2 The Preface. from themfelves, into fuch a condition, as wherein they are much inclined to think it meet they fhould be deftroyed. That which animates this conteft, which gives it Life and Fiercenefs, is a fuppoled enclofure of certain Priviledges and Advantages Spiritual and Temporal, real or pretend- ed, unto the ChurchElate contended about. Hence moft men feem to think that the principal, ifnot their only con- eerntuent in Religion, is, of what Church they are ; fo as that a diffent from them, is fò evil, as that there is almoft nothing elfe that hath any very confiderable evil in it. When this is once well riveted in their Minds by them whole fecular Advantages lye in the Enclofure, they are in a Readinefs to bear a {hare in all the evils that unavoidably enfue on fuch Divifions. By this means among others, is the frate or condition of Chriflian Religion as unto its pub- lick Profeffion, become at this day fo deplorable as cannot well be expreffed. What with the bloody anddefolating Wars of Princes and Potentates, and what with the Dege- neracy of the Community of the People from the Rule of theGofpel in Love, Meeknefs, Self-denial, Holinefs, Zeal, theUniverfal MortificationofSin, and Fruitfulnefs inGood Works, the Profeffion of Chriftianity is become but a fad Reprefentation of the Vertues of him who calls out ofDark- nefr into his Marvellous Light. Neither doth there feem at prefent tobe any defign or expefration in the Molt for the ending ofControverfies about the Church, but Force and the Sword ; which God forbid. It is therefore high time that a lober Enquiry be made whether there be any fuch Churchfate ofDivine Inflitution as thofe contended about. For if it should appear upon Trial, that indeed there is not, but that all the fierce digla- diations of the Parties at Variance, with the doleful effe is that attend them, have proceeded on a falle fuppofition, in an adherence whereunto they are confirmed by their Inte- refts,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=