CHAP. XII.

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

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ND now fure we cannot but conclude our Contentions highly injurious to Chriftianity, 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 conftitution is of the moft Pacifick temper imaginable, fo it has the common fate of reconcilers to fuffer from all parties. But Godlineß having the promife as well of this life as of that which is to come, it often happens that there is fuch a confent between our fpiritual and fecular Concerns, that the Mifchiefs that opprefs 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 thofe atteft, who defying all other ends of it, do yet admit it a useful ftate Engine;) from whence 'tis confequent, that the distractions and divifions 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 fo purely Secular as not to

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fuit our present fubject; for outward order and unity can never be fo innocently disturb'd, but that Christianity 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 fiege draws clofer, when they find themselves begirt in their worldly interefts, and that the fame Deluge that overwhelms Churches, may bear down Palaces alfo, perhaps they may think the matter not so contemptible. And first, as to the truth of the obfervation 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 felf into our common ftreams, and like the Egyptian Plague, left none uncorrupted: For whether we look upon Families, Neighbourhoods, Kingdoms, any the leaft, or any the greateft Societies, we find the miserable Trophies of our holy Wars, in Factions and Confufions; I wish I could not fay Rapine and Blood alfo. For the first of thefe, the domeftick Jarrs caus'd by different Opinions, the Inftances 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 Mafters? Children with their Parents? nay, Wives with their Husbands?

Husbands? Such an unhappy force is there in miftaken Zeal, that it diffolves the clofeft bonds, violates all obligations natural or civil, while under pretence of fervice to God, like the Pharifees Corban, it evacuates all duty to man; and this has made fuch ruptures and divifions in Families, that that delightful profpect the Pfalmift so much commends, that of Brethrens dwelling together in unity, Pfal. 133. is fcarce any where to be met with; but instead of that, fuch rancor and bitterness, treachery and malice, as if men either miftook Chrifts 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 prafage by breaking his command. And as the Oeconomical order and peace is thus difturb'd, fo if he that miffes quiet at home fhould feek for it abroad, he will foon find himself disappointed, and difcern that as the focieties grow greater, fo do the diforders alfo, and that private Strifes do as much combine to make parties and factions, as Families do to make Gities and Corporations. By this means that mutual communication by which the Members of civil bodies should not only benefit one another, but fecure the whole is interrupted, and men live not as neighbours but pies, always upon defigns of Entrapping and Enfnaring, for while they look on one another as enemies to God, they think that refcinds all obligations of friendship among themfelves, and when Religion bears the Standard, the War will be concluded neceffary and honour

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able. But though it be fo in imagination only, 'tis fure there are fome, who make it really profitable; for a$ in most Camps, the greater Number are attracted rather by hope of booty than concern for the cause; fo 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 fuch measures as these the goods of the Egyptians become lawful prizes to any, that pleafe to call themselves Ifraelites; and indeed Jews they may be call'd in that notion we vulgarly ufe it of unjust and cruel extortioner: But fure not fuch Ifraelites as Chrift defines Nathaniel, Jo. 1. 47. without guile: For having thus confecrated their frauds, and found an expedient of ferving God and Mammon together, there is no piece of deceit either too big, or too little for them; no tranfaction fo important, which can oblige their fidelity; none so trivial as to difcourage their rapine: Opportunity is the only measure and rule of their attempts, by this means no Obligation of Contract, no Laws of Commerce can efcape 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 confequent of our fpiritual debates, and bids fair towards the reducing us to that state of common Hoftility, which some have phancied to be the Original condition of mankind: For it renders commerce fo dangerous, that men may within a while think it fafer to truft their own ftrengths, than to the fhelter of thofe Laws and Civil compacts, which they fee fo avowedly evacuated. And upon this account, though the Injury be immediately done to private perfons, it becomes a publick mifchief: Yet alas, these are but the more moderate effects of our Diffentions; 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 thofe Meek who are to inherit the Earth, and every fuch acqueft only ferves to flesh them for a farther chafe. The poils of a broken Kingdom will afford fomething worth the fcrambling for: And nothing more fit to break it than a pretence of Religion, which like the Stone that fmote Nebuchadnezzars Image, has fhivered the most goodly Monarchies. And accordingly, we fee no Engine is more conftantly us'd by men of Seditious fpirits, to disturb and fubvert Governments: Indeed there can be nothing fo advantageously fitted for the purpofe. For fhould fuch perfons unmask their defign, and fhew it in its native uglineß, fhould they avow the fhaking of a Kingdom meerly to eftablish themselves in a condition of wealth and grandeur, the new moulding