A pacifick discourse of the causes and remedies of the differences about religion, which distract the peace of Christendom
         Smith, Thomas, 1638-1710.
      
       
         
           1688
        
      
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             A pacifick discourse of the causes and remedies of the differences about religion, which distract the peace of Christendom
             Smith, Thomas, 1638-1710.
          
           [3], 34, [2] p.
           
             Printed for Sam. Smith ...,
             London :
             1688.
          
           
             Errata: p. 34.
             Advertisement: p. [1]-[2] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church polity.
        
      
    
     
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           Imprimatur
           ,
        
         
           
             
               ●●g
               .
               16.
               1687.
               
            
          
           
             Guil.
             Needham
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           
             Pacifick
             Discourse
          
           OF
           THE
           CAUSES
           AND
           REMEDIES
           OF
           THE
           DIFFERENCES
           ABOUT
           RELIGION
           ,
           Which
           distract
           the
           Peace
           of
           Christendom
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Sam.
             Smith
          
           at
           the
           Prince's-Arms
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           .
           1688.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           pacifick
           discourse
           of
           the
           causes
           and
           remedies
           of
           the
           differences
           about
           Religion
           which
           distract
           the
           peace
           of
           Christendom
           .
        
         
           HOW
           much
           the
           saving
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Christian
           religion
           doth
           conduce
           to
           the
           establishment
           of
           an
           universal
           peace
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           beyond
           the
           utmost
           force
           and
           reach
           of
           humane
           wit
           and
           policy
           ,
           it
           were
           to
           be
           wisht
           ,
           it
           could
           be
           as
           clearly
           made
           out
           by
           fit
           and
           suitable
           events
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           lives
           and
           behaviour
           of
           Christians
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           most
           justly
           demonstrable
           from
           the
           design
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           proper
           and
           genuine
           ends
           of
           such
           an
           holy
           institution
           .
           For
           with
           what
           just
           severity
           doth
           that
           most
           perfect
           rule
           of
           life
           require
           of
           us
           to
           lay
           restraints
           upon
           our
           passions
           ,
           and
           to
           stifle
           and
           suppress
           the
           first
           motions
           of
           them
           ,
           lest
           our
           ill
           will
           and
           dissatisfactions
           break
           forth
           into
           enmity
           ,
           and
           our
           enmity
           soon
           improve
           into
           downright
           malice
           and
           hatred
           !
           how
           doth
           it
           give
           and
           restore
           to
           the
           mind
           a
           full
           power
           of
           reducing
           unto
           reason
           all
           those
           tumults
           and
           disorders
           ,
           which
           either
           anger
           or
           lust
           are
           wont
           to
           raise
           !
           with
           what
           great
           ●●re
           ,
           even
           a
           care
           worthy
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           it
           there
           provided
           for
           ,
           that
           no
           one
           should
           deserve
           ill
           of
           his
           neighbour
           ,
           nor
           so
           much
           as
           treat
           his
           enemy
           ,
           as
           his
           enemy
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           a
           furious
           ,
           disdainful
           ,
           and
           hostile
           way
           ,
           but
           rather
           forgive
           him
           ,
           and
           shew
           him
           kindness
           and
           mercy
           :
           that
           we
           should
           be
           more
           afraid
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           return
           ,
           and
           revenge
           an
           injury
           ,
           than
           undergo
           death
           it self
           :
           that
           we
           endeavour
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           
           our
           power
           to
           do
           good
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           in
           several
           cases
           have
           less
           regard
           to
           our
           own
           than
           anothers
           advantage
           ,
           and
           sacrifice
           our
           lives
           and
           dearest
           interests
           to
           the
           publick
           peace
           !
           Under
           what
           terrible
           sanctions
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           fulness
           and
           clearness
           of
           expression
           hath
           the
           divine
           Author
           and
           establisher
           of
           the
           Christian
           law
           enacted
           ,
           that
           the
           rights
           of
           every
           one
           ,
           whether
           founded
           in
           nature
           ,
           or
           introduced
           by
           custom
           and
           the
           common
           usages
           of
           life
           ,
           or
           by
           civil
           and
           municipal
           laws
           ,
           should
           in
           no
           wise
           ,
           and
           upon
           no
           pretense
           whatever
           be
           violated
           ,
           but
           be
           preserved
           in
           their
           full
           extent
           and
           vigour
           !
        
         
           How
           had
           the
           world
           been
           blessed
           with
           a
           solid
           and
           lasting
           peace
           ,
           if
           these
           excellent
           rules
           had
           been
           observed
           ,
           and
           if
           no
           unjust
           force
           had
           been
           used
           ;
           if
           men
           had
           religiously
           and
           conscientiously
           abstained
           from
           invading
           the
           right
           and
           property
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           had
           been
           content
           with
           that
           state
           and
           condition
           of
           life
           ,
           in
           which
           providence
           had
           placed
           them
           ,
           without
           having
           recourse
           to
           fraud
           and
           evil
           arts
           ,
           or
           to
           violence
           and
           arms
           !
           Thus
           we
           see
           Christ
           hath
           consulted
           most
           wisely
           and
           effectually
           the
           peace
           and
           benefit
           of
           all
           mankind
           in
           general
           ,
           beyond
           the
           institutions
           of
           the
           most
           famous
           Law-givers
           whatever
           .
           But
           how
           more
           deeply
           and
           zealously
           concerned
           ,
           and
           fuller
           of
           holy
           care
           was
           our
           
             blessed
             Saviour
          
           for
           all
           such
           ,
           as
           should
           believe
           in
           his
           name
           ,
           and
           make
           profession
           of
           his
           religion
           in
           all
           ages
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           the
           mutual
           love
           ,
           which
           the
           acknowledgment
           of
           the
           same
           Faith
           ,
           which
           the
           partaking
           of
           the
           same
           holy
           rites
           and
           mysteries
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           hope
           of
           the
           same
           immortal
           happiness
           and
           glory
           to
           be
           enjoyed
           in
           the
           other
           world
           justly
           challenged
           ,
           and
           required
           ,
           and
           obliged
           them
           to
           upon
           so
           many
           excellent
           accompts
           ,
           should
           be
           continually
           kept
           up
           ,
           and
           made
           appear
           at
           all
           times
           by
           an
           hearty
           desire
           and
           readiness
           of
           doing
           good
           in
           their
           several
           stations
           ,
           and
           whensoever
           an
           opportunity
           presented
           it self
           ,
           by
           all
           offices
           of
           love
           and
           kindness
           !
           He
           was
           so
           intent
           upon
           this
           necessary
           and
           essential
           
           part
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           in
           the
           last
           stage
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           that
           in
           that
           divine
           discourse
           ,
           which
           he
           made
           to
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           St.
           John
           chap.
           14.
           just
           before
           he
           was
           to
           leave
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           offer
           up
           his
           most
           pretious
           blood
           ,
           as
           a
           just
           price
           and
           satisfaction
           for
           the
           sins
           of
           mankind
           ,
           he
           commends
           nothing
           more
           to
           their
           imitation
           ,
           and
           makes
           this
           the
           great
           characteristick
           of
           his
           Religion
           :
           and
           shews
           ,
           that
           nothing
           could
           be
           more
           dear
           and
           grateful
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           more
           advantagious
           and
           beneficial
           to
           them
           ,
           or
           could
           more
           powerfully
           and
           evidently
           shew
           their
           love
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           better
           deserve
           their
           care
           ,
           than
           their
           punctual
           and
           diligent
           observance
           of
           this
           new
           command
           ,
           that
           
             they
             should
             love
             one
             another
             ,
             as
             he
             had
             loved
             them
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           this
           command
           being
           grounded
           on
           the
           greatest
           authority
           ,
           and
           the
           highest
           reason
           ,
           and
           equity
           imaginable
           ,
           and
           which
           cannot
           be
           violated
           without
           the
           imputation
           of
           impiety
           and
           folly
           ,
           and
           without
           great
           hazard
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           who
           would
           believe
           ,
           that
           Christians
           should
           be
           so
           unmindful
           either
           of
           God
           or
           themselves
           ,
           as
           to
           dare
           to
           contravene
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           not
           any
           longer
           to
           be
           known
           to
           be
           of
           that
           denomination
           ,
           by
           reciprocal
           affection
           and
           charity
           ,
           and
           by
           unity
           and
           harmony
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           most
           endearing
           acts
           of
           generous
           friendship
           ,
           but
           by
           bitter
           invectives
           and
           reproaches
           ,
           by
           siding
           with
           parties
           ,
           and
           by
           disagreement
           and
           hatred
           one
           of
           another
           ?
        
         
           It
           is
           a
           long
           time
           since
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
             of
             Christ
          
           hath
           felt
           the
           sad
           effects
           and
           consequences
           of
           this
           foolish
           and
           mad
           perfidiousness
           ,
           even
           almost
           soon
           after
           she
           was
           blest
           with
           peace
           ,
           and
           freed
           from
           the
           horrid
           butcheries
           and
           cruel
           persecutions
           of
           the
           heathen
           Roman
           Emperours
           ,
           (
           who
           made
           it
           their
           business
           to
           keep
           up
           their
           idolatrous
           worship
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           arts
           of
           subtilty
           and
           furious
           rage
           ,
           and
           exterminate
           the
           very
           name
           of
           Christian
           out
           of
           the
           world
           )
           and
           hath
           been
           forced
           to
           endure
           and
           suffer
           far
           
           worse
           things
           from
           her
           own
           children
           ,
           hurried
           on
           with
           the
           excesses
           of
           mad
           zeal
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           bitterness
           of
           enraged
           passion
           :
           by
           reason
           of
           which
           unchristian
           misbehaviour
           she
           soon
           perceived
           ,
           that
           she
           had
           but
           little
           reason
           comparatively
           to
           complain
           of
           the
           proceedings
           of
           
             Nero
             ,
             Decius
             ,
             Diocletian
          
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           her
           merciless
           Persecutors
           .
           For
           this
           was
           the
           sad
           case
           and
           temper
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           that
           they
           ,
           whom
           fear
           ,
           and
           modesty
           ,
           and
           a
           due
           regard
           to
           ,
           and
           reverence
           of
           the
           name
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           whom
           common
           dangers
           and
           sufferings
           had
           endeared
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           astonishment
           of
           their
           enemies
           ,
           now
           when
           they
           no
           longer
           stood
           in
           awe
           of
           the
           tribunals
           of
           the
           Gentile
           Magistrates
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           pursuit
           and
           arrest
           of
           soldiers
           and
           officers
           of
           the
           civil
           Courts
           ;
           when
           they
           were
           no
           longer
           in
           danger
           of
           being
           dragged
           to
           prison
           ,
           or
           condemned
           to
           crosses
           ,
           stakes
           ,
           gibbets
           ,
           and
           wild
           beasts
           in
           their
           Amphitheaters
           ;
           when
           by
           the
           protection
           of
           the
           civil
           power
           they
           might
           profess
           Christianity
           with
           all
           possible
           security
           ,
           the
           whole
           Empire
           becoming
           Christian
           ,
           and
           embracing
           that
           faith
           ,
           which
           it
           had
           for
           some
           ages
           before
           endeavoured
           with
           so
           much
           fury
           and
           madness
           to
           root
           up
           ;
           these
           very
           persons
           ,
           abusing
           this
           wonderful
           change
           ,
           that
           God
           had
           brought
           about
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           no
           enemies
           to
           exercise
           their
           faith
           and
           their
           patience
           ,
           soon
           grew
           peevish
           ,
           and
           froward
           ,
           and
           insolent
           towards
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           The
           doctrine
           of
           faith
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           proposed
           in
           the
           holy
           Gospels
           ,
           was
           slighted
           and
           carelesly
           past
           over
           ,
           and
           fierce
           contests
           arose
           about
           matters
           of
           opinion
           and
           ceremony
           ,
           as
           if
           nothing
           less
           than
           eternal
           salvation
           had
           been
           concerned
           in
           these
           niceties
           ;
           whence
           charity
           being
           wholly
           forgot
           and
           lost
           in
           these
           disputes
           ,
           whilst
           each
           strove
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           for
           truth
           as
           victory
           ,
           evil
           suspicions
           and
           animosities
           took
           place
           ,
           and
           opened
           a
           wide
           gap
           for
           schism
           to
           enter
           .
           Hereupon
           Altar
           was
           erected
           against
           Altar
           ,
           and
           contrary
           Episcopal
           Sees
           established
           
           in
           the
           same
           cities
           ;
           and
           furious
           and
           seditious
           Preachers
           sounded
           in
           the
           Pulpit
           an
           alarum
           to
           a
           holy
           war
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           ready
           to
           engage
           with
           the
           professed
           enemies
           of
           Christ
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           chief
           articles
           of
           Religion
           .
           Hence
           they
           first
           lookt
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           piece
           of
           becoming
           zeal
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           mark
           of
           godliness
           to
           abstain
           from
           all
           external
           communion
           with
           each
           other
           :
           as
           if
           the
           danger
           and
           the
           guilt
           had
           been
           less
           to
           have
           been
           present
           at
           the
           Heathen
           and
           Jewish
           assemblies
           :
           afterwards
           followed
           odious
           crimes
           laid
           to
           each
           others
           charge
           ,
           and
           most
           abusive
           and
           execrable
           titles
           and
           appellations
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           had
           been
           a
           total
           apostasy
           and
           defection
           from
           the
           Christian
           faith
           ;
           from
           which
           most
           unjust
           and
           scandalous
           censures
           there
           arose
           at
           last
           an
           irreconcileable
           enmity
           and
           hatred
           ,
           which
           no
           art
           ,
           no
           compliance
           in
           other
           matters
           ,
           whilst
           these
           evil
           and
           perverse
           opinions
           were
           rooted
           in
           their
           minds
           ,
           could
           be
           able
           to
           remove
           or
           mollify
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           !
           so
           far
           are
           these
           dreadful
           and
           fatal
           heats
           ,
           with
           which
           the
           Church
           for
           so
           many
           ages
           has
           been
           enflamed
           ,
           from
           being
           abated
           ,
           that
           upon
           the
           addition
           of
           fresh
           matter
           they
           have
           burst
           out
           with
           greater
           violence
           ,
           which
           is
           almost
           irresistible
           .
           Who
           is
           there
           so
           far
           forsaken
           and
           devoid
           of
           good
           nature
           ,
           mercy
           ,
           and
           pity
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           filled
           with
           horror
           ,
           when
           he
           reflects
           upon
           those
           horrid
           tumults
           and
           distractions
           ,
           with
           which
           Christendom
           is
           torn
           asunder
           at
           this
           very
           day
           ?
           I
           do
           not
           mean
           those
           distractions
           the
           natural
           effects
           of
           war
           ,
           wherein
           thousands
           are
           daily
           sacrificed
           to
           ambition
           and
           other
           brutal
           passions
           ,
           but
           such
           ,
           as
           different
           opinions
           about
           matters
           of
           religion
           have
           brought
           upon
           the
           world
           ,
           in
           which
           no
           mercy
           and
           charity
           are
           shewed
           to
           the
           souls
           of
           the
           adverse
           party
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           furious
           zeal
           takes
           place
           ,
           are
           consigned
           over
           to
           hell
           by
           peremptory
           sentences
           of
           excommunication
           :
           it
           being
           accounted
           a
           very
           godly
           and
           justifiable
           pretension
           ,
           to
           think
           and
           judge
           amiss
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           differ
           from
           them
           in
           lesser
           matters
           .
        
         
         
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           whilst
           every
           one
           doth
           foolishly
           indulge
           to
           his
           ambition
           ,
           same
           ,
           and
           wit
           ;
           whilst
           they
           most
           partially
           favour
           that
           side
           ,
           which
           either
           chance
           has
           cast
           them
           upon
           ,
           or
           prejudice
           ,
           education
           ,
           and
           interest
           have
           recommended
           to
           their
           choice
           ;
           whilst
           the
           love
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           a
           fear
           arising
           thence
           ,
           lest
           there
           should
           be
           any
           abatement
           and
           diminution
           of
           their
           secular
           pomp
           and
           advantage
           ,
           shut
           out
           truth
           ;
           and
           whilst
           perversness
           and
           obstinacy
           of
           mind
           set
           a
           bar
           against
           mutual
           forbearance
           and
           condescension
           :
           altho
           out
           of
           modesty
           each
           may
           pretend
           to
           wish
           ,
           that
           an
           happy
           end
           were
           put
           to
           these
           disputes
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           with
           great
           earnestness
           to
           wipe
           off
           the
           envy
           of
           such
           a
           charge
           :
           yet
           it
           is
           too
           too
           evident
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           kept
           up
           and
           maintained
           by
           pride
           and
           peevishness
           and
           base
           interest
           ,
           whilst
           they
           do
           not
           follow
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           excellent
           and
           wise
           advice
           of
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             after
             the
             things
             which
             make
             for
             peace
             ,
             and
             things
             wherewith
             one
             may
             edify
             another
             .
             Romans
          
           14.
           19.
           
        
         
           It
           is
           the
           design
           of
           this
           paper
           briefly
           to
           enquire
           ,
           first
           into
           the
           reasons
           and
           causes
           of
           these
           differences
           arising
           about
           Religion
           ,
           which
           are
           still
           maintained
           with
           so
           great
           heat
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           scandal
           of
           so
           holy
           and
           venerable
           a
           Profession
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           the
           mild
           ,
           the
           sweet
           ,
           the
           merciful
           temper
           and
           genius
           ,
           which
           Christianity
           inspires
           her
           true
           Votaries
           with
           ,
           seems
           utterly
           lost
           ,
           amidst
           the
           noise
           and
           fury
           of
           those
           hot
           debates
           ,
           that
           prevail
           between
           parties
           of
           different
           communions
           :
           and
           then
           ,
           secondly
           ;
           into
           the
           proper
           remedies
           of
           these
           horrid
           confusions
           and
           distractions
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           there
           be
           any
           just
           reason
           and
           ground
           to
           hope
           for
           the
           restoring
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           peace
           and
           unity
           to
           the
           divided
           countries
           of
           Christendom
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           what
           concerns
           the
           first
           part
           of
           my
           enquiry
           ,
           I
           shall
           comprehend
           the
           original
           and
           causes
           of
           the
           divisions
           among
           Christians
           ,
           and
           which
           hinder
           them
           from
           uniting
           in
           the
           same
           common
           worship
           and
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           under
           these
           four
           
           following
           heads
           ;
           all
           others
           being
           of
           lesser
           moment
           ,
           or
           else
           easily
           reducible
           to
           one
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           and
           principal
           is
           this
           ,
           a
           manifest
           and
           great
           departure
           from
           the
           simplicity
           of
           faith
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           first
           beginnings
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           when
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           every
           of
           them
           in
           their
           distinct
           provinces
           ,
           declared
           to
           the
           world
           the
           revelation
           of
           God
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           it
           was
           not
           ,
           as
           to
           what
           concerns
           the
           doctrine
           of
           faith
           ,
           any
           great
           matter
           of
           difficulty
           ,
           nor
           required
           any
           great
           study
           or
           deep
           research
           to
           be
           a
           Christian.
           The
           mysteries
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           number
           ,
           were
           but
           few
           ,
           as
           is
           evident
           from
           the
           Creed
           ,
           which
           contains
           a
           brief
           form
           of
           words
           ,
           clearly
           and
           nakedly
           proposed
           without
           any
           perplexity
           or
           ambiguity
           of
           expression
           ;
           so
           that
           although
           the
           matter
           of
           some
           of
           them
           do
           transcend
           the
           utmost
           strength
           and
           force
           of
           humane
           understanding
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           comprehended
           by
           the
           most
           sublime
           and
           subtle
           wit
           whatever
           :
           yet
           persons
           of
           the
           meanest
           capacities
           and
           most
           ordinary
           understanding
           cannot
           complain
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           neglected
           .
           Now
           this
           doctrine
           of
           faith
           was
           at
           first
           one
           &
           the
           same
           every
           where
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           most
           distant
           countries
           ,
           which
           had
           no
           commerce
           one
           with
           another
           .
           At
           that
           time
           they
           believed
           no
           otherwise
           at
           
             Rome
             ,
             Ephesus
             ,
             Alexandria
          
           ,
           or
           Corinth
           ,
           than
           at
           Jerusalem
           .
        
         
           The
           Apostles
           being
           guided
           by
           the
           same
           infallible
           spirit
           ,
           taught
           the
           same
           necessary
           articles
           of
           faith
           every
           where
           :
           whence
           arose
           that
           admirable
           concent
           and
           harmony
           of
           doctrine
           ,
           as
           if
           that
           great
           work
           of
           the
           conversion
           of
           the
           world
           to
           the
           faith
           of
           Christ
           had
           not
           been
           done
           apart
           ,
           but
           had
           been
           jointly
           carried
           on
           by
           the
           common
           advice
           and
           direction
           of
           the
           College
           of
           Apostles
           remaining
           in
           a
           fixed
           place
           .
           For
           then
           those
           here
           in
           Britain
           agreed
           in
           judgment
           with
           those
           who
           were
           in
           India
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           no
           passage
           through
           the
           great
           and
           vast
           ocean
           known
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           as
           attempted
           :
           the
           polarity
           of
           the
           magnet
           being
           then
           unknown
           and
           undiscovered
           :
           And
           the
           like
           is
           to
           be
           said
           of
           the
           other
           parts
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           Irenaeus
           shews
           in
           his
           first
           book
           against
           heresies
           
           chap.
           3.
           where
           being
           about
           to
           evince
           the
           truth
           of
           the
           Catholick
           faith
           from
           the
           agreement
           of
           so
           many
           nations
           ,
           differing
           in
           language
           ,
           and
           manners
           ,
           and
           customs
           of
           living
           ,
           so
           many
           seas
           running
           between
           ,
           he
           adds
           ,
           
             that
             there
             is
             the
             same
             force
             of
             tradition
             ,
             notwithstanding
             this
             great
             variety
             of
             language
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Churches
             in
          
           Germany
           ,
           Spain
           ,
           Gaule
           ,
           
             in
             the
          
           East
           ,
           in
           Egypt
           and
           Lybia
           
             neither
             believed
             nor
             delivered
             down
             contrary
             doctrines
             :
             but
             as
             the
             Sun
             ,
             the
             creature
             of
             God
             ,
             is
             one
             and
             the
             same
             in
             the
             universe
             ,
             so
             the
             light
             and
             doctrine
             of
             truth
             shines
             every
             where
             ,
             and
             enlightens
             all
             men
             ,
             who
             are
             willing
             to
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             it
             .
          
           So
           that
           all
           being
           admitted
           by
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           baptism
           to
           the
           profession
           of
           the
           same
           faith
           ,
           if
           chance
           or
           business
           ,
           or
           curiosity
           of
           travelling
           brought
           Christians
           of
           different
           nations
           together
           ,
           upon
           the
           first
           acknowledgement
           of
           this
           faith
           ,
           which
           shewed
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           Christians
           ,
           they
           run
           into
           each
           others
           embraces
           ,
           and
           found
           ,
           that
           they
           agreed
           in
           the
           same
           points
           of
           religion
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           bred
           up
           under
           the
           same
           masters
           ,
           and
           had
           spent
           their
           whole
           time
           together
           .
        
         
           And
           indeed
           it
           could
           scarce
           be
           otherwise
           through
           the
           piety
           ,
           innocence
           ,
           zeal
           ,
           and
           constancy
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           not
           as
           if
           there
           were
           no
           opinions
           started
           ,
           about
           which
           they
           might
           have
           different
           sentiments
           (
           for
           that
           in
           such
           great
           variety
           and
           disproportion
           of
           understanding
           and
           temper
           was
           scarce
           possible
           )
           but
           they
           held
           fast
           to
           the
           Apostolical
           doctrine
           and
           tradition
           :
           and
           provided
           ,
           that
           their
           faith
           in
           Christ
           was
           entire
           and
           orthodox
           ,
           in
           lesser
           matters
           liberty
           of
           judgment
           was
           allowed
           without
           censure
           .
           No
           one
           was
           oppressed
           with
           unjust
           suspicions
           and
           prejudices
           :
           they
           shunned
           not
           such
           an
           ones
           company
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           been
           excommunicated
           ,
           but
           received
           and
           embraced
           him
           as
           a
           Brother
           and
           
             fellow
             Christian.
          
           
        
         
           The
           holy
           Apostles
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           unwearied
           diligence
           and
           preaching
           had
           form'd
           and
           establisht
           Churches
           every
           where
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           make
           just
           provisions
           for
           the
           Christians
           of
           
           all
           ages
           after
           their
           decease
           ,
           thought
           it
           highly
           concerned
           them
           to
           commit
           to
           writing
           the
           doctrine
           of
           faith
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           taught
           ;
           that
           in
           case
           any
           doubt
           should
           arise
           in
           aftertimes
           ,
           and
           new
           doctrines
           should
           be
           introduced
           by
           wanton
           and
           over
           curious
           wits
           ,
           desirous
           and
           over
           apt
           to
           innovate
           in
           matters
           of
           religion
           under
           a
           pretense
           of
           Apostolical
           tradition
           ,
           these
           infallible
           oracles
           might
           be
           consulted
           ,
           as
           the
           measure
           and
           standard
           of
           divine
           truth
           .
           Accordingly
           to
           these
           sacred
           writings
           they
           had
           recourse
           as
           to
           the
           only
           rule
           of
           faith
           :
           they
           derived
           all
           the
           streams
           of
           saving
           truth
           from
           these
           uncorrupt
           springs
           ;
           here
           was
           the
           tryal
           ,
           whether
           any
           one
           was
           
             sound
             or
             reprobate
             concerning
             the
             faith
             :
          
           so
           the
           great
           truths
           of
           Religion
           were
           preserved
           entire
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           trouble
           given
           to
           any
           one
           upon
           the
           accompt
           of
           any
           subtle
           or
           nice
           questions
           .
           All
           equally
           enjoyed
           the
           same
           right
           of
           communion
           ;
           they
           were
           present
           at
           the
           same
           holy
           offices
           of
           religion
           with
           a
           most
           agreeable
           piety
           ;
           they
           all
           were
           partakers
           of
           the
           same
           holy
           Sacrament
           ;
           from
           which
           if
           any
           were
           by
           the
           strict
           discipline
           of
           the
           Church
           debarred
           ,
           it
           was
           wholly
           to
           be
           imputed
           to
           the
           miscarriages
           of
           life
           ,
           whereof
           they
           were
           guilty
           ,
           which
           the
           Church
           desired
           to
           amend
           and
           make
           them
           sensible
           of
           by
           this
           severe
           course
           and
           method
           .
        
         
           But
           when
           the
           pertinaciousness
           of
           Hereticks
           ,
           relying
           upon
           the
           quirks
           and
           subtilty
           of
           unsound
           wit
           ,
           would
           in
           no
           wise
           acquiesce
           in
           Scriptural
           propositions
           of
           faith
           ;
           when
           with
           a
           sacrilegious
           boldness
           they
           would
           break
           into
           the
           very
           secrets
           of
           heaven
           ,
           which
           were
           above
           the
           capacity
           of
           humane
           understanding
           fully
           to
           make
           out
           and
           comprehend
           ;
           when
           despising
           and
           rejecting
           the
           revelations
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           they
           disclaimed
           the
           profession
           and
           acknowledgment
           of
           the
           truths
           and
           mysteries
           of
           the
           Christian
           religion
           ;
           and
           when
           by
           their
           evil
           designs
           ,
           arts
           ,
           and
           practices
           ,
           the
           weaker
           sort
           of
           Christians
           ,
           whom
           they
           had
           infected
           with
           their
           corrupt
           and
           poisonous
           doctrine
           ,
           were
           drawn
           away
           from
           the
           profession
           of
           
           the
           true
           faith
           ;
           it
           then
           became
           necessary
           and
           most
           worthy
           the
           serious
           thoughts
           and
           care
           of
           Constantine
           the
           great
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           pious
           Emperors
           ,
           to
           call
           
             General
             Councils
          
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           prevent
           those
           disturbances
           and
           breaches
           of
           the
           Churches
           peace
           ,
           which
           were
           likely
           to
           arise
           from
           the
           change
           and
           alteration
           of
           faith
           :
           and
           all
           the
           industry
           of
           those
           great
           men
           ,
           who
           were
           summoned
           to
           attend
           and
           assist
           at
           those
           solemn
           and
           venerable
           assemblies
           ,
           was
           laid
           out
           and
           imployed
           ,
           not
           in
           inventing
           and
           making
           new
           Articles
           ,
           but
           in
           interpreting
           and
           explaining
           the
           old
           ones
           :
           for
           both
           their
           zeal
           and
           piety
           forbad
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           give
           way
           to
           any
           innovation
           ,
           or
           suffer
           the
           ancient
           Catholick
           faith
           ,
           which
           was
           at
           first
           delivered
           ,
           to
           be
           antiquated
           ,
           and
           the
           profession
           of
           it
           disused
           .
           For
           to
           use
           the
           words
           of
           a
           
             Vincentius
             Lirinensis
             ,
             what
             other
             thing
             has
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             designed
             and
             effected
             by
             the
             decrees
             of
             Councils
             ,
             but
             that
             that
             which
             was
             before
             simply
             believed
             ,
             might
             now
             be
             believed
             with
             greater
             diligence
             :
             that
             ,
             which
             before
             was
             more
             rarely
             and
             gently
             preached
             ,
             might
             now
             be
             preached
             with
             greater
             zeal
             and
             concern
             :
             and
             that
             ,
             which
             was
             held
             and
             maintained
             more
             securely
             ,
             might
             now
             be
             studied
             and
             maintained
             with
             greater
             care
             and
             solicitude
             ?
          
           So
           that
           to
           stop
           the
           mouth
           of
           heresy
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           it
           its
           deaths
           wound
           ,
           those
           Heroes
           ,
           mostly
           and
           chiefly
           relying
           upon
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           sacred
           scripture
           ,
           and
           calling
           in
           to
           their
           aid
           and
           assistance
           the
           constant
           practice
           and
           consent
           of
           the
           
             Orthodox
             Christians
          
           of
           the
           preceding
           ages
           ,
           and
           antient
           and
           Catholick
           tradition
           ,
           made
           a
           most
           excellent
           provision
           for
           the
           security
           of
           the
           Christian
           faith
           ,
           which
           
             Arius
             ,
             Macedonius
             ,
             Nestorius
          
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           infamous
           Haeresiarchs
           had
           with
           their
           false
           glosses
           perverted
           ,
           by
           laying
           down
           short
           forms
           and
           professions
           of
           faith
           :
           that
           so
           the
           several
           mysteries
           of
           it
           ,
           upon
           the
           belief
           of
           which
           the
           true
           religion
           and
           the
           happiness
           of
           its
           Professors
           depend
           ,
           might
           be
           better
           and
           more
           easily
           admitted
           and
           understood
           .
        
         
         
           By
           this
           Test
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           distinguished
           those
           of
           her
           communion
           from
           the
           hereticks
           ,
           and
           by
           this
           unity
           of
           faith
           united
           their
           hearts
           in
           love
           and
           affection
           ;
           all
           who
           made
           profession
           of
           her
           doctrine
           ,
           in
           what
           part
           of
           the
           world
           soever
           they
           were
           ,
           being
           acknowledged
           and
           received
           for
           friends
           ,
           for
           brethren
           ,
           for
           Catholicks
           .
           For
           there
           was
           no
           need
           of
           any
           other
           character
           or
           recommendation
           :
           and
           hence
           that
           pious
           and
           laudable
           custom
           and
           practice
           of
           keeping
           up
           and
           maintaining
           this
           Ecclesiastical
           communion
           by
           the
           
             Epistolae
             formatae
          
           ,
           which
           were
           usually
           sent
           from
           one
           Bishop
           to
           another
           (
           nor
           did
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           exempt
           himself
           )
           upon
           their
           instalment
           ,
           had
           their
           original
           :
           nor
           was
           there
           any
           other
           proof
           exacted
           or
           demanded
           of
           their
           retaining
           the
           profession
           of
           the
           true
           Christian
           faith
           ,
           than
           a
           firm
           and
           hearty
           assent
           to
           those
           antient
           Creeds
           .
        
         
           How
           happy
           it
           had
           been
           for
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           ,
           if
           the
           terms
           of
           communion
           had
           continued
           thus
           enlarged
           ,
           the
           meanest
           capacity
           may
           easily
           be
           sensible
           of
           ;
           for
           most
           assuredly
           ,
           if
           the
           antient
           faith
           ,
           the
           profession
           of
           which
           has
           saved
           so
           many
           myriads
           of
           Christians
           ,
           had
           been
           preserved
           uncorrupt
           and
           entire
           from
           the
           encumbrance
           and
           addition
           of
           novel
           opinions
           ,
           which
           owe
           their
           original
           and
           propagation
           to
           meer
           phantasy
           ,
           and
           superstition
           ,
           and
           secular
           interest
           ;
           and
           if
           all
           ,
           who
           acknowledge
           that
           Faith
           ,
           might
           have
           been
           present
           at
           the
           publick
           worship
           and
           service
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           same
           conditions
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           first
           ages
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           rules
           established
           by
           the
           supream
           Ecclesiastical
           authority
           ;
           there
           had
           not
           been
           that
           great
           confusion
           every
           where
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           now
           there
           is
           .
           By
           this
           just
           and
           easy
           method
           ,
           schism
           might
           have
           been
           prevented
           ,
           and
           a
           liberty
           of
           judgment
           being
           allowed
           in
           matters
           no
           way
           fundamental
           and
           essential
           to
           faith
           ,
           an
           eternal
           peace
           had
           been
           established
           .
        
         
           Of
           the
           violation
           of
           which
           we
           justly
           accuse
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           which
           ,
           having
           wholly
           neglected
           and
           laid
           aside
           
           the
           rules
           of
           
             primitive
             Antiquity
          
           ,
           has
           ,
           as
           mistress
           of
           the
           faith
           of
           all
           Christians
           ,
           obtruded
           new
           articles
           ,
           under
           the
           specious
           pretense
           and
           title
           of
           Declaration
           ,
           upon
           their
           consciences
           and
           understandings
           .
           But
           what
           injustice
           ,
           what
           arbitrary
           proceeding
           ,
           what
           tyranny
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           faith
           of
           the
           Christian
           world
           should
           depend
           upon
           the
           humor
           and
           pleasure
           of
           the
           Roman
           Court
           ,
           and
           the
           opinions
           of
           the
           Schoolmen
           ,
           without
           any
           regard
           to
           Scripture
           and
           antiquity
           :
           and
           that
           all
           other
           Churches
           should
           be
           excommunicated
           ,
           unless
           they
           enslave
           themselves
           to
           her
           Tenents
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           should
           be
           branded
           with
           the
           odious
           name
           of
           
             Schismatick
             and
             Heretick
          
           ,
           who
           dare
           maintain
           and
           defend
           their
           rights
           against
           the
           imposition
           of
           their
           novelties
           !
           Let
           the
           true
           faith
           be
           examined
           by
           the
           rule
           of
           Scripture
           :
           let
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           first
           times
           be
           consulted
           in
           the
           proof
           and
           tryal
           of
           it
           :
           let
           the
           antient
           canons
           be
           restored
           :
           let
           no
           force
           be
           put
           upon
           the
           conscience
           ;
           and
           let
           all
           unjust
           conditions
           cease
           ,
           and
           be
           for
           ever
           abrogated
           ;
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           will
           then
           return
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           hope
           to
           see
           good
           days
           in
           Christendom
           .
           Which
           suggests
           to
           me
           an
           other
           hindrance
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           peace
           and
           unity
           ,
           which
           ariseth
           hence
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           several
           opinions
           and
           tenents
           ,
           which
           without
           prejudice
           to
           the
           true
           faith
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           ignorant
           of
           ,
           are
           too
           highly
           valued
           and
           esteemed
           ,
           and
           by
           an
           overhasty
           and
           inconsiderate
           zeal
           are
           lookt
           upon
           as
           fundamental
           points
           ,
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           .
        
         
           The
           Apostle
           Saint
           Paul
           takes
           a
           particular
           and
           wise
           care
           in
           the
           14th
           chapter
           of
           the
           epistle
           to
           the
           Romans
           ,
           lest
           they
           ,
           who
           agreed
           in
           the
           Faith
           of
           the
           
             eternal
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           the
           true
           Messias
           and
           Redeemer
           of
           mankind
           ,
           and
           were
           called
           by
           his
           blessed
           name
           ,
           should
           upon
           some
           little
           differences
           in
           trivial
           matters
           ,
           break
           out
           into
           hatred
           and
           ill
           will
           one
           to
           another
           .
           For
           there
           was
           not
           the
           same
           opinion
           among
           them
           about
           the
           ceasing
           of
           the
           Mosaical
           institutions
           .
           They
           who
           had
           
           arrived
           to
           a
           greater
           degree
           of
           faith
           and
           maturity
           of
           judgment
           ,
           very
           much
           rejoyced
           in
           their
           happy
           change
           and
           condition
           of
           life
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           delivered
           from
           the
           grievous
           burden
           of
           the
           Jewish
           rites
           and
           ceremonies
           ,
           whilst
           others
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           so
           well
           instructed
           and
           satisfied
           in
           the
           privileges
           and
           liberties
           of
           the
           Christian
           religion
           ,
           very
           fiercely
           contended
           ,
           that
           no
           one
           ,
           at
           least
           no
           Jew
           ,
           was
           exempt
           and
           freed
           from
           those
           observances
           .
           Hence
           proceeded
           bitter
           and
           severe
           censures
           one
           against
           another
           ,
           as
           transgressors
           of
           the
           divine
           law
           ;
           and
           hereupon
           they
           entertained
           those
           unjust
           opinions
           of
           one
           anothers
           condition
           as
           to
           the
           other
           world
           ,
           as
           if
           one
           heaven
           could
           not
           hold
           two
           such
           contrary
           parties
           .
           But
           what
           says
           the
           Apostle
           to
           all
           this
           ?
           he
           plainly
           shews
           ,
           that
           this
           sharp
           ,
           censorious
           ,
           and
           fierce
           temper
           of
           mind
           is
           most
           displeasing
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           being
           most
           disagreeable
           to
           the
           very
           rules
           of
           Christianity
           :
           that
           in
           an
           affair
           of
           so
           slight
           a
           nature
           ,
           no
           one
           runs
           the
           hazard
           of
           his
           salvation
           ;
           that
           the
           strong
           were
           herein
           to
           indulge
           and
           yield
           somewhat
           to
           the
           weak
           in
           faith
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           so
           fully
           enlightned
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           ;
           that
           they
           who
           thought
           that
           there
           was
           an
           obligation
           still
           lying
           upon
           them
           to
           observe
           the
           law
           of
           Moses
           ,
           had
           not
           upon
           this
           accompt
           abjured
           the
           faith
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           ,
           who
           on
           the
           contrary
           thought
           that
           there
           was
           no
           obligation
           lying
           upon
           them
           ,
           had
           not
           been
           guilty
           of
           the
           breach
           of
           a
           divine
           law
           :
           that
           they
           were
           not
           to
           abstain
           from
           communicating
           with
           each
           other
           :
           that
           in
           these
           matters
           a
           liberty
           of
           judgment
           was
           not
           to
           be
           denyed
           ,
           so
           they
           had
           a
           right
           faith
           in
           Christ
           ;
           that
           this
           common
           faith
           ,
           in
           which
           both
           parties
           agreed
           ,
           was
           a
           sufficient
           ground
           of
           Christian
           communion
           :
           and
           lastly
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           to
           be
           more
           studious
           of
           peace
           and
           mutual
           edification
           ,
           than
           of
           useless
           controversies
           ,
           which
           contributed
           little
           or
           nothing
           to
           the
           advancement
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           to
           their
           own
           mutual
           benefit
           
           and
           advantage
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           encrease
           of
           piety
           ,
           and
           good
           manners
           .
        
         
           With
           what
           greater
           modesty
           and
           moderation
           had
           such
           ,
           as
           having
           laid
           aside
           all
           thoughts
           of
           peace
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           opinions
           of
           far
           lesser
           moment
           ,
           have
           gone
           about
           to
           make
           divisions
           in
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           have
           carryed
           themselves
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           imitated
           this
           Apostle
           in
           this
           his
           most
           exemplary
           meekness
           and
           lenity
           !
           
             Hast
             thou
             faith
          
           ?
           Sayes
           this
           wise
           and
           excellent
           person
           ;
           
             have
             it
             to
             thy self
             before
             God.
          
           Let
           every
           one
           enjoy
           his
           own
           private
           opinions
           ,
           of
           which
           sort
           there
           may
           be
           many
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           which
           we
           cannot
           ,
           without
           the
           highest
           injustice
           ,
           give
           way
           to
           furious
           passion
           and
           strife
           :
           at
           least
           ,
           if
           they
           cannot
           retain
           them
           in
           their
           breasts
           ,
           but
           have
           an
           itch
           of
           venting
           them
           ;
           let
           them
           not
           impose
           them
           upon
           others
           ,
           as
           oracles
           ,
           as
           if
           all
           ,
           who
           do
           not
           assent
           to
           them
           ,
           were
           in
           a
           deplorable
           condition
           .
           The
           case
           is
           the
           same
           about
           particular
           Churches
           ,
           as
           about
           private
           men
           :
           whilst
           each
           retains
           the
           entire
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           let
           them
           make
           what
           laws
           ,
           articles
           ,
           and
           constitutions
           they
           shall
           think
           fit
           ,
           to
           oblige
           their
           own
           members
           to
           uniformity
           ;
           this
           certainly
           being
           a
           privilege
           ,
           which
           is
           essential
           to
           every
           
             national
             Church
          
           in
           order
           to
           its
           better
           establishment
           .
           If
           these
           controversies
           concerning
           private
           and
           particular
           opinions
           had
           been
           confined
           to
           the
           Schools
           ,
           with
           a
           salvo
           to
           conscience
           and
           free
           judgment
           ,
           by
           the
           fierce
           disputants
           on
           either
           side
           ,
           the
           Church
           might
           have
           received
           no
           prejudice
           and
           damage
           by
           them
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           wholly
           uninterested
           in
           their
           quarrels
           .
        
         
           For
           this
           is
           to
           be
           allowed
           and
           permitted
           to
           humane
           wit
           ,
           to
           be
           naturally
           prying
           into
           secrets
           and
           mysteries
           ,
           and
           mostly
           to
           please
           it self
           in
           new
           speculations
           :
           and
           this
           it
           may
           do
           lawfully
           enough
           ,
           so
           it
           doth
           not
           pass
           those
           due
           boundaries
           ,
           which
           Scripture
           ,
           the
           Creeds
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           and
           
           sober
           reason
           have
           set
           and
           fixt
           .
           Let
           the
           Schoolmen
           ,
           over-run
           with
           the
           itch
           of
           curiosity
           ,
           wrangle
           eternally
           ,
           if
           they
           please
           ;
           seeing
           they
           not
           onely
           delight
           in
           it
           ,
           but
           make
           it
           their
           trade
           and
           business
           to
           perplex
           and
           entangle
           the
           most
           obvious
           truths
           :
           although
           it
           is
           very
           apparent
           ,
           that
           in
           these
           eager
           and
           sharp
           contentions
           ,
           they
           aim
           more
           at
           victory
           and
           reputation
           than
           at
           truth
           :
           and
           let
           them
           enjoy
           the
           fame
           and
           credit
           of
           being
           accounted
           great
           Sophisters
           and
           wits
           :
           Let
           them
           flatter
           themselves
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           explain
           the
           most
           difficult
           problem
           ,
           and
           satisfy
           the
           most
           confounding
           objection
           with
           their
           nice
           and
           subtil
           distinctions
           :
           let
           them
           enjoy
           their
           phansy
           or
           their
           judgment
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           disturbance
           and
           censure
           :
           seeing
           some
           are
           so
           in
           love
           with
           their
           errors
           ,
           that
           they
           hate
           to
           be
           better
           instructed
           ;
           and
           to
           go
           about
           to
           convince
           them
           ,
           is
           the
           way
           to
           disoblige
           them
           :
           provided
           all
           this
           be
           done
           as
           a
           tryal
           of
           wit
           ,
           and
           as
           an
           exercise
           of
           a
           plodding
           brain
           .
           I
           add
           further
           ,
           let
           any
           particular
           Church
           ,
           to
           prevent
           all
           disputes
           ,
           which
           may
           have
           an
           influence
           upon
           its
           peace
           ,
           and
           which
           ,
           by
           the
           cunning
           contrivance
           of
           designing
           men
           ,
           may
           introduce
           schism
           and
           disorder
           ,
           make
           a
           body
           of
           articles
           and
           canons
           to
           be
           subscribed
           by
           all
           ,
           who
           are
           entrusted
           with
           the
           administration
           of
           holy
           things
           ,
           as
           an
           instrument
           of
           peace
           and
           concord
           :
           and
           where
           they
           pretend
           to
           state
           and
           determine
           controversial
           points
           ,
           let
           them
           be
           esteemed
           by
           those
           of
           that
           Church
           never
           so
           pious
           ,
           never
           so
           credible
           ,
           never
           so
           probable
           ,
           no
           harm
           can
           possibly
           arise
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           the
           summary
           of
           the
           Christian
           doctrine
           is
           not
           violated
           ;
           so
           long
           as
           they
           are
           not
           ranked
           with
           the
           fundamental
           articles
           of
           faith
           ;
           so
           long
           as
           they
           do
           not
           impose
           them
           upon
           other
           Churches
           ,
           who
           are
           no
           way
           subject
           to
           a
           forraign
           jurisdiction
           ;
           much
           less
           upon
           the
           whole
           body
           of
           Christians
           in
           all
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           Universe
           ,
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           
             Apostolical
             authority
          
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           heavy
           
           penalty
           of
           an
           Anathema
           .
           But
           that
           there
           should
           be
           no
           difference
           put
           between
           the
           novel
           opinions
           of
           the
           Schoolmen
           ,
           and
           the
           Oracles
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           that
           the
           same
           deference
           and
           honour
           should
           be
           paid
           to
           humane
           authority
           ,
           very
           obnoxious
           to
           passion
           and
           error
           ,
           which
           only
           infallible
           truth
           can
           justly
           challenge
           ;
           that
           the
           phansies
           of
           private
           men
           ,
           as
           they
           were
           at
           first
           ,
           should
           ,
           many
           ages
           after
           ,
           by
           a
           pretended
           Church-power
           ,
           be
           reckoned
           as
           fundamentals
           :
           and
           lastly
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           be
           obliged
           to
           profess
           our
           assent
           to
           rash
           sanctions
           and
           definitions
           ,
           which
           a
           corrupt
           part
           of
           the
           Church
           for
           secular
           ends
           and
           advantages
           hath
           decreed
           and
           established
           ;
           this
           ,
           this
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           scandalizeth
           Christendom
           ,
           and
           obstructs
           its
           peace
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           the
           just
           complaint
           of
           the
           former
           century
           ,
           which
           made
           way
           for
           the
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           which
           a
           conviction
           of
           the
           truth
           and
           reasonableness
           of
           it
           extorted
           from
           the
           mouths
           of
           several
           Romanists
           ,
           who
           yet
           had
           not
           the
           courage
           to
           relinquish
           the
           communion
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           though
           confessedly
           corrupt
           in
           matter
           of
           doctrine
           ,
           discipline
           ,
           and
           worship
           .
           This
           was
           the
           trouble
           and
           heart-breaking
           of
           several
           excellently
           learned
           and
           pious
           persons
           in
           those
           times
           ,
           and
           doth
           still
           distract
           the
           minds
           of
           all
           good
           men
           ,
           even
           of
           considering
           Romanists
           ,
           not
           infatuated
           with
           superstition
           and
           furious
           bigotry
           ,
           who
           pray
           for
           the
           restoration
           of
           Catholick
           unity
           among
           all
           Christians
           .
           But
           such
           a
           schism
           ,
           so
           detestable
           ,
           so
           deplorable
           ,
           and
           so
           big
           with
           dismal
           effects
           ,
           consequences
           ,
           and
           events
           ,
           has
           been
           brought
           into
           the
           Church
           by
           corrupt
           interest
           ,
           by
           base
           and
           disingenuous
           artifice
           and
           subtilty
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           highest
           immodesty
           ,
           and
           by
           downright
           force
           and
           violence
           ,
           and
           this
           ,
           confirmed
           by
           the
           free
           ,
           holy
           ,
           oecumenical
           council
           of
           Trent
           ,
           as
           they
           call
           it
           ,
           when
           God
           knows
           it
           was
           neither
           free
           ,
           nor
           holy
           ,
           nor
           oecumenical
           ,
           as
           that
           all
           hope
           of
           reconciliation
           among
           the
           different
           
           professions
           and
           perswasions
           of
           Christians
           is
           taken
           away
           ,
           unless
           the
           Authors
           of
           this
           schism
           shall
           offer
           terms
           of
           an
           accommodation
           fit
           to
           be
           accepted
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           annulling
           or
           suspending
           for
           ever
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           Tridentine
           council
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           thing
           not
           to
           be
           expected
           from
           them
           ,
           or
           rather
           ,
           unless
           the
           Princes
           of
           the
           Roman
           Communion
           shall
           force
           the
           Pope
           to
           call
           another
           Council
           ,
           and
           in
           case
           of
           refusal
           ,
           shall
           assemble
           several
           Bishops
           and
           Doctors
           of
           their
           respective
           countries
           to
           debate
           the
           controversies
           ,
           which
           are
           now
           on
           foot
           ,
           and
           to
           determine
           them
           by
           
             Scripture
             ,
             primitive
             Antiquity
             ,
             and
             Apostolical
             Tradition
             .
          
        
         
           It
           will
           yield
           just
           matter
           of
           astonishment
           to
           the
           serious
           Reader
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           institution
           of
           the
           holy
           Sacrament
           of
           the
           Eucharist
           ,
           which
           Christ
           left
           to
           his
           Church
           in
           remembrance
           of
           his
           passion
           and
           death
           ,
           and
           for
           a
           pledge
           of
           his
           love
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           mark
           and
           token
           of
           the
           mutual
           love
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           faith
           in
           him
           crucified
           :
           whom
           that
           Sacrament
           does
           truly
           and
           efficaciously
           represent
           and
           exhibit
           ,
           should
           by
           the
           subtilty
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           and
           the
           perverse
           disputings
           of
           interested
           persons
           ,
           be
           so
           far
           abused
           and
           perverted
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           hence
           take
           occasion
           of
           envying
           eternal
           salvation
           ,
           purchased
           by
           his
           precious
           bloud
           ,
           and
           of
           denying
           it
           too
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           in
           them
           lyes
           ,
           to
           such
           ,
           as
           are
           partakers
           of
           those
           holy
           mysteries
           according
           to
           his
           original
           institution
           .
        
         
           For
           what
           other
           reason
           can
           be
           alledged
           for
           that
           fury
           ,
           which
           under
           the
           notion
           and
           pretext
           of
           zeal
           ,
           has
           taken
           up
           arms
           ;
           as
           if
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           were
           concerned
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           has
           brought
           that
           great
           confusion
           upon
           the
           world
           ,
           unless
           because
           they
           have
           different
           notions
           and
           sentiments
           about
           this
           tremendous
           mystery
           ,
           and
           disagree
           somewhat
           in
           their
           explications
           of
           it
           ?
           What
           great
           quantity
           of
           Christian
           bloud
           has
           been
           spilt
           by
           an
           enraged
           party
           upon
           the
           accompt
           of
           these
           unhappy
           Sacramentary
           quarrels
           ,
           which
           have
           ended
           in
           
           bloudy
           wars
           and
           Massacres
           !
           What
           great
           havock
           and
           wast
           have
           they
           made
           ,
           both
           by
           fire
           and
           sword
           ,
           of
           thousands
           of
           their
           
             Fellow
             Christians
          
           ,
           beyond
           the
           fury
           and
           madness
           of
           the
           Heathen
           persecutions
           ,
           who
           were
           in
           all
           other
           points
           innocent
           ,
           and
           were
           therefore
           burnt
           ,
           and
           had
           their
           throats
           cut
           ,
           only
           for
           this
           one
           great
           crime
           ,
           because
           they
           would
           not
           admit
           ,
           believe
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           ,
           contrary
           to
           scripture
           ,
           reason
           ,
           sense
           ,
           and
           experience
           ,
           the
           portentous
           and
           extravagant
           fiction
           of
           Transubstantiation
           !
           There
           is
           no
           Christian
           ,
           but
           believes
           Christ
           to
           be
           really
           and
           truly
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           spiritually
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           the
           real
           effects
           and
           benefits
           of
           his
           Passion
           and
           death
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           efficacy
           of
           his
           grace
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           present
           under
           the
           sacred
           Symbols
           ,
           which
           yet
           retain
           their
           true
           and
           natural
           substance
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           qualities
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           receives
           the
           mystical
           body
           of
           Christ
           after
           the
           consecration
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           words
           of
           the
           institution
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           faith
           of
           all
           Christians
           is
           founded
           ,
           and
           what
           has
           been
           professed
           in
           all
           ages
           ,
           and
           justly
           esteemed
           the
           badge
           of
           Christian
           communion
           by
           all
           sober
           persons
           ,
           whose
           judgments
           have
           not
           been
           perverted
           by
           passion
           and
           unjust
           prejudice
           .
           If
           every
           one
           ,
           without
           any
           curious
           enquiry
           into
           this
           mystery
           ,
           had
           contented
           himself
           with
           the
           plain
           and
           simple
           belief
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           due
           care
           had
           intended
           the
           worthy
           partaking
           of
           it
           ;
           if
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           had
           not
           first
           of
           all
           in
           the
           Lateran
           council
           ,
           and
           after
           that
           in
           the
           council
           of
           Trent
           ,
           rashly
           determined
           the
           manner
           of
           the
           presence
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           sacrament
           :
           if
           the
           Lutherans
           and
           others
           had
           onely
           determined
           for
           themselves
           ,
           without
           prescribing
           to
           ,
           or
           condemning
           others
           ;
           and
           if
           an
           explicite
           belief
           of
           this
           monstrous
           opinion
           had
           not
           been
           made
           a
           necessary
           term
           and
           condition
           of
           communion
           ;
           how
           might
           we
           have
           adored
           before
           the
           same
           altars
           ,
           (
           from
           which
           we
           are
           now
           excluded
           as
           profane
           ,
           unworthy
           and
           excommunicate
           persons
           ;
           and
           from
           which
           we
           have
           reason
           to
           abstain
           and
           fly
           ,
           
           as
           the
           primitive
           Christians
           did
           from
           the
           sacrifices
           of
           Idolaters
           )
           and
           have
           been
           present
           at
           the
           most
           solemn
           services
           of
           religion
           with
           the
           same
           zeal
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           advantage
           of
           Christian
           charity
           and
           devotion
           .
           No
           Priest
           would
           then
           have
           been
           afraid
           to
           admit
           any
           devout
           lay-person
           ,
           approaching
           the
           holy
           sacrament
           with
           due
           preparation
           ;
           and
           no
           lay-person
           would
           then
           also
           have
           been
           afraid
           to
           receive
           it
           from
           the
           hand
           of
           such
           a
           Priest
           ,
           rightly
           ordained
           and
           constituted
           .
        
         
           The
           like
           may
           be
           said
           of
           many
           other
           points
           of
           religion
           ,
           which
           without
           any
           prejudice
           to
           the
           doctrine
           of
           Faith
           ,
           are
           disputed
           and
           controverted
           :
           but
           whilst
           ,
           all
           other
           interpretations
           and
           expositions
           being
           laid
           aside
           ,
           men
           boldly
           decree
           and
           determine
           this
           or
           that
           opinion
           to
           be
           
             de
             fide
          
           ;
           whilst
           the
           niceties
           of
           the
           Schoolmen
           ,
           and
           the
           positions
           of
           contentious
           and
           Polemical
           Theology
           ,
           which
           idle
           men
           ,
           relying
           too
           much
           upon
           their
           subtil
           wit
           ,
           and
           false
           and
           sophistical
           way
           of
           arguing
           ,
           have
           introduced
           ,
           are
           in
           such
           esteem
           and
           vogue
           with
           some
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           lookt
           upon
           ,
           as
           necessary
           appendages
           of
           the
           Christian
           religion
           ;
           and
           whilst
           articles
           of
           faith
           ,
           which
           were
           altogether
           unknown
           to
           the
           first
           ages
           ,
           are
           hugely
           encreased
           and
           multiplied
           ,
           as
           is
           too
           too
           manifest
           from
           the
           present
           state
           and
           condition
           of
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           obscure
           confessions
           of
           other
           Churches
           ;
           what
           other
           effect
           can
           we
           expect
           should
           proceed
           from
           this
           mighty
           industry
           and
           zeal
           ,
           but
           that
           Christendom
           being
           divided
           into
           so
           many
           parties
           and
           factions
           ,
           all
           just
           hope
           of
           union
           should
           be
           wholly
           removed
           and
           taken
           away
           ,
           when
           the
           effecting
           of
           it
           hereby
           seems
           to
           be
           rendred
           morally
           impossible
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           arrogant
           pretensions
           of
           the
           Popes
           unbounded
           power
           contributes
           not
           a
           little
           to
           the
           heightning
           and
           augmenting
           the
           difference
           in
           Christendom
           .
           It
           does
           not
           seem
           at
           this
           day
           to
           comport
           with
           the
           greatness
           of
           the
           Roman
           Church
           ,
           to
           be
           content
           to
           be
           included
           within
           the
           antient
           
           limits
           of
           the
           Suburbicary
           regions
           .
           For
           not
           satisfied
           with
           a
           Primacy
           of
           order
           ,
           or
           with
           her
           antient
           Patriarchate
           ,
           (
           to
           whose
           jurisdiction
           the
           Britannick
           Churches
           were
           not
           of
           right
           subject
           )
           or
           with
           her
           other
           privileges
           ,
           conferred
           upon
           her
           out
           of
           a
           respect
           to
           the
           Imperial
           city
           ;
           as
           if
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           old
           Romans
           were
           infused
           into
           her
           ,
           she
           proudly
           affects
           an
           empire
           over
           the
           whole
           body
           of
           Christians
           throughout
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           If
           the
           other
           Patriachs
           ,
           who
           owe
           that
           honour
           and
           dignity
           to
           the
           same
           original
           ,
           the
           favour
           of
           Princes
           ,
           and
           the
           decrees
           and
           constitutions
           of
           
             general
             Councils
          
           (
           in
           the
           assignment
           of
           which
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           most
           evident
           from
           the
           28th
           Canon
           of
           the
           Council
           of
           Chalcedon
           ,
           they
           had
           onely
           a
           regard
           to
           the
           privileges
           and
           dignities
           of
           cities
           ,
           to
           which
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           government
           was
           accommodated
           )
           defend
           their
           rights
           and
           liberties
           against
           the
           attempts
           and
           encroachments
           of
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           ;
           if
           they
           will
           not
           submit
           to
           a
           forraign
           yoke
           ;
           unless
           they
           with
           a
           base
           and
           a
           most
           unbecoming
           flattery
           adore
           Rome
           ,
           as
           their
           Mistress
           and
           Patroness
           ,
           and
           obey
           her
           decrees
           and
           orders
           ;
           presently
           there
           is
           an
           end
           of
           them
           :
           they
           are
           arraigned
           and
           accused
           as
           guilty
           of
           schism
           ;
           nor
           shall
           they
           be
           thought
           worthy
           of
           the
           honour
           and
           favour
           of
           her
           communion
           .
           When
           some
           time
           after
           the
           Empire
           was
           divided
           into
           East
           and
           West
           ,
           there
           seemed
           to
           be
           a
           kind
           of
           agreement
           at
           least
           ,
           and
           a
           fair
           and
           amicable
           correspondence
           kept
           up
           ,
           the
           ambition
           and
           pride
           of
           the
           Bishops
           of
           Rome
           ,
           who
           would
           needs
           busy
           and
           interest
           themselves
           in
           the
           affairs
           of
           the
           Greek
           Church
           ,
           spoiled
           all
           .
           For
           to
           no
           other
           cause
           can
           the
           original
           of
           that
           sad
           and
           fatal
           separation
           be
           ascribed
           ,
           altho
           it
           was
           afterward
           heightned
           ,
           and
           the
           wound
           festered
           more
           and
           more
           ,
           when
           the
           article
           of
           
             the
             procession
             of
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             from
             the
             Son
          
           was
           added
           to
           the
           
             Constantinopolitan
             Creed
          
           ,
           without
           ever
           so
           much
           
           as
           consulting
           the
           Oriental
           Bishops
           ,
           who
           upon
           the
           knowledge
           of
           it
           soon
           after
           vehemently
           opposed
           it
           ;
           justly
           alledging
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           utterly
           unlawful
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           it
           being
           expresly
           against
           the
           7th
           canon
           of
           the
           council
           of
           Ephesus
           .
           But
           things
           were
           more
           securely
           advanced
           and
           carryed
           on
           in
           the
           Western
           Empire
           ,
           by
           the
           artifice
           and
           policy
           of
           the
           Popes
           of
           Rome
           :
           for
           the
           opposition
           ,
           which
           was
           made
           now
           and
           then
           by
           two
           or
           three
           honest
           and
           stout
           men
           ,
           to
           their
           tyrannical
           and
           arbitrary
           proceedings
           ,
           signified
           little
           or
           nothing
           ,
           and
           was
           run
           down
           with
           noise
           ,
           violence
           ,
           and
           power
           .
        
         
           When
           then
           they
           had
           no
           regard
           to
           the
           canons
           of
           antient
           Councils
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           was
           formerly
           governed
           ;
           when
           they
           had
           trodden
           under
           their
           feet
           all
           divine
           and
           humane
           law
           and
           right
           ;
           when
           they
           had
           arrogated
           to
           themselves
           the
           disposition
           of
           all
           Church-affairs
           ,
           and
           had
           usurpt
           a
           power
           over
           all
           Christians
           ;
           and
           nothing
           for
           the
           future
           was
           to
           be
           admitted
           and
           believed
           ,
           but
           what
           was
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Bulls
           and
           decrees
           of
           the
           Roman
           Court
           ;
           can
           any
           one
           wonder
           ,
           when
           things
           were
           brought
           to
           this
           pass
           ,
           that
           Christendom
           should
           at
           last
           awaken
           from
           its
           deep
           lethargy
           ,
           and
           grown
           sensible
           of
           the
           miserable
           slavery
           of
           its
           condition
           ,
           should
           complain
           of
           the
           exercise
           of
           this
           usurped
           ,
           unjust
           ,
           and
           tyrannical
           power
           ,
           and
           seriously
           think
           of
           recovering
           its
           true
           ,
           antient
           ,
           original
           
             (
             hristian
          
           liberty
           ?
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           what
           did
           they
           at
           Rome
           ?
           did
           they
           enter
           upon
           serious
           counsels
           and
           resolutions
           honestly
           and
           effectually
           to
           satisfy
           the
           requests
           and
           demands
           of
           
             Kings
             ,
             Princes
          
           ,
           and
           Republicks
           concerning
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           which
           were
           continually
           sent
           thither
           by
           their
           Ambassadors
           and
           Agents
           ?
           did
           they
           restore
           their
           ill-gotten
           goods
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           seized
           upon
           most
           unjustly
           ,
           and
           as
           unjustly
           had
           detained
           by
           force
           and
           violence
           ,
           I
           mean
           ,
           the
           common
           rights
           and
           privileges
           ,
           
           belonging
           to
           the
           Bishops
           ;
           and
           to
           all
           Christian
           people
           ?
           nothing
           less
           :
           they
           exclaim
           ,
           they
           rage
           ,
           they
           are
           furious
           and
           mad
           ,
           and
           let
           fly
           their
           thunderbolts
           of
           excommunication
           from
           the
           
             Vatican
             hill
          
           ,
           and
           devote
           men
           to
           hell
           and
           damnation
           ,
           only
           for
           this
           unpardonable
           fault
           ,
           because
           they
           were
           at
           last
           quite
           tyred
           with
           ,
           and
           weary
           of
           the
           slavery
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           laboured
           under
           for
           so
           many
           years
           .
           This
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           troubles
           and
           grieves
           them
           now
           at
           Rome
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           are
           endeavouring
           with
           so
           much
           art
           and
           policy
           to
           effect
           and
           bring
           about
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           unless
           God
           shall
           vouchsafe
           to
           avert
           the
           omen
           ,
           and
           open
           the
           eyes
           of
           all
           such
           ,
           who
           are
           deluded
           by
           the
           witchcrafts
           and
           sorcery
           of
           Rome
           ,
           to
           forsake
           her
           communion
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           dangerous
           to
           their
           salvation
           ,
           will
           make
           the
           schism
           irreconcileable
           and
           eternal
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           things
           stand
           at
           present
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           peace
           and
           accommodation
           with
           Rome
           ,
           unless
           we
           part
           with
           our
           liberties
           ,
           and
           our
           laws
           ,
           and
           our
           consciences
           ,
           and
           our
           religion
           ,
           the
           true
           Christian
           religion
           ,
           and
           every
           thing
           ,
           which
           is
           dear
           to
           us
           :
           nor
           yet
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           restlesness
           of
           that
           party
           ,
           and
           especially
           of
           the
           Jesuits
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           counsels
           of
           such
           fiery
           Bigots
           may
           prevail
           ,
           we
           shall
           never
           be
           at
           quiet
           ,
           unless
           we
           submit
           our
           necks
           once
           more
           most
           stupidly
           to
           the
           Roman
           yoke
           ,
           which
           our
           
             Popish
             Ancestors
          
           ,
           even
           both
           before
           and
           after
           they
           were
           enlightned
           with
           the
           knowledge
           of
           the
           truths
           of
           God
           ,
           threw
           off
           with
           great
           indignation
           ,
           as
           not
           being
           able
           to
           bear
           it
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           we
           are
           convinced
           by
           sad
           experience
           ,
           that
           these
           differences
           about
           religion
           ,
           which
           have
           divided
           Christendom
           into
           so
           many
           sects
           ,
           to
           the
           great
           disturbance
           of
           its
           peace
           and
           quiet
           ,
           owe
           no
           small
           part
           of
           their
           original
           to
           the
           great
           decay
           of
           true
           solid
           piety
           through
           idleness
           and
           carelesness
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           departure
           from
           the
           most
           holy
           rules
           of
           living
           ,
           which
           Christ
           our
           blessed
           Lord
           and
           master
           has
           prescribed
           
           us
           ,
           which
           is
           every
           where
           so
           visible
           .
           I
           need
           not
           here
           labour
           in
           the
           proof
           of
           this
           by
           heaping
           up
           arguments
           ,
           when
           the
           fact
           is
           so
           evident
           ;
           nor
           shall
           I
           tragically
           exclaim
           or
           inveigh
           against
           the
           unmanly
           softness
           ,
           the
           luxury
           ,
           the
           prophaneness
           ,
           the
           wickedness
           of
           the
           age
           ,
           and
           the
           evil
           lives
           of
           Christians
           ;
           this
           reflexion
           deserving
           our
           sighs
           and
           tears
           rather
           than
           satyre
           and
           invective
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           here
           mean
           so
           much
           those
           ,
           whose
           wicked
           &
           corrupt
           principles
           and
           most
           scandalous
           lives
           sufficiently
           shew
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           no
           sense
           of
           any
           religion
           ,
           but
           I
           chiefly
           intend
           such
           ,
           as
           make
           a
           fair
           shew
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           how
           little
           of
           true
           piety
           is
           found
           about
           them
           !
           but
           how
           much
           of
           superstition
           ,
           and
           immoderate
           zeal
           for
           the
           peculiar
           tenents
           of
           their
           sect
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           would
           be
           distinguished
           one
           from
           another
           !
           in
           compliance
           of
           the
           genius
           of
           the
           age
           ,
           which
           is
           concerned
           more
           for
           ingenuity
           ,
           and
           learning
           ,
           &
           the
           inventing
           new
           hypotheses
           ,
           and
           satisfying
           curious
           enquiries
           into
           nature
           ,
           than
           for
           the
           practices
           of
           moral
           honesty
           and
           Christian
           vertue
           ,
           and
           how
           we
           may
           foyl
           and
           baffle
           our
           adversaries
           by
           our
           wit
           ,
           rather
           than
           adorn
           our
           holy
           profession
           with
           suitable
           lives
           .
           But
           alas
           !
           by
           how
           much
           less
           pious
           we
           are
           ,
           so
           by
           degrees
           we
           become
           more
           and
           more
           censorious
           and
           uncharitable
           .
           We
           bestow
           all
           our
           zeal
           in
           lesser
           matters
           ,
           and
           lay
           the
           great
           stress
           of
           our
           duty
           upon
           it
           ,
           being
           little
           solicitous
           about
           the
           ornaments
           of
           a
           Christian
           life
           ,
           as
           if
           by
           this
           fallacious
           and
           flattering
           kind
           of
           artifice
           we
           would
           compound
           with
           God
           for
           the
           want
           of
           them
           .
           It
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           complain
           of
           ,
           and
           cry
           out
           upon
           the
           wickedness
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           when
           we
           our selves
           are
           to
           blame
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           no
           better
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           would
           our selves
           ,
           we
           might
           make
           them
           so
           .
           For
           if
           the
           true
           Christian
           piety
           ,
           and
           strict
           discipline
           ,
           and
           integrity
           of
           manners
           ,
           were
           but
           once
           restored
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           throughly
           minded
           the
           great
           duties
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           which
           consist
           in
           unfeigned
           devotion
           and
           holiness
           ,
           
           in
           charity
           ,
           and
           meekness
           ,
           and
           patience
           ,
           and
           forbids
           all
           bitterness
           ,
           and
           wrath
           ,
           and
           evil
           speaking
           ,
           and
           hatred
           ,
           and
           malice
           ,
           and
           abstracts
           from
           all
           niceties
           and
           subtilities
           of
           disputation
           ,
           and
           quarrels
           about
           Scholastick
           notions
           and
           opinions
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           essence
           of
           faith
           is
           no
           way
           interested
           ;
           it
           will
           be
           no
           vain
           ,
           idle
           ,
           or
           ill-grounded
           expectation
           ,
           that
           we
           might
           live
           to
           see
           the
           different
           parties
           of
           Christendom
           united
           ,
           and
           Ecclesiastical
           peace
           and
           unity
           restored
           .
           But
           whilst
           ill
           manners
           and
           a
           careless
           way
           of
           living
           prevail
           ;
           whilst
           charity
           and
           modesty
           are
           laid
           aside
           ,
           and
           men
           grow
           over-wise
           and
           conceited
           in
           their
           opinions
           ,
           and
           despise
           all
           others
           of
           a
           contrary
           judgment
           ;
           whilst
           to
           be
           of
           a
           Party
           ,
           and
           to
           maintain
           private
           phansies
           with
           fierceness
           and
           heat
           ,
           is
           accounted
           a
           good
           argument
           of
           their
           being
           godly
           ;
           whilst
           being
           too
           much
           concerned
           for
           the
           externals
           of
           religion
           ,
           and
           controversial
           points
           ,
           we
           over-look
           our
           duty
           ,
           and
           growing
           secure
           and
           careless
           ,
           seem
           to
           have
           little
           or
           no
           regard
           to
           what
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           command
           us
           to
           look
           after
           with
           all
           possible
           care
           and
           diligence
           ,
           and
           make
           our
           most
           serious
           study
           and
           business
           ;
           who
           can
           be
           so
           void
           of
           sense
           or
           good
           nature
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           observe
           with
           grief
           and
           sorrow
           of
           mind
           ,
           that
           by
           this
           ill
           imployed
           industry
           ,
           and
           by
           these
           furious
           quarrels
           ,
           Christianity
           suffers
           ,
           and
           that
           ,
           new
           prejudices
           arising
           continually
           ,
           the
           evil
           distemper
           grows
           worse
           and
           worse
           ,
           and
           will
           soon
           become
           desperate
           and
           incurable
           ?
           No
           serious
           and
           honest
           Reader
           can
           be
           so
           unjust
           ,
           as
           to
           imagine
           ,
           that
           I
           plead
           for
           a
           toleration
           of
           vile
           sects
           and
           opinions
           ,
           or
           that
           I
           think
           it
           a
           matter
           of
           meer
           indifference
           ,
           to
           what
           communion
           of
           Christians
           we
           betake
           and
           joyn
           our selves
           .
           We
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           are
           obliged
           to
           render
           unfeigned
           and
           hearty
           thanks
           to
           
             Almighty
             God
          
           ,
           for
           his
           great
           mercy
           and
           goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           has
           made
           us
           members
           of
           such
           an
           eminently
           pure
           and
           Apostolical
           part
           and
           branch
           of
           the
           
             Catholick
             
             Church
          
           ;
           that
           we
           were
           born
           and
           baptized
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           the
           communion
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           whose
           doctrine
           is
           truly
           Christian
           and
           Catholick
           ;
           government
           primitive
           and
           Apostolical
           ;
           and
           Liturgy
           conformable
           to
           the
           antient
           standard
           ,
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           uses
           of
           true
           devotion
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           mixture
           of
           superstition
           and
           foppery
           ;
           and
           where
           the
           Sacraments
           are
           administred
           according
           to
           Christs
           holy
           institution
           :
           and
           where
           all
           things
           necessary
           to
           make
           a
           true
           
             Orthodox
             Catholick
             Christian
          
           ,
           and
           to
           render
           him
           eternally
           happy
           in
           the
           other
           world
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           found
           and
           met
           with
           .
        
         
           It
           highly
           becomes
           us
           in
           point
           of
           duty
           to
           be
           very
           sensible
           of
           this
           great
           blessing
           :
           and
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           the
           great
           comfort
           of
           our
           lives
           and
           deaths
           too
           :
           yet
           I
           cannot
           but
           oppose
           to
           all
           unjust
           censure
           that
           expostulation
           of
           Saint
           
             Paul
             ,
             Romans
             14.
             4.
             
             Who
             art
             thou
             that
             judgest
             another
             mans
             servant
             ?
             to
             his
             own
             master
             he
             standeth
             or
             falleth
             :
             yea
             he
             shall
             be
             holden
             up
             :
             for
             God
             is
             able
             to
             make
             him
             stand
             :
          
           and
           will
           further
           add
           ,
           that
           I
           doubt
           not
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           but
           that
           at
           the
           dreadful
           day
           of
           judgment
           a
           virtuous
           ,
           honest
           ,
           and
           sober
           life
           will
           be
           more
           esteemed
           by
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           than
           niceness
           of
           knowledge
           and
           opinion
           ,
           be
           it
           never
           so
           true
           ;
           that
           no
           one
           who
           has
           adorned
           his
           Christian
           profession
           with
           an
           agreeable
           conversation
           ;
           notwithstanding
           his
           errors
           and
           misperswasions
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           not
           aggravated
           and
           made
           pernicious
           by
           obstinacy
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           a
           wilful
           resisting
           and
           refusing
           the
           truth
           ,
           will
           be
           rejected
           ,
           and
           that
           those
           who
           now
           out
           of
           a
           furious
           zeal
           ,
           (
           if
           yet
           there
           be
           any
           who
           do
           this
           ,
           besides
           some
           of
           the
           fiery
           men
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           who
           arrogantly
           call
           themselves
           Religious
           ,
           and
           their
           credulous
           &
           infatuated
           Proselytes
           )
           deny
           or
           scarse
           own
           salvation
           possible
           to
           others
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           of
           their
           communion
           :
           which
           is
           a
           most
           unwarrantable
           ,
           impudent
           ,
           scandalously
           false
           ,
           and
           unchristian
           opinion
           ,
           the
           wickedness
           of
           which
           cannot
           be
           sufficiently
           aggravated
           :
           
           of
           what
           party
           of
           men
           soever
           ,
           and
           are
           thus
           uncharitable
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           if
           an
           holy
           and
           virtuous
           life
           be
           superstructed
           upon
           the
           foundation
           of
           faith
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           all
           agree
           ,
           by
           the
           grace
           and
           mercy
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           all-sufficient
           merits
           and
           satisfaction
           of
           Christ
           ,
           will
           be
           happy
           hereafter
           for
           ever
           in
           heaven
           .
        
         
           Hitherto
           of
           the
           causes
           of
           those
           quarrels
           about
           Religion
           which
           distract
           the
           quiet
           and
           peace
           of
           Christendom
           .
           Let
           us
           now
           briefly
           consider
           the
           remedies
           .
           In
           general
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           evident
           ,
           that
           all
           endeavours
           about
           composing
           these
           differences
           ,
           are
           in
           vain
           and
           to
           no
           purpose
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           cannot
           entertain
           the
           least
           ground
           of
           hope
           ,
           to
           attain
           to
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           
             primitive
             Church
          
           ,
           unless
           all
           parties
           relax
           their
           censures
           ,
           which
           have
           hitherto
           excluded
           love
           and
           charity
           ,
           and
           make
           use
           of
           the
           same
           means
           in
           restoring
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           Christians
           of
           the
           first
           times
           did
           in
           retaining
           it
           .
           If
           with
           composed
           and
           settled
           minds
           and
           affections
           we
           would
           agree
           in
           this
           excellent
           method
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           reason
           to
           despair
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           pacifick
           counsels
           and
           pious
           endeavours
           of
           honest
           men
           ,
           who
           labour
           after
           the
           blessed
           work
           of
           union
           and
           reconciliation
           among
           Christians
           ,
           might
           be
           very
           successful
           .
           Now
           the
           means
           of
           obtaining
           this
           Ecclestastical
           peace
           ,
           consist
           in
           the
           removal
           of
           the
           causes
           above-mentioned
           ,
           which
           have
           obstructed
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           these
           .
        
         
           Whereof
           the
           first
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           antient
           ,
           simple
           ,
           Christian
           faith
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           contained
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           summed
           up
           in
           the
           Creeds
           of
           general
           Councils
           ,
           and
           received
           in
           all
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           be
           only
           urged
           as
           necessary
           to
           be
           believed
           in
           order
           to
           salvation
           .
           For
           seeing
           that
           this
           common
           faith
           was
           made
           use
           of
           by
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           as
           a
           tye
           and
           bond
           of
           holy
           communion
           ;
           seeing
           the
           Catechumens
           ,
           after
           praevious
           instruction
           ,
           upon
           their
           profession
           of
           this
           faith
           ,
           no
           other
           condition
           being
           exacted
           ,
           were
           admitted
           
           to
           baptism
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           right
           to
           partake
           of
           the
           holy
           mysteries
           of
           the
           Eucharist
           ;
           seeing
           that
           in
           the
           profession
           of
           the
           same
           faith
           ,
           all
           true
           Christians
           do
           fully
           agree
           ;
           (
           for
           the
           Socinians
           ,
           who
           go
           about
           to
           overthrow
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           the
           Christian
           doctrine
           ,
           by
           arrogant
           presumptions
           of
           false
           reasonings
           ,
           and
           by
           sophistical
           arguments
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           blasphemies
           against
           Christ
           ,
           the
           eternal
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           turn
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           into
           the
           lasciviousness
           of
           humane
           wit
           ,
           and
           deny
           the
           divinity
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           are
           not
           to
           be
           honoured
           with
           this
           name
           :
           )
           why
           should
           not
           the
           foundation
           and
           ground-work
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           peace
           and
           unity
           ,
           after
           the
           example
           and
           practice
           of
           the
           primitive
           Church
           ,
           be
           laid
           in
           the
           same
           faith
           ?
           with
           what
           pretense
           of
           reason
           ought
           any
           opinion
           ,
           after
           the
           first
           preaching
           and
           establishment
           of
           the
           faith
           all
           the
           world
           over
           ,
           after
           the
           conveyance
           of
           it
           down
           to
           so
           many
           ages
           ,
           be
           superadded
           as
           a
           necessary
           point
           of
           faith
           ,
           which
           was
           unknown
           to
           all
           Antiquity
           ?
           by
           what
           right
           can
           such
           a
           number
           of
           articles
           be
           obtruded
           upon
           the
           understandings
           and
           consciences
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           especially
           such
           ,
           as
           have
           been
           invented
           and
           propagated
           for
           base
           and
           secular
           interests
           and
           advantages
           ,
           and
           to
           maintain
           worldly
           grandeur
           and
           reputation
           ?
           That
           Christians
           do
           so
           little
           agree
           in
           some
           of
           their
           sentiments
           about
           Religion
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           not
           the
           same
           rule
           of
           faith
           ,
           equally
           and
           under
           the
           same
           obligation
           proposed
           to
           all
           ;
           this
           must
           not
           be
           imputed
           either
           to
           our
           B.
           Saviour
           ,
           or
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           his
           Religion
           ,
           which
           proposes
           in
           easy
           terms
           and
           Propositions
           ,
           to
           the
           most
           ordinary
           and
           less
           intelligent
           Christians
           ,
           enough
           to
           conduce
           to
           their
           obtaining
           eternal
           salvation
           ,
           but
           to
           certain
           fiery
           Zealots
           ,
           who
           venting
           their
           beloved
           tenents
           and
           notions
           for
           oracles
           ,
           impose
           them
           upon
           others
           under
           direful
           curses
           and
           Anathema's
           .
           What
           fuller
           proof
           and
           
           argument
           can
           there
           be
           of
           this
           surious
           zeal
           ,
           than
           what
           the
           Romanists
           are
           guilty
           of
           ,
           in
           inveighing
           against
           us
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           most
           falsly
           and
           unjustly
           ,
           for
           not
           receiving
           several
           tenents
           ,
           which
           are
           but
           of
           a
           few
           ages
           standing
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           destitute
           of
           all
           authority
           ,
           whether
           of
           Scripture
           or
           Antiquity
           ?
           But
           this
           is
           our
           comfort
           ,
           (
           if
           yet
           it
           be
           any
           comfort
           to
           persons
           in
           distress
           ,
           to
           have
           any
           to
           share
           with
           them
           in
           it
           )
           we
           shall
           not
           be
           condemned
           alone
           :
           but
           at
           the
           same
           time
           they
           condemn
           us
           ,
           they
           must
           draw
           into
           the
           guilt
           of
           the
           same
           heresy
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           pleased
           most
           civilly
           to
           word
           it
           ,
           all
           such
           ,
           as
           have
           a
           true
           and
           just
           veneration
           of
           uncorrupt
           Antiquity
           :
           and
           for
           this
           reason
           among
           others
           ,
           reject
           the
           Creed
           of
           Pope
           Pius
           the
           fourth
           .
           But
           if
           we
           are
           to
           think
           well
           of
           the
           condition
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           first
           ages
           preserved
           the
           integrity
           and
           purity
           of
           the
           Christian
           faith
           with
           Creeds
           ,
           and
           other
           holy
           writings
           ,
           as
           so
           many
           sacred
           amulets
           and
           preservatives
           against
           the
           infection
           and
           poison
           of
           heresy
           truly
           so
           called
           ;
           who
           were
           ambitious
           of
           dying
           ,
           and
           lost
           their
           lives
           for
           the
           profession
           of
           that
           faith
           ,
           and
           embraced
           the
           flames
           rather
           than
           dissemble
           or
           disown
           it
           ;
           if
           the
           primitive
           Saints
           and
           Martyrs
           be
           happy
           and
           blessed
           ;
           we
           need
           not
           fear
           the
           noise
           of
           their
           thunder
           ,
           which
           can
           do
           no
           execution
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           meer
           bug-bears
           to
           affright
           persons
           of
           weak
           and
           childish
           phansies
           :
           we
           tread
           in
           the
           steps
           of
           those
           holy
           Saints
           and
           Martyrs
           ;
           we
           are
           safe
           ,
           we
           are
           secure
           ;
           provided
           we
           copy
           out
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           imitate
           those
           glorious
           examples
           they
           have
           set
           up
           of
           consummate
           piety
           as
           well
           as
           profess
           the
           same
           faith
           .
           Wherever
           the
           Christians
           were
           dispersed
           ,
           whether
           in
           the
           Patriarchate
           of
           Rome
           ,
           or
           Alexandria
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           ;
           by
           virtue
           of
           this
           Profession
           of
           faith
           ,
           they
           were
           received
           into
           communion
           
           and
           admitted
           to
           the
           common
           rights
           of
           Religion
           ,
           not
           denying
           or
           envying
           to
           each
           other
           salvation
           in
           the
           world
           to
           come
           ,
           but
           by
           joint
           exercises
           of
           devotion
           mutually
           promoting
           and
           advancing
           it
           :
           nay
           their
           ,
           charity
           was
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           the
           most
           unchristian
           censures
           and
           unjust
           Schism
           of
           the
           Donatists
           ,
           they
           lookt
           upon
           them
           as
           Brethren
           still
           ,
           though
           horribly
           perverted
           by
           a
           false
           and
           ignorant
           zeal
           to
           make
           a
           separation
           from
           them
           ;
           nay
           they
           did
           not
           pass
           a
           damnatory
           sentence
           upon
           a
           the
           Arians
           ,
           nor
           altogether
           despair
           of
           their
           s●●●ation
           ,
           but
           left
           them
           to
           stand
           or
           fall
           to
           their
           own
           Master
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Upon
           and
           after
           a
           ready
           acknowledgment
           of
           the
           articles
           of
           faith
           ,
           without
           which
           no
           one
           can
           pretend
           to
           be
           a
           Christian
           ,
           let
           a
           liberty
           of
           judging
           in
           other
           less
           material
           points
           of
           doctrine
           be
           allowed
           and
           indulged
           :
           for
           variety
           of
           opinions
           does
           no
           more
           dissolve
           the
           unity
           of
           faith
           ,
           than
           variety
           of
           rites
           and
           ceremonies
           .
           How
           had
           that
           wide
           wound
           ,
           which
           schism
           has
           made
           in
           the
           body
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           been
           long
           since
           closed
           and
           perfectly
           healed
           ,
           if
           this
           soveraign
           medicine
           had
           been
           applyed
           ,
           and
           if
           they
           had
           not
           proceeded
           so
           dogmatically
           and
           boldly
           ,
           by
           confessions
           of
           faith
           ,
           and
           by
           new
           and
           unheard
           of
           canons
           to
           determine
           points
           uncertain
           and
           doubtful
           !
           by
           which
           way
           of
           procedure
           the
           minds
           of
           Christians
           are
           oppressed
           ,
           and
           the
           doctrine
           of
           faith
           rendred
           perplext
           and
           obscure
           by
           scholastick
           subtilties
           and
           niceties
           .
           It
           were
           to
           be
           wisht
           indeed
           ,
           that
           all
           Christians
           ,
           and
           especially
           those
           ,
           who
           ,
           for
           most
           just
           and
           weighty
           and
           indispensable
           reasons
           and
           motives
           ,
           have
           relinquished
           the
           Roman
           communion
           ,
           could
           agree
           in
           a
           general
           systeme
           of
           Theological
           opinions
           :
           but
           because
           this
           is
           not
           to
           be
           hoped
           for
           ,
           considering
           the
           different
           apprehensions
           ,
           tempers
           ,
           inclinations
           ,
           interests
           ,
           judgments
           ,
           way
           of
           education
           ,
           method
           of
           study
           and
           arguing
           ,
           
           and
           interpreting
           scripture
           ,
           and
           consequently
           there
           not
           being
           the
           same
           light
           of
           knowledge
           ,
           the
           same
           force
           and
           sharpness
           of
           wit
           and
           understanding
           ,
           the
           same
           industry
           and
           impartiality
           ;
           why
           should
           we
           not
           for
           peace
           and
           quiet
           sake
           bear
           with
           others
           ,
           who
           ,
           though
           they
           may
           differ
           from
           us
           in
           some
           particulars
           ,
           agree
           with
           us
           in
           fundamentals
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           contained
           in
           easy
           texts
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           ancient
           Creeds
           ,
           with
           all
           Christian
           charity
           ,
           and
           compassion
           ,
           and
           moderation
           ?
           Let
           that
           evil
           custom
           of
           reviling
           ,
           which
           is
           almost
           become
           habitual
           and
           natural
           ,
           and
           that
           odious
           calling
           of
           names
           and
           branding
           private
           notions
           with
           ill
           characters
           ,
           if
           they
           may
           admit
           of
           a
           more
           favourable
           interpretation
           ,
           without
           prejudice
           to
           the
           essential
           truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           for
           ever
           cease
           ,
           and
           be
           totally
           laid
           aside
           .
           For
           by
           this
           mutual
           indulgence
           and
           condescension
           ,
           which
           all
           Lovers
           of
           peace
           cannot
           but
           acknowledge
           to
           be
           most
           fit
           and
           equitable
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           one
           whatever
           ,
           be
           his
           capacity
           never
           so
           mean
           and
           dull
           ,
           but
           he
           will
           foresee
           and
           presage
           ,
           that
           a
           mighty
           benefit
           would
           redound
           to
           Christendom
           ,
           and
           a
           happy
           stop
           would
           be
           put
           to
           the
           disorders
           and
           confusions
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Let
           the
           antient
           canons
           about
           Church-government
           be
           restored
           to
           their
           full
           vigour
           ,
           and
           every
           
             National
             Church
          
           enjoy
           its
           just
           rights
           ,
           and
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           be
           reduced
           to
           his
           original
           jurisdiction
           ,
           and
           all
           pretensions
           to
           an
           Oecumenical
           power
           for
           ever
           be
           abolished
           and
           annulled
           .
           For
           the
           Romanists
           ,
           in
           the
           height
           of
           all
           their
           pride
           and
           usurpations
           ,
           which
           have
           violated
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           of
           which
           they
           cannot
           but
           be
           convinced
           in
           their
           consciences
           ,
           may
           remember
           ,
           that
           communion
           with
           their
           Church
           was
           never
           held
           necessary
           ,
           but
           onely
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           a
           part
           ,
           and
           branch
           ,
           and
           member
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           .
           Besides
           ,
           who
           can
           be
           ignorant
           of
           the
           great
           disputes
           maintained
           
           with
           the
           See
           of
           Rome
           in
           antient
           and
           latter
           times
           ,
           by
           the
           Christians
           of
           other
           communions
           ,
           in
           defense
           of
           their
           rights
           ?
           The
           Churches
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           East
           and
           South
           ,
           divided
           into
           several
           Patriarchates
           and
           Bishopricks
           ,
           vindicated
           their
           privileges
           ,
           which
           they
           enjoyed
           according
           to
           the
           decrees
           of
           the
           Council
           of
           Nice
           ,
           in
           their
           several
           limits
           and
           districts
           .
           The
           title
           of
           
             Universal
             Bishop
          
           was
           not
           then
           known
           or
           pretended
           to
           :
           no
           one
           had
           either
           the
           vanity
           or
           the
           ambition
           to
           usurp
           such
           an
           unlimited
           power
           .
        
         
           This
           honour
           was
           reserved
           for
           Pope
           Boniface
           the
           third
           ,
           and
           his
           Successors
           ,
           as
           if
           all
           the
           world
           hence
           forward
           were
           to
           be
           included
           within
           the
           walls
           or
           Pomoeria
           of
           the
           city
           of
           Rome
           .
           The
           world
           was
           astonished
           at
           this
           procedure
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           with
           any
           patience
           admit
           and
           suffer
           so
           great
           an
           imposition
           .
           
             Christian
             Carthage
          
           despised
           the
           insults
           of
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           their
           Heathen
           Ancestors
           did
           the
           Senate
           :
           and
           although
           Constantinople
           ,
           unwillingly
           enough
           ,
           allowed
           the
           honour
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           chief
           See
           to
           Rome
           ,
           yet
           it
           ever
           maintained
           its
           own
           liberty
           :
           and
           though
           now
           horribly
           oppressed
           and
           sadly
           groaning
           under
           Turkish
           tyranny
           ,
           is
           not
           so
           forgetful
           of
           its
           ancient
           honour
           ,
           as
           basely
           to
           submit
           to
           the
           claims
           of
           Rome
           .
           They
           would
           very
           willingly
           retain
           communion
           with
           her
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           the
           branches
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           if
           the
           hinderances
           of
           that
           communion
           were
           once
           removed
           ,
           and
           that
           pretended
           universal
           authority
           laid
           aside
           :
           in
           which
           holy
           desire
           we
           join
           with
           them
           .
           Let
           the
           Bishop
           of
           Rome
           be
           the
           first
           of
           that
           order
           ;
           provided
           ,
           that
           he
           be
           not
           lookt
           upon
           ,
           as
           the
           sole
           universal
           Bishop
           ;
           and
           that
           all
           others
           be
           deemed
           to
           be
           ,
           as
           indeed
           they
           are
           ,
           by
           the
           constitution
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           independent
           ,
           and
           not
           his
           Vicars
           and
           Deputies
           :
           and
           provided
           
           also
           ,
           that
           their
           rights
           ,
           which
           rely
           upon
           the
           same
           Ecclesiastical
           laws
           ,
           be
           reserved
           to
           them
           in
           their
           full
           and
           just
           extent
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           decrees
           of
           the
           Roman
           Court
           be
           not
           imposed
           upon
           the
           world
           with
           a
           
             non
             obstante
          
           to
           Apostolical
           constitutions
           ;
           and
           that
           its
           jurisdiction
           be
           contained
           within
           the
           limits
           of
           the
           antient
           Canons
           .
           If
           this
           bar
           were
           removed
           ,
           a
           way
           would
           quickly
           be
           opened
           to
           let
           peace
           into
           the
           most
           divided
           parts
           of
           Christendom
           .
           This
           all
           good
           Christians
           ,
           all
           but
           such
           worldly-minded
           men
           ,
           whose
           interest
           it
           is
           to
           keep
           up
           these
           differences
           ,
           earnestly
           wish
           ,
           sigh
           ,
           and
           pray
           for
           ,
           and
           would
           readily
           unite
           upon
           these
           honest
           and
           just
           conditions
           ,
           if
           truths
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           were
           only
           proposed
           to
           be
           believed
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           antient
           forms
           ;
           if
           all
           fiery
           censures
           and
           excommunications
           were
           utterly
           condemned
           and
           abolished
           ;
           and
           if
           superstition
           were
           removed
           from
           the
           service
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           publick
           offices
           of
           Religion
           .
        
         
           Unless
           this
           be
           done
           ,
           we
           must
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           presence
           
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             holy
             Angels
             ,
             and
             all
             mankind
             ,
          
           lay
           the
           schism
           at
           the
           Romanists
           door
           ,
           and
           wholly
           impute
           it
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           does
           not
           enjoy
           the
           great
           blessing
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           peace
           .
           In
           the
           mean
           while
           ,
           we
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           are
           very
           ready
           to
           admit
           of
           any
           conditions
           of
           obtaining
           this
           most
           blessed
           and
           glorious
           end
           ,
           provided
           that
           by
           them
           the
           peace
           of
           our
           consciences
           be
           not
           violated
           and
           disturbed
           ;
           that
           they
           do
           not
           contradict
           and
           thwart
           the
           principles
           and
           analogy
           of
           faith
           ;
           that
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           its
           best
           and
           most
           genuine
           interpreter
           ,
           Antiquity
           ,
           be
           admitted
           to
           have
           the
           highest
           and
           only
           lawful
           authority
           in
           determining
           controversies
           of
           faith
           ;
           that
           no
           prejudice
           be
           done
           to
           Ecclesiastical
           Government
           ;
           and
           lastly
           ,
           that
           all
           things
           be
           tryed
           by
           the
           rules
           and
           canons
           and
           customs
           ,
           which
           were
           in
           use
           in
           the
           first
           ages
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           
             Catholick
             
             Church
          
           was
           then
           governed
           .
           O
           happy
           ,
           O
           blessed
           ,
           O
           glorious
           day
           ,
           in
           which
           all
           these
           confusions
           ,
           which
           no
           good
           man
           can
           think
           of
           without
           great
           disorder
           of
           mind
           ,
           shall
           be
           removed
           ,
           and
           all
           ,
           who
           worship
           the
           same
           crucified
           Saviour
           ,
           shall
           unite
           in
           brotherly
           love
           ,
           charity
           ,
           and
           communion
           !
           But
           the
           wicked
           lives
           of
           Christians
           ,
           and
           base
           secular
           interest
           will
           not
           permit
           us
           to
           expect
           so
           great
           a
           blessing
           .
           We
           must
           first
           endeavour
           to
           restore
           the
           piety
           ,
           the
           strictness
           ,
           the
           humility
           ,
           the
           disinterestedness
           of
           the
           antient
           Christians
           ,
           before
           we
           can
           pretend
           to
           the
           same
           hearty
           unity
           .
        
         
           But
           alas
           !
           we
           degenerate
           from
           their
           examples
           :
           religion
           is
           no
           longer
           lookt
           upon
           as
           a
           rule
           and
           institution
           of
           life
           and
           manners
           ,
           but
           is
           turned
           into
           an
           art
           of
           disputing
           ,
           and
           our
           vices
           alienate
           our
           minds
           from
           all
           thoughts
           and
           designs
           of
           union
           :
           pride
           ,
           and
           malice
           ,
           and
           naughty
           affections
           ,
           and
           love
           of
           worldly
           splendor
           and
           greatness
           shut
           out
           all
           hope
           of
           peace
           .
           It
           must
           be
           the
           work
           of
           
             Almighty
             God
          
           ,
           and
           the
           wonderful
           effect
           of
           his
           Providence
           and
           grace
           ,
           to
           dispose
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Princes
          
           ,
           and
           great
           Ecclesiasticks
           of
           the
           Roman
           Communion
           ,
           to
           set
           upon
           this
           great
           design
           of
           reforming
           in
           order
           to
           a
           perfect
           union
           and
           agreement
           :
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           thousands
           of
           that
           communion
           ,
           especially
           in
           the
           Gallican
           Church
           ,
           where
           they
           have
           set
           bounds
           to
           the
           exorbitant
           power
           of
           the
           Pope
           by
           their
           late
           decrees
           ,
           in
           compliance
           with
           the
           antient
           canons
           ,
           and
           in
           vindication
           of
           their
           own
           privileges
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           begin
           to
           be
           ashamed
           of
           several
           gross
           errors
           ,
           which
           have
           hitherto
           passed
           for
           good
           ,
           wholsome
           ,
           Catholick
           doctrine
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           their
           new
           Expositions
           ,
           and
           Interpretations
           ,
           and
           Catechisms
           ,
           long
           to
           see
           this
           happily
           effected
           :
           for
           which
           purpose
           it
           becomes
           us
           all
           ,
           to
           put
           up
           incessant
           prayers
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           all
           ,
           who
           call
           ,
           and
           own
           ,
           and
           profess
           themselves
           Christians
           ,
           may
           
             remember
             from
             whence
             they
             are
             
             fallen
             and
             repent
             ,
          
           and
           ever
           after
           exercise
           themselves
           in
           the
           practices
           of
           all
           Christian
           virtues
           ,
           and
           in
           
             the
             acknowledging
             of
             the
             truth
             ,
             which
             is
             after
             godliness
             ,
          
           that
           laying
           aside
           all
           vain
           jangling
           about
           lesser
           matters
           ,
           they
           
             may
             follow
             after
             things
             ,
             which
             make
             for
             peace
             and
             mutual
             edification
             ,
          
           and
           that
           being
           
             guided
             and
             governed
             by
             the
             good
             spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             they
             may
             be
             led
             into
             the
             way
             of
             truth
             ,
             and
             hold
             the
             faith
             ,
             the
             truly
             Christian
             ,
             the
             truly
             Apostolical
             ,
             the
             truly
             Catholick
             faith
             ,
             in
             unity
             of
             spirit
             ,
             in
             the
             bond
             of
             peace
             ,
             and
             in
             righteousness
             of
             life
             .
          
           May
           the
           God
           of
           all
           mercy
           and
           comfort
           at
           last
           restore
           unity
           to
           his
           Church
           ,
           now
           labouring
           under
           grievous
           distractions
           ,
           for
           the
           merits
           and
           intercession
           of
           our
           blessed
           Lord
           and
           Saviour
           
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           
        
         
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ERRATA
           .
        
         
           PAge
           16.
           line
           30.
           for
           contributes
           read
           contribute
           l.
           31.
           for
           difference
           r.
           differences
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           Books
           Printed
           for
           
             Sam.
             Smith
          
           at
           the
           Prince's-Arms
           in
           St.
           Pauls
           Church
           yard
           .
        
         
           COncio
           ad
           Clerum
           habita
           coram
           Academia
           Cantabrigiensi
           Junii
           11.
           
           An.
           1687.
           
           Pro
           
             Gradû
             Baccalaur
          
           .
           in
           S.
           Theologia
           .
           Ubi
           Vindicatur
           Vera
           &
           Valida
           Cleri
           Anglicani
           ,
           
             ineunte
             Reformatione
          
           ,
           Ordinatio
           .
           Cui
           accessit
           Concio
           habita
           Julii
           3.
           1687.
           
           De
           Canonicâ
           Cleri
           Anglicani
           Ordinatione
           ,
           Latinè
           reddita
           &
           aucta
           .
           A
           
             T.
             Browne
          
           ,
           S.
           T.
           B.
           
             Coll.
             D.
             Joh.
          
           Evang.
           Soc.
           Annexum
           est
           Instrumentum
           Consecrationis
           
             Matth.
             Parker
          
           Archiepiscopi
           Cantuariensis
           ex
           MS.
           C.
           C.
           C.
           Cant.
           
        
         
           
             The
             State
             of
             the
             Church
             of
          
           Rome
           
             when
             the
             Reformation
             began
             ,
             as
             it
             appears
             by
             the
             Advices
             givento
          
           Paul
           III.
           and
           Julius
           III.
           
             by
             Creatures
             of
             their
             Own.
             With
             a
             Preface
             leading
             to
             the
             Matter
             of
             the
             Book
             .
          
        
         
           
             Remarks
             upon
             the
             Reflections
             of
             the
             Author
             of
          
           Popery
           Misrepresented
           ,
           
             &c.
             on
             his
             Answerer
             ,
             particularly
             as
             to
             the
          
           Deposing
           Doctrine
           ?
           
             In
             a
             Letter
             to
             the
             Author
             of
             the
          
           Reflections
           .
           
             Together
             with
             some
             few
          
           Animadversions
           
             on
             the
             same
             Author's
          
           Vindication
           of
           his
           Reflections
           .
        
         
           Jacobi
           Usserii
           Archiepiscopi
           Armachani
           ,
           Opuscula
           Duo
           ,
           Nunc
           primùm
           Latinè
           Edita
           :
           Quorum
           alterum
           est
           de
           Episcoporum
           ,
           Et
           Metropolitanorum
           Origine
           :
           Alterum
           De
           Asia
           
           Proconsulari
           .
           Accessit
           Veteris
           Ecclesiae
           Gubernatio
           Patriarchalis
           ,
           Ab
           E.
           B.
           Descripta
           .
           Interprete
           R.
           R.
           E.
           B.
           P.
           Praetereà
           accedit
           Appendix
           ,
           De
           Antiquâ
           Ecclesiae
           Britannicae
           Libertate
           ,
           &
           Privilegiis
           ,
        
         
           
             Miracles
             Work
             's
             above
             and
             contrary
             to
             Nature
             ;
             Or
             ,
             an
             Answer
             to
             a
             late
             Translation
             out
             of
          
           Spinoza
           '
           s
           Tractatus
           Theologico-Politicus
           ,
           Mr.
           Hobb
           '
           s
           Leviathan
           ,
           &c.
           
           
             Published
             to
             undermine
             the
             Truth
             and
             Authority
             of
             Miracles
             ,
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             Religion
             ,
             in
             a
             Treatise
             Entituled
          
           Miracles
           no
           Violation
           of
           the
           Laws
           of
           Nature
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Difference
             between
             the
             Present
             and
             Future
             State
             of
             our
             Bodies
             considered
             in
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             by
          
           Jeremy
           Collier
           ,
           M.
           A.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Life
             of
             St.
          
           Mary
           Magdalene
           of
           Pazzi
           ,
           
             a
             Carmelite
             Nunn
             .
             Newly
             translated
             out
             of
          
           Italian
           
             by
             the
             Reverend
             Father
          
           Lezin
           de
           Sainte
           Scholastique
           ,
           
             Provincial
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Carmelites
             of
          
           Touraine
           .
           At
           Paris
           ,
           For
           Sebast.
           Cramoisy
           
             in
             St.
          
           James
           '
           
             s
             Street
             ,
             at
             the
             Sign
             of
             Fame
             .
             1670.
             
             And
             now
             done
             out
             of
          
           French
           :
           
             With
             a
             preface
             concerning
             the
             nature
             ,
             causes
             ,
             concomitants
             ,
             and
             consequences
             of
             Ecstasy
             and
             Rapture
             ,
             and
             a
             brief
             discourse
             added
             about
             discerning
             and
             trying
             the
             Spirits
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           
             The
             Vanity
             of
             all
             Pretences
             for
             Tolleration
             ,
             wherein
             the
             late
          
           Pleas
           for
           Tolleration
           
             are
             fully
             Answered
             ;
             and
             the
             popular
             Arguments
             drawn
             from
             the
             Practice
             of
             the
             United
          
           Netherlands
           
             are
             stated
             at
             large
             ,
             and
             shown
             to
             be
             weak
             ,
             fallacious
             &
             insufficient
             .
          
        
         
           
             The
             Duty
             of
             Servants
             ,
             containing
          
           First
           ,
           
             Their
             Preparation
             for
             ,
             and
             choice
             of
             a
             Service
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           
             Their
             Duty
             in
             Service
             ,
             Together
             with
             Prayers
             suited
             to
             each
             Duty
             .
             To
             this
             is
             added
             a
             Discourse
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             suited
             peculiarly
             to
             Servants
             .
             By
             the
             Author
             of
          
           Practical
           Christianity
           .
        
         
           
             The
             History
             of
             the
          
           Original
           and
           Progress
           
             of
             Ecclesiastical
             Revenues
             :
             Wherein
             is
             handled
             according
             to
             the
             Laws
             ,
             both
             Ancient
             and
             Modern
             ,
             whatsoever
             concerns
             matters
             Beneficial
             ,
             the
          
           Regale
           ,
           
             Investitures
             ,
             Nominations
             ,
             and
             other
             Rights
             attributed
             to
             Princes
             .
             Written
             in
          
           French
           
             by
             a
             Learned
             Priest
             ,
             and
             now
             done
             into
          
           English.
           
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A60563-e170
           
             a
             Commonitor
             .
             cap.
             32.
             
          
           
             a
             V.
             Salvian
             .
             de
             gubernat
             .
             Dei
             lib.
             5.
             p.
             100.
             ex
             editione
             Baluzii
             .