1. That such is the corruption of every man regenerate and unregenerate, that they would no more unite, then crumbs of sand, did not God bring it about. Take men by nature, and they are wolves and devils one to another: Insomuch that the preserving of Commonwealths and civil Societies, is made a demonstration of a God; for if ye consider what every man is by nature, it's a wonder that the whole world is not full of Cains, and a mere Aceldama, like those Cadmaan brethren the Poet speaks of. God therefore who keeps the sea within its bounds that it overfloweth not, doth also restrain and chain up the corruptions of men, that all be not in a confusion; and although in regenerate men corruption is in a great measure subdued, yet that is not like Daniel's root of the Tree, that had a chain upon it never to grow, for this would be sprouting out in strifes and contentions, did not God put bounds to it, and therefore not only Histories that are profane, but Ecclesiastical also do abundantly witness, That divisions and differences have been the ruin of most Churches: So truly may we apply that of Job to the Church, If he commands peace, Who can forbid it? And if he bring war, Who can withstand it? Job 24.39. It's in godly mens natures to be so many Phaetons setting the Church on fire, if God by mercy did not prevent.
1. That such is the corruption of every man regenerate and unregenerate, that they would no more unite, then crums of sand, did not God bring it about. Take men by nature, and they are wolves and devils one to another: Insomuch that the preserving of Commonwealths and civil Societies, is made a demonstration of a God; for if ye consider what every man is by nature, it's a wonder that the whole world is not full of Cains, and a meer Aceldama, like those Cadmaan brethren the Poet speaks of. God therefore who keeps the sea within its bounds that it overfloweth not, doth also restrain and chain up the corruptions of men, that all be not in a confusion; and although in regenerate men corruption is in a great measure subdued, yet that is not like Daniel's root of the Tree, that had a chain upon it never to grow, for this would be sprouting out in strifes and contentions, did not God put bounds to it, and therefore not onely Histories that are prophane, but Ecclesiasticall also doe abundantly witnesse, That divisions and differences have been the ruine of most Churches: So truly may we apply that of Job to the Church, If he commands peace, Who can forbid it? And if he bring warre, Who can withstand it? Job 24.39. It's in godly mens natures to be so many Phaetons setting the Church on fire, if God by mercy did not prevent.
