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…

2. Moreover, if we have no other Unity, we are unlike to live in Peace together. Though it be our duty to endeavour to have peace with all men, yet we can have but little hope of it. As long as there is so much difference and contrariety as I have mentioned; and as long as there is a secret enmity at the heart, it will be working into dissension, if God for the sake of his Church restrain it not. The godly will be crossing your carnal Interest, and hindering you in the sinful ways of your commodity, pleasure or vain-glory! They will be calling you to self-denial, which you cannot endure: and putting ⟨p. 208⟩you upon duties of Holiness, Righteousness and Mercy, which your sinful flesh will utterly refuse. If you are scandalous, you will be called to Confession, Repentance, and Reformation, or by Church-censures be cut off from them to your shame: And the Magistrate also must trouble you by the penalties of the Law. The very examples of a strict and holy living, which are given you by the godly, will displease you, because they are so unlike to your lives, and therefore witness against your negligence and ungodliness. So that it is not possible that we should avoid offending you; for our very obedience to God will offend you, and our studying and following the Holy Scripture will offend you, and our diligent labour to save our souls will offend you; and our hating and avoiding the Poison of sin will offend you. And how then ⟨p. 209⟩should we live in Peace with such? If you yoke a swine and a sheep together, one will be drawing to the wash-tub, when the other would be at grass: and one will be drawing to lie down in the mire, when the other would lie clean: one will be rooting in the earth, and eating dung, which the others nature is against. It is Christ, before me, that calleth the wicked by the name of swine, and the godly sheep: And if you will come no nearer us then this, we are like to have but poor Agreement.

2. Moreover, if we have no other Unity, we are unlike to live in Peace together. Though it be our duty to endeavour to have peace with all men, yet we can have but little hope of it. As long as there is so much difference and contrariety as I have mentioned; and as long as there is a secret enmity at the heart, it will be working into dissention, if God for the sake of his Church restrain it not. The godly will be crossing your carnal Interest, and hindering you in the sinful wayes of your commodity, pleasure or vain-glory! They will be calling you to self-denyal, which you cannot endure: and putting