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…

Men and Brethren,

AS in the midst of all the impiety and dishonesty of the world, it is some comfort to us, that yet the Names of Piety ⟨p. 2⟩and Honesty are still in credit, and ungodliness and dishonesty are terms of disgrace; so that those that will be ungodly and dishonest, are fain to use the Mask and Veil of better names, to hide their wickedness; so also it is some comfort to us, in the midst of the uncharitableness and discords of this age, that yet the Names of Love and Concord •ound so well, and are honoured by those that are furthest from the Things: For thus we seem agreed in the main cause, and have this advantage in our debates, that whatever shall be proved to be against Love, and Unit•, and Peace, we are all o• us obliged by our professions to disown. I may ⟨p. 3⟩suppose that all that read these words will speak against the uncharitableness and contentions, and divisions of the present times as well as I. Doth it grieve my soul to hear professed Christians so censoriously condemning, and passionately reviling one another, while they are proudly justifying themselves? I suppose you'll say, It grieves you also? Do I mourn in secret, to see so many divisions and subdivisions? and Church set up against Church, and Pastors against Pastors, in the same Parishes; and each party labouring to disgrace the other and their way, that they may promote their own? I suppose you will say, You do ⟨p. 4⟩so t•o. Do I lament it as the Nations shame, that in Religion men are of so many minds, and manage their differences so unpeaceably, that it is become the stumbling block to the ungodly, the grief of our friends, and the derision of our enemies? I know you will say, that this also is your lamentation. And is it not a wonder indeed, that such a misery should be continued, which all men are against; and which cannot be continued but by our wilful choice? Is it not strange that we are so long without so great a blessing as Unity and Peace, while all men say they love it, nd desire it, and while we may have it if we will? But