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CHAP. XII.

A Survey of the Mischiefs arising from Disputes, in reference to Civil Peace.

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ND now sure we cannot but conclude our Contentions highly injurious to Chrifti

anity, that thus affault it both in the PraEtick and Theory: And indeed how fierce foever our quarrels are with one another, the heaviest blows are fure to fall on that, which as in its constitution is of the most Pacifick temper imaginable, so it has the common fate of reconcilers to fuffer from all parties. But Godlineß having the promise as well of this life as of that which is to come, it often happens that there is such a consent between our spiritual and secular Concerns, that the Mischiefs that oppress the one do reflect on the other: And indeed Religion when entire and united, is one of the best bonds of Civil as well as Ecclefiaftical Peace, (as even those attest, who defying all other ends of it, do yet admit it a useful state Engine;) from whence 'tis consequent, that the distractions and divisions in that must have proportionably a contrary influence, and infect communities with Difcord, Tumult and Diforders. And this is an effect with which I think not unfit to bring up the rear of the foregoing Mifchiefs, it being not so purely Secular as not to X 4

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suit our present subject; for outward order and unity can never be so innocently disturb'd, but that Chriftianity must be wounded in it also: And befides, it may perhaps obtain more confideration than the former, as being of a nature wherein the generality of men will think themselves the most concern'd; for though there be many that can look on the ruine both of Christian practice and profeffion, with Gallio's indifference, Acts 18. 17. and care for none of those things, yet when the siege draws closer, when they find themselves begirt in their worldly interests, and that the same Deluge that overwhelms Churches, may bear down Palaces also, perhaps they may think the matter not so contemptible. And first, as to the truth of the observation the World has too long groaned under the Experiment to need farther

proof. That bitterneß which first tainted the waters of the Sanctuary, hath from thence diffus'd its self into our common streams, and like the Ægyptian Plague, left none uncorrupted: For whether we look upon Families, Neighbourhoods, Kingdoms, any the leaft, or any the greatest Societies, we find the miferable Trophies of our holy Wars, in Factions and Confufions; I wish I could not say Rapine and Blood also. For the first of these, the domeftick Jarrs caus'd by different Opinions, the Instances are numerous, or rather innumerable, which our own age and nation affords us. How many Servants have on this score been at defiance with their Masters? Children with their Parents? nay, Wives with their Husbands?

Husbands? Such an unhappy force is there in mistaken Zeal, that it diffolves the closeft bonds, violates all obligations natural or civil, while under pretence of service to God, like the Pharisees Corban, it evacuates all duty to man; and this has made such ruptures and divisions in Families, that that delightful prospect the Pfalmist so much commends, that of Brethrens dwelling together in unity, Pfal. 133. is scarce any where to be met with; but instead of that, such rancor and bitterness, treachery and malice, as if men either mistook Christs prediction, Luke 12. 52. for a precept, or at least were willing to advance his Prophetick Office upon the ruine of his Kingly, and to verifie his prasage by breaking his command. And as the Oeconomical order and peace is thus disturb'd, so if he that misses quiet at home should seek for it abroad, he will foon find himself disappointed, and difcern that as the focieties grow greater, so do the disorders also, and that private Strifes do as much combine to make parties and factions, as Families do to make Cities and Corporations. By this means that mutual communication by which the Members of civil bodies should not only benefit one another, but secure the whole is interrupted, and men live not as neighbours but fpies, always upon designs of Entrapping and Enfnaring, for while they look on one another as enemies to God, they think that rescinds all obligations of friendship among themselves, and when Religion bears the Standard, the War will be concluded necessary and honourable.

able. But though it be so in imagination only, 'tis fure there are fome, who make it really profitable; for as in most Camps, the greater Number are attracted rather by hope of booty than concern for the cause; so here, many men lift themselves under one Party, that they may have pretence to prey upon the reft. And to that End several very commodious Axioms have been taken up. As that no faith is to be kept with Hereticks; that Dominion is founded in Grace, &c. by such measures as these the goods of the Egyptians become lawful prizes to any, that please to call themselves Ifraelites; and indeed Fews they may be call'd in that notion we vulgarly use it of unjust and cruel extortioner: But fure not such Ifraelites as Chrift defines Nathaniel, Jo. 1. 47. without guile: For having thus confecrated their frauds, and found an expedient of serving God and Mammon together, there is no piece of deceit either too big, or too little for them; no transaction so important, which can oblige their fidelity; none so trivial as to discourage their rapine: Opportunity is the only measure and rule of their attempts, by this means no Obligation of Contract, no Laws of Commerce can escape unviolated, every thing is lawful that may weaken the wicked, and that zeal which makes men Saints in the Church or Conventicle, can make them Thieves in the Shop or Market. Thus is Piety made an Engine of rapine, and by these religious riots, all boundaries wherewith Laws or Equity have fenc'd mens distinct properties, are thrown down: And fure

this is a most carnal consequent of our spiritual debates, and bids fair towards the reducing us to that state of common Hostility, which some have phancied to be the Original condition of mankind: For it renders commerce so dangerous, that men may within a while think it safer to truft their own strengths, than to the shelter of those Laws and Civil compacts, which they see so avowedly evacuated. And upon this account, though the Injury be immediately done to private persons, it becomes a publick mischief: Yet alas, these are but the more moderate effects of our Difssentions; they afford more expedite and compendious ways of publick ruine; the defrauding or undermining of a few Neighbours, are petty prizes for those that think they have the fole right to the Creature, and are those Meek who are to inherit the Earth, and every such acquest only serves to flesh them for a farther chase. The spoils of a broken Kingdom will afford something worth the Scrambling for: And nothing more fit to break it than a pretence of Religion, which like the Stone that smote Nebuchadnezzars Image, has shivered the most goodly Monarchies. And accordingly, we fee no Engine is more constantly us'd by men of Seditious spirits, to difturb and subvert Governments: Indeed there can be nothing so advantageously fitted for the purpose. For should fuch persons unmask their design, and shew it in its native uglines, should they avow the shaking of a Kingdom meerly to establish themselves in a condition of wealth and grandeur, the new moulding

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