This ensuing discourse then concerning unity and forbearance, ⟨p. 24⟩to show the ground, terms, and motives thereof, was by1 me conceived, as a proposal of matters belonging properly to the consideration of the Orthodox▪ Ministers of this kingdom, who dissent only from each other in the way of government; that if our private or public conferences had continued as they were begun in simplicity, the heads thereof might have been a subject of further deliberation amongst us; For to that effect they were put to paper at the desire of some, but seeing the motions tending to a reconcilement of our Religious differences seem to be obstructed so, that there is little or no hope to gain any further meetings and conferences in this kind, and for this aim; therefore I have enlarged them a little and2 altered the frame thereof somewhat, and now shall leave them to you to be disposed of as God shall direct you for the public good to make use of them. For whether the obstruction of these thoughts of reconcilement, arise from the unwillingness of some, who perhaps think it not wisdom to venture their pains in such a way, or from the State contrivements, or preingagements; and combinations of others, who by any of these means, think themselves strong enough to gain their own desires another way. Whether (I say) from any, or from all of those causes, the obstruction doth arise, it is to me a matter of no discouragement, but rather an occasion to be willing to appear so as I am, in the presence of God free from interests, and before men, without all pretence to wisdom, strength and authority: That so far as those motions shall be found agreeable to the will of God, and suitable to the conscience of those, whose wisdom, strength and authority is the obedience of Faith in performing their duty, they may be entertained with singleness of heart, and if so many of us as have freed our spirits from the bondage of fears and hopes in respect of outward matters, and have given our selves up to walk openly, by known and undeniable rules, and by the Law of unprejudicate love to be without offence towards all, should but resolve upon this provocation, to lay the matter of duty represented therein, more seriously to heart then hitherto we have done, and to ripen further thoughts concerning the same; who knoweth what God may work thereby?
This ensuing discourse then concerning unitie and forbearance, ⟨p. 24⟩to shew the ground, termes, and motives thereof, was by1 me conceived, as a proposall of matters belonging properly to the consideration of the Orthodox▪ Ministers of this kingdome, who dissent onely from each other in the way of government; that if our private or publique conferences had continued as they were begun in simplicitie, the heads thereof might have been a subject of further deliberation amongst us; For to that effect they were put to paper at the desire of some, but seeing the motions tending to a reconcilement of our Religious differences seeme to be obstructed so, that there is little or no hope to gaine any further meetings and conferences in this kind, and for this aime; therefore I have enlarged them a little and2 altered the frame thereof somewhat, and now shall leave them to you to bee disposed of as God shall direct you for the publick good to make use of them. For whether the obstruction of these thoughts of reconcilement, arise from the unwillingnesse of some, who perhaps thinke it not wisedome to venture their paines in such a way, or from the State contrivements, or preingagements; and combinations of others, who by any of these meanes, thinke themselves strong enough to gain their own desires another way. Whether (I say) from any, or from all of those causes, the obstruction doth arise, it is to mee a matter of no discouragement, but rather an occasion to bee willing to appeare so as I am, in the presence of God free from interests, and before men, without all pretence to wisedome, strength and authoritie: That so farre as those motions shall be found agreeable to the will of God, and sutable to the conscience of those, whose wisedome, strength and authoritie is the obedience of Faith in performing their dutie, they may be entertained with singlenesse of heart, and if so many of us as have freed our spirits from the bondage of feares and hopes in respect of outward matters, and have given our selves upto walke openly, by knowne and undeniable rules, and by the Law of unprejudicate love to bee without offence towards all, should but resolve upon this provocation, to lay the matter of dutie represented therein, more seriously to heart then hitherto wee have done, and to ripen further thoughts concerning the same; who knoweth what God may work thereby?
- 1The end of the ensuing discourse, and the occasion of putting it to paper.
- 2And of enlarging and publishing the same.
