[Sidenote: 4 Object. They keep no meane.]
When slaundering will not serve, then fall they to glavering, cunningly
glancing at zeale, whiles they commend the golden meane wherein vertue
consists. But Christians, take heede none spoyle you through such
Philosophy; or rather Sopistry: for true Philosophy will tell you that
the meane wherein vertue is placed, is the middle betwixt two kindes,
and not degrees: And it is but meane vertue that loves the meane in
their sense.
[Sidenote: 5 Object. Undiscreet.]
Oh say they, but some discretion would doe well; It is true, but take
withall _Calvins_ caveat to _Melancthon_: That he affect not so the name
of a moderate man, and listen to such Syrens songs, till he lose his
zeale.
I have observed, that which the world miscalls discretion, to eat upp
zeale, as that which they call policy, doth wisdome. As _Joab_ stabbed
_Abner_ under a colour of friendship: Antichrist undermineth Christ, by
pretending to be his Vicar. The feare of overdoing makes most come too
short; of the two extreamities, wee should most feare lukewarmnesse:
rather let your milke boyle over then be raw.
From glavering, they fall to scoffing; yong Saints, will prove but olde
Divels; these hot-spurrs will soone runne themselves out of breath. But
wee say, such were never right bred; such as proove falling starres,
never were ought but meteors; the other never lose light or motion:
spirituall motions may be violent and perpetuall.
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