The Grotian religion discovered, at the invitation of Mr. Thomas Pierce in his Vindication. With a preface, vindicating the Synod of Dort from the calumnies of the new Tilenus; and David, Peter, &c. And the Puritanes, and sequestrations, &c. from the censures of Mr. Pierce. / By Richard Baxter, Catholick.

SECT. III.

AND 2. For his Pacificatory design, * 1.1 in General I take it to be one of the most Christian, noble, blessed works, that any man can be employed in, to heal (if it be possible) the Divisions of the Churches, that laying by our passions, and unchari∣tableness and contentions, we might Love∣ingly and Peaceably serve the Lord, and walk together in the fellowship of the Go∣spel to everlasting life. O that the souls of all the Pastors and People of Christs Church, were sensible of the sinfulness and hurt of our Divisions, and were as zealous for the Unity and Peace of Christians, as they are for duties of a lower nature, and as de∣sirous

of the healing of our sad distractions, as they are for many a lesser Mercy: O that they would follow God as hard in their Pray∣ers, and men in their solicitations, for the re∣turn of Charity, and the Recovery of Peace, as they would pray or strive for their E∣states or Lives or the saving of their souls. For my own part, I am a person of so little worth or interest, that I cannot in reason expect that my endeavours, in such a work should have any considerable success: But yet, though I saw not a man in the world that would regard it, or return me any bet∣ter thanks then a reproach, •• am resolved, if God vouchsafe me opportunity and assi∣stance, to speak for Peace, while I have a tongue to speak, and to write for Peace, while I have a hand to write, and to live to the Churches Peace, while I have an hour to live, and am able to do any thing that may promote it.

It is not therefore the Pacificatory de∣sires or designs of Grotius or any other that I distaste. Could I find such a heart within me, I would cast it in the dust, and condemn it to shame and sorrow and recantation; so much as I love the Churches Unity and Peace less then Grotius or you, so much I am a worse man then Grotius or you; and so I

freely warrant you to judge of me. But were it meet for me to play the fool and glory, I know no inward affection of my soul that I can more confidently and assu∣redly boast of, and say, I feel it reign within me, then an uncessant burning desire after the Reformation and Concord of the Churches. Nor will I for fear of the cen∣sures of any man, that will call me Pharisee or Proud, conceal that work of God upon my soul, the mentioning whereof may tend to excite the like in others. As the Hallow∣ing of Gods Name and the Coming of his Kingdom, and the doing his will through∣out the Earth in conformity to Heaven, is prescribed us as the matter of our first re∣quests, so must I needs say that when I let my prayers loose to follow the bent and in∣clination of my soul, they begin in a com∣passionate deploring of the condition of the Nations of Heathens, Mahometans and other Infidels that are strangers to Christ, and thence they proceed to a Commemoration of the state of the Church universal, before they come home to this clod of earth on which we tread: If then you say that I blame you or Grotius for seeking Peace or common Good, I take it as if you said, that I blame you for being Christians, if not for being

men, and that I would have you turn the enemies of the Church and all mankind. The Lord knows the most honourable em∣ployment in this world in my eyes is the Conversion of the Unbelieving Nations; and the next to it is the Healing of the Pol∣luted and Divided Churches. No man on earth is honoured in my thoughts for his works sake more then Mr. Eliots in New England, the Apostle to those Ame∣ricans, with his Helpers; and truly next him I have very Honourable and Grateful thoughts of the Labours of the Jesuites and Fryers for the Japenians, Brasilians, Chi∣nenses and other Infidel Nations; so that my heart riseth against their fopperies and Papal interest that by interposing marreth so good a work; and against either Holland∣ers or any others that have hindered them in it; and I could wish that the world had a thousand Jesuites for one, on condition they were imployed in no other work. And next to these, there is none so grateful to my thoughts as the Reformers and Peace-makers. Oh how delightful is it to me to read Bishop Halls Peace-maker & his Pax terris, and Davenants, Mortons, and his Pa∣cificatory Tracts: and to read such Tractates as Calixtus, Crocius, Joh. Bergius, Conrad.

Bergius, Hottonus, Morinus, Amyraldus, Hayn, yea and Acontius too, with many the like, that have written for Pacification. The Irenicon of Junius, of Paraeus, of Jer. Burroughs and others, are delicious recrea∣tions to me, when I have leisure to review them. Melanctthons peaceable Spirit and writings, are acceptable to me as well as to Grotius. But his own words and Pe∣zelius have satisfied me, that Melanchthon and Grotius were not of a mind, in many a weighty point of doctrine, for all his constant glorying in Melanchthon: Much less were Junius and he of a mind.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. 3.