A26885:257
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.
I think I have now sufficiently proved, that If we will be indeed of One Religion, and ever come to a right Agreement, it is The Unity of the sanctifying Spirit that ⟨p. 234⟩must do it. It must be a Union and Agreement in true Conversion and Holiness of life, and nothing lower will serve the turn. If God do us any good by the Profession, Gifts or Interest of Hypocrites and unsanctified professors, we'll thank him for it, and take it as a mercy: But it is a higher Design that must be in our Hearts; and woe be to them that come no nearer the Holy Catholic Church and the Unity of the Spirit and the Communion of Saints, then by an Outward profession and participation of Sacraments, and such like outward Ordinances of Communion.
I think I have now sufficiently proved, that If we will be indeed of One Religion, and ever come to a right Agreement, it is The Vnity of the sanctifying Spirit that ⟨p. 234⟩must do it. It must be a Union and Agreement in true Conversion and Holiness of life, and nothing lower will serve the turn. If God do us any good by the Profession, Gifts or Interest of Hypocrites and unsanctified professors, we'l thank him for it, and take it as a mercy: But it is a higher Design that must be in our Hearts; and woe be to them that come no nearer the Holy Catholik Church and the Unity of the Spirit and the Communion of Saints, then by an Outward profession and participation of Sacraments, and such like outward Ordinances of Communion.
Quest. BUT suppose we should be United in the Spirit, and Agree in Holiness, do you think this would heal the Divisions of the Church? Do you not see that the most godly are all in pieces, as well as ⟨p. 235⟩others? Is it not such that have been the principal causers of our late Divisions? You promised to show us, How we might do well, for all our other differences if we were bu• Agreed in Holiness; will you now show us what Advantage that would be?