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 ...…

Ans. Could a man have spoken more untruly that had studied it? 1. While he tells us, that by Communion he means Union; did I ever deny it? No, nor ever met with a Christian that denied it. 2. Yea, I said more than he, That besides Union, some Communion in transient acts is necessary, which he placeth not his Communion in. Is not this an hardened Disputer? Who can doubt but Union and Communion is necessary to one Church? But the doubt is, wherein it doth consist? whether in Essentials, ⟨p. 29⟩Integrals or Accidents? and what these be? We are far more for Catholic Union and Communion than you. We are for Communion with all true Christians, even those that you represent odious, and excommunicate and ruin; and you are for Communion with a Sect that will honour you and obey your will. We know that to have one God, and Christ, and Holy Spirit, one Faith and Hope of Heaven, one Baptism, and a true Love to one another, and to be all under one Law and Covenant of Christ, and in our several Assemblies to read the same Scripture, use the same Sacraments, and the same Rule of Prayer (the Lord's Prayer) and Praise; this is a most excellent Catholic Communion. We believe that true Christian Unity is the Unity of the Spirit; that is, mental in Faith, Hope and Love; but that it must be held, exercised and preserved in the bond of peace, Eph. 4 3. And therefore if any Christian take it for a sin to join with us in the circumstances of Worship, if we can, we'll alter them to satisfy them: If we cannot, we will gladly allow them to worship God together in their own circumstances, and there we will love and pray for one another: We will not cut men off from Christ or the Catholic Church, and damn them for not swearing or saying, that they will obey us, and that there is nothing sinful in any of our Government, Liturgies, Forms or Ceremonies. Our Union is in greater matters common to all Christians, and not in wearing the same fashions, and reading the same forms, and obeying the usurpers of the power of the Keys that are Lay-men, &c.

Ans. Could a man have spoken more untruly that had studied it? 1. While he tells us, that by Communion he means Union; did I ever deny it? No, nor ever met with a Christian that denied it. 2. Yea, I said more than he, That besides Union, some Communion in transient acts is necessary, which he placeth not his Communion in. Is not this an hardened Disputer? Who can doubt but Union and Communion is necessary to one Church? But the doubt is, wherein it doth consist? whether in Essentials,