The Mischief of Separation, License – Dedication
Clayton Mayor. Martis quarto die Maij 1680. Anno que Regis Caroli secundi, Angliae, &c. xxxii.
THis Court doth earnestly desire the Reverend Dr. Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pauls to Print his Sermon Preached at the Guild-Hall Chappel on Sunday Morning last, with what further he had prepared to deliver at that time.
Wagstaff.
THE Mischief of Separation.
A SERMON Preached at GUILD-HALL CHAPPEL, May II. MDCLXXX. Being the First Sunday in EASTER-TERM, Before the Lord Mayor, &c.
By Edw. Stillingfleet, D. D. Dean of St. Paul's, and Chaplain in Ordinary to His Majesty.
LONDON, Printed for Henry Mortlock, at the Phoenix in St. Pauls Church-yard, and at the White Hart in Westminster Hall. 1680.
TO THE Right Honourable Sr. Robert Clayton LORD MAYOR of the City of LONDON.
My Lord,
IN obedience to Your Lordships Order I now present to Your hands, not only the Sermon You lately heard, but those Additions, which the straits of time would not then permit me to deliver. In all which, I was so far from intending to stir up the Magistrates and Judges to a Persecution of Dissenters, as some ill men have reported, that my only design was to prevent any occasion of it, by finding out a certain foundation for a lasting Union among our selves. Which is impossible to be attained, till men are convinced of the Evil and Danger of the present Separation; it being carried on by such Principles as not only overthrow the present Constitution of our Church, but any other whatsoever. For, if it be lawful to separate on a pretence of greater Purity, where there is an Agreement in Doctrine, and the substantial Parts of Worship, as is acknowledged in our Case; then a bare difference of opinion as to some circumstances of Worship and the best constitution of Churches will be sufficient ground to break Communion and to set up new Churches: Which considering the great variety of mens fancies about these matters, is to make an infinite Divisibility in Churches, without any possible stop to farther Separation. But, if after themselves are pleased with condescensions to their own minds, any think it fit that others should be tied up, notwithstanding their dissatisfaction; the world will judge it too great partiality in them to think that none ought to separate but themselves, and that the same Reason will hold against themselves in the judgement of others; it thereby appearing, that it is not Uniformity they dislike, but that they do not prescribe the Terms of it.
But, my Lord, I intend not to argue the Case of Separation here, (which is at large done in the following Discourse) but only to shew, how necessary it was in order to the laying a Foundation for Peace and Unity, to have this matter throughly discussed. And if once the People be brought to understand and practise their duty as to Communion with our Churches, other Difficulties which obstruct our Union will be more easily removed.
I have endeavoured to pursue my design in a way suitable to the nature of it, without sharp and provoking reflections on the Persons of any; which often set Friends at distance, but never reconciled or convinced Adversaries. However, I must expect the Censures of such who either make our Divisions, or make use of them for their own ends: but I am contented to be made a sacrifice, if thereby I might close up the Breaches among us.
God Almighty bless this great City and Your Lordships care in the Government of it; and grant that in this our day, we may yet know the things that belong to our Peace, and to the Preservation of the true Protestant Religion among us.
I am, my Lord, Your Lordships most faithful and obedient Servant, Edward Stillingfleet.