Catholic Theology Plain Pure Peaceable, Part
Of DIVISIONS and CONTENTIONS among Chriſtians, Conſider
I. The EFFICIENT,
I. PERSONS:
1. The Devils.
2. Men:
1. A Contentious Clergie.
2. Unwiſe and wicked Rulers inſtigated by them.
3. The deceived people that follow them.
II. QUALITIES, viz.
I. Remotely:
1. Selfiſhneſs in Carnal hypocrites, who prefer worldly intereſt.
2. Slothfulneſs in Students, in ſeeking truth.
3. Haſtineſs in Judging, before digeſted conceptions and proof.
II. Nearly: Want of
1. Humility and ſelf-acquaintance: Pride.
2. Knowledge: Ignorance and Error.
3. Love to others: Envy, Malice and Bitterneſs.
III. Inſtruments, or Engines,
1. In General: Corrupt departing from Chriſtian Simplicity.
2. Particularly,
1. From Simplicity of Doctrine, by DOGMATISTS Words & Notions:
2. From Simplicity of Practice, by SUPERSTITIOUS additions.
3. From Simplicity of Diſcipline by CHURCH-TYRANNY.
II. CONSTITUTIVE Cauſes, viz.
DISCORD, [1. In JUDGMENT of things neceſſary,
ALIENATION, [2. In WILL and AFFECTION, viz.
1. Privative; by denying due Communion.
2. Poſitive,
1. By Contention.
2. Malice.
3. Hurtfulneſs to each other.
DIVISION, [3. In Neceſſary PRACTICE,
III. The EFFECTS, viz.
I. On THINGS, viz. on Church▪
1. Doctrine & Preaching, and Writing, turning it into vain and hurtful wrangling.
2. Worſhip, Prayer, Sacraments, corrupting them by faction, partiality and wrath.
3. Diſcipline, corrupting it into Secular or factious Tyranny, or a dead Image.
II. On PERSONS, viz.
I. Particular,
1. Themſelves,
2. Their followers:
1. The Guilt and Deceit of falſe-Religious zeal.
2. The Death of true Holineſs and Heavenly Converſation.
3. The Death of Love, and Life of Wrath and injuries.
3. Rulers, viz.
1. Corrupting them by factious clamours againſt their Subjects.
2. Tempting them unto perſecuting Laws and Executions.
3. Engaging them in bloody Wars abroad.
4. The Innocent, viz. Injuries to
1. Private perſons,
1. By cenſures, ſlanders, backbitings, making them hated.
2. Denying them due Love, Communion and help.
3. Perſecution, ſilencing, and other miſchiefs.
2. Princes,
1. Weakning and grieving them by the Subjects diſcords.
2. Diſhonouring them by defaming Excommunications.
3. Urging them to be the Clergies Lictors or Executioners.
5. Enemies and Strangers, ſcandalizing and hardning them in Infidelity & ſin.
II. Societies,
I. Churches:
1. Corrupting them in Doctrine, Worſhip and Order.
2. Weakning them by diſcord and diviſion.
3. Shaming them before the World.
4. Making them leſs fit for Gods Love and Communion.
II. Kingdoms: Weakning them, diſhonouring them, and drawing them into the Guilt of Feuds, Wars and Perſecutions.
IV. The REMEDIES.
I. Perſons,
1. Chriſt the Prince of Peace, and the Churches Head and Center.
2. Wiſe Princes, who underſtand the Intereſt of 1. Chriſt, 2. Their people, 3. Themſelves.
3. Able, Wiſe, Holy and Peaceable Paſtors.
4. The Mature, Experienced, Mellow, Peaceable ſort of the people.
II. Qualities,
1. Diligent Study under wiſe Teachers.
2. Sincere Holineſs: A dying life:—
1. Humility.
2. Knowledge.
3. Love, to others as our ſelves.
3. Deliberate Judging upon tryal.
III. Means,
1. Returning to Chriſtian Simplicity
1. In Doctrine: The antient Creed, &c.
2. In Worſhip.
3. In Diſcipline.
2. Magiſtrates forcing the Clergie to keep the peace, and forbear ſtrife.
3. Subjects obedience in all lawful things required by Authority.
V. HEALTH or Cure.
1. Rulers, Paſtors and people of one MIND,
2. One HEART in Love,
3. One MOUTH and practice, in things Neceſſary, in Communion and mutual help: And mutual loving forbearance in Infirmities and things unneceſſary; edified in Love.
VI. The EFFECTS hereof.
I. GLORY to God,
1. In the Hallowing of his Name, and Honour of Religion.
2. In the increaſe of his Kingdom, and Converſion of the World.
3. In the Doing of his Will on Earth, as it is done in Heaven.
II. Peace on Earth.
1. Increaſe of Holineſs, Heavenlineſs and Love.
2. Mutual Delight herein: The Joy of Health and Concord.
3. The Churches Strength and Glory.
III. Gods WELLPLEASEDNESS in MEN: His Church will be meet for his Love, Delight and Communion, and be liker to Heaven, and enjoy its foretaſtes.