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 ...…

XXII. I am not willing of that way which would injure, if not destroy the National Christianity and Reformation; and further, if not bring in, Infidelity or Popery. That Religion hath the advantage for extension to Numbers, which hath the countenance of the King and Laws, and the possession of the Parish maintenance and Temples. To how sad a state did all the Eastern Churches dwindle, when they fell under the Turks? How doth mere tolerated Religion thrive in France, or any other Land where the Laws and Rulers are against it? If we lose all the Parish-Churches, some other will have them. If Protestants have them not, Papists will: And the Parochial Religion will be the National and common Religion: The most will go thither, and attend those Ministers who have the public Authority and Maintenance: Therefore it is most evident, that they who would keep up the Protestant Religion, must do their best to keep it up in the Parish-Churches: And they that would corrupt and undermine it there, or drive or draw it thence into mere private tolerated Churches, would drive it out of the Land as National and Extensive, and let in Popery to be the National Religion: And I doubt not the Papists will be the most zealous potent helpers of all them among us who cry down a Comprehension; that is, the removing of the things which we account sinful, that we may live in concord (which it makes me shrug to think that ever a religious Protestant should be against, who himself counts that sin which we would have removed: As if they said, Reform none of your public sins, unless you will reform as much as we judg sinful, l•st—)

XXII. I am not willing of that way which would injure, if not destroy the National Christianity and Reformation; and further, if not bring in, Infidelity or Popery. That Religion hath the advantage for extension to Numbers, which hath the countenance of the King and Laws, and the possession of the Parish maintenance and Temples. To how sad a state did all the Eastern Churches dwindle, when they fell under the Turks? How doth meer tolerated Religion thrive in France, or any other Land where the Laws and Rulers are against it? If we lose all the Parish-Churches, some other will have them. If Protestants have them not, Papists will: And the Parochial Religion will be the National and common Religion: The most will go thither, and attend those Ministers who have the publick Authority and Maintenance: Therefore it is most evident, that they who would keep up the Protestant Religion, must do their best to keep it up in the Parish-Churches: And they that would corrupt and undermine it there, or drive or draw it thence into meer private tolerated Churches, would drive it out of the Land as National and Extensive, and let in Popery to be the National Religion: And I doubt not the Papists will be the most zealous potent helpers of all them among us who cry down a Comprehension; that is, the removing of the things which we account sinful, that we may live in concord (which it makes me shrug to think that ever a religious Protestant should be against, who himself counts that sin which we would have removed: As if they said, Reform none of your publick sins, unless you will reform as much as we judg sinful, lst—)