VVholesome severity reconciled with Christian liberty. Or, the true resolution of a present controversie concerning liberty of conscience. Here you have the question stated, the middle way betwixt popish tyrannie and schismatizing liberty approved, and also confirmed from Scripture, and the testimonies of divines, yea of whole churches: the chiefe arguments and exceptions used in The bloudy tenent, The compassionate samaritane, M.S. to A.S. &c. examined. Eight distinctions added for qualifying and clearing the whole matter. And in conclusion a parænetick to the five apologists for choosing accommodation rather then toleration. Imprimatur. Ia. Cranford. Decemb 16. 1644.

A Paraenetick.

BEfore I end, I have a word of exhortation for the five Apologists, and such others as shall (I trust) agree with the Churches of both Kingdomes, not only in one Confes∣sion of Faith; but in one Directorie of Worship. Me thinks I heare them calling to me to say on. Et tu mi fili? said Cae∣sar. And must you also brethren, give a wound to the bo∣dy of Christ? Doe not, O doe not involve your selves in the plea of Toleration with the Separatists and Anabaptists. Do not partake in their Separation, lest you partake in their sup∣pression. Let us heare no more Paraeneticks for Toleration, or liberty of Conscience: but as many as you will for a just and mercifull Accommodation: a thing mentioned by that Author, pa. 3. but not sought after. If you be the Sonnes of peace, you shall be characterized by this Shibboleth, you will call for Accommodation, not for Toleration; for one way, not for two. Let there be no strife betweene us and you, for we be brethren: and is not the Canaanite and the Pe∣rizzite yet in the land? O let it not be told in Gath, nor pub∣lished in the streets of Ashkelon. Let it not be said, that

there can be no unity in the Church without Prelacy. Bre∣thren I charge you by the Roes and by the Hindes of the field, that ye awake not nor stirre up Jesus Christ till he please; for his rest is sweet and glorious with his welbeloved. It shall bee no griefe of heart to you afterward, that you have pleased others as well as your selves, and have stretched your prin∣ciples for an Accommodation in Church government, as well as in Worship, and that for the Churches peace and e∣dification; and that the eares of our common enemies may tingle, when it shall be said, The Churches of Christ in Eng∣land have rest, and are edified, and walking in the feare of the Lord, and in the joy of the Holy Ghost are multiplyed. Alas, how shall our divisions and contentions hinder the preaching and learning of Christ, and the edifying one another in love! Is Christ divided? saith the Apostle. There is but one Christ, yea the head and the body makes one Christ, so that you cannot divide the body without dividing Christ. Is there so much as a seame in all Christs garment? Is it not woven throughout from the top to the bottome? Will you have one halfe of Israel to follow Tibni, and another halfe to follow Omri? O brethren, we shall be one in heaven, let us packe up differences in this place of our pilgrimage, the best way wee can. Nay, we will not despaire of unity in this world. Hath not God promised to give us one heart and one way? and that Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vexe Ephraim, but they shall flee upon the shoulders of the Philistims toward the East, they shall spoile them of the East to∣gether? Hath not the Mediator (whom the Father heareth alwayes) prayed that all his may be one? Brethren, it is not impossible, pray for it, endeavour it, presse hard toward the marke of Accommodation. How much better is it that you be one with the other Reformed Churches, though somewhat straitned and bound up, then to bee divided though at full liberty and elbow-roome? Better is a dry mor∣sell and quietnesse therewith, then a house full of sacrifices with strife. Doth not the Solemne League and Covenant binde you sincerely, really, and constantly to endeavour the nea∣rest

(marke nearest) uniformity and conjunction in religion: and that you shall not suffer your selves directly or indi∣rectly to be withdrawne from this blessed union and con∣junction. I know there is a spirit of jealousie walking up and downe. O beware of groundlesse feares and apprehen∣sions. Iudge not, lest you be judged. Iudge not according to ap∣pearance, but judge righteous judgement. Many false rumours and surmises there have beene concerning the Presbyterian principles, practices, designes. Expertus loquor. I am perswa∣ded if there were but a right understanding one of anothers intentions, the Accommodation I speak of would not bee difficult. Brethren, if you will not hearken to wholsome counsell, you shall be the more inexcusable. I have in my eye that law of God, Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sinne upon him. Faithfull are the wounds of a friend. Therefore love the truth and peace. Yea, seeke peace and pursue it.

Consider what I say. The Lord guide your feet in the way of peace. And O that God would put it in your hearts to cry downe Toleration, and to cry up Accommodation!

Amen, Amen.

FINIS.

Notes

• Gen. 13. 7, 8.
• Cant. 2. 7.
• Act. 9. 31.
• Jer. 32. 3••. Ezech. 11. 19. Isa. 11. 13. 14.
• Joh. 17. 21.
• Pro. 17 1.
• Mat. 7. 1. Joh. 7. 24.
• Lev. 19. 17.
• Pro. 27. 6. Zech. 8. 19. 1 Pet. 3. 11.