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 ...…

Argument 8. That Practice which is accompanied with unavoidable Scandal, engaged in only on pretence of Liberty, is contrary to the Gospel; but such is our joining in the present Public Worship. It were endless to reckon up all the Scandals which will ensue herein. That which respects our Enemies, must not be omitted. Will they not think, will they not say, That we have only Falsely and Hypocritically pretended Conscience for what we do, when we can on outward Considerations comply with that which is required of us? woe to the World because of such Offences: but woe to them also by whom they are given.

Argument 8. That Practice which is accompanied with unavoidable Scandal, engaged in only on pretence of Liberty, is contrary to the Gospel; but such is our joyning in the present Publick Worship. It were endless to reckon up all the Scandals which will ensue herein. That which respects our Enemies, must not be omitted. Will they not think, will they not say, That we have only Falsly and Hypocritically pretended Conscience for what we do, when we can on outward Considerations comply with that which is required of us? wo to the World because of such Offences: but wo to them also by whom they are given.

§. 24. TO the Major of your Eighth Argument, I answer, 1. It is not true, when there is far greater Scandal by forbearing that Practice; but only when there is less on the other side.

To the Minor I answer, It is not true, That it is only Liberty that is pleaded for the Communion in question. It is great Duty that is pleaded:¹ 1. The Duty of Christian Union, and Concord, and Love, and Peace. 2. The Duty of obeying the Commands and Example of Christ and his Apostles. 3. The Duty of avoiding the Principles of Schism, and the condemning and false accusing the Church of Christ on earth. 4. The Duty of bearing Witness against the Principle (of the sinfulness of Communicating with a Church in Liturgies) which would make Christ in most Ages to be no King, as having no Kingdom or Church on earth. 5. The Duty of taking warning by the mischiefs of Causeless Separation, in Ages that hath so much smarted by it. 6. The Duty of seeking our own Edification. 7. The Duty of keeping thousands of Christians from ceasing all Public Worship, where they can have no other, but in the Parish-Churches. 8 The Duty of keeping thousands of good people from being ruined for mistakes and evil doing. 9. The Duty of obeying Magistrates in Lawful things. 10. And the Duty of avoiding Scandal on the other side: Is all this nothing but pretence of Liberty?