Surely we are more afraid then hurt; Though our differen∣ces
be sad enough, yet they come not up to this, to make us
men of different Religions. We agree in the same end, though
not in the same means; they are but different wayes of oppo∣sing
the common adversary. The agreeing in the same means
in the same way of opposing the common enemy would be
very comfortable, it would be our strength, but that cannot
be expected in this world.
Livie in his story of a great Battail between Hannibal and
Scipio, sayes, That at the joyning of the Armies, the shouting
of Scipio's men was farre more terrible then the shouting of
Hannibal's, because Scipio's men were all Romans, their shout∣ing
had all the same tone: but Hannibal's Army was made up
of men of severall Countries, so that in their shouting there
was variety of the tones of their voyce, wch was not account∣ed
so formidable a shout as the other. It is true, our adversa∣ries
do not look our opposition to them having so much di∣versity
in it, so formidable as they would if we were all but
one in our way of opposing them; But stil we are all shouting
against the common enemy; although therefore the terrour
upon our adversary would be greater, if our shout were more
uniform; yet we hope the victory may be as sure.
Souldiers who march against a common enemy, all under
the same Captain, who follow the same Colours in their En∣sign,
and wear them upon their hats or arms, may get the day,
though they be not all cloathed alike, though they differ in
things of lesse concernment.
Revel. 15. 2. we read of the Saints standing upon a sea of
glasse, which had fire mingled with it. Mr. Brightman inter∣prets
this sea of glass, the doctrine of the Gospel, more clear,
more transparent then the doctrine of the Law, which, he
sayes, was resembled by the sea of brasse that Solomon made;
But there is fire mingled in this sea of glasse, that is, saith hee,
There are contentions & divisions in the Church, where this
doctrine of the Gospel is taught: But yet mark what follows,
They got the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his
marke, and over the number of his name, and had the harps of God
in their hands, and sang the song of Moses, &c.
Men who are in a crowd, tread one upon another, yet they