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 ...…

XXV. If a Church with Faithful Pastors be well settled in a place first where there are not more than should make up that one Church, it is not meet for any there to gather a distinct Church (though of the same Faith) without such weighty reason as will prove it necessary, or like to do more good than hurt: 1. Because Love inclineth to the greatest Union; 2. Because a Great Church is more strong and honourable than a small, if the number be not so great as to hinder the Ends. 3. And the Ancient Churches kept this Union.

XXV. If a Church with Faithful Pastors be well setled in a place first where there are not more than should make up that one Church, it is not meet for any there to gather a distinct Church (thô of the same Faith) without such weighty reason as will prove it necessary, or like to do more good than hurt: 1. Because Love inclineth to the greatest Union; 2. Because a Great Church is more strong and honourable than a small, if the number be not so great as to hinder the Ends. 3. And the Ancient Churches kept this Union.

XXVI. If Magistrates make such Laws about Church Accidents as tend to further the Churches welfare, or are so pretended, and not against it, we must obey them. But if they will either invade Christs Authority or cross it, by making Laws against his, or such as are proper to his Prerogative to make, or invade the Pastors Office, and the Churches proper right given by Christ, or determine Accidents to the Destruction of the Substance (the Church, Doctrine, Worship or Ends) these bind the Consciences of none to Obedience; but Christ must be obeyed, and we must patiently suffer.

XXVI. If Magistrates make such Laws about Church Accidents as tend to further the Churches wellfare, or are so pretended, and not against it, we must obey them. But if they will either invade Christs Authority or cross it, by making Laws against his, or such as are proper to his Prerogative to make, or invade the Pastors Office, and the Churches proper right given by Christ, or determine Accidents to the Destruction of the Substance (the Church, Doctrine, Worship or Ends) these bind the Consciences of none to Obedience; but Christ must be obeyed, and we must patiently suffer.