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 ...…

1. Some object against the faults, which they supposed very great in divers By-offices, Baptizing, Confirmation, the Lords-Supper-Impositions, Burial Circumstances and Forms: But these are nothing to the common Worship of the Church on the Lords days.

2. Some object against the Ministers as Usurpers, being chosen by Patrons, and not consented to by the Flocks. But this is nothing against them that are consented to by Acceptance, tho not by Election.

3. Some Object the heinousness of the Sins of Ministers Conformity, as being deliberate Covenanting to — (I am loath to name them) and so the command, (from such turn away, with such not to eat]: And the case of Martial and Basilides in Cyprian, and that of Miracle-working Martin, (which on another occasion I have mentioned). But were these Sins never so surely proved, as great as alleged, 1. Every Minister cannot be proved guilty of the worst part. 2. And the Matter of a Sin may be heinous, and yet ignorance take off much of the guilt, as it did of Paul's Persecution: An unlawful War, in which thousands were murdered, and Countries ruined, is Materially one of the greatest Sins in the World; And yet woe to abundance of Princes and People, if Ignorance excuse it not; and if we must renounce Communion with all Countries and Persons, that are guilty of it. 3. And when whole Countries and Churches are in Sin, which we cannot cure, and have no government of, the case of commanded Communion much differs from that which is with single Offenders, and that is in our Power to choose or refuse.

3. Some Object the heniousness of the Sins of Ministers Conformity, as being deliberate Covenanting to — (I am loath to name them) and so the command, (from such turn away, with such not to eat]: And the case of Martiall and Basilides in Cyprian, and that of Miracle-working Martin, (which on another occasion I have mentioned). But were these Sins never so surely proved, as great as alledged, 1. Every Minister cannot be proved guilty of the worst part. 2. And the Matter of a Sin may be heinous, and yet ignorance take off much of the guilt, as it did of Paul's Persecution: An unlawful War, in which thousands were murdered, and Countries ruined, is Materially one of the greatest Sins in the World; And yet wo to abundance of Princes and People, if Ignorance excuse it not; and if we must renounce Communion with all Countries and Persons, that are guilty of it. 3. And when whole Countries and Churches are in Sin, which we cannot cure, and have no government of, the case of commanded Communion much differs from that which is with single Offenders, and that is in our Power to chuse or refuse.