A53681:143
A discourse concerning evangelical love, church-peace and unity with the occasions and reasons of…
A discourse concerning evangelical love, church-peace and unity with the occasions and reasons of present differences and divisions about things sacred and religious, written in the vindication of the principles and practise of some ministers and others.
London : s.n., 1672
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But men are apt to think well of all they do themselves, or those whom they peculiarly regard, and to aggravate whatever they conceive amiss in such as they dislike. Were it not better by Love to cover a multitude of faults, and to leave the Judgment of Persons and things, wherein we are not concerned, unto him who judgeth Righteously, and will render unto every Man according to his works? However certain it is, that until the Evil Fountain of bitter waters be stopped, until we cease to bless God even the Father, and at the same time to curse Men made after the Similitude of God, the wounds that have been given to the Love and Peace of Professors will not be healed.
But men are apt to think well of all they do themselves, or those whom they peculiarly regard, and to aggravate whatever they conceive amiss in such as they dislike. Were it not better by Love to cover a multitude of faults, and to leave the Judgment of Persons and things, wherein we are not concerned, unto him who judgeth Righteously, and will render unto every Man according to his works? However certain it is, that untill the Evil Fountain of bitter waters be stopped, untill we cease to bless God even the Father, and at the same time to curse Men made after the Similitude of God, the wounds that have been given to the Love and Peace of Professors will not be healed.
Thirdly, unto the same End are all Men forbidden to think that they have a Dominion over the Faith of others, or that the ordering and disposal of it is committed unto them. It is Christ alone who is the Lord of the Consciences of his Disciples. And therefore the best and greatest of the Sons of Men, who have been appointed by him to deal with others in his Name,1 have constantly disclaimed all thoughts of Power or Rule,2 over the Consciences or Faith of the meanest of his Subjects. How many ways this may be done, we are filled with Experiences; for no way whereby it may be so, hath been left unattempted. And the Evil of it hath invaded ⟨p. 160⟩