A peace-offering in the Temple; or, A seasonable plea for unity among dissenting brethren: in a sermon at St. Paul's Church, London, before the Right Honouable the Lord Mayor, &c. on the 14th of October, 1660. By Richard Henchman, Rectour of St. James-Garlick-Hyth.

TO THE READER.

A Word spoken in season (says Solomon) is both gratefull, and success full:* 1.1 which is the Blessing, that I beg of God upon these poor, and mean endeavours. It was the fittest Subject, that in this Juncture of Time, I could fix my Thoughts upon, to Preach, and Pray for Unity a∣mong dissenting Brethren; especially seeing some men so strangely averse, and indisposed to an Agree∣ment, and Conformity in Things Indifferent, that they rather endeavor to widen, then close up; to make new Breaches, then heal the old. What tends this to, think you: but to lay our selves open to the scorn, and Reproach of our Enemies at home, and abroad; that both Parties being zealously busied, one against another, may spend themselves in endless, and un∣necessary Debates, and Controversies, while a third secretly, and insensibly, grow up, and destroy us? Bles∣sed be God, our Differences are not yet so great, seeing we agree in the Vitals, and Fundamentals of Religi∣on,

that we should stand at such a distance, for some Opinions, and Ceremonies; and hazard the wel∣fare, and Happiness of our Church. Besides, His most Excellent Majesty, our Gracious Sovereign, like a good nursing Father, having sweetly, and prudent∣ly indulged some froward, and peevish Children, by his late seasonable Declaration, concerning Ecclesi∣astical Affairs, that so (if possible) he may com∣pose the Spirits, and allay the rigidness of some vi∣olent Tempers, till a Learned, and Pious Synod can be convened to Determine Matters: But, if af∣ter all these Means men shall continue obstinate, and refractory, and will not submit to the wholesom Or∣ders of Decency in the Church, it will be just with God, and Man, to punish us more severely for our Peevishness. Thus Parents use to do: if Chil∣dren cannot agree among themselves, they whip them both into better Manners. And every one knows, that no man shall gain by the differences between Brethren, but he, that is an Enemy to both. For my part, I alwaies feared our own Divisions, more then all our Enemies Combinations, or Conspira∣cies. And what was once said of England, may be as truly said of all, that fear God in it; It is a mighty Creature, that can never die, unless it kill it self.

In Saint Cyprian's Time,* 1.2 they could keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of peace, with those, that did not onely think, but teach that, which was contrary to what was received, in things of lesser concernment: and surely we might in our Differen∣ces at least so far agree, as to Act together, if

Pride, and Party were laid aside, and we acted by the same Spirit of Humility, and Brotherly-Love, that the Antient Saints, and Churches did. God knows my Heart, I should rejoyce exceedingly from my Soul, if I could but see that Primitive Order, and Unity take place again. Oh, that I may (in that small Sphere I move in) be any whit instrumental to this great Work, either by preaching, praying, or writing! For this very End, I first set upon this ensuing Subject: and for the same I was perswaded to set it forth. Correct with thy Pen, what thou findest amiss in the Printing. Pardon my weakness in the composure, amd accept of my willingness in doing good. If thou reapest any Benefit by it, thank not me, but the Lord, who enabled me; and think of me in thy Prayers, as of the poorest, unworthy Minister of Christ, who shall ever be ready upon all occasions to contribute my Mite to this good Work of Peace, and Unity, among Christian Brethren, and Study to approve my self a true Son of the Church of England, and

From my Study, Novemb. 7. 1660.

Thy true Friend in all Christian Offices to be Commanded, R. Henchman.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prov. xxv, II
• * 1.2

  Vide Cyprian ad Ju∣bajan. Epist. 73.