An Apology for the Nonconformists Ministry, Treatise · Part 4
INTEREST real or mistaken, RULETH THE WORLD.
Gods Interest is the highest with all the sanctified.
I. GOD's Interest is the pleasing of his will in his glory, which is much in the LOVE and Concord of his servants.
II. The Interest of the Universal Church is, the pleasing and glorifying God in its unity and strength, in the same Faith, Hope, Love and Obedience to Christ the sole Universal King.
III. The Interest of particular Churches is, their pleasing and glorifying God by their union with Christ and the Church Universal, by Faith, Love and Obedience; and their holy Union between Pastors and people, and of the people among themselves.
IV. The Interest of the Kingdom is, its pleasing and glorifying God, and the welfare of the whole by a holy unity with God the Universal King, and of the Soveraign and Subjects, and of the Subjects among themselves.
V. The Interest of the King is, the pleasing and glorifying God in the foresaid welfare and just government of the Kingdom, his own salvation, and his Political strength and honour, which consisteth much in the most inseparable twist of union and interests with his united subjects.
VI. The Interest of the Pastors of the Church is, the pleasing and glorifying God in the ministerial uniting of souls to God in Christ, and among themselves, in the same holy Life, and Light, and Love, and their own salvation and consolation herein.
VII. The Interest of each particular Christian is, his pleasing and glorifying God in his holy union with Christ, and with the Church Universal; and subordinately his holy unity and concord with the Ecclesiastical and Civil Society where he liveth.
VIII. The true Interest of an honest Separatist and Papist (in England) (supposing them uncurably such) requireth them to live quietly and peaceably in subjection to the King, and in love with others, in the concordant practice of so much of Religion (even the Laws of Nature or common Christianity) which we are all agreed in, and in such tolerated exercises of their several errors as is consistent with the common welfare, and not to exasperate others by reproaches, or striving to get into suspected power.
IX. The mistaken Interest of the Pope and Papal Clergy is, to have their own wills in ruling all the world; and to that end, to weaken and disable Kings and States by divisions, contentions, and diversions, and to draw them by deceit to a voluntary subjection, as necessary to their salvation, and to the concord of their subjects, and the Christian world; and to silence and disgrace all such as are against them.
X. The mistaken Interest of English Papists, Quakers, and all true uncurable Separatists is, to encrease and strengthen their several parties, and if it may be to get into power, and to that end, to unite in the bond of a common Toleration, and to make the tolerated party as strong as they can; and to weaken the united Ministry and Churches; and therefore to cry down a Comprehension or Union of the sober Conformists and Nonconformists; and to desire that those Impositions which themselves account sinful, may be continued, that good may come by the evil, viz. lest the union of the rest should weaken the tolerated party, and render them inconsiderable; and to bring the established Ministry, and all that are for union with them, into contempt by reproaches.
XI. The true Interest of a meer Nonconformist requireth him, to commit no known sin on pretence of obedience, unity, or peace; nor forsake his Ministry, whatever he suffer for it; but to live in loyalty, peace, and patience, and in love and communion with the Parochial Churches, and all Christians, so far as they are agreed.
XII. The true Interest of a Conformist requireth him, to use all lawful means to procure as comprehensive a Union and Concord of all sound and faithful Ministers and Christians as they are capable of, and to bear with tolerable differences; to live in peace among themselves, and by Ministerial skill, fidelity, diligence, and holy living, and by condescending humility and love to all men, to win Dissenters, to edifie and unite the people, and so to advance the true honour of the Ministry, and to encrease and corroborate the Church.
Octob. 27. 1675. R. B.
FINIS.