a very plain and authentiquie Warrant by which such power is delegated to them and that they are constituted by the Supream Lord to be his Vicars and Substitutes to demand and recover in his Name the Forfeitures that Infidels and Hereticks make of all their Temporal Felicity by their unhappy ignorance of the way to Eternal However men manage and ventilate the Proposition That dominion is founded in grace yet when it comes to be reduced to practice they are not willing it should pass for truth any longer then the power continues in their own hands and they are able to improve it to particular advantage The fancying that our differing Opinions concerning some difficult Supernatural Truths and some External Modes of Divine Worship makes us of a different Religion from one another 〈…〉 and excludes them that are mistaken from the benefits of the Covenant and the 〈…〉 of God as much as it doth from ours hath been and is one of the most perniciâ—â—â— and deâ—â—ructive Engins by which the peace and happiness of the Christian Churches 〈…〉 undermined which can never be secured so long as we account such persons Eâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 Goâ— and Goodness whose belief and practice thwarts ours the necessary and â—aâ—al consequence of which will be rigid Censures and bearing hard upon each other in â—â—nchristian and Inhumane Practices I wish that great Truth which at last God reveal'd to his Apostle was the common Faith of all Christians Viz. That God is no respecter of Persons that he hath no special regard to any particular Parties and distinct Societies of Man to do for them as being under a peculiar Denomination more then for others let their profession be never so fair and specious but that in every Nation in every party those that fear God and work Righteousness and those onely shall be accepted 'T is in vain to expect any Zeal or earnest Contention to defend or destroy any of the Rituals and Outworks of Religion will be of an advantage to us whilst we neglect those indisputable and indispensable Duties we cannot but know our Obligations to None of our contests for Truth and Religion should make us abandon those mild and beâ—ign Vertues which are the glory and perfection of it and when we differ concerning such parts of Christian Faith which they are not assented to do not render the Gospel iâ—effâ—â—tual to attain those great ends whereunto it is design'd if after men have fairly pâ—opos'd the Arguments that oblige them to yield their Assent and moderately heard the Allegations that are offer'd by those of a contrary perswasion both do remain of their former judgment without satisfaction from each other 't is most reasonable that they part as good friends and upon as fair terms as they met and innocently continue their differing Sentiments Few men I doubt give themselves the trouble of a fair and diligent Examination and Enquiry into the Articles of their Belief but either to save themselves the labour of a search take up their Creed by whole sale or for fear of the Event being hazardous by finding upon the trial that the true belief is punishable or unfashionable resolve to continue in and promote the Religion in which they are Educated though they are not able to render any account either to themselves or others wherefore they embrace such Opinions which are handed down to them then those Arguments which equally serve for all Religions alike and therefore ought not to be used for the goodness or truth of any No Religion but 't is too good to be the Subject of Plays and Farces and turned into Ridicule and Burlesque In so Profligate and Atheistical an Age 't is the common concern of all that have Reverence for Deity and regard to its Revelation though they differ in the Explication of â—everal parts and passages of it to keep up the honour of Religion in the main by discountenancing that drolling humour which under pretence of being Satyrical against Hypocrites doth frequently encroach upon true Piety and doth by mistake at least to say no worse wound a Friend instead of an Enemy An exact Agreement and Correspondence in all matters is so far from being absolulely necessary to the happiness of Humane Nature that 't is not Essential in the judgment of the Learned to the Bliss even of the Angels of whose disagreement in some particulars we have a probable Account in the History of Daniel though there is no reason to believe it impair'd their Felicity Different apprehensions of things discreetly and moderately managed renders converse more delightful and our company more acceptable to each other then it can be where we all know and own the same Notion and all our parts are of the same measure and proportion The Bâ—ll of Contention is kept up by an hasty and precipitate rejecting other Mens Sâ—nse and Proposals and by an over-eager and impatient pressing of our own as if what was tendred to us by our Antagonist was not worthy Regard and Consideration and what we â—â—ssâ—â—'d ought to be credited without inquiry and rational satisfaction Were this positive humour banished out of our common Discourses together with it we should be quit of mâ—â—â— of that inflameable matter which keeps the fire of passion and anger like that of Hell from going out and ever being extinct If we enquire after the Coercive Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters of Religion and what is the Adequate Object thereof among those who know that it will be employed for their Interest they are for making broad its Phylacteries and inlarging its exercise and jurisdiction at least to the utmost of its extent If we consult others whose Temporal Concernments are subject to be prejudiced by the Penalties the Law imposeth on Dissenters they urge that whilst they Worship God in the way which he preseribeth in a quiet and peaceable manner no Humane Power ought to disturb and interrupt them but to grant them its protection and provide for their security but be this as it will 't is with me an undoubted Maxime Let the power wherewith the Magistrate is vested be never so absolute 't is given him for the Edification and Benefit and not the Destruction of his Subjects and that the condition of Modest Humble Meek Peaceable and innocent Persons should be rather better than worse by the Civil Magistrates being of the Christian Religion and that even they themselves are not exempted from the Divine commands of Moderation Lenity Compassion Condescention Charity c. but that these Vertues so far as the Publick welfare can be preserv'd ought to be the Principal Ingredients in all their Laws and Constitutions We that are of the Protestant Profession at this time especially ought to remember upon what Principles and Motives we forsook the Romish Communion the more firmly to unite us in mutual love under our smaller differences Some of the Principles which may be as a foundation to this Union are That the holy Scriptures
THE WAY TO PEACE By the Proposal of some CONSIDERATIONS ARGUING THE NECESSITY OF MUTUAL LOVE AND FORBEARANCE in many THINGS To Effect It. LONDON Printed for A. Strange MDCLXXXII TO THE READER READER THIS Discourse though it may serve for any Meridian the Christian World yet is it more particularly calculateâ— for this Famous City to which as a Native and Membâ—â— I am related and in whose Peace and Prosperity my owâ— is involved The occasion that moved me to these Considerations wâ—â— what escapes few Mens notice and complaints viz. our Indecent Expressions and Rough Deportment toward each other upon our diffâ—rent Senses and Judgment of Affairs wherein we are all concerned thâ—â— they be managed aright and in Charity are to believe no less is intended by most The Design of their Publication is to direct our misguideâ— Zeal to allay our violent Heats to correct our sharp and acrimoniouâ— Humours to sweeten our Tempers and Dispositions and makâ— us better natur'd to one another That Cause which hath Truth anâ— Righteousness for its Foundations cannot stand in need of any ill Artâ— to support it Clamors or Forgeries passionate Transports or malicious Insinuations can do little Service to any Cause and least of all to the Best by good Will and good Reason by Calmness of Temper and force of Argument when in Conjunction much may be effected but iâ— disunited as good as nothing The Matters whereabout our general Disagreement is would not be fatally prejudicial to our selves or others neither impeach our present or future happiness did not our Indiscretion in their management bring in a train of mischievous consequences The Epidemical Errors in the Nation are not of a malignant Nature noâ— have they seiz'd the Vitals of Religion I pray God we apply not Remedies worse than the Disease Because we differ from one another with Pride Self-will Envy Affectation Malice Passion 't is no wonder that from these Roots of Bitterness spring forth those sowr Fruits of Slanders Detraction Lying Libelling Aspersions Calumnies Execrations Perjuries which are the Pest and Scandals of our Age and Nation It ill becomes a Member of any Church that acknowledgeth Jesus Christ the Head to be of a Temper and Disposition repugnant unto his to act and be in any other Spirit then that of Love and Tenderness Ingenuity and Compassion Good-will and Beneficence Universal Charity and Righteousness these give the Essential Form and Genuine Complexion to a Christian By these Vertues we imitate him whom we worship and honour our Redeemer To whose Law of Love if we yield Obedience 't will make us better Subjects and Citizens better Friends and Men than now we generally are for an entire Submission and Conformity to this Royal Law makes a good Christian and that a Person so in all Condition and relations T. F. The Way to Peace By some Moderate and Healing PRINCIPLES PROPOSALS and DIRECTIONS Humbly offered to the Consideration of all CHRISTIANS As a MEANS to make us of that PURE and PEACEABLE RELIGION We make Profession of By one that desires to be called only by that Holy Name of CHRISTIAN IN all matters wherein we dissent from others as there are many Cases both Civil and Religious which are of a doubtful Nature and Arguments on both sides are near an Aequilibrium and we cannot bring the Affair to an Issue to the plenary satisfaction of both parties whilst we find those that be otherwise minded then we are to be for the main discreet and vertuous and have no apparent reason to distrust that they intend other then Peace and Right we ought to be very fair and candid in the interpretation of their differing from us and make as favourable Allowances as the nature of the thing will admit No Man that will retire a while and use his thoughts in calm and impartial Considerations but may easily perceive there is no reasonable account to be given wherefore he should be displeased and angry with a person that hath different apprehensions and notions from himself for by the Law of Retaliation the other may pay him in the same Coin and measure to him again the same he meted to him before because just so far as the one differs from the other that other differs from him surely then that fair quarter and ingenuous Constructions I reckon due to my self from anothers hand I cannot without manifest Injustice and Violation of the Law of Charity refuse to allow to him He that is enamoured of Truth and Righteousness for their ownsake and loves them for their innate worth and beauty and undertakes their defence and patronage upon no mean and sinister Motives and Inducements but with an honest design to promote and vindicate the same will be circumspect and cautious to manage all his Overtures in order thereunto with that gravity moderation seriousness and strength of Argument that it may appear he endeavours rather to convince his Opponent by Rational Demonstrations then vex and exasperate him by Railleries and Invectives Where the proper means of Conviction Viz. Rational and Moderate Arguing will not take place and prevail with him that is of a different Notion and Apprehension from us our violent and boisterous passions are useless and insignificant the acting and speaking as if we were transported beyond or were beside our selves is a very preposterous way to bring others to a right understanding 't is not the strength of our Passions but our Reasons that can make our Opinions currant and acceptable unto others All those errors and mistakes which are imputable to the weakness and imperfection of Humane Understanding which was when at best Finite and Fallible and do not derive a Poyson and Malignity from the Will is the onely Source and Original of Moral Evil have in the judgment of the Wiser sort of Men made us rather Patients then Criminals and justly challenge the Compassion and Counsel of a Physician to advise and recover and not the severity and Sentence of a Judge to Condemn and Execute it being more Humane and Christian to deliver a Mistaken-man from his Errors then to pass judgment on him for them The pouring out of our own Blood as a Sacrifice to Truth and Righteousness if the Providence of God require it is in it self a more noble and heroick Action as also a more acceptable and grateful Offering to our Redeemer who was himself an Instructer and Instance of so generous Love and Vertue then the violent shedding of theirs that contradict and oppose the same At what a low Ebb is the Divine Life and with what compassionate Resentments ought we to look on the State of Christianity in the World when we behold those that profess a Religion wherein is recommended to them by the most Endearing Morlves Patience Meekne's Humility Charity Peaceableness and mutual forbearing and forgiving one another and all other Vertues and Graces which may render Humane Conversation Universally Delightful and Beneficial they should as it were in despight
external force or power This Position That Liberty of Conscience is not to be granted in Religion is the the greatest injury and disinterest to True Religion can be supposed and brings upon Nations Wars Bloodshed Subversion of Families Deposing Princes Perpetual Enmity and Hatred and all the Works of the Kingdom of Darkness The most truâ—y Religions are most abhorrent from persecution for Conscience sake To these I might add out of this profound Philosopher and Christian Doctor Many more expressions of the same tenor and importance were it not superfluous As a Coronis take these Propositions out of an Author of as great repute for Learning as most that have attempted to prove the Protestant Religion a Safe Way to Salvation Mr. Chill Pag. 161. They are the greatest Schismaticks who make the way to Heaven narrower the Yoke of Christ heavier the Differences of Faith greater the Conditions of Ecclesiastical Communion harder and stricter than they were at first made by Christ and his Apostles Allow the belief of no more difficulties necessary to Salvation now than were in the Primitive Church that no Error is in self destructive which was not then So order Gods Publick Service that plain and honest Christians may without hypocrisy scruple or protestation against any part of it joyn in it then notwithstanding difference in things not plain and therefore not necessary there would be Vnity of Communion Charity and Mutual Tolleration and by these means Schisms and Heresies would be banished the World and those wretched Divisions which rend and tear in pieces not the Coat but the Members and Bowels of Christ with mutual Pride Tyranny Killing Cursing and Damning will receive a blessed Catastrophe Pag 177. The Presumptuous imposing the Senses of Men on the Word of God and laying them on Mens Consciences equally under Penalty of Death and Damnation this vain conceit that we can speak of the Things of God better than in the Words of God the restraining the Understandings of Men from that liberty wherein Christ lest them these make Schisms Immortal Take away Persecuting c. for not subscribing to the Words of Men as the Words of God require of Christians onely to believe Christ and to call no man Master but him onely Take away Tyranny restore Christians to their just and full liberty of Captivating their Understandings to Scripture onely and 't is to be hoped this will quickly reduce us to Truth and Unity I have learnt saith he from the Fathers nothing is more against Religion than to force it from St. Paul that the Weapons of the Christians VVarfare are not Carnal and great Reason for humane violence may make men counterfeit but not believe and therefore fit only to breed Form without and Atheism within 'T is unjust to force VVeak Men by the Profession of a Religion they believe not to lose Eternal Happiness out of a fear they may possibly disturb the States quiet by Opinions by which neither disobedience to Authority or Impiety is taught or licensed They of all men are to be excepted from liberty which teach this Sanguinary Dactrine that 't is lawful by Humane Violence to enforce others If Protestants did compel others to embrace their Reformation and offer violence to their Consciences I excuse them not and blessed had they been had they chose rather to die for their Religion than fight for it This way of violence may perhaps produce Uniformity in a Particular Church or State but Immortalize the greater and more lamentable Divisions of Christendom maintain perhaps the Profession of Truth in one place and the Oppression in an hundred Thus this great Man hath Writ who was able by Reason and Scripture to maintain his Religion and not obliged for want of Rational Arguments to call for the Secular Sword to his Assistance I am aware that the Temper of Mind hereby recommended is by many of a Fiery and Active Spirit decried and interpreted to savour of too great a latitude and to be that luke-warm and Laodicean Humour which is so nauceous and hateful with our Lord That Truth is to be prosecuted with our utmost Care and Intention of Mind and that we cannot be too zealously affected in so good a Cause but ought to express the greatest servency therein Although the Enquiry after Divine Truth and the Propagation of it will justifie our greatest Diligence and Activity yet it will not account for any Irregular and Indiscreet Actions or Passions we shall fall into in the defence and patronage of it the greater Caution and Prudence is at this time necessary to do it real service since it hath suffer'd so much prejudice from their forwardness and heat that have appear'd on its side If I understand what it is to be Zealous for the Truth 't is not to be Passionate and Litigious about it 't is not to give our Natural Tempers when hot and eager the scope of expressing themselves warmly and contentiously for it 't is not to charge those that differ from us with Heresie or Infidelity c. He is the Man that hath a Love and Zeal for Truth that carefully informs his mind concerning it by Enquiry and Consideration that improves it to moderate his Appetites and Passions to resine and sweeten his Temper and Spirit to Correct and Regulate his Life and Manners to make his Converse Beneficial to Men and Subservient to the Honour of the God of Truth The Heresies and Errors which the Apostles so smartly reprehended and warned the Primitive Christians to avoid were such that directly tended to the Subverting Holiness of Life and foster'd Sensuality and Dissolution of Manners and frustrated the gracious design of God in Reconciling the World to himself by the Death and Resurrection of his Beloved Son by turning the Grace of God into lasciviousness making Christ the Minister of Vnrighteousness by taking incouragement to sin because Grace did abound by abusing their liberty to be Servants of Corruption To these Notions and Practices St. Peter gives the name of Damnable Heresies and the Errors of the VVicked and threatens those with fatal Destruction and utterly perishing in their own Corruption that so taught and practiced But when the Apostle hath occasion to Argue with VVeak and Honest Christians which held the Head and built on the true Foundation Jesus Christ though they were Erroneous and had Misapprehensions concerning the Nature of Indifferent Things and Truths of the lesser Magnitude he doth not severely animadvert on them nor was he willing to be positive and lay restraints on their liberty that he might not as he speaks cast a Snare upon them nor confine them where Christ had left them free but gives them general Rules to observe that Love and Peace might be maintained in the free use of their Christian Liberty and that they might manage it so as that it become not a stumbling Block to them that were weak as that they wounded not their brethrens weak consciences by their imprudent