Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…

Secondly, if in the course of a mans life, he appears not to §2be much under the command of his conscience, but can take liberty as he pleases; if indeed a man in the general course of his life appears to be very conscientious; we had need take heed how we meddle with such a man in a way of opposition, except the evil we see now in him be very clear and gross; but that man, who in the common course of his life, can trifle with his conscience, hath deprived himself of the benefit of this plea, as a man may forfeit the benefit of his freedom in the City by misdemeanour: so the benefit that otherwise might be had of such a plea may be forfeited by such looseness of life.

Secondly, if in the course of a mans life, he appears not to §2be much under the command of his conscience, but can take liberty as he pleases; if indeed a man in the generall course of his life appears to be very conscientious; we had need take heed how we meddle with such a man in a way of opposition, except the evill we see now in him be very clear and grosse; but that man, who in the common course of his life, can trifle with his conscience, hath deprived himselfe of the benefit of this plea, as a man may forfeit the benefit of his freedome in the City by misdemeanour: so the benefit that otherwise might be had of such a plea may be forfeited by such loosenesse of life.

Thirdly, when the account a man gives cannot in any rational §3way be judged such, giving allowance to all his weaknesses, as should probably mis-lead him so grossly, as is apparent he is mislead. We must grant, that those may be reasons to one which are not to another; but when they appear so gross, as after all allowances to weaknesses, they cannot in any common understanding reach to such a conclusion, we may at least suspect very much, that the evil of this man lies not in his conscience, but some where else; yet we should not do well to be too hastily and violent with such men; it may be a man for a while may be so over-poured, that he is not able to render a rational account of his ways, but wait a while, and deal with him tenderly in love; consider his personal disabilities, his temptations, give him all the allowance you can; if one means prevail not to show him his error, try another; if at one time you do no good upon him, see what may be done at another; consider, is it not possible, that even such weak things may appear to the conscience of a man that hath so many weaknesses, and lies under so many temptations, to be for the present such grounds as he cannot without sin deny; and if so, you had need deal tenderly with such a man, except the grossness of the evil requires severity.