Annesley - Houston-Packer Collection BX9327 .M6 1664

Senn. i6. and in what not ? 401 by the latter as the Apoflle enjoyns, Ephof. 4. 3, 2. We mxft moderate our pqjîons in thefe ;our heat and fervorfor them, our anger againft thofe that differ from ate in them.In thefe things where- in the way to heaven is broad enough, there may be difference without divifion ; and let any take heed how they (Iraîghten it, taking upon them to be wifer than Chrifl, who well knowing humane frailty, fo chalked it out to us, telling us, He that doth the will of his Father (not that is for or ag_ii.3tl thefe things) it his brother, falter, and mother ; and confequently thould be brethren and fillers amongfl themfelves. It is f;range to confider, how upon principles and prejudice once fuckt in, Paffion blinds men in their own opinions and praäices, & what wofull divifìons bath in all Ages arifen thence ? That the Baflern and Weflern Churches, wherein were fo many Grave, Holy, Learned, and Wife men, ( hould fo fall out as to make a feparation ; every one would be ready to think and fay,furely it was fomegreat matter that occationed it ; would you know ? Nothing but about the time of the obfrvatio.n of Eaftcr.Though Irenaus & others were mighty Advocates for Peace, yet nothing would ferve Victor Bifhop of Rome, but exacct Uniformity in thefe indifErencies,and thence arofe, about two hundred years after Chrill,that great breach of Unity betwixt thofe two great and famous Churches. How doth all the zeal and fervor we fhould bellow upon the great things of Religion run out at this time amongfl us about thefe things I May not I fay, quorfum bat perditìe ? Wherefore do ye fpend your mony for that which is not bread,and your labor for that which fatisfìeth not? Why do we fland thus bufily hewing good Timber into Chips, and leaving out the Figures , fpend our time in the bare Cy- phers? How many on both fides at this day make it their Religion, to be for or againfl thofe things that they account indifferent in them - felves 1 So true is the Moralifts obfervarion, that the devil always la- bors,Thar mankind may either wholly neglefl aDeity,or be wholly take» op in the Externals of Worfhip. Qiiite contrary to Scripture, that teacheth us to mind every thing as of confequence in its place , to do the great and weighty things,and not to leave the other undone. Mybeloved,the wrath of man worketh not the righteoufnefs of God ; When Elijah that good Prophet was difcontented, i Kin 19. and pafíionately requefls he may die, v.4. and profeffeth his zeal for the great things of Religion, w. ice God paffeth by him, but in the great and firong wind, or in the Earthquake,or in the fire the Lord was not, but in the (lilt f mall voice, 112, (hewing him, and us thereby that he is not in our Pailions; and if not for the great,,how much lets for thefe things of Religion wherein,

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