A Peacemaker Without Partiality and Hypocrisy, Discourse · Chapter 5
CHAP. V. Concerning the particular termes of Vnitie, whereunto the Miniſters of this kingdome have attained, in the doctrine of Faith, and in their relation to Chriſt and his Church.
FOraſmuch as I am very confident, that the Miniſters of both ſides are fully convicted of each others Orthodoxy in all thoſe Truths which containe not onelyonly the ſubſtance and Fundamentals of Chriſtianitie, but alſo all profitable matters unto edification; therefore I ſhall aſſert the ſulneſſe and ſatisfactorineſſe of this Unitie briefly in a few propoſitions, which I am ſure doe containe much more as to the agreement in doctrinals; and no leſſe as to the agreement in their relation unto Chriſt and his Church, then is requiſite to make up a Brotherly Vnitie.
Firſt then, it is undeniably evident, that they all acknowledge and receive the ſame holy Scriptures of the Old and New Teſtament, to bee the onelyonly Word of God, outwardly given both to the Church in generall, and to all men in particular, as the onelyonly rule of Faith and Obedience, which in it ſelfe and to all beleevers is cleer and ſufficient for the attainement of ſalvation, and for their direction in all good workes.
Secondly, they all agree that in doubtfull places of Scripture, the Interpretation thereof is to bee taken from the undoubted analogie (that is, the proportion) of Faith, which is in other …eer places of Scripture, and from the right Analyſis, (that is, the reſolution or diviſion) of the context of the ſame place.
Thirdly, it is evident, that they all beleeve unanimoufly, that in theſe holy Scriptures is revealed unto us, that there are three bearing witneſſe in beaven, the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghoſt, and that theſe three are one, and the onelyonly true and living God, of whom the true knowledge is life eternall.
Fourthly, they all agree to profeſſe and teach that wee have hope to bee juſtified and ſaved by Faith onelyonly in God through Ieſus Chriſt alone; who according to the Scriptures is the Meſſias promiſed to the Fathers, and ſent into the world; and who being the onelyonly begotten Sonne of the Father from eternitie, was in time made fleſh, a true man, like unto us (ſinne excepted) in all things; and be comming a Mediator between God and us, ſuffered our puniſhment, and paid the ranſome for our ſinnes to ſatisfie Gods juſtice, and doth ſtill make interceſſion for us in heaven.
Fifthly, they all agree fully in this, That there hath been alwayes, that now there is, and ever ſhall bee unto the end of the world amongſt men a true Church, wherein God is worſhipped according to his will in ſpirit and truth, by the Ordinances of his owne appointment. That unto this Church the promiſes of perpetuall aſſiſtance by the ſpirit and word of protection againſt the gates of hell and of remiſſion of ſinnes, are made in and through the Covenant of grace: and that ſuch as live in this Covenant the life of repentance and faith here, ſhall in the reſurrection of the juſt hereafter partake of the life of eternall glory with Chriſt, when all the wicked ſhall bee puniſhed with the everlaſting judgement of being caſt out of his preſence into utter darkneſſe and endleſſe torment.
Sixtly, beſides theſe neceſſary truths (which I confeſſe to bee ſufficient to oblige me to acknowledge every one a true Brother in the Faith of Chriſt, as to the Doctrinall part, who doth beleeve the ſame.) I ſay, beſides theſe Fundamentalls they all agree with the reformed Churches in the other Doctrines of Faith, contained in their Confeſſions and publick writings, ſuch namely as concerne, 1. The Creation of the world and of man. 2. The decrees of God and his providence. 3. The fall of man, his ſinne originall and actuall, and the freedome of his will. 4. The reſtitution of mans fall by Chriſt. 5. Chriſts perſon, offices, natures and works of redemption, and the application thereof. 6. The Law and the Goſpel. 7. The uſe of good workes and their rewards. 8. The nature of Faith and Repentance. 9. The ſtate of regeneration, juſtification, ſanctification and perſeverance in converſion. 10. The univerfall Church and markes of a true particular Church. 11. The worſhip of God. 12. The Miniſters of the Church and their calling. 13. The true and falſe Ordinances. 14. The Sacraments of the Lords Supper and Baptiſme, and ſuch like; wherein over and above neceſſary truths, moſt things that are profitable and expedient for edification are fully expreſſed, and by all aſſented unto, ſo that the unity of Faith in this kinde is without all doubt very abundantly full and ſatisfactory.
Seventhly, ſeeing the bare theorie of truths dogmatically aſſente unto, is not all that is requiſite to make up a Brotherly unitie between Chriſt and our owne ſoules; but there is alſo a ſubſiſtence and evidence of our intereſt in, and relation unto him neceſſary to compleat this union. Therefore in like manner to compleat a full and ſatis factory unitie in our Chriſtian brotherhood one towards another, there ought to bee ſome evidence of this ſubſiſtence of our relation unto him manifeſted unto each other. And hereunto all the godly and orthodox Miniſters of this kingdome will heartily agree; That none are to bee counted true members of Ieſus Chriſt and belonging unto his myſticall body, but ſuch as by faith embracing fiducially with their heart the fundamentall and ſaving truths of Chriſtianitie, make confeſſion thereof with their mouth, and endeavour in their life and converſation to walke in holineſſe anſwerable thereunto; that is, not after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit, in love towards one another, as God loved us.