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 ...…

VIII. I take my self bound to disown that principle of many, who think their presence maketh them guilty of all that is faulty in the public Worship and Ministration: For this dissolveth all Worshipping Churches on Earth without exception. We are sure there is none that offer God a blameless Service. We must then join with none at all: Specially with those who Worship without a Liturgic Form: For we never know before-hand, but that they may say somewhat that is amiss. But in general we foreknow, that imperfect men will do all things imperfectly and faultily. And by this we must give over Praying or Worshipping in private also, being all sure to do it with sinful imperfections. But to omit it will be greater Sin.

VIII. I take my self bound to disown that principle of many, who think their presence maketh them guilty of all that is faulty in the publick Worship and Ministration: For this dissolveth all Worshipping Churches on Earth without exception. We are sure there is none that offer God a blameless Service. We must then join with none at all: Specially with those who Worship without a Liturgick Form: For we never know before-hand, but that they may say somewhat that is amiss. But in general we foreknow, that imperfect men will do all things imperfectly and faultily. And by this we must give over Praying or Worshipping in private also, being all sure to do it with sinful imperfections. But to omit it will be greater Sin.

IX. I am afraid of deceiving the Servants of Christ, and tempting them into Error, and into disaffection toward their Brethren, by making them believe, that it is unlawful to Hear, or Communicate in the Parish-Churches. If we constantly refuse such Communion when we are called to it so importunately, the people can think no less, than that we judge it to be a Sin. And so we shall be the Authors of their Error; I find already that it is so: Though many Ministers who go not to the Parish-Churches tell them, [We take it not for a thing unlawful, but are kept away our selves by our constant preaching, as the Conformists are kept from hearing ⟨p. 16⟩