A55307:89
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must…The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must…
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.
London: printed for Tho. Simmons, 1682
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.
8. That the requiring of greater Uniformity in Opinion and Practice in the things of Religion, than the Church of God is capable of, is no means of Union, Peace, or Concord, but a most effectual and certain means of Division, Separation, Strife and Contention. The Christian World hath found this true by sad and lamentable Experience, and there is no man of sense or brains, but may easily perceive it, if he apply himself to the consideration of it. Were it a likely way to promote Peace in a Kingdom, yea or in a single Town or Village, to oblige all the Inhabitants thereof by Laws, Penalties and Executions, to learn and ⟨p. 50⟩speak the Greek, the Chaldee, or the Arabic Language, and no other? Are they capable of it? or have they Time, Leisure, Wit, or Helps sufficient to obtain a skill and dexterity in it? Have they Teachers to instruct them in the meaning, reading and pronunciation of it? Or supposing they had Teachers, Have they all of them opportunity, leisure, or capacities for it? Would this make Union, Peace, or Concord amongst them? Or would it not certainly mutiny, trouble and divide them? No more is it any probable means of making Peace, Union, and Concord among Christians, to oblige them to think, speak, and do the same things, in the many doubtful and Controverted Cases and Points of Religion and Worship in agitation among us? Are their minds all of the same shape and size? Are they all of equal capacity and comprehension? Yea, are the minds of all Clergy-men of equal quickness and perspicuity? Are they of the same vigour? And have they the same advantages for the improvement and cultivation of them? Or are Impositions likely to unite them? Or are they not rather a sure Means, and certain Engine of Division and Separation? 'Tis morally impossible that men should have the same thoughts and apprehensions in the Controversies of Christianity, as I have said and proved in the preceding Discourse; and if the Governors of Churches will require things impossible, they may easily perceive that it is not the way to make Peace, but War; not Union, ⟨p. 51⟩but Division; not Love and Friendship, but Hatred, Variance, and Strifes: For though some will assent to all that they require, out of Interest, and for their Advantage; others, by the hope of a fair and passable Interpretation; others will run with the Herd, and swallow all without any chewing or consideration;