Catholic communion defended against both extremes, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…Catholick communion defended against both extreams, and unnecessary division confuted in five parts ...…

I have now opened some of the fruits of Separation in England, as you have done the supposed fruits of the Liturgies, but indeed of the exclusion of free Prayers. And judg now whether all the ill effects have come from one extreme. The truth is, having impartially observed the mischiefs of the Age in which I have lived, I have found that both the extremes have been the chief causes; and the Peacemakers both the most understanding, and the most innocent: And the nearer any of the several parties have come to them, the more innocent they have been. It is not mere Episcopacy or Liturgies, that have done the mischief; for such excellent men as Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper, Farrar, Parker, Jewel, Grindal, Davenant, Usher, &c. could use both profitably: It's not mere Presbytery; for such as Calvin, Beza, Danaeus, Sadeel, Rivet, Chamier, Dallee, Blondel, have been excellent Lights in the Church: It is not mere Independency; for Ramus, Amesius, H. Jacob, Jer. Burroughs, and many others of that mind, have been excellent peaceable men. It is not mere Anabaptistry, for there have been many peaceable worthy men against Infant Baptism, (and some Bishops thought it not of Divine Institution); and when they were re-baptized, continued in Love and Communion with others. But it is Proud Ignorance, and want of Christian Love, causing Excommunicating, Persecuting, Separation or Schism in some, and withdrawing censorious Separation in others, who (neither party) understand the truth, nor ever loved their Neighbours as themselves, nor learnt to do as they would be done by. The worldly P R. Igs. and the unruly P R. Igs. by Persecution, and by causeless Separation and Alienation, have done the hurt.

I have now opened some of the fruits of Separation in England, as you have done the supposed fruits of the Liturgies, but indeed of the exclusion of free Prayers. And judg now whether all the ill effects have come from one extream. The truth is, having impartially observed the mischiefs of the Age in which I have lived, I have found that both the extreams have been the chief causes; and the Peacemakers both the most understanding, and the most innocent: And the nearer any of the several parties have come to them, the more innocent they have been. It is not meer Episcopacy or Liturgies, that have done the mischief; for such excellent men as Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper, Farrar, Parker, Iewel, Grindal, Davenant, Usher, &c. could use both profitably: It's not meer Presbytery; for such as Calvin, Beza, Danaeus, Sadeel, Rivet, Chamier, Dallee, Blondel, have been excellent Lights in the Church: It is not meer Independency; for Ramus, Amesius, H. Iacob, Ier. Burroughs, and many others of that mind, have been excellent peaceable men. It is not mere Anabaptistry, for there have been many peaceable worthy men against Infant Baptism, (and some Bishops thought it not of Divine Institution); and when they were re-baptized, continued in Love and Communion with others. But it is Proud Ignorance, and want of Christian Love, causing Excommunicating, Persecuting, Separation or Schism in some, and withdrawing censorious Separation in others, who (neither party) understand the truth, nor ever loved their Neighbours as themselves, nor learnt to do as they would be done by. The worldly P R. IGs. and the unruly P R. IGs. by Persecution, and by causless Separation and Alienation, have done the hurt.