and such an one as is not at all free. The Vices and Calamities of this or the other Life are not comparable to so great an Evil, as the supposing God to be ignorant of any Thing: For if we find any Difficulty about them, we ought to consider that God is most good, just, powerful, and wise, and will not act otherwise than agreeable to his Perfections; and will easily find a Way and go in it, whereby to clear those Things which seem to us to be intangled; and to shew to all intelligent Creatures, that nothing was done by him, which ought not to have been done. In the mean Time, till that Day spring, in which all the Clouds of our Ignorance shall be dispersed, he hath given us such Experience of himself, and such Instances of his Perfections; on the Account of which, we may and ought entirely to confide in him, and patiently wait for what he will have come to pass, More might be said on this Matter, but that it would divert us from that End we are tending to, and carry us to what does not belong to this Place.

SECT. IX.

They profess and teach the Christian Doctrine in the purest Manner of all, who propose those Things only as necessary to be believed, practised, or hoped for, which Christians are agreed in.

TO pass by these Things therefore, and return to the Choice of our Opinion amongst the different Sects of Christians; nothing seems possible to be done more safe and wise, in this State of Affairs, than for us to join ourselves with that Sect of Christians, which acknowledges the New Testament only for a Rule of their Faith, without any Mixture of human decrees; and who think it suffici

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ent

ent that every one should learn their Form of Faith from thence, confirm their Lives to its Precepts, and expect the Promises which are there made. Which if it be done sincerely, and without any Dissimulation, the End of such a Search will be that very Form of sound Words, which we have made appear to have remained the same, amidst so many and so great Storms of Errors and Dissensions, during the passing of so many Ages, and the Changes of Kingdoms and Cities. In it are contained all Things that are necessary to Faith and Practice; to which if any one would have any other Things added, it may lawfully be done, according to the Circumstances of Time and Place; provided they be not imposed as necessary (a) (which belongs only to the Supreme Lawgiver) nor contrary Doctrines to those obtruded.

CHRISTIANS disposed in the Manner we have been speaking of, ought not to submit their Neck to the Yoke of human Opinions, nor to profess they believe what they do not believe; nor to do that which they cannot approve in their own Minds, because they think it contrary to the Precepts of Christ. Therefore, wherever that Christian Liberty, which I have now mentioned, is not allowed they must of Necessity depart thence; not as if they condemned all that are of a different Opinion from themselves, but because every one is absolutely obliged to follow the Light of his own Mind, and not that of another's; and

(a) Which belongs only to the Supreme Lawgiver, &c.] See what Paul says upon this Matter. Rom, xiv. 1. and so on, where he speaks of those who impose Rites on others; or who condemn those that observe them; which Right he declares ta belong to Christ only. And to this may be referred what St, James says, Chap. iv, 12. 'There is but one Lawgiver who ❝ is able to save and to destroy."

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to do that which he judges best to be done, and to avoid that which he thinks to be Evil.

SECT. X.

All prudent Persons ought to partake of the Sacraments with those who require nothing else of Christians, but what every one finds in the Books of the New Testament.

SINCE Christ has appointed two Signs or Symbols of Christianity, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, it was not indeed in our Power to receive Baptism where we judged the Christian Religion to be most pure, because we are baptized very young; but since we do not come to the other Sacrament till we are of riper Age, we may distinguish that Society of Christians, in which we are willing to be Partakers of it; which, if we have not already done, we ought to do it now.

THERE are some who make the Sacrament, (which according to Christ's Institution, (a) is a Token of that Peace and Love which is between Christians,) a Mark of Distinction; and exclude from it all those who do not think it safe to submit to any Yoke but what Christ has laid upon them; or to receive any Things as necessary to be believed, practised or hoped for, but those which they are verily persuaded are contained in the Books of the New Testament; and who are therefore very cautious of admitting any other Forms of Faith

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(a) Is a Token of that Peace and Love, &c.] See 1 Cor. x. 16, 17. where mentioning the Sacramental Cup and Bread of which many are Partakers, the Apostle adds; "For we being many, are one Bread and one Body, for we are all Partakers " of that one Bread." Which Words shew, that by the Sacrament is signified the mutual Agreement of Christians; and so the best Interpreters understand it.

besides

besides that which we have mentioned. It is but just and reasonable, indeed, that we should maintain Peace with such Men as these: (a) But for receiving the Sacrament upon this Condition, that we should embrace any other Rule of Faith and Practice, beside the Books of the New Testament, and think all those excluded the Church who will not admit them; this a religious and prudent Man will think very wicked. But all they who are true Lovers of the Gospel, safely may and ought to approach the Sacramental Table of them, who know no other Laws of obtaining eternal Salvation, but those laid down by Christ and his Apostles in the Books of the Gospel Covenant, as every one can understand them. For whoever acknowledge the Books of the New Testament for the only Rule of Faith and Practice; who sincerely conform their Lives to that Rule; in a Word, who allow of no Idolatry, nor treat others ill, that they may profess they believe certain Doctrines which they do not believe: All such are received by these, and also invited to this Table. It is manifest indeed, that Communion cannot be maintained with him who makes use of Force to impose his Opinions upon others; who worships other Gods, beside the true God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; or who by his Conversation, shews that he makes light of the Precepts of the Gospel, or who owns any other Laws of Salvation, than those wrote in the Books of the eternal Covenant: But he, who behaves himself the direct contrary, is worthy to have all Christians maintain Communion with him, and to be preferred to all

(a) But for receiving the Sacrament, &c.] And this was the Opinion of Grotius, as appears from that little Book of his, Whether we ought always to join in receiving the Sacrament; where he speaks of the Reasons of forbearing the Communion. Tom. IV. of his Theological Works, Page 511.

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the Rest who are of a different Opinion. (a) No mortal Man, pay no Angel can impose any new Gospel upon Christians, to be believed by them: Now according to this Gospel, he is a true Disciple of Christ, who from his Heart believes his Doctrine, and his only, so as to obey it the best he is able, according to the Infirmity of this Life; who worships one God, loves his Neighbour as himself, and lives temperately in respect to all other Things. If any Thing be diminished from this, the Laws of the Covenant, which none but God can abate any Thing of, are maimed: And if any Thing be added, it is an useless Yoke, which none ought to impose on Christians. Such Laws can be received from God only, who alone is the Determiner of eternal Salvation.

PERHAPS Some may here ask me by what Name these Christian Societies which I have now described, may be distinguished? But it signifies nothing what Donomination they go under: The Reader may conceive all Churches to be meant, in which, what I have said, is to be found. Wheresoever that only Rule of Faith, and that Liberty which I have described is, and they need not inquire for a Name, which makes nothing. to the Purpose. I believe there are many such Societies; and I pray the great and good God, that there may be more and more every Day; that at length his Kingdom may come into all the Earth, and that Mankind may obey it only.

(a) No mortal Man, &c.] See the Notes on Sect. I.

SECT.