage Some circumstantials are Indefinite and indifferent in themselves to be regulated by Christian prudence in every Society and meeting as the gesture of the body length of time spent in the exercise c. where in the general Rules of Order Decency Edification and Expediency are still observable Other Circumstantials are definite and parts of Worship Instituted of the Lord as the keeping of the first day of the week for a Christian Sabbath singing of Psalms solemn Prayer c. which are not indifferent but necessary to be observed according to Scripture Rule He that scruples any thing about such should use the best means of Information private and publike with much humility and sobriety diligence and teachableness If after all he cannot be satisfied he may forbear that particular thing which his conscience cannot meddle with still keeping Communion in the rest This is the Apostles Doctrine as far as we have attained let us walk by the same Rule and mind the same thing if any be otherwise minded the Lord will reveal that unto him also Hast thou faith have it to thy self in such a case that thou maiest give no offence to others 5. If any Christian should find the Church whereof he is a Member growing worse daily and not admitting of any advice help for amendment but obstinately refusing to rectifie what is palpably evil such a man is to be very cautious in that case that in desiring leave to depart to some other society where he may serve God with purity and freedom that all proceedings therein may appear to flow from cordiall Love to Christ to his Ordinances and people with all due respects to those also from whom he departs still owning what ever appears of good in them with hearty grief for what is amiss that he may avoid the stigmatical Brand of a schismatick in the performance of his duty 6. Schism from the Church is either universal or particular Universal when Persons divide from all Christian Societies and People that do not own their particular way Such was the separation of the Donatists besides that of the Arrians Meletians Acesians Circumcellians and many others divers whereof were also heretical Such is the Schism of the Romish Church now apostatized from the very foundations of Christianity which they verbally profess but collaterally and effectively destroy and renounce by their Antichristian additions and Detractions Traditions and Corruptions A particular Schism is a sinfull division from some particular Church whereto a Christian had his Relation or from some Member or Members thereof The former is a Schism from the Body this later in the Body a sad instance whereof appeared in the Church at Corinth which Paul sharply reproves and prescribes a fit cure unto again and again The grudgings and Rudiments of this sad distemper bewrayed themselves by divers Symptoms also in most of the Christian Churches even in Apostolical daies and the succeeding Primitive Times witness the many cautions and hints given in their Epistles and the Relations of Ecclesiastical Records The sad experiences of the Reformed Churches in former and later Seasons especially in these Nations afford numerous Instances thereof sufficiently deplored Vse 2. This speaks conviction to all persons estranged from Peace Is Peace so blessed a thing then should it not sharply reprove multitudes of men As 1. The Ignorant that know it not and will not learn This is the dreadfull brand of the children of wrath the way of Peace they have not known An evil Peace they are acquainted with but the Peace of God they are strangers to Their Peace in sin is wofull presumption which feeds them with deceitfull hopes Quick-sighted they may be in carnal things but they are quiet blind in spiritual matters Christ wept sorely upon such a people wishing they had known the things of their Peace when alas they were hid from their eyes 2. The Negligent that mind it not but are pleasing themselves on the bed of carnal security laying their head on the devils cushion Such Laish like sleep securely in their sluggish course till they awake in the midst of Hellish flames Like Moab and Edom they settle on their lees till Divine wrath do sweep them away Their sleepy Peace feeds them with specious dreams of pleasure profit and preferment till they be rowzed up by the Messenger of Eternity They embrace a cloud in stead of Juno they are of Gallios spirit not caring for the things of their Peace Their sleepy disease is so much the sadder because so sensless 3. The scornfull that own it not but reject and disdain it such can make a Jeaâ— of war and of Peace and turn all things of the greatest weight into a fond jest Such fools make a mock at Sin and at Peace too Their Pregnancy of Parts serves them for a Racket to toss the Ball of a wanton witt from one to another like the mad fellow that throws fire-brands in his jovial mode saying still am not I in sport such as thus abuse Gods Peace in jest are like to go to Hell in earnest far enough from Peace This is the high road to Satans Kingdom wherein many gallop in a full career The seat of the scornfull is the highest degree of advancement in the devils University whereto many ungodly sinners attain per saltum by a trick of youthfull wit
of the said good Laws sutably to their several Capacities whether in the whole Common-wealth or in particular Corporations and Societies thereof 5. Peace Oeconomical is also to be made in every Family and looked after according to each particular Relation and station therein Conjugally between man and wife Parentally between Parents and Children Despotically between Masters and Servants This blessed work is to be attended that all Offices of Duty and Love may be seasonably and effectually performed therein sutably to the Lords Will made known to his Word Quest But what is to be done about these various Kinds of Peace Answ In each of them there are two main Essentials of singular Import to be accordingly minded still Unity and Order 1. Unity is the great Principle that must knit into one the different parts of every Society God alone is one pure entire Being one perfect Infinite unchangeable eternal Act. Creatures are finite compounded Beings whose parts require Union towards Communion Rational Beings as men and Angels must look first to their Relative Union unto God the Soveraign Being and Source of all Beings that they may not want Peace with him and in themselves Closing with him and keeping close to him are then mainly to be attended in and through Christ who must uphold the Elect Angels and recover his Elect among men Among all natural Things unity is still the great Peace-maker This makes the sweet Harmony in the Body when every part is joyned to each other by fit Ligaments that the whole may be kept in Peace under its Head Thus also in things artificial as in Musick Building and all Compositions Union effects that due agreement of many into one in a fit way of Correspondency whence a sutable Peace Thus with all Societies it is whether Spiritual Political or Oeconomical There must be Union for due Communion answerable to their several constitutions Their Being and strength support and life depend hereupon So far as any departs from Unity he departs from Peace Therefore did the Philosophers account the number of 2 accursed because it was the first dividing Number The Church of Christ is such a Body as needs this most peculiarly whether considered as invisible and more mystical or as visible and more Political 1. The Church invisible mystical consists of all the Elect of God effectually called being Coetus vocatorum part whereof is triumphant in Glory part militant in Grace The Lords Spirit cements them into one under Christ their Head thence are they said to be one Spirit being glued to the Lord as the Original elegantly phrases it As by faith regenerate persons are united to Christ so by Love are they knit to his Body Peace is thus made and kept when we cordially love every Christian bearing his Image upon his account with a singular constant efficacious Love without partiality self-respects or Hypocrisie When we no sooner perceive that aliquid Christi as Calvin was wont to phrase it that resemblance of Christ though it seems never so small and a minimum quod sic but our affections are endeared to such an Object by gracious Sympathy we appear united to Christ himself being thus knit to the members of his Body This unfained Love of the Brethren with a pure fervent heart so much commended and urged by Peter John and other Apostles as by Christ himself is the great Peace-maker Therefore are we bid to love the Brother-hood and love as Brethren not in word and Tongue but in deed and in truth to testifie our spiritual Resurrection from a sinfull death into the life of Grace by the Spirit of Christ incorporating of us unto himself Nothing should keep us from this blessed Union either in others or our selves If they be poor and weak under corruptions and various distempers yet we should own them by this endearing love because they are his and our fellow-members We despise not the members of our Bodies when infirm and diseased but pitty and tender them the more What though they be distant by place or Opinion Interest or Affection from us Yea though they seem to be opposite and set against us that should not estrange our heart from them Calvin would still express his endeared respects to Luther as to an eminent servant of Jesus Christ though he was too much and often abused by his violent Spirit and blind zeal We should not be overcome of evil but still labor to overcome evil with good Though others corruptions cannot suffer them to be so free and frequent with us or hearty to us yet the Grace of God in us should own whatever is of his Grace in them really and actively This Unity of the Spirit should thus be efficaciously kept in the Bond of Peace among all the members of Christs Body mystical 2. The Church of Christ is considerable as a Body Political and visible The many controversies about it we heartily wave wishing that all others might do the like still for the Peace thereof It admits also of a double respect whence its denomination of Catholick or Universal and Particular 1. Whether the Church Catholick be totum integrale or universale we dispute not what is granted of all sober Christians about the same we would and should still improve towards Peace-making There are general Rules of Faith and Order wherein all Christian Societies do agree together though they dissent in the particular Applications or Explications thereof So far should all Christians labor to unite and to own each other for Peace and Communion Doth not our professed Belief of the Holy Catholick Church and Communion of Saints engage direct and excite us thereto Though we cannot bring all others to our particular Judgement and Practice supposed by us to be most Scriptural yet are we not bound to labor for the utmost degree of Christian Communion wiih all the Churches of Christ in the World as far as may be possibly attained Are not those things wherein we agree with all Societies sound in the main sufficient to unite us so far and to make us to own each other in the wayes of Christ Will not this be of singular help through the blessing of Heaven to further Ecclesiastical Peace by the healing of our unchristian Divisions Have we not wrangled too long already Is it not possible to find out some Expedients that may unite us in the wayes of Peace Are we not tired yet with our sinfully wofull Contentions Can judicious Christians willingly still keep their distances and differences Will not such Fractions Luxations and Convulsions prove bitterness in the latter end If we do not strive to yield one to the other we are like to break all We shall never meet without mutual condescensions The Ministers of Christ are especially concerned in this great work Be we heartily humbled for our former evils opposing this Thing so dear to Christ and of such import to his Interest Labor we more for such Christian Associations
himself and the whole Creation Sin in every Relation in every condition in every occasion still opposes disturbs and expels Peace Your sins said the Lord to his people of old have made the separation between God and you as among your selves that he will not hear nor shew you mercy Your Iniquities take away all good and keep it from you The blessedness of Peace still aggravates the sinfulness of every sin its Implacable enemy Sin spoils the harmony marres the strings breaks the Instrument and untunes all that should make a peaceable melody It breaks the Bonds of Christian Concord and dissolves that Correspondence that should unite God and good men still It s the breeder of all convulsions ruptures and dislocations in all bodies and Societies as in the souls of men It is that wretched Moth that eats out the very sinews of Peace the Canker that consumes the heart and strength thereof Sin wasts the Cement of every Fabrick Divine and humane and turns unity and order into a Confuse and woful Chaos So far as sin prevails so far it blasts all the Blessings of Peace 2. See hence the wofulness of discord and division that separate from good by separating from the Peace of God Darkness and Death cannot but attend all withdrawings from the Light and Life The Peace of God is the light of our Life spiritual and civil what wretchedness is this that makes a distance between him and us Discord and Division are the genuine fruits of sin and the wofull seeds of wretched sorrow Sin brings them forth and they bring forth death of every kind Division is alwayes wofull but most of all in the Church of Christ sadly known there by the name of Sch sm a Greek word that imports Rending and Tearing Schism is a sinfull dividing from the body of Christ as heresy divides from the Head They both usually end in Apostacy a dividing from the whole by woful Revolt What Woes Convulsions and Wrenches Luxations and Dislocations Fractions and Dismembrings do bring on the Body natural the like doth Schism in the Body Ecclesiastical The Symptoms thereof do sadly appear in its injustice and rashness in its violence and uncharitableness which do properly characterize Schism as the learned well observe 1. Injustice is the Character of Schism a caussess separation it is without sufficient ground breaking the bonds of Justice which require the giving of all both dues to God and Mna Schism rends a member without due cause from t s place and duty bursting all the cords of righteousness in doing wrong and destroying Right 2. Rashness is the next brand of Schism being a heady and hasty separation carried on with inconsideration and peevishness through mistakes and prejudices Schism hearkens not to rational perswasions divine and humane that would argue a Christian into sobriety and submission in the body of Christ according to his proper place and function therein disowning of evil and owning of good Schism is self-conceited and self-willed irrational and imprudent still not minding expediency and equitable conveniency in those things wherein Christian forbearance and moderation are of singular need Schism tears away as a strong-headed Jade that will not hearken to either snafle or bit The Asse is observed by Naturalists to be of all Brutes the most brutish and heady thence rash and obstinate sinners are expressed by the wild Asse snuffing the wind at pleasure and the Asses colt traversing its wayes in a perverse headiness Thus Schism acts with brutish rashness like the fool that will not be convinced by the best reason 3. Violence is another Mark of Schism carrying the person with impetuousness and fool-hardiness like a stubborn horse rending all to pieces that would keep him within Christian bounds Ignorance breeds confidence in such which begets Impudence and violence As in strong convulsions the limbs are forcibly snatched and racked out of their proper seat in the body natural by the strength of malignant humors or vapors so doth Schism boisterously rend many a member from the body of Christ as those poor wretches mentioned in the Gospel that were possessed with unclean spirits were violently tormented by them and hurried away from their place and work through fire and water into woful Extreams So deals Schism with many often The raging fierceness of a phrenetick distracted Patient sadly represents the turbulent state and stormy carriage of this dreadful evil 4. Uncharitableness is also the note of this wofull Schism As it opposes Justice Prudence and Modesty so doth it deal with Love Schism will not be kept by the strength of Divine or Christian Love within due bounds of Christian Communion such are sowr and rigid towards all that cannot jump with them in their conceited way They will unchurch and unchristian others though godly wise humble sober and meek Schism knows not how to bear with the weak and manifest the bowels of Christian sympathy towards the sickly children of Gods house It s still in Solomons sense over-righteous and over-wise through self-deceit and selfl-love Schism doth still pick straws in other wayes leaping over the blocks in its own course Such are troubled at others for trifles and mind not their own greater evils The moats in others eyes trouble them still but the Beams in their own affect them little if at all They press much on circumstantials in the neglect of the most substantials Schism is a Pharisee a sad Separatist as the Hebrew word elegantly denotes that is exactly accurate about Mints Annise and Cummin whilst he disregards the great commands of Christian Love and Peace in all orderly Union and Communion Object But is all separation sinfull are we not directed often in Scripture to separate our selves from evil persons and evil things still Answer 1. There is a good separation from evil and an evil Separation from good The former is commanded and commended of God the later forbidden and threatned Christians are bid and bound to separate themselves from the man of sin and from the sin of man They must withdraw from every Brother who walks disorderly much more from that anti-Anti-christian Church where the Roman Prelacy hath cast out Christ to set up his pretended Vicar in his stead We must be still at the swords point with sin no Truth no Peace is to be made therewith Every person every Society is bound to keep themselves pure yea to be still purifying themselves even as God is pure We must cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and Spirit to perfect holiness in the fear of God 2. A Christian must beware of separating from good whilst he labours to separate from evil We may not divide from the Church or Members of Christ nor from his Ordinances though we ought to disown what ever evil may have crept into the same Sin is not to be approved or countenanced but to be declared and opposed therein with prudent Zeal in
crowned in famous Caleb Canst thou cheerfully sacrifice and venture thy All upon that account rather then the publique should suffer Art thou a Patriot and a Christian of a brave temper of an heavenly resolution Dost thou prefer Jerusalems Weal before thy chiefest Joy Art thou still labouring in thy place to be doing all the good thou canst unto all sorts especially to the houshold of faith Dost thou study news on this chief account that thou maiest sympathize effectually with Christs Interest and friends in all parts whatever Dost thou delight in thy Neighbours good as heartily as if it were thy own Art thou of Timothies noble disposition full of royall Blood from a Divine stock naturally caring for the good of others when the most are still unworthily selfish That Peace is not good whose chief end is not Divine and publique but selfish and low Moses and Paul shewed their readiness to be accounted as cursed on earth in being blotted out of the Lords Church-Book by excommunication or cut off from the living they could not desire to be blotted out of Gods choise-Book of eternal Election it being sinfull and impossible if it might advance Gods Honor and the publique Good Such a Spirit becomes all Christians that profess the name of such a self-denying Savâ—our who underwent the worst of all evil for their good in subordination to Gods Glory 6. The Effects of a good Peace must necessarily be also very good All good is diffusive and communicative in its kind and way What comes from God the cheif good must needs be proportionably active for God in all possible good A blessed Peace cannot but have a spreading Influence into every Relation Condition and Occasion Being the effect of Divine Grace it cannot but act still graciously and produce effects answerable to its stock and nature The seed and the fruit must needs resemble each other As much as our Peace hath of Grace in it so far will it conduce to the preservation and augmentation the Corroboration and excitation of every Grace in our several places It will appear in the way of faith and love sincerity and self-denyal prudence and patience diligence and dependance zeal and courage meekness and lowliness thankfulness and obedience Such a Peace will still be found in that gracious Train of Divine Virtues which still accompany the God of Peace in his progress among the Sons of men Is thy Peace thus actively productive in a gracious way Doth it make thee more humble and wise more faithfull and fruitfull in thy general and particular Calling Doth it still direct quicken and enable thee to do more for men with God and for God with men in every motion of thy proper Sphere Art thou more vigorous and industrious in improving Gods mercy and performing thy Duty according to the Instructions of Gods Will summed up in the first and second Table of his gracious Law Dost thou so acknowledge him in all his wayes and thine in every Ordinance and Providence that he may direct thy paths to the discharge of a good Conscience in honouring and enjoying him Is there no duty thou wouldst willingly neglect no Mercy thou wouldst forget no Temptation thou woudlst not resist no Corruption thou wouldst not mortifie no Affliction thou wouldst not bear no sin thou wouldest not forbear for his sake through the constant supplies of his Holy Spirit Is not thy Peace like the worlds Peace that renders men more secure and selfish sensual and sinfull but like the Churches Peace making them to increase in number and Grace still Dost thou abound more and more in all the fruits of the Spirit often repeated by the Apostles as those famous Christians did whose good Conscience was a continual Feast An evil Peace still makes men worse but a good Peace makes them better in every relation Object But where is that man to be found thus qualified Do not the great Professors turn Apostates and prove Hypocrites Doth not much evil appear in the best of them Do they not come much short of the good they profess An. 1. There are many such described in the word and scattered up and down in the world though their number be comparatively but small in respect of others Christs Flock is little 2. Many Hypocrites creep in among the best Wheat never comes up without Weeds and Tares The one must not be blamed for the other No rich Minerals without Oare 3. The best have much evil remaining in them the Wheat doth not come up without chaff nor grain without hull but they do still observe and bewail it they oppose and mortifie it they abhor it and judge themselves for it 4. Though they come short of the good they profess yet do they still desire it and delight in it it s their purpose and endeavour still they grieve for the want of it esteeming it in others and are restless till they attain thereto The case of graceless hearts is quite different Vse 4. If Peace be such a blessing it must needs speak singular Consolation to all the children and friends of Peace This Blessedness is their grand Portion both free and full choise and sure My Peace saith Christ I leave with you Peace I give unto you and not as the world gives it Let not your heart faint nor be troubled for in me you shall have Peace though in the world you meet with trouble This precious Cordial should be carefully laid up that it may be orderly laid out A broken Heart is the best vial that should receive and will best preserve this Elixiâ— and Liquor of life Such a heart is fitted by the hand of heaven for such a spirituous Extract and Quintessence The God of Peace and the Peace of God delights to visit and to dwell with such This Specifick Antidote will prove of wonderfull use against all Temptations and Corruptions all Tribulations and Desertions The best will find abundant need of it in their pilgrimage through this wilderness of sin and sorrow Object This is comfort indeed were it but mine I should for ever rejoyce but I cannot see my right thereto being so full of evil and empty of good My heart is still dark and dead cold and stiff bent to evil backward to good Ans 1. Is it so indeed Art thou not mistaken thy distemper may occasion thee to mis-judge thy self They that have most Grace do most feel and bewail corruption They are most secure that are most graceless They that know Peace best do most long for it and are most eager after the same 2. Thou must distinguish to prevent and remove mistakes 1. Between the presence and the sense of Grace as likewise of Peace There is Peace with God made sure to Gods weakest children though they be not alwaies assured thereof The Sun continues still in his Light and course above though many Inferiour things often interpose to cloud and eclipse it
Gods Honor and mans good The Apostles would have Christians still to study how to be quiet and to do their own Business with as much calmness as they can Is it not much better to live in a serene then in a tempestuous Air Peace is the Health and due complexion of of Souls and Societies Is it not much to be preferred before a crazy state and jarring distempers The Thebans were a warlike Nation witness their success under Epaminondas and Pelopidas yet was Concord so much esteemed with them that they deified it and consecrated a Temple thereto as the Romans afterwards Those poor Heathens by their dim natural Light saw often farther then many now in the Sun-shine it self It was Satans Policy to carry them to extreams in disguising the Truth with many fables and Idolizing Creatures yet was there much of Truth and Good covered with their many Poetical Vails and Philosophical Mythologies Is it not a great shame that Christians should come short of Pagans in that which they have so frequently still with so much advantage pressed upon them Object But do not those who pretend to be so moderate run often also to the other extream of sinfull Compliance and cowardly betraying the Truth witness the various Cassandrian Syncretisms attempted in Germany France Brittain Poland and other parts again and again Answ 1. It s bad indeed to skip from the Pan into the fire and run upon Scylla in labouring to shun the Rock of Charybdis Extreams are ever nought that forsake the golden Medium of Virtue There was but little reason and religion in that Law of Solon which banished moderation from the Athenian state by ordering that in every Tumult and faction all persons unengaged and neutrally impartial should be banished His pretended ground was but a shadow of policy if not a politick Heresie The middle wherein virtue centers as in its Throne and proper Element between vicious Extreams is a middle of Negation not of participation excluding both the contrary evils and sharing in neither There is a difference between staring and stark mad A sinful neutrality that neglects duty and inclines to evil is very bad But a virtuous neutrality that observes duty in avoiding evil must needs be very good 2. Those Cassandrian Mixtures of truth and falshood Protestants and Papists into a mongrel Hotch-potch are still as they were justly suspected and disowned by judicious Christians What Communion can Light have with darkness What concord hath Christ with Belial what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols What felloship can the people of God have with the man of sin what hath Zion to do with Babylon If any question whether the Roman Papacy be Antichrist let them seriously weigh the Lord Bacons Answer to King James about this question If hue and cry were sent out said he against Antichrist I would surely apprehend Papacy till she had cleared her marks being so many and so notorious The Apostles who were most for loving forbearance and Christian compliance towards the weak that are sound in the main abhorred and still disowned all sinfull closings with persons and Doctrines opposite to the great foundations of our faith Yet among the Papists there is a great difference The Jansenians and Dominicans with many Sorbonists being far more Orthodox about Gods Decrees and Providence Justification and free-Will with divers other points then the rest some of the Jesuits themselves appear more moderate then others 3. Though we cannot comply with such wayes that are fundamentally destructive of our Religion without sin yet may we not neglect any means of convincing them by spiritual and moral Reasonings with all prudent zeal The softest words will best set out the strongest Arguments We are bid to Instruct in all meekness such as oppose themselves If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the Truth that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil that are taken captive by him at his will Therefore should not the Lords servant meddle with foolish and unlearned Questions that engender strife neither should he strive but be gentle to all men apt to teach and patient This Apologie for moderate and impartial Christians can be no Plea for any base deserting of Truth or unworthy lukewarmness in religious or civil affairs The same God that here pronounces Blessedness to the Peace-makers denounces also a most bitter curse upon Meroz and all such Loodicean Spirits who come not freely to the Lords help and do his work deceitfully or negligently in the quarrel of his Covenant for the building of Zion and pulling down of Babylon Vse 2. This point directs a just Reprehension to all that slight oppose and neglect this blessed Peace-making being either strangers enemies or friends 1. Such as are yet strangers to this blessed work should be admonished convincingly both of their folly and misery How many would be found upon Inquiry as much estranged from Peace-making as from Peace it self and from the God of Peace Is not this the fruit and the sad Symptome of a blinded mind and a hardened heart What gross Ignorance and supine carelesness reign among multitudes that neither know nor desire to walk in the wayes of Peace All men naturally before the new Birth are strangers to Christ and to his Righteousness and therefore alienated from his Peace They that have most of notional Knowledge and a gilded Profession yet are found grosly unacquainted with the practical Mysteries and experimental Power of Godliness They speak of such things as blind men of colours and as Geographers of terra incognita and del fuego at random and ghess The Power as well as the Wisdom of a crucified Peace-maker is folly to the Greek and scandal to the Jew There are not many wise not many noble not many rich ones called to this Peace to seek and to embrace it The greatest number of our glorious Professors have but sipped of his Heavenly Gifts and tasted but externally of the good Word of Peace Their partaking of the common Gifts of the Holy Spirit puts for a time a lustre of excellency on them which makes them flourish like the stony and thorny ground among foolish Virgins The unclean Spirit doth upon design seemingly leave their house that they may be trimmed and swept with external formality and morality by the removing of common prophaness Divers may seem to out-strip therein the most precious Christians yet are they but for a time Their painting soon washes away their Gifts decay the unclean Spirit returns with seven worse and such washed swines return again to the puddle of sin in opinion affection or converse or in all together This seems to be an Epidemical disease of this season The Lord awaken every secure self-conceited Hypocrite Such may have a flash and shew of Peace as of Godliness but they are strangers to the substance and solidity of both Presumption
which may gradually unite our Hearts and Hands till our Minds may be further united sutably to the Precepts and Promises of the Soveraign Peace-maker We read of two Springs in Palaestina near the famous Castle of Machaerus one whereof is extreamly hot and sweet the other as excessively cold and bitter Whilst they run at distance they are little usefull and much offensive but their uniting makes a Soveraign Bath for internal and external distempers The choise Composure of those medicinal waters gives name to the pleasant streams of Callichoc in their further progress What a mercy were it if the excess of our prejudiced Spirits that have been hitherto so pernicious might be thus harmoniously corrected into a sweet and saving compliance Such a blessed correspondency would then be of singular advantage towards the great Business of this Generation Some have been too hot and others too cold some appear too mild and others too bitter Labor we to better one another by Christian readiness to receive and give the right hand of fellowship for mutual Assistance Two eyes may discern the Truth better then one Two hands may help and heal one another Two legs are still mutually serviceable Have not divers Persons and Societies found the Benefit of some attempts this way in several Counties and Parts of these Nations Do not forraign Ministers and Churches reap the many Emoluments thereof Let each of us â—ay most blame on our selves for what hath been amiss and be more industrious to avoid those rocks that so many have often split on Beware we must of those corruptions that will still be obstructing Gods Work Pride and self love Jealousies and Prejudices pre-engagements and all other Lets must be removed The many causes of our distempers must be taken away to perfect the cure Self-denyal and all other Graces must be very active towards Peace-making in the Catholick Church Could all Christians meet together in one as the Primitive Church did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it were most desireable But seeing their increase hath occasioned distinction of Churches they should all labor to unite still to the utmost degree and to maximum quod sic The many Shephards and Flocks of Christ may be thereby a mutual comfort and Help This greatt Family may live in one House though not in one Room This great Garden may have many Beds dressed variously This Kingdom of Christ may unite many Corporations into one entire Body though diversified in Circumstantials This great Army of the Lord of Hoasts this Mahanaim may compose many Soldiers into Union under their General though otherwise variously distinguished What we get by strife and by our distance will never quit cost Whilst we walk together as far we may Christ will meet and walk with us also according to his Word to lead us further into his wayes of Peace Secondly The Church Political visible as considerable in each particular Congregation cals for Unity towards Peace-making The various debates about this also we meddle not with and would rejoyce to see all such unhappy differences Scripturally composed by a judicious Moderation Enough is granted by wise Christians to help every one unto Peace-making in all the Churches of the Saints That all such Christians who live near one another should join together as far as they can for Divine Worship is unanimously owned It should not be any slight matter should keep them from it Christs Sheep should not be as scattered Lambs wandring in the wilds and among the rocks but unite sociably for their own safety guidance and helpfulness Though Stones and Timber be of some use when standing alone yet is it not much better to have them knit together into a Fabrick for Beauty strength and usefulness An Arch Building closely cemented by united force is made serviceable to singular uses carrying with it a singular comliness Strength and Grace united increase wonderfully in vigorousness How efficacious prove the Sun-beams though weak if dispersed when united into a Burning-glass How infirm deform and unserviceable are the members of any Body when dislocated broken or luxated by inward distempers or outward accidents What pitty is it that any Christian should neglect his Duty and hinder his own good by needless scruples or inconsiderable doubts Wo to him that is alone saith Solomon upon good reason Such loose Christians are still exposed to Foxes and Wolves Deceits and Snares Security and self-conceitedness yea to all kind of evil Satanical Spirits and Instruments prevail easily with solitary Persons Man is a sociable Creature saith the Philosopher much more the Christian Many Duties of Christianity cannot be performed without Christian Communion whereto we are so frequently directed and quickened There can be no Communion without some coupling and uniting Bond to knit and cement those Things and Persons that were sundred before The consent of rational creatures is the Bond of Union that glues them together whether virtually oâ— actually implicitly or explicitly In Baptism Christians were virtually by a Parental consent given up to the Lord and united to his people When they grow up to years of discretion is it not expedient they should solemnly ratifie the same in an explicite actual manner as they intend to enjoy the priviledge and perform the Duty of belonging to Christs family and Kingdom However this expression be made whether by discourse writing or otherwise is it not needfull in these times of so much distraction and revolt The expediency thereof hath been cleared by sundry learned Pens The Churches of Christ in all ages and places have had some way for their adult members to testifie their homage to Christ in their proper stations As Providence disposes of mens abode are they not bound to own Gods people and close with them there in the best manner that may be most usesul and satisfactory Should not a Christian be alwayes ready to give an Account or Reason of his hope to any that ask him much more to Church Guides as there is occasion Doth not a Christians Baptismal Covenant engage him to use all possible means conducing to Peace-making in the Church Is not Union towards Communion a special help thereto How can he pretend to the universal Church that regard snot the particular Church where Providence hath cast his abode Is it the mark of a friend of Christ to neglect or slight Communion with his people If there be doubts or offences either given or taken about persons or things there is a due course appointed of Christ to give and receive satisfaction meet All inded are obliged to keep themselves pure and Purify themselves whether personally or Ecclesiastically but this duty doth not intrench on others that obliges all Christians to use all diligence for Christian Union and Communion All Church-Officers are indeed peculiarly concerned to look to their charge yet doth not that absolve any private Christian from attending the duty of his place and making