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 ...…

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⟩one another:] Yet this is not understood by many, but by their constant avoiding it, they judge them to think otherwise: And it is my Office to save them from Error and Deceit, and not to deceive them.

X. I find it necessary by practice, as well as by words, to confute those who would make the World believe, that the Non-Conformists affright men from the Parish-Churches, by making them believe that to be there is sinful; lest they should loose them from their dependence on themselves: Far be it from us to have any such design as to keep up any interest of our own, against the interest of the Church, and of Mens Souls, and by Selfishness and Deceit to draw the people into Error and Uncharitableness: It's Christ and not our Selves that we Preach.

X. I find it necessary by practice, as well as by words, to confute those who would make the World believe, that the Non-Conformists affright men from the Parish-Churches, by making them believe that to be there is sinful; lest they should loose them from their dependance on themselves: Far be it from us to have any such design as to keep up any interest of our own, against the interest of the Church, and of Mens Souls, and by Selfishness and Deceit to draw the people into Error and Uncharitableness: It's Christ and not our Selves that we Preach.