The True Christians T est, Part 1 · Meditation 86
MEDITAT. LXXXVI. Of Contentiouſneſs, and Contentious Wiſdom.
COntentiouſneſs and Strivings are another work of the Fleſh, and a Symptom of a worldly Mind.
To contend, and that earneſtly too, for the Truth, is not the worldly Contention. Though the Truth be never ſo mean, we ought to contend earneſtly, and ſuffer all things, rather then deny it: But ſome Truths are ſo mean, that a man ought not to contend for the propagation of them, nor ſuffer for the profeſſion of them. I believe that Paul had a Cloak, and I would ſuffer a man to take my Coat, and Cloak alſo, rather than deny it: But it is ſuch a Truth, as I would not contend for the profeſſion or propagation of, nor trouble the Churches peace, nor the Conſciences of men about. I cannot tell whether many matters of Order and Diſcipline may not be of the ſame value with the Apoſtles Cloak: poſſibly they hang as looſe from the Eſſentials of Religion, as his Cloak did from him, and Religion may live and be kept warm without them.
But to contend earneſtly, to ſtrive unto blood for the defence of the Eſſential things of Religion, is Heroical, and an argument of a powerful Lover of God.
To contend about worldly Intereſts, if they be weighty, if they cannot be amicably adjuſted, ſo it be with moderation, charity, and meekneſs, and no more zeal than bears proportion to the thing in controverſie, before a lawful Judge, is not the Worldly Contention.
There is a ſort of Magiſterial men who will condemn every man for contentious that appears in vindication of his own right, though never ſo duly; nay, that will brand every man for obſtinate and quarrelſome, that will not tamely ſuffer himſelf to be captivated by their reaſonings, be they never ſo weak; and pin hisr Faith upon their Sleeve, though it be never ſo ragged or rotten. Theſe men themſelves are the moſt contentious, and the trueſt Authors of Schiſm.
But the Worldly contention is, when men contend eagerly or chargeablely about ſmall matters; or are reſolv'd to part with nothing of their right in any caſe for peace ſake.
When men delight to be in Controverſies, and to have their hand againſt every man. As ſome Fiſhes delight in muddied or troubled waters, ſo ſome men are never in their own element but then.
When men contend to ſhew their own Parts, to oſtentate their Power, or merely for the Senſual pleaſure of overcoming: all this is carnal.
It is contentious wiſdom, when men are cunning and active to beget and promote differences in the World. It is ſtrange but true, that ſome men love diviſions in the World, for diviſions ſake, after the example of the Devil; though many do it out of pride or covetouſneſs.
The Serpent was cunning to ſow diſcord between God and Man, and they are of a Serpentine breed that are ingenious and ſtudious to make diſſention.
There are ſeveral inſtances of this contentious wiſdom. The chooſing of a fit ſeaſon is one inſtance; as the inimicus homo that came by night (Mat. 13. 25.) While men ſlept, the Enemy came and ſowedtares.
The obſerving of the temper of men, and falling in whith them, when they are angry or diſcontent; as the Counſellors of Ahaſhuerus did, when they perceived him to have taken an offence againſt the Queen.
Or obſerving the condition of men, as being oppreſt, to put them upon Sedition, or Tumult, after the example of Jeroboam.
Or aggravating Injuries and Faults. What, put up this Affront, this Wrong, this Injury, this Loſs? Mort te ſatius est.
They that hang Peace and Union upon unneceſſary and impracticable terms, are contentious, though they make never ſo many Pretenſions to hide the matter.
To prefer Contention before Peace, Diviſion before Union, though by that diviſion we might ſerve a worldly Intereſt of our own, is worldly: It is to trouble the Waters, that we may fiſh in them, I mean get money, or ſtrengthen our Parties.
How dear ought Peace and Union to be to all good Men!
Are not Diſſentions deviliſh? The Devil himſelf has his Name Sathan, from being an Adverſary.
Are they not beaſtly? For the Beaſts meerly for Appetite ſake, fall out with, and worry one another.
Be ſure contentious Men are the worſt, and the moſt luſtful ſort of Men: Whence come wars and fightings from amongst you, but from your luſts, &c. Jam. 4. 1.
Wilt thou, O my Soul, imitate Devils or Beaſts, or the worſt of Men! God forbid.
O bleſſed God, infinite Wiſdom, How peaceable are all thy wiſe Counſels, to reconcile men to thy ſelf, and to one another! Thy Laws ſerve to this end: Thou hast created a beautiful harmony in the whole World; ye… the very contending parts thereof make for the union o… the whole; Thou hast joined Peace on earth with glory to thy ſelf in the Higheſt; Thou hast promiſed the greatest bleſſings to Peace-makers; Oh inſpire me, and all men, with that Divine Spirit of Love, that peaceable Wiſdom which comes from above, and conducts the Souls of men thither, from whence it and they proceeded, even to bleſſed Self!