An effort against bigotry, and for Christian catholocism being a discourse on Rom. 14, 17 / delivered at Andover in Hampshire by Henry Chandler.

To my Generous and much Respected Friend, Mr. Gabriel Goldney of Andover.

THE following Discourse was delivered in your hearing with an honest Design, and 'tis now Presented you in com∣pliance with your Request: You some time since intimated, That the hearing of it was very grateful to you; I pray God it may in the review be altogether as profitable. 'Tis not Cal∣culated for the Interest of any Party of Christians, as a Party need∣lesly Dividing from, or Hurtfully Opposing the rest; but (if I mi∣stake not) equally serving the real Interest of all. Let my Tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, and my right hand forget her cunning, rather than by Word or Writing I should wilfully promote Faction to the damage of Substantial Ʋncontroverted Christianity. No Man on Earth more sincerely wisheth than my self, that all Names of Di∣stinction amongst Protestants were for ever buried under a just and righteous Accomodation; no Man more heartily laments the Schisms that are amongst us, or more unfeignedly longs for a thorough Heal∣ing of them. I doubt not but that there are multitudes of different Denominations that can easily more Skilfully Prescribe for the Healing of our Distempers than my self, but other Persons receiving more Ta∣lents than my self, is no Discharge to me from a faithful managing and improving what I have receiv'd. Nor must a Sense of the De∣ficiency of my Performances so far dishearten me as to prevent my just Endeavours: Wherefore I am willing that you should have this Discourse to read, after your hearing of it, and to communicate it as you shall judge expedient: And to this I am the more in∣clined, for that the Discourse hath been expresly approv'd by two wor∣thy Ministers, whose Judgment we both value. One of them is pleased thus to express himself:

—As to the Discourse it self, I could not but be pleased with it: It does with great Piety, Solidity and Justice, expose that which I take to be the most prevailing and dangerous Distemper of the Age, viz. a placing our Reli∣gion in, and laying out our Zeal upon little insignificant things (as Words, or Phrases, Speculative Opinions, or meer Circumstances and Opinions) in being for or against these; in which, supposing we be in the right, we are (we can be) but very little the better; but if it shou'd happen we are under a mistake, we must needs be greatly the worse. To place the Kingdom of God in such things is the common mischief of our Day; hence we are broken into

Parties, and by the same Spirit are our shameful Divisions fomen∣ted and kept up; and 'tis the Cure of this Spirit that alone can effectually heal the Breaches there are amongst us. Nor is this over magnifying our self-devised Religiousness, and confining thereupon the Kingdom of God within the Pale of our Respective Parties, the less pernicious and fatal, for being so exceeding common: Hence it is that there is so visible a Decay of Christian Charity; that there is so notorious a disregard of the most impor∣tant and distinguishing Instances of Christianity, through the misapplying of Zeal to the little Impertinencies that neither need nor deserve it—If this Discourse fall into the hands of such as need it most, and the Divine Spirit please to accompany it, I cannot doubt but its success will be such, as will greatly promote and help on a more Peaceful and Flourishing State of Christ's Kingdom amongst us; for which end it shall be followed with the fervent Prayers of your affectionate Brother, &c.

Sir, When I read these Lines, and considered the worth of the Person that wrote them, and when I remember'd that another very valuable Minister had said of the Discourse, That he wish'd there were Ten Thousand of such Sermons Printed, and scattered up and down; I found my selfless unwilling to venture upon appearing thus in publick, than I was before. I doubt not but that the most diseased will find fault; no matter for that, let me be blamed by them, so I may but heal them; but if that be not the Issue, I shall have the satisfaction that occompanies an honest Design and Endeavour. May the infinitely great and good God requite with Spiritual and Eternal Blessings the Respect and Kindness you have shewn me. May you ex∣perience more and more the Solid and Durable Comforts of Practical and Peaceable Christianity; may you be the Temple of the Holy Ghost, and your Family a little Church; may all good things be mul∣tiplied to you, and you made better by all; may I and mine meet You and Yours with Joy, at the right hand of Jesus in that Day; may fiery Faction continually decrease, and Faith, Love and Holiness grow exceedingly every where: These, Sir, are the Sincere and Fervent Desires of

Your Obliged Friend and Servant, In the Work of the Gospel, Henry Chandler.

Andover, Aug. 16. 1698.