The Samaritan Showing Healing, Section 13
SECT. XIII.
ALthough it be plain enough from what I have diſcourſed, that I plead the Cauſe of none but Tolerable Diſſenters, and am Advocate for no Perſons or Churches that maintain pernicious Errours, and are impenitent and incorrigible in them: Yet to prevent all Miſunderſtandings, I do again here ſubjoyn, That I plead not the Cauſe of ſuch as ſubvert the Chriſtian Faith, in the great Eſſentials of it, which the Jews, Mahometans, Socinians, and all other Infidels do. I would not have Men permitted to Preach down Jeſus Chriſt, and the Goſpel, and to Preach up meer Theiſme, or the Religion of the Antique or Modern Heathens; nor of ſuch as Preach Immorality and Licentious Prophaneſs. I would not have Men permitted to encourage or juſtify Violence or Rapine, Senſuality or Luſt, Rebellion or Treaſon, or any thing that is plainly Wicked, and condemned by the Light of Nature, as well as the Doctrine of Chriſtianity: And of this kind are many Popiſh Doctrines, as is evident to all Men, that have converſed in the Writings of their Caſuiſts, and ſuch as have the Conduct of Conſcience among them. Particular Inſtances whereof may be ſeen in the Myſtery of Jeſuitiſm, and the Jeſuits Morals, by any Man that hath a deſire to be ſatisfied concerning them: Nor of ſuch whoſe Doctrines are inconſiſtent with Civil Government, and Publick Peace; and ſuch is the Doctrine of the Romaniſts. A Papiſt (if he be true to the Opinions and Decrees of their own Popes and Councils) muſt be a Rebel, and a Traytor, whenſoever his Holineſs pleaſes to command it. This hath been ſufficiently proved by many Authors, and is obvious enough to ſuch as read their Books: And if there be any other Sect or Sort of People, that maintain ſuch Doctrines, as do diſturb the Peace of Mankind neceſſarily and truly, (and not occaſionally, and by accident, for ſo the Goſpel doth it) I have nothing to ſay on their behalf.
But if the Toleration that I have propoſed, and pleaded for, ſhould be thought a Means of increaſing the Separation from the Publick Congregations; I reply; Let care be taken (as I ſaid) that the Clergy, who officiate in them, be Men of Worth, Ability, and good Converſation; that is, ſuch as preach and live Piouſly, and love the Honour of God, and the Souls of Men: And let ſome Diſcipline be reſtored to particular Churches under the Inſpection of the Biſhops, and difference be made between the Precious, and the Vile, by the Exerciſe of it; that none be reputed and accounted Chriſtians, and admitted to all the Priviledges of Chriſtians, that know nothing but the Name of Chriſtianity, and live in open Defiance to all the Laws thereof: And if theſe two things were done, there would be no great danger of encreaſing the Separation by Tolerating ſome Diſſenting Churches; but on the contrary, I do think that Separate Churches would be drained and emptyed, and in a few Years almoſt quite diſſolved thereby. For in my Obſervation, 'tis the Ignorance and Prophaneſs of Clergy-Men, and the Corruption and Impurity of Churches, that began and doth continue the Diviſions, and Separations, that have been, and ſtill are among us: Let the Cauſe be removed, and taken away, and the Effect will ceaſe.
Nay, ſuppoſe ſome ſingle Perſons, few in number, ſhould leave the publick and Allowed Congregations, on occaſion of this Toleration, and joyn themſelves to ſeparate Aſſemblies; What great hurt is there in it, and why ſhould any Publick Preacher be offended at it? What hurt or wrong is it to my Phyſician, if I leave him, and go to another, if he cannot cure me, or I do not like his Methods and Preſcriptions? Hath he any Reaſon to be offended, if another do that which he cannot do? I know the Miniſter of my own Pariſh does oftentimes meet ſome or other of his Pariſhoners, going to their Conventicles, when he hath been going to Church, and the like in his and their Return; and yet I never heard that he grew into any Paſſion or Diſpleaſure with them about it, much leſs that he proſecuted them at Law for it: But he hath been heard to ſay, That if they learned the Way to Heaven at their Private Meetings (as he hoped they did, at leaſt ſome of them), he did, and would rejoyce: And why others may not do ſo too, I ſee no reaſon, nor underſtand any thing to the contrary. Muſt Men die, if I cannot cure their Diſeaſes? Muſt they periſh, if my Pills and Potions will not recover them? Muſt Men be damned, if the publick Preacher cannot perſwade them to Faith and Repentance, or teach them the Way to Heaven? Surely, methinks thoſe that know the Worth of Souls, ſhould rejoyce in their Salvation, whoever be the Means of it.
I will add, that Intereſt hath ſo powerful and mighty an Influence upon Mens Judgments, that were nothing but things abſolutely neceſſary to Salvation impoſed, and a Form of wholſom words commended to thoſe that are admitted to the Publick Congregations, and Preferments of the Church, I am very much inclined to believe, that in a few Years it would be hard to find Perſons to officiate in ſeparate Congregations: Moſt Men would believe thoſe Doctrines which have publick Approbation, and which make them capable of Livings and Advancements; and others would ſilence their particular Apprehenſions, and make no oppoſition unto them, that they alſo might ſhare in them, and where to find Perſons to miniſter in holy things, at Separate Churches, would peradventure be no eaſie thing. And if at His Majeſty's Reſtauration ſome few, plain, neceſſary things had been impoſed, and all the reſt only commended and countenanced, I do believe, that where there is now Ten Diſſenters, there would not have been above One. 'Tis theſe numerous and unneceſſary Impoſitions, that are the Plague of the Chriſtian World, as well as the Church of England; and have both made and continued all the Breaches, and Separations, that our Ears have heard, and our Eyes have ſeen. Qui naturam Religionis prae…ipue Chriſtianae, quae tota Spiritualis eſt bene perſpectam habuerit, facile animadvertet vim & coa…tionem non eſſe idoneum ad eam promovendam medi…m. Nec enim Equulei aut gladii, aut ignes quibus …orpor a cruciantur quicquam in animum valeant. Cur…el. in Inſtitut. l. 7. p. 589. Sed nec Religionis eſt …ogere Religionem, quae ſponte ſuſcipi debeat, non vi; Cum & hoſtiae ab animo libenti expoſtulentur. Ita & ſi nos compuleritis ad ſacrificandum nihil praeſta…itis Diis veſtris, ab invitis enim ſacrificia non deſi…erabunt. Tertul. in lib. ad Scapulam. p. 447. At the firſt Converſion of this Land to Chriſtianity by Auſtin, it is ſaid, That the King (E…lberthus) embraced all that came into him, but he compelled none. Didicerat enim & a Doctoribus …uctoribuſ que ſuae ſalutis, ſervitium Chriſti voluntari…m non coacticium eſſe. Bede Eccl. Hiſt. Ang. Gen. … 1. c. 25.
After all that I have ſaid I do confidently avow and affirm, that 'tis but a very imperfect meaſure and degree of Peace, that the Church of God is capable of in this World, and that among variety of particular Churches, ſome are capable of more Union and Peace, than others are; And then to attempt greater Peace and Union, than the Church Univerſal is capable of, is to endeavour to deſtroy it; And that to endeavour the reducing o… one particular Church, to the ſame Peace and Union, that may be found in another, is the High way to ruine it. I here mean chiefly, Forcible endeavours by Impoſitions, Laws, and Executions 'Tis with the Peace of the Church Univerſal, a… 'tis with the Health of the World, 'twill never be compleat and perfect; And to attempt to make it ſo, were an impracticable piece of Folly, an… would make it more diſeaſed, or deſtroy a great Part of it. 'Tis with particular Churches as 'tis with particular Climates and Countries, in ſome the Inhabitants are more hayle and ſound, that in others, and to eſſay an Equality of Health among them, would be a pernitious and vain attempt; and make many more ſickly, and ſen… Thouſands of others to their Beds of Duſt an… Earth.
All particular Churches are not equaly ſoun… and ſtrong, nor capable of equal Peace and Un… on, and to attempt it by violent remedies wi… certainly encreaſe their Diſeaſes, and make the… wounds and breaches greater, and deſtroy man… of the Members of it, if not the whole; and I fea… this is the Caſe of the Church of England, whic… I humbly commend to the Conſideration of th… Eccleſiaſtical Phyſicians. I doubt we are not capable as yet of ſo much Union and Peace, as may be found in ſome other of the Reformed Churches; What we may be in the next, or in ſome future Ages, if we happen on Skilful Phyſicians, I will not determine, but I hope well.
I have anſwered the grand Cavil, made in favour of Impoſitions, and in prejudice to a brief Creed and Symbol, containing only a few plain neceſſary things, expreſſed in the Language of Scripture, or rather the three Summaries of Religion, contained in the common Creed, Lords Prayer, and Ten Commandments. I have obviated alſo I think the moſt conſiderable Objections that are uſually made by the Patrons of Impoſition. I know what I have ſaid will not pleaſe thoſe kind of Men, and if I had deſigned their Acceptation, I muſt have rayled at Diſſenters, and have repreſented them a Generation of People, not worthy to live upon the face of the Earth. I muſt have laid fewel on thoſe flames, that do already rage ſo furiouſly againſt them. But I have other thoughts of thoſe men, and another deſign in theſe papers, who would bring my Bucket to quench the Fire, that burns againſt them. I would attempt to abate the rage, and allay the heats that are raiſed, and do threaten their ruine. If what I have written may ſerve this end, I ſhall rejoyce; If it may be acceptable to moderate and Pious Men, I ſhall not regard the cenſures of thoſe that rage and rave. Simon Aurem ſolum percutit Iracundia Criminantis, verumetiam conſcientiam mordet Veritas Criminis; quid mihi prodeſt ſi me continuis laudibus totus mundus attollat? Ita, nec malam Conſcientiam ſanat Praeconium Laudantis; nec bonam vulnerat Convitiantis Opprobrium. Aug. Cont. Lit. Petiliani. l. 3. c. 1.
The Sum of all is this, Peace and Union amongſt Chriſtians, is a thing greatly amiable and deſirable; but ſuch are the imperfections, and Corruptions of humane minds, and of ſuch different ſizes and various Prejudices are mens underſtandings, that 'tis morally impoſſible they ſhould agree in more, than ſome plain things. And therefore numerous and unneceſſary Impoſitions, are no proper terms of Peace, but great inſtruments of Diviſion, and have been been ſo for many Hundreds of Years. And as much peace as the Church of God is capable of, in this imperfect State, may be obtained by other and better means; and the Evils that are pretended to be cured, or prevented by impoſing, may be healed and provided for by more Chriſtian Methods. Ne que ad plenam charitatis & ſocietatis Chriſtianae concordiam, neceſſaria eſt plena opinionum de Dogmatibus & Ritubus Conſenſio: ſedcum aliqua in hiſce diſſenſione iniri jure poteſt, ac honeſte foveri inter diſſidentes Eccleſiaſtica Pax & fraterna conſociatio. Forbs. Inſtruc. Hiſtor. Theol. lib. 14. c. 7.
Before I go off, I muſt requeſt the Reader, calmly and without heat to conſider the Contents of this Diſcourſe, before he cenſure or condemn it, and that he will not take ſome ſingle Sections, ſeparate and alone, and charge them with Abſurdities (which he may eaſily do) but conſider the Whole, and compare the Parts with each other. For what in one Place is liable to Objection, may in another be freed from it. If any Man ſhall think fit to reply to what I have written, and doth write calmely, and with a peaceful Spirit, I ſhall not promiſe a Rejoynder, but I ſhall conſider what he ſays: But if he rages, and is angry, and gives me hard words, having no cauſe for them, I know how to imploy my time better, than in anſwering ſuch Folly.
And now then, I will ſhut up my Book with ſome words, which were in the Mouths of the Proteſtants, at the Firſt Reformation in Italy, and may be put in the Mouths of thoſe that Diſſent from us now in England. God knows, how ſoon we may be made one to our coſt.
Ne vi Laſciate dare a Credere da i Voſtri Eccleſiaſtici, che quelli che per la Lettione de la Same Scritture vengono ne la cognoſcenz a del Siglivolo di Dio, et de ſue promeſſe, ne le quali Confidati rejettano tutte le Traditione humane, Sciano (come pare hoggi a torto ci chiamanno) Tumultuoſi, Perturbatori de la Pace e Quieta publica, Autori de Seditione, e Pieri d'egni vitio e Licenza. Impero che Dio non e Autore di Diviſione, ma di Pace. Ne ſiamo noi i primi, i quali ſiamo di cio Stati Salſamente imputati, Concioſcia che a Elia primo ſu dello che egli diſturbaa il popolo d' Iſrael. Christo Anchora ſu chiamato ſeditioſo da i Judei. Egli Apostoli erano accuſati che commoverano it Popolo. Suffer not your ſelves to be prevailed upon by your Eccleſiaſticks, to believe, that thoſe who by reading the Scriptures come to the Knowledge of Chriſt and his promiſes, and truſting on them, reject all Humane Traditions, are (as at this day, to their great injury they are called) Tumultuous, Diſturbers of publick Peace & Quiet, Authors of Sedition & Licentiouſneſs, for God is not the Author of Diviſion, but of Peace: We are not the Firſt, to whom theſe things have been imputed. It was ſaid of Elias, That he was the Troubler of Iſrael. The Jews ſaid of Chriſt, That he was Seditious and Subverted the People: And 'twas ſaid of the Apoſtles, That they did exceedingly trouble their Cities and turned the World upſide down.
Aprite, Aprite gliocchi voſteri, e conſiderate bene voi che permettete che ne voſteri citta ſtiano Gjudeiet altri non ſolamente di contraria Religione a quella del figlivolo di Dio, ma Diſtruttori d'eſſa Anchora et Atheiſti, et non permetterete chi quelli, i quali ſeguitano la Vera Dottrina e Religione de Gieſu Christo, ſtiano ne voſtri Citta e Caſe loro, contrae ogni Giuſtitia e Legge tanto civile quanto Divina? Open, open your Eyes, and conſider, you that permit Jews in your Cities, and others not only of contrary Religion to that of the Son of God, but utter Deſtroyers of it, yea, arrant Atheists; And will ye not ſuffer thoſe, which follow the true Doctrine and Religion of Chriſt Jeſus, to dwell in your Cities in their own Houſes, contrary to all Right both Humane and Divine?
Theſe are Words in an Addreſs to the Italian Princes, and Republicks, in the Year 1562. Unto which I will therefore yet affix a Sentence that is Freſh, out of the preſent Biſhop of Cork, in his late Book call'd, The Proteſtant Peacemaker, who hath rendred himſelf (I take it) Obſervable for his ſeveral Condeſcending paſſages to the Nonconformiſts: and more eſpecially, for the mention he makes of one Book of theirs, entituled, A Peaceable Reſolution of Conſcience touching our preſent Impoſitions (and it is a Peaceable Book indeed) with ſo much Integrity and Honour as he does, though ſcarce taken notice of by others: as alſo, for this one ſaying of his, which is fit (I think) to be ſet on a Beacon, and ſhall be therefore my Concluſion. I am, and muſt be of the mind, that the ſtrength of the Proteſtant Cauſe, both at Home and throughout Christendom, lies in the Ʋnion of Proteſtants; and the Glory, Purity, and Power of Christianity in this World, ſtands or falls with Protestantiſm.