THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.

To the Honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament.

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, lam 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,¹⁷⁹¹⁷⁹   That is, “haply.”—Ed. 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; δίψυχοι are ἀκατάστατοι, double-minded men are unstable, James i. 8, and their compliance is promiscuously dispensed. Some possibly may have so 380much 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.