Mr. Chillingworth's judgment of the religion of Protestants of Scripture the only rule, of differences among Protestants, of using force in matters of religion &c. : with a preface to the reader giving the reason of publishing these passages. Religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation. Selections Chillingworth, William, 1602-1644. 1680 Approx. 32 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 6 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A32852 Wing C3886 ESTC R29216 10861593 ocm 10861593 46138 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A32852) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 46138) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1419:36) Mr. Chillingworth's judgment of the religion of Protestants of Scripture the only rule, of differences among Protestants, of using force in matters of religion &c. : with a preface to the reader giving the reason of publishing these passages. Religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation. Selections Chillingworth, William, 1602-1644. [2], 7 p. Printed for Francis Smith, London : 1680. Extracts from the author's The religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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OF SCRIPTURE THE Only Rule . OF DIFFERENCES AMONG PROTESTANTS . OF USING FORCE IN Matters of Religion , &c. WITH A Preface to the Reader , giving the Reason of Publishing these Passages . LONDON , Printed for Francis Smith , at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhil , near the Royal Exchange . 1680 : TO THE READER . HE that is arrived at such a degree of wickedness , that his Principles will allow him to equivocate in the most solemn Asseverations , and to put on any person or shape for the carrying on his Designs , has thereby a great advantage over the common people , who being more honest and simple , can scarce think it possible , that men , professing God and Religion , should admit of principles and practices so diametrically contrary : and men that are prepossessed with prejudices of envy , ill-will , or the like , against their Neighbours , do readily embrace those mens suggestions against these , how false and groundless soever they be . Hence it is , that our Popish Enemies having no other way to save themselves from the Demerits of their Hellish Plots , do very industriously by Pamphlets and otherwise labour to beget and encrease enmity among dissenting Protestants , And they so far prevail , that notwithstanding the destructin designed by them against Protestants , yet some have greater enmity and bitterness towards those that differ from them either in lesser points of Religion , or in sentiments about civil Matters , than against the Papists themselves . Which may be perceived , not only in common converse , but even in the Pulpit it self : whence I must confess , I have sometimes heard ( though not in my own Parish ) discourses so full of rancor and bitterness against dissenting Protestants , that I could not but greatly bewail the ill tendencies thereof , and at the same time was glad my Children and Servants were not there , that they might not learn by such Rhetorical Invectives to malign their Neighbours , instead of loving their Enemies , as Christ has commanded . These men pretending great zeal for the Government and Church of England ( as those Members of the last long Parliament also did , who were expelled thence for being Papists ) will difficulty allow any other but such as themselves to be at all Protestants . Wherefore I thought it would be of service to Protestantism , or Reformed Christianity , to mind my Country-men of the Judgment of the Learned and Judicious Mr. Chillingworth concerning the Religion of Protestants , the Differences among them , the use of Force and Compulsion in Religion , private judgment of Conscience , in dissent from publick , and some other matters controverted between Protestants and Papists , which I have collected out of his Book , Intituled , The Religion of Protestants a safe way to Salvation : and which I hope will be of the greater prevalency with some , not only for the great strength of reason and judgment found therein : but moreover , for that Mr. Chillingworth had himself been once of the Roman Church , and had therefore experience as well as judgment to guide him in these matters . He wrote also in the year 1637 , which was before the following unnatural War. He was not only of the Church of England himself , which he defended against the Papists : but his Book had the approbation of the then Vice-Chancellor , and both the Kings and Margret Professor's of Divinity in the University of Oxon. the very chief men in Office there . Their Approbation take in their own words , Englished for the sake of those that know not Latine . Let this Book be committed to the Press , the Title whereof is , The Religion of Protestants ● a safe way to Salvation . In which there is nothing contrary to good manners , to the Doctrine and Discipline asserted in the Church of England . Rich. Bayley , Vice-Canc . Oxon. I have read over this Book , the Title of which is , The Religion of Protestants a safe way to Salvation . In which I find nothing contrary to the Doctrine and Discipline of the English Church ; but very many things which notably illustrate the Orthodox Faith , and do acutely , clearly and modestly dissipate the contrary Glosses : Jo. Prideaux , S. T. P. Regius Oxon. I Samuel Fell , publick Professor of Theology in the University of Oxford , and Ordinary Lecturer of Lady Margaret , Gountess of Richmond , have read over the Book , the Title of which is , The Religion of Protestants a safe way to Salvation : In which I find nothing contrary to the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church of England ; or to good manners , but many things strongly and modestly discussed against the adversaries of our Church , and the Catholick Truth , which he happily defends . Dated Oct. 14. anno 1637. Samuel Fell. This Book was Dedicated by Mr. Will. Chillingworth to his Majesty , Charles I. and is generally approved by Learned Protestants , as the ablest Defence of the Protestants Cause against the Papists , that is any where extant . There was another Edition of this Book , Licensed by G. Stradling , ann . 1663 , Chaplain to the then Arch-Bishop of Cant. in these words Englished : I have read over this Book , the Title of which , The Religion of Protestants a safe way to Salvation : also nine Sermons lately added : In all which I find nothing contrary to the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church of England ; but that it may be Printed with the greatest profit of all men . I have transcribed these testimonies for the sake of those that crack , The Church of England , The Church of England , They are the only Protestants , &c. By which it appears , that they do not understand the Religion of Protestants , or else for sinister ends conceal their knowledge . I am perswaded , that these Collections may give occasion to some , that have not , to read the Book , and to others to be more moderate in their Censures of Dissenting Protestants . It would be very happy for us all , if we put in practice faithfully his advice , which tends so much to love and peace , that it would contribute much both to our present weal and eternal happiness . Mr. Chillingvvorth's Judgment OF THE RELIGION OF Protestants , etc. Of the Religion of Protestants . CHap. 6. Nom. 56. Know then , Sir , that when I say the Religion of Protestants is in prudence to be preferred before yours : as on the other side I do not understand by your Religion the Doctrine of Bellarmine , or Baronius , or any other private man amongst you , nor the Doctrine of the Sorbon , or of the Jesuits , or of the Dominicans , or of any other particular Company amongst you , but that wherein you all agree , or profess to agree , The Doctrine of the Council of Trent : so accordingly on the other side , by The Religion of Protestants , I do not understand the Doctrine of Luther , or Calvin , or Melanchton , nor the Confession of Augusta or Geneva , nor the Catechism of Heidelburg , nor the Articles of the Church of England , no , nor the Harmony of Protestant Confessions ; but that wherein they all agree , and which they all subscribe with a greater Harmony , as a perfect Rule of their Faith and Actions ; that is , the BIBLE , the BIBLE , I say the BIBLE only is the Religion of Protestants ! Whatsoever else they believe besides it , and the plain irrefragable , indubitable consequences of it , well may they hold it as a matter of Opinion , but not as a matter of Faith and Religion ; neither can they with coherence to their own grounds believe it themselves , nor require the belief of it of others , without most high and most schismatical Presumption . I , for my part , after a long ( and as I utterly believe and hope ) impartial search of the true way to eternal happiness , do profess plainly , that I cannot find any rest for the sole of my foot , but upon this Rock only . I see plainly and with mine own eyes , that there are Popes against Popes , Councils against Councils , some Fathers against others , the same Fathers against themselves , a Consent of Fathers of one Age against the Church of another Age ; Traditive Interpretations of Scripture are pretended , but there are few or none to be found : No Tradition but only of Scripture can drive it self from the Fountain , but may be plainly proved , either to have been brought in , in such an Age after Christ , or that in such an Age it was not in . In a word , there is no sufficient certainty but of the Scripture only , for any considering man to build upon . This therefore , and this only , I have reason to believe ; this I will profess , according to this I will live , and for this , if there be occasion , I will not only willingly , but even gladly lose my life , though I should be sorry that Christians should take it from me . Propose me any thing out of this book , and require whether I believe it or no , and seem it never so incomprehensible to humane reason , I will subscribe it with hand and heart , as knowing no demonstration can be stronger than this , God hath said so , therefore it is true . In other things I will take no mans liberty of Judgment from him , neither shall any man take mine from me ; I will think no man the worse man or the worse Christian ; I will love no man the less for differing in opinion from me ; and what measure I mete to others , I expect from them again : I am fully assured that God does not , and therefore that men ought not to require any more of any man than this , To believe the Scriptures to be God's Word , to endeavour to find the true sence of it , and to live according to it . N. 57. This is the Religion which I have chosen after a long deliberation , and I am verily perswaded that I have chosen wisely , much more wisely than if I had guided my self according to your Churches Authority ; for the Scripture being all true , I am secured by believing nothing else , that I shall believe no falshood as matter of Faith : And if I mistake the senee of Scripture , and so fall into error , yet I am secure from any danger thereby , if but your grounds be true ; because endeavouring to find the true sence of Scripture , I cannot but hold my error without pertinacy , and be ready to forsake it , when a more true and a more probable sence shall appear unto me : And then all necessary truth being , as I have proved , plainly set down in Scripture , I am certain by believing Scripture , to believe all necessary truth ; and he that does so , if his Life be answerable to his Faith , how is it possible he should fail of Salvation ? Scripture the only Rule whereby to judge of Controversies ? Chap. 2. N. 11. — To speak properly ( as men should speak when they write of Controversies in Religion ) the Scripture is not a Judge of Controversies , but a Rule only , and the only Rule for Christians to judg them by : Every man is to judge for himself with the judgment of Discretion , and to chuse either his Religion first , and then his Church as we say ; or as you , his Church first , and then his Religion . But by the consent of both sides , every man is to judg and chuse ; and the Rule whereby he is to direct his choice , if he be a natural man , is Reason ; if he be already a Christian , Scripture , which we say is the Rule to judge all Controversies by , yet not all simply , but all the Controversies of Christians , of those that are already agreed upon this first Principle , that the Scripture is the Word of God. But that there is any man , or any company of men , appointed to be Judg for all men , that we deny ; and that I believe you will never prove . Every man to Judg for himself in matters of Religion . Chap. 2. N. 16. In Civil and Criminal Causes , the Parties have for the most part so much interest , and very often so little honesty , that they will not submit to a Law though never so plain , if it be against them ; or will not see it to be against them , though it be so never so plainly : Whereas if men were honest , and the Law were plain and extended to all cases , there would be little need of Judges . Now in matters of Religion , when the Question is , Whether every man be a fit Judg and Chuser for himself , we suppose men honest , and such as understand the difference between a Moment and Eternity ; and such men , we conceive , will think it highly concerns them to be of the true Religion , but nothing at all that this or that Religion should be the true : And then we suppose that all the necessary points of Religion are plain and easie , and consequently every man in his Cause to be a competent Judg for himself , because it concerns himself to judg right as much as Eternal Happiness is worth , and if through his own default he judg amiss , he alone shall suffer for it . Ch. 3. N. 81. — If they [ Men ] would be themselves , and be content that others should be , in the choice of their Religion , the Servants of God and not of men ; if they would allow , that the way to Heaven is no narrower now than Christ left it , this Yoak no heavier than he made it ; that the belief of no more difficulties is required now to Salvation , than was in the Primitive Church ; that no Error is in it self destructive and exclusive from Salvation now , which was not then ; if instead of being zealous Papists , earnest Calvinists , rigid Lutherans , they would become themselves , and be content that others should be plain and honest Christians ; if all men would believe the Scripture , and freeing themselves from prejudice and passion , would sincerely endeavour to find the true sence of it , and live according to it , and require no more of others but to do so , not denying their Communion to any that do so , would so order their publick service of God , that all which do so may without scruple or hypocrisie , or protestation against any part of it , joyn with them in it ; who does not see that ( seeing as we suppose here , and shall prove hereafter ) all necessary Truths are plainly and evidently set down in Scripture , there would of necessity be among all men , in all things necessary , unity of Opinion ? And notwithstanding any other differences that are or could be , Unity of Communion , and Charity , and mutual Toleration ; by which means all Schism and Heresie would be banished the world , and those wretched contentions which now rend and tear in pieces not the Coat , but the members and bowels of Christ , with mutual Pride and Tyranny , and Cursing , Killing , and Damning , would fain make mortal , should speedily receive a most blessed Catastrophe . But of this hereafter , when we shall come to the Question of Schism , wherein I perswade my self that I shall plainly shew , that the most vehement Accusers are the greatest Offenders , and that they are indeed at this time the greatest Schismaticks , who make the way to Heaven narrower , the Yoke of Christ heavier , the differences of Faith greater , the conditions of Ecclesiastical Government harder and stricter , than they were made at the beginning by Christ and his Apostles ; they who talk of Unity and aim at Tyranny , and will have peace with none but with their Slaves and Vassals . Pref. N. 30. — For what one Conclusion is there in the whole Fabrick of my Discourse , that is not naturally deducible out of this one Principle , That all things necessary to Salvation are evidently contained in the Scriptures ? Or what one Conclusion almost of importance is there in your Book , which is not by this one clearly confutable ? Grant this , and it will presently follow in opposition to your first Conclusion , and the Argument of your first Chapter , That amongst men of different Opinions , touching the obscure and controverted Questions of Religion , such as may with probability be disputed on both sides , ( and such are the disputes of Protestants ) good men and Lovers of Truth of all sides may be saved , because all necessary things being supposed evident concerning them , with men so qualified , there will be no difference ; there being no more certain sign that a point is not evident , than that honest and understanding and indifferent men , and such as give themselves liberty of Judgment , after a mature consideration of the matter , differ about it . Of Disagreeing Protestants . Ans . to Pref. N. 26. 1. The most disagreeing Protestants that are , yet thus far agree , that these Books of Scripture which were never doubted of in the Church , are the undoubted Word of God , and a perfect Rule of Faith. 2. That the sense of them which God intended , whatsoever it is , is certainly true ; so that they believe implicitly even those very truths against which they err ; and why an implicit faith in Christ and his Word , should not suffice as well as an implicit faith in your Church , I have desired to be resolved by many of your side , but never could . 3. That they are to use their best endeavours to believe the Scripture in true sense , and to live according to it . This if they perform ( as I hope many on all sides do ) truly and sincerely , it is impossible but that they should believe aright in all things necessary to Salvation , that is , in all those things that pertain to the Covenant between God and Man in Christ ; for so much is not only plainly but frequently contained in Scripture and believing aright the Covenant , if they for their parts perform the condition required of them , which is sincere obedience , why should they not expect that God will perform his promise and give them Salvation ? For as for other things which lye without the Covenant , and are therefore less necessary , if by reason of the seeming Conflict which is oftentimes between Scripture , Reason , and Authority on the one side , and Scripture , Reason , and Authority on the other , if by reason of the variety of Tempers , Abilities , Educations , and unavoidable Prejudices , whereby mens Understandings are variously formed and fashioned , they do embrace several opinions whereof some must be erroneous ; to say that God will damn them for such errors , who are Lovers of him , and Lovers of Truth , is to rob man of his Comfort , and God of his Goodness , it is to make man desperate , and God a Tyrant . Ib. N. 27. That it is sufficient for any mans Salvation that he believe the Scripture , that he endeavour to believe it in the true sence of it as far as concerns his duty ; and that he conform his life unto it either by Obedience or Repentance : He that does so , ( and all Protestants , according to the Dictamen of their Religion , should do so ) may be secured that he cannot err fundamentally , so that notwithstanding their differences and your presumption , the same Haven may receive them all . Ib. N. 29. Who can find fault with him [ De potter ] for saying ; If through want of means of Instruction , Incapacity , invincible or probable Ignorance , a man dye in error , he may be saved : But if he be negligent in seeking truth , unwilling to find it , either doth or will not see it , or might see it and will not , that his case is dangerous and without repentance desperate . Ch. 1. N. 11. Methinks with much more reason and much more charity , you must suppose that many of these Controversies which are now disputed among Christians ( all which profess themselves Lovers of Christ , and truly desirous to know his will and do it ) are either not decidable by that means which God hath provided , and so not necessary to be decided ; or if they be , yet not so plainly and evidently , as to oblige men to hold one way : Or lastly , if decidable , and evidently decided , yet you may hope that the erring part , by reason of some Veil before their eyes , some excusable ignorance or unavoidable prejudice does not see the question to be decided against him , and so opposes not that which he doth know to be the word of God , but only that which you know to be so , and which he might know , were he void of prejudice : which is a fault , I confess , but a fault which is incident even to good and honest Men very often ; and not of such a Gigantick Disposition as you make it , to flie directly upon God Almighty , and to give him the Lye to his Face . Of the Necessity of a Visible Judge in Controversies of Religion , as well as in Civil Matters . Ch. 1. N. 17. — In Civil Controversies we are obliged only to external passive obedience , and not to an internal and active . We are bound to obey the sentence of the Judge , or not to resist it , but not always to believe it just . But in matters of Religion such a Judge is required whom we should be obliged to believe to have judged right , so that in Civil Controversies every honest and understanding Man is fit to be a Judge , but in Religion none but he that is infallible . 5. In Civil Causes there is means and power , when the Judge has decreed to compel men to obey his Sentence : otherwise I believe Laws alone would be to as much purpose for the ending of Differences , as Laws and Judges both . But all the power in the World is neither fit to convince , nor able to compel a Man's Conscience to consent to any thing ; worldly terror may prevail so far asto make Men profess a Religion which they believe not , ( such men I mean who know not that there is a Heaven provided for Martyrs , and a Hell for those that dissemble such Truths as are necessary to be professed ) but to force either any man to believe what he believes not , or any honest man to dissemble what he does believe ( if God commands him to profess it ) or to profess what he does not believe , all the powers in the world are too weak , with all the powers of Hell to assist them . 7. In Civil Matters it is impossible Titius should hold the Land in question , and Sempronius too ; and therefore either the Plaintiff must injure the Defendant by disquieting his Possession , or the Defendant wrong the Plaintiff , by keeping his Right from him . But in Controversies of Religion the case is otherwise , I may hold my opinion , and do you no wrong , and you yours , and do me none . Nay , we may both of us hold our opinion , and yet do our selves no harm , provided the difference be not touching any thing necessary to Salvation , and that we love truth so well , as to be diligent to inform our Conscience , and constant in following it . Concerning Errors Damnable or not Damnable . Ch. 3. N. 52. I answer that these Differences between Protestants concerning Errors damnable , and not damnable : Truths fundamental and not fundamental may be easily reconciled ; for either the Error they speak of , may be purely and simply involuntary , or it may be in respect of the cause of it voluntarily : If the cause of it be some voluntary and unavoidable fault , the error is it self sinful , and consequently in its own nature damnable ; as if by negligence in seeking the Truth , by unwillingness to find it , by pride , by obstinacy , by desiring that Religion should be true which suits best with my ends , by fear of mens ill opinion , or any other worldly fear , or any worldly hope , I betray my self to any error contrary to any divine revealed Truth , that error may be justly styled a Sin , and consequently of it self to such an one damnable ; but if I be guilty of none of these faults , but be desirous to know the truth , and diligent in seeking it , and advise not at all with flesh and blood a-about the choice of my Opinions , but only with God and that Reason that he hath given me : If I be thus qualifyed , and yet through humane infirmity fall into error , that error cannot be damnable . Again , the Party erring may be conceived either to dye with Contrition , for all his Sins known and unknown , or without it : If he dye without it , this error in it self is damnable , will be likewise so unto him ; if he dye with Contrition ( as his error can be no impediment but he may ) his error , though in it self damnable , to him , according to your Doctrine , will not prove so . Of using Force in matters of Religion . Ch. 5. N. 96. But they endeavoured to force the Society whereof they were parts , to be healed and reformed as they were , and if it refused , they did , when they had power , drive them away , even their Superiors both Spiritual and Temporal , as is notorious . The proofs hereof are wanting , and therefore I might defer my Answer until they were produced , yet take this before hand : If they did so , then herein , in my opinion , they did amiss ; for I have learnt from the ancient Fathers of the Church , that Nothing is more against Religion , than to force Religion ; and of St. Paul , The Weapons of the Christian Warfare are not Carnal ; And great Reason : For humane violence may make men counterfeit , but cannot make them believe , and is therefore fit for nothing , but to breed Form without and Atheism within . Besides , if this means of bringing men to embrace any Religion were generally used , ( as if it may be justly used in any place , by those that have power and think they have truth , certainly they cannot with reason deny , but that it may be used in every place , by those that have power as well as they , and think they have truth as well as they ) what could follow but the maintenance perhaps of Truth , but perhaps only of the profession of it in one place , and the oppression of it in a hundred ? what will follow from it but the preservation peradventure of Unity , but peradventure only of Uniformity in particular States and Churches ; but the immortalizing the greater and more lamentable Divisions of Christendom and the World ? And therefore what can follow from it , but perhaps in the judgment of carnal Policy , the temporal Benefit and Tranquillity of Temporal States and Kingdoms , but the infinite prejudice , if not the dissolution of the Kingdom of Christ ? And therefore it well becomes them who have their Portions in this life , who serve no higher State than that of England , or Spain , or France , nor this neither any further than they may serve themselves by it ; who think of no other happiness but the preservation of their own Fortunes and Tranquillity in this World ; who think of no other means to preserve States but humane Power and Machiavilian Policy , and believe no other Creed but this , Regi aut Civitati Imperium habenti nihil unjustum quod utile ! Such men as these it may become to maintain by worldly power and violence , their State , Instrument , Religion ; for if all be vain and false ( as in their judgment it is ) the present whatsoever is better than any , because it is already setled : An alteration of it may draw with it change of States , and the change of State the subversion of their Fortune ; but they that are indeed Servants and Lovers of Christ , of Truth , of the Church , and of Mankind , ought with all courage , to oppose themselves against it as a common enemy of all these . They that know there is a King of Kings , and Lord of Lords , by whose Will and Pleasure Kings and Kingdoms stand and fall ; they know that to no King or State any thing can be profitable which is unjust , and that nothing can be more evidently unjust , than to force weak men by the Profession of a Religion which they believe not , to lose their own Eternal Happiness out of a vain and needless fear , lest they may possibly disturb their temporal quietness , there being no danger to any State from any mans Opinion , unless it be such an Opinion by which disobedience to Authority or Impiety is taught or Licensed ; which sort I confess may justly be punished as well as other faults ; or unless this sanguinary Doctrine be joyned with it , That it is lawful for him by humane violence to enforce others to it . Chap. 4. N. 16. This presumptuous imposing of the Senses of men upon the words of God , the special senses of men upon the general words of God , and laying them upon mens Consciences together under the equal penalty of Death and Damnation . This vain Conceit that we can speak of the things of God better than the words of God ; this deifying our own interpretations , and Tyrannous enforcing them upon others ; this restraining of the word of God , from that Latitude and Generality , and the Understandings of men from that liberty , wherein Christ and the Apostles left them ; this perswasion is no singularity of mine , but the Doctrine which I have learned from Divines of great Learning and Judgment . Let the Reader be pleased to peruse the seventh Book of Acont . de Strat. Satanae , and Zanch. his last Oration delivered by him after the composing of the discord between him and Amervachius , and he shall confess as much is , and hath been the only Fountain of all the Schisms of the Church , and that which makes them immortal : The common Incendiary of Christendom , and that which ( as I said before ) tears in pieces not the Coat but the Bowels and Members of Christ ; Ridente Turca , nec dolente Judaeo , take away these Walls of Separation , and all will quickly be one . Take away this Persecuting , Burning , Cursing , Damning of men for not subscribing to the words of men , as the words of God , require of Christians only to believe Christ , and to call no man Master but him only ; let those leave claiming Infallibility , that have no Title to it , and let them that in their Words disclaim it , disclaim it likewise in their Actions . In a word , take away Tyranny which is the Devils Instrument to support Errors , and Superstitions , and Impieties , in the several parts of the world , which could not otherwise long withstand the power of Truth . I say take away Tyranny , and restore Christians to their just and full liberty of Captivating their Understanding to Scripture only , and as Rivers , when they have a free passage , run all to the Ocean , so it may well be hoped by Gods blessing , that universal Liberty thus moderated , may quickly reduce Christendom to Truth and Unity . These thoughts of Peace ( I am perswaded ) may come from the God of Peace , and to his Blessing I recommend them . FINIS .