1. All Christians are commanded to be of one mind, to think the same things, and speak the same things; and discord ⟨p. 234⟩and division and contention is earnestly forbidden them,1 and condemned, and all occasions which may lead them thereunto. 2. And they have one Head and Centre, one God and Saviour, who is their common Governor, End and Interest, in whom therefore they may all unite: when most others in the world do show a man no further end than self-preservation; and so while self is each mans end and interest, there are as many ends as men; and how then is it possible that such should have any true unity and concord? But to every true Christian, the pleasing and glorifying of God, and the promoting of his Kingdom for the salvation of the world, is above all self-interest whatsoever; and therefore in this they are all united: And though they all seek their own felicity and salvation, it is only in the seeking of this higher end; which is finis amantis; sed creaturae amantis creatorem; the end of a lover, which desireth unity, and respecteth both the lover and the beloved; but it is not the end of the love of equals, but of the creature to the Creator, who therefore preferreth his beloved before himself in his intentions. So that it is only this holy centring in God, that can ever make men all of a mind, and agree the disagreeing world: While Self is every mans end, they will have such constant contrariety of interests, that it will be impossible for them to agree; but covetousness, ambition and sensuality will keep them in factions, contentions and wars continually. Moreover it is Christianity that most urgeth, and effectually giveth a hearty love to one another, and teacheth them to love their neighbours as themselves, and to do as they would have others to do by them: and this is the true root and spring of concord. And it is Christianity which most teacheth the forgiving of wrongs, and loving of enemies, and forbearing that revenge, which Heathens were wont to account an honour. And it is Christianity which teacheth men to contemn all the riches and honours of the world, which is the bone that worldly dogs do fight for, and the great occasion of their strife: and it teacheth them to mortify all those vices, which feed mens divisions and contentions. So that if any man live as a Christian, he must needs be a man of unity and peace.
1. All Christians are commanded to be of one mind, to think the same things, and speak the same things; and discord ⟨p. 234⟩and division and contention is earnestly forbidden them,1 and condemned, and all occasions which may lead them thereunto. 2. And they have one Head and Centre, one God and Saviour, who is their common Governour, End and Interest, in whom therefore they may all unite: when most others in the world do shew a man no further end than self-preservation; and so while self is each mans end and interest, there are as many ends as men; and how then is it possible that such should have any true unity and concord? But to every true Christian, the pleasing and glorifying of God, and the promoting of his Kingdom for the salvation of the world, is above all self-interest whatsoever; and therefore in this they are all united: And though they all seek their own felicity and salvation, it is only in the seeking of this higher end; which is finis amantis; sed creaturae amantis creatorem; the end of a lover, which desireth unity, and respecteth both the lover and the beloved; but it is not the end of the love of equals, but of the creature to the Creator, who therefore preferreth his beloved before himself in his intentions. So that it is only this holy centring in God, that can ever make men all of a mind, and agree the disagreeing world: While Self is every mans end, they will have such constant contrariety of interests, that it will be impossible for them to agree; but covetousness, ambition and sensuality will keep them in factions, contentions and wars continually. Moreover it is Christianity that most urgeth, and effectually giveth a hearty love to one another, and teacheth them to love their neighbours as themselves, and to do as they would have others to do by them: and this is the true root and spring of concord. And it is Christianity which most teacheth the forgiving of wrongs, and loving of enemies, and forbearing that revenge, which Heathens were wont to account an honour. And it is Christianity which teacheth men to contemn all the riches and honours of the world, which is the bone that worldly dogs do fight for, and the great occasion of their strife: and it teacheth them to mortifie all those vices, which feed mens divisions and contentions. So that if any man live as a Christian, he must needs be a man of unity and peace.
- 1Tale bonum est bonum pacis, ut in rebus creatis nil gratiosius soleat audiri, nil delectabilius concupisci, & nil utilius possideri: Spiritus enim humanus, nunquam vivificat membra nisi suerint unita; sic spiritus sanctus nunquam vivificat ecclesiae membra, nisi fuerint in pace unita. Aug. de civ. Dei. Pax vera est concordiam habere cum moribus probis, & litigare cum vitiis. Cassian. Nec inveniri potest forma expressior conversationis angelicae, quàm unitas socialis. Idem. in Psalm.
