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…

6. And also, if once we could Agree in Holiness, the matter and occasion of offences, separations and contentions would cease. What caused the Donatists separation of old, but the scandals in the Church: and the receiving of such upon repentance into Communion or ministry? And so the Novatian schism also was occasioned. And though the Donatists and Novatians were too blame to be against the Ordination or reception of such Penitents; yet the prevention of the sin, would have been the prevention of the breach. What hath caused so many to turn separatists in England, but seeing so ⟨p. 246⟩many ungodly persons in our Churches and Communion? You that are most offended at Schisms and Private Churches, are the common occasions of it your selves. If such ungodly persons were not in our Assemblies, few godly persons would separate from them. Though I do not justify them, yet I must needs condemn you as the cause. Were it not for you, we should be more of a mind among our selves. But when your rotten ulcers and corrupted lives have raised a stink in our Assemblies, this causeth our Division: The Separatists stop their noses and are gone, and will come here no more; and the rest of us think that for your sakes and the Peace of the Church, we should stay as long as well we can, like Patient Surgeons that will not forsake their Patient because of a rotten stinking sore, as long as there ⟨p. 247⟩is any hope of cure, or of saving the body, by cutting off the rotten member. And thus while some are more patient and charitable towards you, and some are more impatient of your sin, or else afraid of Gods displeasure for having communion with you, here comes our divisions among our selves, for your sakes. And therefore if we were but Agreed in Holiness, all this were ended. There would then be no habituated Drunkard, or worldling, or railer, or swearer, or other ungodly persons in our Churches; and then who could scruple communion with them? and so what should hinder but we might all be one? and yet will you not agree in this?

6. And also, if once we could Agree in Holiness, the matter and occasion of offences, separations and contentions would cease. What caused the Donatists separation of old, but the scandals in the Church: and the receiving of such upon repentance into Communion or ministry? And so the Novatian schism also was occasioned. And though the Donatists and Novatians were too blame to be against the Ordination or reception of such Penitents; yet the prevention of the sin, would have been the prevention of the breach. What hath caused so many to turn separatists in England, but seeing so