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…

Indeed however we may abide together (as the clean and unclean creatures in Noah's Ark) yet still at the heart there is so much enmity or distance, and in our Ends and Interests there is so much contrariety, that if the Ministers and other followers of Christ, will faithfully discharge the duty that is required of them, they will certainly be persecuted by men of the same Profession in Religion; especially by the Prouder and Loftier sort of wicked men. Because some will receive the same truth better from one then from another. I will give you my assertion in the words of a man that you shall confess did speak impartially, and not out of any intemperance or singularity; who in a Prosperous University, in Peaceable times, being himself in favour, and of that Judgement and of such Learning as was likely to continue him in favour, did yet ⟨p. 215⟩write thus concerning persecution: I mean Doctor Jackson, in his Book of saving Faith, sect. 2. chap. 4. pag. 185. [The Ministers of Christ may deny Christ, or manifest their ashamedness of his Gospel, as directly by not laying his Law as closely to the great Herods of the world, as John Baptist did (suppose the case be as notorious, and as well known to them) as if they had been afraid to confess him, for fear of being put out of the Synagogues, or said with those other Jews, We know that God spake with Moses, and gave authority to Magistrates; but this man we know not whence he is, nor do we care for his Counsels. Yet were John Baptists kind of preaching used in many Kingdoms, though by such as profess the same Religion with the Potentates, they should offend with their boldness, I think it would prove matter of Martyrdom in the end. That any age since Christian ⟨p. 214⟩Religion was first propagated, hath wanted store of Martyrs, is more to be attributed to the Negligence, Ignorance, and Hypocrisy, or want of courage in Christs Ambassadors, or appointed Pastors, then unto the sincerity, mildness or fidelity of the flock; especially of the Bell-weathers or chief ring-leaders. Or if Satan had not abated the edge of primitive zeal and resolution by that dishonourable peace concluded between Christianity and Gentilism, after the settling of Goths and Vandals in these parts of Christendom;

Indeed however we may abide together (as the clean and unclean creatures in Noahs Ark) yet still at the heart there is so much enmity or distance, and in our Ends and Interests there is so much contrariety, that if the Ministers and other followers of Christ, will faithfully discharge the duty that is required of them, they will certainly be persecuted by men of the same Profession in Religion; especially by the Prouder and Loftyer sort of wicked men. Because some will receive the same truth better from one then from another. I will give you my assertion in the words of a man that you shall confess did speak impartially, and not out of any intemperance or singularity; who in a Prosperous University, in Peaceable times, being himself in favour, and of that Judgement and of such Learning as was likely to continue him in favour, did yet