A70766:353
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
Conclusion: The Conclusion, propounding Examples of Moderation.
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 Sum of all that has been said of a Moderate Church-man, may be comprehended in the Character following: Viz.
He is one that loves his God, and his Religion, his King, and his Country. He shuns the dangerous Extremes, and keeps the Mean of Christian Moderation; neither causeth Schisms in the Church, nor Factions in the State. He is neither fond of needless Ritualities, nor yet molested with groundless Scruples; neither worships Images nor Imaginations, but submits to the Customs of the Country, tho not to the Iniquities of the Times. By his abhorrence of all Sin, he declares he thinks none venial; and by the Regularity of his Conversation, he shows he expects no Indulgence: And as he doth not think by good Works to merit Heaven; so he endeavours, that he may not by bad ones deserve Hell. He takes more pains to make good his Baptismal Covenant, than to wrangle about the Mode of its Administration, as if he were baptized with the Waters of Strife. And he is more concerned to ⟨p. 80⟩prove himself a good Christian, than to prove who is Antichrist: Nor doth be so contend about the Number of the Elect, as to reprobate himself for want of Charity. He thinks it very unseasonable to dispute about the Colour of a Garment, when our Enemies are endeavouring to clothe us with the Scarlet Tincture of our own Blood. He had rather use a set Form of Prayer, than have the Service in an unknown Tongue; and submit to the reverent Gesture of Kneeling, than swallow the Doctrine of Transubstantiation. Whether the chief Ecclesiastical Officer be called a Bishop, or a Presbyter; or the Communion-Board, a Table, or an Altar, he is not so much concerned as to disturb the Peace of the Church about it. He is a true Catholic Christian, neither Papist nor Separatist, and loves all good Men, by what Names or Titles soever dignified or distinguished; and ne'er thinks the worse of an honest Man, if Malice gives him an ill Name, because he knows Men by their Fruits. He doth not baptize his Religion with the Name of a Sect, nor espouse the Quarrel of a Party: Nor is he guilty of the Corinthian Vanity, in crying up a Paul, an Apollos, or a Cephas; but looks upon it as the great Design of Christianity to make Men good, and knows where it hath not that effect, it matters not much what Church such a Man is of, because a bad Man can be saved in none. He is one that is sober without Formality, cheerful without Levity, prudent without Stratagem, and religious without Affectation;