Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

Hence may arise this question whether it be good to ¹symbolize with our adversaries, whether it be a good policy to be used, that they do not fly further from us.

Hence may arise this question whether it be good to ¹symbolize with our adversaries, whether it be a good policie to be used, that they do not flie further from us.

1. 1Quest.

Such is not the policy of God, but of Satan. First ⟨p. 278⟩¹mark Gods institution of the Church for the Jews, if he did ever appoint symbolizing with Nations. How often in Leviticus, would he not have them do many things, because the nations did them, when as otherwise they might have been done; For what other cause did he command the Canaanites to be slain, man woman and children? why else would he have the Kings burnt, and their ashes cast into the brook Kidron, and their names blotted out of mens memories if it were possible? Therefore this course should not be affected, because it is contrary to Gods policy, and that God hath thus done, look into the stories of the Church, and see if there was ever any good by done it, we may find that much hurt hath been done; what contentions, rents, and schisms have been made in the Church? how many Churches have been ruinated by it? As Arius his heresy was stirred up by this: wherefore we must do with heresies as men do with a fire in a town, leaving not a spark least it stir up novum insendium a new fire, least it fall out in cutting up of heresies, as it is in cutting up of weeds, if the seeds do but fall, there will be new weeds though not presently.