Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

4. Ignorant and Proud People, whereof the number is too great in every Party: Such as have neither read the Scriptures with Judgment, nor other Ecclesiastical Histories, nor considered the Constitution of the Churches of God in other parts of the World, but only pore upon what is next to their Senses; and these commonly are most conceited and unmoveable, abounding only in their own sense, and condemning all others with the greatest contempt. Of such good old Mr. Greenham is to be understood, when being asked by the Lord Treasurer Cecil, where the blame of that great rent lay between the Bishops of those times and Others: The fault, said he, is on both sides, and on neither side; for the godly-wise on both sides bear with each other, and concur in the main; but there be some selfish, peevish spirits on both sides, and these make the quarrel. And how few are there, that are no way biased by their worldly Interest? which is a strong and irrefragable Argument, and where it rules, will make men content to behold a whole Nation on fire, so that they may warm themselves thereby. How rare a thing is a public Spirit, or a Man that, looking upon the distracted condition of a Church and Nation without the false Spectacles of Prejudice and private ⟨p. 56⟩Interest, can drop a Christian Tear, or impartially offer any Balm to cure their Wounds? From such as these before-mentioned, proceed our Uncharitable Contentions: And woe be to them, unless they repent, that is, amend.

4. Ignorant and Proud People, whereof the number is too great in every Party: Such as have neither read the Scriptures with Judgment, nor other Ecclesiastical Histories, nor considered the Constitution of the Churches of God in other parts of the World, but only pore upon what is next to their Senses; and these commonly are most conceited and unmoveable, abounding only in their own sence, and condemning all others with the greatest contempt. Of such good old Mr. Greenham is to be understood, when being ask'd by the Lord Treasurer Cecil, where the blame of that great rent lay between the Bishops of those times and Others: The fault, said he, is on both sides, and on neither side; for the godly-wise on both sides bear with each other, and concurr in the main; but there be some selfish, peevish spirits on both sides, and these make the quarrel. And how few are there, that are no way byass'd by their worldly Interest? which is a strong and irrefragable Argument, and where it rules, will make men content to behold a whole Nation on fire, so that they may warm themselves thereby. How rare a thing is a publick Spirit, or a Man that, looking upon the distracted condition of a Church and Nation without the false Spectacles of Prejudice and private