that as many as walk according to this Rule peace shall be upon them Upon which saith Doctor Chillingworth this is a great and as good a Truth and as necessary for these miserable Times as can be uttered Hookers Eccles Polit. p. 266. We have received from the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ that brief confession of Faith which hath been always a badge of the Church a mark whereby to discern Christian men from Infidels and Jews Dr. Hammond of Schism p. 58. Calls the Creed the Apostolick badge or mark A tessera or token of the Apostles having planted the Faith in any Church the known summary of that beleif which had been received from the Apostles p. 211. It cannot be affirmed of all the Articles of the Creed that they are thus absolutely necessary i. e. that no man can be imagined to Reform his Life so as to be acceptable to God but he to whom every one of those Articles has been intelligibly revealed for as to many plain yet pious Christians it s not certain that can be affirmed Bishop Tailor Coll of disc p. 536. The Religion of Jesus Christ is the Form of sound Doctrine set down in Scripture separated as to the Question of necessary or not necessary by the symbol of the Apostles Item p. 407. Now if more were necessary than the Articles of the Creed I demand why was it made the characteristick note of a Christian from an Heretick Jew or an Infidel or to what purpose was it composed or if this were intended as sufficient did the Apostles or those Churches which they founded know any thing else to be necessary Bishop Sparrows Rationale upon the Common Prayer p. 50. In the time of the stay at Jerusalem they agreed upon this Creed as a Rule of Faith according to the Analogy of which they and all others should teach and as a word of distinction by which they should know Friend from Foes for as the Gileadits by the word Shibboleth Judges 12.6 c. So the Apostles and the Church should know who were right believers who false by this word of Faith for all that walked according to this Rule and Professed this Faith she acknowledged for hers and gave them her peace but all others that went contrary to this Rule and Word she accounted enemies Tertull. de praescriptione and lead by false Spirits as 1 John 4.6 Item a Christian evidences to the Church his sound beleif by expresly repeating the Creed and every particular thereof which is and always hath been accounted the mark and character whereby to distinguish a true beleiver from an Heretick or Infidel Judge Hales discourse of Religion p. 4. The Credenda or things to be known or beleived are but few and intelligible briefly delivered in that summary of Christian Religion usually called the Apostles Creed and in brief the Baptismal Covenant as it is contained in the Liturgy and Explanation thereof in the Church Catechism i. e. by the Covenant Mercies and covenant-Covenant-duties together with the precepts of the Decalogue contain in effect the summary or brief Epitome of our Christian duty Cars peaceable Moder p. 43. The Creed is a short Abridgment and Epitome of the Apostles Doctrine which they received from Christ our Saviour and delivered to us in the New Testament the Rule of our Faith Touch-stone of Truth the pith and substance of our Christian Religion the very badge and cognizance of a Christian whereby he is not only known from Pagans but also distinguished from Hereticks Bishop Pearson The Creed without controversie is a brief comprehension of the objects of our Christian Faith and is generally taken to contain all things necessary to be beleived in praef to his Exposition on the Apostles Creed Glanvell's Catholick Charity p. 30. The Fundamentals of belief are few and plain for certainly the Divine goodness would not lay our Eternal interest in difficulties and multitudes things hard to be understood and retain'd Item Agreement of Reason and Religion pag. 5. In the Creed are all the Fundamentals of Religion and though our Church require our Assent Ministers he means to more propositions yet those are only Articles of Communion not Doctrines absolutely necessary to Salvation And if we go beyond the Creed for Essentials of Faith who can tell where we shall stop Doctor Tillotson I doubt not but that the belief of the Ancient Creed provided we entertain nothing that is destructive of it together with a good Life will certainly save a Man. True state of the Primitive Church Part First That which we commonly call the Apostles Creed if it were not composed by them yet certainly by Primitive and Apostolick men and proposed as the sum of Christian Faith the sum total necessary to Salvation It cannot be supposed that they left out any thing which they thought necessary to Salvation they might as well have omitted half or all Dr. Steward 's Englands Case pag. 20. In our Reformation we still adhering unto the Three Creeds which are the Faith of the Church Catholick Mr. Hancock 's Sermon on Luk. 19.42 pag. 26. To the Honour of the Church of England let it be said whatsoever is imposed on us as necessary to the Salvation of all men is contained in the Apostles Creed This is the Faith of the first and best times of Christianity the Faith into which we are Baptized and the Belief of this Creed hath a direct influence on our Christian practice which is the great business of Religion Bishop Sanderson in his nine Cases of Conscience pag 8. Whosoever well considers may rest satisfied in his judgment and conscience that the Faith professed and taught in the Church of England is a plain and safe way to lead a Christian Believer to Eternal Salvation if he withal lead his life and conversation answerable thereunto Dr. Barrow 's Discourse of the Vnity of the Church annexed to his Treatise against the Popes Supremacy In regard to this Union of Faith among Christians the Body of Christians adhering to it was called the Catholick Church from which all those were esteemed Ipso facto to be cut off and separated who in any point deserted that Faith pag. 9. Conformists not forward in Censuring any as guilty of Heretical and Damnable Errors HOmily of Contention First Part. May help with other Citations to explain the Hereticalness of an Error He that is faulty let him rather amend than defend that which he hath spoken a miss least he fall by contention from a foolish Error into an obstinate Heresie Bishop Jewel's Def. of Apol. pag. 46. For just proof of Heresie three things necessarily be required 1. That it be an Error 2. That it be an Error against the Truth of Gods Word for otherwise every Error maketh not an Heresie 3. That it be stoutly and wilfully maintained otherwise an Error in Gods Truth without wilful maintainance is not an Heresie St. Augustine saith Errare possum Hereticus esse non possum Item p. 67.
therefore in such things there ought to be a mutual forbearance towards one another Idem Sermon 13. It is no difficult matter for men to be fair and kind and moderate towards such as are of the same way and agree with them in the main Idem pag 413. 414. This vertue Moderation will be very advantageous to the peace and welfare of human society in the general which doth very much depend upon the mutual condescension and forbearance of men towards one another with things about which they differ In the Preface to Dr. Worthingtons Scripture-Catechism describing the Author deceased among other there were no vertues he was observed to be more an example of then a Dove-like innocency simplicity Meekness Humility and peaceableness candor and ingenuity the most Christian because the greatest and most universal Charity in which those that dissented in matters of Religion which is rare in these days had not onely a real but a great interest Dr. Alestries Sermons If you would discover what the temper of the Gospel is you may see it in its Prophecy and Picture in the Prophet Isaiah 11.6,7.65,25 The Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb and the Leopard shall lye down with the Kid c. Whatever mischief these have in themselves there is nothing of devouring or of hurt to one another in this state they lye down and dwell together Again Sermon 18. p. 36. In the name of God what did Christ mean when he prescribed this Precept when he disputed prest it thus upon us Math. 5.44 Or what do Christians mean when they do break and tear this precept and themselves Though I be far from any hopes to reconcile our parties as by Gods help I shall ever be from making any yet I will offer an expedient to make them not so noxious namely if they will keep the difference of their judgments from breaking out into their affections and actions Dr. Barrow Vol. 3. Sermon 7. p. 250 251. It concerns us therefore if we would live peaceably in such disputable matters reserving all due reverence to the judgments of the most the best and wisest persons to be contented in a modest privacy to enjoy the results of a serious and impartial disquisition patiently enduring others to dissent from us and not attempting by needless fruitless and endless contentions to gain others to our perswasions especially since the Truth contended for may not be worth the passion employed about it Idem Serm. 8th against Evil-speaking p. 67. 'T is very unjust when as we do need the candid judgment and forbearance and pardon of others for many things faulty and offensive that we commit to refuse the like to others Glanvells Catholick Charity p. 29. Seeing then that Charity is necessary and agreement in opinions is neither necessary nor possible we ought to comply with our main duty notwithstanding our lesser difference If this were considered unity of affection might be preserved amidst diversity of opinions And p. 20. Then will the Church be glorious indeed when Christians shall make differences in opinions and dispensable practises the objects of their mutual forbearance Idem p. 59. If any should now ask me whether this Doctrine of Universal Love does not tend to universal Toleration I should answer that thus far it doth that all private persons should Tolerate each other and bear with their brothers infirmities that every man should allow another that Liberty which he desires himself in what the Laws of God and Man have left him free and permit him his own opinion without censure or displeasure But as to the publick I do by no means think it modest for us to determine what the Government should do Doctor Mores Mystery of Iniquity and Answer touching Liberty in Religion p. 542. I say then for all Protestants Churches whose Religion is the Bible it is little detriment or indecorum for them to use so well a limited indulgence as I have above described to their weak but sincere nurslings who are so thorough formed Christians as cordially to believe all the essential parts of our Religion but are onely puzled in some opinions and scrupulosities that are preter-essentials It is no more unseemly to permit somthing to them peculiarly than for a tender Mother to indulge something to a Child that breeds teeth or is any otherways weak or sickly or a Master of a Family to permit if not provide some proper accommodations for those of his Family a part whose infirmities or constitutions make them less fit to dine or sup at his common Table Idem Mistery of Godliness Preface p. 19. A mutual Agreement in bearing with one another dissents in the non fundamentals of Religion is really a greater ornament of Christianity than the most exact Uniformity imaginable it being an eminent exercise of Charity the flower of all Christian Graces and the best way I think at a long run to make the Church as uniform as can justly be desired The Author of the Whole Duty of Man. The lesser differences in opinion must be born with on both sides and must not in the least abate our brotherly Charity to each other Bishop of St. Asaph's Sermon on 5 th November before the House of of Lords As our Holy Religion excells all other in this admirable temper of love so by this we may usually judge who they are that excell among Christian Churches when there happens any difference between them Bishop of Salisbury's History of the Rights of Princes pag. 257 258. It is observable the best of Clergy-men have been the most gentle to those that differed from them But the unworthy who will not trouble themselves with the laborious methods of conquering errors are always apt to extream and cruel courses since they know they must prevail with these or none at all Doctor Caves Gospel Preached to the Romans pag. 84 The precepts which our Lord gives and most earnestly recommends in order to the general benefit of mankind are those of Meekness Mercy Forbearance Long-suffering brotherly Kindness and Charity Doctor Stillingfleets Irenicum Preface There were after this Decree at Jerusalem Acts 15.29 great diversities of practice and diversities of Observations among Christians but the Holy Ghost never thought them fit to be made matters of Law to which all parties should conform all that the Apostles required as to these was mutual forbearance and condescentions towards each other in them And in Pref. to Vnreasonableness of Separation he pleads for favour for them and forbearance Mr. De l' Angle In the Name of God my Lord in his Letter to the Bishop of London do all that possibly you can to bring them back to their duty by sweetness and Charity which is onely able to do great things on these occasions for men who have always something of pride do commonly oppose every thing thot seems to them to act by bare Authority only they scarce ever fail to yield themselves up to forbearance and condescention I shall also here
whole Duty of Man If one that holds all necessary Christian Truths happen yet to be in some Error we are not for this to despise his Person or forsake his Communion Bishop Reynold 's Brotherly Agreement In the case of unavoidable Differences amongst good Men there ought to be mutual Charity c. not to judge despise reject insult over one another not to deal with the weaker as Aliens but as Brethren not to proceed presently unto Separation Rejection Anathematization but to restore those that are overtaken with an Error in the spirit of Meekness Dr. Alestry Serm. 9. pag. 170. Censuring the abuse of Excommunication If they be not so happy as to be Orthodox sending them down to Hell directly Dr. Barrow In his Vnity of the Church Speaking of the Roman Churches If Churches do maintain impious Errors if they do prescribe naughty practices if they do reject communion and peace upon reasonable Tearms if they vent unjust and uncharitable censures c. If they damn and persecute all that refuse to be their Subjects in such cases we may Reject such Churches as Heretical or Schismatical or wickedly uncharitable and unjust in their proceedings Dr. More in his Pref. to the Mistery of Godliness pag. 19. The Object of Church discipline ought to contain nothing but the indisputable Truths of our Religion namely the generally acknowledged Articles of the Christian Faith and plain indispensable Duties of Life for these are such as deserve to be held up with all possible care and strictness Other things so gently recommended that no conscientious man may be pinched by them Dr. Stillingfleet 's Preface to Irenicum What possible Reason can be assigned why such things should not be sufficient for communion with a Church which are sufficient for Eternal Salvatition And certainly those things are sufficient for that which are laid down as necessary Duty 's of Christianity by our Lord and Saviour in his Word Dr. Cave 's Gospel preached to the Romans Serm. 4. pag. 89. God be thanked such is the present Moderation of our Churches Ecclesiastical constitutions our penalties are not for Destruction but for correction and amendment we punish none for their bare opinions and readily embrace every Returning Penitent Item pag. 87. We must above all things put on Charity and when we come to reprove rebuke and to inflict Spiritual Censures and Punishments we must distinguish as tenderly as we can between the wilful and the weak the obstinate and the Ignorant the obstinate we must endeavour to save with Fear plucking them out of the Fire with them we must be more sharp and severe in our Admonitions and Threatnings But on the weak we must have Compassion who may be supposed to Err through simplicity or the fervors of Devotion and ought to be treated with a fatherly Tenderness for to be restored if possible conformable unto the Doctrine of St. Paul to Timothy with the Spirit of meekness Stop to the Course of Separation The just Reasons of Excommunication are the same all over the World which is obstinate persisting in great Transgressions of the general Precepts of the Gospel At the end of the Book Vnion of the Catholick Church pag. 10. Every difference in Judgment when no violence is offered to the Catholick Faith and Unity must not break this Communion according to that profession of St. Cyprian judging no man nor excluding him from the Right of Communion if he think otherwise where the dispute was thought of no mean concernment Which St. Augustine often alledgeth against the Donatists and condemns Victor pag. 11 th who was hastening to Excommunicate the Asian Churches for their difference in Celebration of Easter True State of the Primitive Church Be charitable to the weak proceed not so severely against them in your Courts of Judicature but Remember what St. Paul says Col. 2. in respect of Ceremonies Let no man judge you c. Will you in respect of such shadows judge Excommunicate Sentence to Everlasting Flames the Soul that holds of the Body of Christ believes all his Holy Gospel accords with you in one Faith one Baptisme c. Will you condemn such an one to Eternal Death God Forbid Conformists Plea for the Nonconformists Part 4. pag. 101. We can represent and inveigh against Schism as the sin against the Holy Ghost A Sin unto Death indeed in some sence because it is so contrary to Charity and Peace and destructive of the Life of Saints which doth much consist in their Communion But were we impartial we should as warmly admonish our own hearts to take heed of Schismatical Passions and excommunicate them from within us as admonish and cast out others that differ from us Idem pag. 20. We are forward to blame the more rigid sort of Separatists for not coming to our Worship and why are we so rigid as to forbear all Christian Communion with them as if Christianity were all lost among them I do declare that I hold Mental Communion with all the Holy Brethren and am prepared for Local and External Communion with them in all Christian Duties and Ordinances Dr. Hammond 's Annotations on the New Testament Rom. 14.17,18 Christianity consists not in such External Matters as Meats but in the practice of Christian Vertues such are Mercifulness and Peaceableness c. not dividing and hating and Excommunicating one another and 14. chap. ver 13. And therefore let this Fault be mended do not any longer Censure and seperate from one anothers Communion for such things as these Doctor Hammond of Schism p. 16. Because the Governours being men may possibly Err and consequently censure and Excommunicate the innocent its possible the person excluded may be innocent he that is Excommunicate unjustly cannot be rendred criminous by that misfortune p. 17. he cites Photius Patriarch of Constantinople the Excommunication of the Jewish Sanhedrim sent out against Christs Disciples brought them so much nearer to their Lord and Master and Alien'd the Jews themselves removed them so much the farther from the Kingdom of Heaven and so doth all unjust Excommunication unite us to the Apostles by this Conformity with and participation of their sufferings Bishop Jewels defence of the Apol. p. 583. Brings in St. Augustine saying Quid obest homini What is a man the worse if the ignorance of a man strike him out of the Book of the Church if ill conscience strike him not out of the Book of Life In this case St. Augustine saith it cometh sometime to pass Vt plurimae sint foris oves intus Lupi That there be many Sheep without the Church and many Wolves within And in your own Law Mr Harding it is written thus Qui illicite alium Excom c. He that unlawfully Excommunicates another condemneth himself and not another That our Love must be Catholick HOmily of Christian Love and Charity p. 36. Charity is to love every man good and evil friend and foe and whatsoever Cause be given to the Contrary yet
reasons urged here by our Saviour do prove that all mankind whether good or bad is the object of a Christians love Mr. Kettlewells measures of Christian Obedience Edit 2. ch 3. l. 2. p. 133 and 134. It is not either distance of Countrey nor contrariety of interest no nor what is most of all presumed to exempt us from the obligations of this duty diversity of opinions or perswasions in matters of Religion which takes away from any man his right to all that kindness and advantage from us but of whatsoever Countrey Calling or Religion he be he is our Neighbour meant in Luke 10. to whom all the instances of love must be performed for what Religion was ever more odious to any one than the Samaritan was to the Jews John 8.48 Insinuating thereby that any man though so contrary in Religion as those two were to one another is the neighbour whom the Law intends Mr. Glanvell 's Essay upon Preaching pag. 32. Catholick Universal Charity is a Doctrine exceeding fit for these times in which Divisions and mutual Animosities have produced so many fatal and deplorable effects and though the doing this will displease the Bygots and Beautefeus of all sides yet we must go on arm'd with Courage and Patience of the Gospel and be instant in preaching Peace and Love though we are torn in pieces for it Idem Vsefulness of Real Phylosophy to Religion pag. 32. I secure Charity for all the Diversities of Belief and equally offer my Friendship and Converses to the several Sects and Perswasions that stick to the plain principles of the Gospel and a vertuous life overlooking their particular Fondnesses and Follies Bishop Taylor 's Advice to his Clergy p. 29. Let no names of Sects or differing Religion be kept up among you to the disturbance of the publick Peace and private Charity and teach not the people to estimate their Piety by their distance from any Opinion but by their Faith in Christ Obedience and love to all Christian people even though they be deceived Again Rule 47. Let the business of your Sermons be to preach Holy Life Obedience Peace Love among Neighbours Hearty Love to live as the Old Christians did and the New should Dr. Tillotson 's Sermon on Luke 9.55,56 pag. 7. The Gospel designs Universal Love and peace and Good Will and now no difference of Religion no pretence of Zeal for God and Christ can warrant and justifie the contrary Idem Vol. 1. of Sermons pag. 213. When we come to Heaven we shall enter into the Society of the Blessed Angels and of the Spirits of just Men made perfect that is freed from all those passions and infirmities which do now render the conversation even of the best men sometimes troublesome to one another We shall then meet with all those excellent persons those innocent and charitable Souls whom we have seen and heard and read of in this World with all intimate Friends and perhaps with many of our Enemies to whom we shall then be perfectly reconciled notwithstanding all the warm contests and peevish differences which we have had while in this World even about matters of Religion For Heaven is a state of perfect Love and Friendship all Quarrels and Contentions Schisms and Divisions will then be effectually hindered not by Force but by Love and all those Controversies of Religion which are now so hotly agitated will then be finally determined by a perfect knowledge and convincing Light. Lloyd Bishop of St. Asaph in Sermon November 5. 1680. pag. 9. We know that Christ gave love for the Character by which his Disciples were to be known Joh. 13.35 and least men should unchristian others that they may hate them and destroy them afterwards Christ enlarged his precept of love and extended it even to Enemies and not onely to ours but to the Enemies of our Religion Mat. 5.43,44 Mr. Cook 's Sermon on Rom. 12.18 pag. 6. The Church of Christ allowes no Enemies at all but like it Charity is Oecumenick and Universal nay like God himself Infinite and Eternal it knows no bounds of Love nor respect of Persons and must never fail surely then Christianity must fail utterly vanish and perish so long as we are at variance among our selves Idem pag. 10. The grand Duties of Humility Peace and Universal Charity are delivered in the Scriptures in the most plain express and entire manner as to all Points and Circumstances of obligation and therefore whatsoever places are erected against those fundamentals of Practice destroy the very essence and being of Christianity Vnity of the Catholick Church pag. 7. Catholick Unity consists in Unity of Belief and in the Unity of Charity having an intimate Fellow-feeling of all the good or evil which befals any joyned in so near a relation as fellow-members beyond the compass of ordinary Humanity whereby we are bound not onely to pray for but by all Offices of Kindness and most intimate Affection to assist and relieve each other in the same Houshold of Faith. Item pag. 53. Many of our Church yea the constitution it self hath been often charged and reviled though most unjustly with too favourable an inclination to them of Rome because we are not so hasty and peremptory in unchurching them altogether or damning presently all that have been or are still of their communion as some would have us which is in effect for being more tender of preserving the Principles of true Catholick Unity then in pleasing some private Humours or Prejudices Mr. Pygot 's Abners Plea for Accom pag. 38 39. Now whatsoever Breaches or Divisions happen in other Kingdoms which are without God in the World and Strangers from the Covenant of Grace Psal 122.3 yet let Jerusalem the Church of God be alwayes like a City which is at Unity within it self Methinks Philadelphia the name of one of the Seven Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. is a fitting name for a Church which signifies brotherly Love and every Congregation ought to be in a good Sense the Family of Love. Item pag. 43. Consider there is but one Body Eph. 4.4 the whole Church is but one Body and the Members of the same Body do not use to contend one with another Dr. Barrow 's Serm. 8. pag. 316. I close up all with this Corollary that if we must live lovingly and peaceably with all men then much more are we obliged to do so with all Christians Our Spiritual Brethren Members of the same Mystical Body Temples of the same Holy Ghost Servants of the same Lord Subjects of same Prince Professors of the same Truth partakers of the same Hopes Heirs of the same Promise and Candidates of the same Everlasting Happiness That an Agreement of all Christians in any one Sect or Perswasion is never to be Expected BIshop Jewel 's Answer to Mr. Harding 's Preface It were above all things to be desired of God that his Heavenly Truth may pass forth without these contrarieties and Quarrels of judgments and many Godly Wise
of difference For the Conformists and Non-conformists are all one in Christ agreeing in all the parts of Christian Catholick Communion with us Mr. Kidder 's Serm. on 1 Pet. 3.11 The things in which we all agree these things are many and of great weight what we differ about bears no proportion to those things which we are agreed in Mr. Hancock 's Sermon on Luk. 19.42 pag. 24 25. The Mortification of our Lust and Passion living a life of Spiritual Purity and Devotion Self-denial and Meekness Justice and Charity Peaceableness and Patience Sobriety and Chastity and a trusting in the Merits of Christ for pardon of our Sins and acceptance of our imperfect Righteousness these are the substantials of our Religion about which all wise and good men are Agreed however we differ about other Matters Difference of Case between Separation of Protestants from Rome and the Separation of Dissenters pag. 69. As for the Dissenters methinks it should not be hard to disswade the most of them from breaking the Communion of the Church any longer with which they agree in the Substance of Faith and Worship Mr. Wake 's Sermon on Rom. 15.5,6,7 pag. 16 17. Our differences do not at all concern the Foundations either of Faith or Worship and are therefore such in which good men if they be otherwise diligent and sincere in their enquiry may differ without any prejudice to themselves or any just reflection upon the truth of their common profession To conclude this Head. Bish Reynold's Br. Reconcil p. 7. Why should not the many Truths wherein we agree teach us to join in Love which is a Christian Duty rather than the few opinions in which we dis-agree cause breach in affection which at best is but an human Infirmity That the Creed contains all Truths necessary to Salvation IN the Common Prayer at the Visitation of the Sick the Minister by the Churches order saith thus to the Sick I shall rehearse to you the Articles of our Christian Faith that you may know whether you do beleive as a Christian man should or no. And so Bishop Tailor on the Credenda in the Holy Catholick Church The Creed which whosoever beleives is a Catholick and a Christian but he that beleiveth it not is neither In Baptism according to the Church of England The question put to the person to be baptized dost thou beleive in God the Father and so to the end of the Creed And will thou be Baptized into this Faith And in the Church Catechism That in our Vow at Baptism we promised to believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith And in the beginning of the Reformation it was agreed upon that the Bishops and Preachers ought to instruct the people according to the Scripture the Three Creeds and the four first General Councels The Fathers are cited by the Reverend Bishops in testimony that the Creed contains all Truths necessary to Salvation as by Arch-Bishop Laud against Fisher Bishop Taylors Ductor Dub. and Bishop Bramhal especially Tertullian Clemens Romanus Ambrose Augustine c. who made the Creed to be the only standing immoveable and irreformable Rule of Faith the sum of the whole Catholick Faith the Key of the Christian Faith the rule and square of the Apostical Sermons i. e. after the making of it wherein the Apostles have collected into one breviary all the points of the Catholick Faith which are diffused throughout all the Scriptures The Creed is one perfect collection and sum plain short and full that the plainness might help the weakness of the Hearers the shortness their Memory the Fulness their Instruction The General Councel of Ephesus did forbid all men to exact any more of a Christian at his Baptismal profession and again the same Councel That it should be lawful for no man to publish or compose another Faith or Creed then that which was defined by the Nicene Councel and that whosoever should dare to compose or offer any such to any persons willing to be converted from Paganism Judaism or Heresie if they should be Bishops or Clergy-men should be deposed if Lay-men Anathematised i. e. Accursed with Excommunication It was the Universal practice of the Primitive Church Credisne at Baptism On Palm-Sunday the Christian converts from Heathenism as yet under Catechizing petitioned for Baptism and from that day forward had some assigned to expound the Creed unto them whereof they were to make solemn profession at Baptism All the Divines of the Reformed Church confessedly and generally own this Truth that the Creed contains all Truths necessary to Salvation Bishop Halls Works p. 637. 'T is not Cassander's Speech only but every wise and honest man's the Creed is the common cognizance of our Faith surely saith he Theodoret when he would allay the bitter contentions of those antient Christians of Antioch writes thus both parts made one and the same confession of their Faith for both maintained the Creed of the Nicene Councel and blames the Romanists that the confession of the same Creed is not sufficient with them for peace Item Resolution of Practical Cases of Conscience Case 5. Dec. 3 d. If there were not some special Truths the belief whereof makes and distinguishes a Christian the authors of the Creed Apostolick besides the other symbols received anciently in the Church were much deceived in their aim Doctor Potters Answer to Charity Mistaken p. 221. How can it be necessary for any Christian to have more in his Creed than the Apostles had in the Church of their time may the Church of after ages make the way to Heaven narrower than our Saviour left it c. The Apostles profess they revealed to the Church the whole Councel of God keeping back nothing needful for our Salvation What Tyranny then is it to impose any new matters on the Faith of Christians especially as the late Popes have done under that high commanding Form Qui non crediderit aut feâ—…rit damnabitur Bishop Tailor Coll. of Discourses p. 524. It is a strange Boldness in the Church of Rome first to add Twelve new Articles to the Apostles Creed and then to add the appendix of Athanasius this is the Catholick Faith without which no man can be saved For I demand can any man say and justifie that the Apostles did deny Communion to any man that believed the Apostles Creed and lived a good Life Let them remember Pope Pelagius who when the Bishops of Istria deserted his Communion in causa trium Capitulorum he gave them an account of his Faith by recitation of the Creed and by attesting the Four General Councels and is confident upon this that de fidei firmitate nulla poterit esse questio vel suspicio generari Bishop Usher In those Propositions which without all controversie are universally received in the whole Christian World i. e. Articles of the Creed so much Truth is contained as being joyned with an holy obedience may be sufficient to bring a man unto Everlasting Salvation and
what they can a fair way agreed upon on all sides questioned by none in which whoso orders his steps aright may see the Salvation of our God. Page 105. Bishop Saunderson in Serm. 9. Ad aulam Sect. 21. It may be a greater comfort to every well meaning Soul that the simple belief of those certain Truths wherein all parties are in a manner agreed may be and ordinarily is sufficient for the Salvation of all those who are sincerely careful according to that measure of Light and means which God hath vouchsafed them to actuate their Faith with Piety Charity and good Works Bishop Tailors Collection of Discourse Polem and Moral p. 403. He takes it for granted that one Heaven shall hold men of several Opinions and the Unity of the Faith is not destroyed by that which men call different Religions Item p. 595. Speaking of the Papists they keep the Foundation they build upon God in Jesus Christ they profess the Apostles Creed they retain Faith and Repentance as the supporters of all their hope of Heaven and believe many more Truths than can be proved to be of simple and original necessity to Salvation and therefore all the wisest personages of the adverse party allow to them possibility of Salvation whilst their Errors are not Faults of their Wills but weaknesses and deceptions of their Understandings Item p. 713. Now thus much also your men allow to us those who Live well and Die in a true though but general Repentance of their Sins and Errors even amongst us your best and wisest men pronounce to be in a saveable Condition spoken of the Papists Charity to us Bishop of Salisbury 's Remarks on the Methods for Converting Protestants p. 104. A Church may be a true Church which is a Society of Men among whom are the certain means of Salvation and yet be corrupted with many Errors and thus as long as the Church of Rome acknowledges the Expiation and Satisfaction made by the Death of Christ and applies it to all that truly believe and amend their Lives so long she is a true Church so that those in that Communion who adhere truly to that which is the great Fundamental of the Christian Religion may be saved Mr. Chillingsworth 's Religion of Protestants a safe way to Salvation In his Answer to the Preface of Charity maintained pag. 14. How of dis-agreeing Protestants both parties may hope for Salvation If they use their best endeavours to believe the Scripture in the true Sense and to live according to it as I hope many of all sides do it is impossible but they should believe aright and if they perform the condition of sincere Obedience why should they not expect that God will perform his promise and give them Salvation Mr. Hooker 's Discourse of Justification pag. 56. As many as hold the Foundation and as it were with a slender Thread although they frame many base and unsuitable things upon it things that cannot abide the Trial of the Fire yet they shall pass the Fiery Trial and be saved Collection of Sermons of Mr. Samuel Ward of Ipswich pag. 18. With God I dare be bold to say there is neither Calvinist nor Lutheran Protestant nor Puritan Conformitan or Inconformitan but Faith and Love in Christ is all in all Bishop Reynold 's Brotherly Agreement pag. 15. Where one and the same straight Road is kept a small difference of Paths doth not hinder Travellers from coming to the same Inn at Night Spoken with reference to the different Sects of Christians who may yet in their several ways meet at the same Heaven Glanvel 's Catholick Charity pag. 35 36. It s very true indeed that the way to Heaven is but one and to walk in that is the one thing necessary but then that is not this or that particular Path but the way of an Holy Life which may be practised under very different Forms of Apprehension and Belief The paths may be many in this Royal Road he that goes in the plainest and nearest is in the best condition for pleasure and safety but another that goes about or in a Rugged or uneven path may come to the same Journeys end though with more difficulty and danger Judge Hales Discourse of Religion pag. 33. He that fears the Lord of Heaven and Earth walks humbly before him thankfully lays hold on the Message of Redemption by Christ Jesus strives to express his Thankfulness by the sincerity of his Obedience if he falls in any measure is restless till he hath made his peace by true Repentance c. Such a man whether he be an Episcopal or Presbyterian or Independant or Anabaptist he hath the Life of Religion in him and that Life acts in him and will conform his Soul to the Image of his Saviour and walk along with him to Eternity The Quakers take away their affected singularities the men are as other men Some indeed very sober honest just and plain-hearted-men and sound in most if not all the important Doctrines and Practices of Christianity pag. 17. Bishop Wilkins Sermons pag. 63. If a man be truly Conscientious and sincere in those most substantial Duties of Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost it is not his mistake or failing in any other lesser things that shall make him uncapable of the Kingdom of God. Again in the same Sermon we are not to think the worse of others for their differences so as to despise them or censure such persons as to their Estates and Conditions as if they were not sincerely Religious nor in favour with God for though they should be Erroneous and mistaken in their judgment in such things yet if their Conversations be more just and righteous than ours if more humble and peaceable they are thereupon to be accounted better than we are both more acceptable of God and approved of men Doctor Sherlock in Religious Assemblies pag. 96. Others are scandalized at the great variety of Religions but if wise seeing there is so much dispute which is the true Religion they would use the greater diligence and honesty to find it out and hope that God would pardon those mistakes which are meerly the Errors of their Understandings when they offer unto him a pious and devout Soul that an honest man who is not byassed by Interest and does not chuse a false Religion upon a Design will be accepted for his Sincerity and Devotion Dr. Patrick 's Parable of the Pilgrim describing the Safe guide to the Heavenly Jerusalem pag. 14. He hath Faith enough to save himself and Charity enough to believe that others may be saved that are not in all points just of his belief Doctor Fowler 's Principles and Practices pag. 108. Be so charitable as to believe well of Dissenters from us who lead good lives are of a modest and peaceable deportment and hold no Opinions that directly oppose the design of the Christian Religion Mr. Dodwell in his Letters about Holy Orders When you
have reduced them to this to practice such Duties as are by all Parties owned essentially Obligatory under the State of Christianity as God be praised principles sufficient for most of these are admitted by all considerable parties that violate the peace of Christendom and brought them to a carefulness of their ways and a tenderness of Conscience and Inquisitiveness after their Duty universally if you could not perswade them to assent to what you say c. you must be as Charitable in your judgment as you believe God will prove favourable in his Final Sentence Pag. 19. and 22. Love and Truth in two Modest and Peaceable Letters from a quiet Conformable Citizen of London pag. 39. Almighty God hath appointed me to live in an Age in which contention increases and Charity decays And its certain that variety of Opinions and Controversies in Religion declare difficulty to know them truly but my Comfort is that there is so much Religion without Controversie as by the true Practice of what is so my Soul may be saved The Conformists Declare that the several Sects of Protestants are agreed in the Main BIshop Jewels Defence of the Apology pag. 740. We say that we agree among our selves touching the whole judgment and chief substance of Christian Religion and with one Mouth and with one Spirit do worship God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or King James the First his Instructions to his Son. We all God be praised do agree in the grounds of Religion Bishop Andrews Sermons Edit 3. pag. 18 19. And without controversie great is the mistery of Godliness c. We see in our days how men languish about some points which they would have thought to be great and great Controversies there be and great Books of Controversies about them yet Blessed be God that hath left us some Misteries clear and without controversie this here a Mistery a great one Religion hath no greater yet manifest and in Confesso with all Christians A way of peace then there shall be in the midst of a World of Controversies in which way of peace even all parts shall agree Bishop William Barlow in his Defence of the Articles of the Protestant Religion against Wright 's Articles Objecting the irreconcileable Jars between the Protestants of the Church of England and the Puritans in the Essential points of Faith Answereth pag. 20. or 21. The Jars between us though unkind yet not in this kind only for Ceremonies External no points Substantial Doctor Crakanthorp in his Defensio Eccl. Anglicanae chap. 33. Sect. 15. Puritanum qui Hereticus sit tu opinor in Angliâ neminem unquam conspexisti cum illis quos tu puritanos vocas non est nobis de fide aut fidei Dogmatelis ulla de Ritibus illi Disciplinâ Ecclesiae nostrae contendunt In fide consensus in Ritibus solum Disciplinâ dissentimus Bishop George Carlton 's Answer to Montagues Appeal first Edit pag. 5. It was then in Qu. Eliz. Reign the open Confession both of the Bishops and of the Puritans that both parts embraced a mutual consent in Doctrine only the difference was in matters of Inconformity Pag. 78. To that passage in Montagues Appeal Pag. 28. Just your Puritan Doctrine He Answers A Puritan Doctrine is a strange thing because it hath been confessed on both sides that protestants and and puritans have held the same Doctrines without variance What is your end in this but to make Divisions where there were none Bishop Hall's Apol. against the Brownists Edit 1610. Sect. 56. pag. 138. So hath their i. e. Nonconformists Moderation opposed some Appendancies that they have both acknowledged and defended the substance with equal vehemence to your opposition Hooker 's Eccles Polity L. 3. Sect. 1. With Rome we do not communicate concerning sundry her gross and grievous abominations yet touching those main parts of Christian Truths wherein they constantly still persist we gladly acknowledge them to be of the Family of Jesus Christ and our hearty prayer to Almighty God is that being conjoyned so far forth with them they may at length if it be his Will so yield and reform themselves that no distraction remain in any thing but that we may all with one heart and voice glorifie God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ whose Church we are Mr. Hierons Sermons pag. 500. God be praised the Foundation of Religion is on both sides held and taught sincerely Mr. Sprints Cassand Anglicanum Epist to the Reader In the Foundation we all agree Time and Day will try the Hay and Stubble from the Gold and Silver 1 Cor. 3.11,12 c. Mr. Vertues Plea for Peace pag. 44. The differences among us are only in superstructures and less principal Truths whilest in the Main and Fundamental points of our Religion we have God be thanked a firm Concord as may appear by the Harmony of Confessions Doctor Featly his Roma ruens pag. 22. Differences among us in Matters of Faith necessary to Salvation there are not our Controversies are de Fimbriis non de Textu of the Lace and Fringe of Ceremonies Mr. Pygots Sermon 2 Sam. 2.26 pag. 46. When the Gospel of Truth hath been preached amongst us now upwards Fourscore years do we stick at Pilates Question What is Truth John. 18.38 Beloved for the substance of our Religion I say with St. Paul If an Angel from Heaven shall preach any other Gospel or discover any other Fundamental Truths to us then what we have received let him be accursed And if this unhappy difference be about Circumstances and Ceremonies God grant that whilst we are so earnest in contention about niceties and shadows we do not lose the Substance Glanvel 's Cath. Charity pag. 2. It 's very strange that Christians should be so at odds whose Religion is Peace and Love and the reasons of whose Differences are so small in proportion to the degree of their Animosities Our God is one and we have the one common Saviour we profess one Gospel and believe the same Creeds we have the same Sacraments and the same Fundamental Ordinances and since we are agreed in these what is there left that is worth the heat of a Dispute Dr. Stillingfleet Dean of St. Pauls Epist Dedic before the Mischief of Separation That there is an Agreement in Doctrine and the substantial parts of Worship is acknowledged in our Case And pag. 13. The people apprehend the differences to be much greater than the Teachers will allow when they are put to declare their Minds and our common Enemies take as much advantages from our differences as if they were really far greater than they are Conformists Plea for the Non conformists Part 3. pag. 75. Indeed the Separation with which the Nonconformists are charged is not as Separation from a Church but as Separation in a Church fundamentally and essentially the same but differing in Modes and Accidents which must needs be the lowest kind