A Discourse of the Religion of England, Section 15
SECT. XV. Of the Established Order in RELIGION, and the Moderation therein required.
AS for the Established Order, we presume not here to intermeddle with the Form or Species of Church-Government; but only to consider the prescribed Uniformity of Judgment and Practice. Evident reason speaks, That this be not narrow, but as broad and comprehensive as it is possible, that of it self, by its own force, it may be chief in sway, and controle all dissenting parties. On the other hand, it must not be loose and incoherent, but well compacted, that it may attain the Ends of Discipline, which are to promote sound Doctrine, and godly life, and to keep out Idolatry, Superstition, and all wicked Error and Practice that tends to the defeating of the Power of Christian Verity, Now these Ends do not require a Constitution of narrower bounds, then things necessary to Christian Faith and Life, and godly Order in the Church. These things must be maintained, and clearly stated; but whatsoever is more then these, may be matter of good intention and devotion to some, but an occasion of stumbling to others.
If it be said, Who shall judg what things are necessary? This doubt might soon be resolved, if passion, and prejudice, and private ends were vanquished. But however, let it be put to the Reason and Conscience of the Church of England: Why should not the great things of Christianity in the hands of wise Builders, be a sufficient Foundation of Church-Unity and Concord? What need hath the Church to enjoyn more then what is necessary to Faith and Order? Is not Moderation and Charity far more excellent, then glorying in Opinions, Formalities, and petty matters, to the regret of many Consciences? What if those that question her Injunctions, should be weak, nice and captious? It is about matters of Divine Worship, wherein God hath proclaimed his Jealousie; and therefore if they being over-jealous, do erre, they deserve pity.
Our Eccleasiastical Superiors are here earnestly besought, Calmly and seriously to review the prescribed Uniformity, and to consider how some parts thereof, which at the best are but things indifferent, have been long disputed, and by what manner of men, and what hath been argued for and against them; and how this Difference hath held, and still encreased, from Bishop Hooper in King Edward's time, to the present Non-conformists; and then to judg whether a rational and conscientious man may not possibly dissent from some of these things, or at least doubt of their Lawfulness; and in case of such dissenting or doubting, what he should do, seeing the Apostle saith in the case of Meats, He that doubts, is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith. Can a man by Subscription and Practice, allow those things which his Conscience rationally doubts to be sinful?
It is Honour and Power enough for the Church, to be enabled by her Authority to inforce Gods Commandments. She is observed and honoured as a Mother indeed, when by her Wisdom and Care, her Children walk orderly according to the Christian Institution; and it may suffice her to chastise those of them that walk contrary to Christ. Though she be of venerable Authority, yet she doth not claim an Infal…ibility; and therefore she cannot settle the Conscience by her sole Warrant, but still leaves room for doubting. And in prescribed Forms and Rites of Religion, the Conscience that doth its office, will inevitably interpose and concern it self; and it being unsatisfied, …arrs and r…nts will follow. Woful Experience cryes un… us▪ No more of such Injunctions then needs must. The indisputable Truths of Faith, and the indispensable Duties of Life, are the main object of Church-Discipline; therefore an ill choice is made when the vigor of Discipline is exercised about lesser and more dispensable things of meer Humane Determination.
The Sons of the Church of England commend the Moderation used in the Articles of Religion, being formed in words of that extent, that men of different Perswasions about the Doctrines of Predestination, Divine Grace, and Free-will, did alike subscribe them. Nevertheless, the present Orders and Ceremonies inexorably imposed, have been as much disputed among the Godly Learned, as those different Opinions about the Doctrines aforesaid; and yet who can think they are of as much importance to the Substance of Religion?
Moreover, men might more easily agree in the use of these little things, or of some of them, were their Internal Judgments spared, and Subscriptions not injoyned. They may bear with others in the practice of some things, which themselves cannot practice. They may submit to some things, which they cannot approve; and that not for unworthy Ends, but for Conscience sake; and chuse rather to acquiesce in a Tolerable State, which for the main is sound and good, rather then to endeavour a total Change, which may be mischievous, and at best is full of hazard. Wise men know, That by hasty Changes they do not come to rest and quietness, but only change their Old Grievances for New ones. If Practice sufficiently uniform, that is to say, without any scandalous difference, may be obtained from men of different Perswasions, Why should Uniformity of Judgment be exalted, and men tempted in doubtful points, to set their Consciences on the Rack? If any number of Dissenters were willing to do their uttermost towards Compliance, why should needless Choak-pears, which they could not swallow, be forc'd upon them? If the Church's Authority be had in reverence, if Order and Peace be kept, what matter is it from what speculative Principles such observance proceeds? Though a man so complying, be not of the same mind with his Superiors, yet he may have this honest Catholick Principle, To promote the common Interest of Reformed Christianity, and to dread the weakning and shattering of it by needless Schisms. As for a narrowbounded Uniformity both in Opinions, and petty Observations, it is no more necessary in the Church, then Uniformity of Complexions and Visages in the same Civil State; and is indeed no more attainable, where a generous Freedom of Judgment is allowed.