THE CAUSES OF THE CAL CONTINUANCE OF THE CONTENTIONS CONCERNING CHURCH GOVERNMENT. CONTENTION ariseth eyther through error in men's judge ments or else disorder in their affections. I. When contention doth grow by error in judgement, it ceaseth not till men by instruction come to see wherein they erre, and what it is that did deceive them; without this there is neyther notice nor punishment that can establish peace in the church. The Moscovian Emperor, being wearie of the infinit strifes and contentions amongst preachers, and by their occasion amongst others, forbadd preaching utterly throughout all his dominions; and instead thereof commanded certain sermons of the Greeke and Latin Fathers to be translated, and them to be read in publique assemblies, without adding a word of their owne thereunto, upon paine of death. He thought by this politique devise to bring them to agreement, or att least to cover their disagreement. But so bad a policie was no fitt salve for so great a soare. Wee may think, perhaps, that punishment would have been more effectuall to that purpose, for neither did Salomon speake without booke in saying that when "follie is a Prov. chap. 22. ver. 15. b 2 XX THE CAUSES OF THE CONTINUANCE OF THE CONTENTIONS bound up in the heart of a child, ye rodd of correction must drive it out;" and experience doth shew yt, when error hath once disquieted the mindes of men and made them restles, if they doe not feare, they will terrifye. Neyther hath it repented ye Church at any tyme to have used ye rodd in moderate severitie for the speedier reclaiming of men from error, and the easier reuniting such as by schisme have sundred themselves. Butt wee find by triall, that, as being taught and not terrifyed, they shutt their eares against the word of trueth, and soothe themselves in that wherewith custom or sinister persuasion hath inured them; soe contrariewise, if they be terrifyed, and not taught, their punishment doth not commonly worke their amendment. As Moses, therefore, soe likewyse Aaron; as Zerubabel, soe Jehoshua; as the prince which hath laboured by the scepter of righteousness and sword of justice to end strife, soe the Prophetts, which with the booke and doctrine of salvation have soundlie and wisely endeavoured to instruct the ignorant in those litigious points wherewith the Church is now troubled; whether by preaching, as Apollos amongst the Jewes, or by disputing, as Paul at Athens, or by writing, as the learned in their severall tymes and ages heretofore, or by conferring in synods and counsells, as Peter, James, and others at Jerusalem, or by any the like allowable and laudable meanes, their praise is worthily in the Gospell, and their portion in that promise which God hath made by his Prophet", "They that turn many unto righteousness shall shine as the starres for ever and ever." I say, whosoever have soundly and wisely endeavoured by these meanes to reclaime the ignorant from their error and to make peace. Want of sound proceeding in Church controversies hath made many more stiffe in error now than before. Want of wise and discreet dealing hath much hindered ye peace of the Church. It maye be thought, and is, that Arius had never raised those tempestuous storms which wee read he did, if Alexander, the first that withstood the Arrian heresie, had borne himselfe with greater moderation b Dan. chap. 12. ver. 3. |