A81213:32
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.
4 And as public and private reports are not altogether to1 be slighted for the finding out of men, so are they not either way easily and much to be credited: for they are carried for the most part by interests, and a man of judgement that doth set a rule unto himself in all his ways, will both on this side and on that side arm himself against the strong impressions of evil and good reports. Against the evil ones he will have in store charitable constructions of things that may be well taken, lest his spirit be rashly biased to a wrongful affection against him that deserveth it not; and against the largeness of the good ones he will balance himself with discretion and prudence, ⟨p. 8⟩lest he be swayed through too much credulity to a groundless confidence in one that may deceive him; and thus keeping himself both ways free, in an equal temper, neither too high nor too low in his apprehensions, to rise and fall with the blasts of reports, he will be able to steer an even course in his carriage towards all; measuring himself and all other men in his and their actions by one and the same rule, which is the life of Christ in the Spirit: for that is the only standard by which all are to be measured, that is the only touchstone by which all spirits are to be tried whether they be true gold or not.
4 And as publick and private reports are not altogether to1 bee slighted for the finding out of men, so are they not either way easily and much to bee credited: for they are carried for the most part by interests, and a man of judgement that doth set a rule unto himselfe in all his wayes, will both on this side and on that side arme himselfe against the strong impressions of evill and good reports. Against the evill ones hee will have in store charitable constructions of things that may bee well taken, lest his spirit be rashly byased to a wrongfull affection against him that deserveth it not; and against the largenesse of the good ones hee will ballance himselfe with discretion and prudence, ⟨p. 8⟩lest hee bee swayed through too much credulity to a groundlesse confidence in one that may deceive him; and thus keeping himselfe both wayes free, in an equall temper, neither too high nor too low in his apprehensions, to rise and fall with the blasts of reports, hee will bee able to steer an even course in his cariage towards all; measuring himselfe and all other men in his and their actions by one and the same rule, which is the life of Christ in the Spirit: for that is the onely standard by which all are to bee measured, that is the onely touchstone by which all spirits are to bee tryed whether they bee true gold or not.