The True Catholic and Catholic Church Described, Part 15 – Part 28

The True Catholic and Catholic Church Described · Part 15 – Part 28

p. 1766. It is the bane of unity, when men must make every inferior Opinion the seat of Ʋnity, and p. 177will not unite in the essentials of Christianity, endeavouring in Love to accord as well as they can in the rest. Though the Truth of the whole Scripture, (that is known to be holy Scripture) must be acknowledged; yet the understanding of the meaning of the whole Scripture, is not of necessity to salvation or Church-Unity. Otherwise, woe to every one of us. For there is no man on Earth, that hath the perfect understanding of all the holy Scriptures. And yet all that is in it propounded to be believed, is de fide, matter of faith, and its our duty to believe it, and understand it, and our sin that we do not; but not a sin that proves us graceless, or unjustified. I wonder the Papists have not veniall errors in matter of faith, as well as veniall sins against morall precepts! but all p. 178that is de fide must with some of them be fundamentall or essentiall to Christianity. The Scripture is a full and beautifull body: which hath its flesh and skin, and a multitude of nerves and veins, and arteries, as well as the Head, the Heart, and Stomach, and other naturall parts; without which parts that are the seat or chief instruments, of the Aminall, Vitall and Naturall Spirits, the body were no body. All in the Scripture is true and usefull but all is not essentiall to Christianity. And in the Essentials all Christians do agree; and if you would know how such should behave themselves to one another, hear the holy Ghost himself, Phil. 3. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after that I may apprehend, that for which also p. 179I am apprehended of Christ Jesus: Brethren, I count not my selfe to have apprehended, but this one thing I do; forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things that are before, I presse towards the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore as many as be perfect be thus minded, and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you: Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same Rule, let us mind the same things.] So 1 Cor. 3. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. [Other foundation can no man lay, then that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every mans works shall be made manifest: for the day shall p. 180declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is: If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward: If any mans work shall be burnt, he shall suffer losse; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.] Errors may bring heavy judgements in this life, and out of this fire the erroneous may escape, and not fall into the eternal fire; for thus will God fit as a refiner, and purifier of silver, and will purifie the Sons of Levy, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousnesse, Gal. 33. Dislike every error, and scape as many as you can; but think not that every error must dissolve our unity, or that every truth is necessary to our unity.

p. 181And where you say that all sorts do plead the Scriptures, I answer, 1. That all sorts of Christians in the Essentials do rightly understand the Scripture. 2. And for the rest, their very pleading, that shewes that all sorts are convinced that it is the Rule of truth, even where they do not understand it. 3. And this is no proof of the insufficiency of Scripture, but of the imperfection of mens understandings; and instead of seeking for another Rule, you should labour for a better understanding of this, and use the help of Ministers thereto. The Law of the Land is the Rule of the subjects actions, and tenures; and yet what controversies are about it, even among the wisest Lawyers? and one pleadeth it for one cause, and another saith that the Law is for the contrary cause: yea, p. 182one Judge differs from another. What then! must we cast away the Law? Let us know where to have a better first! But rather men should labour to know it better, and live quietly in obedience of what they know, and meddle not contentiously with the niceties of it without need. And thus we must do about the Law of God. Agree in the Essentials, and learn the rest as well as we can.

7. Another great Impediment to our Concord is, Abundance of dividing unpeaceable Principles, that be grown into credit, or entertained in the world: And if such Principles meet with the most Peaceable disposition, they will make the man become unpeaceable. For the best men that are, will think they must obey p. 183God; and therefore when they mistake his will, they will think they do well when they are sining against him. There are too few in the world, of peaceable Principles: some lay all Peace, as is said, on the Opinions of their own parties; and some lay it on a multitude of such low opinions, and such doubtfull things, that they might know, can never be the matter of universal consent: some think they must not silence any thing which they conceive to be a truth, for the peace of the Church, or the promoting of greater undoubted truths. Some think they ought to reproach and disgrace all that are not of their mind, and some think they ought to destroy them, or cast them out, and think this a part of their faithfulness to the truth of Christ, and that this is but to help him against his enemies. p. 184And there is no more desparate principle of division and persecution, then this uncharitableness, which makes the Children of God, and the members of Christ, to seem his enemies, and then use them as his enemies: to dresse them in a false attire, as they did Christ, and then smite him: to put them in the shape of Schismaticks, or Hereticks, or Devils, (as the Papists do when they burn them) and then use them accordingly. Many more unpeaceable Principles I might recite; and if it were not too tedious, I think it would be usefull.

8. Another hinderance of Unity and Peace is, A Carnall zeal in matters of Religion, which is frequently mistaken for the true zeal of the Saints. When men p. 185are confident that their Opinions are the truth, and overvalue them as to the necessity, (because they are their own, though they observe not the reason.) They presently think they must be hot against all the gainsayers of their opinions; and herein they place the most, or at least too much of their Religion.

There's not one of many that hath this zeal, but thinks it is of God, and is part of their Holiness. When as it is often from the Devil and the flesh, even when the Doctrine is true which they contend for. You may know it from true zeal, by these following marks. 1. It is more for Controversies and speculations, then for practicall holiness. 2. It is selfish, and kindled by an overvaluing their own conceits or wayes. 3. It is Private, and would promote a lower truth to the losse of a greater, p. 186or a doubtfull point, to the losse of undoubted truth; or a single truth, to the losse or hinderance of the body of common truth; and it is hotter for a party, than for the Catholick Church, and will promote the interest of an opinion or purity, to the wrong of the common interest of the Church. 4. It is blind, and carries men to sinfull meanes, as resisting Authority, Order, or Ordinances, or the like. 5. It is unmercifull and unpeaceable, and little sensible of the case of others, or smart of the divided Church. Many are calling for fire from Heaven, for the cause of Christ, that little know what spirit they are of, Luk. 9. 55. O how true is this of many, that think they excel in knowledge or zeal, and are but defending the truth against erroneous adversaries. But [who is the wise man, and endued with p. 187knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good Conversation, his works with meekness of wisdom: But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth: This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensuall, devilish: For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evill work: But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easie to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisie, And the fruit of righteousness is sown in Peace, of them that make Peace.] Jam. 3. 13. to the end. But of this I have formerly spoken at large, in many Sermons on these words of James. Dividing zeal is a grievous distracter of the Churches Peace.

p. 1889. Another Hinderance is, that of the many that are for Peace and Unity, there are few that have any great skill to promote it, and those few that have skill, want opportunity or interest, and are cryed down by the opposers. There's a great deal of skill necessary to discern and manifest the true state of Controversies, and to prove verball quarrels to be but verball, and to take off the false vizors which ignorance and passions puts on them, to agravate the differences that are debated. There's much wisdom necessary for the securing of Truth, while we treat for Peace, and the maintaining Peace, while we defend the Truth. Alas, how few escape one of the extreams in most differences themselves; and therefore are unfit reconcilers of others. Few are p. 189possessors of that blessed Light that doth shew the error of both extreams, and must be the meanes of our Concord, if ever we agree! Few know that Truth between contrary errors, in which both must meet. How much skill also is necessary to deal with touchy froward spirits, and to handle both nettles and thorns that must be dealt with. And how few men of wisdom and Peace are much regarded by the firebrands of the Churches? And how few of them have Languages, and health, and maintenance and authority, and a skilfull activity to set others on work, which are almost needfull for this healing design? And what abundance of private wishes have been buried by the skilfullest men for want of opportunities. And how many private writings cast by, that have that in them, that deserved publick entertainment, p. 190and might have been very fit instruments for this healing work.

10. And the various Carnall Interests of the world, are an exceeding hinderance to the Churches Peace. The Interest of One Prince lyeth for one party; and anothers, for another party: One Prince thinks it for his Interest to unite; and another thinks it for his Interest to divide, or secretly to cherish and continue divisions. The Ministry also have too oft a Carnal interest, which lyeth usually in siding with the Prince; and the great carnall interest of the Roman Clergie, lyeth sticking close to the Pope. The people hereupon, are commonly in such distractions and disturbances, by warres, or secular cares and wants, that motions of Peace can scarce be heard, or attended; but the noise of Guns and Drums, and lamentations, p. 191and reproaching of enemies, drowneth all. And when the crossing of secular Interests hath made them one anothers enemies, theyl'e hardly treat as friends for unity in Religion, or the healing of the Church.

11. And its no small hinderance, that the Princes of the earth are commonly so bad, as either to be strangers to the true interest of Christ and his Church, or else to prefer their own before it. Its they that have the greatest Interests and opportunities, and might do most for unity if they would. And withall they think, that no body should meddle without their leave; and commonly, when they do nothing themselves, they will not suffer the Ministers to do it that are their subjects. How easie were it with the Christian Princes and States, if they had so p. 192much wit and grace, to agree together, to bring the Churches in their Dominions to much agreement? But alas, highest places have greatest temptations, and therefore too oft, the worst men: so that they that should do it, and might do it, have no heart to it. And the Princes are very rare, that prefer Christs Interest before their own, and have truly learnt the lesson of denying themselves, and forsaking all they have for him. The great work of converting the Heathen world, should be promoted by them; but how little is there done in it by any Princes.

12. Moreover, the multitude are every where almost, averse to Holy Ʋnity and Peace: Their dispositions are against it: their Principles are against it: their p. 193parts unfit for it: And yet how to do it without them will be hard? For 1. They have all of them almost conceits of their own fitness; and think all matters in Religion should be regulated by them. They detest that a few should overtop them, and do the work while they stand by; and they grow to a hatred of those few, because they are counted wiser and better than they; yea they naturally hate the godly, and the practicall truths of God: And yet the greater Vote must carry it; or else the swarm will be about your eares: when its a hundred to one, but a hundred for one in most places of the world, are in the wrong, if not bitter enemies to the right. And in the best parts of the world, its a wonder if the greater part be not the worse. Or if in a corner p. 194or two it should be better, what's that to all the Christian world? 2. At least if they will not be passively peaceable, how little can we do, when its they that must (in part) consent, and its they that have the strength to resist.

13. And even among the Godly, the Peacemakers are farre the smaller number, (I mean, as to the healing of our common divisions.) For the younger sort of Christians, in age, or grace, or gifts, are the greatest number: And these also are of the most active hot dispositions, and will be forwardest in all agitations, and will not stand by. And alas, how few of them have meekness, prudence, and charity, answerable to their heat and activity. They will lead their leaders; and their way must p. 195carry it, or else all are censured and trod down by them: And how ordinarily is their way unpeaceable and confusive; and how seldom doth it end according to their expectations, for the Churches good. But for the wise and judicious, experienced, sober, peaceable men, alas, how few are they? Till they grow aged, few attain to this. And yet nothing will be done for the Peace and welfare of the Church; but by the Conduct and direction of these few experienced, judicious, moderate men. None else can do it: and yet few other will suffer them to do it. And thus we see here in these Nations, that even Religious men have been the hinderers of our Peace.

p. 19614. And withall, the Devill who is the great enemy of Peace and Unity, is still watching to cast in some bone of contention, and to make use of the opinions, and passions of all, both good and bad, for the accomplishing of his ends. And alas, his subtilty overreacheth not onelyonly the ignorant people, but the most learned Divines, and prudent Princes. They shall not manage their affaires of State so carefully, but he will engage them against Christ and the Peace of the Church, before they are aware: He will do his utmost, to make the Interest of Christ and the Prince, of the Church and the Commonwealth, to seem to stand at an enmity to each other, and make Princes walk in a jealousie of Christ and his Gospel, and Ministers, p. 197least they should encroach upon their honour and greatness: And too oft he engageth them in flat opposition, till this stone fall upon them, and grind them to powder.

And the Ministers of the Gospel shall scarcely manage their work so wisely, but he will cast in some wild-fire, and find some occasion to make a dissention by. Either the subtilty of men too wise and learned (in their own eyes) shall start some dividing fruitless Controversies; or the zeal of men that are Orthodox overmuch, shall rise up unpeaceably against all dissenters: or he will entangle the godly in some dangerous errors; or he will seek to make men lay snares for their Brethren, by needless impositions, under pretence of order and decency, and unity and authority; or some passionate words shall kindle p. 198the fire: There are many unsound hypocrites among Godly Ministers; and there's too much Pride and passion in the best, and Satan knowes how to make use of all: [what saith he, to the proud, shall such a one be prefer'd before thee? shall he bear away the applause? shall he eclipse and stand in the way of thy reputation? Did he not speak dishonourably of thee? or carry himself disregardfully to wards thee? Did he not disgrace thee by such an opposition, or dispute.] A hundred temptations hath Satan at hand to kindle dissention, even among the Ministers of Christ: And where he meets with Proud hearts, he seldom misseth of his purpose. If the Disciples were striving, which should be the greatest, and if Paul and Barnabas fall out to a parting, no wonder if Pride and dissension be yet p. 199found among the most renowned men. Though its a sad case that it should be so, when we daily preach humility to our people, and know, that except Conversion make us like little Children, we can in no wise enter into the Kingdnm of God, Matth. 18. 3.

How hard a task hath a Peaceable Minister to keep one Congregation of Christians in peace? But differences will be rising, and one will be provoking another by injuries, or hard words, and few can bear, and forbear and forgive: yea a Master of a Family, findes it hard to keep one small Family in Peace. Yea, two persons will find somewhat to do to keep peace, especially if they have much trading, or dealing with each other, or any crossing in matters of Commodity: yea Husband and Wife that are as one flesh, have much adoe to avoid p. 200dissentions. No wonder then, if the enemy of Peace, can disturb the Church of Christ.

15. Another cause of Divisions is, Living among, and hearkening to schismaticall persons that are still blowing the Coles. Its a dangerous case, especially to young unexperienced Christians, to fall among those that make it their Religion to vilifie others as are enemies of Christ: when they hear one sect onelyonly extolled, and all others spoken of, as ignorant, or carnall, or enemies to the Church, its two to one, but this imprinteth a schismatical disposition in the hearers minds. Conversing onelyonly with one Party, doth usually occasion great uncharitableness towards all others, and scare the Conscience, so that p. 201it growes insensible of revilings, and opprobrious speeches, against those that differ from them.

16. And the Unity of the Church is exceedingly hindered, by an unworthy Privacy and retirednesse of most Christians that live like the Snail in a shell, and look but little abroad into the world. Some know not the state of the world, or of the Church, nor much care to know it, but think it is with all the world as it is with us in England: when as if they knew the fewness of Christians, the huge numbers of infidels, the corruptions of other Churches, in comparison of ours, it would sure set them a lamenting, and praying that the Kingdom of Christ might come. Yea, many Ministers are of so base a privacy p. 202of spirit, that they look little further then their own Parishes, and think if all be well there, al…'s well every where: and seldom enquire how it goes with the Church, in the rest of the world: nor will scarce be brought to associate and keep correspondence with their Brethren, for the Union and Communion of the severall Churches and the common good: Far unlike the temper of Paul and the other Apostles and servants of Christ in those dayes. They have not a care of all the Churches. They long not to hear of their welfare. They would think it much to travail and labor for it the thousandth part so much as they. They cannot say, who is weak, and I am not weak &c.

p. 20317. Yea some are drawn from the Churches Unity and Peace, by misunderstanding those Texts of Scripture that call for separation from the world, and that speak of the fewness of those that shall be saved. I have heard of one that turned separatist upon this conceit, because he thought, that seeing the Flock of Christ is little, the Protestants were too many to be it: At last, the separated Church grew so big, that he thought, sure this is not the little Flock, and so turned to the Anabaptists: At last, the Anabaptists Church so increased, that he thought, sure this is too big to be the little Flock; and so went seeking about for the least, as thinking that must needs be in the right. Alas, what low thoughts have such of the Church of God? yea, & of the Love & gracious nature p. 204of God, & of the great design of Christ, in the work of Redemption? But the main Cause of the delusion of these poor souls is, because they know not the state of the world abroad. If they did but know that it is the sixth part of the world that are baptized common Christians, and not past a sixth or seventh part of that sixth part, that are common Protestants, but all the rest are Papists, and Greeks, and many sorts of more ignorant unreformed Christians; and among the Protestants, no Countrey for godliness is like to England; they would not go about to pen up the Church into a narrower room. To believe that Christ died, and made so much adoe for so small a part of the world, as comes not to one of forty, or fifty, or an hundred-thousand, is next to flat infidelity it self; which thinks p. 205he died for none at all.

And for the Command, [Come out from among them, and be ye separate,] its pitty that any Christian should need to be told, that it speaks onelyonly to the Church to come out of the Heathen, Infidel world (such as are Jews and Mahometans, and Heathens;) but there is never a word in all the Bible, that bids you [Come out of the Church and be ye seperate!] wonderfull! that God should be so abused by misunderstanding Christians! Because he commands men to come out of the Infidel world into the Church, they plead it, as if he commanded them to come out of the Church into a separated sect. The Church is the House of Christ: Forsake it not, while he stayes in it: Forsake it not, for he hath promised never to forsake it. Particular Churches indeed he may cast off; p. 206but never the universall: Dwell therefore where he dwells?

18. Another hinderance of Peace is, that so many Christians as they have Carnall dispositions, so they are still looking at Carnall meanes. The endeavours of the Ministry they account as nothing; but they are still looking what the Magistrate will do: and till he force them, they will not stir, and till he do it, they think there's nothing done: such base thoughts have some, even Ministers, of their own Callings. And hence it is, that such men are alwayes on the stronger side, and of the Kings Religion; or else are seeking carnall advantages to carry on their Cause. So the Jesuites are more busie to get the Princes of the world engaged for them, and the Arms of the Nations p. 207employed for their ends, then we are to treat of Unity and Peace: And every party, instead of seeking Peace, is seeking to get highest, that they may be able to force all others to their will: And we can never get any Peaceable debates upen equal termes, because the several parties do seldom stand on equal termes: But still one is up and another is down: and he that is in the saddle, will not light to treat of Peace, nor hearken to any equall motions, but must have his will, and nothing less will serve the turn: And when he is down, and the other party is up, the case is the same. Still he that is lowest, is most reasonable and peaceable, (except some impious implacable spirits:) but the party that is highest will not be brought to reason. And thus the Peace of the Church is hindered, p. 208to our griefe and shame.

19. Another great hinderance of Unity and Concord, is the great weaknesses and miscarriages of the Professors of Godliness, partly because of hypocrites among them, and partly, because they are sanctified but in part. Among others, by these severall wayes, they do disturb our Peace.

1. By an ignorant quarrelling with their Teachers, thinking themselves fit to correct their guides, before they are considerably grounded in the Catechisme.

2. By entertaining false opinions, and making a disturbance for them.

3. By the great diversity of opinions among themselves, by which they become a scorn, p. 209or stumbling-block to many about them.

4. By the uncharitable bitterness of their spirits, in rash censures and contendings.

5. By their scandalous lives, and falls, disgracing their Profession, and hardning and alienating the minds of others.

And 6. By their imprudent and intemperate dealing with others; using proud, or provoking language, or carriage that more favoureth of contempt, then of compassion. And thus the Children of the Church do divide it. Especially by their childish fallings out with one another, and hearkening to malicious contentious hypocrites, that would lead them to despise their guides, and break them into shreads among themselves, Rom. 16. 17.