I will not now suppose a Quinquarticular Controversy, but rather propose a Ternarticular Period of all Controversies. And the very first Thing, that I offer upon it, is, That in these MAXIMS, of Godliness, which are all without Controversy, you behold all Controversies of Religion, as coming to an Amicable and a Comfortable Period. My Advice to you, is; That when you make some Figure in the Field of the Church-Militant, you be drawn as little as may be, into any Eristic Writings; wherein you shall be surprised unawares ⟨p. 120⟩into the Errors of Passion, and into the Follies of taking Pains to convince a few Readers that you have more Wit than your Antagonist. Every Man who pulls at the Polemic Saw, and manages any Controversy in Religion, always pretends a Zeal to uphold in the Issue of the Disputation, some certain Point of Practical PIETY, which is in these Indisputable MAXIMS declared for. If it were not from a zealous Concern which the Contenders have that the Practice of Piety, may not suffer in such a Point, they profess, that they would not contend so earnestly for the Faith. If they can't sincerely make this Profession, they are but Litigious, and Vexatious, and the Gladiators are to be hissed off the Theatre, by all that wish well to Christianity. Now, how commonly are both Parties well agreed, in the Point of PIETY, which the One says, can't be preserved but upon his Positions; and the other says, can't be preserved if his be denied? Be sure, All the Truly Pious are so! But, if both Parties are agreed for that PIETY, which is the Main, and the Scope of all, how much Good may you do, if you can so Syringe the Odoriferous Water of the confessed MAXIMS upon them, that the Quarrelling Hives in the Loss of their Distinction may give over their Quarrels, and the Children of Jacob not fall out by the Way, or be so angry about the Way, seeing they are Brethren? Or, if the Brethren will yet fall out, and the Controversies must go on, and you are called forth to bear a Part in them, yet, My Son, continue to play these Engines, for the extinguishing of the Fires; Govern your Mind, and your Pen, by the MAXIMS of PIETY; persuade ⟨p. 121⟩others what you can to do so too; and carry not on any but the Wars of the Lamb in your Contestations.
I will not now suppose a Quinquarticular Controversy, but rather propose a Ternarticular Period of all Controversies. And the very first Thing, that I offer upon it, is, That in these MAXIMS, of Godliness, which are all without Controversy, you behold all Controversies of Religion, as coming to an Amicable and a Comfortable Period. My Advice to you, is; That when you make some Figure in the Field of the Church-Militant, you be drawn as little as may be, into any Eristic Writings; wherein you shall be surprized unawares ⟨p. 120⟩into the Errors of Passion, and into the Follies of taking Pains to convince a few Readers that you have more Wit than your Antagonist. Every Man who pulls at the Polemic Saw, and manages any Controversy in Religion, always pretends a Zeal to uphold in the Issue of the Disputation, some certain Point of Practical PIETY, which is in these Indisputable MAXIMS declared for. If it were not from a zealous Concern which the Contenders have that the Practice of Piety, may not suffer in such a Point, they profess, that they would not contend so earnestly for the Faith. If they can't sincerely make this Profession, they are but Litigious, and Vexatious, and the Gladiators are to be hiss'd off the Theatre, by all that wish well to Christianity. Now, how commonly are both Parties well agreed, in the Point of PIETY, which the One says, can't be preserved but upon his Positions; and the other says, can't be preserved if his be denied? Be sure, All the Truly Pious are so! But, if both Parties are agreed for that PIETY, which is the Main, and the Scope of all, how much Good may you do, if you can so Syringe the Odoriferous Water of the confessed MAXIMS upon them, that the Quarrelling Hives in the Loss of their Distinction may give over their Quarrels, and the Children of Jacob not fall out by the Way, or be so angry about the Way, seeing they are Brethren? Or, if the Brethren will yet fall out, and the Controversies must go on, and you are called forth to bear a Part in them, yet, My Son, continue to play these Engines, for the extinguishing of the Fires; Govern your Mind, and your Pen, by the MAXIMS of PIETY; perswade ⟨p. 121⟩others what you can to do so too; and carry not on any but the Wars of the Lamb in your Contestations.
