The grounds of unity in religion, or, An expedient for a general conformity and pacification by George Ent ...

The grounds of unity in religion, or, An expedient for a general conformity and pacification by George Ent ...

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Title page

The grounds of Unity IN RELIGION, &c.

The grounds of Unity IN RELIGION, &c.

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UNity and ſubmiſſion is deſired of all Princes and Commonwealths, as that which preſerves Peace and Happineſs in all Societies, for a Nation full of diſcontents and Factions, is next door to Rebellion, and conſequently Ruine.

One great foundation of Peace is the due ſubmiſſion of all parties as well Eccleſiaſtical as Civil, to the temporal Prince, as ſupream Governour in all cauſes and ſubject to none but God.

And this may be yielded, and yet not a compleat ſatisfaction in the general; for by a tolleration in Religion, different Sects may poſſible ſubmit for politick ends, though this unites not, but only palliates, which yet is better than a worſe evil.

But that which breeds the perfect concord and compleat union is this, when the Eccleſiaſticks, and again the people agree to, and embrace the publick eſtabliſh'd Church-Diſcipline, without murmuring, not out of force, but love and good opinion of it.

To which end and purpoſe, it ought to be as rational and conſonant to the Law of nature as poſſible, agreeing with the plain apprehenſions of humanity and down-right ſincerity of the commons, without ſpecious circumſtances or impertinencies, which the people think are but amuzements and ſophiſtications in the worſhip of God; but yet alſo compliant with the ends of prudence, and order without affectation of Novelty on th'one hand, or ſuperſtition on th'other, and this will infallibly be of force; for being founded in reaſon, it will be applicable and comprehenſive to all reaſonable men.

For this is moſt certain, the Church was pure and plain at the beginning, without ceremonies and circumſtances; and Chriſtians met together humbly, decently, and Religiouſly, with hearty Prayers to God, and hearing of the word fervently Preached with [Page] ſuch apprehenſiveneſs and reaſon, that they made the people willingly to reſign their blind and ſuperſtitious opinions to ſuch real and demonſtrated truths, preſſing them to ſearch the Scriptures, and their own Conſciences, whether thoſe things they taught were ſo or no; in this purity and ſincerity; were the Primitive times, with which their innocency and holineſs of life ſo prevail'd, that many Kings and Kingdomes in ſhort time embraced the Chriſtian Religion, and ſtrongly upheld it; but after, it grew to ſo much ſplendour and pomp, that Superſtition, Vanity and arrogance crept alſo by degrees into the Clergy, that ſoon dimn'd the Luſter, and abated the true glory of Religion, and was the cauſe of many diviſions.

For this is a Rule in the Diſcipline of the Church and Worſhip of God, that too much formality ſpoyls devotion, and makes men cold in the ſearches after truth; the more plain and free from ceremonies and circumſtantials it is, provided it be decent, the more pure and ſubſtantial it will prove, and the more ground for a general union; wherefore in all ſuch caſes, much care ſhould be taken that the great ſtumbling-blocks of diſcontent be taken away, for though they are of themſelves indifferent, yet when they bring much and conſiderable diſturbance, they then ceaſe to be indifferent as to peace and quietneſs, and ſo are better regulated or removed.

Now doubtleſs though Epiſcopacy is the pureſt, as well as the moſt antient Diſcipline of the Church, having obtained in all Chriſtian Churches of the world of what ſort or ſect ſoever, for 1500 years together after Chriſt, and the Church of England at preſent is lookt upon to be the beſt regulated of all Epiſcopacy, and yet if there can be any more advantages given to it for the farther Improvement of Unity, from antient preſcription, right reaſon or modern example; doubtleſs it might be good to be put in Practice, for we ſhould ſtill aſcend to improvement and perfection, for the more comprehenſive and generally acceptable it is, the more firm and eſtabliſht it will be.

For there is nothing conduceth more to Unity and Peace than by taking off and reducing the general Factions of Religion, which is done by enlarging the boſome of the Church, and taking [Page] off things that are cavild at, provided only they are Circumſtantials, as commonly they are, and not the materials and Eſſentials of Religion; ſo would both the cavils ceaſe, and Sectaries alſo and of courſe fall of themſelves to the ground without more ado, and incorporate to the ſame Church with us unavoydably.

For the true way of Unity, is ſuch a compoſed mean of Church-Diſcipline, as may render the major part and generality of rational people ſatisfied, which may eaſily be done with us without altring the frame of government, or taring things to pieces, but only by joyning the two great Parties of this Nation together, (viz.) the Epiſcopal and Presbiterian, which parties are at leaſt nine parts in ten of the Nation, including all other Sects, which may be done by a little regulation, abating only ſome things and reforming others.

For Epiſcopacy and the ſame Diſcipline in general is well enough approved by the moſt, but as in all times of civil Government, Emendations and making Laws hath been for the better conveniency of the publick according to the emergencies of things, and conjuncture of times and occaſions, ſo alſo is it convenient in the Eccleſiaſtical Regiment, for ſome things will be alwayes proper at ſome times, and ſome ages, that is not proper in the other; and ſo accordingly they muſt be remedied, for in an age or ſome long tract of time, mens manners and the conſtitutions of things alter extreamly and ſo muſt have corrections proportionably.

And all people being now ſatisfied that the Church of England by Epiſcopacy is to be the ſtanding Government, being eſtabliſht by Parliament, and alwayes owned ſo by his Majeſty; if there be once a further comprehenſion of the Presbiterians in and according to that Government; all other parties will ſoon be quiet as too ſmall to ſtand in computation on the one hand, and on th'other hand the Church being thus regulated will bring in the reſt dayly alſo, ſo that ſome ſmall regulation and abatement of the very ſame Church-Diſcipline we have already, will work the deſired effect. And as for the other Diſſenters they may have ſome connivance, but no legal Liberty; for legal allowance will mak them impudent, and endeavour to encreaſe, whereas otherwiſe they will be humble and cautious.

[Page] Wherefore unite thoſe two partyes, and the Church is eſtabliſht, and much better, and ſtronger, than ever; this will not only oblige our Friends at home, but all the Proteſtants beyond Seas; and this may be done by the rule aboveſaid without altering the mode of Government, for we differ but in a few things in Diſcipline and none in Doctrine, they have left of themſelves the notion of Elders, and, if it were in their own choice, would direct moderate Epiſcopacy, and would concede yet very much more for the gaining of our friendſhip, and being one with us, which will be a very happy period of that long and great conteſt now never to be heard of any more.

To effect this, a few things will be ſufficient, as diſpencing with the Surplice, and part of an Oath in the Act of Uniformity, alſo the Croſſing in Baptiſm, and kneeling at the Sacrament left indifferent, and pluralities taken away; theſe things being abated, 'they would agree with all things elſe very well, and be as much or more for Epiſcopaſy than we our ſelves, and why ſhould not we deſire this alſo that will unite us ſo invinceably, wherefore ſhould we ſtick at ſuch little circumſtances to hinder ſo great a work; and as for taking away pluralities, there are but few ſober men of either party but heartily deſire it, it being that which makes ill thoſe which have too many, and hinders abundance of Learned men from preferment; it being prudence in Government, rather to provide convenient and comfortable preferments for many, than great preferments for few; and things thus remedyed and quallified will be ſo far from weakning the Proteſtant Intereſt, that it will raiſe it higher than ever, and make Epiſcopaſy ſtand upon a firm and everlaſting Baſis. I am confident theſe few things, laſt mentioned, will do the work; however if there were any other hindrances of the like nature, what matter were it to remove them for the Churches ſecurity, the advantage will ſoon be perceived, this will drown and take away the name of Presbytery as well as all nicknames of parties, and make them have no abettors nor underſtand how to beget a quarrel if they would themſelves.

Some may ſay it will be ill making alterations, but that is of ſome Extraordinary thing which diſcontents the major part of the Nation; but this is the contrary, for here the major part will not only be well pleaſed at it, but will alſo be advantaged: where then is the inconveniency of it? the Royal and Proteſtant party, if [Page] Ceremonies were abated, would not be diſoblig'd, or the leſs Subjects for it, they referring all ſuch Matters to the King & Parliament, and would be as well pleaſed in his Majeſties farther Directions in this, as they were with Queen Elizabeths before; for it is all one to them if the Government be ſatisfied, they acquieſs as well in taking of them away, as ſetting of them up, and more, becauſe they ſee, it's for making many Friends; Again, the Presbiterians that were diſpleaſed before, are by this reconciled, which will on all the ſcores of Humanity and Chriſtianity, oblige them to be grateful to Eternity; and for the Church of England, it will very much inlarge the boſome of it, Exalting it above all Diſputes about Diſciplines, making it ſo firm, that nothing can ſhake it.

And others may object, that if theſe things be granted, the Sectaries will deſire more and more ſtill, till they have pul'd down all Decencie, good Order, and Eccleſiaſtical Government, but this doth not follow, for by the ſame Rule, there can't be a motion to reform any thing amiſs whatſoever, but they ſhall ſtraight prevent it by a pretence of a deſtructive change, but this alters no groundwork or ſubſtantials in Diſcipline, only pruning off ſome ſuperfluities, for according to the common Maxime, take away the Cauſe, and the Effect ceaſeth; for Example, if a man putteth on Laces on his Linnen, or Garment, ſome will ſay they are too broad, others too narrow, others not fine enough, otherwiſe again no good pattern, when he that wears none gives no opportunity to be talked of, or for any body to be diſpleaſed with him. So its generally in all other things, the more plain and ſubſtantial it is, the better its liked, and ſo in Diſcipline, if they ſhould quarrel at Foundations and ſubſtantial things, they would render their party weak and themſelves ridiculous, wherefore for their own Credit and Chriſtianity, they would not unrip thoſe Sacred Tyes and Ligaments, but many Ceremonies and circumſtantials, common reaſon tels us, is liable to the cenſure of every common pretender under the notion of ſuperſtition, whilſt plainneſs and ſeriouſneſs in Religion, fills up all peoples hearts to applaude it, its no policy to uphold things to be agued and diſputed at or cauſe differences, when taking of them away cureth the troubles without any more to do, cutting off the diſcontented Cavil.

[Page] For the true ballance of the Church Government, is to have as few unneceſſary obligations as poſſible, and to be free from all Cloggs in oppreſſion of reaſon or conſcience, but giving lattitude▪ be comprehenſive of the generallity as much as may be, for all Artifices ought to be contrived for inlarging the boſome of the Church to the utmoſt Extent, and in caſes of this nature private Annimoſities ought by every one to be laid aſide for the publick Concern.

To be brief, all manner of inconvenient Church-rigour being thus calmed, how ſtrong ſhould we be in our ſelves, it would keep many ſtrickt ſort of people from going beyond Sea, blaſt all the deſigns of the Enemies of the Church, and oblige all ſorts of Forreign, and home Proteſtants, making them flock to it, and cheriſh ſo moderate a Government, & would not ſcruple at Biſhops, or any good Order, but would gladly joyn with them, as being queſtionleſs the beſt Government in the world, if truly regulated, and when once the great Ones and heads of Parties are obliged by ſtate Prudence, the reſt will ſoon crumble to nothing, by this all Sectaries will diminiſh, when once the apparent grounds of difference is taken away, ſo this would not only unite us for the preſent, but keep people from growing to be Schiſmaticks for the future, as well as increaſe the body of the Church; when they ſee it is not Ceremonies are ſtood on, as ſome incendiaries pretend, but inſtead thereof, ſo much willingneſs and plain-heartedneſs, to unite all people in the Worſhip of God. Thus ſhall the Church of England be more firmly eſtabliſht than ever, the people pleaſed and conformable, His Majeſty feared of his Enemies abroad, and become ſtrong in the affections of his Subjects at home; Trade alſo would ſoon revive and flouriſh, and not only the Dutch, but other Proteſtants alſo flock over with banks of Money, and Manufacturies, His Majeſty by it gaining the hearts of all the Proteſtants of Europe, as well as their Trades and Merchandize, by endeavouring to eſtabliſh, thus the purity of the Worſhip of God, eaſing of tender Conſciences, and ſecuring them more free in their perſons, Religion, and Property, than any place in the world beſides, which is that which increaſeth the Trade and grandure of any Nation.

FINIS.

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THE Grounds of Unity IN RELIGION: OR AN EXPEDIENT For a general CONFORMITY, AND PACIFICATION.

By GEORGE ENT of the Middle Temple Eſq

Printed in the Year 1679.

Information about this book

Title statement

The grounds of unity in religion, or, An expedient for a general conformity and pacification by George Ent ...

Ent, George, Sir, 1604-1689.

Edition statement

1679

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Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A69972

ID [STC]

Wing E3137

ID [STC]

ESTC R18634

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

11749142

ID [OCLC]

ocm 11749142

ID [VID]

48569

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A69972)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 48569)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 315:13, 1484:9)

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— The grounds of unity in religion, or, An expedient for a general conformity and pacification by George Ent ..., Ent, George, Sir, 1604-1689..

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8 p.

s.n.],. [S.l. :: 1679.. (Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library.)

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