The Work of Peace Ecclesiastical, Part 2
Concerning the ſecond.
BUt how muſt this concurrence be framed? whatPoints to be conſidered in the ſecond Head. is to be obſerved in the conjunction of theſe two endeavours, that the end thereof may be obtained? I ſuppoſe this queſtion will be anſwered if theſe things were opened: Firſt, What each of theſe works is, being conſidered in it ſelf: Secondly, What relation each work hath to the other: Thirdly, What conſiderable circumſtances are to be taken notice of, to diſcern what may chiefly be done in the ſpirituall part of the work at this time: And laſtly, What particular endeavours may further the joynt effect thereof in this negotiation.
1. Of the properties of each work by it ſelf.
THe properties chiefly obſervable in the work of Eccleſiaſtical reconciliatiō are theſe, That it muſt be wrought by ſpirituall men, by ſpirituall means, in ſuch a manner as may neither ſcandalize the weak, nor give advantage to the captious, and towards ſuch a ſcope as may be free from the imputation of all manner of partialitie, and anſwerable to the edification of all men that make profeſſion of Chriſtianitie. This ſcope of the work being well conceived will determine all the reſt of the properties thereof, becauſe they are and muſt be ſubordinate unto it: Therefore we muſt begin with it. And to do ſo, what if we ſhould ſay thus, That the ſcope of EccleſiaſticallWhat the ſcope of Eccleſiaſticall reconcilement is, reconcilement, ſought for amongſt Proteſtants, ought to be the eſtabliſhment and encreaſe of godly and brotherly love, between themſelves and all other men, through the common and publick acknowledgement, profeſſion and practice of that truth and thoſe duties which are neceſſary and ſufficient for all ſouls to attain thereby unto ſalvation. FromAnd to whom it may reach, this ſcope none are expreſſely to be excluded of whom there is any hope: For although in the work wherein Proteſtants ſeek to be at peace amongſt themſelves, their immediate aim is their mutuall edification, leſt continuing to bite and devour one another they ſhould be in the end conſumed one of another, yet their chief and laſt intention ought not to reſt in their own particular benefit, but ſhould be raiſed to an univerſall good and upright meaning towards all men that can poſſibly receive it, or may become willing to partake thereof. Thus then, the paſſionate affection of ſome which are chiefly ſet upon the work rather for a private advantage, and to exclude their profeſſed adverſaries from all means of Chriſtian unitie & peace, then to win and ſave all, is not to be allowed of; becauſe in true Chriſtianitie there is no partiality, but the good, which we for our own ſelves ſeek in Chriſt Jeſus, ought to be made, ſo far as in us lyeth, common to all men, and we in ſeeking it ought not to intend our ſelves onelyonly, but ſhould crave it of God and apply it alſo unto others. For this was the mind of Chriſt in procuring all his Fathers benefits unto us, as the Apoſtle ſheweth, Rom. 15. v. 1, to 8. and Phil. 2. v. 1, to 9. When this ſcope is really intended and well ſcanned, it will diſcoverAnd what men and means muſt be uſed to attain unto it, what kind of ſpirituall men ought to go about it, and chiefly to be dealt withall in it; what kind of diſpoſitions and learning they ought to have; what kind of means muſt be made uſe of, as well in dealing with men that are averſe from peace, as alſo in rectifying the effect thereof with ſuch as are peaceable; and laſtly, what cautions ought to be obſerved in the manner of proceeding, to make uſe of theſe means, and to ratifie that effect, that the inconveniences of two extremes may be avoyded; namely of the weak Chriſtians on all ſides, leſt they ſtumble and be offended at theſe proceedings; and of the malignant adverſaries, leſt they take occaſion to diſgrace the work, and ſpeak evil of the truth of godlineſſe and of all Religion. Of all theſe properties belonging to this work and ariſing from the main ſcope thereof, much may be ſaid, and muſt be thought on hereafter, when it ſhall be ſeaſonable to ſpeak of particulars. Therefore at this preſent we will not go further in this ſubject, then to take notice, That ſuch men are only fit to be ſet upon this work which have univerſall thoughts, and are not wedded to any ſingular courſe of this age; That ſuch means muſt be applyed to the work which in theorie and practice are undoubted fundamentals of ſalvation, and clearly known in the conſciences of all honeſt men to be matters without all controverſie; And that the manner of applying theſe means to the work to ratifie the effect thereof, muſt be fitted, Firſt, towards theAnd how they muſt be applyed in the work. weaker ſort of Chriſtians, with ſuch a ſtooping unto them in true carefulneſſe, lovingneſſe, and lowlineſſe of ſpirit, and with ſuch an accommodation of all matters unto their capacitie by the clear inſinuations and fit gradations of propoſals, that they may reſt ſatiſfied and no wayes troubled in conſcience at doubts which will be incident; Then in the ſecond place, That towards the captious evil-willers of the work, the manner of proceeding muſt be with ſuch evidence and demonſtration of truths propoſed, and without all offenſiveneſſe in propoſing the ſame unto them, that if it be poſſible they alſo may either be gained, or elſe made aſhamed of their malitiouſneſſe, when they ſhall not be able to find any advantage againſt the proceedings. Theſe are ſummarily the properties and conditions requiſite to attain the effect of Eccleſiaſticall reconciliation, if it be conſidered by it ſelf.
The properties of the other work, being alſo looked upon in it ſelf, ſeem chiefly to be theſe: That, itThe properties of the civill conſideration, being once undertaken by faithfull and worthy States-men by means of ſupreme authoritie, it muſt be brought to paſſe and confirmed in ſuch a manner as may neither prejudge the fundamentall reaſons of any particular State, nor give any advantage to the common enemies to diſcover and croſſe the counſels thereof; and for ſuch an end as is juſtifiable before all men, in the way of conſcience, of reaſon, and of naturall defence. Which being done, a courſe alſo muſt be taken by good correſpondencie to maintain the league once confirmed. Now from this end of the league, all the properties requiſite in the Authours, Means, and Manner of proceeding can be gathered, becauſe the properties of every thing intended define the middle cauſes fit to purchaſe the ſame. If then the end of this negotiation muſt be toAnd the ſcope thereof. ſtirre up a neceſſary mutuall care, and to eſtabliſh a conjunction of endeavours amongſt all Proteſtants for the preſervation of the liberties and rites civill, religious and Eccleſiaſticall, of Proteſtants in Germany, leſt the houſe of Auſtria lay for it ſelf a foundation of an univerſall Monarchy in their ruines; then it may be conceived by what perſons and means the confederation may be ſought for, how it ſhould be brought to paſſe, and what will be requiſite to confirm it amongſt thoſe that have intereſt in the cauſe; which are all ſuch to whom the houſe of Auſtria is or will be either intolerable or dreadfull in theſe preſent conqueſts. Concerning which things it is out of mine element to ſpeak at large: And therefore I will reſt in theſe generalities, which I mention onelyonly to intimate that it is not onelyonly poſſible to frame and confirm ſuch a league amongſt Proteſtants, if they be not altogether inſenſible of their own dangers, but alſo feaſible enough and not very difficult, if the true relation which the one work muſt have to the other in their neceſſary concurrence be rightly obſerved, and inſtruments imployed about the ſame.
11. Of the relation which the one work hath to the other.
IN the beginning was ſhewed that the civill league dependeth upon the work of Eccleſiaſticall reconcilement, as the body doth upon the ſoul: Now we may ſay on the other ſide again, That the Eccleſiaſticall work dependeth upon the civill confederation, as the ſoul upon the body. For indeed betwixt ſoul and body there is a mutuall dependence; ſo that the one is not ſo apparently ſubſiſting without the other: Therefore it may be concluded, That except the body of a civill confederation be intended and ſought for, the work of Eccleſiaſticall reconcilement will never come to a publick and viſible eſtate of ratification, no more then our ſouls are to be ſeen without their naturall bodies; yet becauſe the ſouls of men have by themſelves alſo a being and ſubſiſtence without their bodies, it is manifeſt that ſpirituall things which have a relation unto mens ſouls ought not to be ſuſpended from their bodyly conditions, but may and ſhould be ſought for by themſelves. From whence it followeth that the work of ſpirituall reconcilement ſhould be agitated, although the other be not intended; that yet this muſt not be made an appendix thereof, but taken up for it ſelf, as a buſineſſe ſtanding upon its own principles, tending to its own end (which is the advancement of Gods kingdome) and which may run along in its own channels together with the other work, even as the arteries, which are conduits of the vitall ſpirits, concurre together in one body with the veins thereof, which contain the maſſe of blood. I ſuppoſe then that the Authours of both works, their endeavours, means and manner of proceedings, ought to be not onelyonly conjoint, but alſo in ſome caſes dependant each upon other; yet ſo, that there be no confuſion and commixture of the chief aims, of the principles of the fundamentall proceedings, by which each work is to be perfected. For each work having its own aim, its own principles and wayes diſtinctly to be uſed, in and for its ſelf, muſt needs have alſo its own Authours and Actours diſtinguiſhed, which nevertheleſſe muſt not onelyonly correſpond together and do things with mutuall knowledge, but alſo aſſiſt and help one another with advice and addreſſe in matters of moment, that when either hopes and likelihoods appear both may know each others advantages; or when difficulties either way are incident, preventions may be both wayes uſed, leſt from the circumſtances of the one ſome inconveniences might reflect upon the other. Therefore the undertakers of both works, before they enter in agitation, ought to preconceive their plots, and make an agreement together concerning the manner of their relative proceedings, chiefly in thoſe caſes wherein it may be conjectured that jealouſies, taken up by others from matters which happily will fall out on either ſide, may cauſe a difficulty in both works. For if either the inſtrument of a civill league ſhould agitate too much with Divines (or with States-men) the work of Eccleſiaſticall reconcilement, or the undertaker of the ſpirituall work ſhould ſhew himſelf too forward in matters of State, both might incurre the ſuſpicion of not dealing ſincerely; becauſe the Clergie might be jealous that ſomething might be intended to their prejudice, if matters of Religion ſhould be too farre meddled into by States-men; and the States-men might ſuſpect the ſpirituall Agent, that his chief and reall aim was not a true compoſition of differences in Religion, but rather ſome pretext ſubtilly made uſe of to cover ſome other worldly intention, which would marre all, and make both them and their Divines ſhie and fearfull to meddle in the one or in the other buſineſſe. Now to avoid this and many other inconveniences which might be reckoned up, each muſt agitate his own work, and yet not without the fore-knowledge and preconſultation with the other; which ſufficeth to frame a fit concurrence at incident occaſions of ſpeciall moment, which being openly countenanced by authority will make a deep impreſsion upon mens affections. And to this effect alſo the moſt obſervable circumſtances of times, places, and perſons muſt be preconceived, and a courſe laid how to make uſe of the ſame as well joyntly as ſeverally.
III. Of the conſiderable circumſtances of the ſpirituall work, to diſcern what may be done in it at this time.
THe poſsibilitie of all effects ariſeth from the fitneſſe of means to be uſed towards the ſame: The fitneſſe of means conſiſteth in the properties of circumſtances wherewith they are clothed. Theſe circumſtances are chiefly time, place, and perſons: Therefore to ſee the poſsibility of this ſpirituall work, theſe circumſtances are to be conſidered. The ſeaſonableneſſe of this time to agitate in theſe matters ariſeth two wayes; partly from the extreme dangers and diſtractions of the Churches and of the minds of men, partly from the preparations made already towards the accompliſhment of the work in the ſpirits of thoſe that can beſt help to bring it to paſſe. The firſt circumſtance of this time maketh this buſineſſe to be a matter of abſolute neceſſity; the ſecond ſheweth the poſſibility thereof. The diſtractions and dangers of Proteſtants are almoſt infinite, they cannot be reckoned up: for what Church is it that is not divided from its neighbour & ſubdivided in it ſelf? where is true brotherly love without reſpect of perſons and partiality? where is a true care for godlineſſe and religiouſneſſe conſidered in it ſelf, without ſiding to this or that faction? what is become of the Communion of Saints tending to uphold the duties of charity and mutuall edification? Is not all this gone and loſt? and is not all manner of bitterneſſe in diſputes, raylings, and reproches, and all kind of diſorder, indiffidences, factions and plots undertaken one againſt another come in ſtead thereof? Hence it is that the peace of the Churches being diſturbed with violent affections and uncharitable practices, there is not onelyonly amongſt Divines a breach in communion about ſpirituall matters, but alſo that mutuall amity and fidelity which is requiſite in States-men, for the concourſe of Councels in common affairs of a publick nature, is decayed and broken all to pieces. Thus they are become a prey unto their adverſaries. And although they can perceive that their ſtrength is almoſt broken, yet they cannot joyn in counſel for their mutuall preſervation, but whileſt the Auſtrians are before, which devour Proteſtants with open mouth, and falſe brethren behind, which undermine their counſels, their heads are brought very low, their ſtate is overthrown, their Church is darkened, their land is burnt up, and the people thereof is as the fewel to the fire; yet for all that, ſcarce any Proteſtant Divine or States-man ſpareth his brother, but he ſnatcheth on the right hand and is ſtill hungry, and eateth on the left hand and is not yet ſatisfied: every man eateth the fleſh of his own arm, or ſtrengtheneth his adverſaries with the overthrow of his brethren; Manaſſeh is againſt Ephraim, and Ephraim againſt Manaſſeh, and they both are againſt Judah, and what the end of this will be God alone doth know. Neither is there any that ſeemeth hitherto to have taken this matter ſo ſeriouſly to heart as the importance thereof doth require: for although theſe thoughts of Reconcilement are now become of abſolute neceſsity, yet many do not apprehend them to be of ſuch a nature. Nevertheleſſe to me ſure it is, that if the deſire to preſerve both Church and State be at this time neceſſary to a conſcionable and honeſt mind, and if this deſire cannot be attained without a confederation and conjunction of divided ſpirits, nor this conjunction either be procured or faithfully maintained except the ground thereof be laid in the hearts of Clergy-men; then it followeth, that both to facilitate and to confirm the civill confederation, this work of Eccleſiaſticall Reconcilement is not onelyonly ſeaſonable, but of abſolute neceſsity to be undertaken; and although there were none other circumſtance but this to move an honeſt heart to think upon this matter, this alone ought to ſuffice. But beſides this there is another circumſtance of ſeaſonableneſſe ariſing from the preparatives made already in the minds of men towards the effect of reconciliation; for it is moſt true, that all mens thoughts in all Churches and States are already ſtirred up and wrought upon in ſome meaſure to this effect, inſomuch that there is ſcarce any but he hath ſome impreſsion concerning the effect of this Negotiation. True it is that ſome fear it, ſome hope for it, ſome doubt what to think of it, and ſome laugh at it; all theſe howſoever well or ill affected, are already prepared in ſome ſort unto the further agitation of the buſineſſe, for whatſoever the diſpoſition of their mind be, it is no great matter for this time preſent, becauſe it ſufficeth to make the work ſeaſonable, that there be ſome kind of reall impreſsions and thoughts reflecting upon it. If their impreſsions and thoughts be good, it is ſo much the better; if they be indifferent, yet becauſe they are thoughts of ſuch a work, the mind is diſpoſed towards the effect thereof, which will not be found unſeaſonable unto them; if they be rather evil then good, that is, if they either deſpiſe it as a matter too meanly undertaken by one of no appearance, or deſpair of it as a matter of too great difficultie, yet it is not unſeaſonable to deal with them in it, although it were for none other cauſe then to rectifie their judgements in theſe conceptions, which concern both the manner of proceeding, which is thought to be diſproportionate unto ſuch an end, and the matter which is thought to be of ſo great weight that it cannot be heaved; if at laſt they be wholly evil, that is, if they fear either the effect of peace it ſelf, or my perſon and negotiation in it, then it is moſt of all not ſeaſonable onelyonly, but even neceſſary alſo to deal with them, that their needleſſe fears may be corrected and better impreſsions wrought upon them, leſt they be moved through jealouſies for ſiniſter and private ends to hinder theſe proceedings, either by neglect of duties requiſite, or by croſſe courſes ſecretly or openly taken in hand. Thus ſeeing mens ſpirits are wakened up, and a reall expectation is raiſed in their minds of ſome thing which may be done in this work, it is ſeaſonable to entertain the ſame by ſuch a continuance of agitation in this matter which may rectifie the evil, prevent the worſt, and ſtrengthen the good affections. And thus much of the ſeaſonableneſſe of the time. The conſideration of the place is of no ſmall moment in the production of all things, becauſe it is a matrix wherein the ſeed of every thing is conceived, which moſt commonly according to its fit or unfit diſpoſition either marreth or maketh the ſhape of that which is brought forth. Therefore if this place, I mean Hamburgh and Lubeck, be rightly conſidered, it will be found in two reſpects moſt fit for the agitation of this work: Firſt, in reſpect of the ſituation, that theſe cities are in the middeſt of all Proteſtant States, and moſt convenient to entertain correſpondence with all others of both ſides, not onelyonly becauſe they are as a centre amongſt the reſt, but chiefly becauſe they have perpetuall occaſions of conveyance to all quarters, ſo that at one time information may be given to all parties of every occurrence that may fall out. Secondly, in reſpect that theſe are free cities, not onelyonly free for all perſons to reſort unto ſafely from all quarters, without all jealouſies and outward reſpects prejudiciall unto the work, but alſo fitted with certain Divines of ſpeciall uſe, by whoſe means (if they be once gained to the cauſe) all the reſt of Germany may without all difficultie be wrought upon. Laſtly, the perſons conſiderable & fit to be made uſe of both here & elſwhere, are all ſuch Divines as follow one John Arnd, formerly generall Superintendent at Luneburgh, who hath laboured with good effect to draw the minds of Lutheran Divines from diſputes, unto the thoughts of a godly life. Theſe men are all zealous for peace, and ſpare not to bear witneſſe againſt the unconſcionable and partiall dealings of many of their own Clergy. And beſides theſe, other known prudent and moderate men who are in eminent places of authority can be made uſe of, amongſt which the Lord Chancellour of Denmark Friſe, and the Lord Chancellour of Holſtein Ravenelow, and my Lord Roſencrants, and others as well here in Hamburg and Lubeck and elſewhere, can be ſet a work towards their own Clergie to take off the edge of their ſpirits in many things; with moſt of whom acquaintance is either made already, or may be made by fit addreſſe hereafter.
IV. Of the particular intentions and endeavours which I ought to undertake to advance the effect of theſe Negotiations.
VVHen I begin to think of my ſelf, and of the endeavours which I have already undertaken, and which I ought and may further undertake, two things repreſent themſelves unto me: Firſt, what the inward purpoſes and reſolutions of my mind ought to be towards the work. Secondly, what outward undertakings muſt follow thereupon to gain the effect intended. As concerning the reſolutions and purpoſes of my mind, they were ſettled before I came out of Sweden in theſe particulars: Firſt, that I ſhould never leave the thoughts of this work ſo long as I live. Secondly, that I ſhould intend it for it ſelf, and keep it free from being ſubordinate to particular politick ends. Thirdly, that I ſhould follow none other wayes in proſecuting of it, then ſuch as are moſt anſwerable to the Goſpel of Chriſt, and may be made uſe of without all occaſion of diſpute, ſtrife and ſcandall. To theſe and to ſome other reſolutions ſubordinate to theſe, I am bound by a ſolemn vow, which vow cannot be retracted nor altered. Therefore if I purpoſe to keep my promiſe conſcionably, I am bound to dedicate my ſelf wholly unto the effect of the work, with a purpoſe not onelyonly to entertain my ſelf ſpeculatively with this object of meditation, but rather to endeavour effectually the work it ſelf, at leaſt ſo long as I can by any lawfull means poſſibly ſubſiſt to proceed in it. I ſuppoſe then I have here a task for my whole life, and therefore will make no haſte to rid my ſelf of it, nor ever think of being weary, or of taking any other thing in hand, which is not either collaterally helpfull or ſubordinate unto it. For when I enter ſeriouſly within my ſelf to conſider what courſe of life I muſt from henceforth follow, that I may be able to perform the vows and promiſes which I have made unto Almighty God, I find that I muſt reſolve before all things to be no more mine own man in any thing, but a ſervant to the work and to ſuch as will help to further it; whereupon this conſequence followeth, that as I muſt reſigne and give up my ſelf unto the work, ſo I muſt reſolve to be at full libertie and free from all other occaſions, obligations and relations which may divide and diſtract my thoughts from it.
Having thus ſettled the main buſineſſe which doth concern my conſcience, when I reflect afterward upon particulars, I find, that to concurre effectually with the work of a civill Confederation, I muſt propoſe unto my ſelf this diſtinct ſcope, namely, to labour to diſpoſe the ſpirits of the Clergie of both ſides, but chiefly of the Lutherans, to have good and moderate thoughts of their neighbours and friends the Reformed Churches. For indeed, though both ſides be in ſome things faulty, yet the chief fault lieth in the ſpirits of ſome Lutheran Divines, who either through ignorant zeal or forwardly ends diſturb the peace of Proteſtants. And the way which they take to do it is none other but a pretext of maintaining truth againſt Calviniſts (under which name all Reformed Churches are meant) who are ſaid to be guilty of moſt damnable hereſies. Therefore to moderate this untoward affection this pretext muſt needs be taken away: And to do it, the chief Lutheran Divines muſt be made really ſenſible that the Reformed Churches are not guilty of hereſie, but are in very deed true Evangelicall Chriſtians and ſound Profeſſours of the Goſpel; which thing although it be no difficult matter in it ſelf to be made good, yet it will prove a task of no eaſie performance to make Lutherans ſo farre obliged to take notice of this truth, that they ſhall not be able any more to decline the acknowledgement thereof. Now to gain this purpoſe, ſome treaty muſt needs be intended with the Lutheran Clergie, and it muſt be a peaceable treaty void of all occaſion of jealouſie and offence; but how this treaty may be drawn on, by what means and manner of proceedings it muſt be proſecuted, How the preparations thereof may be negotiated, How the difficulties which are or will be incident to theſe proceedings may be overcome, are things now to be thought upon, before the work it ſelf be further undertaken.