First, this contending about every difference of opinion, &
urging our Brethren with what we conceive right, in matters
of controversie, crosseth the end of Christ in his Administrati∣on
of differing gifts to his Church, and humane society, and
his revealing truths in a different way, some more darkely,
some more clearly; Christ could easily have given such gifts
to all, or revealed all truths so clearly, that every man should
have been able to have seen every truth. Surely Christ did not
disperse gifts, and reveal truths so differently, to that end,
that there might be continual matter of strife and contention
in his Church, and in humane societies; not that there should
be provocation to the exercise of cruelty one upon another,
but rather that there might be the exercise of love, charity,
forbearance, meekness, long-suffering of one towards ano∣ther;
Christ bids us, charges us to be at peace amongst our
selves. If we should say, O Lord Jesus, wouldst thou have us
be at peace one with another? there are many things in thy
Word, that we and our Brethren have different apprehensions
of; for though (blessed be thy Name) the great necessary
things of salvation be clearly revealed, yet many other things
are so dark to us, that through our weakness we cannot all of
us see the same thing. Now is it thy mind, O blessed Saviour,
that one man, who conceives himself to understand the truth,
(and that it may be rightly) compell another to his judge∣ment?
And dost thou also require, that wee must not bring
our judgments to our Brethrens till thy light brings them?
How then is it possible that we should be at peace one with a∣nother?Do not all Divines say, There are some things in Scripture
wherein the Elephant may swimm, some things where the
Lamb may wade? matters of Discipline are acknowledged
by all, not to be revealed with such clearnesse, but that truly
conscientious, upright, diligent men may not be able in ma∣ny
things to see the mind of Christ in them. And to what end
hath Christ done this think you.2ly. Compulsion in such things as we are speaking of, is to
straine Justice so high, as to make it summa justitia, which
is the degeneration of it: As Physitians say of the uttermost
degree of health, it is a beginning of sickness: If Justice be
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