A70766:158
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.
The Oath of Canonical Obedience binds us to lawful and honest Things, and to these within the Limits of our Ministerial Function only, (else our Obedience might extend even to wait at their Table, or to the holding of their Stirrup, both which and many other Things are lawful): And therefore our Diocesans cannot call upon us to go beyond the Laws; and by consequence, that Liberty which the Law allows, is our Right and Privilege. We cannot see how we are tied to a more strict, exact, constant Conformity by this Oath, than by the Laws and Rubrics of which we spake before.
The Oath of Canonical Obedience binds us to lawful and honest Things, and to these within the Limits of our Ministerial Function only, (else our Obedience might extend even to wait at their Table, or to the holding of their Stirrup, both which and many other Things are lawful): And therefore our Diocesans cannot call upon us to go beyond the Laws; and by consequence, that Liberty which the Law allows, is our Right and Privilege. We cannot see how we are tied to a more strict, exact, constant Conformity by this Oath, than by the Laws and Rubricks of which we spake before.
Secondly, he adds, as an Enforcement of the Obligation, That the Right Reverend Father, the Lord Bishop of London, hath laid his Commands upon us, punctually to observe the Rites and Ceremonies.
To which I answer: This Obligation lies upon none but him, and others from whom that honourable Prelate hath required it: What is all this to the Clergy of other Dioceses? If that Right-Reverend Bishop hath exacted this, other Diocesans have not required it: And I could name some, of great Name and Age, who have expressed a greater Moderation, in forbearing to require that punctual Observation of constant, strict, and exact Conformity, as allowing some Scope, in some Occurrences and Cases, to Ministerial Discretion.