OF THE PACIFICATION OF THE CHURCH. 69 



doctrine is immutable ; and so are the general rules 

 of government : but for rites and ceremonies, and 

 for the particular hierarchies, policies, and disciplines 

 of churches, they be left at large. And therefore 

 it is good we return unto the ancient bounds of 

 unity in the Church of God ; which was, one faith, 

 one baptism ; and not, one hierarchy, one disci 

 pline ; and that we observe the league of Christians, 

 as it is penned by our Saviour ; which is in sub 

 stance of doctrine this : &quot; He that is not with us, is 

 against us:&quot; but in things indifferent, and but of 

 circumstance this ; &quot; He that is not against us, is 

 with us.&quot; In these things, so as the general rules be 

 observed ; that Christ s flock be fed ; that there be 

 a succession in bishops and ministers, which are the 

 prophets of the New Testament ; that there be a 

 due and reverent use of the power of the keys ; 

 that those that preach the gospel, live of the gospel ; 

 that all things tend to edification ; that all things be 

 done in order and with decency, and the like : the 

 rest is left to the holy wisdom and spiritual discre 

 tion of the master builders and inferior builders in 

 Christ s Church ; as it is excellently alluded by 

 that father that noted, that Christ s garment was 

 without seam ; and yet the Church s garment was 

 of divers colours : and thereupon setteth down for a 

 rule ; &quot; in veste varietas sit, scissura non sit.&quot; 



In which variety, nevertheless, it is a safe and 

 wise course to follow good examples and precedents ; 

 but then by the rule of imitation and example to 

 consider not only which are best, but which are the 



