But while we speak this, our sad thoughts return, — Prov. 18, 19. The dissentions of Brethren, are as the bars of a Castle; This is the Blazing Comet that hangs over our times, ⟨image 8⟩and portends more evil then all our enemies can bring upon us, even the Dissentions of our Brethren. Differences there will be, we know but in part, 1— But why Dissentions? why do we not rather seek to compose those Differences, then increase them? why not rather heal them, then heighten them? Shall we pride it in the making and enlarging rents and divisions? will any seek to make themselves Great, by making others of their Brethren Little? and to difference themselves from them in esteem by differencing themselves from them in judgement? Will any seek to raise themselves upon the ruins of others? 2make themselves rich, by endeavouring to make others poor? These are like High-way Robbers, who have no more credit, nor esteem, then what they have unjustly robbed, and spoiled others of. These are the worst of Spirits, God forbid there should be such a Root of bitterness in the hearts of Christians, — I dare not think it, And if not, methinks your distances are not so great, but either the tears of friends, or the terror of enemies might bring you together. Though a fair day might divide and scatter you (like Sheep) all abroad the field, yet one would think a storm should bring you together again: The very Savage people, though they were continually jarring, and at dissension among themselves, yet when Alexander the Great came among them, the equality of the danger, wherein they all were, caused them to join their hearts and hands together against the common enemy. Do you not see, that notwithstanding all their Differences, your enemies are united to your destruction? ⟨image 8⟩Oh why are not you yet united for your Preservation? But may be you will say, It is my Part rather to cover, then to repeat Differences; The repeating of Differences, is oftentimes a renewing of them, He that covereth a Transgression, procureth love, but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends; Prov. 17.9. There is a dividing, and there is an uniting repetition, my desire is not to divide, but to unite, in repetition of them; Not to fuel our flames, but to quench them, not to increase our Differences, but to remove them.
But while wee speak this, our sad thoughts return, — Prov. 18, 19. The dissentions of Brethren, are as the barres of a Castle; This is the Blazing Comet that hangs over our times, ⟨image 8⟩and portends more evill then all our enemies can bring upon us, even the Dissentions of our Brethren. Differences there will be, we know but in part, 1— But why Dissentions? why doe wee not rather seek to compose those Differences, then increase them? why not rather heale them, then heighten them? Shall we pride it in the making and inlarging rents and divisions? will any seek to make themselves Great, by making others of their Brethren Little? and to difference themselves from them in esteeme by differencing themselves from them in judgement? Will any seek to raise themselves upon the ruines of others? 2make themselves rich, by indeavouring to make others poore? These are like High-way Robbers, who have no more credit, nor esteem, then what they have unjustly robbed, and spoiled others of. These are the worst of Spirits, God forbid there should be such a Root of bitternesse in the hearts of Christians, — I dare not think it, And if not, methinks your distances are not so great, but either the teares of friends, or the terrour of enemies might bring you together. Though a faire day might divide and scatter you (like Sheep) all abroad the field, yet one would thinke a storme should bring you together again: The very Savage people, though they were continually jarring, and at dissention among themselves, yet when Alexander the Great came among them, the equality of the danger, wherein they all were, caused them to joyne their hearts and hands together against the common enemie. Doe you not see, that notwithstanding all their Differences, your enemies are united to your destruction? ⟨image 8⟩Oh why are not you yet united for your Preservation? But may be you will say, It is my Part rather to cover, then to repeat Differences; The repeating of Differences, is oftentimes a renewing of them, Hee that covereth a Transgression, procureth love, but hee that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends; Prov. 17.9. There is a deviding, and there is an uniting repetition, my desire is not to divide, but to unite, in repetition of them; Not to fuell our flames, but to quench them, not to increase our Differences, but to remove them.
- 1Illud usitatum fuit in primis diebus Evangelii ecce ut see in vicem dilligunt.
- 2Milites dicuntur Pompeii Superbiam his verbis reprimere, Nostra miseria magnus es? Tacit.
