A peace-offering in an apology and humble plea for indulgence and liberty of conscience

But we have not only His Heart and Actings for our Example, but His Word also, as revealed by Himself and His Apostles, as our Rule in this matter.

With nothing more doth it abound as to our Duty in this World, than with Precepts for, and Exhortation unto mutual forbearance of one another in our Mistakes and Failings. And although there be force and Light enough in its General Rules, to guide us in all particulars, yet lest any should imagine that the Cause under Consideration, about different Apprehensions and Practices in some things relating to the Worship of God, might be exempted from them, even that also is variously instanced in; and confirmed by Examples approved by himself. The great Apostle, who gives us that general Rule, That we should walk together in one mind, so far as. we have attained, and for other things of difference, wait for the Revelation of the Mind of God unto them that differ, Phil. 3. 15, 16. every where applies his own Rule unto the great difference that was in those days, and long after, between the Jewish and Gentile Believers. The one continued under a supposal of an obligation to the observation of Mosaical Rites and Ceremonies, from which the other was instructed that they were set at liberty. This difference, as is the manner among the Sons of Men, wrought various Jealousies between them, with disputes and censurings of each other; whereof the Apostle gives us a full account, especially in his Epistle to the Romans, Chap. 14. 15. Neither did they rest here, but those of the Circumcision every where kept their Assemblies and Worship distinct from the Congregations of the Gentile-Believers; Hence in most places of note, there were two Churches, ⟨p. 22⟩one of the Jews, and another of the Gentiles, walking at peace in the Faith of the Gospel, but differing as to some Ceremonial Observances. The whole Society of the Apostles, observing their difference, to prevent any evil consequent in their Assembly at Jerusalem, assigned to the several Parties their particular bounds, how far they should accommodate themselves unto one another by a mutual condescension; that they might walk in love and Peace, as to what remained of difference among them. The Jews are taught by them not to impose their Rites and Ceremonies on the Gentiles; and the Gentiles to abstain from some things for a season, whereunto their liberty did extend, whereby the other were principally provoked.