Besides, it is the common faith, therefore every man hath interest in it;1 do not say therefore, what have I to do, it belongs to these and these men to look after it: it is the common faith, and every man hath part in it, and should contend according to his place and power, and within his sphere; and remember it is a matter of much moment, for every part of the faith or little matter of faith (I speak now of the whole doctrine of faith) that you should be exceeding exact in keeping of it, that it receive no detriment, especially in matter of opinion.2 For my brethren, you must know, that it were better there should be great offences committed in the land, great and ⟨p. 213⟩notorious crimes, then that there should be any loss in the matter of faith, because where the opinions of men are set wrong, that is a principle that carries them still on. Great fins come from great passions, and men are able to see them, and when the passion is gone over,3 they are easily recalled again; but errors in opinion are matters of great moment, therefore it belongs to every one to look to it, to us that are Preachers in our places, to Magistrates in their places, to every man to contend for the common Faith: and know this my brethren, that their are certain opportunities which the Lord gives you, and you must take heed of neglecting them, it may be to let a thing go some times, it will never be recovered again. Therefore look that you be diligent in it, stir up your selves to do it, while there is occasion offered. In other things, men are apt to be men of action, they would have employment, and work that they may be some body in the world, and it is very well, there is something in that, it is a nobleness of disposition so to do; but alas, what poor and weak reward have you for that? it may be a little vainglory, it may be some applause from Princes or people, it may be some empty airy preferment. To do the will of the Lord, the work he hath given you to do, it is no matter what it is for, a servant must not choose his work; I say whatsoever it is, though in never so mean a thing, the greatest excellency is to do his will that makes us Kings and Princes to him that makes us partakers of the Royal blood, as ⟨p. 214⟩Christ saith, These are my brothers, and Sister, and Mother, that do the will of my Father.
Besides, it is the common faith, therefore every man hath interest in it;1 do not say therefore, what haue I to doe, it belongs to these and these men to looke after it: it is the common faith, and every man hath part in it, and should contend according to his place and power, and within his spheere; and remember it is a matter of much moment, for every part of the fath or little matter of faith (I speake now of the whole doctrine of faith) that you should be exceeding exact in keeping of it, that it receive no detriment, especially in matter of opinion.2 For my brethren, you must know, that it were better there should bee great offences committed in the land, great and ⟨p. 213⟩notorious crimes, then that there should be any losse in the matter of faith, because where the opinions of men are sett wrong, that is a principle that carries them still on. Great finnes come from great passions, and men are able to see them, and when the passion is gone over,3 they are easily recalled againe; but errours in opinion are matters of great moment, therefore it belongs to every one to looke to it, to us that are Preachers in our places, to Magistrates in their places, to every man to contend for the common Faith: and know this my brethren, that their are certaine opportunities which the Lord giues you, and you must take heed of neglecting them, it may be to let a thing goe some times, it will never be recovered againe. Therefore looke that you be diligent in it, stirr up your selves to doe it, while there is occasion offered. In other things, men are apt to be men of action, they would have imployment, and worke that they may bee some body in the world, and it is very well, there is something in that, it is a noblenesse of disposition so to doe; but alas, what poore and weake reward haue you for that? it may be a little vaineglory, it may be some applause from Princes or people, it may be some emptie airie preferment. To doe the will of the Lord, the worke he hath given you to doe, it is no matter what it is for, a servant must not chuse his worke; I say whatsoever it is, though in never so meane a thing, the greatest excellencie is to do his will that makes us Kings and Princes to him that makes us partakers of the Royall bloud, as ⟨p. 214⟩Christ saith, These are my brothers, and Sister, and Mother, that doe the will of my Father.
