A70766:149
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.
Secondly; Let us see if such a constant and exact Conformity be required in the Use of Ceremonies. Some Ceremonies are required of the Ministers, and some of the People: Those required of the Ministers, are the wearing of the Surplice, and the signing with the Cross, (I have spoken of the Ring in Marriage before; and bowing at the Name of Jesus, and towards the Altar, are no-where required by Law.)
1. The omitting of a Ceremony is no such great Crime, in the Judgment of the Reformers of this Church, as this Reverend Preacher exclaims against; in that Account of Ceremonies, why some be abolished, and some retained, we read this moderate Passage: And although the keeping or omitting of a Ceremony, in it self considered, is but a small thing; yet the wilful and contemptuous Transgression, and breaking of common Order and Discipline, is no small Offence before God. We admit this, and say, that if sometimes we omit the Use of any of these Ceremonies, suppose in compliance with tender Consciences, or for some weighty reason, we willingly do it, but not wilfully and contemptuously; and therefore occasional, and sometimes necessary Omissions, are but small Offences.
1. The omitting of a Ceremony is no such great Crime, in the Judgment of the Reformers of this Church, as this Reverend Preacher exclaims against; in that Account of Ceremonies, why some be abolished, and some retained, we read this moderate Passage: And altho the keeping or omitting of a Ceremony, in it self considered, is but a small thing; yet the wilful and contemptuous Transgression, and breaking of common Order and Discipline, is no small Offence before God. We admit this, and say, that if sometimes we omit the Use of any of these Ceremonies, suppose in compliance with tender Consciences, or for some weighty reason, we willingly do it, but not wilfully and contemptuously; and therefore occasional, and sometimes necessary Omissions, are but small Offences.