A Memorial Concerning Peace Ecclesiastical Amongst Protestants, Text
A MEMORIALL Concerning PEACE ECCLESIASTICALL amongſt Proteſtants: Which JOHN DURY offereth to Maſter ALEXANDER HENDERSON, to bee ſent or preſented unto the Generall Aſſembly of the Church of Scotland.
Worthy Sir, and loving Brother in Jeſus Chriſt,
MY earneſt deſire is, that this well meant, and (as I conceive) very warrantable Negotiation of mine, may not bee miſtaken by any, and chiefely by you in Scotland, to whom I owe reverence in the Church of God.
For, As I was not drawne to this worke by any man upon any private conſiderations; ſo I have never ſerved any mans end, nor ſought my ſelfe in it, but onelyonly God, and the manifeſtation of his Truth. This he that ſearcheth the hearts of all men knoweth to have beene, and ſtill to bee mine onelyonly true and conſtant aime. Nor doe I preſume to interpoſe, and caſt my ſelfe up as a Judge, and Arbitrator of the differences between Churches; but being earneſtly in love with truth and peace, and having been ſtirred up by men that ſeek the truth in holineſſe and peaceable affections, to endeavour the advancement of the one and the other, I have preſented hitherto my ſelfe unto God, and to all his ſervants without partiality, as an humble ſolicitor of the counſels of Peace, for the publick good of Proteſtant Churches, that therein the truth of his Goſpel may bee conferred and made knowne unto the world. And this I finde I am warranted to doe, not onelyonly by the neceſſity of the times, and the dangers whereunto the Profeſſors of the Goſpel are brought, through the prevarication, and implacable animoſity of ſome of their Leaders and controverſall Writers; but alſo by the expreſſe Commandements of God; which preſſe mee, firſt, to ſeeke peace with all men, Rom. 12. 18. Heb. 12. 14. Heb. 10. 24.ſo farre as in mee lyeth, if poſſibly it may bee had: And ſecondly, to provoke others, whom this dutie in like manner doth concerne, unto the ſame affection of love, and of good workes. Let mee then bee looked upon as a publicke ſolicitor of peaceable counſels and thoughts, and as a provoker of godly men unto the affections of charitable duties; for this is the ſumme of that which I intend.
Therefore, To performe this task more effectually towards every one, I have taken notice of that part of the duty wherein wee are diſtinctly commanded to contemplate, and attentively to conſider one another, (for this is the force of the word foreign,) to the end that wee ſhould ſharpen and ſtirre up one another (for thus much the word foreign implyeth) towards the perfection of our holy calling and profeſſion.
And therefore give mee leave, in obedience to this Commandement, chiefly at this time, to conſider you of my Nation, as an object fit to be provoked to all the duties which God hath commanded in his Goſpel for the glory of his name: Give me leave (I ſay) to beleeve that you deſire to bee provoked, & that you will effectually be ſtirred up hereunto, as unto a neceſſary duty, although by ſuch a weake and contemptible inſtrument as I am, it is thus meanly propoſed unto you: For I hope you will doe it ſo much the rather and the readier, becauſe it is not backed with Authoritie, that it may appear you are perſwaded and moved by the grace and Spirit of God, and not by any humane and outward conſideration towards that which is required of you in your heavenly calling. Bee pleaſed then to conſider not who it is that maketh the propoſition, but what it is that is propoſed; and in whoſe name, and to what end and effect theſe endeavours were and are undertaken.
The end you have already heard; the name in which the propoſall is made, is the name of our God, and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, who is called the great God, and the Prince of peace. If therefore you profeſſe your ſelves to be his faithfull ſubjects in the Kingdome, and Miniſters in the Goſpel of Peace, I may call upon you by your allegeance, that you decline not the counſels of peace, becauſe hee hath commanded, ſaying, Seek peace, and Pſal. 34. 14.follow after it. And as for the thing required at your hands to be done at this time, it is thus to be conceived; That although ſometimes I am enabled to uſe great boldneſſe in a private way, yet, being now to make my addreſſe unto a whole Church, I have reaſon to feare leſt I ſeeme to abuſe my Liberty which is in Chriſt. Therefore I am farre from preſcribing any thing, and will onelyonly repreſent my earneſt wiſhes and humble requeſts unto you, as they are briefly ſet downe in the Petition hereunto annexed, and as now by this writ this ſhall bee more particularly explained and declared for the opening of my meaning therein.
Be pleaſed then to conſider, that my conſtant ſuit to all Proteſtants is, that they would live in the Communion of Saints one towards another: for, ſeeing they all beleeve that there is a Communion of Saints, and that every one in particular thinketh himſelfe intereſſed therein, as being ſanctified by one and the ſame Spirit; therefore I ſuppoſe that none may or will be unwilling (chiefly when he is called upon) to communicate the fruits of his ſpirituall talents towards the building up of truth, and of righteouſneſſe in his fellow-ſaints. Now I take the ground of holy Communion, which ought to be made manifeſt amongſt Proteſtants, to be this:
Firſt, That they joyntly attained unto the acknowledgment of the ſame ſaving faith, as it is revealed in the forme of ſound words and Doctrine, which the holy Scriptures teach, renouncing thereby all Popiſh, all Socinian, and other whatſoever hereſies and errours, which overthrow the ground of our ſalvation.
Secondly, That they have ſubmitted themſelves unto the ſame rule of life and obedience, in all actions towards God and man, to be joyntly directed therein by the will of God revealed in the ſame holy Scriptures, renouncing conſequently thereby all Popiſh idolatry, all humane traditions, and all ſuperſtitious conſtitutions, as no wayes binding in reſpect of conſcience, or to bee impoſed as obſervable in the worſhip of God.
Seeing then all Proteſtants appeal only unto the word of God, and reject all doctrines & practices, as untrue & unwarrantable, which have no ground in the ſame: therefore I conceive them to be really brethren in Chriſt. And although the more weak, and leſſe knowing party (as commonly it falleth out) is unwilling to acknowledge the other for a Brother, yet nevertheleſſe, becauſe there is a commandement of God, bidding us that are ſtrong, to beare with the infirmities of the weak, and forbidding us to pleaſe our ſelves, and injoyning both Rom. 15. 1. 1bid. v. 7.them and us to receive one another as Chriſt received us unto the glory of God. Therefore I find that wee are bound to labour to gaine our erring brethren, with all meekneſſe alluring and drawing them on towards more knowledge, towards moderation, and towards godlineſſe, and brotherly love: To which effect, we ſhould indeavour to rectifie in them thoſe miſtakes for which they ſhew their ſpirits to be averſe from us; and to give them alſo occaſion to rectifie in us thoſe ſiniſter thoughts for which we conceive our ſpirits juſtly alienated from them. For indeed, it is for the moſt part almoſt nothing but miſtakes on both ſides, and miſ-interpretations of each others meanings and actions, which make the diviſion. Theſe miſtakes and miſ-interpretations therefore ſhould be taken out of the way on both ſides: which may bee done, if that wherein both Churches fully doe agree betwixt themſelves, and diſagree from Papiſts, were brought into a ſumme, and meanes uſed to cauſe that ſumme to be acknowledged by common conſent, as a teſtimony of their unity in the faith and practice of true Chriſtianity. Now, to make ſuch a ſumme, a Symboll of their agreement in faith and obedience, as it is not difficult to be done, ſo it may be effectuall to rectifie their miſtakes, and bind up their hearts in brotherly love, if the publick Confeſſions of all the Churches were compared together in things neceſſary, and uſefull for unity and mutuall edification; whereof the conſent being gathered and approved by us, then afterward it might be inſinuated with countenance of authority unto forraigne Proteſtant States, to make them willing to propoſe the ſame unto their Miniſtery, to move them to approve of it in like manner as of a teſtimony of a ſpirituall unitie. This, I ſay, is no hard matter to bee done; and yet would bee a ſufficient means to unite all our ſpirits together, & take away the hurtfull ſcandall of our diviſions.
This being done, needleſſe diſputes and curious Schoole queſtions, which have bred much ſtrife, might, in the ſecond place, bee caſt out from the Pulpits, and other profitable, though high and ſublime myſteries of godlineſſe, might be regulated by common conſent, to oblige ordinary Preachers to handle the ſame without curioſity, prudently and plainly, as may be anſwerable unto vulgar capacities, for popular edification. Thus it is conceived that controverſies might be made leſſe in number and in weight. Which being done, a courſe could be ſetled to entertaine correſpondencie in ſpirituall things, belonging unto the advancement of the kingdom of God towards thoſe that either know, or as yet know not his name: To which effect theſe things ſhould be taken into conſideration:
Firſt, How, and by what means, anſwerably to the will of God, ſcandals, hereſies, and breaches of brotherly love and unity ſhould be prevented betwixt the Churches in time to come.
Secondly, How the increaſe of knowledge, which daily is enlarged, in ſome places this way, and in other places that way, according to the different gifts of Gods Spirit diverſly beſtowed, and alwaies profitable in ſeverall perſons, may become profitable in common to all, and be communicated without grudging or envie, or danger of diſturbance to any, ariſing from prepoſterous contradictions and diſputations. And to bring this to paſſe, thoughts have beene long agoe entertained, and ſome indeavours uſed to procure the meanes of true Chriſtian learning, and holy knowledge.
The firſt is a full body of practicall Divinity, wch in ſtead of the ordinary Philoſophicall-jangling-School-Divinity, might bee propoſed to all thoſe that ſeeke the truth, which is after godlineſſe, and eſpecially to the young Schollers of Theologie in the Univerſities.
The ſecond is, a ſubſtantiall explication of the literall and materiall ſenſe of the Text of the holy Bible, to be a help unto all both learned and unlearned in matters of doubt, which ought to bee decided by the word of God.
The third thing belonging to the advancement of Gods Kingdome, which may and ought to bee conſulted upon, is how to propagate the truth and light revealed unto Proteſtants towards others; that ſuch as are yet in darkneſſe and deadly ignorance, may be drawne unto the light of life which ſhineth in the Goſpel.
Theſe are the objects of my ſollicitation and endeavours amongſt Proteſtants, whereunto not only many have given their conſent, and decalred a ready minde for concurrence; but ſome alſo have really and effectually put to their hand to labour in the work with us: others are more and more comming on, and no doubt by your example moſt of them will be raiſed and ſtirred up from that accuſtomed drowſineſſe and ſlackneſſe in reſolution, wherewith our fleſh and bloud is clogged when wee intend ſpirituall matters: But hee that is able to waken the dead, and raiſe them up out of their graves, and who will once bring us united together with Chriſt in glory, is able alſo to quicken mens ſpirits towards theſe duties, and make them concurre in one purpoſe, to underſtand aright the ſincerity of one anothers intentions.
Now then, If I may uſe freedome of ſpeech through Chriſt, to require of you that which I conceive you ought to doe, and beſeech you to ſettle a reſolution in your Aſſembly, that henceforth you will lay to heart ſuch publick thoughts, that as in other things you have abundantly approved your zeal towards the truth, ſo in theſe duties of love and publick edification, you may goe before others, and bee found laudable Patrons to the communion of Saints: Which may be brought to paſſe, if you will make an Act for the entertainment of correſpondency with forraign Churches about this matter, and in conſequence of that Act, deferre Authority to ſome fit perſons of your Body, who may in your name concurre to correſpond and entertaine with others theſe thoughts of ſpirituall and common edification. To ſuch then as you ſhall appoint to heed this work I will promiſe to make mine addreſſe, and give you by them true information of that which is, or ſhall be done herein by others hereafter: And from them reciprocally I deſire to receive the advice and counſell which you ſhall thinke fit to impart towards the worke, that it may in due time be brought to a full period, through the aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit, in the ſupply of your joynt prayers and co-operation. And becauſe in this ſpirituall combate our prayers are our chiefe ſtrength and weapons, therefore my further requeſt is, That you would recommend the work unto the prayers and ſupplications of your Congregations; that it may be mentioned before God, to this effect, namely, that his ſaving truth revealed to the Proteſtant Churches, may bee not onelyonly freed from all ſcandals of needleſſe diſputes, and dangerous diviſions amongſt themſelves: but alſo have a free paſſage towards others, and be enlarged towards all the ends of the world, through the unity of their ſpirits in the bond of peace, and their godly zeal to entertain holy Communion one with another, for the advancement of the kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt our Saviour. What ſhal Papiſts faſt & pray, and erect ſocieties, and ſpend great revenues to breed and ſend forth Emiſſaries, to undermine the truth, and propagate their ſuperſtirions and idolatries: and ſhall wee no nothing for the advancement and propagation of the true faith and knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus: Shall they be more cunning and diligent to overthrow and divide our Churches by worldly wiles of deſtruction, then wee are circumſpect and zealous to maintaine our ſelves and all Gods children, ſo farre as in us lyeth, in unity, by ſpirituall rules of mutuall edification: Oh, let never this fault bee any more found in any of us. It may ſuffice, that hitherto the neglect of our duty, in this and other things, hath brought us to this extremity whereunto you ſee Eccleſiaſticall matters are reduced amongſt Proteſtants. If therefore there be any bowels and compaſſion, if you intend to entertaine any fellowſhip of the Spirit, and if you can ſupply any comfort of love derived to you from our head Jeſus Chriſt, fulfill the joy of peaceable minded Chriſtians, and in theſe things bee like minded with us; Enlarge your ſelves as we doe, and open your hearts by ſome written Declaration fit to bee imparted unto forreigners, to beare witneſſe that you are willing and ready to ſeek and entertaine peace with all true Profeſſors of Chriſtianity. And if withall you ſhall thinke fit to give any advice unto me (a mean inſtrument of this worke) or to ſuggeſt ſome profitable counſell concerning the heads of conſultation here propoſed unto you, I am a moſt humble ſuiter unto you, that you would either inſert the ſame into your Declaration, or communicate it apart unto me: For by the communication of your ſpirituall talents in this kinde, you will cauſe many thankſgivings and praiſes to bee offered up by many unto God on your behalfe, and in particular by my ſelfe, who in the midſt of many outward diſcouragements, and inward failings, am bound to wraſtle ſometimes with my ſelfe, and ſometimes with others, againſt the ſpirit of envie and ſtrife which dwelleth in our fleſh, for the unblameable waies of peace and truth which are in Jeſus Chriſt. To his grace I commend you, and ſhall not ceaſe to pray, that in all your labours for the Goſpel, you may finde the infallible direction of his holy Spirit going along with you, till you ſee the bleſſed effects of his good will and direction over you, with joy unſpeakable, and comfort unto your ſoules, through the apprehenſion of the glory of our God, which I wiſh may ſhine now and for ever, in and over every one of you ſeverally, and your whole ſociety jointly; of which I ſhall alwaies ſtudy to be found
The moſt faithfull and affectionate ſervant in Chriſt Jeſus, JOHN DURY.
End of the text · John Dury, A Memorial Concerning Peace Ecclesiastical Amongst Protestants (1641)