at all, It is a wonder to us in thefe days, that the ancient Christians fhould fo earnestly contend about the day, on which Eafter, as they called it, was to be celebrated, and upon difference herein, fhould divide into Sects as they did; feeing there always fhone light enough in the Gofpel, to declare this to be a flight circumftance not worth the minding. The Apoftle exhorts the Philippians, to ftrive together for the faith of the Gospel, but no where for the form of it, in one thing or other.

2. We ought not, for contrary mindedness in these things, te avoid Chriftian converfe and communion with one another; for ftrangeness of Christians in these cafes, both breeds and increases fufpicions and jealoufies, and caufes, that we harbour hard thoughts, brother against brother, and it takes away all opportunities of conference, and of understanding and perfwading one another, and fo of Reconciliation.

3. In these things, whereof neither commend us to God, we are not to condemn one another: for to condemn one another for every difference in judgment, produces innumerable Sects in the Church; than which nothing can be more deftructive to the peace of it; feeing fuch deadly enmity arises among Sects, as we fee by daily experience. And therefore, that rash judgment, that produces thefe Sects, is the great enemy to the peace of the Church, and the great advancer of the Devils work of divifion.

contented

Gods King

4. Let us know, wherein the, effence of Gods 4. To be Kingdom ftands,to wit,in righteoufnefs and peace, with the and joy in the holy Spirit, in Faith and Love, &c. fubftance of and not in outward Ceremonies and Orders; and dom in the where the power and fubftance of Gods Kingdom faithful.. is, let us be contented, though there's a difference in form and circumftances. Let us take careful

heed,

5. To take care in thele

heed, that we do nothing against the power and fubftance of godlinefs, under pretence of the form and circumftance. The highest good in the Church, is falvation in Chrift; and the end of all gifts, given to all Apostles, Prophets, Evangelifts, Paftors, Teachers, is to bring us all to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God. And if fo be that this be done, the Church is not to be troubled with other things; yea all other things are to give way to this. Where the heavenly things themselves are prefent, we ought not in thefe days of grace and truth, to contend about the fhadows of them.

5. In cafe men differ in judgment, in thefe cirthree things cumftantial things, fuch as are in prefent power, of great ought to take care especial,

Importance.

admit men

1. That 1. That they do not entertain men into the equally communion of Saints, that are only of one judgeof different ment: but that every one to whom the keys of the judgements Kingdom of Heaven are given, may have free lithings, into berty to go in and out, and find pafture. It is a the commu-moft Antichriftian thing to make another key to

in thefe

nion of

Saints.

the Kingdom of Heaven, or true Church, befides that which Chrift hath given; for then it will foon come to pass, that Christs keys will not be fufficient without mans alfo; yea, foon it will come to pass, that mans key shall be fufficient, without Chrifts; that is, it will not be reckoned fufficient for men to be believers, and to have received the gift of the Spirit, to make them of the Church, unless they alfo conform to the judgments of fuch and fuch men; but to be of their judgments, will be enough to make them of the Church, though they be deftitute of faith, and the Spirit. And thus, by making another key to Gods Kingdom, befides the key that Chrift hath given, and fo to let in thofe that should be kept out, and keep out thofe

that

that should be let in; this must needs be avoided as extreamly prejudicial to the Peace of the Church.

2. They must take care that they do not pre 2. That they fer Chriftians to Places of Publick Ministry and and imploy equally ufe Employment, that are only of one Judgment, but them. that they dispose of them alike, to Godly Men of either Judgment; left otherwife, many fmell the design of Antichrift underneath; which is, that none shall buye, or fell, or have any Place in the Church, or Universities, but only fuch as have taken a certain mark into their foreheads, and right hands. And though the outward mark of the mystery may change, yet the inward mind and meaning of it doth not change, with the change of form.

do not de

hold the

3. If one fort of Chriftians be not to be admit- 3.That they ted as Members, or preferr'd as Officers in the ftroy the Church more than another, much lefs in one Party one, to upto be destroyed for another; for thus would Sa-other. tan also be a Prince of Peace, who would destroy Christs Kingdom, to exalt his own, that he might poffefs all quietly and alone: But Chrifts way is to reconcile those that differ in these things, and of twain, to make them one new man in himself. And fo we shall be like Chrift, if we feek to bring both into one, in love, and not to destroy either, by force.

Thefe Rules are to be obferved, as means of

If the faith

Peace, if the things be Circumftantial. Now if they be very truths, wherein Chriftians ful differ in differ, yet fuch, wherein they may err, without very truths, danger of Salvation, than thefe Rules are of ule.

are not abfolutely ne

Salvation,

1. To hear them fpeak their Judgments with cellary to freedom, and not to condemn them, unheard; they muft for thus mayft thou foon condemn the innocent, and make thy felf guilty.

u

obferve thefe Rules to preferve

2. To peace.

2. To understand fully, what thy Adversary means, before thou contend against him; left if thou want this wisdom and patience, thou oppose not fo much his judgment, as thy own conceit. Much better is it, calmly to hear a mans mind, from himself, than haftily to guefs at it; yea to conclude it is fo, before thou haft heard him fpeak. If thou canft but have patience to hear him relate his own mind, perhaps in the end, thou fhalt understand, it differs little from thy own, in fubftance.

3. Reproach not any thing thy Adversary fpeaks, with this, That thou never heardeft it before; for this may not fo much discover his error, as thy ignorance; and that which feems to thee a new error, if it be truly examined by the word, may prove an old truth. And if thou wilt needs condemn whatever favours of novelty,how fhall the truths we yet know not, be brought in; or the errors, that yet remain with us, be purged

out?

4. Be not over-confident in what thou holdeft, upon thy own judgment, or other mens, ftrengthned from multitude, cuftom and antiquity; for men have erred moft grofly, even in those things, wherein they have thought themselves most certain: And therefore, Prove all things, that thou mayeft hold fast that which is good. It is much better to hold faft the truth, upon clear grounds from the word, than upon the strongest prefumptions of thy own heart.

5. In thefe differences make the word the Judge, and not men. The word of God is the fole and perfe& Judge, in all the things of God. And therefore one faid well, Qui ponit legem judicem ponit Deum qui autem addit hominem, addit & be ftiam: That is, He that makes the Law Judge, makes God Judge; but he that makes Man Judge,

makes

makes a Beast Judge; For every man is bruitifh in his knowledge; and then only are we fure of any thing, when we have the word of God for it. Neither is it fufficient to take the word in any fashion, for judge in these matters; but we must neceffarily attain the knowledge of it, by the teaching of the Spirit; feeing we see so many differences of Judgments among men, that make ufe alike of the fame outward word for their Rule. Now though all have the fame outward word, yet all are not of one mind, except they attain to one Spirit; for Paul faith, 1 Cor. 2. that only the Spirit of God, knows the things of God. Neither doth mans fenfe, or reafon, understand the things of the Spirit, but the Spiritual man judgeth all things. And hence it follows, that we can only judge aright of Divine Truths by the word, and we can only judge aright of the word, if we have the Spirit, to be the Interpreter of it

to us.

6. If thou canst not prevail with him, by the word, that he fhould agree with thee, wherein he differs, then obferve that moderate and Chriftian Rule of Paul; where he faith, As many as be Phil. 3. 151 perfect, be thus minded; if any be otherwife minded, 15. God fhall alfo reveal this to him: And fo let us wait with patience, till God of his good pleasure fhall please to teach him, as he hath been pleafed to teach us; because, without this teaching, he can never know it aright, though thou teach him never fo much.

7. And lastly, When in many inconfiderable points of Religion, we cannot agree with many that are truly faithful, nor they with us; let us, according to Pauls Rule, leave the final judgment of these things to the due time appointed of God; as Paul hath faid,Judge nothing before the time: And if you ask, what time this is?

U 2

Chrift