1. That such is the corruption of the best men, and Satan is ready to bl•w up tho sparks immediately, that there have been contentions and differences amongst the most eminent pillars in the Church: Twice we teade of the Disciples contentions amongst themselves concerning primacy and a preferment above one another: Afterwards the Scripture tells us of a Paroxysm, a sharp controversy between Paul and Barnabas, Act. 15. yet Paul and Peter they have an hot contest, and that in a religious Point of practise: Now if the Sun and Moon meet in such an opposition, there must needs be an Eclipse in the Church: And if we descend to Ecclesiastical Histories, we shall find as bloody pens against one another as the devouring Sword in civil affairs: That which Cyprian complained, Madet orbis Christianus mutuo sanguine & quod cum privati fecerint, homicidium dicitur, cum publicè geritur virtus vocatur, is true of Ecclesiastical contentions; The Christian Church is divided, and subdivided against it self, and that which if done in private causes would be called malice and revenge in religious affairs is called zeal and courage for Gods glory: At that famous first Council of Nice when Constantine called the Bishops together for to end Religious Controversies instead of this, they had prepared mutual Libels and accusations one against another, which Constantine perceiving took the Papers, rent them in pieces and burnt them before their faces, gravely exhorting to peace and unanimity; It would be long to relate of the passionate contentions between Jerome and Austin, between Epiphanius and Chrysostom, who upon their parting did strangely threaten one another with that which came to pass; Epiphanius told Chrysostom he should not die a Bishop, and this proved true, for he was ejected and dyed in banishment, Chrysostom threatened Epiphanius, he should not dye in his own Country, and this also fell out, for he died in his Voyage ere he got home, and who can with heart tender enough speak of the many oppositions and divisions between Calvinists and Lutherans, and others of the Reformed Church, by all which we see the necessity of Christs Prayer for Unity; There being such corruptions in our hearts and Satan so busy to make differences and dissentions, That though Legions of Devils can agree to be in one man, yet he will not suffer two Doctors to agree in one Church.
1. That such is the corruption of the best men, and Satan is ready to bl•w up tho sparks immediatly, that there have been contentions and differences amongst the most eminent pillars in the Church: Twice we teade of the Disciples contentions amongst themselves concerning primacy and a preferment above one another: Afterwards the Scripture tels us of a Paroxysme, a sharp controversie between Paul and Barnabas, Act. 15. yet Paul and Peter they have an hot contest, and that in a religious Point of practise: Now if the Sunne and Moon meet in such an opposition, there must needs be an Ecclipse in the Church: And if we descend to Ecclesiastical Histories, we shall finde as bloudy pens against one another as the devouring Sword in civil affairs: That which Cyprian complained, Madet orbis Christianus mutuo sanguine & quod cum privati fecerint, homicidium dicitur, cum publicè geritur virtus vocatur, is true of Ecclesiasticall contentions; The Christian Church is divided, and subdivided against it self, and that which if done in private causes would be called malice and revenge in religious affairs is called zeal and courage for Gods glory: At that famous first Council of Nice when Constantine called the Bishops together for to end Religious Controversies instead of this, they had prepared mutuall Libels and accusations one against another, which Constantine perceiving took the Papers, rent them in peeces and burnt them before their faces, gravely exhorting to peace and unanimity; It would be long to relate of the passionate contentions between Jerome and Austin, between Epiphanius and Chrysostome, who upon their parting did strangely threaten one another with that which came to passe; Epiphanius told Chrysostome he should not die a Bishop, and this proved true, for he was ejected and dyed in banishment, Chrysostome threatned Epiphanius, he should not dye in his own Countrey, and this also fell out, for he died in his Voyage ere he got home, and who can with heart tender enough speak of the many oppositions and divisions between Calvinists and Lutherans, and others of the Reformed Church, by all which we see the necessity of Christs Praier for Unity; There being such corruptions in our hearts and Satan so busie to make differences and dissentions, That though Legions of Devils can agree to be in one man, yet he will not suffer two Doctors to agree in one Church.
