nevertheless to bear good will and heart to every man to use our-selves well unto them as well in Words and countenances as in all other Acts and deeds for so Christ himself taught and so also he performed indeed and for as much as the Pharisees with their false glosses had Corrupted this love of our neighbour teaching that this love and Charity pertained only unto a mans friends Christ gave this Godly law of Charity a true and clear interpretation that we ought to love every man both friend and foe adding thereto the Commodity to be the Children of our heavenly Father and this we shall be sure of saith Christ if we love every man without exception Conformists Plea for Nonconformists Part 4. pag. 106. The salutations of the Holy Apostles expressed their largeness and their Catholick love to the Corinthians among whom were great divisions to the Galatians and Colossians among whom were some very Erroneous so did their Benedictions peace be to Brethren and Love c. And Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus in sincerity Eph. 6.23 and verse 2. Bishop Davenants Letter to Duraeus Whether we will or no it s necessary that we all own Christ as our elder Brother and joyn in strict and Brotherly Communion with all that are his Brethren Moreover all must confesse true and genuine Charity is as necessary to the Salvation of all the Members of the Christan Churches as the true and entire profession of Saving faith Christ having made this love the Cognizance Whereby to discriminate his disciples and those who falsely professe his name he puts this question Whether it be safe Pious or suitable to the duty of Christian Churches not to stretch forth the right hand of Brotherly affection to those Churches which though they differ and in some lesser matters err may notwithstanding be Christs Martyrs and our holy Brethren Mr. Thomas Pierce on St. John the 13.35 Our love must be so extensive that it must reach even to all not only to our fellow-disciples but to all men living upon earth it must reach even to our enemies not onely to those without the pale of the Church who do us little or no hurt even Jews Turks Infidels and Hereticks for whom we pray once in a year in our English Liturgy but to our Crualler enemies within the Church P. 414. item 282. Whom our Lord hath enjoyned us not onely to forgive but pray for to love their souls to pray for their repentance and desire they may be sharers of immortality and blisse of which we shall not have the lesse but rather the more for having sharers and tells us on St. John 13.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples c Love to Christians as Christians is as the badge and Cognizance the testimony and proof of our real discipleship under Christ and the firmest bond to hold us together in peace and love not so much that we are of one Countrey but that we are of one Christ or to expresse it with St. Paul that we have but One Faith One Baptism Doct. Hammonds Pract. Catechism under meekness to continue constant to the doctrine of the Catholick Church and maintain the inward Communion that of Charity with all the true Church of God wheresoever they are and with particular Churches so far as to embrace them with the armes of Christian Charity to joyn even with the erroneous Churches so far as they are not erroneous Separating onely from their Corruptions Idem on first Epist of St. John 3.14 We know that we are regenerate Christians by our Chariry to other men which he that hath not is clearly an unregenerate unchristian person Idem the first Epist St. John 4.7 And evidence of our being from God is Charity to our fellow Christians for that is most strictly commanded and exemplified to us from God and no practice renders us so like to Gods example and so concordant to his precepts as the sincere exercise of this duty Dr. Barrow ' s. Vnity of the Church annexed to his Treatise against the Popes Supremacy P. 36. The genuine meaning of that article Catholick Church may reasonably be deemed this that we professe our adhering to the body of Christians which diffused over the World doth retain the faith taught the Discipline settled the practises appointed by our Lord and Saviour and his Apostles that we maintain general Charity towards all good Christians that we are ready to entertain Communion in holy offices with all such Item on Rom. 12.18 pag. 230 231. Serm. 3. pursue peace with all without any exception with men of all Nations Jewes and Greeks and Barbarians of all Sects and Religions persecuteing Jews and Idolatrous Heathens as at that time men of all judgments and perswasions Neither is there any evading our obligation to this duty by pretending of others that they entertain opinions irreconcileably contrary to ours that they adhere to Sects and Parties which we dislike and disavow that they are not so vertuous so Religious so Holy as they should be or at least not in such a mannner as we would have them Bishop Saundersons Sermon 3. Ad Aulam sect 39. Here is that evil partiality we are to take heed of when we restrain the Brotherhood or Neighbour to some one party or society in the Church such as we think good of and exclude the rest as if they had no part or fellowship in this Brotherhood nor consequently any right to that special affection where with we are to love the Brethren which partiailty hath indeed been the very bane of the Churches unity and peace and the chief Cause both of the beginning and of the Continuance of most of the Schisms under which Christendom hath groaned from time to time Englands Black Tribunal p. 222. As I am a Member of this Church so I am a Member of the Holy Catholick Church as I hold Communion with so I love and honour all Christians in the World that love the same Lord Jesus in sincerity and call on his name agreeing with those Truths that are absolutely necessary and clearly demonstrated in the Word of God though in charity dissenting from some others that are not necessary Dr. Hewyt's Speech at the Scaffold Dr Alestrey's Sermon p. 168. Our Saviours addition Matth. 5.44 saith that we must love our Enemies The Christians hath no Canaanites as Deut. 7. but the most prostigate Adversaries of his Religion he must love and pray for them although they persecute him which makes appear it doth at least include enemies of Religion for persecutions seldom were upon any other ground And Christ hath proved that the Samaritan he whom the Disciples would consume that Schismatick and rejector of Christ is yet our Neighbour Luke 10. and therefore him also we must love and pray for Item p. 322. Serm. 18. There is no sort of men nor any man whom it is lawful for a Christian not to love and all the
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
mention the judgment of divers eminent Pastors of the French Church in those Irenical discourses Gesel Hist part 2. It were in the first place to be wished that all who do profess the Discipline of Christ would think and speak the same thing but since the weakness of humane understandings this difficulty of Divine things is so great that such an absolute consent amongst pious persons is scarcely to be expected in this World the next thing to be endeavoured after is that they may agree in the belief of the principle Heads of our Religion and as for other things which neither of necessity belong to Holiness of Life nor the comfort of Souls nor the Kingdom of God that men would so believe them as to bear with them who think otherwise concerning them For that this may lawfully be done the thing it self declares and St. Paul pronounceth not onely in many places doth permit but even commands us to bear with Dissenters This is the common opinion of all persons which from the first ages of Christianity to the present times have been of any esteem or honour in the Church Principles and Practices of some Moderate Divines p. 308. Let the Professors of Christianity labour for the true spirit and temper of Christians and it will be as well with the Christian World as if we were all of the same mind I mean let us not Magisterially impose upon one another and be so Charitable as to believe well of Dissenters from us that live good lives Item p. 348. That we may contend with each other about nothing more then who shall express in the midst of our different perswasions most Charity and most Candor Conformist Plea to the Non-Conformist part 3. p. 62. Doth Christian Love and Compassion prompt us to with our persecuted Brethren in France enjoyed the liberty of the true Religion there And if they should enjoy a freedom there shall we deny a liberty to Protestant Brethren here I can see no ways to avoid a Justification of the barbarous usage of Protestants there by them that prosecute Protestants here Idem part 4. p. 1. Peace Love and Forbearance have a greater place assigned them in Religion than the things in controversie which cause our Divisions And whether it be Meeter for the greater things to suffer by the lesser or the lesser to give place to the greater let common reason judge and common experience come in as an evidence Mr. Kidder 's Serm. of Peace pag. 24. The best men as they may differ from each other but then their Christian charity will dispose them to forbear and forgive and to debate with great calmness and temper which is the way at once to Truth and Peace Mr. Tully 's Serm. of Moderation pag. 2. Those Homiletic or if I may so speak conversable Graces of Meekness Gentleness Forgiveness Forbearance c. are so frequently pressed upon us in the Sacred Writings upon this prospect partly no doubt that they all of them tend mightily to the sweetning of Societies and to the prevention or healing those differences which are apt to embroil us Argument for Toleration and Indulgence in relation to differences in Opinion pag. 2. We must distinguish between points of Faith and Points of Opinion that we ought to bear one with another in respect of differing Opinions as God doth bear with us all he hath left somethings less plain and clear then others as matters both to exercise the reasonable faculties of good and pious men and to afford them subjects of mutual Charity and Forbearance in their different Sentiments and Apprehensions about them Item pag. 25. As for Separations into several and distinct Conventions I see no cause of fearing any greater inconvenience in them to the Church or to the State if mutual Toleration and Indulgence be the received Principle than is in so many several Clubs of Friendship or Companies of Trade However different they may be from one another in other respects in this they will all agree to love one another for that of God they see and to maintain the publick Liberty the common Interest of all and so though they are as many Conventions as you can imagine and the more the less dangerous one will balance another yet they are not Factions Form of Prayer Dec. 22. 1680. By the power of thy Holy Spirit of Peace dispose all our Hearts to such Meekness of Wisdom such calm and deliberate Long-Suffering and Forbearance of one another in Love that so we may live in Peace and the God of Peace may be with us That Force and Capital Punishments are not to be Inflicted on Christians for their difference in Opinions from us GOod Advice to the Church of England c. pag. 22. And to the end that I may do the Reformation Right and the Principles of the Church of England Justice those in Queen Maries Time particularly Latimer Philpot Bradford Rogers very eminent Reformers hardly one person of any Note but did pass Sentence on Persecution as Anti-christian the Apologies afterwards of the same strain as may be seen in Juel Haddon Reynolds c. censuring the Papists for the Persecutions that they raised against the Protestants for matters of pure Religion Bishop Juel 's Defence of the Apol. pag. 484. St. Augustine saith Nullis bonis in Catholica Ecclesia hoc placet si usque ad mortem in quenquam licet haereticum saeviatur No good man in the Catholick Church likes that any Heretick should be punished with Death As for our parts speaking of our Church we were never yet guilty to one drop of your blood We seek no Aid at Fire and Sword we will rather say with St. Jerom Vtinam filios haereticorum c. Would God we may kill the Children of Hereticks and of all them that be deceived with Spiritual Arrows that is to say with the Testimonies of Scripture And with St. Augustine O si occidas eos gladio bis acuto c. Bishop Andrew's Sermons on Luk. 9.54,55,56 pag. 912. He puts the case whether the Town of Samaria for not receiving Christ upon pretence he was not of their Religion might not be consumed but Christ ruleth the Case for the Town that it ought not to be done It was an Errour this of the two Disciples we see it plain by Nescitis but of it may well be said that Gregory saith of another of theirs O salutaris error c. Blessed Errour it was for by it the World was rid of the like Errour ever after For so long as this verse shall stand in this Gospel it will serve for a resolution to this Question Any of his Disciples may do that which they here would have done This rebuke here of these will reach to all undertakers in the same kind this Non perdere sed salvare saves all our Towns Cities and States from consuming by fire from any of Christs Company Item pag. 919. And where they move him in specie for a
numberless of Saints above Free from strife which wretched Mortals below Ever contending to their sorrow know Exalt ye Loves praise make it heard on high All our life we strive and last struggling dye Ah Jesu's Spouse Christian call'd of old By Sectarian names now manifold Wedded to Peter and the Vatican Become Calvinist else a Lutheran One Church of the East t'other of the West Divisions have made bad of the best Our Mother 's not of Sons of Peace bereft Praise to our God for seven thousand left Who under Prince of Peace his Banners go To fight out fights and strife the Common Foe Brave Worthies Arm'd with courage from above To win for Truth and overcome with love WILLIAM the Third high in Glory rais'd The Worlds wonder All Europe stands amaz'd Behold Great Britains Scepter in his hand Peace establish'd Triumphant sing O Land Blest with a Prince by Heaven sure design'd For Great Good and Just An Heroick Mind Love ours and thine King of Kings guard his Throne To be de-thron'd by none but thee alone Him with peaceful thoughts God of Peace inspire Him ye ages yet to come be Just admire And call our Great Assembly wise to yield Wise to stand that Truth and Peace win the Field Doom to the bottomless that spright of ire Which Abimelech and Shechem set on fire Judg. 9.23 And made them with infused fury mad Each other to consume by vengeance sad When much incens'd their God his Peace withdrew Tremble pow'rs But he hath his coming too Not in violent Earthquakes blust'ring Winds But small still voice to calm and peaceful minds When he to work for peace the World must know He makes rough places smooth lays mountains low Euphrates rapid torrents mighty pride Must as Shiloa's waters gently glide The Lamb and Wolf must dwell like brothers then The Calf and Fatling lodge at the Lions Den Isa 11.6,7,8,9 The Cow and Savage Bear together feed And a little Child those wild creatures lead The Asp not sting nor Cockatrice annoy Nor those Beasts hurt which used to destroy When thus men calm their passions still their rage We shall enjoy another Golden age Hopes love will tame us with its gentle arts Close our gaping wounds melt our frozen hearts The contentious World grown wise in time Pleads guilty now conscious of her crime And sounds a retreat that her feuds may cease In a thrice-blest Philadelphian Peace Jehovah's Thunderbolts which fly against the proud And Zion cover'd with a dismal cloud Have made mens neck 's more stiff then sturdy Oak Submit to Christ and bear loves easie Yoke Which Badge on Earth Christ true disciples wear And the Crown in Heav'n high exalted there God is love and they that with him dwell Embrac'd by Love in unity excell And with sweet delights at the Fountain still They drink his Love and ever have their fill Conformists Acknowledge that there are Good and Worthy Men among the Dissenters from the Church of England BIshop Jewel in Answer to Mr. Harding The thing is indifferent and may be yielded to saith the one Sect The other that they be the Popes rags and may not be worn Saith Jewel the Godly Learned men at whose persons you so rudely scoffe that refuse to go in your Apparel or otherwise to shew themselves like you have age sufficient and can answer for themselves Notwithstanding thus much I may say in their behalf neither do they commend any manner of Apparel as holy nor condemn any manner of Apparel as unholy That is your proper and peculiar Error Mr. Harding to make so deep account of outward shews They may justly say the same Apparel on your parts hath been fouly abused c. Defence of the Apology part 3. chap. 5. Divis 1. p. 325. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or King James the first Instructions to his Son I do equally Love and Honour the Learned and Grave Men of either of these opinions i. e. for or against Ceremonials which for mine own part I ever held indifferent Again I exhort my Son to be beneficial to the good men of the Ministry praising God that there is a sufficient number of good men of them in this Kingdom i. e. of Scotland and yet are they all known to be against the form of the English Church The Speech of the Bishop of St. Davids Dr. Rudde in the Convocation May 23. 1604 I put a great difference between them that are Schismatical or open disturbers of the state Ecclesiastical established and them that are scrupulous only of some Ceremonies and other circumstances being otherwise Learned Studious Grave and Honest Men and whose labours have been both painful in the Church and profitable to their several Congregations Concerning those Preachers last mentioned I suppose that if upon urging them to the use of Ceremonies and Attire prescribed they should stand out stifly and choose rather to forgo their Livings and exercise of their Ministry and tho I do not justifie their doings therein yet surely there service would be missed at such a time as need shall require them and us to give the right hand of Fellowship one to another and to go Arm in Arm against the common Adversary that so there might be Vis unita fortior c. Also remember that when the Benjamites though for their desert in maintaining of a bad cause were all destroyed saving six hundred and the Men of Israel sware in their fury that none of them would give his daughter to the Benjamites to Wife yet when their hot blood was over they lamented and said there is one Tribe cut off from Israel this day and they used all their wits to the utmost of their Policy to restore that Tribe again In like sort if these our Brethren aforesaid should be deprived of their places for the matters premised I think we should find cause to bend our wits to the uttermost extent of our skill to provide some Cure of Souls for them where they may exercise their Talents verily I know not where to find so many able Preachers within this Realm unprovided for to succeed them Hookers Eccles Pol. Pref. Otherwise i. e. set aside their Errours and Misconceits speaking of the Dissenters right well affected and most Religiously enclined minds Again heartily beseeching you by the meekness of Jesus Christ whom I trust ye love that as ye tender the peace and quietness of the Church If your own Souls hearts and consciences be as I doubt not but they are things most dear and pretious unto you be not blemished with partialities Bishop Halls Apology against the Brownist p. 137 and 138. Sect. 56. Edit 1610 Those men which you say complain so much of their miserable condition under the Prelats impositions have notwithstanding with the same Pens and Tongues not only justified our Church but extolled it You have found no sharper Adversaries in this very accusation for which you maliciously cite them How freely how fully have they evinced
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
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