A81213:20
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.
Where I do not love, I cannot confide; where I confide not, I will find cause to mistrust; where I find cause to mistrust, I will fortify my self against the same; and if I fortify my self against my neighbour, I must expect that he will do the like against me (for what cause hath he to trust me more then I do him?) therefore as long as I manifest no love, nor trust, but force only, there can be no confidence expected from any towards me. The main hinderance then of confidence and cause of fear is the endeavour of force; and if I once begin to endeavour force, I seek not only security to my self, but the conquest of that which I think is mine opposite; because I cannot naturally rest secure as long as that which I count an enemy is not subdued; and whatsoever I do not trust, I am apt to account an enemy; therefore whilst I make nothing my friend but mine own force, I am apt to trust ⟨p. 4⟩to nothing else but it. From all which this doth follow, that as soon as I forsake the simplicity of my love, I beget naturally fears within my self; and when I take a course to secure my self from my fears by force, I multiply fears in others, and give them cause to mistrust me. Let me then cure mine own fears first which I have of others, and then I shall be able to cure the fears which others have of me: if I take the beam out of mine own eye, I shall see clear to take the moat out of my neighbours.
Where I doe not love, I cannot confide; where I confide not, I will finde cause to mistrust; where I finde cause to mistrust, I will fortifie my selfe against the same; and if I fortifie my selfe against my neighbour, I must expect that hee will doe the like against mee (for what cause hath hee to trust mee more then I doe him?) therefore as long as I manifest no love, nor trust, but force onely, there can bee no confidence expected from any towards mee. The maine hinderance then of confidence and cause of feare is the endeavour of force; and if I once begin to endeavour force, I seeke not onely security to my selfe, but the conquest of that which I thinke is mine opposit; because I cannot naturally rest secure as long as that which I count an enemy is not subdued; and whatsoever I doe not trust, I am apt to account an enemy; therefore whilst I make nothing my friend but mine owne force, I am apt to trust ⟨p. 4⟩to nothing else but it. From all which this doth follow, that as soone as I forsake the simplicitie of my love, I beget naturally feares within my selfe; and when I take a course to secure my selfe from my feares by force, I multiply feares in others, and give them cause to mistrust me. Let me then cure mine owne feares first which I have of others, and then I shall bee able to cure the feares which others have of me: if I take the beame out of mine owne eye, I shall see cleer to take the moat out of my neighbours.