A70766:189
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.
That this Consideration may be the more obvious and apparent, and convincing upon their Minds who differ from us, I will spread it abroad, and lay it open in some Particulars.
(1.) The far greater Number of the Nation are (I think) baptized; they are baptized into Christ, entered and admitted into Covenant with God by Baptism, and these are to be instructed in the Duties of a People in Covenant, and trained up into Meetness for the Privileges of that Covenant-State. The placing of Ministers fitted for this Work, to take care of the Education of Souls in the Christian Faith, and Way of the Lord, is as necessary, as the placing and fixing of School-Masters in particular Schools. And how the Disciples of Christ can be bred and brought up in a better, or so likely a way, is not obvious to our Understandings.
(1.) The far greater Number of the Nation are (I think) baptized; they are baptized into Christ, entred and admitted into Covenant with God by Baptism, and these are to be instructed in the Duties of a People in Covenant, and trained up into Meetness for the Privileges of that Covenant-State. The placing of Ministers fitted for this Work, to take care of the Education of Souls in the Christian Faith, and Way of the Lord, is as necessary, as the placing and fixing of School-Masters in particular Schools. And how the Disciples of Christ can be bred and brought up in a better, or so likely a way, is not obvious to our Understandings.
(2.) Tho the Relation of Pastor and Flock is not founded on Right of Patronage, and Episcopal Institution and Induction; yet a Pastor so legally sent, is obliged in Conscience to the oversight of the Souls of that People, and to exercise that Office to which he is called and engaged towards that particular People; and by his fixedness among them, he hath the opportunity and advantage of doing more good upon them, than if he were an ambulatory Preacher; and People have the great Convenience of Access to him in all Cases, for Instruction, and spiritual Good, (if they were disposed) yea far more than if he did, as some Physicians and Lawyers do, that keep Markets and Market-Days, which would be liker an occasional or necessary Visit, than a careful Inspection of a Watchman.