A26885:224
Catholic unity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…Catholick vnity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…
Catholic unity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one religion by Rich. Baxter.Catholick vnity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one religion by Rich. Baxter.
London: printed by R. W. for Thomas Underhill and Francis Tyton, 1660
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Use ult.
BUT I must conclude with a word of advice to the Godly: I have made a very large ambitious motion, for the conversion of all at once: But alas, it is far from my expectation that it should prevail. I am not so unacquainted with the power of sin, and the subtlety of the Devil, and the wilfulness of blind unsanctified men, and the ordinary course of Providence in this work, as to cherish any hopes that All the Town and Parish should Consent. If many or any more do, I shall be glad. But plurima quaeras, ut pauca feras: An high motion when reasonable, may be serviceable to lower hopes. By what I have here said, you may see how little hope there is that ever the Church ⟨p. 196⟩should have any such Peace on earth as we desire. If unholiness be the hinderance, and the greatest part of the world are so unholy, and so our Unity is like to rise no higher then our Piety, you may see then how much Unity to look for.
BUT I must conclude with a word of advice to the Godly: I have made a very large ambitious motion, for the conversion of all at once: But alas, it is far from my expectation that it should prevail. I am not so unacquainted with the power of sin, and the subtilty of the Devil, and the wilfulness of blind unsanctified men, and the ordinary course of Providence in this work, as to cherish any hopes that All the Town and Parish should Consent. If many or any more do, I shall be glad. But plurima quaeras, ut pauca feras: An high motion when reasonable, may be serviceable to lower hopes. By what I have here said, you may see how little hope there is that ever the Church ⟨p. 196⟩should have any such Peace on earth as we desire. If unho•iness be the hinderance, and the greatest part of the world are so unholy, and so our Unity is like to rise no higher then our Piety, you may see then how much Unity to look for.