Essay for Union, Answer
Anſwer.
We humbly conceive with ſubmiſſion to better Judgments, that theſe Queries may be anſwered in the Affirmative. And that the greatneſs of the Agreements, and the ſmallneſs of the differences before evinced by ſuch a particular Induction, is a Baſis and a ground work firm enough, whereon to demonſtrate not only the poſſibility, but the neceſſity of our Uniting. Whereunto theſe Motives beſide many others may perſuade.
1. It cannot be denied, but that ſuch as agree in all thoſe great principles of Truth before mentioned, if alſo their Lives and Converſations be without offence are viſible Saints, or Godly Perſons in the Judgment of rational Charity. And certainly it is the duty of Saints to unite and come as near together as they can, and to receive one another, as Chriſt alſo received us to the Glory of God, Rom. 15.7. Corrupt Aſſociations and mixtures of Profeſſors with Men viſibly wicked and ungodly, the Scripture every where teſtifies againſt. But the Perſons of whom we treat, are to humane Judgment, and to outward appearance, Saints, yea, Confeſſors and fellow-ſufferers in the cauſe of Chriſt, than which there cannot be a greater Indearment.
2. If ever there be a time and ſeaſon for it, wherein the Lord calls his people to it, to ſtudy Union and lamenting their former diſtances and offences, to ſeek peace and purſue it, ſurely it is at ſuch a time, when he hath brought them all into a ſuffering Condition together, under the preſſures and yoaks of men upon upon their Conſciences. It is time then to lay aſide their mutual animoſities, and to learn that Golden Rule, Rom. 14.3. Let not him that eateth, deſpiſe him which eateth not, and let not him which eateth not Judge him that eateth, for God hath received him. A Golden Rule of Chriſtian Love, the ſenſe whereof may be thus rendred in the Aſpect, it beareth to the diſputations of our Times. Let not him that dependeth in the way of Claſſical ſubordination, deſpiſe him that dependeth not, and let not him that dependeth not Judge him that dependeth, for God hath received him.
3. There is no ſelling Truth to purchaſe peace. There is no ſuch dead fly in the Ointment. There is no ſilencing or ſuppreſſing of any Truth of God by theſe Propoſals, nor any tendency we hope to ſcepticiſm, or perſonal Indifferency in the things of his Houſe and Worſhip, whereunto that good principle of tenderneſs and moderation towards Brethren of differing Judgments, hath been by ſome either unskilfully, or perverſely miſimproved. Which Form ſoever hath the mind of Chriſt, and the Truth on their ſide, here is nothing doth ſo far intrench upon them, but that they may freely hold it forth, they may retain and practiſe that wherein they differ, according to their preſent Convictions, notwithſtanding this degree of Union, and ſo neither is any truth ſuppreſſed, nor any ones Conſcience impoſed upon.
4. Yea, if we could thus far unite, as it would conduce through the Grace of Chriſt to a further increaſe of Love, ſo likewiſe to the further diſcovery and clearing up of the Truth in thoſe things wherein we differ, by vertue of that promiſe, Phil. 3.15, 16. If in anything ye be otherwiſe minded, God ſhall reveal even this unto you, nevertheleſs whereto we have attained, let us walk by the ſame rule, let us mind the ſame things.
5. It would in ſome meaſure remove that great ſtumbling block from before the blind prophane world, who pretend to take offence at our diviſions, looking upon them in the multiplying Glaſſes of their own enmity, and ſo accounting every difference in Religion to be a different Religion. But who knows how Convincing this might be to them, according to the Lord's prayer for his Diſciples, John. 17.21, 23. That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me and I in thee, that they alſo may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou haſt ſent me. Doubtleſs it will Convince ſuch as belong to the Election of his Grace, ſo as to bring them in, and the reſt will be left the more without excuſe. And finally it will rejoice them that Pray for the peace of Jeruſalem, and be pleaſing unto him whoſe name is called upon us, and who hath ſo often Commanded us To love one another.
FINIS.
End of the text · Samuel Mather, Essay for Union (1680)