The carnality of religious contention in two sermons preached at the merchant's lecture in…The carnality of religious contention in two sermons preach'd at the merchant's lecture in…

But you will say, What is to be done? Or what would I persuade in this case of differing Apprehensions and ways still remaining among Christians? I answer, Not presently to unbelieve all that ever a man hath believed before; or to abandon on the sudden his former Sentiments, or to find fault with himself for having thought them right. For 'tis a Contradiction to be of any Opinion, and not then to think it right. Nor (therefore) is it Scepticism, by any means, that I would advise to; as if there were nothing to be thought certain. But this: That whereas the greatest and most necessary things in Religion are most plain, that is, either most plain in themselves, or most expressly revealed in the Word of God. Here let us be steadfast our selves, without being severe towards other men. Other things, that are more matter of doubt ⟨p. 75⟩and dispute, by how much the less plain they are, we should count so much the less necessary. In reference therefore to these loss momentous things, about which there is with us most of Jangling, there ought always to be great modesty, and distrust of our own Understandings, and a continued readiness to receive Information, with constant looking up to the Father of Lights for further Illumination, and a Resolution, wherein we, with others, have attained to walk by the same Rule, minding the same (agreed) things, hoping God will reveal his Mind to the otherwise minded in his own time, as the Apostle, in 3 Phil. 16, 17, But to hasten to a Close, I further add in the

But you will say, What is to be done? Or what would I persw•de in this case of differing Apprehensions and ways still remaining among Christians? I answer, Not presently to unbelieve all that ever a man hath believed before; or to abandon on the suddain his former Sentiments, or to find fault with himself for having thought them right. For 'tis a Contradiction to be of any Opinion, and not then to think it right. Nor (therefore) is it Scepticism, by any means, that I would advise to; as if there were nothing to be thought certain. But this: That whereas the greatest and most necessary things in Religion are most plain, that is, either most plain in themselves, or most expresly revealed in the Word of God. Here let us be stedfast our selves, without being severe towards other men. Other things, that are more matter of doubt ⟨p. 75⟩