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…

20. Lastly, observe how we sin against the sad experience of the Church in all Ages, by laying our Religion or Unity upon these smaller or unnecessary things. What hath distracted the Church so much as contendings about their Ceremonies and Orders, and precedency and superiority! Heresies I know have done their part (especially ⟨p. 357⟩the Arians:) but smaller matters have had two great a hand in it: what plentiful evidence could I give you of this? The lamentable divisions of the Christian world about Easter day, which the first General Council was fain to meet about and decide, is too sad an Instance. But, alas, the present Age it self hath given us too sad and plenteous proofs of it. By a heap of Ceremonies, and unnecessary things, the Roman Church hath almost drowned both the Doctrine, Worship and Discipline of Christ, and miserably torn the Church in pieces, and so continues to do. And what work this mistake hath made in England, I have no mind to tell you, while our smart and sufferings tell you of it more plainly then is fit for me to do. Indifferent things have shut out that which was better then Indifferent. Consider well these ⟨p. 358⟩twenty Reasons, and then judge whether the Religion or Unity of the Church should be placed in unnecessary things. The imposing of them I shall speak of by it self.

20. Lastly, observe how we sin against the sad experience of the Church in all Ages, by laying our Religion or Unity upon these smaller or unnecessary things. What hath distracted the Church so much as contendings about their Ceremonies and Orders, and precedency and superiority! Heresies I know have done their part (especially ⟨p. 357⟩the Arrians:) but smaller matters have had two great a hand in it: what plentifull evidence could I give you of this? The lamentable divisions of the Christian world about Easter day, which the first General Council was fain to meet about and decide, is too sad an Instance. But, alas, the present Age it self hath given us too sad and plenteous proofs of it. By a heap of Ceremonies, and unnecessary things, the Roman Church hath almost drownd both the Doctrine, Worship and Discipline of Christ, and miserably torn the Church in pieces, and so continues to do. And what work this mistake hath made in England, I have no minde to tell you, while our smart and sufferings tell you of it more plainly then is fit for me to do. Indifferent things have shut out that which was better then Indifferent. Consider well these