Nearer in judgment than in language
Might not one therefore reasonably expect that, however they differed in other things, all those who name the name of Christ (2 Timothy 2:19) should agree in this point. But how far is this from being the case. There is scarce any point in which they are so little agreed, in which those who all profess to follow Christ seem so widely and irreconcilably to differ. I say seem, because I am thoroughly convinced that many of them only seem to differ. The disagreement is more in words than in sentiments. They are much nearer in judgment than in language. A wide difference in language there certainly is, not only between Protestants and Roman Catholics, but between Protestant and Protestant. Yes, even between those who all believe justification by faith, who agree in this, as in every other fundamental doctrine of the gospel.
1771 text
5. Might not one therefore reasonably expect, that however they differed in others, all those who name the name of Christ, should agree in this point? But how far is this from being the case? There is scarce any wherein they are so little agreed: wherein those who all profess to follow Christ, seem so widely and irreconcileably to differ. I say seem; because I am throughly convinced, that many of them only seem to differ. The disagreement is more in words than in sentiments: they are much nearer in judgment than in language. A wide difference in language there certainly is, not only between protestants and papists, but between protestant and protestant; yea, even between those who all believe justification by faith; who agree, as well in this, as every other fundamental doctrine of the gospel.