"it is not
the different practices from one another that breaks the peace and unity, but
the judging of one another because of different practices. He that keeps not a day, may unite in the
same Spirit, in the same life, in the same love with him that keeps a day; and
he who keeps a day, may unite in heart and soul with the same Spirit and life
in him who keeps not a day; but he that judgeth the other because of either of
these, errs from the Spirit, from the love, from the life, and so breaks the
bond of unity. And he that draws another
to any practice, before the life in his own particular lead him; doth, as much
as in him lies, destroy the soul of that person. . . . And oh! how sweet and pleasant is it to the
truly spiritual eye, to see several sorts of believers, several forms of
Christians in the school of Christ, every one learning their own lesson,
performing their own peculiar service, and knowing, owning, and loving one
another in their several places, and different performances to their Master, to
whom they are to give an account, and not to quarrel with one another about
their different practices!"
Isaac Penington
the Younger, "About the authority and government Christ excluded out of his
church; which occasioneth somewhat concerning the true church government," in An examination of the grounds or causes
which are said to induce the court of Boston, in New-England, to make that
order or law of banishment, upon pain of death, against the Quakers (1660),
in The
works of the long-mournful and sorely-distressed Isaac Penington, vol. 1, 3rd edition (London: James Phillips, 1784 [1681]), 443-444.
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