A Way to Zion Sought out and Found for Believers, Treatise · Objection 17
The last Objection.
But these outward things have bred a great deale of controversie in the world, Last Objection, Ordinances have bred division among Christians, answered.among the people of God, while they stand for this forme, and that forme, and order of Ordinances; whereas if these were down, and men more in Spirit, there would be more love and unity, then is now; so Mr. Sal…m. pag. 54.
I answer, The Scripture saith not so, That Order and Ordinances breed differences; but that it is mens corruptions, Iam. 4 1. &c. Whence are wars and wranglings amongst you? are they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? &c. Those that cast the cause of divisions upon Ordinances and Order, would throw Christ out of the world, and fall foule upon the Apostles themselves: Did not Christ say, Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth? I tell you nay, but rather division, Mat. 10.
And were there not great divisions upon the Apostles preachings: It is by reason of mens corruptions that will not yeeld to truth, and not because of Order and Ordinances, if the Scripture might judge: But this I say as Christ did, Joh. 5.39.Search the Scriptures, They are they that testifie of me, saith he; They restifie of truth. And though I know I shall have many a bitter censure, from some of them for writing these things; yet I have written that which I apprehend (from clear light of Spirit and Scripture which are both one in that respect) to be truth, And the Doctine of Baptismes saith pag. 12. ONE, SINGLE MAN WITH THE WORLD, MAY LAWLULLY AND JUSTLY CONTRADICT A WORLD WITHOUT IT. So I hope upon good ground they will not condemne me, for doing that which themselves allow.
And in all this that I have written, or whatsoever passage may seem, or be interpreted by them to be tart or sharp; I professe in the presence of God that searcheth the heart, I bear no hatred to the men; I respect that of God that I see in any of them: But some that professe that Tenet are a shame to the rest by their loosnesse, and labour to draw others to the like; And if any thing be sharp, I have spoken it with relation to such, and not in the least to those that do what they do out of conscience to God; apprehending it to be truth: And therefore if I for this be called a persecutor (as some of those Professors give out words) which I matter not, I answer, I shall be judged at Gods Bar, not mans, 1 Cor. 4.3… 4, 5.
FINIS.
End of the text · Daniel King, A Way to Zion Sought out and Found for Believers (1650)