I,3d Of Chri/lian Liberty. S E x m. this diverfity ? Their doctrine plainly is, V. that it ought not at all to interrupt peace, which, according to them, is founded, not on an unanimity in judgment, and unifor- mity in practice, but upon mutual forbear- ance and condefcenfion : And therefore for human authority to interpole by enforcing what men call peace, and which indeed human authority can only effect, that is, á conftrained agreement in external forms of religious profeffions, and uniformity in out- ward rites and ceremonies : This is not to build upon the fcripture foundations, but rather to deftroy them ; not to edify the church in love, but to raife a falfe peace upon ignorance, fervitude, and hypocrify. What detriment would enfue to the real in- terefts of chriftianity, if there were no au- thorized forms of doctrine, but every man left at liberty to make the belt of his bible, and to profefs freely what he findeth there; and if all woríhipping focieties in a nation were allowed to fix for themfelves the va- riable circumftances of woríhip ? May not peace confift with fuch a liberty, and all the diverfity it can be fuppofed to be at- tended with ? If by peace we mean what the New Teftament meaneth, an union of ffections, and fincere brotherly kindnefs; . for
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