A70766:130
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
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.
To conclude this, and to pass to the Confirmation of his Positive Assertions, I only add, what I have reason to believe; that a strict exacting of Rites and Ceremonies hath driven away many to the Nonconformists, that had staid with us had they been indulged but in some scrupled Ceremony; and since their departure from us, do scruple a great deal more than they did at first. And except our Governors apply themselves to some timely Mitigations, it is impossible so to crop the Sprouts of Dissenters, but new Shoots will grow out of the old Stocks, which cannot be stocked up without breaking up too much good Ground.
To conclude this, and to pass to the Confirmation of his Positive Assertions, I only add, what I have reason to believe; that a strict exacting of Rites and Ceremonies hath driven away many to the Nonconformists, that had staid with us had they been indulged but in some scrupled Ceremony; and since their departure from us, do scruple a great deal more than they did at first. And except our Governours apply themselves to some timely Mitigations, it is impossible so to crop the Sprouts of Dissenters, but new Shoots will grow out of the old Stocks, which cannot be stock'd up without breaking up too much good Ground.
There are two things which the Reverend Preacher delivers with great Confidence and Assurance, as binding us under Condemnation, and stopping our Mouths, which have not the Evidence he presumes they have, wherein we are concerned.
1. He declares our several Obligations to a strict constant Conformity to Ceremonies and all, and saith, To make all sure, and prevent all Evasions occasioned by nice Distinctions about the force and obligation of Human Laws; He will show that there is no room for Equity and Moderation in this case, pag. 43, 44.