dealing with his people that so straite and wearysome away should be here to an eternity of glory in that life which is to come and no getting there but thorow some degrees of sore breaking and anguish and going through a state of tryall befor that of enjoyment when they consider how unconceiveably great and excellent that state which is above is and their being trained in so sharp a a school of tribulation here shall at length tend to an unexpressible joy and comfort that ever they had such an occasion to prove their love and adherence to Jesus Christ and of crediting his truth against all visible grounds and in having with patience and hope got through such a throng of temptations when they thus see the most bitter grieving and difficult part of their warfare was but to make the victory more full and triumphant 3. Thus we might have a more clear and confirming look of the holy judgment of the Lord in the product of these sad breakings in our Church that when so strange a spirit hath been aloft and a strong affection in some without a humble and deliberat judgment it should at last resolve in a fervor of error and delusion yea to come that length of breaking down what they supposed to be bulding up and to adventure with greatest confidence for engadging the Holy God to a concurrance in these wayes which his word doth expressly testify against whilst so impatient to be touched herein as they have been ready to turne again and tear such who hath with tenderness sought their recovery But tho such sad things should deeply affect us yet there is no cause for stumbling to any pure religion and undefiled is the same this day that ever it was and the redeemed of the Lord are a broken and diseased company whielst here by the way full of sores and Distempers but all under cure which will ere long be perfyted and I hope through grace there is a generation of tender solid and humble Christians yet in our land who shall be owned and accepted at the appearance of Jesus Christ as this day I know on the earth and many much hid there but what is too visible the temper and complexion of this age may cause much fear upon these peculiar hazards professors now seem to be exposed to beyond former times when a forme of knowledge and the theory of practical religion hath so farr outgone tenderness and practice and become so much a matter of art and Invention whilst Christians formerly with a smaller measure of light and in a plainer dresse walked in the love and simplicity of the truth a bold and professing age where a too easy and suddain growth to a forward appearance amongst many hath so visibly out run a solid rooting in the truth and that fear and serious exercise on their own soul about their spiritual state and the soundness of conversion as hath sometimes been an age where it may be feared that not at a common rate many are like to adventure on the furthest hazard of perishing amidst these strange distempers in our Church but with highest pretences seem to out darre all means of conviction even while with greatest tenderness and love to their souls followed yea an age when that dreadful engine of Sathan is now so discernibly on foot and in such different formes and shape by the spirit of error and delusion to turne men off all setled persuasion of the truth and give the credit and interest of the Gospel a sorer wound then the open violence and rage of others hath yet ever done and is not here one sad influencing cause of so deplorable a State of the Church this day that many professing godlinesse in this age are not more taken up with the great and weighty things thereof and in these retired exercises which hath the clossest communication with the vitals of Christianity and so indispensibly necessar to a honourable appearance for the Lord in any publict duty and service of the time 4. What a choise study in so extreme an exigence now of the Church should this be to know and bring near by some more deep reflection thereon how great these things are which a humble and serious Christian hath to converse with and to oppose all his griefs and fears this day even when they seem to presse above measure which this might not only confirme but overcome the heart with unexpressible joy when he but thus alone reasons with himself 1. What ever shaking winds now blow almost from evry airth yet hath he firme and surest principles of trust for a safe founding the rest and peace of his soul and his security here is full though not his enjoyment yea what ever want now be of the certainty of adherence in resting on the truth with such full repose and quiet of minde he is called to yet he knowes thereis no want of furthest certainty of evidence 2. That not in a dream but in the most serious composure of spirit he can retire into the Gospel of Christ and there see how unexpressiblie blessed poor lost man is made by a redeemer on whom he hath choiced to have the exceeding riches of his grace shewed forth to all eternity yea this in so marvelous a way when no possible help could be found in us that the Holy God would take satisfaction to himself by himself not only to save his people but to preserve the rights of justice inviolable yea hath thus brought us under a Law to come and be blessed in his Son to whom he bears record that in him is life and an eternall salvation made sure 3. That the clear intent of this astonishing mistery is not only to save his people from wrath but to make them meet by the spirit of holyness for that state which is above since it is not pardon alone or a heaven without us can make any blessed untill the soul once be framed for it and this first begun and wrought there and now what hath a Christian this day to converse when amidst the multitude of his saddest thoughts he can with such assurance retire into the Gospel and thence look up to an eternity of glory as that which ere long he shall know and enjoy 4. That this is so sure for his confirming that such a signature and Impress of the Gospel in the truth and reality of holiness is to be seen this day in the earth I hope yet in innumereable instances even in these declining times with so visible an assimilation and likness to a higher state herein that if men but exerce reason they might see it is Sure a marvelous transforming power could ever make such a change and that miracles if rightly considered does not this day cease in the Church whilst so great a witness to the power and truth of godliness is continued 5. He thus sees that tho no resemblance of our blessed head hath been left to the Church of his human
appearance whilst he was in the earth yet is his undoubted Image and portraiture drawne to the life to be seen here in the truth and reality of holyness and how much should this commend and indear truth in the inward parts and tender walking with God unto christians that thus not only the reflection of his image on such may be convincing to the world in whom as so many mirrours he hath choised to shine forth and appear but that in this state of distance whilst they see him not whom their soul loves they may yet still wear his blessed portrature within on their heart and thus discerinbly see him there until they be taken up to himself for ever 6. Thus he can intertaine his soul in so dismall an hower that he knowes assuredly there are comforts here which have no rise or affinity with the flesh unexpressibly above all the griefs of time and seeks no credit from any on report but to be found upon surest tryall such as no grief paine or pressure was yet ever at that hight in the lot of any of the saints which the spirit of the Lord cannot make sweet and easy to endure yea hath oft looked them out of paine with a present sensible outgate on their soul before any outward deliverance broke up 7. He knowes also that the greatest comforts within time are assuredly in the life and exercise of godliness when thus a sincere resignation is reached and a feeling of themselfs to offer freely yea with joy their Isaac and most indeared indeared interests to the Lord in having credit his truth against visible grounds of hope and their being helped to crosse some present desireable interest of sense on the alone incouragement of faith and when some remarkable sharp triall hath been thus got well through upon this sweat reflection also of having gained a season and opportunity for the Lord that may be for some fruit to his praise and of a streight and serious aime to please him when the visible displeasure of men hath come in competition therewith O what pleasure and an abundant entry to a christians peace will be then felt 8. He hath this to be confirming what unexpressible delight and pleasure is found on displeasing the flesh even in its most impetuous and violent motions in tryall of their obedience and love to Christ what ever paine may be for a little in that conflict as lets him see resistance to sin is the most gainefull and rationall act of his life whilst with any sinfull delight which in a moment is gone an imbittering sting and inward shame upon the guilt thereof does then only abide yea is so tried that the way of sin can never cease to be a way of paine and torment if the strenght and malignity of the disease did not take of all sense thereof which as a bone out of joint hath no ease nor does suffer the whol body to be at rest whilst on the other hand in closse following the rule and resisting a present temptation what sweet peace humble confidence and comfortable accesse to God with inward rejoycing is most sensibly then found and how here only is the way of his relief and a great seal thus to the truth when he sees so firme and indissoluble a tie betwixt peace and holiness as the worst of times can never break of 9. He knowes that if no searching tryal there could be no triumph and in so farre should be shut out from the overcomers joy to which the forest wrestling of a christian when sanctifiingly exercising must still make way 10. And what thoughts might these be on a more deep reflection upon the truth and reality of prayer that here is no conjecturall thing but such a passage is sure knowne and tryed betwixt heaven and a Christians soul which hath had so wonderfull effects and certain returns in the greatess exigence and strait and is not only an instituted dutie but mean of their reliefe yea not only the sweetest way of converse with God here on the earth but is the most effectual to prevaile and obtaine I shall but add a few words more now in the close and deteane the reader no further that it would have been judged the appearance of the time in this extream exigence with what may be seen of the deplorable state of the Church of Christ not only in Brittain but almost universally might ere now have allayed these high distempers hath been of late when popery is on so present and dreadfull an approach as threatens to swallow up all and when that mine which hath been so long in the dark and digging under the ground seems so near to spring yea hath got too visible advantage to enter at such a breach as hath been of late and gain ground this way It is true it may seem not easy to comprehend and is surely one of the greatest dephts of the judgment of God this day how in one and the same age where the truth hath so brightly shined both in purity and power there can be a subjecting of so many with their own consent to so visible and notour an Impostur as popery is and after all we have seen this Surprising darknesse should now-come to such a hight as men are turned thus cruel against themselves and the Posterity to deliver up all that should be dearest to them to such a party yea engadge in a way that so clearly enervats the whole intent of the Gospel and where there is no conceiveable access for seduction by any arguments to mens reason and judgment or on other termes then to shut their eyes first on the Bible But what ever length this tryal may now come and tho it should yet once provaile against all visible profession of the truth in the Church of Brittain and Ireland we should adore the spotless righteousness of God herein in delivering mens reason and judgment up to so strong delusion since as the greatest of blessings which ever came to the world is the pure light of the Gospel it needs not be strange that the greatest of judgments follow on a peoples contempt and rejecting thereof so as nothing is so absurd and irrationally grosse which these will not drink in who have once rejected the truth But since the prospect and impression of this time is like to be more fainting then to confirme or awake to duty I would but touch this a little though there can be no possible stumbling for want of light when the truth and doctrine of the reformed religion is so fully cleared and tho this might seem incongruous with the forgoeing subject yet I am sure not unsuteable to the time when such hazard is now of much stumbling and men do unsensibly weare at a distance from under these former impressions of the truth and the way of the Lord which they once had yea that a few dayes may come the Churches way more remarkable for tryal then all hath yet ever been
the congregational judgment whose tender respect to guard against any dashing on such a rock as this they have published to the world which I forbear to set down here only to avoide prolixity But I must yet speak a few words more on this so important a caice and obtest I hope I may say with most tender respect such who in some simplicity of heart hath been carried so strainge a length in these differences and may not be aware of the hazard and on what a precipice they are thus led to consider 1. If ther be no caus to fear lest theyr resolution be fixt before their light and a serious tryall of theyr way and motion herein since the sincerity of our aime can make none approven in that where a declining is in the matter from the rule 2. And that the example and authority of none can bear weight with the conscience upon an after search of what they have done sinc each must prove his own worke yea it is sure non would take poysone upon the credit or repute of others nor can the wisdom of words add any weight to the word of truth 3. Is there not much cause to fear that without preventing grace division is at such a height as it shall at last end in dissolution Julian knew this to well when as one of the greatest means he followed for the undoing of Christianity was not only to tollerat but to foment differences among Christians 4. And what can such fore breakings as these mean for sure it is one of two that either we do not center in Christ and are unite by the same spirit with him or that we are thus under some dreadfull prevalence of temptation It is not the lines that are streight but such as are drawn crooked from the center which do justle and tread on other 5. Should it not be a strainge contradiction for a profest contending upon the Kingdom and supremacy of our blest head over his Church by a visible controlling of the authority of his Laws over our conscience and practice and can this be under debate where there is so sad an exceeding of these Scripture bounds sett to us in mutuall contendings in such differences as these now are for which I shall but offer these express commands given in such a caice to be considered which I may say could not possibly but restraine any such rupture and schisme now in our Church if some suteable weight thereof were on our spirits Phil. 2 3. Eph. 4 31. Rom. 14. 3 4. James 3. vers 6. Hath not in all times the Churches hazard been more from the right then the left hand and from such a party as lyes in ambush to enter at every breach I mean the spirit of errour and delusion than from open assaults yea is there any mean could have been essayed more sad for the opening such a door then this to divide the Church and godly among themselfs 7. 〈◊〉 whither hath this tyde carried some I am sure much beyond their own thoughts and what deplorable effects have thus been of late in so strainge a keeping this breach up with these who are partakers of the same precious faith and when much more is yet to unite then to disjoine shall there yet be further dashing on such a rock whereon so remarkable a beacon in these known sad and dismall consequences hes been set up before us yea no essay for a binding up of such wounds which are now like to bleed unto death 8. What strange pleasure must it be that is more in bitter contendings I fear then to live in the practise of these great truths we know or what true gain can be thus projected for our masters interest it is sur such a delight sould be greatest paine to any serious and tender spirit Yea have not such intemperat heats yet spent their strengh under these strange chainges which have of late gone over as might have brought some sutable cool atlast to this fever 9. Are professors of the truth in such a manner now prest to adorne the profession thereof as formerly and under such a weight how great great a thing it is for any to be eternally saved though never more cause to walk under fear of this then in the present age or where moe in a way of profession and with much of the forme of godliness hath been in hazard to perish and come short of heaven yea with lesse accesse to be convinc'd or to bear faithful dealling with their conscience then seems now and do but consider whom yow prejudge most in withdrawing from the Ministry of these who I hope shall be ouned of the Lord as his messingers to the Church and darre own no other resentment both of greife and sorrow upon the visible hazard of such as seem not to be awarre thereof themselves 10. Yow know that expresse command of watching with a godly jealousy against any strainge doctrine Heb. 13 3. and it 's but too known how eager a grasping is by many more at what seems new and strange then what may edify nor hath such oft apprehended the hazard of some plausible error untill it came to a more formed complexion as is now 11. What advantage is thus given to the Prelatick party for that charge of separation against the whole Non-conformists this day and though with clearest evidence we can evince the injustnesse thereof yet knows not how to ansuer on your behalf when we are reproved 12. Are we not both called and taught to trye the spirits whither they be of God by clearest Scripture light and that the impulse and motions of the spirit of grace must assuredly tend to compose and sanctify the whole frame of the soul with a humble tender submisnesse to the tryall of the word herein and is it not expresly shewed what the fruits of the spirit and flesh are Galat. 21. 22. 2 Tim. 1. 2. 3. vers and how farre the way of the Lord is from any irregular or impetuous courses yea such as may seem incompatible with the very use and exercise of reason These words of Luther in the second tome of his epistles ar of much weight sayes he in your tryal and decerning the spirits ye would trye whither they can prove their calling in what is strange or extraordinary either in their judgment or practice for God never sent any but they were either called by men in his appointed way or declared by signes no not his own son and in no wayes may we accept the calling of any upon such a warrant of some singular impulses or revelation I must yet beseech this further to be layd to heart that if any thing can be known by its native and visible effects we may then read in greatest Letters what a Babel of confusion and disorder with dividing both of hearts and tongues hath followed on this late astonishing rent and Schisme in our Church yea when thus taken off any certaine rule for
Brethren before so watching an adversary whose strength must needs lye in our breach 8. Is not also the bringing things thus to such an extream of that visible tendencie as to bring under question the validitie of their Ministerial acts amongst the people by so publick a thrust at the credit and repute of their Ministry which is so far an exposing of many to the hazard both of atheisme and errour besides the weakening such in the publick work of the Lord who are so known able Ministers of Christ I shall adde no further but a humble and serious appeal to their own conscience who may have judged this their duty if on deeper reflection hereon a tender abstinence and forbearance this way and to keep of any dashing on such a rock as hath been allready touched untill light and conviction from the Lord yet further break up should not be their own peace and comfort as well as the publick peace of the Church in that day when their eyes shall become dim and the keepers of the house begin to tremble SECTION IV. WHen such sad use is now like to be made of these times as to give the truth and credit thereof which above all things should be dear to us a Deaths wound were it possible by reproach I hope it will not be incongruous to such a subject to speak yet a few words more for answering some high pretences for prejudice and stumbling which seem now most publickly to be owned yea not only thus to break and undo themselves but to involve others in the same ruine Not that the truth needs the witness or respects of men to commend the same which as the sun in it's strength keeps its course amidst all the dark clouds which can interveen but in a day of such blasphemy and reproach we should require justice at the barre of mens own conscience herein if there can be any cause for stumbling at the holy and unspotted wayes of the Lord but what is from themselfs and from their seeking after such a latitude in their principles as might sure that liberty which they take thus in their practice Now with some respect their to I shall offer these eight grounds which are at this day most pretented 1. These strange intestine conflicts and Differences in judgment that we are now in the Church and among professors of the truth as though they were not the Children of the same house for ANSWER I hope these things when seriously pondered may silence any such reflection on the way of truth which I shall but leave to mens conscience 1. That our blest Lord hath with clearest evidence layd down such sure and fixt grounds in his own word for the peace and concord of his Church and followers with these expresse rules and provision for the same as there can be no known ground for such sad and deploreable breakings but what mens own corruption and declining from the rule doth occasion 2. It is must clear that one of the greatest of the Lawes of God to which with the furthest reiterat inforcements our obedience is required for preventing the Churches hazard on this rock is that Law of charity and love for the Godly amongst themselves so as without this he will accept no mans service 1 Cor. 13. And is such the Apostle presses above all things to put on charity which is the bond of perfection Coloss 3 13 14. 3. I hope it is undenyable also that these principles of union and love are so firmely fixt as might be consistent both with some various apprehensions and difference in judgment amongst his people here who are unite in himself and in the great concerns of truth and godlyness so as upon such an accompt the peace and concord of his Church should not be suspended since it is here we know but in part and as all have not the same helps so not the same capacity for understanding of many things which may cause some difference in the Church Not that we should think opinions are free or errors in judgment not to be seriously watched against al 's well as corruption in practice since it is not only through sanctification of the spirit but beleef of the truth we are appointed to life 4. For this end likewayes hath our blest head set such bounds and measures to his people in the manageing of these differences which may fall in as that there should be no fear of any sad rent or breach where a due respect unto these is had and to walk according to the rule and spirit of the gospel and oh that these great commands Rom. 14 3 4. Philip. 2 3. were more seriously pondered there could not but be some more lawfull regard to keep of such bitter and offensive breakings as may be oft seen amongst us 5. Nor is there cause to fear any breach from the most serious and servent contending for the truth and closse adherence thereto which should be dearer to us then our life and can admitt no latitude or ceding there when the revealed rule of our duty herein is observed that this be managed with a humble tender condescendence and cedeing in our own things to one another for oh there hath our saddest contests and a nimosity their greatest strength this day It were well if such a blest contending and striving lawfully as the Apostle shewes were thus studied that it be in the way of the Lord and by means of his own appointment by purenesse by long suffering by the word of truth by the armour of God on the right hadn and on the left c. And where these are not mens study and practice they must live in an expresse contradiction to these principles which yet they darre not disown yea in so farre becomes not only a just matter of grief but a spot in the fellowship of the saints 6. Whatever sad differences be oft amongst these which both their darknesse of minde and contrariety of natural dispositions may influence yet does not still that blest unity of the spirit stand fixt and sure by which the whole race of the saints are unite in a new and spirituall nature In these sweet sensible communications of the spirit and do all meet in one blest center yea so near an intercourse of souls and Sympathy does result thence however the sad prevalence of corruption may for some time darken the same as no union and concord like this is in all the socities of the earth and may be such a witness to the truth of christianity as to silence even the greatest Atheist 7. Yea may we not have here a special confirming evidence of the certainty of the truth that notwithstanding of such differences both in judgment and practice with so sore prejudice and estrangement of heart and differences of naturall temper and disposition of amongst the Godly yet this hath inforced from all these an undoubted assent to the most great and weighty concerns of religion yea to a
joint acknowledging of the same principle about which some difference may be in the application thereof to some particular caice 8. I shall but adde that it 's known what sweet harmony and onenesse of heart hath sometimes been among such as did Professe the truth of all ranks in our Church and in a fixt adherence to the same cause and how it was at a sad ebb that some differences broke up amongst the most eminently godly both Ministers and professors there for some time on that head of the publick resolutions though without any formed breach or schisme but after among such who thus differed a most sweet concord and concurrence in a joint opposition against prelacy and to suffer rather then in the least to consent thereto did follow yea though since amongst the most serious Non-conformists a greater freedom hath been in the judgment and practice of some then others for hearing of Conformists to prelacie yet so farre as I know hath it been with a due and tender respect as was suteable to keep of either dividing or alienation in such a caice but oh it must be confest to what a hight have these late confusions and breaches amongst us come and what fewel this hath been to a great increase of sin yet is there one ground to hope when almost there seemes no comforting signe els that he who hath seen our wayes can he all them also by a marvellous surpriseal of grace 2. Prejudice it which is by some highly entertained in these times for their own breaking is the perplexedness and hesitation they are in what way to choice when the truth seems now involved in such a confusion of different judgments and such visible contradictions amongst professors thereof For Answer if no thing were to shake or offend there should then be no tryed establishment yet since this seems one of the saddest diseases of the time in many's being soon saken in minde with such wavering and unsettledness in the truth I must speak a few words thereto to witness what greatest advantage such as desire to walk in the light may have to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering and for the furthest quiet and assuring of their heart therein on these grounds 1. That the Scripture is so near these living oracles of truth which do with so clear and distinct a sound speake if men had but ears to hear 2. That the Lord hath given to his people a spirit of discerning in some greater and lesser measure so as to prove all things by a serious personal tryal yea that none needs receive the truth upon trust or to lean on the authority or example of any herein but to judge their own eyes and conscience should be al 's faithfull to them as any 3. He hath given also as a special help a fixt Ministry to his Church yea for this very end Ephes 4 14. that we should henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro with every winde of doctrine and therefor with a divine mission hath given such spiritual gifts as the necessity and service of the Church may require for interpreting and clearing up of what may be the counsel and minde of the Lord to his Church according to his own word 4. That the most weighty things of religion both as to faith and practice are not interested in most of these sad contests which are now amongst but he hath so graciously condescended that what we should most live by should not cost us so dear and that the greatest subtilties and most intricate controversies which are so oft in the Church ye most out of our way yea such as should cause no trouble or disquiet of minde herein 5. Is not also most clearly sheued us how we may know our being led and kept in the way of truth and what should qualify and make us meet for the blest conduct and teachings of the spirit by his word such as a holy fear and sincere resignation of the soul thereto meekness humility with a fixt and serious resolving to close therewith how crosse however it should be to our own private affection and credit 6. There is this advantage to know that blest and approven way wherein we may have peace as that in which the footsteps of the saints and so innunerable a company hath gone before who received the spirit this way and with greatest assurance did know the truth of that seal on their own soul so as after no new or strange light we need to inquire 7. And hath not the meanest of the saints these peculiar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and marks whereby to discerne the way of truth in a dark and trying time by plainest Scripture light both for clearing and confirming of their minde herein 1. That we should follow these things which tend to peace and to edify Rom. 14. 19. For thus surely does the way of truth tend to build and not to cast doune and if many caices which some does now agitat with much disquiet both to themselfs and others were more brought to that great rule of solid edification I should not fear that so much time should be lost therein 2. It is sure the way of truth must be stil rationally convincing such as doth persuad by teaching and to fix and clear the judgment before the will by manifestation of the truth to mens conscience for thus we are taught and be alwayes ready to render a reason of the hope that is in yow with all meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3. 15. 3. Such is this blest way as it is cautious and advertant to hazard on each hand and to guard against the dephts of Satan as well as to resist his fury a way which lyeth betuixt extreams either on the right or left hand for thus we are taught 2 Cor. 6. 7. 2 Cor. 11. 14 2 Thess 2. 2. 4. It is such a way as leadeth us to regard the special varying of a caice as to some present duty with a due respect and ballancing of circumstances and to see that the same way at all times is not to be followed in our practice since what may be most requisite and edifiing some time and in one caice may be destructive in another for this hath the Holy Ghost shewed that all things are lawful but not expedient 1 Cor. 10. 23. 5. Thus we may know and discerne the truth and way thereof which is according to godliness Tit. 1. 1. when it is such as visibly tend by its power and efficacy on the heart to heal the distempers of the minde and judgment and by practical obedience to a more full assurance of understanding in themselves and may thus see its very native result and tendence is to make professours of the truth humble meek sober and temperat in their personal conversation yea tender to provoke or excite the corruption of any 6. Is ther not this necessare tendence also of the revealed way of truth to walk wisely
a serious adherence to the Government and Kingdom of Christ over his Church for which the authority of his Lawes and institution is so unanswerably clear should be judged incompatible with the civill interest and security of the state For ANSW if men shut their own eyes where the Scripture is so clear and hath thus shewed us not only what is just but what is good and how assuredly this is the greatest concerne of a Nation to have the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the rights thereof establisht and kept up when the veâ—y express intent and tendence thereof is to promote and transmit both the purity and power of godliness to the present and succeeding ages I confesse there can be no reasoning then in such a caice but if principles of self love to our temporall advantage and such pretended respect to the publick interest of the Land bear any weight I would but plead a little with a serious appeal to these principles which our adversaries do yet own and assent to if the truth and serious practice of godliness and these means which are necessarily directing thereto be not visibly the great interest and safety of a Nation and to have the furthest awe and reverence thereof kept up upon these grounds 1. Because thus is the greatest inforcement of civill duties by a religious tye and on principles of conscience 2. That this tends to the furthest advance and improvement of human nature both to make human society sweet and desireable and for a more vigouâ—ous and true improvement of mens naturall abilities for the publick good interest of that place 3. And can this be a publick grievance which brings the greatest inforcements to sincerity candor and truth which as it is essentially necessar for the establishment of justice and moral righteousness so tends to beget true mutuall assurance both in words and actings amongst men and how possibly can a Nation be safe or any true intercourse and security in our personall concerns where truth and godliness hath no due respect there 4. Is it not thus the duties of our severall relations are most promote yea which gives the greatest security to civill Government and sets home on mens hearts their obligations to Magistracy as the Ordinance of God not from fear but for conscience sake and it is little known what hid pledges such as are truly godly are of the peace and safty of the Land they are in 5. Can the blest tendencie of truth and godliness be under debaâ—e to subdue the diseases of the minde and restraine these exorbitances of pride envy wrath ambition c beyond the furthest reach of all humane Lawes which hath stil so deplorable effects every where and raised too visibly most of these storms and tempests which are in the world and causeth so dreadfull disorders amongst men 6. It is sure also the way of truth must needs lead men to be quiet and do their own business yea for such as are in that condition to work with their own hands 1 Thess 5 11. and to abide in that calling in which the Lord hath placed them and to painfulness and industry therein to be no busy medlers in the affaires of others and that no man go about to defraud his brother that none render evill for evill unto any which as they are most express Scripture commands must demonstratively witness this like wayes what a publick blessing truth and godliness is to the Land wherein it is kept up I shall only add this more what regard even on politick grounds should be to that which so necessarily brings therewith the love of our neighbour and to do unto others as we would be dealt with by them as also tenderness to the afflicted a compassionat spirit to relieve such as are in distresse with hospitality to strangers which must needs have a vigourous exercise there where the love of the truth is intertained as being so essentiall a part of our obedience to the Gospell SECTION V. AFter some thoughts on this sad and unpleasing subject of the late differences in our Church I would desire yet in the shutting up thereof to speak a few words on a more practicall concern that might lead in and leave the Reader on another sent and inquiry which I fear in this strange croud and noise hath been of publick debates by too many be much lost and shall touch this in thes 4. particulars O that with a blessing from him who can serve himself of the meanest things it might be made a word in season to my in such times 1. To consider what may most contribute to a Christians joy and solid peace upon an after reckoning with their own conscience as to their way in this winnowing time when such hot contendings hes been in the Church for which I would humbly offer these 1. what sweet peace will then be in having been kept closs at home with a tender and jealous eye over the frame and temper of their ovvn spirits since we cannot but see where the strength of these strange paroxismes of heat and bitterness amongst Professors of the truth does now most lye that it is from these jarring corruptions upon the heart more then from any differences of light and judgement and which no eager disputes but a tender and lively practice in being exercised to Godliness can effectually cure then we might both hope for a blest healing composure under these different measures of light amongst Christian and for a tender and humble reasoning in things wherein they differ when thus a more near conformity to the Spirit and rule of the Gospell is once reached which must needs subject the Soul to account it our greatest honour to be overcome by the truth 2. That they have been kept from any such precipitant judgment of others as usually follow on such debates and their spirit kept under some blest aw and restraint of these suddain violent commotions and truptions of passions as runs such unto most sad undecencies to discredit the profession of the truth discompose themselfs and wound their own conscience 3. That they have been tender of practising that themselves which they have condemned in others by any such aime more how to revile then reclaime and to a heightning rather then healing of this strange breach 4. That the fleeing of one extream hath still been with some regard of being kept from running on any other of there having had impartial respect to entertaine what ever is justly approveable and according to the rule upon eitheir hand yea not only with a humble ceding in personal injuries and such a tender managing of their own necessar vindication upon the revilings of others as might tend to convince more then to provoke but that they have this testimony they did in earnest pray for such and seek their mercy and reclaming from the Lord 5. That no pretences or personal respects hath shut their eyes upon any visible hazard to the truth and of