The whole body of Christian religion, by Hieron. Zanchius. Translated out of Latine by D. Ralph Winterton.

DOCT. XVI. The conclusion concerning the unitie of the Church.

THerefore, seeing Ecclesiasticall unity is of two sorts; one essen∣tiall, and so of it self alwayes and every where necessary, and conse∣quently proper to the Catholick Church; the other accidentall, and mutable according to the divers oc∣casions of times and places, and thence proper to particular Church∣es: we believe it is not lawfull for any person to separate from the for∣mer at any time or for any cause, it being no lesse then to depart from Christ and God, to renounce the holy Ghost, and divide himself from the whole body of Christ; which is altogether a perfect and execrable Apostasie. But we are of opinion that to desert that which is acciden∣tall, in consideration of returning to and maintaining that which is essen∣tiall, is not onely lawfull but ne∣cessary for every man; and the rather, if those rites and ceremonies, where∣in

the unity was, be corrupted with severall superstitions: but especially, if even the Sacraments instituted by Christ be perverted or wholly abo∣lisht, so that a good conscience can∣not partake of them. And how much more, if the heavenly truth be ba∣nisht from them, and the doctrines of devils preached and desended in stead of them? and further, when you shall not be allowed so much as to be silent, but compell'd either to renounce God's truth, and subscribe to diabolicall lies, or pay your life for your refusall?