Kings 19.14 And in the time of Athanasius the world groaned under Arianism and many sound believers were forced to hide themselves in caves and there to worship God 4. Mount Sion was firm and unmoveable so the Christian Church through the presence and protection of the Lord Jesus Christ will continue and endure even to the end of the world Mat. 16.18 Mat. 28.20 Quest It may be asked at what time this prophesie of so great peace and outward prosperity in the Christian Church was fulfilled Ans 1. That universal peace in the Roman Empire at the birth of our blessed Lord in the dayes of Augustus Cesar cannot be the peace spoken of here for that was before the preaching of the Gospel unto the Gentiles but the peace spoken of here is an effect of the Gospel preached and believed amongst them 2. This Prophesie was fulfilled in part even in the times of the holy Apostles when persecutors who sometime like wolves had scattered the flock of Jesus Christ were converted to the Christian faith and became like lambs of a meek and harmless disposition as was seen in Paul and also in the sometime malicious Priests Acts 6.7 and many of the multitude being sometime like boars enraged against Christ and his Disciples were by the power of the Gospel tamed and became of a peaceable spirit and conversation giving up themselves to be directed and guided by the Apostles in time coming Acts 2.37 38. 3. Many learned Divines think this Prophesie began to be fulfilled Anno Dom. 311. in the time of the Emperour Constantine the Great under whose happy reign there was an open and peaceable profession of the Christian Religion and freedom in a great part from the Heathen persecution at which time as many of them think was the beginning of the thousand years spoken of Rev. 20.3 during which time Satan or the Dragon was bound and restrained in a great measure from the former manner of persecution and they think these thousand years did expire Anno Dom. 1310. at the rising of the Ottoman Family among the Turks at which time Asia was overspread with Mahometism and soon after in the year 1415. Constantinople was taken by the Turkish Emperour Mahomet and the famous Temple of Sophia there was turned to Mahometan worship 4. This prophesie is fulfilled in part daily when some ungodly men who in former time hated the Church and the communion of Saints are by the preaching of the Gospel converted unto the believing of the truth unto the love of God and his holy Commandments and unto the sincere love of all Saints 5. Lastly It is probable as many learned men think who yet are not for the opinion of the Millenaries this prophesie shall be more visibly fulfilled at the incoming of the fulness of the Gentiles and at the national conversion of the Jews Because these great and frequent wars amongst Christians of one Nation against another and sometimes civil wars in one Nation among themselves are a great stumbling-block unto their conversion but when this stumbling-block shall be removed out of the way by a more universal peace amongst Christians themselves then shall the Jews dispersed now thorow the world amongst Christians joyn themselves to the Christian Church as it is prophesied Isa 2.4 Mic. 4.3 Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more This universal peace in all probability will not be untill the Gospel be preached unto many nations that are yet in heathenism according to the prophesie Isa 19.23 24. at which time the incalling of the fulness of the Gentiles and peace amongst themselves at least more than in former times will be a motive blessed of God for the inbringing of the nation of the Jews unto the Christian Church for it is said In that day shall there be an high way out of Egypt to Assyria and the Assyrians shall come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians in that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the land Although the Christian Religion was planted in Assyria in the times of the Apostles for there was a Church then in Babylon 1 Pet. 5.13 and also a Church was planted in Egypt in Alexandria by the Evangelist Mark yet afterwards and at this day Assyria and Egypt are overspred with Mahometism But this text of Isaiah speaketh of restoring the Christian Religion to them before the incoming of the Jewâ— and that after their conversion to the Christian faith Israel shall be for a third companion in a Christian communion with them in the same Spiritual blessings It is true there will be still untill the consummation of the World some wicked and malicious men within the visible Church as tares mixed with the wheat untill the day of final separation but it is probable the chief Rulers themselves being converted to the Christian Faith shall be so over-ruled by the power of divine grace that they will not hurt nor destroy in all the holy mountain of the Lord and Inferiors who are malicious shall be so overawed by the wise and powerful providence of God and also restrained by Rulers fearing God that they shall not be able to destroy in all the holy mountain That the incalling of the fulness of the Gentils will go before the incoming of the Jews appears from Isa 60.16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles and shalt suck the breast of kings and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer the mighty one of Jacob. In these words the Prophet foretelleth that the Jewish Nation shall receive the doctrine of the Gospel from the Church of the Gentiles converted to the Christian Faith before them and the Apostle saith Rom. 11.25 Blindness in part is hapned to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in Therefore it is more than probable that the incalling of the fulness of the Gentiles shall preceed the incoming of the Jewish Nation unto the Christian Faith for although some particular persons in the times of the Apostles and also afterward received the Christian Faith yet the incoming of the body of the Jewish Nation was and is a mystery which God is his own good time will explain by bringing them into the communion of the Christian Church Oserv Men truly converted to the Christian Faith will forsake their former malice and bitter dispotion to hurt and harm others and will labour to be of a peaceable disposition and conversation this is evident from vers 8 and 9. It is evident also from the happy change which we may observe in true converts recorded in the Word of God as in the Ephesians amongst whom sometime there were men like wild beasts with whom Paul had an unpeaceable and fighting life 1 Cor. 15.32 but after their conversion to the Christian Faith there was a great change in them
clearly seen upon the carcase after the skin is taken off Rev. 2.18 His eyes are like unto a flame of fire for pierceing and his feet are like brass for crushing his enemies Vse Therefore let us walk humbly and circumspectly in the fear of our Lord who observes our most secret counsels courses and wayes 1. Look to thy thoughts and purposes although men see them not yet the Lord is of quick understanding to perceive them and see through them Is 10.7 Luk. 24.39 2. He knoweth the secret frettings of the heart at his Word when at any time thou murmurest against the Word preached because contrair to thine opinion or interest Luk. 5.21 22. he knoweth the secret fretting of the heart against his holy Commands when they are contrair to flesh and blood and to our carnal desires Numb 14.27 he knoweth our frettings at the reproof of his Ministers Exod. 16.7 8. he seeth our frettings of heart at the prosperity of others Gen. 4.6 and our frettings against our own personal afflictions Jonah 4.9 3. He knoweth our secret speeches Ps 139.4 our secret reasonings of unbelief Mat. 16.8 our secret whisperings and backbitings to separate friends Ps 50.20 21. Mat. 9.11 4. He seeth our most secret actions Job 26.6 Ps 139.12 2 Sam. 12.12 Joh. 4.18 He knew Judas his secret bargaining with the Pharisees and said to him What thou doest do quickly Remember as now he knoweth so there is a day when he will judge the secrets of all hearts he will make many then to know what now they will not believe and lay to heart for their more humble and circumspect walking in time coming then shall the damned acknowledge their sins and their neglect of the day of their merciful visitation on earth which convincing light of conscience will not comfort them but confound them with shame and horrour Observ 3. Our blessed Lord improved and exercised his quickness of understanding not about the matters of this present world but especially in matters of Religion pertaining to his spiritual kingdom for it is said he shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. In the dayes of his Humiliation on earth he would not interpose as a Judge in civil debates Luk. 12.24 nor in criminal causes Joh. 8.10 because the condition of his Kingdom and Government is spiritual the Ordinances of his Kingdom are spiritual to wit Word Sacraments and Prayer the Benefits and Priviledges are spiritual Rom. 14.17 Righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost The duties are spiritual to wit repentance faith hope love and new obedience the end of the Administration is spiritual to wit to make a man wise unto salvation and the means whereby his Kingdom is enlarged are spiritual Zechar. 6.4 2 Cor. 10.4 Vse 1. The use of this Doctrine is specially to correct four errors which arise from the mistake of the nature of the Kingdom of Christ 1. The jealousies of the secular powers of this world as if the Kingdom of Christ within his Church were not consisting with their civil power Herod the King was troubled when he heard that the King of the Jews was born Mat. 2.3 But our blessed Lord shews them they need not be so jealous and fearful Joh. 18 36. My kingdom is not of this world It is in it but not of it but of men separate from the evil of the world Augustine Tractat. on John sayeth to the powers on earth Venite credendo nolite metuere saeviendo Come to Christ by believing and do not fear by raging against the Church He who giveth an heavenly Kingdom doth not by his Government in the Church take away mortal Kingdoms from them whatever has been the pride violence and usurpation of Church-men on the civil Government in divers Ages it was altogether from their own corruption and not from the nature of the Kingdom of Christ who clearly teacheth his subjects in his spiritual Kingdom to give unto Cesar that which is Cesars and to God that which is Gods Mat. 22.21 Our blessed Lord and King of Saints teacheth them not only subjection and subordination at all times to lawful Authority but also obedience to all their lawful commands Tit. 3.1 and forbids them to use their Christian liberty as a cloak of maliciousness against lawful Authority 1 Pet. 2.16 2. This Doctrine serveth to correct the incroachments of the spiritual Guides at any time upon the civil Authority as was that of Pope Gregory the 7th because Henry 4th the Emperor would not come to a synodical Answer for his investiture of Church-men in Ecclesiastical Dignities For this cause did the Pope excommunicate him absolve the Subjects from their Allegeance stirred them up to rebellion and in end gave the Imperial Crown to Rodolph Duke of Swabland Pope Alexander the third did insolently insult and trample upon the Emperor Fredericus Barbarossa and blasphemously to his wicked purpose abused that place of holy Scripture Ps 91.13 Thou shalt tread upon the Lyon c. This is not to be quick and active in the fear of the Lord as our blessed Lord was but in the pride and violence of their own sinful courses How far is such insolent usurpation from the precept and practice of Christ and his Apostles and also from the humble subjection of the primitive Christians unto lawful powers How disadvantagious such pride and violence has proven unto the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and propagation of the Christian Religion sad experience has made it evident both in former and latter Generations Such violent dealing has made many men become either open enemies to all true Religion or hypocrites and secret bitter enemies waiting for a time of revenge Devout Bernard his advice to Pope Eugenius 4th was Seing thou art appointed to be a planter in Christs Vineyard know that thou has need of the Dible and not of the Scepter If thou be content with Christs Legacy to wit Feed my sheep thou shalt not inherit glory and pomp but care and labour It serveth to curb the inconsiderat zeal of too many who would have this Kingdom to be propagat by force of armes they consider not that it is spiritual about Religion and the fear of the Lord and suitably to be enlarged by spiritual means and midses such as are especially the preaching of the Word Mat. 28.19 frequent and fervent prayer to God 2 Thes 3.1 a Gospel-like conversation 1 Pet. 2.12 1 Pet. 3.1 and patient suffering persecution for the truth without tumult or sedition Phil. 1.12 Phil. 1 29. Revel 13.10 Therefore it was a bold and arrogant speech of Nestorius unto Theodosius the younger Give thou to me O Emperor the earth purged from hereticks and I shall give unto thee heaven scatter thou the hereticks and I shall with thee scatter the Persians thy enemies These speeches became not a Church-man whose weapons are not carnal but spiritual our blessed Lord though he had power and might would not command fire
his dealings and bargains with others will forsake these former evil ways and make conscience of lawful purchase in time coming this was manifestly seen in Zacheus who before his conversion was an extortioner and exactor of more than was due but after his conversion he restored four fold and made conscience of his purchase in all time coming Luke 19.8 The reasons why true Converts do so are 1. Because such men know that as they should walk humbly with God so they should walk honestly and justly with men Mic. 6.8 1 Thes 4.3 6. This is the will of God that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter 2. They know that God threatens severe judgements against extortioners and defrauders 1 Cor. 6.10 1 Thes 4.6 3. They know that faithfulness and uprightness in our particular Callings and Employments doth adorn their holy profession and stops the mouths of such as are adversaries to it 1 Pet. 2.15 For so is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men And they know also that unrighteousness in our particular stations and employments doth open the mouths of adversaries to speak evil of our profession thereby profane men within the visible Church are hardened in their sinful practices and they say Why may not they do as such and such great professors do Thereby men without the Church visible are hardened in their errour and alienation of heart from a communion with the Christian Church therefore Augustine unto this question well answereth if it be lawful to a Christian to spoil and rob a Jew who is an obstinat adversary to the Christian Religion he answers It is no way lawful because thou who art a Christian by so doing hardens the Jew in his errour and infidelity and hinders him to become a Christian Therefore it is our duty to walk in wisdom and uprightness toward them that are without the Christian Church Col. 4.5 remembring alwayes the second Table of the Divine Law is the sure Test according to which is tried the sincerity of men in the duties of the first Table Luk 18.19 20. Acts 10.35 He that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of God Such was the practice of sincere Converts recorded in holy Scripture Simeon was just and devout Luke 2.25 And Paul did exercise himself to keep a conscience void of offence both toward God and men Acts 24.16 Vse 1. For conviction of many who have an outward form of godliness and would be esteemed sincere Converts and yet make no conscience of righteousness in their dealings with men Mic. 6.11 Shall I count them pure with the wicked ballances The Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 6.7 8. will have all those who profess their conversion to the Christian faith rather to remit of the rigor of their own right in particular debates with others than to disgrace their holy profession by litigious pleaes much less should Professors disgrace it by injustice in their dealings with their neighbours The God of truth cares not for words and phrases of piety or for commending the Minister and his Sermon when in the mean time their works and doings are the fruits of unrighteousness Our blessed Lord said to that woman who lift up her voice and said unto him Luke 11.27 28. Blessed is the womb that bare thee and the papes which thou hast sucked but he said yea rather blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it Holy and humble Angustine on a time hearing the people highly commending a Sermon preached by himself said We tremble at your praises these are but leaves we seek fruits from you And certainly righteous dealing with men is a fruit of true piety toward God Vse 2. For exhortation to make conscience of your purchase 1. Consider the evil and danger if ye do otherwise Prov. 28.20 He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent Jer. 17.11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs and batcheth them not so he that getteth riches and not by right shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his end shall be a fool Wicked Ahab made haste to get Naboth's Vineyard but he possess'd it not long 2. Unlawful purchase like a noisome morsel in the stomack doth pain and torment the conscience when God awakes it with terrour Job 20.20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly 1 Tim 6.9 They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition 3. Unlawful purchase makes a man unwilling and afraid to die as a thief taken with the sang is unwilling and afraid to come before the just Judge the unrighteous purchaser cannot leave his evil-gotten goods with any confidence of a blessing upon them from God to his children and heirs for he may know from the very light of nature that the righteous Judge of all the earth doth not approve the malefactors evil deeds yea though the children should prove good and upright men not walking in the ways of their father yet they being possessors of his evil-gotten goods are in mala fide unjust usurpers and the righteous Lord and Judge of all the earth doth oftentimes punish them or rather the memory of the unrighteous purchaser their Progenitor by taking the cursed thing out of their possession Therefore the Heathen Greek Poet Hesiod from the very light of Nature said well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. be not given to unlawful gain for such gain is alike to great losses Because the unrighteous purchaser in so doing loseth far more to wit a good conscience and peace therein which is better than gold or silver On the contrair consider the good and benefit of a lawful and righteous purchase 1. There is much peace in the enjoyment of it though it be but a little thing Prov. 16.8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right Prov. 15.17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith 2. Though men in this world should neglect or take little notice of a deserving man in publick employment who keeps a good conscience in all his ways yet his honesty in his particular actings toward men comforts and upholds him as it did Samuel when the people neglected him 1 Sam. 12.3 and as the Apostle Paul 2 Cor. 7.2 3. The righteous purchaser doth at his death leave and bequeath his lawful purchase with confidence of a blessing with it from God as Jacob at his death said to Joseph Gen. 48.21 22. Behold I die but God shall be with you and bring you again unto the land of your fathers moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren c. Vse 3. For direction of our deportment in our particular Callings and Employments in order to the purchase of our livelihood 1. I recommend diligence in your lawful Imployments Rom. 12.11 Not
Ephes 5.8 Ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord. Paul was sometimes a fierce and uncessant persecuter of all persons of the Christian perswasion but after his conversion he became very tame and peaceable in his moderat and Christian condescension in matters indifferent 1 Cor. 9.22 I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some These convert Jews who a little before in their bitterness of spirit called the Apostles drunken fellows do change their toon and say in their compellation men and brethren Act. 2.37 The rude and severe Jaylor who was officious in his severity doing more than he was required afterward becomes more tame and peaceable as may be heard in his civil compellation Act. 16.30 Sirs what must I do to be saved Quest If it be asked what are the means by which we may through Gods grace attain a peaceable disposition and conversation in a particular Christian Church Answ I humbly conceive there be three special means whereby such a disposition and conversation may be attained 1. Humility of spirit 2. Sound moderation in judgment 3. Mutual forbearance in love The humble spirit is ordinarly a peaceable spirit and conversable in all Christian duties pride is the mother of contention and division in the Christian Church Prov. 13.10 Only by pride cometh contention The pride of Diotrephes who loved the preheminence troubled the peace of the Christian Church and bred opposiâ—ion unto the blessed and peaceable Apostle John the pride and vain glorious ambition of privat professours in Corinth glorying to be called followers some of Paul some of Caephas did trouble the peace of that Church the pride of Demetrius Bishop of Alexandria troubled the peace of the Church there and the quiet of Origen from his pride and envy of Origen his reputation amongst the people therefore saith Augustine justly In divers Churches are divers Heresies but pride is the mother of them all On the contrair humility is the mother of peaceableness both in disposition and conversation Paul after his conversion is very humble esteeming himself the chief of sinners and least of Saints and of a most peaceable disposition and conversation both by his example in becoming weak to the weak that he might gain them and also by his exhortation to others 2 Cor. 6.3 We beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain giving no offence in any thing that the Ministry be not blamed The proud man cannot converse peaceably with any that will not follow his opinion but the humble Christian desires no following but in a subordination to the Lord Jesus Christ the great shepherd of our souls such was the humility of the great Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 11.1 Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ Therfore it is our duty to follow the exhortation Phil. 2.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves The second useful mean toward a peaceable disposition and conversation in a Christian Church is Christian moderation Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known unto all men that these within the Church may follow it in their Christian communion one with another and these without may fall in love with your profession and joyn themselves to the communion of the Christian Church such is the moderation the Apostle requires in the Corinthians that thereby they may shun scandal and offence to these that are without and may conciliat respect and credit to the Christian Religion by departing from the rigor of their own privat right and civil interest and therefore not follow their litigious pleas before heathen Judges who by their contentions were deterred from imbraceing the Christian Religion as being an enemy my in their opinion to peace and humane society 1 Cor. 6.7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you because ye go to Law one with another why do ye not rather take wrong why do ye not rather suffer your selves to be defrauded This Christian moderation appears in the use and exercise of our Christian liberty in matters indifferent in their own nature when we use them with such moderation and restriction that we give not offence to the weaker such was the great moderation in the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 8.13 Wherefore if meat make my brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world standeth lest I make my brother to offend But this moderation and restriction is to be understood only in things within our own power for in duties wherein we are bound to God or to our lawful Superiours we may not forbear the doing of such duties because some unnecessarily may be grieved thereby or others through ignorance may be stumbled in such a case the offence is taken but not given but moderation in things of our own particular benefit or priviledge is very commendable as a character of a prudent and sober Christian This Christian moderation appears also in shunning with all circumspectness the two extreme errours distant from truths mediocrity for although neutrality in matters of faith necessary to be known and believed be very detestable as was the neutrality of Gallio who cared for none of these things and also that indifferent lukewarmness of the Laodiceans is much to be blamed they were neither zealous for the truth nor zealous against it but as Christians should be valiant and in an holy zeal contend for the faith once delivered unto the Saints Jud. Epist 3. so should they decline from extreme errours opposit to the golden mediocrity of truth We should bewar of that extreme excess of Atheistical flattery of Thomas Hobbs and his followers who blasphemously affirms that the Subjects are bound to obey the Supreme Magistrat his commandments though contrary to the Commandment of God which pernicious errour is directly contrary to the Apostles Acts 4.19 Acts 5.29 It blameth the blessed Martyrs of great imprudence who were tortured not accepting deliverance Heb. 11.35 It destroys the very vitals of Christian Religion and is abhorred by Christian Rulers for it spreadeth a net before them We should also wisely shun that other extream to refuse peevishly and frowardly obedience in matters meerly and clearly indifferent and lawful even because the Christian Magistrat imposeth them as if it were a taking away of our Christian liberty wherein we should stand fast But the Apostle in that place Gal. 6.1 speaketh of our Christian liberty from the bondage of the Ceremonial Law the observance whereof after the death of Christ was not indifferent but pernicious Gal. 5.2 If ye be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing The authority of the Christian Magistrate in commanding such things taketh not away the liberty of our judgement as if we were bound to think them not indifferent but necessary in their own nature but it restricts only the liberty of our outward practice which restraint is thought expedient for the
good of the Church by the Christian Magistrat with the advice and consent of the Church-assemblies Therefore all moderat and sound Christians should rest on that golden midst far distant from these two extream errours Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's and unto God the things that are God's And it is our duty to pray unto God that the Christian Magistrat may use his power in things indifferent and external according to the Apostolical Rule to the edification of the Church in piety and charity 1 Cor. 14.26 We would be moderat in matters circumstantial in matters not defined and determined by the holy Scriptures In such things saith holy Augustine the custom of the people of God and the ordinances of Ancestors are to be counted for a Law and seing such things do not import any necessary documents of truth we must take heed that we overcloud not the fair face of Charity by the tempest of Contention August Epist 86. to Casul Such was the moderation and peaceableness of holy Ambrose as he is cited by August Epist ad Januar. Iâ— ye would not commit an errour do ye saith he what I use to do for to whatsoever Church I come I conform my self to the Ceremonies thereof Calvin Epist ad Farel Concerning Ceremonies labour with your brethren saith he that they contend not pertinaciously with their neighbours so it shall come to pass that all things may be ours we our selves free from all and also be the servants of peace and concord Calvin Lib. 4. Institut Cap. 10. Sect. 32. We must endeavour by our outmost diligence that no errour creep into the Church that no particular Church despise another for variety of external Discipline that in such things we prescribe not to our selves any perpetual Law that we refer the whoâ—e use and end of such observancies and practices unto the edification of the Church in which if it be needful and expedient not only something may be changed but also whatsoever in matter of Discipline hath been formerly in use and observance with us may be suffered to be abrogated and abolished without taking any offence thereat Bullinger Epist ad Calvin which is to be found amongst Calvins Epistles saith Albeit our Discipline doth not answer in all things to yours yet it is tempered according to the times places and persons neither do our Churches therefore upon that difference incline that your Discipline should be overturned P. Martyr Epist to Hooper Bishop of Glochester I am not ignorant that the authority of Churches whether present or former should not so much prevail with us that by them the truth of the Word of God should be suppressed for albeit the world should be dissolved yet the divine truth abides alwayes unmoveable and unshaken but for matters indifferent I think saith he and contend for it as a duty that we should neither condemn them nor speak irreverently of them but now saith he when a change is brought into the Church in points necessary about Religion and that with so great difficulty if these things also which are in themselves indifferent shall be held forth by us as in themselves impious thereby the minds of almost all men are so alienated from us that they will not any more shew themselves attentive and patient hearers of sound Doctrine even about things necessary The third mean required for a peaceable disposition and conversation in a particular Christian Church wherein we live for the time is mutual forbearance one of another in love Eph. 4.3 not but we may and should admonish one another in smaller errours whether of opinion or practice 1 Thes 5.14 Lev. 19.17 But we should not separat from Church-communion with them especially if the errours in judgement be of smaller moment and no ways do concern the foundation of Faith and if the Abettors of them be otherwayes lovers of piety peace and of an honest conversation in this case privat persons much more the spiritual Rulers should with all meekness and long suffering tolerat them and according to the measure of their gift admonish them and labour to reduce them unto the way of truth Gal 6.1 If a man be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness considering thy self lest thou also be tempted Which Apostolick precept is diligently to be observed not only toward men defective in some errours of conversation but also toward others erring simply through weakness of judgement Such simple Errants are tolerated but not approven even as we tolerat some distempers in the body but delight not in them yea we seek some remedies to cure them we tolerat them as Ulcers to be cured but we do not cut off such persons by debarring them from Church-communion as a member affected with a Gangren far less should such who err out of simplicity in smaller matters be provoked or rankled by reproaches and scoffings lest the want of charity meekness and prudence prejudge them much against the true Doctrine alienat them from the truth and also render them more pertinacious in their way of errour and least of all should the Rulers of the Church provoke them by bitterness in words writings or deeds the meek Spirit of Christ and of the Gospel becometh them well Luke 9.55 56. 1 Tim. 3.3 A Bishop must be patient not a brawler Judicious Calvin is much for this forbearance Institut Lib. 4. Cap. 1. Sect. 12. Yea saith he some errour may creep into the Church either in the administration of Doctrine or of Sacraments which nevertheless should not alienat us from Church-communion for all points of true Doctrine are not of one form And in the same place citing the words of the Apostle Phil. 3.15 he saith Doth not the Apostle sufficiently declare that difference of judgement about matters not so necessary should not be the matter of division amongst Christians Beza Epist 24. to the English residing abroad in the time of Queen Maries persecution saith Therefore to avoid that ugly and pernicious renting and tearing asunder of the members in the sacred Body of Christ we think it saith he lawful for no man in any case to separat from the Church of Christ wherein at least the Doctrine remains sound and uncorrupted wherein is continued the power of Godliness and the administration of the Sacraments according to the institution of Christ For peace and concords sake there would be a forbearance and not breaking of Church-communion for every fault in the life and conversation of others for none of the children of God want their own failings and trippings Jam. 3.2 For such failings of infirmity and inadvertency which Tertullian calls quotidianae incursiones the daily out-falls and bickerings of in-dwelling corruption with the inner-man of grace therefore Augustine saith well Now do men live well if they live without a crime but if any man think he liveth without sin in so thinking he doth not effect