A81213:392
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.
The fourth is their relation to their fellow-labourers in these works.
The fourth is their relation to their fellow-labourers in these workes.
None of these respects must be wanting, because without their subordination unto Christ, they are no Ministers, nor are they otherwise in Christ, but as they are members of his Church, nor can they be counted members without a work to perform, because the use of every member is to be an Organ of the soul in the body: now the soul of this body is the spirit of Christ, and every true believer is a member Organical in his own place, that is, appointed to some useful work. Nor is any ⟨p. 105⟩member alone, but it is put together with the rest, to make up the whole by mutual conjunction and cooperation, therefore none doth work as it is alone, but as it standeth united with its fellow-labourers in every work. And as none of these respects can be wanting in the office of the Ministry; so none besides these are needful; for if a member doth duly depend upon his head, and standeth in its right place in the body; and hath a lively faculty to do its own work, and is no ways disjointed but fitly compacted and linked to the other members in doing its work, nothing can be further desired or wished for in it. These are then the essential and proper relations, under which a Minister as an Officer of the Church is to be considered. Now if it be found that in the profession of truth and holiness, nothing doth make him so fit for his office in all these relations, as to maintain the duties of brotherly love, unity, communion and correspondency, and that without the study of these, he cannot stand aright in any of those relations; then I suppose that these duties will without contradiction be acknowledged to be the most commendable and useful that he can apply himself unto, and that without the observance of the same, he cannot be said to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called.
None of these respects must be wanting, because without their subordination unto Christ, they are no Ministers, nor are they otherwise in Christ, but as they are members of his Church, nor can they bee counted members without a work to performe, because the use of every member is to be an Organ of the soul in the body: now the soul of this body is the spirit of Christ, and every true beleever is a member Organicall in his own place, that is, appointed to some usefull worke. Nor is any