A Paraenetic
A Paraenetick.
Before I end, I have a word of exhortation for the five Apologists, and such others as shall (I trust) agree with the Churches of both Kingdoms, not only in one Confession of Faith, but in one Directory of Worship. Me thinks I hear them calling to me to say on. Et tu mi fili? said Caesar. And must you also brethren, give a wound to the body of Christ? Do not, O do not involve yourselves in the plea of Toleration with the Separatists and Anabaptists. Do not partake in their Separation, lest you partake in their suppression. Let us hear no more Paraeneticks for Toleration, or liberty of conscience: but as many as you will for a just and merciful Accommodation: a thing mentioned by that Author, pa. 3. but not sought after. If you be the sons of peace, you shall be characterized by this Shibboleth, you will call for Accommodation, not for Toleration; for one way, not for two. Let there be no strife between us and you, for we be brethren: and is not the Canaanite and the Perizzite yet in the land? O let it not be told in Gath, nor published in the streets of Ashkelon, let it not be said, that there can be no unity in the Church without Prelacy. Brethren I charge you by the Roes and by the Hinds of the field, that you awake not nor stir up Jesus Christ till he please; for his rest is sweet and glorious with his welbeloved. It shall be no grief of heart to you afterward, that you have pleased others as well as yourselves, and have stretched your principles for an Accommodation in Church government, as well as in Worship, and that for the Churches peace and edification; and that the ears of our common enemies may tingle, when it shall be said, The Churches of Christ in England have rest, and are edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the joy of the Holy Ghost are multiplied. Alas, how shall our divisions and contentions hinder the preaching and learning of Christ, and the edifying one another in love! Is Christ divided? says the Apostle. There is but one Christ, yea the head and the body makes one Christ, so that you cannot divide the body without dividing Christ. Is there so much as a seam in all Christ's garment? Is it not woven throughout from the top to the bottom? Will you have one half of Israel to follow Tibni, and another half to follow Omri? O brethren, we shall be one in heaven, let us pack up differences in this place of our pilgrimage, the best way we can. No, we will not despair of unity in this world. Has not God promised to give us one heart and one way? And that Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim, but they shall flee upon the shoulders of the Philistims toward the East, they shall spoil them of the East together? Has not the Mediator (whom the Father hears always) prayed that all his may be one? Brethren, it is not impossible, pray for it, endeavour it, press hard toward the mark of Accommodation. How much better is it that you be one with the other Reformed Churches, though somewhat straitened and bound up, than to be divided though at full liberty and elbow-room? Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. Does not the Solemn League and Covenant bind you sincerely, really, and constantly to endeavour the nearest (mark nearest) uniformity and conjunction in religion: and that you shall not suffer yourselves directly or indirectly to be withdrawn from this blessed union and conjunction. I know there is a spirit of jealousy walking up and down. O beware of groundless fears and apprehensions. Judge not, lest you be judged. Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Many false rumors and surmises there have been concerning the Presbyterian principles, practices, designs, Expertus loquor. I am persuaded if there were but a right understanding one of another's intentions, the Accommodation I speak of would not be difficult. Brethren, if you will not hearken to wholesome counsel, you shall be the more inexcusable. I have in my eye that law of God, You shall not hate your brother in your heart: you shall in any wise rebuke your neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. Therefore love the truth and peace. Yea, seek peace and pursue it.
Consider what I say. The Lord guide your feet in the way of peace. And O that God would put it in your hearts to cry down Toleration, and to cry up Accommodation!
Amen, Amen.
FINIS.
