Catholic unity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…Catholick vnity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…

24. Lastly, If all this be not enough, there is yet more for our encouragement. 1. If we are but once United in the Spirit, and Agree in an Holy heart and life, we have the infallible promise of God that we shall shortly all arrive in Heaven at the place and state of full perfection, where all our differences will be ended, and we shall be perfectly Agreed in mind and will, being One in him that is the only Centre of Universal Peace and Concord. And its a great comfort to us in our darkness and differences, that we are in the sure and ready way to perfect light and Harmony of mind. 2. Yea and ⟨p. 287⟩till we do come thither, we are still on the mending hand; and if we do but thrive in Holiness, we shall certainly thrive in Concord and in Peace. And its a comfort to a sick man, not only to be certain of a full recovery, but to feel himself daily on the mending hand. 3. And in the mean time God himself will bear with all our differences, though not so far as to approve or cherish them, yet so far as to own us for his children, though we are too often falling out with one another; and so far as to pity our frailty and infirmity, and to pardon us, and deal as a Father with us: And if our quarrels cause him to use the rod, it is but to keep us in quietness afterwards; that as we had the taste of the four fruits of our contentions, so we may after have the quiet fruits of righteousness.

24. Lastly, If all this be not enough, there is yet more for our encouragement. 1. If we are but once United in the Spirit, and Agree in an Holy heart and life, we have the infallible promise of God that we shall shortly all arrive in Heaven at the place and state of full perfection, where all our differences will be ended, and we shall be perfectly Agreed in mind and will, being One in him that is the only Center of Universal Peace and Concord. And its a great comfort to us in our darkness and differences, that we are in the sure and ready way to perfect light and Harmony of mind. 2. Yea and ⟨p. 287⟩till we do come thither, we are still on the mending hand; and if we do but thrive in Holiness, we shall certainly thrive in Concord and in Peace. And its a comfort to a sick man, not only to be certain of a full recovery, but to feel himself daily on the mending hand. 3. And in the mean time God himself will bear with all our differences, though not so far as to approve or cherish them, yet so far as to own us for his children, though we are too often falling out with one another; and so far as to pitty our frailty and infirmity, and to pardon us, and deal as a Father with us: And if our quarrels cause him to use the rod, it is but to keep us in quietness afterwards; that as we had the taste of the four fruits of our contentions, so we may after have the quiet fruits of righteousness.