A81213:83
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.
Now to make all Truths doubtful, he raiseth disputes, and doth find out ways to make them undecidable: and this he doth chiefly by the means of those that should be the unanimous witnesses of that Truth, which is called into question, when they are disunited amongst themselves. And to confound the Ordinances, he setteth every one promiscuously upon the administration thereof in his own way; not only by giving a freedom unto all both to do without control what they please in such matters, and to condemn and oppose every one that is not of their way; but also by disannulling the authority by which all order should be settled in Church and Commonwealth. And to bring all this to pass, his main endeavour is to cause the Ministers of the Gospel, either to be subordinate unto his ministers in all things at their will; or by variance of judgement amongst themselves, and difference of practises from each other to lose their way; to neglect the rules of unity and forbearance which the Word prescribeth to uphold the communion▪ ⟨p. 22⟩of Saints, which is their strength; to break the bonds of love and peace; and having engaged them into quarrels, to bring them within the compass of his reach, that is, to move them to act their controversies, by the ways of the power and policy of his kingdom for self aims: For if he once can corrupt the simplicity of their minds so, that they mind not truly the duty of being conformable to the Word in every thing, and to the spiritual aim of Christs walking in the world; and if he can engage them into worldly designs to advance the same in a worldly way, he hath gotten them clearly within his reach; where he will endeavour to the utmost, first to cause them utterly forget and lay aside the aim of their spiritual calling. Secondly, to allure them unto, and affect them with the appearance and glory of his dominion. Thirdly, to act them by the principles of outward fears and hopes to that which he would have them do; and when he hath once gotten them thus far under the power of this snare, he will be able without resistance to carry them headlong amongst themselves to more and more uncharitableness and unconscionableness of conversation, whereby breaches will be multiplied and made irreconcilable.
Now to make all Truths doubtfull, hee raiseth disputes, and doth find out wayes to make them undecidable: and this he doth chiefly by the meanes of those that should bee the unanimous witnesses of that Truth, which is called into question, when they are disunited amongst themselves. And to confound the Ordinances, he setteth every one promiscuously upon the administration thereof in his owne way; not onely by giving a freedome unto all both to doe without controule what they please in such matters, and to condemne and oppose every one that is not of their way; but also by disanulling the authoritie by which all order should bee setled in Church and Commonwealth. And to bring all this to passe, his main endeavour is to cause the Ministers of the Gospel, either to bee subordinate unto his ministers in all things at their will; or by variance of judgement amongst themselves, and difference of practises from each other to lose their way; to neglect the rules of unitie and forbearance which the Word prescribeth to uphold the communion