When we have attained to the acknowledging of the Trueth, then to give a Testimony unto the same, according to our vocation, contending for the Trueth of God against the errors of men, for the purity, of Christ against the corruptions of Antichrist. For to understand the Trueth, and yet not contend for it, argueth Cowardliness, not Courage; Fainting, not Fervour; Lukewarmness, not Love; Weakness, not Valour. Wherefore since we can not impetrate from the troublers of our Israel that true peace which derogateth not from the Trueth, we may not, we dare not leave off to debate with them. Among the Laws of Solon, fthere was one which pronounced him defamed and unhonest who in a civill uproar among the Citizens sitteth still a looker on and a Neuter: much more deserve they to be so accounted of, who shun to meddle with any controversy which disquieteth the Church, whereas they should labour to win the Adversaries of the Trueth, and if they prove obstinate, to defend and propugne the Trueth against them. In things of this life (as gCalvin noteth) we may remit so much of the right, as the love of peace requireth, but as for the regiment of the Church which is spiritual, and wherein every thing ought to be ordered according to the Word of God, it is not in the power of any mortal man, quidquam hic aliis dare, aut in illorum gratiam def•ectere. These considerations have induced me to bestow some time, and to take some pains in the study of the Controversies which are agitated in this Church about the Ceremonies, and (after due examination and discussion of the writings of such as have played the Proctors for them) to compile this ensuing Dispute against them, both for exonering my self, and for provoking of others to contend yet more hfor the Truth, and for Zions sake not to hold their peace, nor be at rest, until the amiable light of long wished for peace, break forth out of all these confusions: which, O Prince of Peace, hasten, who 4wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
When we have attained to the aknowledging of the Trueth, then to give a Testimony unto the same, according to our vocation, contending for the Trueth of God against the errors of men, for the purity, of Christ against the corruptions of Antichrist. For to understand the Trueth, and yet not contend for it, argueth Cowardlinesse, not Courage; Fainting, not Fervour; Lukewarmenesse, not Love; Weaknesse, not Valour. Wherefore since we can not impetrate from the troublers of our Israēl that true peace which derogateth not from the Trueth, we may not, we dare not leave off to debate with them. Among the Lawes of Solon, fthere was one which pronounced him defamed and unhonest who in a civill uproare among the Citizens sitteth still a looker on and a Newter: much more deserve they to be so accounted of, who shunne to meddle with any controversy which disquieteth the Church, whereas they should labour to winne the Adversaries of the Trueth, and if they proove obstinate, to defend and propugne the Trueth against them. In things of this life (as gCalvine noteth) we may remit so much of the right, as the love of peace requireth, but as for the regiment of the Church which is spirituall, and wherein every thing ought to be ordered according to the Word of God, it is not in the power of any mortall man, quidquam hic aliis dare, aut in illorum gratiam def•ectere. These considerations have induced me to bestowe some time, and to take some paines in the study of the Controversies which are agitated in this Church about the Ceremonies, and (after due examination and discussion of the writings of such as have played the Proctors for them) to compile this ensuing Dispute against them, both for exonering my self, and for provocking of others to contend yet more hfor the Truth, and for Zions sake not to hold their peace, nor be at rest, untill the amiable light of long wished for peace, breake forth out of all these confusions: which, O Prince of Peace, hasten, who 4wilt ordaine peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
- fPlut. in vita. Solon.
- gin Epist. ad protect. Angl.
- hIs. 6. 21.
- 4(i) Is. 26. 12.
