A81213:288
The moderator
The moderator: endeavouring a full composure and quiet settlement of those many differences both in doctrine and discipline, which have so long disturbed the peace and welfare of this common-wealth. Intended (especially at this time) to beget a brotherly love and unity amongst the ministers and people of all the three nations; the Parliament having now appointed a committee for receiving proposals for the propagation of the gospel. Brotherly unity amongst all Christians, especially amongst the ministers of Christ, being in it self so excellent and comely at all times, and (considering the danger and sad consequences of our present divisions) so desirable and necessary at this time: I conceive all overtures and counsels having a true tendency thereunto, worthy the public light, and do therefore approve the publication of this ensuing discourse. Joseph Carly.The moderator: endeavouring a full composure and quiet settlement of those many differences both in doctrine and discipline, which have so long disturbed the peace and welfare of this common-wealth. Intended (especially at this time) to beget a brotherly love and unity amongst the ministers and people of all the three nations; the Parliament having now appointed a committee for receiving proposals for the propagation of the gospel. Brotherly unity amongst all Christians, especially amongst the ministers of Christ, being in it self so excellent and comely at all times, and (considering the danger and sad consequences of our present divisions) so desirable and necessary at this time: I conceive all overtures and counsels having a true tendency thereunto, worthy the publike light, and do therefore approve the publication of this ensuing discourse. Joseph Carly.
London: printed for John Bellamy, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For whosoever in the fear of God shall lay to heart the woeful condition of the Churches of Christ in this land, will perceive that amongst the manifold causes of our miserable breaches1 and sinful distractions, the original and consequently the greatest of all the rest is this; That such as are called to be the Ministers of the Gospel, who by their own confession are Brethren and fellow-labourers in the same employment, do ⟨p. 72⟩not maintain those duties of Brotherly love, fellowship and communion, which by the nature of their work, and by the appointment of their Lord and Master are made necessary for the manifestation of his glory, and for their own mutual edification. For seeing by that which hath been hitherto showed, it must needs be acknowledged, that they ought to stand together and look upon each other as Brethren begotten of the same Father, as fellow-soldiers in the same fight and warfare, and as fellow-members in the same body of Christ: Seeing (I say) this is confessed and cannot be denied to be so, it will follow also undeniably, that they ought in conscience to discharge the duties belonging to these relations, which are not only to profess a Brotherhood, but to be knit together in fervent love, to have the same care one for another, and jointly to communicate in things belonging to the kingdom of Christ. But that these duties, notwithstanding all these relations, are neither really thought upon, nor at all prosecuted to any purpose almost by any, is no less undeniable, and must needs (although to our great shame) be plainly and ingenuously confessed. Seeing then the guilt of this their fault is so great and so apparent, that no colour of excuse can be pretended to extenuate it, therefore the judgement is ripe for them, and the punishment hath now in the sight of all the world most justly overtaken them:
For whosoever in the feare of God shall lay to heart the wofull condition of the Churches of Christ in this land, will perceive that amongst the manifold causes of our miserable breaches1 and sinfull distractions, the originall and consequently the greatest of all the rest is this; That such as are called to bee the Ministers of the Gospel, who by their owne confession are Brethren and fellow-labourers in the same imployment, doe