Moderation a Virtue, Treatise · Section 6
SECT. VI.
And if it were not that we are to shew our Moderation to All Men, we could not forbear Complaints and deep Resentments of the Carriage of our Conforming Brethren, who in many Sermons and Printed Discourses, do represent us as if we were a dangerous sort of Men, to Church and State. We are not insensible of the things in which we cannot, and therefore have not concurred with them, which may give them Offence. We have not declined, when we had occasion and opportunity, to give our Reasons for our forbearing, or refusing to make up the number with them, with which we are still satisfied, and never saw any Reason to change our Judgments, and to give us cause to repent, as for an Omission of any Duty. But we will stedfastly shew a Moderation of Meekness and Patience, and bear what's fit for us to bear. We will not make our loud Complaints under the many Censures, Representations, and Misconstructions that are thrown upon us; for indeed they are but a bundle of Sticks and not of Rods; and by our Moderation we will pile and bundle them, as Protogoras did his bundle of Sticks, so handsomly, that they will be lighter by their bundling up. But why we should be misrepresented to the World we can see no cause, but what calls for our Commiseration. It is some kind of Surprize to us to read and hear in publick what hath not been as much as whispered to us in private.
And before, we are told of Offences in private, and before the Church be told of us, to tell of us to the Magistrate and to the World, is not regular nor friendly. To declaim against us for Moderation; truly so called, would be to commend us to the World and to good Men. But then that we may first dy and stink before we come to be formally prosecuted, that we may be suspected and then hated, and then used we know not how (nor we know not why) we are painted in the Colours of the fowlest Fellow in the Dock. But we are sure this Paint will not endure the Fire; not this Oratory to be taken for Evidence, before a just Tribunal: Neither can we see such Propensity in so many Men to fall in love with Moderation, that there is some need to paint her as an odious Creature, to take them off. The Charge against Moderate Men, consists of many Articles, to all which we make a short Defence.
1. We have given Legal Security to our Governours in Church and State.
2. We endeavour to perform all Duties without Offence.
3. Our Moderation is our Conformity to Christ, and his Gospel, to the Doctrine of this Church.
4. As the Law is our Rule, so it is our Security, and we rest under it.
5. When we shall stand in need of Favour, we will thankfully accept it, but think it our Duty so to live, and carry our selves, as little as may be not to need it, though we know, Nullum Ingenium placuit sine Veniâ.
6. We are Strangers to that part of History, which preserves the Memory of Mischiefs or Ruine, brought either to Kingdoms or Churches, by Moderation, or Moderate Men: We are utter Strangers to any undermining Practices; and if our Words be not taken, we can endure a Trial, and therefore know no reason for this giving notice to the Magistrate, or the World, to beware of Moderate Men. We never heard that sitting even, ever overthrew the Boat. But on the other hand, we know what Moderate Men have done to settle, compose, reform, to preserve States and Churches.
7. Our Government is justly celebrated for its admirable Temper and Moderation: Certainly Moderate Men are never like to overthrow that which comes so near their own Temper: and if its Peace be ever disturbed or broken, it cannot be by them who are Men of Peace, as all Moderate Men are. The most we can desire, is a prudent Accommodation of some Laws to the present Age, and the Necessities thereof, as our fore-Fathers did to their Times upon no better Reasons; for we know no standing Rules for Perpetuity, but those of our Blessed Saviour and his Apostles.