The differences and Divisions of England at this day are so many, so great, and so destructive to Church and State, as that it cannot but be accounted a transcendent act of Piety and Charity for any man to endeavour according to his place to compose the one, and remove the other. But though this work be very excellent, yet it is also very dangerous to him that shall undertake it. For it is often found, that he that will step into reconcile two parties that are a fighting, doth prove the party against which both of them will fight. Or if not both, yet always the party that doth the wrong will be a bitter enemy to him that would make up the breach. And therefore it is expressly said, Act. 7. 26, 27. That when Moses saw two of his brethren striving one against ⟨image 3⟩the other, and stepped in to set them at one, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren, why wrong ye one another? He that did his neighbour the wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a Ruler and a Judge over us? But yet notwithstanding, happy is that man whom God shall make any ways instrumental to the bringing in of a holy and blessed Peace into this distressed Island, though with the loss of his own life. Famous is the example of Gregory Nazianzen, who was Bishop of Constantinople, eminent for Learning and Piety: And yet when he saw a prevailing Faction endeavouring to choose another into his place, and that it would much disturb the peace of the City 1if he did not yield it up; he brake out into this speech: Absit, inquit, ut mei causâ aliqua simultas oriatur in Dei Sacerdotibus. Si propter me est ista tempestas, tollite, & mittite me in mare, & desinet à vobis quassatio. God forbid that for my cause any difference should arise amongst the Ministers of God: If this tempest be raised for my cause, take me, & throw me into the Sea that so the tempest may cease. A sentence worthy to be written in letters of Gold, and to be put in practise by every true hearted Englishman. The like we read of Codrus a Heathen King, who for the love of his people exposed himself to death. And of Curtius, and of three Decii that devoted themselves to ruin for the safety of their Country. The Book of God tells us of Moses that was willing to have his name blotted out of the Book of life: and of Paul that was willing to be an Anathema, that so God might be reconciled to the people of Israel with whom he was displeased.
THe differences and Divisions of England at this day are so many, so great, and so destructive to Church and State, as that it cannot but be accounted a transcendent act of Piety and Charitie for any man to endevour according to his place to compose the one, and remove the other. But though this worke be very excellent, yet it is also very dangerous to him that shall undertake it. For it is often found, that he that will step into reconcile two parties that are a fighting, doth prove the party against which both of them will fight. Or if not both, yet alwaies the party that doth the wrong will be a bitter enemie to him that would make up the breach. And therefore it is expressely said, Act. 7. 26, 27. That when Moses saw two of his brethren striving one aagainst ⟨image 3⟩the other, and stept in to set them at one, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren, why wrong ye one another? He that did his neighbour the wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a Ruler and a Judge over us? But yet notwithstanding, happy is that man whom God shall make any wayes instrumentall to the bringing in of a holy and blessed Peace into this distressed Iland, though with the losse of his owne life. Famous is the example of Gregory Nazianzen, who was Bishop of Constantinople, eminent for Learning and Piety: And yet when he saw a prevailing Faction endevouring to choose another into his place, and that it would much disturbe the peace of the Citie 1if he did not yeeld it up; he brake out into this speech: Absit, inquit, ut mei causâ aliqua simultas oriatur in Dei Sacerdotibus. Si propter me est ista tempestas, tollite, & mittite me in mare, & desinet à vobis quassatio. God forbid that for my cause any difference should arise amongst the Ministers of God: If this tempest be raised for my cause, take me, & throw me into the Sea that so the tempest may cease. A sentence worthy to be written in letters of Gold, and to be put in practise by every true hearted Englishman. The like we read of Codrus a Heathen King, who for the love of his people exposed himselfe to death. And of Curtius, and of three Decii that devoted themselves to ruine for the safetie of their Countrey. The Booke of God tels us of Moses that was willing to have his name blotted out of the Booke of life: and of Paul that was willing to be an Anathema, that so God might be reconciled to the people of Israel with whom he was displeased.
- 1Ruffini histor. Ecclesiast. lib. 2. cap. 9.
