, unless we can plainly, and
in expressness of terms, prove it so. Such language as this hath
strangely divided our spirits, and hardened our hearts one towards
another.
9. If we would live in peace, let us make the best constructions of
one another's words and actions. Charity judgeth the best, and it
thinks no evil; if words and actions may be construed to a good
sense, let us never put a bad construction upon them. How much hath
the peace of Christians been broken by an uncharitable
interpretation of words and actions? As some lay to the charge of
others that which they never said, so, by straining men's words,
others lay to their charge that they never thought.
10. Be willing to hear, and learn, and obey those that God by his
providence hath set over you; this is a great means to preserve the
unity and peace of churches: but when men (yea, and sometimes
women) shall usurp authority, and think themselves wiser than their
teachers, no wonder if these people run into contentions and
parties, when any shall say they are not free to hear those whom the
church thinks fit to speak to them. This is the first step to
schism, and is usually attended, if not timely prevented, with a
sinful separation.
11. If you would keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace,
be mindful, that the God whom you serve is a God of peace, and your
Saviour is a Prince of peace, and that "his ways are ways of
pleasantness, and all his paths are peace;" and that Christ was sent
into the world "to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in
the shadow of death, and to guide our feet in the way of peace.
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