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Yet have I not fo* fhaken hands with thofe defperate refolutions, (who had rather venture at large their decayed bottom, then bring her in to be new trimed in the dock; who had rather promifcuously retain all, than abridge any, and obftinately be what they are, than what they have been,) as to stand in diameter, and fwords point with them we have reformed from them, not against them; for omitting those improprieties and terms of fcurrility betwixt us, which only difference our affections, and not our caufe, there is between us one common name and appellation, one faith, and neceffary 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

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ceive any rational confequence from those many texts which prohibit the children of Ifrael to pollute themselves with the temples of the heathens; we being all chriftians, and not divided by fuch detested impieties as might profane our prayers, or the place wherein we make them; or that a refolved confcience may not adore her Creator any where, especially in places devoted to his fervice; 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 fuperftition, my common converfation I do acknowledge auftere, my behaviour full of rigour, fometimes not without morofity; yet at my devotion I love to use the civility

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of my knee, my hat, and hand, with all those outward and fenfible motions, which may exprefs, or promote my invifible devotion. I fhould 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 fcarce with the thought or memory of my Saviour; I cannot laugh at, but rather pity the fruitlefs journeys of pilgrims, or contemn the miferable condition of Friars; for though mifplaced in circumftances, there is fomething 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 circumftance, for me to err in all, that is in filence and

·E. R. No14. h.483
21h

dumb

at 6. and 2 A church-bell that tolls every day at 6. and 12. of the clock, at the heari; whereof every one in what place foever either of houfe or street betakes him to his prayer, which is commonly di," rected to the Virgin.

dumb contempt; whilft 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 proceffion I have wept abundantly, while my conforts, blind with oppofition and prejudice, have fallen into an excess of fcorn and laughter: there are queftionless 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 (which) evil in themselves, but as allurements and baits of fuperftition to those vulgar heads that look afquint on the face of truth, and those unftable judgments that cannot confist in the narrow point and center of virtue, without a reel or ftagger to the circumference.

SECT.

SECT. IV.

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

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