THE Mischief of Dissensions: OR, A PERSUASIVE TO Dr. Stillingfleet DEAN of St. PAUL'S, TOGETHER WITH His RESPONDENTS, etc.  
TO A Seasonable Alliance from their Literal War.  
SHOWING The Danger thereof, especially at this Ambiguous Juncture of Time and Affairs.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 
LONDON, Printed for John Kidgell at the Atlas in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange, 1681.   

THE PREFACE.  
WE being at this present tossed with various Perturbations, it must needs be very unseasonable to increase our Calamity in being our own molesters; this is ever dangerous, but now it seems desperate, by reason of the thick Cloud of Popery threatening us; and how soon it will shower down on our heads we know not. Therefore the practic part of Religion must be chief in these times regarded, as requiring our utmost industry, seeming to call upon us, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Seek it quasi Via tutissima, as the safe way, and only way too, conducing to our Happiness, without which we may to our Eternity dig for Felicity, but find nothing but that such precious Mines are not in our English ground.  
But herein consists the excellency of fraternal Amity, in that it exceedingly promotes the honour of God, in the disappointment and detriment of our Enemies; and hence no wonder that evangelical injunction of our blessed Saviour is so oft inculcated, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Love one another, which for these many years hath been laid aside, as if Christianity itself had been out of date, and its redemption and reedification not endeavoured in our late Civil Wars with respect to religion, the unhappy occasion whereof was exhibited, in that stroke given in a Sermon Preached at Guildhall Chappel, called The Mischief of Separation, which Sermon (it is feared) hath indeed done more Mischief than good. No sober considering men, whether Conformists as well as Nonconformists, denying it to be otherwise than ill timed, confessing it to give our deadly Enemies, the Papists, encouragement, who doubtlessly cannot be otherwise than exhilerated at our Protestant Dissensions, in that it gives them opportunity to prosecute their execrable Projects with the greater vigour and success; it is therefore our needful and indispensable work, as we would expect the Benediction of God from above, Peace and Tranquillity among ourselves, in laying aside these fruitless divisions, and utterly abandoning and forsaking them with that most just Excommunication, that we have no such custom, neither the Churches of God. So then let us in one blessed unanimous consent join with one shoulder, to bear the burden of Reformation, and consequently of Unity and Concord, the inseparable companions of an hearty Reformation, which will tend to the obtaining and augumenting of our prosperity and felicity both Temporal and Eternal.   

To my Worthy Friend S. P. Esquire.  
SIR,  
OF late having found a dismal and sore Specimen of Contention in a Literal War, between Dr. Edward Stillingfleet Dean of Paul's and several of the Nonconformists; I fear Sir these Civil Wars between ourselves may produce evil Consequences: for the fire of Protestant dissensions, especially at this time kindled and blown up, may dismally give the Popish party advantage to their designed ends of consuming us, by adding fuel to the fire of their malice: but doubtless our Concord would be cool Water, tending to quench or put out that fire of Hell, much conducing to the flourishing of our Nation and Religion; for could I be willing to pawn my blood, that this much pleaseth our Enemies, viz. to see us together by the Ears, that they may come in for a share, yea, and a bloody one too.  
Therefore in my Judgement, better is it for us (especially at this juncture of time) though in some things dissenting, yet to unite, rather than break open a Gap, for our Enemies to enter at, and destroy us.  
I am persuaded that Certamen Religiosum is of all Wars the most dangerous; for as it disturbs the mind, scandals Religion, hardens Infidels, dishonours God, it also frequently is the Incentive to the Field, etc. But I could wish it were better considered, as also that the Doctor had forborn the first unhappy stroke: But Sir, alas! great evil usually attend high Promotions, common experience teacheth us how hard a matter it is for a man to swallow the great Goblet of Promotion, and not to be choked therewith: Indeed it will be matter of Solace to our minds, if we can say like Job, That Gold we have not made our hope, nor fine Gold our Confidence; but how difficult is it to have a copious affluence, and the Heart not had therewith? Then no wonder, that it is a very hard matter for a Rich man to be saved. For if affiance in Riches possesseth the Room of any man's Heart, it is a great evil, in that it strongly inclines to conceit of ourselves; an Impiety to which man's corrupt Nature is strongly propense; especially amidst plentiful fruition; which conceitedness tends to a contempt of our Brethren, which is odious in the eyes of a Pure God: For he is Love, (as saith the Apostle) and he that dwelleth in Love, dwelleth in God, and God in him; as also that of St. Paul, Love endureth all things. It is certainly a Grace of the first magnitude, very magnificent and splendid, beautiful both in the eyes of God and man: But we had need be cautious, according as Paul most excellently and sweetly adviseth in Galat. chap. 5. ver. 15. If ye by't and devour one another, take heed that ye be not devoured one of another.  
And leave it to any rational man, if Protestant Dissensions be not the very road to Popish destructions; their projects doubtless being embarked on these two bottoms, to debauch and divide us; at leastwise, with diabolical Cunning to endeavour the Debauchery of the Wilder sort, and the Division of the Sober; that those who only affect the Theory of Divinity, may not want matter of dispute, remaining still restless, never attaining the practic part; and doubtlessly men only acquiring speculative Notions, without any application, is the principal reason why so many unorthodox Opinions are broached and imbibed, and the Judgements of others hereby corrupted, the Popish Party by divers cunning insinuations assuming several shapes of Professions, in matters relating to Religion, gradually infuse their own impious and ungodly principles. What shall we suppose of the Quakers, omitting nominating any more, save the Arminians, which professedly deny Popery, but upon my serious deliberate Thoughts find them leaning towards it, as it were hanckering after the Onions and Garlic of Egypt; their Opinions seeming to me as a Gate or inlet for Popery?  
And know we not by experience, that this both hath been and is the practice of the Jesuits, etc. to insinuate themselves especially among the Quakers, etc. or the weaker illiterate sort of People? As they enter not themselves (I fear) into the Kingdom of Heaven, so are they likewise an impediment or hindrance to those that would, if not sometimes a Total obstruction.  
And, Oh how fearful a thing is it, Sir, for us to encourage these wicked Enemies of God, these ill-wishers to his Church, and dividers thereof! this fire from Hell to consume us (if God prevent not); therefore it is time these Coals of Contention be extinguished, lest they catch hold and consume us.  
But if so be our Disunion is so pernicious, so greatly complying with, and gratifying the evil intents of our enemies, then certainly the most effectual way to be our own Friends, likewise to frustrate, and disappoint the Projects and Expectations of our deadly Enemies, is to unite in Love; and notwithstanding there may be some dissension in Judgement, not to let it grow so wide as to cause an absolute difference in affection. Indeed I would desire, and much would it conduce to our good, if these Jarrings were forborn, considering we are Brethren, and why should we fall out by the way? and seeing on both sides amongst the Orthodox, there is no difference in fundamental Points.  
But he that gives the first stroke does worst; Nocens tacet, Truth must be defended, therefore a sober impartial Vindication can't be blamed; but there is a time for this: nevertheless in my thoughts the present time calls for our Divines to be endeavouring to cut the Sinews of Popery, to batter down the Walls of Babylon; Let us beware of temporising, let not Promotion blind, or Uncharitablenesss bias; let no man confide in his Parts, Learning, Wealth or Dignities, but consider Promotion cometh neither from the East, nor from the West, but from the Lord only; and if so, let us endeavour to find it be in mercy; for Wealth, and Promotion; may as well be a Curse as a Blessing a Knife that is sharp may be serviceable, but to cut our Throats withal, is greatly hurtful; a Sword by how much the keener, by so much the more excellent, but in the hand of a Madman by so much the more deadly.  
And therefore let Brotherly Love remain, following the Advice of the Blessed Apostle, If a Brother offend, not to despise him, but in the Spirit of Meekness to restore such an one, considering with thyself that thou mayest also be tempted. But alas poor frail Creatures that we are! how apt to despise an Erring Brother, and how little sensible of our own weakness, and how apt our frail Natures are to decline or turn aside to our Enmity and Contentions which are very dangerous, and Divisions which are Church-ruining! How lovely and pleasant a thing is it then for Brethren to live together in unity! It is the new Commandment, yea, and a Command in special, and verily a necessary essential part of true Christianity; and doth not disobedience to one Divine Command render us conscious of breaking the whole? And if Hatred to our Brethren be an Evidence of one cordially embracing Christianity, what then will become of our Bibles? but if they which are Verbum Dei be true, it is an Evidence of an unholy unchristian temper.  
But alas how miserable are we become through our various divisions! how desolate do we sit! a thing greatly to be lamented; I find mostly that our Differences are in Affection. In Judgement we have many, and really exceeding Erroneous, viz. the Romists, to whom we neither seek, or or hope for Reconciliation, believing them to be in their vile Principles, irreconcilable to the very Law of God; endeavouring as it were practically to rend the Decalogue out of the Bible, by their wicked Principles of Impiety with respect to the first Table, and of Immorality in reference to the second.  
The Antisabbatarians pluck out to their power the fourth, notwithstanding a Memento prefixed before it, as also fixed in the heart of the Decalogue.  
The Antinomians they are for taking away the whole Law at once, denying it, and rendering it wholly useless to Christians, whether as a Rule, or in its coactive or punitive power.  
The Socinians also, a most dangerous and wicked Enemy, a dreadful disturber of the Church, and Violator of the Gospel, endeavouring with Arrian to quench the Deity of the Son of God, denying also our Redemption by the Blood and Satisfaction of Christ, to the high dishonour of the riches of God's Grace, and hurt of Souls, endeavouring to deprive us of the benefit of the New Testament.  
The Antiscripturists, who are the Enemies to the Scriptures, cashiering both Old and New Testament.  
And the Antitrinitarians, who are blasphemers of the whole Trinity.  
And the Familists, who leaving the sure Rule of the Word, trust to Satanical Delusions.  
Not to leave the Separatists who absent all public Communion, pretending that for which they have no ground, viz. to live above Ordinances; Poor Creatures! because they know not the marrow of them, they live above that which they know not.  
But these I wave, which, or most of which are far distant from the Communion of the Church of England, whether as to the Conforming Orthodox party, who embrace the Pure Doctrine of the Book of Homilies, or as to their dissenting Brethren of the Non-Conformists. And therefore these moderate differences ought not to make immoderate distances: But I must needs grant, that difference in Judgement frequently causeth alienation in Heart, and swelling of mind; and hereby do we see, that those Friends who have been near allied, and held an intimacy of acquaintance, when they have come to clash one against another in Opinions, have also forsaken their former intimacy, and frequently grown Enemies, in opposing and censuring each other: and by reason of this disunion come so many Invectives in Pulpit and Press. For to tell the truth, in some Churches there is so much inveighing against their contrary Party, as that it hath amazed me to consider, whether these men thought they had their Commission from God to preach the Gospel, or to declaim against a particular party of Protestants?  
But if so be that we are unanimously Protestant's in the main, dissenting only in some particular Opinions, in the holding and maintaining of which dependeth not Salvation or Damnation, is it not very unreasonable, that the poor Souls attending their Ministry should be denied the wholesome Bread of Life, and held to that Hay and Stubble which neither is Food suited to their Nature, or Nourishment? What good doth it any man on a Sabbath day to enter into the Church, and instead of a good practical Sermon, which tendeth through God's grace to warm the Affections, and influence the Practice, to hear a speech of Reviling or contemning the Dissenters? if this person be one desirous to hear God's Word, and regards the way ad vitam aeternam, I durst be confident he approveth not hereof, this being the way rather to starve than feed his Soul.  
Let there not therefore be such Invectives in Pulpit and Press, which tend not to the profit of the good, but to incensing the Malice of the bad; for hereby many are influenced to Raillery, and contemning others, but for what they understand not; only receiving and entertaining Prejudices, (which tend much to God's dishonour;) for it (through Satan's subtlety, and Nature's horrid corruption) conduceth to an imbittered opposition of Religion and holy men, qua tales, as they be holy; and so consequently if God bestoweth not repenting Grace, they persist in this height of Impiety, growing worse and worse, obdurated in evil, and destitute of good, till at last they become Vessels of God's fury and Wrath, as they have before sold themselves to the Vassalage and mischievous drudgery of the Devil.  
And others Heads are puzzled about unedifying Controversies and Debates, whilst their Hearts are empty of the power of plain practical Divinity, and likely so to remain, because unconcerned hereat, most miserably prying into Religion more for Curiosity than Salvation.  
But it cannot be denied, but that the good honest practical Divines of both Persuasions have, and do much esteem each other, living and loving as Brethren; and whatever some may either say or act, it is my observation, never finding otherwise, but a Sober Orthodox Conformist regarding, and entertaining good opinions of the Non-Conformists, and so, è contrario. For as it is dangerous to impose upon other men's Consciences, so likewise it's not good or safe to condemn another, because capable of acting some indifferent thing in itself, notwithstanding I descent herefrom, yet cannot but confess it not to be necessary to Salvation, or dangerous of its loss; why then should I judge and censure him as an Heretic, or a person not worthy of having any Communion withal.  
And verily, Sir, this Union in heart, and living in love as Brethren, is the way for Protestant Churches to flourish: let none be silenced, or hindered, let all Protestant Ministers unanimously join in preaching Christ in his Person, Offices, Merit and Spirit, etc. and not lie idle, in Jarring at one another; this is not the way for their Master's work to be performed: Vae mihi si non Evangelizavero, says that blessed industrious Apostle, who preached Christ in season, and out of season, rejoicing that Christ was preached, although out of envy, as well as out of good will, and declaring his resolution as to that his Heaven-spirited Joy, that he would rejoice; so that the Interest of Jesus Christ might be propagated, Paul would be pleased, and his Joy excited: But in order to it's more free course, Unity was found necessary, therefore shall we find him in tracing his Epistles as we read, exceedingly exhorting hereunto, and dehorting from Strifes, Envyings, Debates, etc. Now in Galathians, Chap. 3. Verse. 1. you shall find him calling them Foolish, O foolish Galathians, etc. by reason of their Apostasy from the Doctrine which he had taught and they embraced; but trace him down to the end of the Epistle, and you shall find him often calling them Brethren; which instructs us in a good Lesson, viz. That in difference of Judgement and Opinion, let there be no division in Affection; for it is a sore temptation, and bait of the Devil, to raise alienation and aversation in the Affections, when he perceives the Opinions not agreeing: But Division it is the deadly plague of the Church, mortally tending to its overthrow and ruin. But the Church, which should walk in conformity to Christ, who is Love, whose Spirit is the Spirit of Meekness, alas! how does it, and hath it for these many years dreadfully degenerated, and those therein professing Membership to Christ endeavoured to rend in pieces his Interest? But in all Ages he hath reserved to himself faithful Witnesses, standing up for his Glory and his Churches good; endeavouring our Peace and Reconciliation.  
And seeing the sum of Evangelical Obedience is Love, let us walk according to that Rule, that Peace may be upon us; how oft have we it repeated and inculcated upon us, Bear one another's burdens, and be kind, be tenderhearted, forgiving one another, backed with this indisputable incitement, because Christ for God's sake hath loved you?  
Nay, can we be ignorant, how grand a design Satan the deadly Enemy of the Church hath, to rend it with multitude of Divisions, well knowing how effectual a way that is to suppress the increase of the Gospel, and to advance the interest of his Kingdom; most clearly discerning, that if we closely should follow the most blessed counsel of the Apostle, viz. To be all of the same mind, to speak the same thing, would be dangerous, that he might have none of us: But that in this life, leading a life of simple Christianity, at peace with God, and also among ourselves; which is praegustus Coeli, even the foretaste of Heavenly felicity, working in us an aptitude and meetness for the fruition of eternal Glory and Beatitude, as also comfortably conducting us in the way thereunto, to the sorrow and vexation of our deadly Enemies, whether Satan, or his Children incarnate, the Popish party.  
But as we have Enemies without doors, working to their utmost the impeding of this happy Unity, so likewise have we within doors, that strongly oppose it; and, as the usual Proverb is, We enter the World with a Pope in our Bellies; we are naturally apt to be puffed up: it is well known that empty Vessels give the greatest sound; likewise empty men, who are unacquainted with Religion in its Excellency and Power, having all unfurnished save a Head big with some giddy Notions of what the Heart affects not, together with some Learning, by which this speculative Divine is puffed up, and whilst he thinks himself to know something, in reality knows nothing; and hence no wonder that oft such men prove Church-troublers.  
Others also conscious of a Crime near akin and sometime consequent of the former, viz. Conceitedness, which much affects Singularity, by carrying a man oft rather to broach Heterodox Opinions, than embrace Orthodox; that some may be his followers, and it may be go suo nomine, with the Badge of his own Name, and so he become famous, or rather (to say truth) infamous.  
Others are turned aside by Interest and the power of Unbelief, Demas-like, loving this present World, and prising it as the Place of their Acquiescence and Happiness, Idolatrously loving Gold more than God, and (foolishly) a good Purse better than a good Conscience; not practically minding, that the man that would obtain Salvation, must Ungod the World, not in thinking gain to be godliness: But although he in words and profession may acknowledge a better good than this World, yet in Heart and consent of the Will, embraces no other; no wonder, because the God of this World blinds the man's eyes, insomuch that selfish Interest shall turn him which way it pleases, this is indeed greatly I to be lamented!  
Others by the deceitfulness of Riches are choked, and temporize, in conforming to the Humours and Doctrines most in fashion, to maintain or increase their Honour, unwilling steadfastly to adhere to a despised Gospel, and a persecuted defamed Truth, not supposing Nuda Veritas will be a Covert to shelter them from the Censures of the great ones, or gratify th● Itch of Ambition, in tending towards higher Promotions: But, Sir, let them contemplate that thundering Menax in the Gospel, He that denyeth me before men, him will I deny before my Father, and before the Angels of God. But oh how natural is it for man to set up his Riches for his God, and to fall down and worship them?  
Others by putting confidence in their Parts, Learning, Wisdom, and Strength of Reason, are hurried and driven to Errors in Religion: for notwithstanding Religion is not contrary to Reason, yet it is above it, so far forth as it is carnal or humane, immensly overreaching, surpassing and surmounting our poor shallow Capacities; hence the holy Apostle in 11th of the Romans, having seriously considered and contemplated the Decrees, Wisdom and Counsel of God, how does he seem to abandon all his Reason, though certainly very perspicuous, and fall into a Passionate admiration of the infinite Wisdom of God? saying, O the depth of the riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God how unsearchable are his Judgements, and his ways past finding out!  
But when by shallow Reason, as all humane is in itself considered, men would dive into God's depths of Wisdom and Counsel, oh how greatly are they deceived! what false Ideas of Religion do they conceive, into what multitudes of Errors do they plunge themselves, to their own harm, to the Church's detriment and molestation, in their not resting on Divine Revelation any further than it would suit with carnal Reason? I am persuaded this hath much more damnified the Church than the Persecutions of its most malignant Opposers; it being a God-dishonouring, crediting him so, as no further to rest in his Word than carnal Reason can fathom, it's Truth to believe no further than we can by our Reason and Wisdom trace: Hence issued the most notorious Heresies that ever infected the Professing World. It is therefore a needful Maxim to make God's Word our Rule; better is the most illiterate person making this Word his Conduct, than the Learnedest Hero resting in the validity of his Reason: And hence no wonder the Apostle makes this Challenge; Where is the wise? where is the Scribe? where is the disputer of this World? God hath chosen the poor things of this World, etc. and the things which are not, to bring to nought the things which are. God will have the Revenues of his Glory, and he will have no flesh to glory in itself; he will bring down the Pride of all flesh one way or other: But let Reason have the place of Ancilla Pietatis, to be Godlinesses Handmaid, and let Religion be the Mistress, and have the pre-eminence, than Reason in its due place is a noble and excellent gift and endowment, subservient to Religion, and in that place it is a good Servant, but otherwise a wicked Master.  
By these or the like means through the horrid depravedness of Nature, and the desperate corruption of Heart, men are seduced, blinded; and biased; to prevent which, a heart circumcised to love God is necessary, whence most sweetly flows mutual Love to one another; for no man that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, but will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also: he that hateth his Brother, and yet saith he loveth God, we have a Divine warrant from the Word to call that man a Liar.  
Mystical Union to Christ, and real Implantation into him, is inseparably accompanied with fraternal Union: What, love the Head, and not the Members! it is verily impossible. Can a man be in Christ, and yet out with his dear Members? No certainly; Christ's true Friend will never be his Members Enemy.  
The Holy Spirit inhabiting a man's Heart, even that Spirit of Love and Meekness which are the Fruits of that Holy Spirit, which certainly it will bring forth in that Garden where this blessed Wind bloweth: Now whether or no Strifes, Dissensions, Heats, etc. be fruits of this Spirit, I leave all to judge who shall peruse this Paper.  
And, Sir, it is an essential part of the Church of Christ to be conformable to its Head, and certainly in some measure conformable to his Will are the true Members thereof, however the carriage of some selfish Pretenders to Church-membership may be, whose intent may be rather to devour than feed the Flock, but in this Censure (mentioning it only by the way) without regard to any particular man's Person.  
But, Sir, I fear our late Literal Skirmish between the Doctor, his Vindicators and Respondents, has done us no great good; it hath not tended to beat down prevailing Popery; it hath not been of use to furnish the minds of the People with Arguments against Popish Errors, in well grounding them in the Fundamentals of true Christianity; a work exceedingly requiring and calling for all the Diligence, Parts, Learning and Industry of our Divines to be busied about, seeming now to be as it were the Vnum necessarium, of indispensible necessity; the Practical preaching up of Christ in his Offices, Priestly, Prophetical and Kingly, the undermining of all which are to the utmost endeavoured by the Papists, yea and ruin too if possible: But it is certain the Lord will maintain his Honour in spite of all opposition. And, Sir, how needful is it for our Divines to preach Jesus Christ and him Crucified? A suitable Doctrine for this Juncture of time, wherein the dismal Cloud of Popish Errors and Superstitions threatens to fall on us.  
But supposing the Doctor is in very truth speaking what the Non-conformists justly deserve, (as one of his Admirers said in my hearing) yet it was unseasonable, and this pernicious gloomy season required silence here, and an open Mouth against Popery. But I will wave that; Magna est Veritas & praevalebit: I designed not when I began to write, to meddle with the present Controversy, otherwise than to hint, of what I could not escape.  
But this I am in fine persuaded of, let us war, and fight, and jar, and by't one another, we are hereby our own destroyers, and at last may be our own Butchers; and this time calls for a work of far greater necessity, and weighty importance, yea and the Concern thereof so exceeding ponderous, that if we thus continue, it may have a sad end, and that so grievous, that ourselves and Posterities may have imposed on us the Yoke of Popery, which neither ourselves or Fathers have been able to bear. Which Yoke to prevent, let us unanimously adhere to the Truth of the Gospel, and with one shoulder bear the burden of Reformation; in order to which end let us be exhorted to Unity, and dehorted from Division; for us to expect a flourishing Nation and Religion, and to trample on our Enemies, whilst we continue in Strifes and Contests among ourselves, is a thing impossible; but Union makes this feasable, yea and a thing with facility to be performed: And therefore let us, seeing Christ's Body is a Body of Unity, that Spirit of Jesus a Spirit of Love, according to the earnest Exhortation of the Apostle, Endeavour to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of peace: See his Argument; For there is one Body, and one Spirit. It was Christ's Intercession to his Father, Oh how Pathetic is that his Prayer in John 17 th',! That they may be one as we are one, that they all may be one, that they also may be one in us, that they may be made perfect in one. And this tendeth much to God's glory, the Supreme ultimate end of his true Worshippers, according to that in Rom. 15 th'. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God. And I cannot but mention another Scripture, very pertinent to the purpose; 1 Cor. 1. 10. wherein the blessed St. Paul does most earnestly beseech them, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they all speak the same thing, and that there be no Divisions among them, but that they be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and the same Judgement. And to the Philippians we shall find him pressing it as the only thing to be desired, coming in with an Only let your Conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your Affairs, that ye stand fast in one Spirit, with one Mind, striving together for the Faith of the Gospel. And truly Sir, why should the Apostle so adjure us to Unity, were it not of high Concernment to the Promotion of Christianity? for if we inspect but his concluding Farewell to the Corinthians, in the Second Epistle, Chap. 13. Vers. 11. Finally Brethren, farewell; be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you.  
We know not how great a Mischief a little fire of Contention may do; it may verily increase to more ungodliness: Division is the Devil's Music, but it will centre in our sorrow. But Unity it is Christ's delight, let us follow it, because God's Injunction, Fellow Peace with all men; and because a branch of the Covenant of Promise, I will give them one heart; and because an Evidence of a Discipleship to Christ; By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye love one another: For which also we have the Practice of the Primitive Christians for our Precedents; The Multitude of them that believed were of one heart, and one soul.  
And in short, There is but one God, one Christ, one Faith, etc. Therefore, as the Wise man says, let us hear totum hominis, Fear God and keep his Commandments, and let us not waste our inch of Time, troubling our heads about all the Controversies in the world. We must know this for certain, that there's but one way left us for Salvation: Let us hearken to the sum, He that believeth on the Son, hath Life, but he that believeth not on the Son, shall not enter into Life, but hath the wrath of God abiding on him. Again, He that would be my Disciple, let him deny himself, take up his Cross, and follow me: Here is no Glossography, plain Terms, the Simple may understand it with facility, though the Wise cannot practise it without the Operations of Omnipotent Grace, therefore our Duty is in leaving Disputing to fall upon Practice.  
But how greatly is it to be bewailed, and how dolorous a Complaint may we take up, in that we are circumvented with multitude of erroneous Principles, and hereby the breach of Division groweth wider and wider; and I profess, let what will be said, That to teach us Wisdom and Unity, God will send some severe Dispensation, and it is well if God's Judgements are not impending over our heads for this our sin; shall we then go on to provoke the Lord? Certainly he will vindicate his own Glory, when we have tasted by fearful Experience the smart of God's Judgements for our Divisions, and he hath let in our Enemies on us, and suffered our Fears to overtake us, and let us suffer together, then shall we certainly cry, è bello Pax; No more War, we have experimented its evil, but candid Peace shall return; but till God by an eminent Act of his Righteousness putteth forth his hand, and executeth Judgement, there is little hope hereof, we being so greatly degenerated, and the malignant Diseases of our Minds grown inveterate.  
But then, Sir, to conclude, how daring are we, when the Symptoms of our vineby the malicious intentions of our Enemies is presaged, which through abundant mercy hath been detected, and thereby hindered; to which Plots, and Conspiracies against our King, Government, Persons, and Religion, have we given much advantage, and encouragement by our Divisions, yet hath God freely been Gracious still in detecting and defeating them hitherto, and shall we be so foolish and unkind to God, as to still persist in our Iniquity, and as it were wilfully to draw down Judgements on our own heads, and provoke God to withdraw his protecting Providence from us?  
I would persuade all men to Obedience to the Higher Powers, for they be of God, and it is God's will that we should obey Magistrates, and not speak evil of Dignities; they are an Ordinance of God, and we highly advance God's honour in esteeming and submitting to his Ordinances; but Conscience prohibiting what the Magistrate enjoins, whom should I obey, God or Man, judge ye? Conscience in man's Soul is God's Vicegerent, and Conscience wronged will reproach, whose reproaches are intolerable; for my part I rather choose that the whole world should defame me, than my own Conscience accuse me; for Conscience is a bosom Friend, and consequently if a Friend a most sweet and intimate, if enraged, it is an enemy, from which there is no flying, it will pursue a man in every place, company, action, etc. if therefore one Christian that expecteth salvation by Faith in Jesus, can act that which another professing the same Faith cannot, let them not censure, by't, and devour each other; this is the temper rather of ravenous Wolveses than of Christ's Lambs.  
And Sir, my Respects and Service to you, craving your Acceptance of this poor, but I can say wellmeaning Epistle, wherein as I have said, so do I reiterate, that Unity is the way for our Church and State to flourish; it promotes the twisted Interest of God's glory and our good; it plucks down Satan's Interest, and Popish Plots and Projects it discourageth greatly: And if still we will have no regard to the Commands of the Gospel, to the Love of Christ, to the Fellowship of the Spirit, which is Love, which worketh Love wherever it dwelleth. If we will have no respect to the Glory of God in the Propagation of the Gospel, if we refuse to love our Nation▪ our Families, ourselves, our own Souls) and Bodies, let us go on in Divisions, Strifes and Contentions, but be content to suffer what miseries follow, which most certainly will come upon us, and if God in infinite free Grace and, Mercy prevent not, be our total Destruction and Overthrow.  
Eor preventing whereof, let us unanimously with one Consent, with one Shoulder, bear one another's Infirmities, and endeavour to serve one another in Love; That this Heavenly Benediction may fall upon us, our Church and Nation, viz.  That the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant, make us perfect in every good Work, to do his Will, working in us that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be Glory for Ever, and Ever. 
Amen.  
So hearty, Sir, desires and prays, Your sincere and Willing Servant, A. E.  
FINIS.