The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must…The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must…

12. Many things may be forbidden by our Governors to the Clergy, which they ought not to oblige them to abjure or renounce. Suppose a Clergy-man should have entertained an Opinion that Ordination by Presbyters is lawful and valid, and that a Particular or Parochial Church is endowed with all Power, that Christ Jesus hath given to his Church: Peradventure our Governors may without any hurt or injury to him, or any other else, forbid him the publishing of these Opinions, or making Proselytes to them; but why he should be obliged to renounce them, I do not understand. He may be a good man, and capable of serving God in the Gospel of his Son, though he should be of that persuasion in those things; and though he cannot renounce them, he may be very willing to silence, and keep secret his Sentiments, in obedience to his Superiors, and for the sake of Peace. Again, to the like purpose Submission to many things may be more safely required, than approbation; and there are multitudes of pious and peaceable men, that could endure and bear with many things that they can never approve. Many men peradventure might endure the use of the Cross in Baptism, and the denial of the Sacrament to such as refuse to take it kneeling, and the singing of Prayers in an unintelligible tone, and many other things which they would never like nor approve. And indeed such is the World, and such is the Church, that many things must be endured, which cannot, ⟨p. 70⟩nor ought not to be approved, for neither the one, nor the other, will ever be so good as they should be. And here do I like well that good tempered Rule of St. Austin, and which indeed is always reasonable, Adhibendus est modus temporaque servanda, nec in confirmatione virtutis negligenda est disciplinae severitas, nec immoderatione coercionis dirumpendum vinculum societatis. Cont. Ep. Parm. l. 2. c. 6.

12. Many things may be forbidden by our Governours to the Clergy, which they ought not to oblige them to abjure or renounce. Suppose a Clergy-man should have entertained an Opinion that Ordination by Presbyters is lawful and valid, and that a Particular or Parochial Church is endowed with all Power, that Christ Jesus hath given to his Church: Peradventure our Governours may without any hurt or injury to him, or any other else, forbid him the publishing of these Opinions, or making Proselites to them; but why he should be obliged to renounce them, I do not understand. He may be a good man, and capable of serving God in the Gospel of his Son, though he should be of that persuasion in those things; and though he cannot renounce them, he may be very willing to silence, and keep secret his Sentiments, in obedience to his Superiors, and for the sake of Peace. Again, to the like purpose Submission to many things may be more safely required, than approbation; and there are multitudes of pious and peaceable men, that could endure and bear with many things that they can never approve. Many men peradventure might endure the use of the Cross in Baptism, and the denial of the Sacrament to such as refuse to take it kneeling, and the singing of Prayers in an unintelligible tone, and many other things which they would never like nor approve. And indeed such is the World, and such is the Church, that many things must be endured, which cannot,