CHAP. LV. The lowest Degree, that none but incarnate Devils one would think should resist
CHAP. LV. The lowest Degree, that none but incarnate Devils one would think should resist.
T he lowest Degree, that none but incarnate Devils one would think should resist is this; that if we will needs live as enemies, yet we may remember that we have all greater enemies; and therefore let us give over our wars, and let every Nation be quietly governed by their own Laws and Sovereigns, and let us all join together against the common enemies of Christ.
We cannot but know that much of Christ's interest lieth in our hands, and that if either party were devoured by the Turk, it would be a heavy blow to the Christian cause: If God should suffer that proud enemy to come and make a third among us, to end our quarrels, we must justify him in his judgments; and must to our perpetual shame confess that by our proud and passionate contending's, and unpeaceableness, and self-seeking, we did betray the Christian cause. O wonderful stupidity and impiety of great men, and Learned men, professing so much zeal for God, that they can no more agree, nor bear in Love and Compassion with each other, nor cease their wars, when a raging potent enemy stands over them, ready to devour them
both. Let the Venetians take the honor, and we the shame: How ever their own Interest may engage them, yet materially their wars are more honorable than ours. The Pope is eager for a General Peace among his subjects, that they may be strengthened to devour us: But it were an honester design, that would give him more comfort at last, to mediate a Peace among all Christians, that in this at least they might be one, to oppose the Turk, and rescue the Heritage of Christ which he hath oppressed.
And O what a blessed thing it were, if the Jesuits, Friars and Protestants could but agree, to join together for the conversion of the poor Indians. And either preach in the same, or several Countries, without seeking the destruction there of one another; yea and afford each other help: that the English, Hollanders, and others might send Preachers as well as Merchants into the Indies; and we might there contribute our endeavors to propagate the Gospel, though in our different ways, not envying, hating and hindering each other: but remembering we all confess one Christ, though not one
Vice-christ.
Conclusion.
I Have cast out these Proposals merely to acquaint the peaceable Christian, what he should desire, that the frame of his heart may be right before God: and not with any expectation that they should be so regarded as to procure what they drive at. I am not so weak, or ignorant of the inconsiderableness of the Proposer, or of the selfishness and ungodliness of the world. But yet I may lawfully take the comfort of the most uneffectual desires and endeavors that are honest.
And for those that would have us Reconciled upon the Grotian terms, or upon the French Foundation of a General Council, and would have all forced, as our Bishops attempted to come over to their way, and deny
Liberty to the rest, that cannot thus close with them; and all that think that the Church must have some Visible Head or Sovereign to unite in, I shall show them their error in a distinct Disputation, which I am publishing next to this, as a supplement: and therein I shall give them such further Proposals for a just Reconciliation, as men that are Studious of Peace may prosecute, with hope of some success.
And because I have lately met with a Paper called [An Explanation of the Roman Catholic Belief,] &c. which pretendeth to much moderation, in diverse points; I purpose next to inquire, whether it mean as it pretends, that if it do, we may give it welcome; if not, we may Detect its Fraud: For as I should much rejoice to hear of so much amendment of the Roman Belief, which I thought had been supposed by themselves to be incorrigible; So I must confess that I am so much for plain and open dealing, that I think it my duty to help to bring their works into the Light, and try how they agree with the Truth and among themselves; that men may judge of them as they are.
FINIS.
PART II.
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