THAT which was preached by your command is now published.
When the great voice saith, Come up hither, it is an evil modesty to hide among
the stuff. In these busy times they are happy to whom God hath vouchsafed the
shelter of an obscure privacy; yet, upon a call, we should not consult with our
own ease and quiet. The times are violent and blasting, and this poor endeavour
is likely to undergo several misconstructions, but, I thank God, I am learning
to pass through good report and evil report, 2 Cor. vi. 8, and to disvalue
censure when it seizeth upon me in the way of duty.
I have dealt freely and impartially against the miscarriages of both parties,
and, happily,("haply") my liberty may displease some ; others
may look upon the things offered here as too low and trivial, and not weighty
enough to reach the end of the design.
Let them remember the intent of these proposals is only to engage to a further
consultation about the matter. The entire discourse were fitter for a treatise
than a sermon; and yet something is offered which, by the blessing of God, may
be serviceable to reduce men from their violences and extremities to some
better temper and moderation. Some possibly may dislike the whole design;
spirits now are very keen and exasperated ; men think it will be a cooling of
their zeal if we should a little take off their edge and sharpness: fire will
not be quenched without hissing. To these I shall only profess, that if I know
mine heart, I abhor all such moderation and compliances as will not stand with
Christian zeal, and may disadvantage truth and religion: whatever become of my
own party, I would be faithful and true to that interest. I know that as it is
hard to be moderate without danger, so also without sin. Men of middle
interests do always displease men, and they should be careful they do not
displease God. There are many counterfeits of Christian moderation; a cold, or,
at best, a tepid indifferency, lukewarm Christians may easily middle it.
Carnally-wise neutrality; it is no wonder to see men that observe the times
neither hot nor cold. A doubtful uncertainty; dipsuchoi are akatastatoi,
double-minded men are unstable, James i. 8, and their compliance is
promiscuously dispensed. Some possibly may have so much of child and self in
them as to mind church-peace only as a taking theme, and speak for it rather
from their brain than their heart, others may (like him in Daniel) deal
deceitfully, and press a league that they may become strong with a small
people, mind moderation for their own advantage; some, out of a desire of their
carnal ease and quiet, may be against stirs. I foresaw these rocks, desired
grace to avoid them ; therefore I hope nothing will be found here to occasion
any such prejudice and suspicion against this endeavour.
However it speedeth abroad, you were pleased to honour it with acceptance, and
to do something upon it, which I hope you will revive again when it shall
comport with the times. I shall desire God to guide you in that and other your
great affairs. The Wonderful Counsellor be with you in all your straits, make
you understanding men of the season, careful to apply apt remedies to the
distempers of it.
So prayeth your meanest servant in the Lord's work,
THOMAS MANTON.