A Key for Catholics, Treatise 1 · Chapter 55
CHAP. LV.
THE loweſt Degree, that none but incarnate Devils one would think ſhould reſiſt is this; that if we will needs live as enemies, yet we may remember that we have all greater enemies; and therefore let us give over our wars, and let every Nation be quietly governed by their own Laws and Soveraigns, and let us all join together againſt the common enemies of Chriſt.
We cannot but know that much of Chriſts intereſt lyeth in our hands, and that if either party were devoured by the Turk, it would be a heavy blow to the Chriſtian cauſe: If God ſhould ſuffer that proud enemy to come and make a third among us, to end our quarrels, we muſt juſtifie him in his judgements; and muſt to our perpetual ſhame confeſs that by our proud and paſſionate contendings, and unpeacebleneſs, and ſelf-ſeeking, we did betray the Chriſtian cauſe. O wonderfull ſtupidity and impiety of great men, and Learned men, profeſſing ſo much zeal for God, that they can no more agree, nor bear in Love and Compaſſion with each other, nor ceaſe their wars, when a raging potent enemy ſtands over them, ready to devour them both. Let the Venetians take the honour, and we the ſhame: How ever their own Intereſt may engage them, yet materially their wars are more honourable then ours. The Pope is eager for a General Peace among his ſubjects, that they may be ſtrenghthened to devour us: But it were an honeſter deſign, that would give him more comfort at laſt, to mediate a Peace among all Chriſtians, that in this at leaſt they might be one, to oppoſe the Turk, and reſcue the Heritage of Chriſt which he hath oppreſſed.
And O what a bleſſed thing it were, if the Jeſuites, Fryars and Proteſtants could but agree, to join together for the converſion of the poor Indians. And either preach in the ſame, or ſeveral Countries, without ſeeking the deſtruction there of one another; yea and afford each other help: that the Engliſh, Hollanders, and others might ſend Preachers as well as Merchants into the Indies; and we might there contribute our endeavours to propagate the Goſpel, though in our different wayes, not envying, hating and hindering each other: but remembring we all confeſs one Chriſt, though not one Vice-chriſt.
Concluſion.
I Have caſt out theſe Propoſals meerly to acquaint the peaceable Chriſtian, what he ſhould deſire, that the frame of his heart may be right before God: and not with any expectation that they ſhould be ſo regarded as to procure what they drive at. I am not ſo weak, or ignorant of the inconſiderableneſs of the Propoſer, or of the ſelfiſhneſs and ungodlineſs of the world. But yet I may lawfully take the comfort of the moſt uneffecutal deſires and endeavours that are honeſt.
And for thoſe that would have us Reconciled upon the Grotian terms, or upon the French Foundation of a General Council, and would have all forced, as our Biſhops attempted to come over to their way, and deny Liberty to the reſt, that cannot thus cloſe with them; and all that think that the Church muſt have ſome Viſible Head or Soveraign to unite in, I ſhall ſhew them their errour in a diſtinct Diſputation, which I am publiſhing next to this, as a ſupplement: and therein I ſhall give them ſuch further Propoſals for a juſt Reconciliation, as men that are Studious of Peace may proſecute, with hope of ſome ſucceſs.
And becauſe I have lately met with a Paper called [An Explanation of the Roman Catholick Belief,] &c. which pretendeth to much moderation, in divers points; I purpoſe next to enquire, whether it mean as it pretends, that if it do, we may give it welcome; if not, we may Detect its Fraud: For as I ſhould much rejoice to hear of ſo much amendment of the Roman Belief, which I thought had been ſuppoſed by themſelves to be incorrigible; So I muſt confeſs that I am ſo much for plain and open dealing, that I think it my duty to help to bring their works into the Light, and try how they agree with the Truth and among themſelves; that men may judge of them as they are.
FINIS.
The Second Part: PROVING That the Catholick Church is not a Political Body Headed by any Earthly Soveraign, nor any ſuch Unity to be Deſired or endeavoured, by any that would not Blaſpheme, Divide and Deſtroy, under the pretence of Unity. SPECIALLY Directed againſt the Soveraignty (and Neceſsity too) of General Coucnils: to the followers of Grotius, and others of that Party, that at leaſt would give them a Part in the Soveraignty with the Pope. And propounding the true grounds and means of the Churches Unity and Peace.
By Rich. Baxter.
LONDON, Printed by Robert White, for Nevil Simmons, Bookſeller in Kederminſter, Anno Dom. 1659.