PREFACE. XXlll 



3. CHRISTIAN LANGUAGE - 30 



If we did but know the virtue of silence and 

 slowness to speak, our controversies of them 

 selves would close and grow up together - 31 

 Brother, if that which you set down as an assertion 

 you would deliver by way of advice, there were rever 

 ence due to your counsel, whereas faith is not due to 

 your affirmation. 



A feeling Christian will express in his words 

 a character of zeal or love : although we are not 

 to contend coldly about things which we hold 

 dear (a) 32 



Impropriety of wit in Religious Contro 

 versy, &quot; Non est major confusio, quam serii et 

 joci.&quot;(&) 



A fool should be answered, but not by be 

 coming like unto him - - 33 



iv. 



IV. VICES IN CONTROVERSIES. 



1. IN THE OCCASIONS. 



1 . The Vices of the Clergy 



The imperfections in the conversation and govern 

 ment of those which have chief place in the Church, 

 have ever been principal causes and motives of schisms 

 and divisions. For whilst the bishops and governors 

 of the Church continue full of knowledge and good 

 works ; whilst they deal with the secular states in all 

 liberty and resolution, according to the majesty of 

 their calling, and the precious care of souls imposed 

 upon them, so long the Church is &quot; situated&quot; as it 

 were &quot; upon an hill ; no man maketh question of it, 

 or seeketh to depart from it. The humility of the friars 



(a) Fuller says, &quot; The Holy Ghost descended not in the spirit of a vulture, 

 but in the spirit of a dove/ 



(6) See Essay of Discourse, Vol. I. p. 113. 



