And as the children of God are careful of civil peace, so also of church peace. True wisdom looketh not only at what may be done, but what should be done in such a juncture of time and affairs ; it will do anything but sin, that we may not give just offence. Basil, by reason of the prevalency of the adversaries, abstained from offensive
JaS. III. 17.] UPON THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. 315
words in the doctrino of the Holy Ghost."^ Unsober spirits draw their liberty to the highest, and in indifferent matters take that course that will offend ; there is little ot the wisdom that is from above in such a spirit. True wisdom, as it is careful not to offend Christ by a sin, so not to offend the brethren by a scandal ; as it will not sin against faith by error, so not against love by schism. By faith we are united to Christ, by charity one to another ; it is careful that neither band be broken. I know the imputation of schism may be unduly charged ; and the spouse, being despoiled of her own ornaments, may be clothed with this infamy : but however they that separate had need look to their spirits. The scripture hath put sad marks upon separation. Cain was the first separatist: Gen. iv. 16, ' He went out from the presence of God.' God is everywhere ; the meaning is, from the church. Jude saith, ' They are sensual, not having the Spirit,' Jude 19. Korah made a cleft in the congregation, and God made the earth to cleave and open upon him. The good mother would rather lose the child then see it divided. It is said of love, 1 Cor. xiii. 7, ' It beareth all things, eudureth all things, hopeth all things ; ' that is, all such things as are proper to the allowance of charity. However, the terms being universal, it showeth men should do much, endure much, before they go off from the communion of any church, not upon such slight grounds as many do, merely to accommodate a fond desire. Whatever we are forced to do by providence and con- science, it must be done with grief; as all acts of extremity are sinful if they be not done renitenti animo, with some reluctation. The question of separation lieth much in the dark ; enforcements to love are clear and open : such withdrawment is a mighty exasperation ; therefore we should be careful in the circumstances of it. The modesty of Zanchy is well worth notice : — ' I, Jerome Zanchy, testify to the church of God to all eternity, that I separated from the Church of Kome with no other intent but to turn again to communion with it as soon as I may with a good conscience ; which that it may be, should be my prayer to God,' &c.2
Secondly, They are peacemakers, striving to reduce it where it is lost. It is a thankless office to intermeddle with strife ; but there is a blessing promised : Mat. v. 8, ' Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.' They have the greater encouragement from heaven, because they meet with so much scorn upon earth. Men that desire to make up the breach meet with the displeasure of both sides, as those that interpose between two fencers receive the blows : /xecro?, saith Naziauzen, Orat. 2, de Pace, air a/j,(f)o- ripcov KaKov 'waa'^ei. But the glory of the duty doth recompense the inconvenience of it ; and those endeavours that want success among men do not want a blessing with God. Well, then, they are far from true wisdom that love to live in the fire, that cherish contentions, and
1 Nazianz. alicubi.
- ' Ab Ecclesia Komana non alio discessimus animo, quam ut si correcta ad priorem ecclesiie formam redeat, nos quoque ad illam revertamur, et communionem cum illain suis porro ccctibus habeamns, quod ut tandem fiat, loto animo Dominum Jesum pre- camur ; quid enim pio cuique optatius, quam ubi per baptismum renati sumus, ibi etiam in tinem usque vivamus, modo in Domino ; ego Hieronymus Zauchius septua- geaarius cum tota familia testatum lioc volo toti ecclesiae Christi in omnem eternitatem.'
316 AN EXPOSITION', WITH NOTES, [JaS. III. 17.
royi the waters that they may fish in them, that increase the difference and add oil to the flame that they may promote their private interests. Obs. 3. 'PiomXivdiiJirst pure and then i^eaceahh. That true wisdom ordereth the first ami chiefest care for purity. You shall see this order in other places : — Mat. v. 8, 9, ' Blessed are the pure in heart ; ' and then, ' blessed are the peacemakers ;' so 2 Kings xx. 19, * Is it not good that peace and truth tshould be in my days ? ' There is the sum of Hezekiah's wish, truth hath the first place. Of all blessings purity and religion is the best. As God is the best of beings, so religion is the best of blessings. A people may be miserable under a peace, but not under purity.^ A wilderness with God is better than the plenty of Egypt with idols. Troubles and distractions do far excel a sinful peace. When the devil possessed the nations they were in great peace : Luke xi. 21, ' When the strong man keepeth the house, the goods are in peace.' If we would be contented with half Christ, all would be quiet.2 In this sense Christ saith that he ' came to send a sword ; ' and it is happy that he doth. Besides, all true peace is founded in purity and holiness. Be it civil peace: Prov. xvi. 17, ' When a man's ways please the Lord, he will make his enemies to be at peace with him.' The best way is to make peace with God, and then he can bend and dispose hearts to every purpose. So for ecclesiastical peace. Holiness meekenetli spirits, and the purest and surest agreement is in the truth.3 First there is ' a pure language,' and tlien ' one shoulder,' Zeph. iii. 9. One faith is urged by the apostle as a ground of union, Eph. iv. He will bring it to that at length. The world looketh at purity as the makebait, but it is the great reconciler.