CHAP. LI. Five several Degrees of Peace which lie before us to be attempted between the Roman and Reformed
CHAP. LI. Five several Degrees of Peace which lie before us to be attempted between the Roman and Reformed Churches.
T here are five several Degrees of Peace which lie before us to be attempted between the Roman and Reformed Churches: We shall begin with the highest, and upon supposition of the failing of our Designs for that, come down to the next, and so to the Lowest.
1. The first Degree of Peace to be Intended and Desired is, That we may so far Agree, as that we may hold personal Communion in the same
Assemblies, in the worship of God, and live under the same particular Pastors.
2. If that cannot be attained, the next Degree desirable is, That we may hold a Catholic Christian Communion in several Assemblies, under several
Pastors, acknowledging each other the true Churches of Christ and joining in Synods when there is need, or at least, giving each other, as Christian
Brethren, the right hand of Fellowship.
3. If that may not be attained, the next Degree desirable is, That we may take one another for Christians and Churches of Christ, though under such corruptions as we think we are bound to disown by denying the present
exercise of Communion: as we do with particular Offenders, whom we only suspend, but not condemn.
4. If this much may not be had, but we will needs excommunicate each other absolutely, the next degree of Peace desirable is, That we may at least so far regard the common truths that we are agreed upon, and the souls of the people, as to consult on certain terms on which we may most peaceably manage our differences, with the least hatred, and violence, and disturbance of the Peace of Christendom, and with the least impediment to the general success of those common truths that we are all agreed in.
5. If this may not be attained, the lowest Degree desirable is, That at least we may take each other for more tolerable adversaries then Mohammedans and Infidels are, and therefore may make a common Agreement to cease our wars and blood-shed, and turn all our Arms against the great and common enemy of the Christian name.
Were it not for the Devil, and wicked minds, all these might be attained: but if men be not themselves incarnate Devils, we may expect the last. And understand that the terms of the lowest Degrees are all implied in the Higher.
And now for the Highest and most desirable Degree of Peace, viz. That we may meet in the same Assemblies, under the same Pastors, there is so little probability that ever it should be accomplished, and withal the various apprehensions of Christians doth make it so necessary to bear with one another in this, that I shall say but little of it, as knowing that I am like to lose my labor. Only this much concerning the terms.
If you will impose no more in point of Belief, as necessary to Salvation, but what is contained in the holy Scriptures, yea and in the three Creeds, and four first General Councils; and will leave the Pastors of the particular
Churches to worship God according to the Rule of the holy Scriptures, prudentially themselves determining of mere Circumstances left to their determination; according to the general Rules, of Order, Decency and Edification, and bearing with a difference herein according to the different state of the Churches or judgment of the Pastors, this is the only probable way to bring us to this highest degree of Peace. Though according to this course, men should be left to some liberty to join with what particular
Congregation they see best, and so would most commonly join with those that are nearest to their own judgment; yet the minds of most would be so mollified by mutual forbearance, and by being satisfied in the way that is thus commonly agreed on, that they would not scruple to join with one another in worship in the several Assemblies.
And here I shall further add, that if these terms cannot be yielded to, yet all that will yield to the terms of the next Degree of Peace, may be admitted into our Assemblies, though we cannot join with them in theirs. For the Papists have much more in the manner of their worship to keep us back, then we have in ours to keep them back. For their errors lie in Excess, and they suppose ours to lie but in Defect. Now Conscience may well yield to perform one part of a duty when it cannot perform the rest: But it can never yield to commit one actual sin, by doing what is forbidden by God. E. G. If the Papists think that we sinfully omit the Sacrament of extreme unction, they may nevertheless be present at the Sacrament of Baptism. If they think we preach not all the truth that we ought, they may nevertheless hear and receive that which we do preach. But in their Assemblies we must do those positive actions which our Consciences tell us are sins against God. And therefore unless they will yield (as they will not) to the above mentioned
terms, we cannot join in their Assemblies; but upon the terms in the next Chapter we can admit them into ours.
But if the Churches have not a necessary Liberty in this, they will never agree, but be still breaking into pieces, or persecuting one another, to force men to join with such Assemblies as best please them that bear the Sword.
Though we readily grant that to hear and learn the principles of Religion, and submit to the state and duty of Catechumens, men may with less inconvenience be forced, and ordinarily should so be.