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 ...…

§ 4. III. But here I am in the same strait as when I gave an account of my Nonconformity: When upon many years urgency I did but tell men what the sins were which I thought I should commit if I conformed, some said, that I made the Conformists a Faction of unconscionable perjured Villains: And if I now tell the Reasons why I join in the Parish-Churches, some will say, that these Reasons accuse them that do not, of the guilt of Schism and sinful suffering. But he that will perform no duty which none will be offended at, shall scarce do any in the World. My Reasons then are these:

§ 4. III. But here I am in the same streight as when I gave an account of my Nonconformity: When upon many years urgency I did but tell men what the sins were which I thought I should commit if I conformed, some said, that I made the Conformists a Faction of unconscionable perjured Villains: And if I now tell the Reasons why I joyn in the Parish-Churches, some will say, that these Reasons accuse them that do not, of the guilt of Schism and sinful suffering. But he that will perform no duty which none will be offended at, shall scarce do any in the World. My Reasons then are these:

I. I do it much for my own Edification: And who can prove my Edification unlawful? There is so sound judicious preaching in my Parish-Church where I now go, that I take it to be my considerable loss when sickness keepeth me away. And who can bind me to my loss? If a stranger give now and then a peevish ignorant flirt at such as differ from him (as those called Arminians, and some others use to do), I am not so thin-skinned as thereby to smart; nor so foolish as to raise a stir by talking against it, which by taking no notice, will go out like a Squib, which the City-Engines need not be fetched to quench. Ignorant Preachers must have some forbearance in their Self-conceitedness and petulant Temerity, of what Sect or Faction soever they be, Conformists or Nonconformists.

I. I do it much for my own Edification: And who can prove my Edification unlawful? There is so sound judicious preaching in my Parish-Church where I now go, that I take it to be my considerable loss when sickness keepeth me away. And who can bind me to my loss? If a stranger give now and then a peevish ignorant flirt at such as differ from him (as those called Arminians, and some others use to do), I am not so thin-skin'd as thereby to smart; nor so foolish as to raise a stir by talking against it, which by taking no notice, will go out like a Squib, which the City-Engines need not be fetcht to quench. Ignorant Preachers must have some forbearance in their Self-conceitedness and petulent Temerity, of what Sect or Faction soever they be, Conformists or Nonconformists.