Gildas Salvianus: The Reformed Pastor

Having said thus much of the means, I return to the end of this Exhortation beseeching all the Ministers of Christ to compassionate the poor divided Church, and to entertain such Catholic principles, and charitable dispositions, as tend to their own and the common peace. Hath any thing in the world ⟨p. 299⟩done more to lose our authority, and disable us for Gods service then our differences and divisions? If Ministers could but be all of a mind, or at least concur in the substance of the work, so that the people that hear one, might as it were hear all, and not have any of us to head a party for the discontented to fall into or to object against the rest, we might then do wonders for the Church of Christ. But if our tongues and hearts be divided, what wonder if our work be spoiled, and prove liker a Babel then a Temple of God. Get together then speedily, and consult for peace, and cherish not heart-burnings, and continue not uncharitable distances and strangeness. If dividing hath weakened you, closing must recover your authority and strength. If you have any dislike of your Brethren or their ways, manifest it by a free debate to their faces, but do not unnecessarily withdraw from them. If you will but keep together, you may come to better understanding of each other, or at least may chide your selves. Friends, specially quarrel not upon points of precedency or reputation, or any interest of your own. No man will have settled peace in his mind, nor be peaceable in his place, that proudly envieth the precedency, of others, and secretly grudgeth at them that seem to cloud their parts and name. One or other will ever be an eye-sore to such men. There is too much of the Devils image on this sin, for an humble servant of Christ to entertain. Moreover, be not too sensible of injuries: and make not a great matter of every offensive word or deed. At least do not let it interrupt your Communion and Concord in Gods work: For that were to wrong Christ and his Church, ⟨p. 300⟩because another hath wronged you. And if you be of this impatient humour, you will never be quiet: For we are all faulty, and cannot live together without wronging one another. Ubique causae supersunt nisi deprecator animus accessit, saith Seneca. And these proud over-tender men are often hurt by their own conceits:

Having said thus much of the means, I return to the end of this Exhortation beseeching all the Ministers of Christ to compassionate the poor divided Church, and to entertain such Catholike principles, and charitable dispositions, as tend to their own and the common peace. Hath any thing in the world