The $lednefs of the Peace - makers. ther-in -law, and -a man's foes (hall be thofe of SE R ivr; his own houfhold ; that is, the gofpel as peaceable XIV. an inftitution as it is, (hall be made by wick- ed men the occafion of hatred and quarrels ; nay, to fuch a height fhall debates on the ac- count of religion arife, that a man's neareff relations fhall be his bittereft and molt cruel enemies, even thofe of his own family fhall perfecute him. But all this is a grofs abufe of the chriftian religion, which, rightly un- derftood, and when the ;principles and pre- cepts of it are regularly purfued, tendeth above all the inftitutions, that ever were in the world, to promote peace on earth and good -will among men. But without carry- ing things to the extremities mentioned in thefe prophetic declarations of our Saviour, which yet have been too evidently verified, that is, to hoftile rage and fury, producing the deftrw Lion of men's lives, of families, cities, and other larger communities; there have been among chriftians diffentions and difcords, not fo tragical in the event of them, yet fatal to the churches, marring their edi- fication, fullying their honour, and prevent- ing the fuccefs of the gofpel. The apoftles forefaw by the fpirit of God, that there would be fuch divifions, and that they would be attended with fatal confequences, nay, they had arìually broke out and rifen to great C c 2 height,
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