Directions for weak distempered Christians, to grow up to a confirmed state of grace…

3. And as for the seeming Christians, in this they are of several sorts. When their carnal interest lieth in compliance with the Major part and stronger side, then no men do more cry up Unity and Obedience: what a noise do many thousand Papist-Prelates, Jesuits and Fryers, make with these two words throughout the world. Unity and Obedience (unto them upon their terms) do signify Principally their worldly greatness, wealth and power. But if the Hypocrite be engaged in point of honour or other carnal interest on the suffering side, or be out of hope of any advantage, in the common rode; then no man is so much for separation and singularity as he. For he must needs be noted for some body in the world, and this is the chief way that he findeth to accomplish it. And so being lifted up with pride, be falleth into ⟨p. 139⟩the Condemnation of the Devil, and becomes a firebrand in the Church.

3. And as for the seeming Christians, in this they are of several sorts. When their carnal interest lyeth in complyance with the Major part and stronger side, then no men do more cry up Vnity and Obedience: what a noise do many thousand Papist-Prelates, Jesuites and Fryers, make with these two words throughout the world. Vnity and Obedience (unto them upon their terms) do signifie Principally their worldly greatness, wealth and power. But if the Hypocrite be engaged in point of honour or other carnal interest on the suffering side, or be out of hope of any advantage, in the common rode; then no man is so much for separation and singularity as he. For he must needs be noted for some body in the world, and this is the chief way that he findeth to accomplish it. And so being lifted up with pride, be falleth into ⟨p. 139⟩the Condemnation of the Devil, and becomes a firebrand in the Church.

LIII. 1. A Christian indeed is not only zealous for the Unity and Concord of Believers, but he seeketh it on the right terms, and in the way, that is fitest to attain it. Unity, Peace and Concord are like Piety and Honesty, things so unquestionably good, that there are scarce any men of reason and common sobriety, that ever were heard to oppose them Directly and for themselves: And therefore all that are enemies to them are yet pretenders to them; and oppose them 1. In their causes only, 2. Or covertly and under some other name. Every man would have Unity, Concord and Peace in his own way and upon his own terms: But if the right terms had been understood and consented to as sufficient, the Christian world had not lain so many hundred years in the sin and shame and ruins as it hath done. And the cause of all is, that Christians indeed, that have clear confirmed judgements, and strength of grace, are very few; and for number and strength unable to persuade or overrule the weak, the passionate and the falsehearted worldly hypocritical multitude; who bear down all the counsels and endeavours of the wise.