The Searchers for Schism Searched, Postscript
POST-SCRIPT.
SInce the Searchers for Schiſm did direct their Queſtions to the Baptized Congregations under Laying on of Hands, and did expect an Anſwer from them, as appears by the latter end of their Epiſtle, it may by ſome be thought ſtrange that I ſhould undertake to Anſwer them, ſeing they were propounded to the above-ſaid Congregations in general: That therefore which hath moved me thereunto, was partly the importunity of ſome Friends, it being ſome conſiderable time after I ſaw their Queſtions ere I had any thoughts to offer any thing in Anſwer to them (at leaſt in ſo publick a manner) thinking it was more the Concern of ſome other of my Brethren to engage now than mine, becauſe I had once and again appeared in Print (according to my ability) in anſwer to thoſe gainſayers and oppoſers of laying on of hands; but they being ſilent, whoſe Zeal for Truth ſhould (as I might well hope and expect) have put them with much forwardneſs upon the work, together with the report that went abroad how many young and weak Chriſtians were ſomewhat moved and ſtumbled, & others that have declined (in ſome ſort) the Truth, did boaſt and were encouraged, put me upon this third Encounter, being not well able to forbear, having to this day (praiſed be the Lord my God) remaining in me ſome love to Chriſt, and to that ſacred and precious Word of his, viz. Laying on of Hands, yea, and to the ſouls of them who are ready to be toſſed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine, and among the reſt by the blaſt which was blown from the Bellows of thoſe Queſtions, which their Authors pretend are for Conſcience ſake; but however, whether they were for Conſcience-ſake, or for Strife and Contention, this I can truly ſay, they are anſwered with good conſcience to God and love to the Authors of them, that God may be glorified by their obedience, and by the eſtabliſhing and confirmation of the Churches in the Doctrine of the Lord Jeſus; from part of which (at leaſt) it both hath been, and ſtill is (the more it is to be lamented) the endeavour of ſome, eſpecially the Authors of theſe Queſtions (who not only now, but heretofore have laboured) to trouble the peace of them which have obeyed that form of Doctrine which Chriſt taught, and was delivered by his Apoſtles to the primitive Saints.
But let my ends and aims in what I have writ be what I ſay they are, yea, and had I the Pen of never ſo ready and exquiſit a Writer, yet muſt I not expect, nor do, but to be ſmitten for my love and pains, by them who bend their tongue like their bow for lyes, but are not valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, it being too commonly ſeen that he which departs from iniquity makes himſelf a prey, when he that runs with a multitude to do evil ſhall have honour and praiſe; but however I am eſteemed, my comfort is I ſeek not the honour nor praiſe of men, neither do I fear the ſlanderous tongues of any, mine only end (as God knoweth) being their ſoul▪ eternal felicity, who ſhall carp at me, be it the Inquirers or others; and therefore ſhould they reward me with evil for the good I intend them, they will in ſo doing wrong themſelves and not me. I will then leave the iſſue of theſe An…wers of their Queſtions to the Lord, heartily deſiring that Truth and Righteouſneſs were imbraced in ſincere love, by all them that name the Name of Chriſt, that there may be a departing from Iniquity and Error, which is the cauſe of all Diviſions, and then, and not till then will the Wound be healed. Had the Searchers for Schiſm then conſidered that their Diſobedience to, and Errour in a Fundamental-Principle, is the cauſe why thoſe under Laying on of hands can have no Communion with them (which I hope this brief Anſwer to their Queſtions may help them to ſee) they would not be ſo irrational to conclude that Schiſm ſhould be found where Truth is obeyed and walked in; but that it is more likely by far to be where Errour and Diſobedience dwells, and ſuch to be …e Dividers who refuſe to obey, but no more …ow: only deſiring the Lord to make my poor Endeavours a Bleſſing to the Souls of them, and all others, and then I have my End.
VALE.
End of the text · John Griffith, The Searchers for Schism Searched (1669)