A70766:13
Moderation a virtue, or, A vindication of the principles and practices of the moderate…Moderation a vertue, or, A vindication of the principles and practices of the moderate…
Moderation a virtue, or, A vindication of the principles and practices of the moderate divines and laity of the Church of England represented in some late immoderate discourses, under the nick-names of Grindalizers and Trimmers / by a lover of moderation, resident upon his cure ; with an appendix, demonstrating that parish-churches are no conventicles ... in answer to a late pamphlet entitled, Parish-churches turned into conventicles, &c.Moderation a vertue, or, A vindication of the principles and practices of the moderate divines and laity of the Church of England represented in some late immoderate discourses, under the nick-names of Grindalizers and Trimmers / by a lover of moderation, resident upon his cure ; with an appendix, demonstrating that parish-churches are no conventicles ... in answer to a late pamphlet entitled, Parish-churches turned into conventicles, &c.
London: printed for Jonathan Robinson, 1683
To the reader: To the Reverend Clergy, and Honoured Gentlemen, who are Truly Moderate.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It may seem strange at first sight, that the same Men that magnify the Moderation of the Church of England, in all the parts of its Constitution, Doctrine, Orders, Ceremonies, should from Pulpit and Press report and represent the moderate Members of it to the Jealousy of our Superiors, and Dislike of the Times: But the wonder is over, when we see what manner of Men they make moderate Men to be; Men uneasy in their Minds, galled under their Burdens, lifting at the Government to cast it off, and then tread it down. If they know any such Snakes to lie covered under Conformity, they have not done enough to detect them: if they do not, they have spoken Matter of deep Repentance for themselves.
It may seem strange at first sight, that the same Men that magnify the Moderation of the Church of England, in all the parts of its Constitution, Doctrine, Orders, Ceremonies, should from Pulpit and Press report and represent the moderate Members of it to the Jealousy of our Superiours, and Dislike of the Times: But the wonder is over, when we see what manner of Men they make moderate Men to be; Men uneasy in their Minds, gall'd under their Burthens, lifting at the Government to cast it off, and then tread it down. If they know any such Snakes to lie covered under Conformity, they have not done enough to detect them: if they do not, they have spoken Matter of deep Repentance for themselves.
They very warmly urge some Canons, as those for the Bidding of Prayer, for reading all the Service, and observing all the Orders, Rites, and Ceremonies, as well in reading the Scriptures, and saying of Prayers, without either diminishing in regard of Preaching, or adding any thing in the Matter or Form thereof: And yet these very Men can indulge themselves in an Irregularity contrary to other Canons. Not to instance in such as will give them offence, let us see what Inconformity there is, in going beyond the Rubrics, in the very fashion of their Gowns: Are they made with standing Collars? do they wear in their Journeys, Cloaks with Sleeves and Capes? Do they wear plain Night-Caps, of black Silk, Satin, or Velvet? And to imitate some of themselves in their way of arguing: Are not these things indifferent in their own nature? Are they not commanded us by lawful Authority? They become necessary by reason of the Command, which they must obey. The Canon saith, These Garments are not enjoined for any Holiness, or special Worthiness, but for Decency, Gravity, and Order: The Reasons of the Injunction are as great for the use of these Garments in our ordinary Conversation, as for others. If they say, We may lawfully suit our Habit to the Fancy and Fashion of the Age wherein we live; their Argument is answered, Not when we are tied by Canon.