A81213:292
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 to abolish the work, and the office of the ordinary ministry, is that about which under several pretences all his agents on all hands, are most earnestly employed, and by their means all the fundamentals of order and ordinances in the Church are already unsettled, and all the grounds of authority in the State are almost quite overthrown: For by and upon some principles of that, which is called a new light, it is free for every one to do what seemeth good in his own eyes without control, or giving account thereof unto any. This licentious freedom doth lead them that follow it to the fulfilling of all their fleshly desires, and doth confirm them in all manner of confusion, wherein the spirit of railing, of bitterness, of envy, of contradiction and of uncharitableness in opposing and censuring others, doth increase strife and hatred, and multiplieth scandals infinitely, all which bring forth the woes that lie upon us. For to rail and calumniate without shame is become the very trade of many; nor is there any way left almost either in Church or Commonwealth to redress the injuries of this kind, though never so gross and palpable. All this breaketh the hearts of the godly, staggereth the weak, gladdeth the adversaries, openeth a door to all profaneness, and causeth the Name of God to be blasphemed, and the way of truth to be evil spoken of in the world, at which Atheists and Papists triumph and exult with joy, expecting in the end, that the effect of all this will be the utter ruin and desolation of all Protestants.
For to abolish the work, and the office of the ordinary ministery, is that about which under severall pretences all his agents on all hands, are most earnestly imployed, and by their meanes all the fundamentals of order and ordinances in the Church are already unsetled, and all the grounds of authoritie in the State are almost quite overthrown: For by and upon some principles of that, which is called a new light, it is free for every one to doe what seemeth good in his owne eyes without controule, or giving account thereof unto any. This licentious freedome doth leade them that follow it to the fulfilling of all their fleshly desires, and doth confirme them in all manner of confusion, wherein the spirit of railing, of bitternesse, of envy, of contradiction and of uncharitablenesse in opposing and censuring others, doth increase strife and hatred, and multiplieth scandals infinitely, all which bring forth the woes that lie upon us. For to raile and calumniate without shame is become the very trade of many; nor is there any way left almost either in Church or Commonwealth to redresse the injuries of this kind, though never so grosse and palpable. All this breaketh the hearts of the godly, staggereth the weake, gladdeth the adversaries, openeth a dore to all profanenesse, and causeth the Name of God to bee blasphemed, and the way of truth to bee evill spoken of in the world, at which Atheists and Papists triumph and exult with joy, expecting in the end, that the effect of all this will bee the utter ruine and desolation of all Protestants.