^ Pamelius in Yita TertuUiani.
404 MEAT OUT OF THE EATER. [ZeCH. XIV. 9.
than love in them. Tertullian^ saith of his private disputation with a Jew, Both drew out their reasonings, and, through the heat of con- tention, both went away unsatisfied. But now, if there were meetings instituted fur the propounding of things rather by way of case than controversy, and matters were carried not so much in a disputative way, but by way of friendly collation and loving discourse, it would much conduce to the ending of our differences ; certainly, Avhere such meetings have been set up and wisely ordered, much good hath come by them. If we could allure Christians, the lot of whose dwellings is disposed among our churches, into these conferences, we should find them of much avail. I conceive much might be said out of scripture for them ; certainly we do not come together so often as we should, to ' comfort ourselves with the mutual faith of one another,' Rom. i. 11, 12. I believe that iir tawaycoyrjv spoken of Heb. x. 25, will infer some other meeting besides the public assembl3\ This benefit you would find by such a course, that your own would be stablished, others would, be less violent. If brought to these friendly consultations, haply it may be a business that may engage you to much labour and self-denial ; but that should not sway with a Christian minister, whose work is not ended with an hour's discourse in the pulpit. We are very often calling for power to punish heretics ; but let us sadly smite upon the thigh, and consider if any of us in private have improved those loving courses to gain them that have been in our power. Luther hath a pretty saying : Igne caritatis coiiiburendi sunt hceretici — you talk of burning heretics, burn them first in the fire of love, or, at least, burn them with the fire of the Spirit. The apostle speaketh of ' trying the work by fire,' 1 Cor. iii. 13. Rational and friendly conviction will do much, at least it will beget a sweet and brotherly correspondence, and it is to be hoped we shall find more meekness where things are not carried in the way of a set disputation.
I have done with my address to the ministry.
Thirdly, Give me leave to speak a word to yourselves, not as if I would prescribe to you, but only humbly offer two or three considera- tions to your thoughts. It may be I may not show so much discretion in it, yet, if I do affection, I have my aim, which is not so much to direct you, as to draw you into a consultation about these matters ; and therefore I humbly propose the business to your care. Think of the church's unity; you have covenanted to endeavour that ' the Lord be one, and his name one.' Consider, civil peace depends much upon church peace ; religion is called so a religando, it being the greatest bond to link men together ; contrary opinions in religion usually cause much alienation of affection, and great disturbances in the common- wealth. Therefore this matter appertaineth to you in reference to unity. I humbly desire : —
1. That you would seriously do your utmost to draw things to an agreement. You have appointed a committee of accommodation already : we do not know what is done ; suppose you tried once again. When the Remonstrants troubled the churches of the Low Countries, there were often collations, and they did select men once and again
^ * Alternis vicibus contentioso fune uterque diem in vesperam traximus, obstrepenti- bus etiam quibusdam spectantibus siugulorum nubilo quodam Veritas obumbrabatur.'
ZeCH. XIV. 9.] MEAT OUT OF THE EATER. 4Q5
and again to consider how to compose the differences. * It is true, those endeavours did not succeed, because those meetings were made up of the most violent sticklers ; and the Arminians, by the means of Utenbogardus, had the secret encouragement and countenance of some of the magistrates, that nothing should be done to their disservice and disadvantage, and so both parties strove to make the best of their opinion and faction. But now, if you would be pleased to try once again, God knows what will be the success. I suppose there can be no danger in trying. Call some men together, whose eminency for the power of godliness will make the matter the more venerable, entertained with the more reverence and awe. When the people smell self and interest in any endeavours, they have the less majesty with them. Call men through age and experience versed in such a work, men of a moderate and sober spirit, who prefer the interest of religion before that of a party. Blessed be God, England doth not want such ! Call them together to think of ways of reconciliation. Though many thirst and pant after it, yet cannot effect it, being but private men, and so not so much regarded, and in bodies and assem- blies they cannot so well drive it on. Men of middle interests, being always suspected, have a prejudice upon their endeavours; and, indeed, good men cannot be imagined to be so without all touch and sense of their own particular opinion, as not to dispute, stickle, and engage for it in such bodies and assemblies. But now, if such were called together by your authority, to make it their only work to provide for the advantage of religion, and to compose the difference^, possibly, and by the blessing of God, much good might be done. However, you will manifest that you have not been wanting to your duty ; and therefore weigh it in your thoughts.