A70766:295
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.
3. Edification is one End and Fruit of Ordinances and Duties, and not of Ceremonies. 1 Cor. 14.26. Our glorified Saviour gave Gifts to Men, when he ascended, and gave Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, for the edifying of the Body of Christ; upon the same Reason, to the same End, from the same Goodness, he would have given Ceremonies also, for the Edification of the Body, if they had been necessary.
4. He rarely and unwillingly engages in the Disputes about Rites and Ceremonies, having Reason for his Practice, he would have his Practice pass for a Reason. These Disputes often run upon great ⟨p. 66⟩Mistakes, in the state of the Questions, mis-applied Scriptures, Prejudices pass for Arguments, and they blow up Heats, waste Time, enfeeble Men in the performance of great Duties, and do more frequently end in Divisions, and Separation of Minds, than Satisfaction.
4. He rarely and unwillingly engages in the Disputes about Rites and Ceremonies, having Reason for his Practice, he would have his Practice pass for a Reason. These Disputes often run upon great ⟨p. 66⟩Mistakes, in the state of the Questions, mis-applied Scriptures, Prejudices pass for Arguments, and they blow up Heats, waste Time, enfeele Men in the performance of great Duties, and do more frequently end in Divisions, and Separation of Minds, than Satisfaction.
5. He hath a respect to the Customs of Churches, which commonly are fitted to the Genius of their Countries, while they retain their Innocency. He can use Ceremonies, well washed from Superstition, in his own Mind and Practice, by sound Doctrine. He is not ceremonious in the Use of Ceremonies, as religious divine Things commending him to God; and yet there is no Man more ceremonious than he, for he useth them but as Ceremonies, with respect to Men, as human Things ordained by Man's Authority. Artic. of the Church 34.