Heaven taken

3. If there must be this offering of ¹violence to Heaven, then it shows us how dangerous moderation in Religion is. Violence and moderation are two different things. Indeed moderation in the things of the world is commendable. We should moderate our desires here; and use the world as if we used it not^*. We may, as Jonathan, dip the end of the Rod in honey, but not thrust it in too far: in this sense moderation is good: but moderation in matters of practical piety is sinful: it is contrary to offering violence. Moderation in the world's sense is for one not to be too zealous, ⟨p. 93⟩not to be too fierce for Heaven. Moderation is not to venture further in ³Religion than may stand with self-preservation. As the King of Navarre told Beza, He would launch no further into the Sea, than he might be sure to return safe to Land. To keep on the warm side of the hedge, is a main Article in the Politicians Creed. Moderation in the world's sense is neutrality. The moderate person hath found out a medium between strictness and profaneness; he is not for debauchery, nor yet for purity. It was the advice Calvin gave Melanchthon, that he should not so affect the name of moderate, that at last he lost all his zeal. To be lukewarm in matters of Religion, is far from offering violence to Heaven, Rev. 3. 19. Be zealous and repent, If any shall ask us why we are so violent, tell them, it is for a Kingdom. If they shall ask us why we make such haste in the ways of Religion, tell them, we are running a• heavenly Race, and a softly moderate pace will never win the prize. Moderation hath made many lose Heaven; they have not made haste enough; they have come too late (like the foolish ⟨p. 94⟩Virgins) when the door hath been shut.

3. If there must be this offering of