The things that make for peace delivered in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, and the Court of Aldermen, at Guild-Hall Chappel, upon the 23 of August, 1674 / by John Sharpe ...
         Sharp, John, 1645-1714.
      
       
         
           1674
        
      
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             The things that make for peace delivered in a sermon preached before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, and the Court of Aldermen, at Guild-Hall Chappel, upon the 23 of August, 1674 / by John Sharpe ...
             Sharp, John, 1645-1714.
          
           [4], 36 p.
           
             Printed by Andrew Clark for Walter Kettilby ...,
             London :
             1674.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Bible. -- N.T. -- Romans XIV, 19 -- Sermons.
           Peace -- Religious aspects.
           Christian life.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           Hooker
           Mayor
           .
        
         
           Jovis
           xxvii
           .
           die
           
             Augusti
             ,
          
           1674.
           
           Annoque
           Regni
           Regis
           CAROLI
           Secundi
           
             Angliae
             ,
          
           &c.
           xxvi
           .
        
         
         
           
             ORDERED
             by
             this
             Court
             ,
             That
          
           Mr.
           Sharpe
           
             be
             desired
             to
             Print
             his
             Sermon
             Preached
             on
             Sunday
             last
             before
             the
             Lord
             Mayor
             and
             Aldermen
             of
             this
             City
             ,
             at
             the
          
           Guild-Hall
           
             Chappel
             .
          
        
         
           
             WAGSTAFFE
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           Imprimatur
           ,
        
         
           Sept.
           11.
           74.
           
        
         
           Guliel
           .
           Wigan
           ,
           
             Rev.
             in
             Ch.
             Pat.
             ac
             D
             
               o.
            
             D
             
               o.
            
          
           Humf.
           
             Episc.
          
           Lond.
           
             in
             Sac.
             Dom.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           
             The
             Things
             that
             make
             for
             Peace
             .
          
        
         
           DELIVERED
           IN
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           before
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           THE
           Lord
           Mayor
           ,
           AND
           THE
           Court
           of
           ALDERMEN
           ,
           AT
           
             GUILD-HALL
          
           CHAPPEL
           ,
           Upon
           the
           23.
           of
           
             August
             ,
          
           1674.
           
        
         
           
             By
             JOHN
             SHARPE
             ,
             Chaplain
             to
             the
             Right
             Honourable
          
           Heneage
           
             Lord
          
           Finch
           ,
           
             Lord
             Keeper
             of
             the
             Great
             Seal
             of
          
           England
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
        
         
           Printed
           by
           
             Andrew
             Clark
          
           for
           
             Walter
             Kettilby
             ,
          
           at
           the
           
             Bishops
             Head
          
           in
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           Church
           Yard
           ,
           1674.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           S
           
             r
          
           William
           Hooker
           ,
           LORD
           MAYOR
           of
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           And
           to
           the
           COURT
           of
           ALDERMEN
           .
        
         
           
             Right
             Honourable
             ,
          
        
         
           THe
           following
           Discourse
           was
           never
           designed
           to
           go
           further
           than
           your
           own
           
             Chappel
             ,
          
           otherwise
           it
           had
           not
           been
           left
           so
           Imperfect
           :
           but
           since
           you
           have
           thought
           fit
           to
           Order
           it
           should
           be
           more
           Publick
           ,
           it
           would
           ill
           become
           me
           ,
           who
           do
           in
           it
           so
           earnestly
           Press
           
             Obedience
          
           to
           
             Superiors
             ,
          
           to
           dispute
           your
           Commands
           .
           Such
           therefore
           as
           it
           is
           ,
           I
           humbly
           Present
           it
           to
           you
           ,
           heartily
           wishing
           it
           may
           in
           
           some
           degree
           Minister
           to
           the
           Promoting
           
             Peace
          
           and
           
             Unity
          
           and
           
             Brotherly
             Love
          
           among
           us
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           onely
           thing
           therein
           aimed
           at
           by
        
         
           
             RIGHT
             HONORABLE
             ,
          
           
             Your
             most
             Humble
             and
             Obedient
             Servant
             ,
             JOHN
             SHARPE
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             ROM
             .
             xiv
             .
             19.
             
          
           
             Let
             us
             therefore
             follow
             after
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             Peace
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           
             Apostles
          
           design
           in
           this
           
             Chapter
             ,
          
           is
           to
           perswade
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Christians
           to
           live
           
             Peaceably
          
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           different
           
             Perswasions
          
           in
           matters
           of
           
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           He
           doth
           not
           so
           much
           set
           himself
           to
           
             Resolve
          
           their
           
             Controversies
             ,
          
           to
           Determine
           which
           
             Side
          
           held
           the
           Truest
           Opinions
           ,
           as
           to
           
             Silence
          
           their
           
             Disputes
             ,
          
           to
           allay
           those
           
             Bitternesses
          
           and
           
             Animosities
          
           with
           which
           the
           several
           
             Parties
          
           prosecuted
           each
           other
           ,
           to
           oblige
           them
           to
           
             embrace
          
           one
           another
           in
           Christian
           
             Charity
             ;
          
           and
           though
           there
           could
           not
           be
           an
           
             Unity
          
           of
           
             Judgment
          
           among
           them
           ;
           (
           which
           certainly
           is
           a
           thing
           can
           never
           be
           expected
           ;
           mens
           apprehensions
           concerning
           things
           being
           necessarily
           almost
           as
           various
           as
           are
           their
           
             Tempers
          
           and
           
             Complexions
             ;
          
           )
           yet
           nevertheless
           they
           should
           so
           order
           the
           matter
           ,
           that
           there
           might
           at
           least
           be
           an
           
             Unity
          
           of
           
             Affection
             ,
          
           and
           an
           amicable
           communication
           one
           with
           another
           .
        
         
           He
           represents
           to
           them
           that
           they
           had
           nothing
           to
           
           do
           to
           
             Judg
          
           or
           
             Censure
          
           their
           
             Brethren
             ;
          
           for
           they
           were
           
           
             Gods
          
           Servants
           ,
           and
           to
           
             Him
          
           only
           they
           stood
           or
           fell
           ;
           that
           though
           they
           were
           
             mistaken
          
           in
           their
           Notions
           as
           to
           the
           Points
           in
           Controversie
           ,
           yet
           nevertheless
           ,
           if
           what
           was
           done
           upon
           those
           
             mistaken
          
           Principles
           ,
           was
           done
           out
           of
           a
           pure
           heart
           ,
           and
           as
           in
           obedience
           to
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           accepted
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           He
           is
           so
           far
           from
           countenancing
           their
           
             Religious
          
           
           
             Quarrels
             ,
          
           that
           he
           adviseth
           even
           those
           that
           held
           the
           true
           side
           of
           the
           Question
           ,
           to
           submit
           for
           
             Peace
          
           sake
           ,
           and
           rather
           to
           
             recede
          
           from
           their
           
             right
             ;
          
           to
           forbear
           doing
           that
           which
           they
           might
           lawfully
           do
           ,
           than
           by
           undue
           use
           of
           their
           
             Liberty
          
           to
           cast
           a
           
             Stumbling-block
          
           before
           the
           weak
           uninstructed
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           be
           a
           means
           of
           their
           forsaking
           Christianity
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           more
           to
           enforce
           this
           discourse
           ,
           he
           assures
           
           them
           ,
           that
           however
           they
           might
           pretend
           
             Religion
          
           for
           their
           present
           differences
           ,
           yet
           in
           truth
           
             That
          
           was
           of
           all
           other
           things
           the
           least
           interessed
           in
           them
           .
           They
           were
           much
           mistaken
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           
             it
             ,
          
           if
           they
           took
           it
           to
           consist
           in
           such
           small
           ,
           inconsiderable
           ,
           external
           things
           as
           they
           made
           the
           matter
           of
           their
           
             Dissensions
             .
             Christianity
          
           was
           not
           much
           concerned
           ,
           whether
           they
           ate
           such
           kind
           of
           
             Meats
             ,
          
           or
           whether
           they
           did
           not
           eat
           them
           ;
           whether
           they
           kept
           
             Sabbaths
          
           and
           
             New-moons
          
           holy
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           or
           whether
           they
           esteemed
           every
           day
           alike
           .
           
             That
          
           was
           a
           more
           
             inward
             ,
          
           and
           a
           more
           
             noble
          
           thing
           .
           It
           was
           the
           hearty
           practice
           of
           
             Righteousness
          
           and
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           and
           
             Rejoycing
             to
             do
             good
             .
          
           These
           were
           the
           things
           that
           made
           
           a
           man
           a
           
             Christian
             ;
          
           and
           
             in
             These
             things
          
           (
           saith
           the
           
           Apostle
           )
           
             he
             that
             serveth
             Christ
             is
             indeed
             acceptable
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             approved
             of
             men
             .
          
        
         
           And
           then
           at
           last
           from
           these
           several
           
             Particulars
          
           he
           draws
           this
           
             general
          
           Inference
           by
           way
           of
           
             Exhortation
             :
             Let
             us
             therefore
             follow
             after
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             peace
             .
          
        
         
           I
           have
           given
           you
           a
           brief
           account
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           discourse
           in
           this
           
             Chapter
             ;
          
           and
           I
           could
           heartily
           wish
           that
           I
           had
           no
           occasion
           to
           deal
           any
           further
           upon
           this
           Subject
           .
           Happy
           were
           it
           for
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           if
           things
           were
           in
           that
           posture
           among
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           no
           further
           concerned
           in
           these
           Discourses
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           than
           only
           to
           be
           instructed
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           them
           .
           But
           ,
           alas
           ,
           whoever
           understands
           any
           thing
           of
           the
           state
           of
           
             Christianity
             ,
          
           now
           for
           these
           many
           Ages
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           will
           easily
           see
           that
           no
           one
           Point
           of
           our
           
             Religion
          
           has
           been
           in
           all
           times
           more
           necessary
           to
           be
           daily
           preached
           ,
           to
           be
           earnestly
           pressed
           ,
           to
           be
           loudly
           sounded
           in
           the
           ears
           of
           Christians
           than
           this
           of
           
             Peace
          
           and
           
             Love
             ,
          
           and
           mutual
           sufferance
           under
           their
           different
           
             apprehensions
          
           of
           
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           It
           has
           fared
           (
           as
           one
           hath
           observed
           )
           with
           
             Christianity
          
           
           in
           this
           matter
           as
           it
           did
           with
           the
           
             Jewish
          
           Dispensation
           of
           old
           .
           The
           
             great
          
           and
           
             principal
          
           Commandment
           which
           God
           gave
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
          
           and
           which
           (
           as
           they
           themselves
           teach
           )
           was
           the
           
             Foundation
          
           of
           all
           their
           
             Law
             ,
          
           was
           to
           
             worship
          
           the
           
             God
          
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           
             Him
          
           only
           to
           
             serve
             :
          
           yet
           such
           was
           the
           sottishness
           and
           perverseness
           of
           that
           
             People
             ,
          
           that
           
             This
          
           was
           the
           Commandment
           ,
           
           that
           of
           all
           others
           they
           could
           never
           be
           obliged
           to
           keep
           ;
           but
           they
           were
           continually
           runing
           a
           whoring
           after
           the
           
             Gods
          
           of
           the
           
             Nations
             ,
          
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           various
           ways
           and
           methods
           that
           God
           made
           use
           of
           to
           reclaim
           them
           from
           that
           sin
           .
           What
           the
           
             Worship
          
           of
           
             one
             God
          
           was
           to
           the
           
             Jews
             ,
          
           that
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           and
           
             Love
             ,
          
           and
           
             Unity
          
           is
           to
           the
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           even
           the
           
             grand
          
           distinguishing
           
             Law
          
           and
           
             Character
          
           of
           their
           
             Profession
             :
          
           and
           yet
           with
           
             sorrow
             ,
          
           and
           to
           our
           unspeakable
           
             confusion
          
           it
           may
           be
           spoken
           ,
           There
           is
           no
           
             Religion
          
           that
           ever
           was
           known
           in
           the
           World
           hath
           given
           Birth
           to
           so
           many
           
             Heresies
             ,
          
           hath
           been
           intituled
           to
           so
           many
           needless
           Disputes
           and
           Quarrels
           ,
           hath
           been
           crumbled
           into
           so
           many
           
             Sects
          
           and
           
             Parties
             ,
          
           hath
           been
           prosecuted
           by
           all
           the
           several
           
             Pretenders
          
           to
           it
           with
           so
           much
           heat
           and
           fury
           ,
           and
           implacable
           animosity
           ,
           hath
           been
           made
           the
           occasion
           of
           so
           much
           Tumult
           ,
           War
           ,
           and
           Bloudshed
           ,
           as
           this
           excellent
           ,
           this
           innocent
           ,
           and
           gall-less
           
             Religion
          
           of
           ours
           .
        
         
           To
           go
           no
           further
           than
           our selves
           ,
           and
           the
           posture
           we
           stand
           in
           at
           this
           day
           ;
           if
           ever
           any
           
             Society
          
           of
           
             Christians
          
           could
           be
           obliged
           to
           live
           in
           Brotherly
           
             Love
          
           and
           
             Communion
          
           with
           one
           another
           we
           certainly
           are
           the
           Men.
           For
           besides
           the
           engagements
           of
           our
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           common
           to
           us
           with
           other
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           we
           have
           all
           the
           external
           advantages
           which
           a
           wise
           and
           well
           temper'd
           Settlement
           of
           
             Church-affairs
             ,
          
           a
           mild
           and
           just
           
             Government
             ,
          
           and
           excellent
           
             Laws
          
           can
           give
           to
           the
           promoting
           thereof
           .
        
         
         
           Religion
           is
           established
           among
           us
           in
           as
           great
           
             Purity
          
           as
           ever
           perhaps
           it
           was
           since
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           times
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Government
          
           we
           live
           under
           is
           neither
           so
           
             Lax
          
           as
           to
           defeat
           its
           own
           ends
           ,
           nor
           so
           
             Severe
          
           as
           to
           exercise
           Tyranny
           over
           our
           Consciences
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Terms
          
           of
           our
           
             Communion
          
           are
           more
           large
           ,
           and
           moderate
           ,
           and
           easie
           to
           be
           submitted
           to
           by
           men
           of
           different
           
             Perswasions
             ,
          
           than
           any
           other
           
             Church-Society
          
           that
           I
           know
           of
           doth
           allow
           at
           this
           day
           .
           And
           this
           is
           so
           acknowledged
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           scarce
           any
           of
           the
           several
           disagreeing
           
             Parties
          
           among
           us
           ,
           but
           next
           to
           their
           
             own
             Church
          
           would
           prefer
           
             Ours
          
           before
           all
           Others
           .
        
         
           The
           
             Doctrins
          
           that
           make
           up
           our
           publick
           
             Confession
          
           are
           expressed
           in
           such
           a
           
             latitude
             ,
          
           that
           they
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           generally
           assented
           to
           ,
           by
           most
           of
           the
           
             Dissenters
          
           from
           us
           .
           And
           that
           wherein
           
             We
          
           differ
           from
           others
           ,
           is
           not
           our
           
             adding
          
           to
           the
           
             Faith
          
           new
           and
           questionable
           
             Doctrins
             ,
          
           but
           our
           
             rejecting
             ,
          
           or
           not
           
             imposing
          
           their
           
             Innovations
             .
          
        
         
           Our
           
             Publick
             Service
          
           hath
           not
           a
           
             Prayer
          
           in
           it
           but
           what
           any
           Christian
           in
           the
           World
           may
           lawfully
           say
           
             Amen
          
           to
           .
        
         
           Our
           
             Ceremonies
          
           are
           but
           
             few
             ,
          
           and
           those
           very
           
             decent
             ,
          
           and
           unquestionably
           of
           
             Primitive
             Antiquity
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             Penalties
          
           which
           the
           
             Laws
          
           inflict
           upon
           those
           that
           
             separate
          
           from
           our
           
             Communion
          
           are
           so
           easie
           ,
           and
           so
           moderate
           ,
           that
           methinks
           
             Sober
          
           men
           should
           be
           ashamed
           to
           call
           them
           
             Persecutions
             ;
          
           and
           should
           
           rather
           sit
           down
           contentedly
           under
           them
           ,
           than
           by
           endeavouring
           ,
           or
           desiring
           any
           
             Alteration
             ,
          
           endanger
           the
           bringing
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           possibly
           
             themselves
          
           into
           far
           greater
           inconveniencies
           than
           those
           they
           now
           suffer
           .
        
         
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           so
           excellent
           is
           the
           temper
           of
           our
           present
           
             Settlement
             ,
          
           that
           there
           is
           no
           
             Church
          
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           with
           which
           men
           of
           differing
           
             Perswasions
          
           may
           more
           safely
           communicate
           ;
           and
           under
           which
           ,
           even
           
             Dissenters
             ,
          
           if
           they
           be
           peaceble
           ,
           may
           live
           more
           happily
           than
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             England
             .
          
        
         
           But
           now
           how
           do
           we
           demean
           our selves
           under
           this
           happy
           Constitution
           of
           affairs
           ?
           What
           
             Fruits
          
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
          
           of
           
             Peace
          
           do
           we
           yield
           suitable
           to
           these
           great
           external
           Advantages
           ?
           One
           might
           rationally
           expect
           to
           see
           
             Religion
          
           in
           quite
           another
           
             Face
          
           among
           us
           ,
           than
           it
           hath
           in
           other
           parts
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           that
           enjoying
           such
           excellent
           means
           of
           
             Peace
          
           and
           
             Unity
          
           as
           we
           do
           ;
           and
           especially
           having
           sufficiently
           experienced
           the
           Miseries
           of
           
             Discord
             ;
          
           there
           should
           no
           such
           thing
           as
           
             Faction
          
           or
           
             Division
          
           be
           heard
           of
           among
           us
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           should
           All
           like
           
             Brethren
          
           Christianly
           joyn
           together
           with
           our
           
             Common
             Mother
             ,
          
           and
           in
           smaller
           matters
           
             bear
          
           with
           one
           anothers
           Weaknesses
           ,
           and
           Ignorances
           ,
           and
           Mistakes
           ,
           as
           doubtless
           
             God
          
           himself
           will
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           which
           is
           principally
           concern'd
           ,
           in
           many
           cases
           doth
           .
        
         
           But
           alass
           the
           event
           doth
           too
           notoriously
           discover
           the
           contrary
           to
           all
           this
           ,
           and
           that
           to
           the
           shame
           
           of
           our selves
           ,
           and
           the
           reproach
           of
           our
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           scandal
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           rejoycing
           of
           our
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           the
           grief
           of
           all
           good
           men
           .
        
         
           Never
           were
           our
           
             Differences
          
           higher
           ,
           our
           
             Oppositions
          
           one
           of
           another
           more
           violent
           ,
           our
           
             Schisms
          
           and
           
             Separations
          
           more
           numerous
           ,
           and
           more
           obstinate
           than
           they
           are
           at
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           We
           dispute
           eternally
           ,
           we
           quarrel
           without
           grounds
           ,
           and
           without
           measure
           ;
           we
           stickle
           for
           every
           
             Trifle
             ,
          
           and
           are
           as
           much
           concerned
           for
           the
           propagating
           a
           silly
           
             Notion
             ,
          
           which
           might
           very
           well
           be
           let
           alone
           without
           our
           being
           a
           jot
           the
           worse
           Christians
           as
           if
           the
           
             Fundamentals
          
           of
           our
           
             Religion
          
           lay
           at
           stake
           .
        
         
           We
           revile
           ,
           we
           reproach
           ,
           we
           bespatter
           one
           another
           ;
           and
           though
           we
           be
           extremely
           
             scrupulous
          
           in
           smaller
           matters
           ,
           yet
           we
           make
           no
           
             scruple
          
           of
           sacrificing
           
             charity
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Churches
             peace
          
           to
           every
           
             humour
             ,
          
           and
           every
           
             passion
             .
          
           And
           whilest
           we
           are
           zealous
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           an
           
             Opinion
             ,
          
           or
           a
           small
           Ceremony
           ;
           we
           often
           lose
           all
           sense
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           Good
           manners
           ,
           and
           even
           Humanity
           it self
           .
        
         
           What
           the
           Consequences
           of
           these
           unreasonable
           and
           unchristian
           
             Feuds
          
           may
           be
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           .
           I
           pray
           God
           they
           do
           not
           end
           ,
           either
           in
           a
           very
           great
           
             Corruption
             ,
          
           or
           a
           total
           
             Subversion
          
           of
           
             Christianity
          
           among
           us
           .
           It
           was
           these
           
             sins
             ,
          
           if
           it
           be
           lawful
           to
           guess
           at
           the
           reason
           of
           Gods
           Judgments
           from
           outward
           Appearances
           ,
           that
           brought
           desolation
           upon
           those
           once
           flourishing
           
             Churches
          
           of
           
             Afric
          
           and
           
             Asia
             :
          
           and
           
           who
           knows
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           obstinately
           persisted
           in
           ,
           but
           they
           may
           be
           an
           occasion
           of
           
             Gods
             removing
          
           his
           
             Candlestick
          
           from
           us
           also
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           is
           it
           not
           needful
           that
           every
           
             Christian
          
           should
           use
           his
           utmost
           endeavour
           to
           
             still
          
           that
           
             Spirit
          
           of
           
             Contention
          
           that
           is
           gone
           forth
           among
           us
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           needful
           that
           every
           
             Son
             of
             Peace
          
           should
           bring
           some
           
             water
          
           to
           the
           quenching
           of
           our
           
             Flames
             ?
          
        
         
           Let
           me
           therefore
           this
           day
           take
           up
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           exhortation
           to
           you
           ;
           let
           me
           beseech
           you
           ,
           let
           me
           conjure
           you
           ;
           
             if
             there
             be
             any
             Consolation
             in
             Christ
             ,
             if
             any
             Comfort
             of
             Love
             ,
             if
             any
             Fellowship
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             if
             any
             Bowels
             and
             Mercies
             ,
          
           that
           now
           at
           length
           laying
           aside
           all
           
             bitterness
          
           and
           
             evil
             speaking
             ,
          
           all
           
             variance
          
           and
           
             emulation
             ,
          
           all
           needless
           Disputes
           and
           Contentions
           ,
           you
           would
           unanimously
           joyn
           together
           in
           
             following
             after
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             peace
             .
          
        
         
           And
           that
           my
           
             Exhortation
          
           may
           be
           the
           more
           effectual
           to
           the
           purposes
           I
           intend
           it
           for
           ,
           I
           shall
           pursue
           it
           ;
           
             First
          
           by
           way
           of
           
             Direction
             ;
             Secondly
          
           by
           way
           of
           
             Motive
             .
             First
          
           I
           shall
           reduce
           the
           
             Duty
          
           here
           enjoyned
           of
           
             Following
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             peace
          
           to
           its
           
             particular
             Rules
          
           and
           
             Instances
             ,
          
           that
           you
           may
           know
           what
           is
           to
           be
           done
           by
           you
           in
           order
           to
           the
           performance
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           I
           shall
           set
           before
           you
           the
           very
           great
           
             Engagements
          
           and
           
             Obligations
          
           that
           lie
           upon
           us
           to
           
             follow
             after
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             peace
             ;
          
           that
           you
           may
           be
           perswaded
           the
           more
           vigorously
           to
           set
           about
           it
           .
        
         
         
           And
           both
           these
           things
           I
           shall
           manage
           as
           near
           as
           I
           can
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           present
           
             state
          
           and
           
             posture
          
           of
           
             Affairs
          
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           withal
           shall
           alwayes
           remember
           that
           my
           business
           is
           not
           to
           prescribe
           
             Laws
          
           or
           Rules
           to
           my
           
             Superiors
          
           for
           their
           Carriage
           in
           these
           matters
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           represent
           the
           Duty
           that
           Christians
           of
           a
           
             private
             capacity
          
           do
           owe
           to
           the
           
             Publick
             ,
          
           and
           to
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           
             First
          
           thing
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           to
           
             direct
          
           and
           
             instruct
          
           you
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           this
           duty
           of
           
             following
             the
             things
             that
             make
             for
             peace
             ,
          
           you
           may
           be
           pleased
           to
           take
           notice
           ,
           That
           this
           Duty
           hath
           a
           twofold
           Object
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           two
           different
           Relations
           and
           Capacities
           in
           which
           we
           are
           to
           be
           considered
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           
             Church
          
           our
           
             Mother
             ,
          
           and
           
             Particular
             Christians
          
           our
           
             Brethren
             .
          
           In
           the
           
             first
          
           Relation
           we
           are
           considered
           as
           
             Subjects
             ;
          
           in
           the
           
             second
          
           as
           
             Fellow-Christians
             .
          
           With
           respect
           to
           the
           
             former
             ,
          
           the
           
             Peace
          
           we
           are
           to
           pursue
           implies
           
             Obedience
             ,
          
           and
           
             Preservation
             of
             Communion
             ,
          
           in
           opposition
           to
           
             Schism
          
           and
           
             Separation
             .
          
           With
           respect
           to
           the
           
             latter
             ,
          
           it
           implies
           mutual
           
             Love
          
           and
           
             Charity
             ,
          
           in
           opposition
           to
           
             Quarrels
          
           and
           
             Contentions
             .
          
        
         
           My
           business
           therefore
           upon
           this
           
             first
          
           head
           is
           to
           shew
           what
           are
           the
           
             Particulars
          
           of
           our
           
             Duty
             ,
          
           what
           are
           the
           means
           that
           conduce
           to
           
             Peace
          
           in
           both
           these
           respects
           .
        
         
           And
           first
           of
           all
           I
           begin
           with
           what
           is
           due
           from
           us
           to
           the
           
             Church
          
           in
           order
           to
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           as
           
             Peace
          
           stands
           in
           contradistinction
           to
           
             Schism
             .
          
           And
           this
           Point
           I
           shall
           
           beg
           leave
           to
           discuss
           ,
           very
           freely
           ,
           and
           very
           particularly
           ;
           because
           I
           fear
           we
           have
           generally
           many
           false
           
             Notions
          
           about
           it
           ;
           and
           yet
           it
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           such
           consequence
           ,
           that
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           the
           right
           understanding
           of
           it
           would
           go
           a
           great
           way
           to
           the
           
             Cure
          
           of
           the
           sad
           
             Divisions
          
           that
           are
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           I
           may
           discourse
           with
           more
           clearness
           ,
           and
           more
           evidence
           ,
           I
           shall
           deliver
           what
           I
           have
           to
           say
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           
             Propositions
             ;
          
           taking
           my
           Rise
           from
           the
           
             first
             Principle
          
           of
           
             Church-Society
             ,
          
           and
           so
           regularly
           ascending
           .
        
         
           The
           
             first
             Proposition
          
           I
           lay
           down
           is
           this
           ;
           
             That
             every
          
           Christian
           
             upon
             the
             very
             account
             of
             his
             being
             so
             ,
             is
             a
          
           Member
           
             of
             the
          
           Church
           
             of
          
           Christ
           ,
           
             and
             is
             bound
             to
             joyn
             in
          
           External
           Communion
           
             with
             it
             where
             it
             can
             be
             had
             .
          
        
         
           For
           the
           clearing
           of
           this
           you
           may
           be
           pleased
           to
           consider
           that
           the
           Primary
           Design
           and
           Intention
           of
           our
           Saviour
           in
           his
           undertaking
           for
           us
           was
           not
           to
           save
           
             particular
             persons
          
           without
           respect
           to
           a
           
             Society
             ,
          
           but
           to
           gather
           to
           himself
           a
           
             Church
          
           out
           of
           
             Mankind
             ,
          
           to
           erect
           and
           form
           a
           
             Body
             Politick
             ,
          
           of
           which
           himself
           was
           the
           
             Head
             ,
          
           and
           particular
           Christians
           the
           
             Members
             :
          
           and
           in
           this
           method
           through
           
             Obedience
          
           to
           his
           
             Laws
          
           and
           
             Government
          
           to
           bring
           men
           to
           
             Salvation
             .
          
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           is
           the
           Sense
           and
           Language
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Scriptures
             ;
          
           wherein
           whatever
           Christ
           is
           said
           to
           have
           
             done
          
           or
           
             suffered
          
           for
           
             Mankind
             ,
          
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           done
           for
           them
           ,
           not
           as
           
             Scattered
          
           
           
             Individuals
             ,
          
           but
           as
           
             Incorporated
          
           into
           a
           
             Church
             .
          
           
           Thus
           
             Christ
             loved
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             gave
             himself
             for
             it
             .
             Christ
             redeemed
             the
             Church
             with
             his
             own
             Bloud
             .
          
           
           
             Christ
             is
             the
             Saviour
             of
             his
             Body
             ,
          
           that
           is
           to
           say
           the
           
           
             Church
             ,
          
           with
           many
           passages
           of
           the
           like
           importance
           .
        
         
           The
           plain
           Consequence
           from
           hence
           is
           ,
           that
           every
           person
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           he
           is
           a
           
             Christian
             ,
          
           so
           far
           he
           is
           a
           
             Member
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ;
          
           and
           by
           virtue
           of
           that
           Relation
           to
           the
           
             Church
          
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           any
           relation
           to
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           or
           any
           Title
           to
           the
           
             Privileges
          
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
             .
          
        
         
           And
           agreeably
           to
           this
           Notion
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           plain
           ,
           that
           
             Baptism
             ,
          
           which
           is
           by
           all
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           the
           
             Ceremony
          
           of
           Initiating
           us
           into
           
             Christianity
             ,
          
           is
           in
           Scripture
           declared
           to
           be
           the
           
             Rite
          
           whereby
           we
           are
           entred
           and
           admitted
           into
           the
           
             Church
             .
          
           Thus
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           expresly
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             by
             one
             Spirit
             we
             are
             all
          
           
           
             baptized
             into
             one
             Body
             .
          
           And
           again
           ,
           that
           
             Christ
             hath
             sanctified
             ,
          
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           separated
           
             his
             Church
             by
             the
             washing
             of
             Water
             and
             the
             Word
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           then
           it
           being
           thus
           evident
           ,
           that
           every
           Christian
           as
           a
           
             Christian
          
           is
           a
           Member
           of
           that
           
             Body
          
           of
           
             Christ
          
           which
           we
           call
           the
           
             Church
             :
          
           there
           will
           be
           little
           need
           of
           taking
           pains
           to
           prove
           ,
           that
           every
           such
           person
           is
           obliged
           to
           joyn
           in
           
             External
             Communion
          
           with
           the
           
             Church
          
           where
           he
           can
           do
           so
           :
           for
           the
           very
           nature
           of
           this
           
             Church-membership
          
           doth
           imply
           it
           .
           Without
           this
           neither
           the
           
             Ends
          
           of
           
             Church-Society
             ,
          
           nor
           the
           
             Benefits
          
           accruing
           to
           us
           therefrom
           can
           be
           attained
           .
        
         
         
           
             First
             ,
          
           not
           the
           
             Ends
          
           of
           it
           :
           The
           Ends
           of
           Church-Society
           are
           the
           more
           
             Solemn
             Worship
          
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Publick
           Profession
           of
           our
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Mutual
           Edification
           one
           of
           another
           :
           Now
           how
           these
           can
           be
           in
           any
           measure
           attained
           without
           associating
           together
           in
           
             Publick
             Assemblies
             ,
          
           and
           mutual
           
             Offices
             ,
          
           and
           other
           
             Acts
          
           of
           
             External
             Communion
          
           with
           one
           another
           cannot
           any
           ways
           be
           imagined
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           little
           in
           the
           second
           place
           ,
           can
           it
           be
           conceived
           how
           without
           this
           we
           can
           be
           made
           partakers
           of
           the
           Benefits
           and
           Privileges
           that
           
             Christ
          
           hath
           made
           over
           to
           the
           
             Members
          
           of
           his
           
             Church
             .
          
           For
           we
           are
           to
           consider
           that
           God
           hath
           so
           ordered
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           without
           doubt
           for
           this
           very
           reason
           to
           unite
           us
           the
           more
           firmly
           in
           
             Society
             ,
          
           that
           the
           Privileges
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
             ,
          
           such
           as
           Pardon
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           Grace
           of
           the
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           are
           not
           ordinarily
           conveyed
           to
           us
           so
           immediately
           by
           
             God
             ,
          
           but
           that
           there
           must
           intervene
           the
           Ministry
           of
           
             Men.
          
           Gods
           holy
           
             Word
          
           and
           
             Sacraments
          
           are
           the
           Channels
           in
           which
           they
           are
           derived
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           
             Those
          
           to
           whom
           he
           hath
           committed
           the
           Ministry
           of
           
             Reconciliation
          
           and
           the
           
             Power
          
           of
           the
           
             Keyes
          
           are
           the
           
             Hands
          
           that
           must
           dispence
           them
           .
           We
           have
           no
           promise
           of
           
             Spiritual
             Graces
          
           but
           by
           these
           means
           :
           so
           that
           in
           order
           to
           the
           partaking
           of
           them
           there
           is
           an
           absolute
           necessity
           laid
           upon
           us
           of
           joyning
           and
           communicating
           with
           the
           
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           indeed
           God
           doth
           not
           so
           tie
           himself
           up
           to
           these
           
             means
             ,
          
           but
           that
           he
           can
           ,
           and
           will
           in
           some
           cases
           confer
           the
           Benefits
           of
           them
           without
           them
           :
           
           as
           in
           case
           of
           a
           
             General
             Apostacy
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ;
          
           or
           of
           
             Persecution
          
           for
           
             Religion
             ;
          
           or
           of
           an
           unjust
           
             Excommunication
             ,
          
           or
           any
           other
           case
           where
           Communion
           with
           a
           
             true
             Visible
             Church
          
           is
           denied
           to
           us
           .
           But
           though
           
             God
          
           doth
           act
           
             extraordinarily
          
           in
           
             extraordinary
          
           cases
           ,
           where
           these
           
             means
          
           cannot
           be
           had
           ;
           yet
           this
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           diminish
           ,
           much
           less
           take
           away
           the
           necessity
           of
           making
           use
           of
           
             them
          
           when
           they
           can
           be
           had
           .
        
         
           From
           what
           hath
           been
           discoursed
           on
           this
           
             first
             Proposition
             ,
          
           we
           may
           by
           the
           way
           gather
           these
           two
           things
           :
           I
           only
           name
           them
           .
           
             First
          
           how
           untrue
           their
           
             Position
          
           is
           that
           maintain
           that
           all
           our
           Obligation
           to
           Church
           Communion
           doth
           arise
           from
           a
           voluntary
           admission
           of
           our selves
           into
           some
           Particular
           Congregation
           ,
           and
           an
           explicit
           Promise
           or
           Ingagement
           to
           joyn
           with
           it
           in
           Church
           Ordinances
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           How
           wildly
           and
           extravagantly
           they
           discourse
           that
           talk
           of
           a
           
             Christianity
             at
             large
             ,
          
           without
           relation
           to
           a
           Church
           ,
           or
           communion
           with
           any
           Society
           of
           
             Christians
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             second
             Proposition
          
           is
           ,
           
             That
             every
             one
             is
             bound
             to
             joyn
             in
          
           Communion
           
             with
             the
             established
          
           National
           Church
           
             to
             which
             he
             belongs
             ,
             supposing
             there
             be
             nothing
             in
             the
          
           Terms
           
             of
             its
          
           Communion
           
             that
             renders
             it
             unlawful
             for
             him
             so
             to
             do
             .
          
        
         
           For
           if
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           maintain
           Communion
           with
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           before
           proved
           ,
           it
           is
           plain
           that
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           maintain
           Communion
           with
           that
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           within
           whose
           
           Verge
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           has
           cast
           us
           .
           For
           we
           cannot
           communicate
           with
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           but
           by
           communicating
           with
           some
           Part
           of
           it
           :
           and
           there
           is
           no
           communicating
           with
           any
           Part
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           That
           under
           which
           we
           live
           ,
           or
           where
           we
           have
           our
           Residence
           .
        
         
           Well
           ,
           but
           it
           may
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           several
           Distinct
           Churches
           in
           the
           Place
           where
           we
           live
           .
           There
           may
           be
           the
           fixed
           Regular
           Assemblies
           of
           the
           National
           Church
           ;
           and
           there
           may
           be
           Separate
           Congregations
           ;
           both
           which
           are
           ,
           or
           pretend
           to
           be
           
             Parts
          
           of
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           ;
           so
           that
           it
           may
           be
           all
           one
           as
           to
           our
           communicating
           with
           
             that
             ,
          
           which
           of
           
             these
          
           we
           joyn
           with
           ,
           supposing
           we
           joyn
           but
           with
           one
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           consequently
           there
           is
           no
           necessity
           from
           
             that
          
           Principle
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           hold
           Communion
           with
           the
           
             Publick
             Assemblies
          
           of
           the
           
             National
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           But
           as
           to
           this
           I
           desire
           it
           may
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           That
           that
           lays
           an
           Obligation
           upon
           us
           to
           joyn
           in
           Communion
           with
           the
           
             Church
          
           (
           to
           wit
           our
           being
           
             Members
          
           of
           that
           
             one
             Body
          
           of
           
             Christ
          
           )
           doth
           also
           lay
           an
           Obligation
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           in
           us
           lies
           to
           preserve
           the
           
             Unity
          
           of
           
             that
             Body
             ,
          
           (
           for
           this
           both
           the
           Fundamental
           
             Laws
          
           of
           
             Society
             ,
          
           and
           the
           express
           Precepts
           of
           
             Christianity
          
           do
           require
           of
           every
           
             Member
             :
          
           )
           But
           now
           to
           make
           a
           
             Rent
          
           in
           ,
           or
           
             separate
          
           from
           any
           
             Part
          
           of
           the
           
             Body
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           with
           which
           we
           may
           lawfully
           communicate
           (
           and
           such
           we
           now
           suppose
           the
           
             Established
             Assemblies
          
           of
           the
           
             Nation
          
           to
           be
           )
           is
           
           directly
           contrary
           to
           the
           preserving
           the
           
             Unity
          
           of
           
             that
             Body
             :
          
           And
           therefore
           certainly
           such
           a
           
             Rent
          
           or
           
             Separation
          
           must
           be
           unlawful
           .
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           it
           must
           be
           unlawful
           also
           to
           joyn
           with
           any
           Congregation
           of
           men
           among
           us
           that
           have
           made
           such
           a
           
             Rent
          
           or
           
             Separation
             .
          
        
         
           So
           that
           let
           our
           Pretences
           be
           what
           they
           will
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           the
           
             Fixed
             Regular
             Assemblies
          
           of
           the
           
             Nation
          
           wherein
           we
           live
           ,
           do
           truly
           belong
           to
           the
           
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           we
           can
           lawfully
           joyn
           with
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           certain
           we
           are
           bound
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           joyn
           with
           those
           
             Congregations
          
           that
           have
           withdrawn
           themselves
           from
           
             them
             ;
          
           for
           to
           do
           this
           would
           be
           to
           joyn
           in
           
             Society
          
           with
           
             Separatists
             ,
          
           would
           be
           a
           partaking
           with
           their
           
             Sin
             ,
          
           and
           a
           breach
           of
           the
           
             Apostles
          
           Precept
           of
           
             Avoiding
             those
             that
             cause
             Divisions
             .
          
           
        
         
           The
           
             third
             Proposition
          
           is
           ,
           
             That
             the
             being
             a
          
           Member
           
             of
             any
          
           Church
           
             doth
             oblige
             a
             man
             to
             submit
             to
             all
             the
          
           Laws
           
             and
          
           Constitutions
           
             of
             that
          
           Church
           .
        
         
           This
           Proposition
           is
           in
           the
           General
           so
           unquestionable
           ,
           that
           no
           
             sober
          
           man
           will
           deny
           it
           .
           And
           indeed
           it
           is
           the
           
             Basis
          
           upon
           which
           all
           
             Societies
          
           are
           founded
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           they
           do
           subsist
           .
           For
           to
           suppose
           a
           
             Society
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           to
           suppose
           the
           
             Members
          
           of
           it
           not
           under
           an
           Obligation
           to
           obey
           its
           Laws
           and
           Government
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           Ropes
           of
           Sand
           ,
           to
           suppose
           a
           
             Body
          
           without
           
             Sinews
          
           and
           
             Ligaments
          
           to
           hold
           its
           parts
           together
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           all
           the
           question
           here
           is
           concerning
           the
           nature
           and
           extent
           of
           the
           
             Churches
          
           Power
           over
           her
           
           
             Members
             ,
          
           How
           far
           ,
           and
           in
           what
           instances
           she
           hath
           
             Authority
          
           to
           oblige
           them
           .
           Which
           is
           a
           question
           not
           difficult
           to
           be
           answered
           if
           men
           would
           come
           to
           it
           without
           passion
           and
           prejudice
           .
        
         
           For
           it
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Church
          
           must
           ,
           as
           all
           other
           
             Societies
             ,
          
           be
           entrusted
           with
           at
           least
           so
           much
           
             power
          
           over
           her
           
             Subjects
             ,
          
           as
           is
           necessary
           for
           the
           securing
           her
           own
           
             Welfare
          
           and
           
             Preservation
             :
          
           For
           to
           think
           otherwise
           ,
           is
           to
           suppose
           
             God
          
           to
           have
           founded
           a
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           intended
           the
           
             Well-being
          
           and
           
             Continuance
          
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           are
           things
           that
           every
           one
           must
           grant
           :
           And
           yet
           to
           suppose
           that
           he
           hath
           denied
           her
           the
           use
           of
           the
           
             Means
          
           without
           which
           that
           
             Well-being
          
           and
           
             Continuance
          
           cannot
           be
           attained
           :
           which
           is
           monstrous
           and
           contradictious
           .
        
         
           Furthermore
           it
           must
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Welfare
          
           and
           
             Preservation
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
          
           cannot
           be
           secured
           but
           upon
           these
           two
           Suppositions
           .
           
             First
             ,
          
           That
           Provision
           be
           made
           for
           the
           
             due
          
           and
           
             orderly
          
           performance
           of
           the
           
             Worship
          
           of
           
             God.
             Secondly
             ,
          
           That
           there
           be
           means
           of
           maintaining
           
             Peace
          
           and
           
             Unity
          
           among
           its
           
             Members
             .
          
           This
           latter
           is
           necessary
           to
           the
           
             Welfare
          
           and
           
             Preservation
          
           of
           a
           
             Church
             ,
          
           as
           a
           
             Society
             ,
          
           the
           former
           is
           necessary
           to
           it
           as
           a
           
             Religious
             Society
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           then
           this
           being
           admitted
           ,
           it
           follows
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           that
           what
           ever
           
             Power
          
           over
           her
           
             Subjects
          
           is
           necessary
           in
           order
           to
           either
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           all
           that
           at
           least
           must
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           lodged
           in
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           in
           
             Those
          
           that
           have
           the
           
             Government
          
           of
           it
           .
        
         
         
           So
           that
           from
           hence
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           in
           the
           
             first
          
           place
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Church
          
           hath
           power
           so
           far
           to
           restrain
           the
           exercise
           of
           her
           
             Subjects
             Liberty
             ,
          
           as
           to
           oblige
           them
           to
           all
           such
           Laws
           ,
           Rules
           ,
           Orders
           ,
           and
           Ceremonies
           as
           She
           shall
           establish
           for
           the
           more
           Solemn
           ,
           Regular
           ,
           Decent
           ,
           and
           Convenient
           Administration
           of
           
             Religious
             Affairs
             .
          
           And
           if
           it
           be
           questioned
           whether
           her
           
             Appointments
          
           do
           indeed
           conduce
           to
           that
           end
           ,
           of
           that
           She
           her self
           is
           to
           be
           the
           
             Judge
             ;
          
           Her
           Members
           being
           no
           farther
           concern'd
           therein
           ,
           than
           onely
           before
           they
           obey
           her
           
             Impositions
          
           to
           see
           that
           they
           be
           not
           repugnant
           to
           the
           known
           
             Laws
          
           of
           
             God.
          
           This
           Power
           the
           
             Church
          
           must
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           ,
           otherwise
           She
           will
           not
           be
           enabled
           to
           make
           Provision
           for
           the
           first
           thing
           whereon
           her
           
             Welfare
          
           doth
           depend
           :
           
             viz.
          
           the
           Performance
           of
           Gods
           Worship
           and
           Service
           in
           a
           
             due
          
           and
           
             orderly
          
           manner
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           from
           hence
           also
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Church
          
           must
           be
           furnished
           with
           a
           Power
           to
           
             end
          
           and
           
             determine
          
           Controversies
           of
           
             Religion
          
           that
           arise
           among
           its
           
             Members
             :
          
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           to
           give
           such
           an
           
             Authoritative
          
           decision
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           that
           all
           
             Parties
          
           are
           bound
           to
           acquiesce
           in
           it
           :
           for
           without
           this
           she
           would
           be
           defective
           in
           the
           
             second
          
           thing
           required
           to
           her
           
             Welfare
          
           and
           
             Preservation
             ,
             viz.
          
           Maintaining
           her self
           in
           
             Peace
          
           and
           
             Unity
             .
          
        
         
           But
           here
           it
           may
           be
           taken
           notice
           that
           this
           Power
           of
           
             Ending
             Controversies
             ,
          
           which
           we
           ascribe
           to
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           doth
           not
           imply
           any
           
             Authority
          
           over
           our
           
             Judgments
             ;
          
           or
           that
           in
           vertue
           thereof
           she
           can
           oblige
           
           us
           to
           give
           an
           
             inward
             assent
          
           to
           her
           
             Determinations
             ,
          
           any
           further
           than
           she
           gives
           us
           evidence
           for
           the
           
             Truth
          
           of
           them
           :
           (
           which
           is
           that
           extravagant
           Power
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             Rome
          
           doth
           challenge
           to
           her self
           )
           but
           onely
           an
           
             Authority
          
           over
           our
           
             Practices
             ,
          
           that
           she
           can
           oblige
           us
           to
           submit
           so
           far
           to
           her
           
             Definitions
             ,
          
           as
           not
           to
           
             act
          
           any
           thing
           contrary
           to
           them
           .
           A
           Power
           in
           the
           
             former
             sense
          
           is
           not
           necessary
           to
           the
           
             Churches
             peace
             ;
          
           and
           the
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           our
           
             Judgments
          
           and
           
             Opinions
             ,
          
           so
           long
           as
           we
           keep
           them
           to
           our selves
           ,
           cannot
           possibly
           cause
           any
           disturbance
           in
           ,
           or
           do
           any
           injury
           to
           
             Society
             .
          
           But
           a
           Power
           in
           the
           
             latter
             sense
          
           is
           absolutely
           necessary
           ;
           for
           if
           men
           may
           be
           allowed
           to
           vent
           and
           publish
           what
           ever
           
             fancies
          
           come
           into
           their
           heads
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Church
          
           have
           no
           
             Authority
          
           to
           impose
           silence
           upon
           them
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           avoided
           but
           she
           will
           be
           overrun
           with
           
             Heresies
             ,
          
           and
           embroiled
           in
           infinite
           
             Quarrels
          
           and
           
             Controversies
             ,
          
           to
           the
           destruction
           of
           her
           Publick
           Peace
           .
        
         
           The
           
             fourth
             Proposition
          
           is
           ,
           
             That
             we
             can
             have
             no
             just
             cause
             of
             with-drawing
             our
          
           Communion
           
             from
             the
          
           Church
           
             whereof
             we
             are
          
           Members
           ,
           
             but
             when
             we
             cannot
             communicate
             with
             it
             without
             the
          
           Commission
           
             of
             a
          
           Sin.
           
        
         
           For
           if
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           Communicate
           with
           the
           
             Church
          
           when
           we
           can
           lawfully
           do
           so
           ;
           as
           hath
           been
           before
           proved
           ,
           it
           is
           plain
           we
           are
           bound
           so
           long
           to
           
             continue
          
           our
           Communion
           with
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           till
           it
           be
           unlawful
           to
           continue
           in
           it
           any
           longer
           :
           But
           it
           cannot
           be
           unlawful
           to
           continue
           in
           her
           Communion
           ,
           
           till
           she
           require
           something
           as
           a
           Condition
           of
           her
           Communion
           that
           is
           a
           
             Sin.
             
          
        
         
           So
           that
           there
           are
           but
           
             Two
          
           cases
           ,
           wherein
           it
           can
           be
           lawful
           to
           
             withdraw
          
           our
           
             Communion
          
           from
           a
           
             Church
             ,
          
           because
           there
           are
           but
           two
           cases
           wherein
           
             Communion
          
           with
           her
           can
           be
           
             sinful
             .
          
           One
           is
           ,
           when
           the
           
             Church
          
           requires
           of
           us
           as
           a
           
             Condition
          
           of
           her
           
             Communion
             ,
          
           an
           
             Acknowledgment
          
           and
           
             Profession
          
           of
           that
           for
           a
           
             Truth
             ,
          
           which
           we
           know
           to
           be
           an
           
             Error
             .
          
           The
           other
           is
           ,
           when
           the
           
             Church
          
           requires
           of
           us
           as
           a
           Condition
           of
           her
           Communion
           ,
           the
           joyning
           with
           her
           in
           some
           Practises
           which
           we
           know
           to
           be
           against
           the
           
             Laws
          
           of
           
             God.
          
           In
           these
           two
           Cases
           to
           withdraw
           our
           Obedience
           to
           the
           
             Church
          
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           a
           
             Sin
             ,
          
           that
           it
           is
           a
           necessary
           
             Duty
             ;
          
           because
           we
           have
           an
           obligation
           to
           the
           
             Laws
          
           of
           God
           antecedent
           to
           that
           we
           have
           to
           
             those
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
             ;
          
           and
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           obey
           
             these
          
           no
           further
           than
           they
           are
           consonant
           or
           agreeable
           to
           
             those
             .
          
        
         
           But
           now
           from
           this
           discourse
           it
           will
           appear
           how
           insufficient
           those
           Causes
           ,
           how
           unwarrantable
           those
           Grounds
           are
           ,
           upon
           which
           many
           among
           us
           have
           proceeded
           to
           
             Separation
          
           from
           our
           
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           For
           ,
           
             first
          
           if
           what
           I
           have
           laid
           down
           be
           true
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           true
           that
           
             Unscriptural
             Impositions
          
           can
           be
           a
           warrantable
           cause
           of
           
             separation
          
           from
           a
           
             Church
             ;
          
           supposing
           that
           by
           
             Unscriptural
          
           be
           meant
           no
           more
           than
           onely
           what
           is
           neither
           
             Commanded
          
           nor
           
             Forbid
          
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           .
           For
           the
           Actions
           required
           by
           these
           
             Unscriptural
             Impositions
          
           are
           either
           in
           themselves
           
           
             lawful
          
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           or
           
             not
             lawful
          
           to
           be
           done
           .
           If
           they
           be
           in
           themselves
           ▪
           
             unlawful
          
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           then
           they
           do
           not
           fall
           under
           that
           notion
           of
           
             Unscriptural
          
           we
           here
           speak
           of
           ;
           they
           are
           down-right
           
             Sins
             ,
          
           and
           so
           either
           
             particularly
          
           or
           in
           the
           
             general
          
           forbid
           in
           the
           
             Scripture
             .
          
           If
           they
           be
           in
           themselves
           
             lawful
          
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           then
           it
           cannot
           be
           imagined
           how
           their
           being
           
             commanded
          
           can
           make
           them
           
             unlawful
             :
          
           So
           that
           in
           this
           case
           there
           is
           no
           
             sin
          
           in
           yielding
           obedience
           to
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           and
           consequently
           no
           cause
           of
           withdrawing
           our
           Communion
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           Nor
           
             secondly
          
           can
           it
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           requiring
           from
           us
           any
           
             doubtful
          
           or
           
             suspected
          
           practices
           as
           Conditions
           of
           her
           Communion
           ,
           is
           a
           just
           cause
           of
           
             Separation
             :
          
           for
           we
           must
           have
           at
           least
           as
           much
           certainty
           of
           the
           
             unlawfulness
          
           of
           the
           
             actions
          
           enjoyned
           as
           we
           have
           of
           our
           
             Obligation
          
           to
           the
           
             Authority
          
           that
           enjoyns
           them
           ,
           before
           we
           withdraw
           our
           
             Obedience
          
           to
           it
           ,
           otherwise
           we
           do
           not
           proceed
           upon
           safe
           grounds
           ;
           but
           now
           we
           are
           
             absolutely
             certain
          
           that
           God
           hath
           commanded
           us
           to
           obey
           them
           that
           have
           the
           rule
           over
           us
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           not
           
             certain
          
           that
           the
           
             actions
          
           we
           here
           speak
           of
           are
           any
           where
           
             forbid
          
           by
           him
           ;
           for
           if
           we
           were
           ,
           they
           would
           be
           no
           longer
           
             doubtful
          
           or
           
             suspected
             ,
          
           they
           would
           be
           
             certain
             sins
             :
          
           so
           that
           if
           we
           will
           follow
           the
           surer
           side
           ,
           as
           all
           Christians
           in
           these
           cases
           are
           bound
           to
           do
           ,
           we
           must
           continue
           our
           
             Obedience
          
           to
           the
           
             Church
             ,
          
           notwithstanding
           we
           
             suspect
          
           or
           
             doubt
          
           of
           the
           lawfulness
           of
           her
           Commands
           .
        
         
         
           Neither
           
             thirdly
          
           can
           it
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           
             Errors
          
           in
           a
           
             Church
          
           as
           to
           matter
           of
           
             Doctrins
             ,
          
           or
           
             Corruptions
          
           as
           to
           matter
           of
           
             Practice
             ,
          
           so
           long
           as
           those
           
             Errors
          
           and
           
             Corruptions
          
           are
           onely
           
             suffered
             ,
          
           but
           not
           
             imposed
             ,
          
           can
           be
           a
           sufficient
           cause
           of
           
             Separation
             ;
          
           the
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           these
           things
           are
           not
           
             sins
          
           in
           us
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           we
           do
           not
           joyn
           with
           the
           
             Church
          
           in
           them
           .
           So
           that
           so
           long
           as
           we
           can
           Communicate
           with
           a
           
             Church
             ,
          
           without
           either
           professing
           her
           
             Errors
             ,
          
           or
           partaking
           in
           her
           
             sinful
             Practices
             ,
          
           as
           in
           the
           present
           case
           it
           is
           supposed
           we
           may
           do
           ;
           so
           long
           we
           are
           bound
           upon
           the
           
             Principle
          
           before
           laid
           down
           not
           to
           
             separate
          
           from
           her
           .
        
         
           Neither
           in
           the
           
             fourth
          
           and
           last
           place
           ,
           is
           the
           enjoying
           a
           more
           profitable
           
             Ministry
             ,
          
           or
           living
           under
           a
           more
           pure
           
             Discipline
          
           in
           another
           
             Church
             ,
          
           a
           just
           cause
           of
           forsaking
           the
           
             Communion
          
           of
           that
           whereof
           we
           are
           now
           
             Members
             .
          
           The
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           not
           to
           commit
           the
           least
           
             crime
          
           for
           the
           attaining
           the
           greatest
           good
           in
           the
           World
           :
           Now
           it
           is
           a
           
             crime
          
           to
           forsake
           the
           
             Communion
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
          
           whereof
           we
           are
           
             Members
             ,
          
           so
           long
           as
           her
           
             Communion
          
           is
           not
           
             sinful
             :
          
           But
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           a
           
             less
             profitable
             Ministry
             ,
          
           or
           a
           
             less
             pure
             Discipline
          
           doth
           not
           make
           her
           
             Communion
             sinful
             ;
          
           therefore
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           a
           
             more
             profitable
             Ministry
             ,
          
           or
           a
           
             more
             pure
             Discipline
          
           cannot
           make
           a
           
             Separation
          
           from
           her
           
             lawful
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             fifth
          
           and
           last
           
             Proposition
          
           is
           ,
           
             That
             though
             we
             have
             a
             just
             cause
             to
             refuse
             Communion
             with
             the
          
           Church
           
             whereof
             we
             are
          
           Members
           
             in
             some
             instances
             ,
          
           
           
             yet
             we
             are
             not
             therefore
             to
             proceed
             to
             so
          
           total
           
             a
          
           Separation
           
             from
             it
             as
             to
             erect
          
           New
           Churches
           
             in
             contradistinction
             to
             it
             ,
             or
             to
             joyn
             with
             those
             that
             do
             .
          
        
         
           The
           reason
           is
           clear
           from
           the
           foregoing
           Principles
           ;
           
             viz.
          
           because
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           
             obey
          
           as
           far
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           and
           where
           we
           cannot
           to
           
             suffer
             ;
          
           but
           at
           no
           hand
           to
           disturb
           the
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           or
           break
           the
           
             Unity
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           Though
           we
           cannot
           comply
           with
           all
           that
           the
           
             Church
          
           requires
           of
           us
           ,
           yet
           still
           we
           must
           joyn
           with
           
             Her
          
           in
           those
           other
           things
           where
           we
           lawfully
           can
           .
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           though
           the
           
             Church
          
           should
           require
           those
           things
           as
           
             Conditions
          
           of
           her
           
             Communion
          
           so
           that
           unless
           we
           conform
           to
           them
           we
           cannot
           at
           all
           communicate
           with
           her
           ;
           yet
           still
           there
           is
           a
           
             Passive
             Obedience
          
           due
           from
           us
           :
           We
           must
           sit
           still
           and
           suffer
           ,
           and
           not
           make
           a
           Rent
           in
           the
           
             Church
          
           by
           setting
           up
           one
           
             Altar
          
           against
           another
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           like
           the
           setting
           up
           a
           new
           and
           a
           distinct
           
             Government
          
           in
           the
           Bowels
           of
           the
           
             State.
             
          
        
         
           Nothing
           can
           justify
           such
           a
           degree
           of
           departure
           as
           this
           but
           onely
           one
           thing
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           so
           great
           and
           general
           a
           
             Corruption
          
           of
           the
           
             Church
          
           both
           in
           
             Doctrin
          
           and
           
             Practice
             ,
          
           that
           the
           
             Salvation
          
           of
           all
           that
           communicate
           with
           her
           is
           thereby
           endangered
           :
           Which
           though
           it
           be
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           
             Members
          
           of
           the
           present
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           yet
           I
           dare
           say
           few
           among
           us
           will
           affirm
           to
           be
           the
           case
           of
           them
           that
           communicate
           with
           the
           
             Church
          
           of
           
             England
             .
          
        
         
         
           Thus
           have
           I
           as
           briefly
           as
           I
           could
           represented
           to
           you
           the
           Particulars
           of
           that
           Duty
           we
           owe
           to
           our
           
             common
             Mother
          
           in
           the
           
             preservation
          
           of
           her
           
             Unity
          
           and
           
             Communion
             .
          
           And
           I
           hope
           I
           have
           not
           been
           so
           zealous
           for
           
             Peace
          
           as
           to
           have
           been
           at
           all
           injurious
           to
           
             Truth
             .
          
        
         
           I
           am
           confident
           I
           have
           said
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           very
           agreeable
           to
           
             Scripture
          
           and
           
             Reason
             ,
          
           and
           the
           sense
           of
           the
           Best
           and
           Ancientest
           
             Christians
             .
          
           And
           I
           am
           certain
           I
           have
           not
           intrenched
           upon
           any
           of
           those
           Grounds
           upon
           which
           our
           
             Ancestors
          
           proceeded
           to
           the
           
             Reformation
          
           of
           
             Religion
          
           among
           us
           .
           And
           for
           most
           of
           the
           things
           here
           delivered
           we
           have
           also
           the
           
             suffrage
          
           of
           several
           ,
           and
           those
           the
           most
           learned
           and
           moderate
           of
           our
           
             dissenting
             Brethren
             .
          
        
         
           And
           now
           if
           after
           this
           any
           one
           be
           offended
           ,
           as
           indeed
           these
           kind
           of
           discourses
           are
           seldom
           very
           acceptable
           ;
           all
           I
           can
           say
           ,
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           
             Truths
          
           here
           delivered
           are
           really
           of
           so
           great
           importance
           to
           
             Religion
          
           and
           the
           
             Public
             Peace
             ,
          
           that
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           dissembled
           or
           suppressed
           ,
           for
           any
           
             bad
             reception
          
           they
           may
           meet
           with
           from
           
             some
             men
             :
          
           but
           as
           for
           the
           
             manner
          
           of
           delivering
           them
           ,
           I
           have
           taken
           all
           the
           care
           I
           could
           ,
           not
           to
           give
           offence
           to
           any
           .
        
         
           I
           now
           pass
           on
           to
           the
           
             second
          
           part
           of
           my
           
             Task
          
           upon
           this
           
             Head
             ,
          
           which
           is
           to
           consider
           the
           
             Duty
          
           recommended
           in
           the
           
             Text
          
           with
           relation
           to
           
             particular
             Christians
          
           our
           
             Brethren
             .
          
        
         
           And
           here
           my
           business
           is
           to
           direct
           you
           to
           the
           
           
             Pursuit
          
           of
           
             those
             things
             that
             make
             for
             Peace
             ;
          
           as
           
             Peace
          
           signifies
           mutual
           
             Love
          
           and
           
             Charity
          
           in
           opposition
           to
           
             Strife
          
           and
           
             Bitterness
          
           and
           
             Contentions
             .
          
        
         
           The
           things
           that
           make
           for
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           in
           this
           sense
           are
           more
           especially
           these
           that
           follow
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           deliver
           by
           way
           of
           
             Rules
          
           and
           
             Advices
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             first
             Rule
          
           is
           to
           distinguish
           carefully
           between
           matters
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
          
           and
           matters
           of
           
             Opinion
             ;
          
           and
           as
           to
           these
           latter
           ,
           to
           be
           willing
           that
           every
           one
           should
           enjoy
           the
           liberty
           of
           judging
           for
           himself
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           one
           thing
           that
           would
           help
           very
           much
           to
           the
           extinguishing
           of
           those
           unnatural
           Heats
           and
           
             Animosities
             ,
          
           which
           have
           long
           been
           the
           Reproach
           of
           Christians
           .
           If
           men
           would
           set
           no
           greater
           value
           upon
           their
           
             Notions
          
           and
           
             Opinions
          
           than
           they
           do
           deserve
           ;
           if
           they
           would
           make
           a
           difference
           between
           
             necessary
          
           points
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           not
           so
           :
           and
           in
           those
           things
           that
           are
           not
           
             necessary
             ,
          
           would
           not
           rigorously
           tie
           up
           others
           to
           their
           measures
           ,
           but
           would
           allow
           every
           man
           to
           abound
           in
           his
           own
           sense
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           the
           
             Churches
             Peace
          
           is
           not
           thereby
           injured
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           have
           so
           manny
           bitter
           Quarrels
           and
           Heart-burnings
           among
           us
           .
           But
           alass
           whilst
           every
           one
           will
           frame
           a
           
             Systeme
          
           of
           
             Divinity
          
           of
           his
           own
           head
           ,
           and
           every
           puny
           
             Notion
          
           of
           that
           
             Systeme
          
           must
           be
           
             Christen'd
          
           by
           the
           name
           of
           an
           
             Article
          
           of
           
             Faith
             ;
          
           and
           every
           man
           that
           doth
           not
           believe
           just
           as
           he
           doth
           ,
           must
           straight
           be
           a
           
             Heretick
          
           for
           doing
           so
           :
           How
           can
           it
           be
           expected
           but
           we
           must
           wrangle
           eternally
           ?
        
         
         
           It
           were
           heartily
           to
           be
           wished
           that
           Christians
           would
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Articles
          
           of
           
             Faith
             ,
          
           those
           things
           that
           God
           hath
           made
           necessary
           by
           every
           one
           to
           be
           believed
           in
           order
           to
           his
           
             Salvation
             ,
          
           are
           but
           very
           
             few
             ,
          
           and
           they
           are
           all
           of
           them
           so
           
             plainly
          
           and
           
             clearly
          
           set
           down
           in
           the
           
             Scripture
             ,
          
           that
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           any
           sincere
           honest-minded
           man
           to
           miss
           of
           the
           
             true
             sense
          
           of
           them
           .
           And
           they
           have
           further
           this
           Badg
           to
           distinguish
           them
           from
           all
           other
           
             Truths
             ,
          
           that
           they
           have
           an
           immediate
           influence
           upon
           mens
           
             Lives
             ,
          
           a
           direct
           Tendency
           to
           make
           men
           
             Better
             ;
          
           whereas
           most
           of
           those
           things
           that
           make
           the
           ▪
           matter
           of
           our
           Controversies
           ,
           and
           about
           which
           we
           make
           such
           a
           noise
           and
           clamour
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           we
           so
           bitterly
           censure
           and
           anathematize
           one
           another
           ,
           are
           quite
           of
           another
           nature
           :
           They
           are
           neither
           so
           
             clearly
             revealed
          
           or
           
             propounded
          
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           but
           that
           even
           good
           men
           through
           the
           great
           difference
           of
           their
           Parts
           ,
           Learning
           ,
           and
           Education
           may
           after
           their
           best
           endeavours
           vary
           in
           their
           sentiments
           about
           them
           .
           Nor
           do
           they
           at
           all
           concern
           a
           
             Christian
             Life
             ,
          
           but
           are
           matters
           of
           pure
           
             notion
          
           and
           
             speculation
             .
          
           So
           that
           it
           cannot
           with
           any
           reason
           be
           pretended
           that
           they
           are
           
             points
          
           upon
           which
           Mens
           
             Salvation
          
           doth
           depend
           .
           It
           cannot
           be
           thought
           that
           
             God
          
           will
           be
           offended
           with
           any
           man
           for
           his
           
             Ignorance
          
           or
           
             Mistakes
          
           concerning
           them
           .
           And
           ,
           if
           not
           ,
           if
           a
           man
           may
           be
           a
           
             Good
             Christian
             ,
          
           and
           go
           to
           Heaven
           whether
           he
           holds
           the
           right
           or
           the
           wrong
           side
           in
           these
           matters
           ;
           for
           Gods
           sake
           why
           should
           we
           be
           
             angry
          
           with
           any
           
           one
           for
           having
           other
           opinions
           about
           them
           than
           we
           have
           ?
           Why
           should
           we
           not
           rather
           permit
           men
           to
           use
           their
           
             Understandings
          
           as
           well
           as
           they
           can
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           fail
           of
           the
           
             Truth
          
           to
           bear
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           
             God
          
           himself
           without
           question
           will
           ;
           then
           by
           stickling
           for
           every
           impertinent
           unnecessary
           
             Truth
          
           destroy
           that
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           and
           
             Love
             ,
          
           and
           
             Amity
          
           that
           ought
           to
           be
           among
           
             Christians
             .
          
        
         
           The
           second
           thing
           I
           would
           recommend
           ,
           is
           a
           great
           
             simplicity
          
           and
           
             purity
          
           of
           
             Intention
          
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           
             Truth
             ;
          
           and
           at
           no
           hand
           to
           let
           
             passion
          
           or
           
             interest
             ,
          
           or
           any
           
             self-end
          
           be
           ingredient
           into
           our
           
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
           The
           practice
           of
           this
           would
           not
           more
           conduce
           to
           the
           discovery
           of
           
             Truth
             ,
          
           than
           it
           would
           to
           the
           promoting
           of
           
             Peace
             .
          
           For
           it
           is
           easie
           to
           observe
           that
           it
           is
           not
           always
           a
           pure
           concernment
           for
           the
           Truth
           ,
           in
           the
           points
           in
           Controversie
           ,
           that
           makes
           us
           so
           zealous
           ,
           so
           fierce
           and
           so
           obstinate
           in
           our
           Disputes
           for
           or
           against
           them
           ;
           but
           something
           of
           which
           that
           is
           onely
           the
           
             Mask
          
           and
           
             Pretence
             ,
          
           some
           
             By-ends
          
           that
           must
           be
           served
           ,
           some
           
             Secular
             Interest
          
           that
           we
           have
           espoused
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           carried
           on
           .
        
         
           We
           have
           either
           engaged
           our selves
           to
           some
           
             Party
             ,
          
           and
           so
           its
           Interests
           right
           or
           wrong
           must
           be
           promoted
           :
           or
           we
           have
           taken
           up
           an
           opinion
           inconsiderately
           at
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           appeared
           in
           the
           favour
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           afterward
           our
           own
           credit
           doth
           oblige
           us
           to
           defend
           it
           :
           or
           we
           have
           received
           some
           
             slight
          
           or
           
             disappointment
          
           from
           the
           Men
           of
           
             one
             way
             ,
          
           
           and
           so
           in
           pure
           pet
           and
           revenge
           we
           pass
           over
           to
           their
           Adversaries
           .
           Or
           it
           is
           for
           our
           gain
           and
           advantage
           ,
           that
           the
           Differences
           among
           us
           be
           still
           kept
           afoot
           ;
           or
           we
           desire
           to
           get
           our selves
           a
           name
           by
           some
           great
           
             Atchievments
          
           in
           the
           Noble
           
             Science
          
           of
           
             Controversies
             ;
          
           or
           we
           are
           possessed
           with
           a
           spirit
           of
           Contradiction
           ;
           or
           we
           delight
           in
           Novelties
           ;
           or
           we
           love
           to
           be
           singular
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           the
           things
           that
           too
           often
           both
           give
           birth
           to
           our
           Controversies
           ,
           and
           also
           nourish
           and
           foment
           them
           .
        
         
           If
           we
           would
           but
           cast
           these
           
             Beams
          
           out
           of
           our
           eyes
           ,
           we
           should
           both
           see
           more
           
             clearly
             ,
          
           and
           certainly
           live
           more
           
             peaceably
             .
          
           But
           whilest
           we
           pursue
           
             base
          
           and
           
             sordid
             ends
          
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           maintaining
           
             Truth
             ,
          
           we
           shall
           always
           be
           in
           
             error
             ,
          
           and
           always
           in
           
             contention
             .
          
        
         
           Let
           us
           therefore
           quit
           our selves
           of
           all
           our
           prepossessions
           ;
           let
           us
           mortify
           all
           our
           
             Pride
          
           and
           
             Vain-glory
             ,
          
           our
           
             Passion
          
           and
           
             Emulation
             ,
          
           our
           
             Covetousness
          
           and
           
             Revenge
             ;
          
           and
           bring
           nothing
           in
           the
           world
           to
           our
           
             Debates
          
           about
           Religion
           but
           onely
           the
           
             pure
             love
          
           of
           
             Truth
             :
          
           and
           then
           our
           Controversies
           will
           not
           be
           so
           long
           ;
           and
           they
           will
           be
           more
           calmly
           and
           peaceably
           managed
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           redound
           to
           the
           greater
           good
           of
           all
           
             Parties
             .
          
        
         
           And
           this
           I
           dare
           say
           further
           to
           encourage
           you
           to
           labour
           after
           this
           temper
           of
           mind
           ,
           That
           he
           that
           comes
           thus
           qualified
           to
           the
           study
           of
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           though
           he
           may
           not
           have
           the
           luck
           always
           to
           light
           
           on
           the
           
             Truth
             ,
          
           yet
           with
           all
           his
           
             errors
          
           be
           they
           what
           they
           will
           ,
           he
           is
           more
           acceptable
           to
           God
           than
           the
           Man
           that
           hath
           
             Truth
          
           on
           his
           side
           ,
           yet
           takes
           it
           up
           or
           maintains
           it
           to
           serve
           a
           turn
           .
           He
           that
           believes
           a
           
             Falsehood
             ,
          
           after
           he
           hath
           used
           his
           sincere
           endeavours
           to
           find
           the
           
             Truth
             ,
          
           is
           not
           half
           so
           much
           a
           
             Heritick
          
           as
           he
           that
           professeth
           a
           
             Truth
          
           out
           of
           
             Evil
             Principles
             ,
          
           and
           prostituteth
           it
           to
           
             unworthy
             ends
             .
          
        
         
           The
           third
           Rule
           is
           ,
           Never
           to
           quarrel
           about
           
             Words
          
           and
           
             Phrases
             ,
          
           but
           so
           long
           as
           other
           men
           mean
           much
           what
           the
           same
           that
           we
           do
           ,
           let
           us
           be
           content
           though
           they
           have
           not
           the
           luck
           to
           express
           themselves
           so
           well
           .
        
         
           I
           do
           not
           know
           how
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           ,
           whether
           through
           too
           much
           heat
           and
           eagerness
           of
           disputing
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           not
           mind
           one
           anothers
           
             Sense
             ;
          
           or
           ,
           whether
           through
           too
           much
           love
           to
           our
           own
           manner
           of
           
             Thinking
          
           or
           
             Speaking
             ,
          
           that
           we
           will
           not
           endure
           any
           thing
           but
           what
           is
           conveyed
           to
           us
           in
           our
           own
           
             Methods
             :
          
           But
           ,
           really
           ,
           it
           often
           happens
           that
           most
           bitter
           Quarrels
           do
           commence
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           from
           the
           different
           
             Sense
          
           of
           the
           contending
           Parties
           ,
           concerning
           the
           things
           they
           contend
           about
           ,
           as
           from
           their
           different
           
             Terms
          
           expressing
           the
           same
           
             Sense
             ,
          
           and
           the
           different
           
             Grounds
          
           they
           proceed
           upon
           ,
           or
           
             Arguments
          
           they
           make
           use
           of
           for
           the
           proof
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           For
           my
           part
           I
           verily
           believe
           that
           this
           is
           the
           Case
           of
           several
           of
           those
           
             Disputes
             ,
          
           in
           which
           we
           
             Protestants
          
           do
           often
           engage
           at
           this
           day
           .
           I
           do
           not
           think
           ,
           in
           many
           points
           ,
           our
           
             Differences
          
           are
           near
           so
           
           wide
           as
           they
           are
           sometimes
           represented
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           might
           easily
           be
           made
           up
           with
           a
           little
           allowance
           to
           mens
           
             Words
          
           and
           
             Phrases
             ,
          
           and
           the
           different
           
             Methods
          
           of
           deducing
           their
           Notions
           .
        
         
           It
           would
           be
           perhaps
           no
           hard
           matter
           to
           make
           this
           appear
           in
           those
           
             Controversies
          
           that
           are
           so
           much
           agitated
           among
           us
           concerning
           
             Faith
          
           and
           
             Justification
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             necessity
             of
             good
             works
             to
             Salvation
             ,
          
           and
           
             Imputed
             Righteousness
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             difference
             between
             Virtue
             and
             Grace
             ;
          
           with
           some
           others
           ,
           if
           this
           were
           a
           fit
           place
           for
           it
           .
           The
           difference
           that
           is
           among
           us
           as
           to
           these
           Points
           is
           possibly
           not
           much
           greater
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           some
           men
           in
           these
           matters
           speak
           more
           clearly
           and
           fully
           ;
           others
           more
           imperfectly
           and
           obscurely
           .
           Some
           men
           convey
           their
           sense
           in
           plain
           and
           proper
           words
           ;
           others
           delight
           in
           
             Metaphors
             ,
          
           and
           do
           perhaps
           too
           far
           extend
           the
           
             Figurative
          
           expressions
           of
           
             Scripture
             :
          
           Some
           reason
           more
           closely
           and
           upon
           more
           certain
           
             Principles
             ;
          
           others
           possibly
           may
           proceed
           upon
           weaker
           grounds
           ,
           and
           
             misapplyed
             Texts
          
           of
           Scripture
           and
           discourse
           more
           loosely
           .
           But
           both
           
             Parties
          
           (
           especially
           the
           more
           moderate
           of
           both
           seem
           to
           drive
           at
           much
           what
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           though
           by
           different
           ways
           ,
           as
           appears
           from
           this
           ,
           that
           being
           interrogated
           concerning
           the
           
             Consequences
          
           of
           their
           several
           
             Opinions
             ,
          
           they
           generally
           agree
           in
           admitting
           or
           
             rejecting
          
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           But
           fourthly
           ,
           another
           thing
           that
           would
           make
           for
           peace
           is
           this
           ;
           Never
           to
           charge
           upon
           men
           the
           
           
             Consequences
          
           of
           their
           
             Opinions
          
           when
           they
           expresly
           disown
           them
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           another
           thing
           that
           doth
           hugely
           tend
           to
           widen
           our
           Differences
           ,
           and
           to
           exasperate
           mens
           spirits
           one
           against
           another
           ;
           when
           having
           examined
           some
           
             Opinion
          
           of
           a
           
             Man
             ,
          
           or
           
             Party
          
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           finding
           very
           great
           
             absurdities
          
           and
           evil
           
             consequences
          
           necessarily
           to
           flow
           from
           it
           ,
           we
           presently
           throw
           all
           those
           into
           the
           
             dish
          
           of
           them
           that
           hold
           the
           
             Opinion
             ,
          
           as
           if
           they
           could
           not
           own
           the
           
             one
             ,
          
           but
           they
           must
           necessarily
           own
           the
           
             other
             :
          
           whereas
           indeed
           the
           men
           we
           thus
           charge
           ,
           may
           be
           so
           innocent
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           that
           they
           do
           not
           in
           the
           least
           dream
           of
           such
           
             Consequences
             ;
          
           or
           if
           they
           did
           ,
           they
           would
           be
           so
           far
           from
           
             owning
          
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           abhor
           the
           
             Opinion
          
           for
           their
           sakes
           .
        
         
           To
           give
           you
           an
           instance
           or
           two
           in
           this
           matter
           :
           It
           is
           a
           Doctrin
           maintained
           by
           some
           ,
           That
           
             Gods
             Will
             is
             the
             Rule
             of
             Justice
             ;
          
           or
           that
           
             every
             thing
             is
             therefore
             just
             or
             good
             because
             God
             wills
             it
             .
          
           Those
           that
           are
           concerned
           to
           oppose
           this
           Doctrin
           do
           contend
           that
           if
           this
           
             Doctrin
          
           be
           true
           ,
           it
           will
           necessarily
           follow
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           can
           have
           any
           certainty
           of
           the
           
             Truth
          
           of
           any
           one
           
             Proposition
          
           that
           God
           hath
           revealed
           in
           Scripture
           .
           Granting
           now
           that
           this
           can
           by
           just
           consequence
           be
           made
           out
           ,
           yet
           I
           dare
           say
           those
           that
           hold
           the
           foresaid
           
             Doctrin
          
           would
           be
           very
           angry
           ,
           and
           had
           good
           reason
           so
           to
           be
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           told
           that
           they
           did
           not
           ,
           no
           nor
           could
           not
           ,
           upon
           their
           
             Principles
          
           certainly
           believe
           the
           
             Scripture
             .
          
        
         
         
           Some
           Men
           think
           that
           they
           can
           with
           demonstrative
           evidence
           make
           out
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Doctrin
          
           of
           
             Gods
             irrespective
             Decrees
          
           doth
           in
           its
           Consequences
           overthrow
           the
           whole
           
             Gospel
             ,
          
           that
           it
           doth
           destroy
           the
           nature
           of
           
             Rewards
          
           and
           
             Punishments
             ,
          
           cuts
           the
           very
           
             Sinews
          
           of
           mens
           Endeavours
           after
           virtue
           ;
           makes
           all
           
             Laws
             ,
             Promises
             ,
             Exhortations
          
           perfectly
           idle
           and
           insignificant
           things
           ;
           and
           renders
           God
           the
           most
           
             unlovely
             Being
          
           in
           the
           world
           .
           Now
           supposing
           all
           this
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           yet
           it
           would
           be
           a
           most
           unjust
           and
           uncharitable
           thing
           to
           affirm
           of
           any
           that
           believe
           that
           Doctrin
           (
           many
           of
           whom
           are
           certainly
           pious
           and
           good
           men
           )
           that
           they
           do
           maintain
           any
           such
           impious
           and
           blasphemous
           Opinions
           as
           those
           that
           are
           now
           mentioned
           .
        
         
           The
           sum
           of
           all
           is
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           may
           believe
           a
           
             Proposition
             ,
          
           and
           not
           believe
           all
           that
           follows
           from
           it
           :
           not
           ,
           but
           that
           all
           the
           
             deductions
          
           from
           a
           
             Proposition
          
           are
           equally
           true
           ,
           and
           equally
           credible
           with
           the
           
             Proposition
          
           from
           whence
           they
           are
           deduced
           :
           But
           a
           man
           may
           not
           so
           clearly
           see
           through
           the
           
             Proposition
          
           as
           to
           discern
           that
           such
           
             Consequences
          
           are
           really
           deducible
           from
           it
           :
           So
           that
           we
           are
           at
           no
           hand
           to
           charge
           them
           upon
           him
           unless
           he
           do
           explicitly
           own
           them
           .
        
         
           If
           this
           Rule
           was
           observed
           our
           Differences
           would
           not
           make
           so
           great
           a
           noise
           ,
           nor
           would
           the
           
             Errors
          
           and
           
             Heterodoxies
          
           maintained
           among
           us
           appear
           so
           monstrous
           and
           extravagant
           ;
           and
           we
           should
           spare
           a
           great
           many
           hard
           words
           and
           odious
           appellations
           ,
           
           which
           we
           now
           too
           prodigally
           bestow
           upon
           those
           that
           differ
           from
           us
           .
        
         
           The
           fifth
           Rule
           is
           ,
           to
           abstract
           mens
           
             Persons
          
           from
           their
           
             Opinions
             ;
          
           and
           in
           examining
           or
           opposing
           
             these
             ,
          
           never
           to
           make
           any
           reflections
           upon
           
             those
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           a
           thing
           so
           highly
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           methinks
           no
           pretender
           to
           ingenuity
           should
           ever
           need
           to
           be
           called
           upon
           to
           observe
           it
           .
           For
           it
           seems
           very
           absurd
           and
           ridiculous
           in
           any
           
             Argument
          
           to
           meddle
           with
           that
           ,
           that
           nothing
           concerns
           the
           
             Question
             .
          
           But
           what
           do
           
             Personal
             Reflections
          
           concern
           the
           
             Cause
          
           of
           
             Religion
             ?
          
           what
           ever
           it
           may
           be
           to
           the
           
             Reputation
          
           of
           an
           
             Opinion
             ,
          
           I
           am
           sure
           it
           is
           nothing
           to
           the
           
             Truth
          
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           such
           or
           such
           a
           man
           holds
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           truly
           if
           men
           would
           leave
           this
           impertinence
           we
           might
           hope
           for
           a
           better
           issue
           of
           our
           
             Religious
             Debates
             :
          
           but
           whilest
           men
           will
           forsake
           the
           
             Merits
          
           of
           the
           
             Cause
             ,
          
           and
           unmanly
           fall
           to
           railing
           ,
           and
           disparaging
           Mens
           
             Persons
             ,
          
           and
           scraping
           together
           all
           the
           ill
           that
           can
           be
           said
           of
           them
           ,
           they
           blow
           the
           Coals
           of
           Contention
           ,
           they
           so
           imbitter
           and
           envenom
           the
           Dispute
           ,
           that
           it
           rankles
           into
           incurable
           distasts
           and
           heart-burnings
           .
        
         
           Christians
           would
           do
           well
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           these
           mean
           arts
           of
           exposing
           Mens
           
             Persons
          
           to
           discredit
           their
           
             Opinions
             ,
          
           are
           very
           much
           unworthy
           the
           
             Dignity
          
           of
           their
           
             Profession
             ,
          
           and
           most
           of
           all
           misbecoming
           the
           
             Sacredness
          
           and
           
             Venerableness
          
           of
           the
           
             Truth
          
           they
           contend
           for
           .
           And
           besides
           ,
           no
           Cause
           stands
           in
           need
           of
           them
           but
           such
           an
           one
           as
           is
           extremely
           baffled
           
           and
           desperate
           ;
           and
           even
           then
           they
           are
           the
           worst
           Arguments
           in
           the
           world
           to
           support
           it
           :
           For
           quick-sighted
           men
           will
           easily
           see
           through
           the
           Dust
           we
           endeavour
           to
           raise
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           are
           duller
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           suspect
           from
           our
           being
           so
           angry
           and
           so
           waspish
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           but
           a
           bad
           matter
           to
           manage
           .
        
         
           We
           should
           consider
           that
           Mens
           
             Persons
          
           are
           
             Sacred
          
           things
           ,
           that
           what
           ever
           power
           we
           have
           to
           judg
           of
           their
           
             Opinions
             ,
          
           we
           have
           no
           authority
           to
           judg
           or
           censure
           
             Them.
          
           That
           to
           bring
           
             Them
          
           upon
           the
           Stage
           ,
           and
           there
           throw
           dirt
           on
           them
           is
           highly
           rude
           and
           uncivil
           ,
           and
           an
           affront
           to
           
             Human
             Society
             ,
          
           and
           the
           most
           contrary
           thing
           in
           the
           world
           to
           
             Christian
             Charity
             ,
          
           which
           is
           so
           far
           from
           enduring
           Reproaches
           and
           Evil
           speaking
           ,
           that
           it
           obliges
           us
           to
           cover
           as
           much
           we
           can
           all
           the
           
             Faults
             ,
          
           and
           even
           the
           very
           
             Indiscretions
          
           of
           others
           .
        
         
           The
           sixth
           and
           last
           thing
           I
           shall
           recommend
           to
           you
           as
           an
           Expedient
           of
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           is
           a
           vigorous
           pursuit
           of
           
             Holiness
             .
          
        
         
           Do
           but
           seriously
           set
           your selves
           to
           be
           
             good
             :
          
           Do
           but
           get
           your
           
             Hearts
          
           deeply
           affected
           with
           Religion
           as
           well
           as
           your
           
             Heads
             ,
          
           and
           then
           there
           is
           no
           fear
           but
           you
           will
           be
           all
           the
           
             Sons
             of
             Peace
             .
          
        
         
           We
           may
           talk
           what
           we
           will
           ;
           but
           really
           it
           is
           our
           not
           
             Practising
          
           our
           
             Religion
          
           that
           makes
           us
           so
           
             Contentious
          
           and
           
             Disputatious
          
           about
           it
           .
           It
           is
           our
           
             Emptiness
          
           of
           the
           
             Divine
          
           Life
           that
           makes
           us
           so
           
             full
          
           of
           Speculation
           and
           Controversie
           :
           was
           but
           
             That
          
           once
           firmly
           rooted
           in
           us
           ,
           these
           
             Weeds
          
           and
           
             Excrescencies
          
           
           of
           
             Religion
          
           would
           presently
           dry
           up
           and
           wither
           ;
           we
           should
           loath
           any
           longer
           to
           seed
           upon
           such
           
             Husks
             ,
          
           after
           we
           once
           came
           to
           have
           a
           Relish
           of
           that
           
             Bread.
             
          
        
         
           Ah
           how
           little
           satisfaction
           can
           all
           our
           pretty
           
             Notions
          
           and
           fine-spun
           
             Controversies
          
           yield
           to
           a
           Soul
           that
           truly
           hungers
           and
           thirsts
           after
           Righteousness
           ?
           How
           pitifully
           flatly
           and
           insipidly
           will
           they
           taste
           ,
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           Divine
           Entertainments
           of
           the
           
             Spiritual
          
           Life
           .
        
         
           Were
           we
           but
           seriously
           taken
           up
           with
           the
           
             Substantials
          
           of
           our
           
             Religion
             ,
          
           we
           should
           not
           have
           leisure
           for
           the
           
             Talking
             Disputing
             Divinity
             ;
          
           we
           should
           have
           greater
           matters
           to
           take
           up
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           more
           Profitable
           Arguments
           to
           furnish
           out
           our
           Discourses
           .
           So
           long
           as
           we
           could
           busy
           our selves
           in
           working
           out
           our
           
             Salvation
             ,
          
           and
           furthering
           the
           
             Salvation
          
           of
           others
           ,
           we
           should
           think
           it
           but
           a
           mean
           Employment
           to
           spend
           our
           time
           in
           spinning
           
             fine
             Nets
          
           for
           the
           catching
           of
           
             Flies
             .
          
        
         
           Besides
           this
           
             Divine
             Life
             ,
          
           if
           it
           once
           took
           place
           in
           us
           ,
           would
           strangely
           dilate
           and
           enlarge
           our
           hearts
           in
           
             Charity
          
           towards
           our
           
             Brethren
             ;
          
           it
           would
           make
           us
           open
           our
           arms
           wide
           to
           the
           whole
           Creation
           ;
           it
           would
           perfectly
           work
           out
           of
           us
           all
           that
           Peevishness
           and
           Sowrness
           ,
           and
           Penuriousness
           of
           spirit
           which
           we
           do
           too
           often
           contract
           by
           being
           addicted
           to
           a
           
             Sect
             ,
          
           and
           would
           make
           us
           Sweet
           and
           Benign
           ,
           and
           Obliging
           ,
           and
           ready
           to
           receive
           and
           embrace
           all
           Conditions
           of
           men
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           it
           would
           quite
           swallow
           up
           all
           
             Distinctions
          
           of
           
             Parties
             ;
          
           and
           what
           
           ever
           did
           but
           bear
           upon
           it
           the
           
             Image
          
           of
           
             God
          
           and
           the
           
             Superscription
          
           of
           the
           Holy
           
             Jesus
             ,
          
           would
           need
           no
           other
           Commendatories
           to
           our
           Affection
           ,
           but
           would
           upon
           that
           alone
           account
           be
           infinitely
           dear
           and
           pretious
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           all
           therefore
           earnestly
           contend
           after
           this
           Divine
           Principle
           of
           
             Holiness
             ;
          
           let
           us
           bring
           down
           
             Religion
          
           from
           our
           
             Heads
          
           to
           our
           
             Hearts
             ;
          
           from
           Speculation
           to
           Practice
           :
           Let
           us
           make
           it
           our
           business
           heartily
           to
           love
           God
           and
           do
           his
           will
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           may
           hope
           to
           see
           
             Peace
          
           in
           our
           days
           .
        
         
           This
           ,
           this
           is
           that
           that
           will
           restore
           to
           the
           World
           the
           Golden
           Age
           of
           
             Primitive
             Christianity
             ,
          
           when
           the
           
             Love
          
           and
           
             Unity
          
           of
           the
           Disciples
           of
           Jesus
           was
           so
           conspicuous
           and
           remarkable
           that
           it
           became
           into
           a
           
             Proverb
             ,
             See
             how
             the
             Christians
             love
             one
             another
             .
          
           This
           ,
           this
           is
           that
           that
           will
           bring
           in
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           all
           those
           glorious
           
             Promises
          
           of
           
             Peace
          
           and
           
             Tranquillity
          
           that
           
             Christ
          
           hath
           made
           to
           his
           
             Church
             :
          
           Then
           shall
           the
           
             Wolf
          
           dwell
           with
           the
           
             Lamb
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Leopard
          
           lie
           down
           with
           the
           
             Kid
             :
          
           Then
           shall
           not
           
             Ephraim
          
           envy
           
             Judah
             ,
          
           nor
           
             Judah
          
           vex
           
             Ephraim
             ;
          
           but
           we
           shall
           turn
           our
           
             Swords
          
           into
           
             Plough-shares
             ,
          
           and
           our
           
             Spears
          
           into
           
             Pruning-hooks
             ;
          
           and
           there
           will
           be
           no
           more
           consuming
           or
           devouring
           in
           all
           Gods
           Holy
           Mountain
           .
        
         
           I
           should
           now
           proceed
           to
           the
           second
           General
           Point
           in
           my
           proposed
           Method
           of
           handling
           this
           Text
           ;
           
             viz.
          
           To
           set
           before
           you
           the
           very
           great
           
             Engagements
          
           
           and
           
             Obligations
          
           we
           have
           upon
           us
           to
           follow
           after
           the
           Things
           that
           make
           for
           Peace
           ;
           and
           that
        
         
           
             1.
             
             From
             the
             
               Nature
            
             and
             
               Contrivance
            
             of
             our
             
               Religion
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             From
             the
             great
             weight
             the
             
               Scripture
            
             lays
             upon
             this
             
               Duty
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             From
             the
             great
             
               Unreasonableness
            
             of
             our
             Religious
             
               Differences
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             From
             the
             very
             evil
             
               Consequences
            
             that
             attend
             them
             ;
             as
             1.
             
             In
             that
             they
             are
             great
             Hinderances
             of
             a
             good
             Life
             .
             2.
             
             They
             are
             very
             pernicious
             to
             the
             
               Civil
               Peace
            
             of
             the
             
               State.
            
             3.
             
             They
             are
             highly
             Opprobrious
             to
             Christianity
             in
             general
             .
             And
             4.
             and
             lastly
             ,
             Very
             dangerous
             to
             the
             
               Protestant
            
             Religion
             ,
             as
             giving
             too
             many
             advantages
             ,
             and
             too
             much
             encouragement
             to
             the
             
               Factors
            
             of
             the
             
               Papacy
               .
            
          
        
         
           But
           I
           have
           I
           fear
           already
           exceeded
           the
           Limits
           of
           a
           
             Sermon
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           shall
           add
           no
           more
           .
        
         
           God
           open
           our
           eyes
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           in
           this
           our
           day
           understand
           the
           
             Things
          
           that
           belong
           to
           
             Peace
          
           before
           they
           be
           hid
           from
           our
           eyes
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A59576-e560
           
             V.
             4.
             &
             seq
             .
          
           
             Ver.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             17.
             
          
           
             Ver.
             18.
             
          
           
             Mr.
             
               Hales
               .
            
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             25.
             
          
           
             Acts
             20.
             28.
             
          
           
             Eph.
             5.
             23.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             13.
             
             Eph.
             5.
             26.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             16.
             17.