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.
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