Admonition Moving to Moderation, Errata

Admonition Moving to Moderation · Errata

ERRATA

PAge 3. line 4. for walking, read ſo walking. and l. 2. dele only and read aſcertaining. p. 4. l. 21. for diſputed r. diſpoſed. p. 6. l. 16, evercovet r. overcovet. p. 7. l. 3. occaſion r. ovations. and l. 14 not. ſound r. out ſounded. p. 11. l. 23. obſervation. r. obſecration. p. 14. l. 17. out minder one minde. and l. 18. ſome r. ſo in. p. 16. l. 12. our moderation. r. one Moderatour. p, 17. l. 1. wall r. well. p. 23. l. 15. changed r. charged, p. 25. l. 14. r. foreign, and foreign. p. 28. l. 7. our part r. one part. and l. 8. ſo on r. ſo on. p, 35. l. 19. importened r. importuned. p. 38. l. 3. principle r. principal. p. 39. l. 12. ſynanimous r. ſynonymous, p. 40. l 12. formal r. female. p. 43. price r. peice. p. 45. l. 1. after r. as for p. 46. l. 14. aggreſtions r. aggreſſions. and l. 16. perpeſtions, r. perpeſſions. p. 49. l. 8. decoited r. decocted. and l, 13. care. r. feare. p. 54. l. 1. by being r. being by. p. 58. l. …. our uniformity r, one uniformity. p. 61. l, 13. ſo r. for. and l. 20. foreign p. 62, l. 4. affects r. effects. and l. 13. commended r. commanded. p. 64. l. 16. fit r. ſet. p. 68. l. 16. brings r. being. p. 69. l. 20. out r. but. p. 70. l. 9. our moderation r. one moderation. p. 71, l, 17. invitation r. imitation. and l. 10. our ſubject r. one ſubject. p. 73. if r, I. p, 77. l. r. evidencings, p. 81. l. 9. fall r. fell. p. 85 l. 24. ſoundneſſe r. fondneſſe. p. 86. l. 3. imperfectly r. in perfectly. p. 89. l. 21. as r. at. p. 95. l. 14. prickt r. pretended. p. 97. l. 4. laſt r. beſt. p. 103. l. 13. good ſo r. ſo good. p. 108. l. 5. r. overbending.

p. 1AN ADMONITION Moving to MODERATION.

Phil. 4.5. Let your Moderation be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand.

IF all vertue be well defined by a mediocrity, as conſiſting wholly in a middle betwixt two extreams. What a vertue of vertues then is Moderation? whoſe proper work it is, to labor both in the ſtudy and practice of that golden meane. Let vertue in it ſelf be never ſo equal betwixt exceſſes and defects; yet is it but a barren and ſloathful ſpeculation, not p. 2fruitful or beneficial to us, till this elective habit of a practical proportion bring it within the compaſs of lively operation. All her Equity is but as an idle number, till Moderation comes to give her her quickning meaſure. It ſerves indeed to ſet her even upon the very ſummity of affection and action, without either addition or diminution; yet trenches upon neither extremity, ſo as to alter the nature and quality of the thing, as touching the leaſt that appertains to the vitiouſneſs of exceſs or defect. And as it holds an equal oppoſition to extreams of all other vertues, ſo eſpecially to thoſe of its own; being an apt mediety or mediocrity, betwixt the rigid contention of a furious zeal or emulation, and the lukewarm diſpoſition, of a reachleſs indifferency or neutrallity, deteſting alike, to be over-juſt, and over-wiſe, as to be over-wicked, and over-fooliſh, Eccleſ. 7.16, 17. It approves of neither pace, to drive on furiouſly with Jehu in matters of policy, nor that he go ſoftly with Ahab in matters of p. 3piety. In matters of controverſie or ſcruple, or ſcandal, it likes well of nothing, but of walking with a right foot, Gal. 2.14. And for walking, as to turn neither to the right hand nor to the left Deut. 5.32. And that alſo of choice, like the Iſraelites among the Edomites, Numb. 20.17. Not of conſtraint, as Balaams Aſſe between the two walls, Numb. 22.26. It loves to churne the milk ſo as to bring butter, but hates to wring the noſe ſo as to fetch blood, Prov. 30.33. But above all, it hates ſo much as to hear of removing the ancient bounds or land-markes (whether of Religion or Laws) Deut. 19.14. For it knows there is a curſe thereunto belonging, to which every moderate man muſt ſay Amen, Deut. 27.17. Nay, and to break but the hedge (of a particular prerogative, priviledge, propriety) aſcertain onelyonly it ſelf a Serpent will bite for it at laſt, Eccleſ. 6.8. It in no wiſe endures the wiſdom that deſcendeth not from above but is earthly, ſenſual, devilliſh, where is …vying and ſtrife, and confuſion, or tumult, p. 4and every evil work, but delight in that wiſdom which is from above, as firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle or Moderate, and eaſie to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits without partiality, or wrangling, and without hypocriſie, Jam. 3.15, 16, 17. And thus is this Moderation, not onelyonly a Queen among morall vertues: but a miſtreſs and governeſs even in ſpiriritual graces and duties. And ſo indeed it is admoniſhed by the Apoſtle in this place.

Let your Moderation be known to all men.

There is ſome difficulty, to conceive what conſequence this exhortation of the Apoſtle can have upon that immediately foregoing, or upon what connexion it comes in here? ſay it had none: yet there may be a method, whether the matter be ſynthetically or analytically diſputed; Divine Lawes and Leſſons are Aphoriſmes, not Declamations. And as for this of Moderation, it skilleth not p. 5much to enquire how it offereth it ſelfe, for (whether it be in ſpeaking or doing) it never findeth its order, but maketh it; yet leaſt want of ſome coherence might make it ſeem impertinent, let us expoſtulate a little with our Apoſtle about it. Would he ſo earneſtly have them to rejoyce, (a good act of ſpiritual exultation) and it ſet upon a right object in the Lord: (contemplating the Divine Majeſty, Perfection, Love, Promiſes, Benefits,) and exempt from carnal and creature-joyes. And that ſo inceſſantly, as alwayes (in act or habit, in adverſity as well as proſperity) and that with a Repetition; Again, (to be renewed upon every occaſion, and extended to the utmoſt degree.) And that too upon his own warrant, experience, inculcation, I ſay rejoyce; Now then would he ſo ſuddenly recal that his incitation? or correct ſuch their conſolation, by an immediate caution to Moderation herein: Is there any ſuch feare, that Theological vertues, and their ſpiritual affections, p. 6ſhould ſo ſoon degenerate, and be vitiated by exceſſe? Certainly, there can be no nimiety in exulting in grace, and the love of God, and Christ. Nay, there is no mediocrity that may here be admitted. No indeed; there can now be no exuperance in reſpect to the primary object. But there are alſo ſecondary objects, and acts about thoſe objects; with the manner alſo of thoſe acts; all which may very well admoniſh men to moderation. Though there can be no fear of redundancy, or ſuperfluity of ſpiritual graces; yet ſpirituall delectations are here ſubject to the ſuſpition of both extreams. For a Chriſtian man may ever covet the ſenſible and evidential comforts of them (which are not here to be ingroſt) and likewiſe may be too faint in the defect of their ſenſible evidence. And therefore uſes he this motive, in this very point; the Lord is at hand: viz. to come, and ſupply you with ſuch everlaſting comforts, and rejoycings, us ſhall need no moderation, becauſe ſubject neither to addition, nor diminution. p. 7But does he not rather give the caution to our ſpiritual exultations, to put a check upon our carnal occaſions? prayſed be our all provident God! who hath exceeding graciouſly given us of this Land occaſion of rejoycing, even beyond our expectation at this day. But I am greatly affraid of our immoderation, nay inordinateneſſe. That out Feaſting, and drinking of Healths, our Muſick, and Pageantry, our May poles, and Garlands, and Morrice-dancers, and ringing of Bells, our Drummes, and Trumpets, vollyes of Short, and ſhoutings; have not ſounded the ſoundneſſe of our hearts, both in the Ears of God, and men. I pray God give us grace to be moderate in our meates, drinks, apparel, paſtimes, or recreations, and revellings, in our vayne glories, boaſts, threats, preſumptions, expectations, leaſt the Lord ſee it, and be angry, and ſo provoked to turn our mirth into mourning. But God grant us, to be merry in the Lord, after a more ſober, ſincere, and ſacred way. And that inſtead of being p. 8drunke with wine, wherein is exceſſe; we may be filled with the Spirit: ſpeaking to our ſelves in Pſalmes, and Hymnes, and Spiritual Songs, ſinging, and making melodie in our hearts to the Lord. Giving thanks alwayes for all things unto God, and the Father, in the Name of our Lord Jeſus Christ: ſubmitting our ſelves one to another in the fear of God, that his delight may be in us, to rejoyce over us for our good; and go on (as he hath graciouſly begun) to turn all our ſorrowes into joyes.

Further, to let you underſtand this Admonition was not without the Occaſion. Let us look a little higher to this purpoſe, and draw down the context from the two verſes before that aforeſaid. Thence you may obſerve with me: There was a kind of ſchiſme or diſſention, ariſing in the Philippian Church, (as what Church, even from that time, hath had the happineſs to be without ſuch enormities? nay, what Church hath not been unhappy in them?) But this diviſion of theirs p. 9is nameleſs. For it ſeemed good to the Holy Ghoſt, and the holy Apoſtle, to ſilence and conceal it, as touching what point, or what particular it was. And ſo indeed all ſchiſmatical diſſentions ought to be dealt withal. Its enough for the Church to complain that they are; though ſhe ſpeak not what they are, while errours and offences are but only known in their generals, Moderation may come in more eaſily to compound them, and that with leſſe noiſe, oppoſition and ſcandal, then when ſhe is put upon the ſcanning of every particular. And therefore ſhe holds it both wiſer and ſafer, to ſilence them in groſs, then minutely to diſpute them, eſpecially, how tender is ſhe to diſcover thoſe preciſe nakedneſſes, when ſhe perceives their Piety (for the main) obſervable in either Party, inviting to hide, nay, ſmother the ſingularities and perſonalities of each others infirmities? But oh the temerarious immoderacy of, or more then Cham-like immodeſty! How audaciouſly have we defiled not only our own p. 10neſts, but ript up our own mothers belly, and ſpit in our own fathers face? errours and perſons, crimes and names, how have we told them in Gath, and publiſht them in Askelon, to make the daughters of the Philiſtines and uncircumciſed to rejoyce and triumph? what ſcandalous Miniſters have we made, till we made the Miniſtry it ſelfe a ſcandal? while we laboured, yea, and uſurped to the paradigmatizing of others, and they our betters. Wo, and alas! what have we done but ſtigmatized our ſelvs to the uttermoſt of infamy? by publiſhing our controverſies, of Presbytery againſt Epiſcopacie, of Directory againſt Liturgie: of Independencie againſt ſetled Miniſtry, and that grand quarrel of Oligarchy, or Anarchy againſt Monarchy: what hath all this immoderate clamour prevailed? but to make us a reproach to our Adverſaries, a grief to moderate reformed Churches, and a ſcandall to all good men, and a ludibrious hiſſing to the whole world.

But to go on; This diſſention, it ſeems, p. 11began betwixt women. And ſuch hath alwayes been the immoderateneſs of paſſions, and affections in that Sex. And women (I wiſt) had a finger alſo in ours, when they ſacrificed, from their Plate, to their Thimbles and Bodkins; towards an Antiepiſcopal, if not Antimonarchical Warre, not unlike thoſe other, that break off their golden Eare-rings, to make up a molten Calfe. But I would to God, they had been women of no unworthier ranke and worſer report, then they ſpoken of in this place? And I would withall, that our men (a many of them) had not been ſo uxorious, and men womaniſh in this ſame caſe; Then certainly they had made a much earlier, and eaſier way to moderation; which indeed is the thing that the Apoſtle labors here, and he labors it by intreaty. For moderation works, and is wrought, not by abſolute commanding and impoſing, but by fair intreating, and perſwading. And his obſervation to this end is perſonall, mutuall, equall. I beſeech Euodias, and I beſeech Syntic…e. O p. 12rare way of Apostolike moderation! that hath reſpect to all Perſons, and yet without any reſpect of Perſons, moderation is alwayes impartial, and nothing more partial, then immoderation. As we have ſeen, and heard, how ſome have bin wooed, and ſoothed even to flattery; and others (more conſcientious, and meriting) deterred, and checkt even to calumny and contumely. One party hath been entreated to preach, and to print; and the other (abler for both, and honeſter in both) forbidden not the Preſſe only, but the Pulpit alſo. One hath thanks given him for his paines, another hath paines ſet upon him, inſtead of thanks. To ſuch I will ſay with St. James. (Iam. 2.1, 4.) My Brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, the Lord of glory, with reſpect of perſons.— Are ye not then partiall in your ſelves, and are become Iudges of evill thoughts? But if this work not with them, then I muſt ſay of them with St. Paul. The time will come when they will not endure ſound Doctrine, but after their own luſts ſhall p. 13they heap to themſelves Teachers, having itching Ears. And they ſhall turn away their Ears from the Truth, and ſhall be turned into Fables. 2 Tim. 4.3, 4. But I cannot paſs by that deteſtable immoderation of their horrible partiallity, in approving, or rejecting only by tradition; making their own characters of men among themſelvs, and ſo taking the Teſtimony, and giving the verdict upon them accordingly. One they will have gifted, though ignorant; another ſhall not have grace, though learned. But the moſt horrid of all was, to hire or to call in Accuſers, and condemn; the accuſed unheard altogether, and unſeen. But our excellent Moderator proceeds in his Moderating way; beſeeching them both to be of the ſame mind. This verily is the way, and this the work of moderation. For there is nothing in all the World, that makes men to be more immoderate, then their being of many mind. Wheras Unanimity is the Mother, and Unity the Daughter of moderation. And they have a neer Kinſwoman, that p. 14follows next after them; which they call Uniformity. He exhorts them to be of the ſame mind, not only between themſelves, but even with the whole Church, of which they were Members. For moderation is nothing betwixt particulars, except it be towards the general, or whole communion. We have known two diſſenters (of Perſons, and Factions) ſo to moderate, or ſuſpend, or diſſemble themſelves, as to conſent and combine to a more immoderate conſpiracy. Wherein they have proved like Herod and Pilate; made (as it were) unanimous Friends, or confederated, only for the uncontrolled (the paricidal, regicidal) crucifying of Chriſt their King. This being of our mind (in exact ſpeaking) is to reliſh, ſavour, reſent or be wiſe about the ſame thing. (For the u…i y of moderation ought to be in minds, as in things: and ſome things, as minds.) And thus it implyes a moderate union, or united moderation in the ſenſe, will, and affections all at once. Now ſome have combined to follow their Senſes, or Senſuallities. p. 15Their wills, or wilfulneſſe; their affections, or affectations; without Judgment. Some again, to follow their judgments, or opinions, or rather deluſions; without any good will, diſpoſition, or affection at all. And thus have they runne (headleſſe, and headlong) into the utmoſt of unlimitted immoderation in all their actions, and affairs. Now would ſuch had liſtened, how the Apoſtle limits it here; to be in the Lord: that is, according to Gods word, Spirit, Religion, good Conſcience, and right Reaſon. Otherwiſe it will be (as it hath been) no unanimity, no moderation; but an immoderate aſſociation, confederation, and conſpiracy, of Foxes tyed together, with firebrands in their Tales, or Rumps; raunging, and ravening, to the conſumption of the good and fruitful Feild. Yea, and like to the Brethren in iniquity; of whom it was ſaid (and is to be ſaid) Inſtruments of cruelty are in their Habitation. O my Soul, come not thou into their ſecret: unto their aſsembly, mine honor, be not thou united: for in their p. 16anger they ſlew a man, and in their ſelf-will they digged down a wall. Curſed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruell. I will divide them in Jacob, and ſcatter them in Iſrael. Gen. 49.5, 6, 7,

After he had thus concluded upon the matter, and defined the manner: See now, how he ſeeks, and ſues to the means, or inſtruments, for the apt compoſing of the fore-intimated differences. To a work of true moderation, the help of more then our moderation is required. And here alſo, to neglect the means (ſuch as may be moſt aptly inſtrumentall) is always to faile of the end. And good Lord! how have we forſaken our own mercy, in refuſing, nay and rejecting the means; and that through the moſt monſtrous abomination of immoderation, that our Sun might be darkened, and totally eclipſed; only becauſe he labored to ſhine as a light, in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Nation. Our Glory put to ſhame, by the moſt ſhameleſs of all. Our Head ſpurned at by the very Heel, becauſe he propounded p. 17the wall governing of the whole body. Our father abdicated (by Baſtards ſurely and no Sons) becauſe he would have arbitrated betwixt the Brothers fallen at odds. Our Soveraign Phyſician maſſacred moſt barbarouſly; becauſe he endeavoured to have healed the Frenetick and Fanatick Patient. Our great and gracious Moderatour mainly oppoſed, only becauſe he offered all he might to reconcile. Oh skilfull Pilot, unmercifully, and outragiouſly wrackt, becauſe he ſtood in the ſtorme, to ſave all, but himſelf. Oh! The breath of our noſtrills, the annoynted of the Lord, was taken in their Netts; of whom we ſaid, under his ſhaddow we ſhall live among the Heathen, Lament. 4.20. The Apoſtle invited both ſexes, (men and women) to moderate in this matter. But in that caſe, (woful caſe!) no ſex, age, degree, no Nation or Language, no Religion or Conſcience, no Praedication or Petition, would be admitted to moderate or mediate one whit. Oh, the abomination of immoderation; not inferiour p. 18i… the abo…ion of … it ſelf!

To …ith…r of the …ting … h…re …i…s their … …mendori…s, Take … that … in the Goſ…l. Surely, he praiſed them not for the… preaching, nor once all owed a …, for to ſpeak in the Church? No, but for their other adminiſtrations, that might be advantageous thereunto. No, no, ſuch an immoderation and immodeſty, … never approved of, tolerated, or ſo much as connived at, until theſe our immoderate and inordinate times. But he denied them not (on neither part) their due praiſe, for other, their known graces, and vertues, Which was indeed the moſt ingenuous, and compendious way, to win them both fairly and briefly to a moderation, and union; As touching their leſſer conſiderable diſſentions. How farre otherwiſe was it with us, who were ſo immoderate, and disjoynted in Sects, and parts; as to deny, and diſclaime each others …, and vertues. And all becauſe each … p. 19would ackn…edge … S…t, … of hi… own S…; …on… …dly, but of his o… g…b…, and gang, … bu… o… … own, ca… …d … …o …, h…re…f his o… party and …, b… of his own affec…n, … it l…gious, … not z…l … in the i… …in … that ran not th… … oth… … ſu… of riot. I had almoſt ſa…, none … but of their own Errors; and enth…ſ… But the Apoſtle here ſpoke it, from a be… ter diſcerning of Spirits; when be ſt…i… even of theſe diſſenters, their names wer… written in the book of life, which undou… edly be pronounced not upon their, diſſention, but as a motive, yea and perſ… ſion of their moderation. For nothing moves the very Elect more … an accord here on Earth, then the thought, and perſwaſion of their recor… i… …. But Lord! how were we reprobated, … by thoſe that had moſt need to examin… themſelves, and prove their … ſelues, whether they were not the repre… we … they ſhall know th… we … p. 20reprobates. Nor will we ſay, they are, but hope their following moderation will make it known they are not. If they will convert with ſome of the exorciſts, let them bring their books together and burn them before all men. Even thoſe black books, in which both the Miniſters, and the Magiſtrates of England were deciphered, and as it were proſcribed, either to calumny, or confuſion. Elſe we may juſtly fear, their names are writ in that fearfull black book; who reſolve to live, and dye, in their diſſenſions, diviſions, ſeperations, factions, fanaticiſmes, ſeditions, treaſons, rebellions: and (which is worſt) in the immoderations of them all.

Well! Moderation now having hopefully ſped, or happily done her work. Mark now! how ſhe invites to partake the Fruits, Rejoyce in the Lord, ſeeing ye are now of the ſame mind in the Lord, and that with all the extentions, and inculcations as before. I adde, upon the Authority, and temperament of moderation. Which p. 21he will have now proclaimed to all, though their diſſenſion was concealed. Let your moderation be known unto all men. How happy a thing is it, when mens diſſenſions are not known, but ſo, as folded up in their moderations? would God ours were ſo wrapt up! we need not care who knew it. But alas! all men know our diviſions; but what man knowes our moderation. That is revealed, which ſhould be conceald, and that is conceald, which ſhould be revealed, and ſo we go altogether by contraries. And ſhall their glory and rejoycing be alwayes, and altogether our ſhame and miſery? Now mercy forbid it. Sirs! Ye are Brethren, let there be no longer ſtrife betwixt you. Behold how good and joyful a thing it is, for Brethren to dwell together in unity: (unity of Doctrine, unity of Diſcipline, unity of communion, unity of commerce, unity of Adminiſtration and Officiating; for it is eſpecially ſpoken of the Sacerdotall Brethren.) If there be any Oyle of moderation, to cauſe you to account that p. 22conſe…ting Oyle which was powred up… … head …ecious; ſtri…e no more ſo f…ly …, I pr…y you, pull him not by the …ea…d, by which it …nne: nor … thoſe …ki…s of his G…s down to which it w…, but … us revere … …her in the… …der and d…g…e: Th… ſo the …e of H…rmon, (the grace, and comfort… of moderation and concord) may fall upon the Hill of Zion (the Church of C….) For there the Lord hath commanded …ot in promiſe only, but effect… the bleſſing (here) and (hereafter) like for evermore.

Now…, that ye may perceive, this Text reſpects, …o… only that which wear before, bo…her which followes alſo. It ſo eaſily and neceſſarily … to the ſubſequent voi…. That it is not ſafe for him to ſay (…e …full for nothing) nor for you to receive it as f…nd unleſs you underſtand him, as indeed he me…s; viz. immoderately, and after an inordinate manner. Yea, the next clauſes ſtand (not out, but (as the ſcope of the Holy Ghoſt) come in p. 23very p…rti…ly … this purpoſe. Whether it … (thou good things) or …pplication (againſt …) or Thankſgiving… (… received benefits) your Requeſts (… any …rg…g of occaſion) cannot be made known (that is approved) to God: unleſs in theſe externalls and temporalls eſpecially your moderation be known not only to God; but men alſo, which puts me in … of the … immoderation of mens prayers for Warre, and blood; with thoſe of their Thankſgivings, for ſad Victories and outward ſucceſſe. How in th…ſ… things, and wayes; they appealed, expoſtul…ted, challenged, changed, ar…ga…ed, owned, adjured, obliged, limitted, directed, pretended, …oaſted, tempted, and even mocked God. Having no other ground and aſſurance in all theſe, but the Spirits (Oh enthuſiaſtical!) moving, without the word. And his ſecret will permitting of ſucceſſes (Oh …ticall!) without the warrant, and approbation of his will revealed. When that almoſt deicidall murder was p. 24committed; what ground, or Law had they for it? but (as they ſaid themſelves) their own ſeeking of God by prayer; and his immediate anſwer. (Oh fanatick, and nefarious Blaſphemy) and Amen thereto?

Let us now go a little lower. And as above we had the Occaſion, the Means or Inſtruments, and the fruitfull Iſſue: ſo below we ſhall find the Matter, the Example, and the End of Moderation.

1. The Matter; Whatſoever things are true. (Whether in doctrine, diſcipline, conſcience, or manners: For there is no thinking to find true moderation in a falſe matter. We found that too true, in the falſe moderating or purging of the Parliament; the new modelling of the Army; the new erecting of a high Court of Juſtice; the Agitatorſhip, Major Generalſhip, Committee of Safety, and in the Protectorſhip it ſelf. To ſay nothing of the Exceſſive, or Defective Errours, and Feignings; of Presbytery, Independency, Anabaptiſme, and (the ſcumme of all) Quakeriſme. p. 25Whatſoever things are honeſt, or venerable. Yea, the word ſignifies alſo grave, and comely: and poynts mainly at a decorum, in Perſons, Manners, Offices, Geſtures, Veſtures, and ſacred Places. About all which moderation is moſtly converſant, and to which it is moſt convenient. And we ſee ſufficiently, what an unhoneſt, and unhandſome indecorum immoderation hath wrought hitherto in all theſe. Whatſoever things are juſt. Here the Schoolmen more aptly place the thing of Moderation, then hence derive the name (foreign, quaſi foreign) making it an equitable and convenient part of Juſtice, to regulate and direct the rigour and ſeverity of the Lawes, according to their wholeſome intention rather then ſtrict words: for the common good, and the particular relief of certain perſons, in certain facts; the contingencies and circumſtances well conſidered, contrary to the unjuſt immoderations of ſo many Draconick Lawes, Edicts, Impoſitions, and Exactions, of ſubſcribing, ſwearing, p. 26proteſting, cove…ing, confederating, aſſociating, eng…ging, addreſſing, and a… juring, Whenſoever things are p…, … ch…ſt…. For Moderation is alſo apart of Temperance; …e… …o… and dec…t culture is in the modeſty of the o… a… w…t in the i…er man. Whatſoever things are lovely. And here alſo it is this fr…dly Moderation of men and manners, than renders all matters i… Church, State, City, Country, Pariſhes, and private f…ties) ſo amiable, and ſo mi…able: labouring thus to recone… them, and ſo to conſerve them; Contrarily, how odious and inimical was our immoderation, that made us call and count thoſe of our own Religion, nay, thoſe of our own blood… The Common Enemy, Whatſoever things are of good Report. How famous Moderation is would be known, and it is partly from this, that all men know how infamous immoderation hath alwayes been: without Moderation, good things loſe of their name and fame; Indifferent things have none in themſelves at all but what p. 27they borrow from it; and even bad things have their infamy …ſſ…ned by it. It is only Moderation that gains a good report to men and things, and keeps it too, and promotes it alſo. However immoderate men have affected a good report, even from things of a bad report, And have preſumed to raiſe a good name to themſelves, only by taking away that of others. Yea, they have covered and conceited a fame from infamous actions. And 'tis not ſtrange to ſee or hear of it; for ſuch hath alwayes been the folly and madneſs of immoderate ambition. Yet (me thinks) this is ſtrange, that the infamy ſhould be inured upon nothing elſe but Moderation. Who bore all the brand at firſt, but moderate men from both ſides? And that under the Nickname (forſooth) of deteſtable Neutralliſts. But fierce friends, I beſeech you, If no body had ſtirred on either ſide, where bad all this ſtirre been? If no man had medled, had there not (think you) been more innocence on the one ſide, and leſſe guilt p. 28on the other? without all doubt, the firſt brunt had been brought to nothing; if that the ſeconds (of Citty and Country) had not flockt in ſo faſt, to the making of the Fray. Even in forreign Warres, the cauſe can be juſt, and good, but upon our part: In Civill Wars, it is ſeldome ſo on either, (where all things are to be moderated not by Arms, but Laws.) More ſeldome when it is of the Inferior againſt the Superior, or of the private againſt the publick. In a word, know this; moderate men, though they have not bin the greateſt Sticklers, yet they have been none of the leaſt Sufferers. And likewiſe, whatſoever was wrong, the right hath prevailed at length; not by others Swords, but their prayers. And verily, if there be any vertue (intellectuall, morall, or theologicall) it muſt be in moderation: which is both the Center, and Circle of all vertues. And therefore, if there be any praiſe (as the reward of a good conſcience, or a good work from God, or men) moderation will obtain (on all hands) at p. 29laſt. Wherefore think on theſe things. Becauſe things of moderations are not for light opinions, conjectures, ſuſpicions, fancies, humours, affectations: but for ſerious meditation, ſolid ratiocination, ſober reputation, certain reſolution, firme concluſion, and diligent endeavour.

2. The Example. See it, and hear it; for thus ſaith he that gives it. Theſe things which ye have both learned (as true Doctrine) and received (as good Diſcipline) and heard (by my preaching) and ſeen in me (my exemplary practice) do (in a reall imitation) Or, which ye have learned (to informe your underſtandings) and received (to guide your affections) and heard (to ſatisfie your conſciences) and ſeen in me (to direct your converſations) doe. And do theſe things indeed as well as think of them. For things of moderation (whether in Doctrine, Diſcipline, Conſcience, or Manners) are not for contemplation only, and diſcourſe: but for practice alſo, and execution. We all can ſpeculate, and exhort to moderation, p. 30in all theſe things: but who, and what is the Preſident and Example? we eaſily obſerve the paſſive party alwayes, and earneſtly pleading for it: but when (on when) ſhall we ſee the active peny endeavour to any performance of it? If we ſhould do no other, then what we have either (learned by obſervation) received (by cuſtome) heard (by complaint) or ſeen (by experience) in this particular: I am affraid we ſhould all be immoderate enough.

3. The End, The God of peace ſhall be with you. God is the God of peace within, and the God of order without. And as both, and in both, is with the unfeignedly moderate, by his promiſe, preſence, direction, and bleſſing. With whom then (I wonder) was that Devil of Warm, and diſorder? or with whom already are many of thoſe diabolicall Inſtruments that lived, and acted, and dyed immoderately; ſome ſo Diſtracted; ſome ſo Deſperate? But ſet them alone to ſtand or to fall to p. 31their own Maſter. Albeit, we may juſtly … …ith … and … were …ig… … …ſing, yet …e cannot abſolutely ſay their …od was to be burned. How …, we are p…ſwaded be… things of … moderate men; and … things … accompany ſalvation. For the God of … ſhall not only be with them, but wh…, the Peace of God (int…r…d in their conſciences, and external in their …ffairs) And ſuch a Peace as paſſeth underſtanding, (it is meant of cr…d mindes, whether of Angels or Men) to apprehend compleatly, or intirely …aſti…e, eſpecially while mortality end…. But we poor mortals (bleſſed be the immortal God!) have now alſo a peace ſubject to our ſenſes, or happily c…me home to our very ſenſible experiments. And yet ſurpaſſing our underſtandin… …, namely, when we go about to con… or conſider, by what meanes it hath pleaſed Almighty God, (who can work without meanes, and againſt meanes) to bring it thus about. We can impute it to p. 32nothing (under him,) but to the pious and prudent deſigns, conſultations, votes, and reſolutions of very moderate men; And that when all eyes were failing, all hands were feeble, and all hearts were faynt. To the end it might be known to be his own work alone. For which (again and again) yea, everlaſtingly let his holy Name have the praiſe, and that peace of his (we hope) ſhall now keep us in this of ours. Shall keep as with a watch, and guard. For which ſtill to the all Provident God be the bleſſing, the honour, and the praiſe! And (next to the Tutelary Angells) thanks to that Preſidiary Souldier, with that Preſidentiary Aſſembly. Whoſe gravely moderated Counſells (as a ſafe cuſtody) we truſt, will wall us about, againſt the ſeiging of our open, and the undermineing of all our ſecret Enemies, As we pray the good God of Heaven, to keep both their, and our hearts, and minds (in ſound judgment, and ſober affections) againſt all the Temptations of Satan himſelf; p. 33and of all his Miniſters. Yea, though Satan ſhould transforme himſelf into an Angell of light (as he did of late) and though his Miniſters ſhould transforme themſelves into Miniſters of Righteouſneſſe, as they are ready enough to do, that can change themſelves upon all occaſions. Againſt all which, the Lord keep their, and our hearts, and minds, through Chriſt Jeſus: Both through the merits, promiſes, and mediation, and in the faith, profeſſion, yea, and even the moderation of Chriſt Jeſus our Lord.

Thus hath this Text and Truth lookt round about to furniſh it ſelf from acceſſories, and appendents. Now look upon it as a Continent fortified ſufficiently within it ſelf, and ſtanding altogether upon its own ſtrength. Or view it as an intire compact of a goodly Fabrick raiſed upon two mayne Pillars. Where had I but the Keys to let a man into every room and cloſet, he might ſee to ſatisfie a covetous mind: and could I but open every Caſement, might diſcerne a proſpect p. 34large and fayre enough to delight even a curious Eye. Firſt, take notice of the two Pillars.

Which are

1. An Admonition.

2. A Motive.