Catholic Unity

p. 1Catholick Vnity.

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

IT seems that Vnity and Felicity are near kin, in that the world is so like affected to them both. As our Felicity is in God, and we lost it by falling from God; so our Vnity is in God, and we lost it by departing from this Center of Unity. And as all men have p. 2still a natural desire after Felicity in general; but God who is their Felicity, they neither know nor desire; so have we still a natural desire after Vnity in it self considered; but God who is our Unity, is little known or desired by the most. And as nature can perceive the evil of Misery which is contrary to Felicity, and cry out against it, and yet doth cherish the certain causes of it, and will not be perswaded to let them go: So Nature can perceive the evil of Division, which is contrary to Vnity, and cry out against it, and yet will not forbear the causes of Division. And therefore as we say of Felicity, Nature by Philosophy seeks it, Divinity findeth it, and Religion possesseth it: So may we say of true Vnity; Philosophy or Nature seeks it, Divinity findeth it, and Religion or Holiness possesseth it. And as most of the world p. 3do miss of Felicity, for all their high esteem of it, and fall into misery for all their hatred of it, because they love not the object and way of Felicity, and hate not the Matter and Way of Misery. Even so most of the world do miss of Vnity, for all their high esteem of Unity, and fall into miserable distractions and Divisions for all their hatred of Division, because they love not the center and way of Vnity, and hate not the occasion and causes of Division. And as the very reason why the most are shut out of Happiness, is their own wilful refusing of the true matter and means of Happiness, and no one could undo them but themselves, for all that they are loth to be undone: Even so the very Reason why the world attaineth not to Unity, is their own wilful refusing of the true Center and Means of Unity; and it is themselves that p. 4are the wilful causes of their own Divisions, even when they cry out against Divisions. And as there's no way to Happiness, but by Turning to God from whom we fell, that in him we may be happy; and no way to God but by Iesus Christ as the Saviour, and the H◊ly-Ghost as the Sanctifier; so there is no way to true Vnity, but by Turning to God that we may be one in him; and no way to him, but being united to Christ, and being quickned by that One most holy Spirit that animateth his members. And yet as poor souls do weary themselves in vain, in seeking Felicity in their own wayes and devices; so do they deceive themselves in seeking Vnity in wayes that are quite destructive to Unity. One thinks we must be united in the Pope; and another, in a General Council; another saith, we shall never have Unity till the Magistrate force us p. 5all one way; (and yet they would not be forced from their own way.) Another turns Atheist, or Infidel, or Impious, by observing the Divisions that be among Christians, and saith, [It is this Scripture, and Religion, and Christ, that hath set the world together by the ears; and we shall never have Unity till we all live according to Nature, and cast off their needless cares and fears of another life.] And thus the miserable deluded world are groping in the dark after Vnity and Felicity, while both are at hand, and they wickedly reject them; and many of them become so mad, as to run away from God, from Christ, from the Spirit, as if he were the cause of Misery and Division, who is the only Center of Felicity and Vnity. And thus as it is but Few that arrive at Happiness for all their desire of it; so it is but Few p. 6that attain to Vnity; to such a Unity as is worth the attaining to.

p. 6I dare presume to take it for granted, that all you that hear me this day, would fain have Divisions taken away, and have Unity, and Concord, and Peace through the world. What say you? would you not have us all of one ◊i◊d, and of one Religion? and would you not fain have an Agreement, if it might be, through all the world? I am confident you would. But you little think that its you and such as you that are the hinderers of it. All the question is, What Mind that is that all should be One in? and what Religion that is that all men s◊ould agree in? Every man would have all men of one mind, and one Religion; but then it must be of his mind, and of his Religion; and so we are never the nearer an agreement,

p. 7Well! what would you give now to be certainly told the only way to Unity and Agreement? There is but One way; when you have sought about as long as you will, you must come to that One way, or you will be never the nearer it. What would you give to know undoubtedly, which is that One way! O that the world were but willing to know it, and to follow it when they know it. Well! I dare promise you from the information of the Holy-Ghost here given us in this Text that now I have read to to you, to tell you the Only way to true Unity; and blessed is he that learneth it, and walketh in it.

p. 7This Text is a Precept containing the work required of us, with its double Object; the one the means to the other. The next verse is an exposition of this. As the Natural man hath One Body, and One Soul, which constitute it a p. 8man …