An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

Lastly, There is a consent and agreement in the essentials, and fundamentals of holiness; but difference and hot dissentions in those things, that are praeter, or circa-fundamentals, as also in matters of Discipline and Government. Now although we maintain against Papists, That by the good blessing of God, all the Reformed Churches (excluding Socinians, &c.) do agree in the essentials to salvation: yet it must be likewise granted, That in respect of accessories, there are sad divisions, and woeful rents in the Church of God. The name of Lutherans and Calvinists, as also of several forms of Government, do argue, that there is a great breach amongst us. And this we must expect to have always in the Church, as long as men are subject to ignorance, mistakes, and carnal affections. And therefore we are not to be offended and scandalized at it, much less hearken to Popish Emissaries, who take this advantage amongst weak people, to persuade them, that the Church of Rome is therefore the only true Church.

Lastly, There is a consent and agreement in the essentials, and fundamentals of holiness; but difference and hot dissentions in those things, that are praeter, or circa-fundamentals, as also in matters of Discipline and Government. Now although we maintain against Papists, That by the good blessing of God, all the Reformed Churches (excluding Socinians, &c.) do agree in the essentials to salvation: yet it must be likewise granted, That in respect of accessories, there are sad divisions, and wofull rents in the Church of God. The name of Lutherans and Calvinists, as also of several forms of Government, do argue, that there is a great breach amongst us. And this we must expect to have alwayes in the Church, as long as men are subject to ignorance, mistakes, and carnal affections. And therefore we are not to be offended and scandalized at it, much less hearken to Popish Emissaries, who take this advantage amongst weak people, to perswade them, that the Church of Rome is therefore the only true Church.

These things premised, let us consider what are cementing and uniting principles; what do conduce to Unity amongst the Officers of God in his Church. ¹