The Kingdom of God Among Men, Tract 1 · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
The surest and safest ways of seeking Reformations.
WHen a corrupt State of Religion is inveterate or deeply rooted in a Nation, …he work of Pious men, is convincingly to re…rove that corruption by the light of holy Doctrine, and of holy Walking; and to pro…agate and press home with zeal, the great and …nquestionable truths of Christianity: but to …e more silent and sparing in matters more con…overted and of less importance, the vehement …rging whereof will not convince the world, nor silence the adversary. Likewise by humble addresses to the Higher powers in a fit season, they may seek the redress of such enormities, as are evidently Scandalous, Absurd and Odious, and yet perhaps the chief props of that corrupt State. For this may be done without scandal or hazard, and much is done if it take effect. Clamorous contests about doubtfull Forms and Customs, and in comparison but by matters, do serve to animate the opposite party, and afford them matter to work upon: but the vigorous maintenance of the vital parts of Religion, and the detecting of gross abuses, bears them down.
It is time that ripens all things, and every thing in its season is beautifull and successfull. Then the redress of evils will run in its prepared Channel, and a plain Path will be found through passages formerly inaccessable. And then Rulers themselves may see what one of deep judgment observes, that when time of course alters things to the worse, Wisdom and Counsell had need alter them to the better; they may find the necessity and utility of Reformation, and by their Authority make it warrantable. If the friends of truth walk in sober counsels, and sure ways, and follow the truth in peace and love, and be serviceable to the common good, they retain their innocence and maintain their honour, which is their surest interest, and shall be found though the fewer number to have a considerable influence upon the publick State.
Both Religious and Civil Affairs are apt to be carried in extreams, for which cause Reformations commonly are suspected, and their credit is much impaired. In avoiding Superstition, some have run into rudeness and undecency. In Divine worship the natural expressions ofreverence and devout affection, and things necessary to decency and order, should be observed carefully by those that turn away from Superstitious vanities, that it may appear that a well informed Conscience, and the Spirit of a sound mind doth guide and rule them, and that their principles are no way defective; but sufficient and ample unto all regular devotion. These necessary decencies and natural expressions of Devotion, are plain and obvious to all intelligent persons; and the modes of Civil reverence and seriousness in use among us, do much guide herein.
A compliance with sober and grave solemnities affected by a Nation in general, helps to procure a good esteem, and to get ground among them; whereas opposition and singularity may beget a general dislike. Men do but mispend their zeal in opposing prevalent customs, that have nothing in them contrary to sound Doctrine and good life. Among other things I may instance in Religious performances at Funerals, which may well be ordered without Superstition or any other abuse, and improved to the peoples benefit, who are then met together in the house of mourning. Some Churches being in the midst of false worshippers to prevent all Superstition, have forbidden the making of Prayers or Sermons at the interment of the Dead. But in things of this nature, Several Churches may have their peculiar reasons, and accordingly their different orders.
As concerning Heathenish pastimes, and vanities sometimes affected by the rude vulgar, and perhaps countenanced by some of higher degree for ends well known, they tend indeed unto much profaness, and may trouble the minds and stir the zeal of good men. Nevertheless, when the power of reforming is beyond their line, it sufficeth that the weighty and unquestionable matters of true Religion, be constantly inculcated upon the People, and the spreading of sound knowledge indeavoured, both by publick Doctrine and by private Instruction. And those humorous fooleries, which opposition often heighteneth, would soonest fall to the ground by contempt and silence.
In a happy season, when the power of Religion hath a potent influence upon a Nation, the laying of a good foundation for time to come, is mainly to be regarded. An opportunity in this kind may be lost, not only by a sluggish neglect, but also by an impetuous overstraining of it. It is overstrained, when things are carried forth beyond what a Nation will ever bear. It may be more advisable to stop at moderate Reformations, than to proceed to such extream alterations, as must needs stand in opposion (if so be they can so stand) to a contrary fixed inclination generally prevailing. The consequents of such proceeding, need not to be here discoursed.
Besides, the more healthfull state of Religion may stand not in a total change of things long in use, but in reforming the abuse thereof. And it should be minded that sometimes in curing a lesser evil, there is a real hazard of a greater mischief; and in hasty attempts of changes, things may be carried on beyond the commendable end designed, even to its utter ruin. For commonly men are not Masters of what they get in such precipitate ways.