resolver

Yet have I not fo * shaken hands with those defperate resolutions, (who had rather venture at large their decayed bottom, then bring her

in to be new trimed in the dock; who had rather promiscuously retain all, than abridge any, and obstinately be what they are, than what they have been, as to stand in diameter, and swords point with them: we have reformed from them, not against them; for omitting those improprieties and terms of scurrility betwixt us, which only difference our affections, and not our caufe, there is between us one common name and appellation, one faith, and necessary body of principles common to us both; and therefore I am not fcrupulous to converse and live with them, to enter their churches in defect of ours, and either pray with them, or for them: 1 could never perceive

bold not sempulous

ceive any rational consequence from those many texts which prohibit the children of Ifrael to pollute themselves with the temples of the heathens; we being all christians, and not divided by such detested impieties as might profane our prayers, or the place wherein we make them; or that a refolved conscience may not adore her Creator any where, especially in places devoted to his service; where, if their devotions offend him, mine may please him, if theirs profane it, mine may hallow it; holy water and crucifix (dangerous to the common people) deceive not my Judgment, nor abuse my devotion at all: I am, I confefs, naturally inclined to that, which misguided zeal terms superstition, my common conversation I do acknowledge austere, my behaviour full of rigour, sometimes not without morofity; yet at my devotion I love to use the civility

of

i

of my knee, my hat, and hand, with all those outward and sensible motions, which may express, or promote my invisible devotion. I should violate my own arm rather than a church, nor willingly deface the name of faint or martyr. At the fight of a cross or crucifix I can difpenfe with my hat, but scarce with the thought or memory of my Saviour; I cannot laugh at, but rather pity the fruitless journeys of pilgrims, or contemn the miferable condition of Friars; for though misplaced in circumstances, there is something in it of devotion: I could never hear the Ave Marie Bell without an elevation, or think it a fufficient warrant, because they erred in one circumstance, for me to err in all, that is in filence and

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E. R. No14.p.483

dumb

and

bell that tells by ay A church-bell that tolls every day at 6. 12. of the clock, at the hearin, whereof every one in what place foever either of house or street betakes him to his prayer, which is commonly dis rected to the Virgin.

dumb contempt; whilst therefore they directed their devotions to her, I offered mine to God, and rectified the errors of their prayers by rightly ordering mine own: at a folemn procession I have wept abundantly, while my conforts, blind with oppofition and prejudice, have fallen into an excess of scorn and laughter: there are questionless both in Greek, Roman, and African churches, folemnities and ceremonies, whereof the wifer zealots do make a christian use; and stand condemned by us, not as evil in themselves, but as allurements and baits of fuperftition to those vulgar heads that look afquint on the face of truth, and those unstable judgments that cannot confift in the narrow point and center of virtue, without a reel or stagger to the circumference.

(which)

SECT.

SECT. IV.

As there were many reformers, so likewife many reformations; every country proceeding in a particular way and method, according as their national interest, together with their constitution and clime, inclined them; some angrily and with extremity; others calmly and with mediocrity, not rending, but easily dividing the community, and leaving an honest possibility of a reconciliation; which though peaceable spirits do defire, and may conceive that revolution of time and the mercies of God may effect; yet that judgment that shall confider the present antipathies between the two extreams, their contrarieties in condition, affection and opinion, may with the same hopes expect an union in the poles of heaven.

But